Stenting of Malignant Urinary Tract Obstructions in Humans and Companion Animals

Urine retention secondary to neoplastic obstructions of the upper and lower urinary tracts is a life-threatening condition in both humans and companion animals. Stents can be placed to temporarily or permanently open obstructed urinary tract lumens and are often able to be placed using minimally invasive techniques with guidance via ultrasonography or fluoroscopy. The literature for these techniques is vast for humans and growing for companion animals. The below review provides a discussion of the principles of stenting and types of ureteral and urethral stents, as well as the techniques for placing these stents in humans and companion animals.

Automated summary

Urine retention caused by neoplastic obstructions in the urinary tracts is a life-threatening condition for both humans and companion animals. There is ample literature on the use of stents to temporarily or permanently open blocked urinary tracts, with minimally invasive techniques such as ultrasonography or fluoroscopy. The research is extensive in humans and growing in the field of companion animals.