Use of dead space within a ureteroscope can enhance its performance and reduce intrarenal pressure without compromising the efficiency and structural integrity of the instrument, Joseph V. DiTrolio, MD, of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Roseland, reported at the AUA annual meeting.

Patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy are significantly more likely to undergo a subsequent surgical procedure than are patients undergoing ureteroscopy, according to results of a study designed to investigate real-world practice patterns in surgical therapy for urinary lithiasis. Researchers from Duke University, Durham, NC, reported the finding at the AUA annual meeting yesterday.

Second-look flexible nephroscopy after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is cost effective only for residual stone fragments larger than 4 mm, according to findings from a study reported at the AUA meeting yesterday.

Glenn M. Preminger, MD, professor of urologic surgery and director of the Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, suggests that the next decade might best be spent refining those technologies and determining which patients are likely to derive the greatest benefit from these advances.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) continues to be an effective minimally invasive approach to the treatment of large-volume renal stone disease.

While understanding of the basic science of shock waves has increased dramatically, questions have also been raised about the potential for serious adverse advents and urologist ownership of lithotriptors.

Urologists who own or who have an interest in ambulatory surgical centers perform more than three times as many stone surgeries as non-owners do.

New ureteral stone guidelines reflect treatment changes Joint AUA-EAU guidelines support ureteroscopy or SWL for stones in all locations Jan 1, 2008 By: Patricia M. Fernberg

When AUA announced release of new guidelines for the management of ureteral calculi in mid-November, the document established landmarks.

Mission Pharmacal has sold the rights to its line of kidney stone diagnostics to Quest Diagnostics Inc. Products in the diagnostic line include UroRisk Diagnostic Profile, StoneRisk Diagnostic Profile, StoneTrack Diagnostic Monitoring Test, StoneRisk Citrate Test, and StoneRisk Cystine Tests. These tests are designed to help physicians diagnose patients who are symptomatic and, among those who previously had a stone, help in periodic evaluations of a patient’s propensity to form stones.