PURPOSE: The objective of this study were to evaluate the location of ureteral stones and the diameter of the ureter in patients with renal colic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 95 consecutive patients who presented to the emergency department with renal colic in whom urinary stones were diagnosed by computed tomography between January 2009 and August 2009. The size and location of the stones were investigated. The length and diameter of unaffected ureters were also measured. RESULTS: The mean size of the stones was 4.87+/-3.49 mm (range, 0.9-22 mm). Stones were located at ureterovesical junction (UVJ) in 44 cases (46.3%), proximal ureter in 29 (30.5%), distal ureter in 16 (16.8%), ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) in 5 (5.2%), and the ureter crossing external iliac vessel (UEIV) in 1 case (1%). The mean length of the ureter was 226.8+/-20.8 mm (range, 175-286 mm). The mean diameter of the ureter was 3.40+/-0.61 mm (range, 1.9-5.3 mm). The mean diameter of the UEIV was 3.28+/-0.59 mm (range, 2.2-5.3 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The UPJ and UEIV were not common sites of ureteral stones. The smaller the stones, the closer to the UVJ that the stones were located. Spontaneous passage of the stones was most frequently observed for stones in the UVJ. The UEIV was not significantly narrower than the other parts of the ureter.
Colic ; Emergencies ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Renal Colic ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureter ; Ureteral Calculi ; Urinary Calculi

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tamsulosin on expulsion of ureteral stones after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients(39 with upper ureteral stones and 37 with lower ureteral stones) treated with ESWL for stones <10mm were randomly divided into two groups. Tamsulosin(0.2mg orally once daily) was administered to group 1; group 2 received no medications. All patients were evaluated with respect to the number of episodes of ureteral colic, the expulsion rates of stones after ESWL, and the mean number of sessions of ESWL until complete expulsion of stones. RESULTS: The complete expulsion rates of upper and lower ureteral stones did not differ significantly between groups 1 and 2 during each session of ESWL; however, the mean session of ESWL was lower in group 1 than in group 2. For upper ureteral stones, 1.8 sessions were necessary per patient in group 1, while 2.3 sessions were required for the patients in group 2(p=0.039). For lower ureteral stones, 2.0 sessions were necessary per patient in group 1, while 2.9 sessions were required for the patients in group 2(p=0.032). There were significant decreases in the number of episodes of pain in group 1 with lower ureteral stones(p=0.014). There were no side effects associated with tamsulosin. CONCLUSIONS: The use of tamsulosin in the treatment of upper and lower ureteral stones after ESWL can decrease the mean number of sessions of ESWL and the number of episodes of pain, but cannot improve the expulsion rate. Further research regarding the cost-effectiveness of tamsulosin after ESWL is needed.
Calculi ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Renal Colic ; Shock ; Sulfonamides ; Ureter

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the success rate, failure causes, complications, safety and effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(SWL) with domestic SDS-5000 lithotriptor for the treatment of urinary calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SWL monotherapy using the Domestic SDS-5000 lithotripter was performed in 195 urinary stones from 173 patients between 9 years and 74 years old from March 1998 to February 1999. Distribution of stones, location and size of stones, session, success rate, causes of failure and complications of SWL were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 195 cases, 88(45.1%) had renal, and 107(54.9%) ureteral stones. Of these cases 44.6% had stones smaller than 0.9cm, 33.3% from 1 to 1.9cm, 15.9% from 2 to 2.9cm, and 4% larger than 3cm. The overall success rate of complete SWL was 91.3% with 90.1% in 5-9mm, 96.9% in 10-19mm, 90.3% in 20-29mm and 62.5% over 30mm stone size. There were no significant complications. The cases of transient gross hematuria were developed in 11.3%, renal colic in 8.7%, steinstrasse in 2.0% and fever in 1.0%. These complications were controlled with conservative treatment or repeated session of shock wave lithotripsy, Double - J stent insertion. CONCLUSIONS: SWL with Domestic SDS-5000 lithotriptor is considered to be a safe and efficient outpatient procedure for the initial treatment of urinary stone.
Aged ; Fever ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Lithotripsy* ; Outpatients ; Renal Colic ; Shock* ; Stents ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi*

PURPOSE: Renal colic is a common disorder with a high rate of recurrence, resulting in a large number of emergency department visits. The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal variation in renal colic attacks and the association with climatic parameters. METHODS: The time of onset, monthly incidence, and effects of climatic parameters of renal colic were evaluated. Data on climatic parameters were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Correlation between the number of monthly episodes and climatic parameters was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 5060 renal colic episodes were retrieved during a period of 84 months (from May 2006 to April 2013). Episodes of renal colic were more common in men (67.4%) than in women(32.6%). The incidence of renal colic showed a circadian variation, with a morning peak (500~1000 h) and an afternoon dip (1500~1900 h). Findings of the current study showed a higher number of renal colic episodes during summer compared with other seasons. Significant positive correlations were observed between the mean monthly temperature and the monthly incidence of renal colic, but not between other climatic parameters (relative humidity, rainfall, sunshine hours, and atmospheric pressure) and incidence of renal colic. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the incidence of renal colic has significant seasonal variation, and only mean monthly temperature showed any consistent association with monthly attack rates.
Climate ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Humidity ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Recurrence ; Renal Colic* ; Seasons* ; Sunlight ; Urolithiasis

PURPOSE: We studied to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the domestic SDS-3000(R) extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor (SWL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 1995 and April 2000, 440 patients, 16 to 79 years old, were treated with the domestic SDS-3000(R) lithotriptor using C-arm fluoroscopy without regional or general anesthesia. Distribution of stones, location and size of stones, session, success rate, causes of failure and complications of SWL were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of 440 patients, renal stones were 133 (30.2%) and ureteral stones 307 (69.8%). The overall success rate (stone free rate) of SDS-3000(R) lithotriptor in 440 patients was 89.8% (81.4%) with 94.9% (91.0%) in 5-9mm, 87.2% (75.8%) in 10-19mm, 66.7% (42.8%) in 20-29mm and 57.1% (35.7%) over 30mm of stone size. The success rate was 94.9% for stones between 5-9mm in diameters and 82.6% for stones more than 10mm (p<0.05). As compaired with success rate for stones less then 20mm, stones more then 20mm had significently higher success rate (92.1% Vs 62.8%) (p<0.05). Ureter stones were more successfully treated than renal stones (93.2% Vs 82.0%) (p<0.05). Main complications of SWL were renal colic in 10.0%, steinstrasse in 4.3%, transient gross hematuria in 1.8% and fever in 1.1%. All of complications were controlled with conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The domestic SDS-3000(R) lithotriptor monotherapy is considered to be a safe and efficient outpatient procedure for the initial treatment of urinary stones.
Aged ; Anesthesia, General ; Fever ; Fluoroscopy ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Renal Colic ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi*

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis is an uncommon tumor, comprising about 0.5-2% of all primary malignant tumor of the kidney. The patients of this disease usually presented late with extensive local infiltration. In addition, poor response to surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy result in a poor prognosis and short survival. We report a patient of squamous cell carcinoma of renal pelvis with staghorn calculi in a 66-year-old woman who had a history of right sided renal colic and palpable abdominal mass.
Aged ; Calculi* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis* ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Renal Colic

PURPOSE: This study was designed to correlate the size and position of ureteral stones to their clinical manifestation. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of medical records of 201 patients who visited the emergency department complaining of renal colic and diagnosed with ureteral stone(s) by use of computed tomography from July to December 2011. The size and position of a stone and the corresponding ipsilateral hydronephrosis, as well as the number and type of administered analgesics, were evaluated. RESULTS: Ureteral stones were located at the ureteropelvic junction in 2.0% of cases, at the proximal ureter between the ureteropelvic junction and the iliac vessels in 41.8% of cases, at the ureter crossing external iliac vessels in 1.0% of cases, at the distal ureter between the iliac vessels and the ureterovesical junction in 12.9% of cases, and at the ureterovesical junction in 42.3% of cases. Where the ureter crossed external iliac vessels, the mean size of stones was significantly larger in the upper ureter, as 5.3+/-2.3 mm, than in the lower ureter, as 4.2+/-1.8 mm. Pain duration and stone size were significant factors associated with hydronephrosis by logistic regression analysis. Ketorolac was selected as the first-line analgesics in 169 patients (94.9%). The factor affecting the response to analgesic treatment was stone size. Patients needing analgesic administration three times or more, had smaller stones. CONCLUSION: Most of the ureteral stones observed were located in the proximal ureter and at the ureterovesical junction. Hydronephrosis occurred more often in patients who had longer periods of pain and larger stones. Patients with smaller stones needed more frequent administration of pain killers.
Analgesics ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Ketorolac ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Renal Colic ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureter ; Ureteral Calculi

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotheraphy was performed in 315 urinary stones from 278 patients with the Domestic SDS-2 lithotriptor using C-arm fluoroscopy between December 1991 and December 1994. Of 315 cases, renal stones were 150 cases(47.6%) and ureteral stones 165 cases(36.1%). No regional or general anesthesia was required but parenteral or oral analgesics were required in some patients. Among 315 cases who completed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, the overall success rate of treatment was 90.5% with 92.4% in 5-9 mm, 94.8% in 10-19 mm, 89.7% in 20-29 mm and 61.5% over 30 mm or staghorn stones. Post lithotripsy complications were transient gross hematuria in 17.1%, renal colic in 11.4%, steinstrasse in 4.8%, petechia in 2.9% and fever in 1.9% and these complications were controlled with conservative treatment or repeated session of extracorporeal shock wave lothotropsy, percutaneous nephrodtomy, Double-J stent insertion or ureterolithotomy. We suggest that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotheraphy with the Domestic SDS-2 lithotriptor was considered to be effective and safe procedure for the initial treatment of urinary stones.
Analgesics ; Anesthesia, General ; Fever ; Fluoroscopy ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Renal Colic ; Shock* ; Stents ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi*

PURPOSE: Central lucency of pelvic phleboliths is frequently observed on plain pelvic radiographs. When it is also present on noncontrast helical CT images, pelvic phleboliths may be easily diagnosed, with no suspicion of distal ureteral calculi. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency with which this phenome-non is seen on plain radiographs and noncontrast helical CT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a recent two-year period we identified 70 patients with renal colic who under-went both abdomino-pelvic radiography and noncontrast helical CT scanning. Radiographs were obtained at 70 -85 kVp and 30 -40 mA; CT scans were preformed within one month of plain radiography with parameters of 120 kVp, 200 -220 mA, 5-mm collimation, and pitch of 1 -1.6, and using soft tissue and bone window settings. With regared to the central lucency of pelvic phleboliths, as seen on both on radiographs and CT im-ages, two experienced radiologists reached a consensus. RESULTS: Among the 70 patients, a total of 150 pelvic phleboliths was found. In all cases except one, pelvic radi-ography and noncontrast helical CT revealed the same number of phleboliths. The exception was a case in which one of two phleboliths demonstrated by CT was not seen on radiographs. Pelvic radiography revealed central lucency in 95 of these 150 phleboliths (63%), but noncontrast helical CT failed to depict a hypodense center in any phlebolith. CONCLUSION: Central lucency of pelvic phleboliths, as frequently seen on plain pelvic radiographs, was not revealed by routine noncontrast helical CT in any patient.The presence or absence of central lucency on these CT images cannot, therefore, be used to differentiate phleboliths from distal ureteral calculi.
Consensus ; Humans ; Radiography ; Renal Colic ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ureteral Calculi

Primary localized amyloidosis is a rare disease. A 75-year-old woman with a history of intermittent right-sided renal colic and hematuria had a stricture of lower ureter which was suspected to be caused by tumor or fibrosis. Intraoperative frozen biopsy of the ureter showed no evidence of malignancy. So we report a case of primary amyloidosis of the ureter which was treated successfully with segmental resection and end to end anastomosis.
Aged ; Amyloidosis* ; Biopsy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Rare Diseases ; Renal Colic ; Ureter*