The use of ultrasound contrast agent in ultrasound guided percutaneous nephrostomy

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) in ultrasound (US) guided percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) and assessing complications. Patient and methods: 45 US guided PCN were performed in 35 patients (age 69 ± 12 [38 – 91] years, 26 males and 9 females) with hydronephrosis due to urinary tract obstruction. UCA (0.1 ml of SonoVue® diluted in 20 – 30 ml saline) was injected into the renal collecting system to confirm the correct needle or catheter insertion and determine the site and degree of the obstruction, using fluoroscopy as the gold standard. Extravascular c…