Effect of intrarenal pelvic pressure on pyelo-tubular backflow and renal cortical blood perfusion during mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of intrarenal pelvic pressure (IPP) on pyelo-tubular backflow and renal cortical blood perfusion during mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL).

METHODS

Dynamic changes in pyelo-tubular backflow and renal cortical blood perfusion were studied in six patients undergoing MPCNL using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and IPP monitoring.

RESULTS

CEUS of intrarenal pelvic perfusion revealed that renal tubules began to exhibit contrast agent reflux when IPP exceeded 34 mmHg during the MPCNL procedure. There was a positive correlation between renal tubule contrast agent reflux and IPP (P < 0.05). Intravenous CEUS of renal cortical blood flow demonstrated that both intrarenal pelvic perfusion time and IPP during MPCNL significantly affected renal cortical blood perfusion. Intrarenal pelvic perfusion time and pressure were negatively correlated with contrast agent peak intensity (PI) and area under the curve (AUC) (P < 0.05). Longer intrarenal pelvic perfusion times and higher pressures resulted in decreased renal cortical blood perfusion.

CONCLUSION

This study directly confirmed through dynamic CEUS and real-time IPP monitoring that an increase in IPP above the threshold of approximately 34 mmHg during MPCNL in patients leads to reflux through the renal tubules and a significant decrease in renal cortical blood perfusion. The safe upper limit for intrarenal pelvic perfusion pressure during MPCNL is approximately 34 mmHg.