Comparison of contrast-enhanced ultrasound versus conventional ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with nondilated collecting system: a randomized controlled trial

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound versus conventional ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with a non-dilated collecting system: results of a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (CEUS-PCNL) is an economical and practical technique for the treatment of patients with renal stones without significant collecting system dilatation. The aim of this systematic review is to compare the safety and efficacy of CEUS-PCNL and conventional ultrasound (US)-guided (US-PCNL) treatment of patients with renal calculi without significant hydronephrosis.

METHODS

This review was conducted with strict adherence to the PRISMA guidelines. Comparative studies on CEUS-PCNL and US-PCNL published in PubMed, SinoMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of science until March 1, 2023, were systematically searched. RevMan 5.1 software was used for meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs), weight mean differences (WMDs) and standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the fixed-effects or random-effects model. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots.

RESULTS

Four randomized controlled trials involving 334 patients (168 with CEUS-guided PCNL and 166 with US-guided PCNL) were identified. There was no statistically significant difference between CEUS-guided PCNL and US-guided PCNL in terms of the operation time (SMD: - 0.14; 95% CI - 0.35 to 0.08; p = 0.21), minor complications (p = 0.48), major complications (p = 0.28) and overall complications (p = 0.25). However, CEUS-guided PCNL had a higher stone-free rate (OR: 2.22; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.12; p = 0.01), higher success rate of single-needle punctures (OR:3.29; 95% CI 1.82 to 5.95; p < 0.0001), shorter puncture time (SMD: - 1.35; 95% CI - 1.9 to - 0.79; p < 0.00001), shorter hospital stay (SMD: - 0.34; 95% CI - 0.55 to - 0.12; p = 0.002) and lesser hemoglobin loss (SMD: - 0.83; 95% CI - 1.06 to - 0.61; p < 0.00001) as compared with conventional US-guided PCNL.

CONCLUSIONS

According to almost all pooled data, CEUS-guided PCNL is superior to US-guided PCNL in terms of the perioperative outcomes. However, many rigorous clinical randomized controlled studies are required to obtain more accurate results. Registration The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022367060).

Advances in percutaneous renal puncture: a comprehensive review of the literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) constitutes the gold standard procedure for patients suffering from more than 2 cm renal stones. The puncture is a very critical step of PCNL, affecting manoeuvrability of the nephroscope, possibility to remove stone fragments, risk of bleeding and radiation exposure. The aim of the current review was to discuss the advances in percutaneous renal puncture.

RECENT FINDINGS

Following technological evolution in medicine, there was a consistent development in the puncture techniques, aiming at the improvement of its efficacy and safety. The use of specific agents can improve ultrasonic guidance, making the challenging step of gaining access to the kidney easier for the experienced surgeon and more accessible for the resident urologist. Future developments in the electromagnetic and three-dimensional (3D) technology may establish a high level of accuracy with decreased rates of related complications, even in the hands of beginners.

SUMMARY

The advances in percutaneous puncture can lead to improved safety and accuracy of this procedure decreasing the radiation exposure and the complication rate.

Comparison of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound vs Conventional Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Nondilated Collecting System: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: It has been demonstrated that ultrasound (US)-guided renal collecting system access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is efficient and secure. The puncture success rate fell to 82%, and the total complication rate rose to 15% in kidneys with nondilated collecting systems. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) has been used in PCNL techniques to address this issue. Methods: We did this meta-analysis following the preferred reporting criteria for systematic reviews and meta-analysis to combine the data of published studies to compare the CEUS-guided PCNL and the standard US-guided PCNL (PRISMA). For relevant literature, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CKNI, and the Cochrane Library. The final inclusion date for this meta-analysis was May 1, 2022, and three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were finally included. RevMan V5.4.1 was used in this work. Standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was utilized as the major estimate in the synthesis of continuous data, while odds ratio (OR) with a 95% CI was synthesized as the main estimate in the synthesis of discontinuous data. Results: We found that compared with traditional US-guided PCNL, CEUS-guided PCNL could offer more benefits in terms of single-needle success rate (OR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.62 to 5.61, p = 0.0005), shorter puncture time (SMD: -1.33, 95% CI: -2.06 to -0.60, p = 0.0004), shorter hospital stays (SMD: -0.37, 95% CI: -0.60 to -0.13, p = 0.002), and a better stone clearance rate (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.15 to 4.68. p = 0.02). Although the PCNL complication rate after surgery was not significantly reduced by the CEUS technique (overall complication: OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.30, p = 0.25. Grade 1/2 complication: OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.41 to 1.53, p = 0.48; Grade 3/4 complication: OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.10 to 1.98, p = 0.28), it could reduce hemoglobin dropping compared with conventional US-guided PCNL (SMD: -0.82, 95% CI: -1.06 to -0.58, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The CEUS-guided PCNL technique is superior to the US-guided PCNL, according to almost all synthesized data. Additional randomized studies are still required.

Feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and flank position during percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with no apparent hydronephrosis: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose

To investigate the puncture accuracy and feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in flank position for patients with no apparent hydronephrosis.

Methods

Between May 2018 and June 2020, 72 kidney stone patients with no or mild hydronephrosis were randomized into two groups: a CEUS-guided PCNL group and a conventional ultrasound (US)-guided group. Patients’ demographics and perioperative outcomes were compared, including the success rate of puncture via calyceal fornix, the success rate of a single-needle puncture, puncture time, operative time, postoperative hemoglobin loss, stone-free rate, incidence of complications and postoperative stay.

Results

The success rate of puncture via calyceal fornix for CEUS-guided group was significantly higher than that for conventional US-guided group (86.1 vs. 47.2%, p = 0.002). Patients performed with CEUS-guided PCNL required shorter renal puncture time than those guided with conventional US (36.5 s vs. 61.0 s, p < 0.001). The median postoperative hemoglobin loss in the CEUS-guided group was significantly lower than that in conventional US-guided group (2.5 vs. 14.5 g/L, p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of a single-needle puncture, operative time, stone-free rate, incidence of complications and postoperative stay between the two groups.

Conclusion

CEUS guidance facilitates identification of the renal calyx fornix, and benefits more precise renal puncture and less hemoglobin loss in PCNL. CEUS-guided PCNL in flank position is a feasible approach to the treatment of kidney stone patients with no apparent hydronephrosis.

Trial registration number: ChiCTR1800015417.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00345-022-03933-4.