Renal Interventional Treatment Options

Urinary blockages

For those who have a blockage in their urinary system, a nephroureteral stent may be placed within the blockage to restore the flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder. If a stent cannot be placed, a percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) catheter (drainage tube) may be placed with one end in the kidney and one end outside of the skin into an external drainage bag. Another option is to place a percutaneous nephroureteral (PCNU) catheter inside the ureter to help drain the urine.  

Kidney stone treatment

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an interventional radiology technique for removing kidney stones that are large, very hard, or resistant to other forms of treatment. It is a minimally invasive procedure that places a tube into the kidney using x-ray guidance, and then breaks up the stone so that it can be removed.

What is the Double J catheter placement procedure?

This procedure is used temporarily in the ureter to help urine drain from the kidneys to the bladder. Using imaging guidance, an interventional radiologist places a thin plastic tube in the ureter that is curved at both ends to avoid damaging the kidney and bladder and prevent it from dislocating.