Percutaneous nephrostomy for urinary tract obstruction.

Percutaneous nephrostomy is a very valuable radiologic procedure for providing temporary or permanent urinary diversion of an obstructed upper urinary tract. While changes in catheter and guide wire technology have allowed for marked enhancement of the indications for percutaneous nephrostomy, the classic indications remain, such as decompression in patients with urosepsis and azotemia, especially with concomitant medical problems that require time to bring under control.