Urinary Tract Tubes and Systemds for Salvaging Tricky Cases

Introduction
Interventional radiology (IR) involves the use of contemporary imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy and ultrasonography to selectively access vessels and other structures in order to deliver different materials for therapeutic reasons. Currently, the investigation and application of these techniques is expanding in veterinary medicine, particularly applications pertaining to the urinary tract. The relatively common incidence of urinary tract obstruction, neoplasia and trauma, combined with the morbidity associated with traditional surgical techniques, makes the use of less invasive procedures such as laparoscopy, endoscopy, and interventional radiology highly appealing. This lecture will include an introduction to veterinary IR and briefly present a number of procedures including anterograde urethral catheterization, percutaneous cystostomy tube placement, palliative urethral stenting for malignant obstructions, and intra-arterial chemotherapy and arterial embolization of urogenital tumors.

Advantages
The use of IR and endosurgical techniques in veterinary patients offers a number of advantages compared to more traditional therapies. These procedures are minimally invasive and lead to reduced peri-operative morbidity and mortality, shorter anesthesia times and shorter hospital stays. The less equipment-intensive procedures can result in reduced cost as well. In addition, some techniques, such as palliative stenting for malignant obstructions, offer alternative treatment options for conditions that may not be amenable to standard surgical or medical approaches. The primary disadvantages of IR include the required technical expertise, the specialized equipment necessary (fluoroscopy with or without digital subtraction capabilities), and the large initial capital investment necessary to provide a suitable inventory of catheters, guidewires, balloons, stents and coils.  [...]