Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Checking ureter blockage in cats after ureteral bypass surgery
By Habib, Yassmina et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Assessing Ureteral Patency by Fluoroscopy and Ultrasonography After Subcutaneous Ureteral Bypass Device Placement for the Treatment of Benign Ureteral Obstruction in Cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with ureteral obstructions, often caused by stones or strictures, underwent a procedure to place a subcutaneous ureteral bypass device (SUB) to help relieve their symptoms. After the procedure, veterinarians used imaging techniques to check if the ureters were still open and functioning properly. Out of 23 ureters assessed, 19 were found to be open and working well, indicating that the treatment was largely successful. The study suggests that specific irrigation techniques can help confirm if the ureters are clear after treatment.
People also search for: cat ureter obstruction treatment · subcutaneous ureteral bypass device for cats · cat kidney stones symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited information on the patency of native ureters after subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device placement is available. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the patency of native ureters in cats treated with SUB device placement for benign ureteral obstruction. ANIMALS: Cats with SUB presented for routine evaluation. METHODS: Routine ultrasound-guided SUB irrigations were performed, focusing on ureteral irrigation in the trigone and proximal urethra. Cats with obstructed nephrostomy catheters or subcutaneous ports were excluded. Fluoroscopic-guided SUB irrigations with iodinated contrast then were used to assess patency. Ureters were deemed patent if contrast filled the lumen evenly along their length, and obstructed if the contrast column was interrupted on consecutive images. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was reviewed to confirm the cause and location of the obstructions. RESULTS: Overall, 18 cats (18 SUBs; 10 unilateral, 8 bilateral) were included. The causes of obstruction were ureteroliths (23 ureters) and presumed stricture (3 ureters). A trigonal irrigation was visible in 14/18 cats (77%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.8%-91.0%); the patent side in bilateral SUBs could not be differentiated. Three ureters were excluded (nondiagnostic study, n = 1; obstructed nephrostomy, n = 2). Of the remaining 23 ureters, 19 (82.6%; 95% CI: 62.9%-93.0%) were patent: 16/20 patent ureters were obstructed with ureteroliths (80%; 95% CI: 58.4%-91.9%) and 3/3 with presumed stricture (100%; 95% CI: 43.9%-100%). Ureteral irrigations at the trigone were associated with patency. CONCLUSIONS: A high patency rate of native ureters after SUB placement was observed. Ureteral irrigations at the trigone reliably indicate patency. Supraphysiologic SUB irrigations may result in underdiagnosed persistent partial obstructions.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40293127/