Ureteroscopy: Its diagnostic value

Abstract

Ureteroscopy is one of the recent additions to the world of endoscopy in urology. A prospective study has been conducted to determine its diagnostic value in various ureteric lesions. From May, 1994 to April, 2000 we have performed 60 ureteroscopies in 53 patients. Their mean age was 44.7 years and male to female ratio was 1.5: 1. The indications were ureteric obstruction without any obvious pathology (35), suspicion of ureteric stone with negative radiology but strong clinical diagnosis (21) and to find out the cause of upper tract haematuria (4). Our results show that ureteroscopy was helpful in proper diagnosis ¡n 100 % of cases. Additionally it helped us for successful endoscopic treatment in 41.7 % of cases under the same anaesthesia. In 23.3 % of cases open surgery was required for proper treatment. Thirty five percent of patients required observation alone or medical treatment. The complication rate was 6.7 %. In our experience ureteroscopy is a useful diagnostic help in doubtful cases and helps in proper decision making for offering proper treatment in 100 % of cases.