Comparison of contrast-enhanced ultrasound versus conventional ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with nondilated collecting system: a randomized controlled trial

Objective To compare the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) versus conventional ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with nondilated collecting system. Methods Between July 2018 and July 2020, 160 kidney stone patients with nondilated collecting system planned for PCNL were randomly assigned into two groups, CEUS with retrograde ureteral contrast injection and conventional ultrasound with retrograde ureteral normal saline injection. Patient’s demographics, the success rate of puncture, success rate of a single-needle puncture, number of punctures, puncture time, perioperative outcomes, stone-free rate, and incidence of complications were compared. Results The success rate of a single-needle puncture for CEUS-guided PCNL was higher than that in the conventional ultrasound group (88.5% vs. 73.7%, p = 0.02). Patients performed with CEUS-guided PCNL required less needle passes ( p = 0.02), shorter needle puncture time ( p = 0.031), and shorter channel establishment time ( p = 0.04) than those guided with conventional ultrasound. The postoperative hemoglobin decrease in the CEUS-guided PCNL group was less than that of the control group ( p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in operating time, length of hospital stays, kidney function change, and complications between the two groups ( p > 0.05). The 1-month stone-free rate was 94.9% in the CEUS group and 90.8% in the control group ( p > 0.05). Conclusions Compared with conventional ultrasound, CEUS-guided PCNL may facilitate ultrasound-guided PCNL for patients without hydronephrosis, and benefited with a higher success rate of a single-needle puncture, less needle passes, shorter puncture time, and lower postoperative Hb drop. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800016981 Key Points • Compared with conventional ultrasound, CEUS-guided PCNL is a safe and efficacious procedure for kidney stone patients with nondilated collecting system . • Compared with conventional ultrasound, CEUS-guided PCNL benefited with a higher success rate of a single-needle puncture, less needle passes, shorter puncture time, and lower postoperative Hb drop . • CEUS-guided PCNL associated with the more accurate needle puncture and acceptable complications .