Genitourinary Interventions

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Renal Interventions - Kidney Savers

  • Percutaneous Nephrostomy (PCN):
    • Indications: Urinary obstruction (e.g., stones, malignancy), urinary diversion (fistula, leak), access for antegrade stenting/stone removal.
    • Contraindications: Uncorrected coagulopathy, inaccessible kidney, patient refusal.
    • Complications: Bleeding, infection/sepsis, tube dislodgement/blockage, adjacent organ injury.
  • Renal Artery Embolization (RAE):
    • Indications:
      • Trauma: Active renal hemorrhage.
      • Angiomyolipoma (AML): Symptomatic or >4 cm.
      • Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): Pre-operative, palliative for bleeding/paraneoplastic syndromes.
    • Agents: Coils, Gelfoam, PVA particles, Onyx.
  • Renal Biopsy:
    • Types: Native (usually lower pole), transplant (upper/lower pole). Core needle biopsy standard.
    • Complications: Hematuria, perinephric hematoma, AV fistula, pain.

      ⭐ The lower pole is the commonest site for post-renal biopsy AV fistula formation.

Ultrasound guided renal biopsy needle angle

Ureteral & Bladder Interventions - Pathway Patency

  • Ureteral Stenting (e.g., DJ Stent):
    • Purpose: Relieve/prevent ureteric obstruction.
    • Indications: Obstruction (calculi, strictures, extrinsic), post-op prophylaxis (URS, pyeloplasty).
    • Placement: Retrograde (cystoscopy) or Antegrade (via PCN).
    • Complications: Hematuria, flank pain, infection, encrustation, migration.
  • Suprapubic Cystostomy (SPC):
    • Purpose: Bladder drainage if urethra compromised.
    • Indications: Urethral stricture/injury, BPH, neurogenic bladder.
    • Technique: Percutaneous (Seldinger), USG/fluoro guided.
  • Ureteric Stricture Management (IR):
    • Options: Balloon dilatation, stenting (temp/long-term), cutting balloon.

⭐ Ideal duration for a prophylactic DJ stent post-uncomplicated ureteroscopy is often 1-2 weeks, but can extend to 4-6 weeks depending on complexity and healing.

GU Vascular & Genital Interventions - Flow & Function

  • Minimally invasive procedures for GU vascular & reproductive issues. 📌 VUPF: Varicocele, Uterine, Prostatic, Fallopian.

  • Varicocele Embolization:

    • For: Symptomatic varicocele (pain, infertility).
    • How: Gonadal vein access; coils/sclerosants.
    • Outcome: High success (>90% tech.), symptom relief. Pelvic vein embolization approaches
  • Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE):

    • For: Symptomatic fibroids (bleeding, bulk).
    • Avoid: Pregnancy, active infection, malignancy.
    • Particles: PVA/microspheres.

    ⭐ Post-embolization syndrome (fever, pain, nausea) is common after UFE; usually self-limiting.

  • Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE):

    • For: BPH LUTS (failed medical Rx/poor surgical candidate).
    • Goal: ↓prostate volume, ↑Qmax.
  • Fallopian Tube Recanalization (FTR):

    • For: Proximal tubal obstruction infertility.
    • How: Selective salpingography, guidewire/catheter.
    • Success: Patency 60-90%; pregnancy 20-40%.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • PCN (Percutaneous Nephrostomy) is the primary intervention for obstructive uropathy when retrograde access is not feasible.
  • Ureteric stenting (antegrade/retrograde) maintains ureteric patency; metallic stents are preferred for malignant strictures.
  • Renal artery angioplasty/stenting is indicated for significant renovascular hypertension due to atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.
  • Transarterial Embolization (TAE) is crucial for managing symptomatic renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) >4 cm, renal trauma, and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).
  • Varicocele embolization offers a minimally invasive treatment for male infertility and symptomatic varicoceles, typically using coils.
  • Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) is a well-established, minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids.
  • Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) is an emerging option for symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in selected patients.
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Practice Questions: Genitourinary Interventions

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Which of these is the best for management of a 3 cm stone in renal pelvis without evidence of hydronephrosis?

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What is the investigation of choice for a cirisoid aneurysm?_____

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What is the investigation of choice for a cirisoid aneurysm?_____

Angiography

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Genitourinary Interventions - Free Indian Medical PG Review