The Journal of urology
-
The Journal of urology · Sep 1998
Review Clinical TrialUnenhanced helical computerized tomography for the evaluation of patients with acute flank pain.
We determined the value of unenhanced helical computerized tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of acute flank pain in 105 patients evaluated for suspected stone disease. ⋯ Despite the limitations of helical CT in evaluating renal function and nonobstructing ureteral calculi, noncontrasted CT is a sensitive imaging modality for the detection of urinary tract calculi and obstruction. The majority of our patients required no further imaging to determine the need for urological intervention. At our institution spiral CT has become the standard method to evaluate patients with acute flank pain leading to more rapid turnover in the emergency department at similar or even reduced cost to conventional excretory urography.
-
The Journal of urology · Sep 1998
Bilateral chronic sacral neuromodulation for treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.
Chronic sacral neuromodulation aims at functional restoration of selected forms of nonneurogenic and neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The original technique, as described by Tanagho and Schmidt, provides unilateral sacral nerve stimulation via an implanted stimulator powering an electrode inserted into a sacral foramen. Its drawback was that the implant failed unpredictably in some patients despite previous successful percutaneous test stimulation. Therefore, we modified the stimulation technique to improve the efficacy of chronic sacral neuromodulation. ⋯ The efficacy of chronic sacral neuromodulation can be improved by bilateral attachment of electrodes directly to the sacral nerves.