American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 137, Issue 5, 925-927
Copyright © 1981 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Percutaneous nephrostomy: comparison of sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance
HG Zegel,
HM Pollack,
MC Banner,
BB Goldberg,
PH Arger,
C Mulhern,
A Kurtz,
P Dubbins,
B Coleman,
and
H Koolpe
Both sonography and fluoroscopy have been recommended for renal localization and needle guidance for percutaneous nephrostomy. The respective efficacies of both methods have been compared in a prospective study of 88 patients undergoing percutaneous nephrostomy by the catheter over guide wire technique. Fifty-five patients had initial puncture using either an A-mode (42 patients) or real time (13 patients) sonographic aspiration transducer, while 33 patients had a single plane vertical beam fluoroscopy for puncture guidance. The use of either sonographic method for the initial needle puncture significantly reduced the number of puncture attempts (p = 0.000004) and potential iatrogenic risk, eliminated the need for intravenous administration of contrast material, allowed initial safe introduction of a large caliber needle, and decreased the length of time needed to perform the procedure.