Comparison of ureteric stone size, on bone window versus standard soft-tissue window settings, on multi-detector non-contrast computed tomography.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference in mean stone size, as measured on bone window vs standard soft-tissue window setting using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in patients with a solitary ureteric stone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 60 patients presenting to the emergency and outpatient departments of a University Hospital from May 2015 to October 2015 and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. A 64-slice MDCT was used to assess the locations and size of the ureteric stones. A consultant radiologist independently analysed the MDCT scans of all the patients. The mean difference in stone size was calculated between both window settings in axial and coronal planes. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of the patients was 37.13 (11.9) years. Males constituted ∼68% of the cohort and 32% were female. In all, 85% of the patients had left ureteric stones and 15% had right ureteric stones. The mean (SD) stone size, as measured on the soft-tissue window setting was 6.68 (2.01) mm, and on the bone window setting was 4.8 (1.9) mm. The mean (SD) difference in stone size between the two window settings was +1.85 (0.55) mm. The two means were compared using Student\u27s t-test, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (P \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSION: The stone size measured using the soft-tissue window setting on a MDCT is significantly different from the measurement on the bone window setting

Intravesical foreign body: tertiary care center experience from Pakistan.

Foreign body in bladder is relatively uncommon condition with variable presentations. Literature is limited to case reports and small series from region. Therefore, we planned this study to review our experience regarding intravesical foreign body. This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised 14 patients having intravesical foreign bodies from March 1989 to March 2013. Demographics, presentation, mode of insertion, type of foreign body and management were noted. Of the 11(78.6%) patients included in the study, 10(90.9%) patients were male and 1(9.1%) was female. The mean age was 51± 20 years. In 5(45.5%) patients, foreign bodies reached bladder by iatrogenic route followed by self-insertion in 4(36.4%) patients. Retrieved foreign bodes included piece of Foley\\u27s catheter, electric wire, ureteric stent, plastic material, double-J stent pusher, Endo gastrointestinal (GI) staples, sticks of broom and bomb shrapnel. All patients were managed successfully with endoscopic removal. However, 5(45.5%) patients required additional urological procedures. This could represent a urologic challenge. Careful history and symptoms could lead to further investigations

Postoperative subcutaneous emphysema following percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A rare complication

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a common urological procedure performed for complicated upper urinary tract stones. The advantages of PCNL include lower morbidity and mortality rates and quicker recovery compared to traditional open surgery. A number of complications have been reported which can be life threatening. Here we present a case of 71 years old lady, who developed subcutaneous emphysema following PCNL

Analysis of 114 pedigrees of renal stone patients: A retrospective review

Background: Renal and ureteric stones (RS) can form due to genetic, metabolic, environmental, and diet-hydration related factors. Studies have shown that patients with family history (FH) of RS have higher likelihood of recurrence.Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study on 114 pedigrees to investigate the impact of FH on recurrence of RS and examine patterns of inheritance. Results: Family history of renal stone disease was found in 42% of all patients. There was a significant increase of stone recurrence in RS patients with a positive FH (p=0.001). Seventy-one percent of patients with recurrent stones had at least one family member with RS. Interestingly, male penetrance was higher in RS recurrence, where a greater proportion of males had no FH of RS, indicating that there may be other factors involved as well. Conclusion: Family history in RS patients should be continuously explored for the possible underlying genetic influence, whilst keeping in mind the dietary habits of the family