Malignant ureteral obstruction: treatment with metal stents--technique, results, and observations with percutaneous intraluminal US.

PURPOSE: To test the technical feasibility and results of placement of metal stents into ureters obstructed by extensive tumor.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Six consecutive patients (two men and four women, aged 35-66 years and with incurable malignancies) underwent insertion of metallic endoprostheses in nine obstructed ureters through percutaneous tracts.

RESULTS

Metal stents were inserted without technical difficulty in all obstructed ureters. The stents functioned well in four patients. In two patients, the metal were not tolerated and plastic double-J stents were placed through the metal stents; this permitted effective functioning and withdrawal of the protective external catheter. Intraluminal ultrasonography depicted stent clogging and debris, dimensions of stent opening, and tumor level.

CONCLUSION

Insertion of metal stents in the ureter is technically straightforward and was well tolerated by patients. However, the efficacy is variable, and a greater beneficial effect than is achieved with plastic stents is not established.