US overestimates stone size compared to CT. Retrospective measurement of the acoustic shadow from the same clinical US images is a more accurate reflection of true stone size than direct stone measurement. Most stones without a posterior shadow are ≤ 5 mm.
Hydronephrosis on ultrasound did not accurately predict the presence or absence of a ureteral stone on computerized tomography in 25.0% of the patients in this study. Ultrasound is an important tool for evaluating hydronephrosis associated with renal colic but patients may benefit from other studies to confirm the presence or absence of ureteral stones.
Aims
First, to evaluate the efficacy of adjustable balloon devices or adjustable continence therapy (ProACT) in the treatment for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Second, to investigate the safety profile and rates of adverse events associated with the implantation of adjustable balloon devices.
Method
A review of the literature was performed by searching the PubMed database with the most applicable search terms. We narrowed included studies with adult male patients with SUI; outcomes included pads or pad weight per day and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires, as well as safety outcomes.
Results
In total, 19 studies were included with a total of 1264 patients and 4517 patient‐years of follow‐up data (mean follow‐up time 3.6 years). ProACT implantation resulted in an incontinence QOL improvement of 30.8 points from baseline. At baseline, patients on average were using 4.0 pads per day (PPD) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6‐5.4), which was reduced to an average of 1.1 PPD (95% CI: 0.5‐1.7) after ProACT implantation. The number of patients that were considered “dry” was 60.2% (95% CI: 54.2%‐65.9%) and the number of patients who were found to be either “dry” or improved greater than 50% was 81.9% (95% CI: 74%‐87.8%).
Conclusions
Implantation of adjustable balloon devices is efficacious and safe for the treatment of male SUI. Given the minimal invasiveness of the therapy, adjustable balloon devices may be a serious option as a first‐line treatment in nonirradiated patients with SUI who are not ideal candidates for the artificial urinary sphincter.
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