Treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction using a detachable inflatable stent: initial experience.

Objective: We describe a new method for treating ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction using a detachable inflatable stent positioned via a cystoscopic transvesicular approach.

Conclusion: Eleven patients with UPJ obstruction were treated using a detachable inflatable stent, 64% of whom experienced complete pain relief. In 82% of patients, no obstruction was seen on renograms obtained after the procedure.

Impact of head movements on morphology and flow in the internal carotid artery after carotid angioplasty and stenting versus endarterectomy.

Objective: Because stents can cause vessel angulation during movement, we hypothesized that internal carotid artery (ICA) stents might lead to alterations of cerebropetal blood flow. This study assessed three-dimensional anatomy and volumetric flow rate (VFR) in the ICA in various head positions by comparing patients treated with carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) with patients treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Methods: Three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography and magnetic resonance flow quantification were performed on six subjects after CAS (median age, 70 years) and on six subjects after CEA (median age, 67 years).

Carotid angioplasty and stent placement: comparison of transcranial Doppler US data and clinical outcome with and without filtering cerebral protection devices in 509 patients.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate emboli detected at transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (US) and outcome of carotid angioplasty and stent placement and compare these findings in patients treated with the use of filtering cerebral protection devices (CPDs) with the findings in patients treated without the use of filtering CPDs.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the institutional human research committee. Written informed consent was obtained for all patients.

Embolotherapy of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: long-term results in 112 patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term results of embolotherapy of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in a large group of patients.

Materials And Methods: Between July 1988 and August 2001, 134 consecutive patients underwent embolotherapy of PAVMs with feeding arteries larger than 3 mm or that had previously caused bleeding or systemic complications. The mean follow-up was 62.

New brain lesions at MR imaging after carotid angioplasty and stent placement.

Purpose: To assess, with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the number and size of new brain lesions after carotid angioplasty and stent placement (CAS) and to evaluate the association of these new lesions with neurologic deficits and transcranial Doppler ultrasonographic (US) data.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-two consecutive CAS procedures were performed in 72 patients. Patients underwent neurologic examination before, during, immediately after, and 1 day, 3 months, and 1 year after CAS.