Anterograde irrigation - assisted ureteroscopic lithotripsy in patients with percutaneous nephrostomy

ABSTRACT In complicated urinary tract infection with ureteral calculi, urinary diversion is inevitable. So, stenting or percutaneous drainage can be an option. In hemodynamically unstable patients, percutaneous drainage is superior to ureteral stenting (1). Once acute infection is controlled, definite treatment of the stone is necessary. According to a guideline, semirigid ureteroscopy is recommended for lower and mid - ureter stone and flexible ureteroscopy for upper ureter stone (2). Semi - rigid ureteroscopy can migrate stone to kidney, especially in upper ureter stone, lowering stone free rate (3). Not only flexible ureteroscopy creates additional costs but also is barely available in developing countries (4, 5). So, the authors would like to introduce anterograde irrigation - assisted ureteroscopic lithotripsy in patients with percutaneous nephrostomy. Retrograde irrigation was connected and flowed minimally enough to secure visual field. Once stone is noted, another saline irrigation, which is placed above 40 cm over the patient is connected to nephrostomy. Retrograde irrigation is disconnected from ureteroscope and the previous connected channel on ureteroscope is opened. Actual pressure detected by barometer from the opened channel of ureteroscope is usually about 30 cmH2 O while anterograde irrigation is administered in maximal flow, which means fully opened anterograde irrigation is not hazardous to kidney. There was no complication in 17 patients submitted to this method. Video shows advantages of our practice: clear visual field; reduced risk of stone migration into kidney; induced spontaneous passage of fragments without using instrumentation; and decreased operation time. In short, most of surgeons, even unexperienced, can perform an excellent procedure with less time consuming using our method.

The relationship of the medial roof and the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus to the sphenoid sinus: a radiologic study / Relação do teto medial e parede posterior do seio maxilar como o seio esfenoidal: estudo radiológico

Abstract Introduction: The medial maxillary sinus roof is a ridge formed by the superior margin of the maxillary sinus antrostomy. The posterior wall of the maxillary sinus is always included in operative fields. Objective: To perform a radiologic study assessing the utility of the medial maxillary sinus roof and the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus as fixed landmarks for providing a safe route of entry into the sphenoid sinus. Methods: We reviewed 115 consecutive paranasal sinus Computed Tomographic scans (230 sides) of Korean adult patients performed from January 2014 to December 2014. Using the nasal floor as a reference point, the vertical distances to the highest point of the medial maxillary sinus roof, the sphenoid ostium and anterior sphenoid roof and floor were measured. Then the vertical distances from the highest point of the medial maxillary sinus roof to the sphenoid ostium and anterior sphenoid roof and floor were calculated. The coronal distance from the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus to the sphenoid ostium was determined. Results: The average height of the highest point of the medial maxillary sinus roof relative to the nasal floor was measured to be 33.83 ± 3.40 mm. The average vertical distance from the highest point of the medial maxillary sinus roof to the sphenoid ostium and anterior sphenoid roof and floor was 1.79 ± 3.09 mm, 12.02 ± 2.93 mm, and 6.18 ± 2.88 mm respectively. The average coronal distance from the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus to the sphenoid ostium was 0.78 mm. The sphenoid ostium was behind the coronal plane of the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus most frequently in 103 sides (44.4%). It was in the same coronal plane in 68 sides (29.3%) and in front of the plane in 61 sides (26.3%). Conclusions: The medial maxillary sinus roof and the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus can be used as a reliable landmark to localize and to enable a safe entry into the sphenoid sinus.

Resumo Introdução: O teto medial do seio maxilar é uma crista formada pela margem superior da antrostomia do seio maxilar. A parede posterior do seio maxilar é sempre incluída em campos cirúrgicos. Objetivo: Fazer estudo radiológico para avaliar a utilidade do teto medial do seio maxilar e da parede posterior do seio maxilar como referências anatômicas fixas para fornecer uma via segura de abordagem ao seio esfenoidal. Método: Foram analisados 115 exames de tomografia computadorizada consecutivos dos seios paranasais (230 lados) de pacientes adultos coreanos feitos de janeiro de 2014 a dezembro de 2014. Com o uso do assoalho nasal como ponto de referência, as distâncias verticais entre o teto medial do seio maxilar e o óstio esfenoidal e entre o teto e o assoalho esfenoidal anterior foram medidos. Em seguida, as distâncias verticais do ponto mais alto do teto medial do seio maxilar e o óstio esfenoidal e entre o teto e ao assoalho esfenoidal anterior foram medidas. A distância coronal da parede posterior do seio maxilar ao óstio esfenoidal foi determinada. Resultados: A altura média do ponto mais alto do teto medial do seio maxilar em relação ao assoalho nasal foi medida como 33,83 ± 3,40 mm. A distância vertical média do ponto mais alto do teto medial do seio maxilar até o óstio esfenoidal e do teto ao assoalho esfenoidal anterior foi de 1,79 ± 3,09 mm, de 12,02 ± 2,93 mm e 6,18 ± 2,88 mm, respectivamente. A distância coronal média da parede posterior do seio maxilar ao óstio esfenoidal foi de 0,78 mm. O óstio esfenoidal estava por trás do plano coronal da parede posterior do seio maxilar com mais frequência em 103 lados (44,4%). O mesmo se encontrava no plano coronal em 68 lados (29,3%) e na frente do plano em 61 lados (26,3%). Conclusões: O teto medial do seio maxilar e a parede posterior do seio maxilar podem ser usados como pontos de referência confiáveis para localizar e possibilitar uma abordagem segura ao seio esfenoidal.