ureter not draining

Don,

I am from Mich, but have not lived there for 14 years. I live in west Texas - urologist here does not see much bladder cancer, but used to work in Houston so has some experience with it. Even with all the negative biopsies he is recommending a second opinion - since Dr. Lamm's office is in Phoenix, I am going to try there first, otherwise, my uro knows a doctor at MD Anderson. My last cysto was Nov 12 and my bladder looks the best that he has ever seen, but my uro took another bladder wash for a FISH and I have a CT scan scheduled next week (still have some unexplained flank pain - I have also had kidney stones), so I am waiting until all of these results come in before scheduling anything elsewhere.

I am a Mich State grad, hence the screen name, but I have not met with any uro in that part of the US.

Hope this helps. Ross

Thanks for that info on how yours was cleared up. I take it by your name you are from Mi, May I ask who your uro was/is. Thanks. And I will move forward on the 27th and do what must be done. I wish it could be done sooner. Don

Don,

I am sorry to hear about all of the tests you've had and the procedures that may be in your future. I had positive FISH and negative cystos as well. My doctor was not comfortable doing the balloon because he believes that it had a greater chance of damaging/breaking tissue and leading to infection. Instead, he pre-stented each of the ureters in separate procedures (always doing only 1 ureter at a time) and then coming back a week later for ureteroscope and brushing. He would pull the first stent, scope and brush, then re-stent. The stent would be removed during the next procedure for the other ureter. Final stent removed with no discomfort in his office. I don't know if this is an option for you given that the IVP showed a blockage.

Hopefully, all of this has given you some info that you can generate some questions from and ask your own urologist about. And again, good luck with your next procedure.

Hmmm...not being a doctor, uro or even a nurse I'm not the one to translate it perfectly but I do understand there's a blockage in the bladder causing the ureter to be blocked as well. Your doctor is right to go in and see, and do a TUR, that is my impression.

ALl the best,
Wendy

Thanks Ladys: I am not sure how from this report they know it is restricted.

Could you tell me what you think of this IVP report? This was done last Thursday, Findings: The prelinary view of the show califacations overlying the kidneys or expected course od the ureters.

Flollowing the adminstration of noninoic intravenous contrast, there is aprompt excretion from the right kidney. This kidney has anormal contour and the pelvicaliceal system is sharp and well defined. Ten-minite images show contrast thoughout a normal caliper right ureter. Delayed images up one hour were obtained. The one hour image shows a dense left nephrogram. Images obtainrd 20 minutes later show a small amount of contrast within dialated calyces. The left ureter is not seen.

Images of the full bladder show an irreguler filling defect in the left urinery bladder measuring approaximatly 4.0 x 1.7 CM. There is minimal postvoid residual within the urinary bladder.

IMPRESSION : There is a 4.0 x 1.7 CM irreguler filling defect in the left urinary bladder causing high grade obstruction of the left collecting system. As patiant was in no pain, he was discharged home.

Hi Don,

I moved the topic.

I'm sorry to hear that the IVP showed ureter restriction and urine cytology is positive. Too bad he cannot do the balloon procedure if you needed it. Rosie makes a good point about less invasive diagnostic procedures and tempermental ureters...but I suppose there is no choice but to have the ureter scoped if there is a stricture causing urinary retention. And with positive cytology and negative bladder biopses, now he must rule out upper tract spread.

Are you comfortable that this is the most experienced uro with all the latest, greatest diagnostics at his fingertips, and if not could you switch? I know that aside from MRI+contrast, the CT-urogram is the newest way to get a great visual of the whole urinary tract. I just wish your uro could do any procedure you may ever need (including the balloon thing).

What was your original diagnosis? Did you have BCG?
Take care,
Wendy