A New Technique for Computed-Tomography Urethrography in Males: The Clamp Method

The aim of the present study is to describe and evaluate a new technique for performing Computed-Tomography Retrograde Urethrography (CT-RUG). Males with urethral anomalies detected by retrograde urethrography (RUG) and/or retrograde sonourethrography (RSUG) underwent CT-RUG using the clamp method a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Juan de Dios Berná-Mestre, Florentina Guzmán-Aroca, Alejandro Puerta-Sales, Antonio Navarro-Baño, Guillermo Carbonell-López del Castillo, Juan de Dios Berná-Serna, Miguel Alcaraz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/3/1006
Description
Summary:The aim of the present study is to describe and evaluate a new technique for performing Computed-Tomography Retrograde Urethrography (CT-RUG). Males with urethral anomalies detected by retrograde urethrography (RUG) and/or retrograde sonourethrography (RSUG) underwent CT-RUG using the clamp method and three radiologists evaluated the anomalies in each technique separately and blindly. CT-RUG was done successfully in all the cases (<i>n</i> = 22), with means of 6 min duration and 95 mL of contrast; no pain was reported by 81% of the patients (VAS: 0) and very mild pain by the rest (VAS: 0.5–1.2). CT-RUG showed better diagnostic efficacy in cases of periurethral fistula (<i>n</i> = 8), urethral stent (<i>n</i> = 3), previous urethroplasty and urethral lithiasis (<i>n</i> = 2), a similar accuracy to RSUG for measuring the length of anterior urethral strictures (<i>n</i> = 9) and greater accuracy than RUG (<i>p</i> = 0.008). Six cases received 2 CT sweeps, with an effective dose of 4.96 mSv, and the remaining 16 had 1 sweep and received 3.456 mSv. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the clamp method for CT-RUG, a method that is effective and comfortable for both the patient and the operator (retrograde infusion of contrast).
ISSN:2076-3417