Scholarlink

Introduction <p>Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) catheter exchange is commonly performed using standard over-the-wire techniques; however, exchange may be challenging or unsuccessful in the setting of catheter encrustation. Failure of nephrostomy exchange may necessitate de novo renal access, increasing procedural risk and resource utilization. We describe a modified sheath technique to facilitate catheter exchange in difficult cases.</p> Methods <p>All cases of nephrostomy tube exchange performed using a modified sheath technique between February 2025 and January 2026 at a single tertiary centre were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with encrusted nephrostomy tubes in whom conventional wire-guided exchange failed were included. Procedural technique, demographic data, technical success, and complications were evaluated.</p> Results <p>Technical success was achieved in 19 of 20 cases (95%) of encrusted nephrostomy tubes using the modified sheath technique. In one case, loss of tract access occurred due to sheath buckling, and the procedure was abandoned. No major procedure-related complications were observed.</p> Conclusion <p>Nephrostomy tube exchange using a modified sheath technique demonstrates a high technical success rate in cases of challenging encrusted nephrostomy tubes. This fluoroscopy-guided approach preserves collecting system access and may serve as a practical minimally invasive salvage option in routine interventional radiology practice.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Non-invasive exchange of encrusted nephrostomy tubes using a modified sheath technique: technical description and case series

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月21日

查看全文
  • Wai Hung Lester Shiu,
  • Kin Wong Chan

摘要

Introduction

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) catheter exchange is commonly performed using standard over-the-wire techniques; however, exchange may be challenging or unsuccessful in the setting of catheter encrustation. Failure of nephrostomy exchange may necessitate de novo renal access, increasing procedural risk and resource utilization. We describe a modified sheath technique to facilitate catheter exchange in difficult cases.

Methods

All cases of nephrostomy tube exchange performed using a modified sheath technique between February 2025 and January 2026 at a single tertiary centre were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with encrusted nephrostomy tubes in whom conventional wire-guided exchange failed were included. Procedural technique, demographic data, technical success, and complications were evaluated.

Results

Technical success was achieved in 19 of 20 cases (95%) of encrusted nephrostomy tubes using the modified sheath technique. In one case, loss of tract access occurred due to sheath buckling, and the procedure was abandoned. No major procedure-related complications were observed.

Conclusion

Nephrostomy tube exchange using a modified sheath technique demonstrates a high technical success rate in cases of challenging encrusted nephrostomy tubes. This fluoroscopy-guided approach preserves collecting system access and may serve as a practical minimally invasive salvage option in routine interventional radiology practice.