Endoscopic treatment of refractory filarial chyluria: a preliminary report.

PURPOSE

We report our experiences treating 5 patients who had filarial chyluria using an endoscopic approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two men and 3 women 47 to 83 years old with chyluria were treated with endoscopic coagulation using guide tube methods. Intrarenal pelvic instillation of silver nitrate was not effective in 4 patients and catheterization was impossible in 1.

RESULTS

The responsible lesion was successfully coagulated in all 5 patients. Because the lesion was in the ruptured portion of the caliceal fornix, we thought that chyluria had arisen in the fragile portion of the fornix (fistulization). After endoscopic treatment there was no recurrence in any patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopy is effective and minimally invasive therapy for filarial chyluria.