Computed Tomography Appearance of Hem-O-Lok Clips in Patients Who Have Undergone Laparoscopic Nephrectomy or Nephroureterectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hem-o-lok clips are safe and reliable for controlling the renal vasculature. We retrospectively evaluated the CT appearance of Hem-o-lok clips in patients who had undergone laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) or nephroureterectomy (LRU) as well as their appearance on ex vivo CT scans. METHODS Between January 2006 and December 2006, 19 patients underwent LRN or LRU, and their CT images were reviewed within 5 postoperative months. The Hem-o-lok clips were radiopaque in all of the patients' CT images, and their radiodensity value was 222 Hounsfield Units (HU). To confirm that Hem-o-lok clips are radiopaque on CT images, an ex vivo CT scan was performed. RESULTS We confirmed that these clips are radiopaque on CT images and that they have a radiodensity of 223 HU. CONCLUSION We conclude that the Hem-o-lok clips are radiopaque on CT images. It is important for urologists and radiologists to be aware of the CT appearance of Hem-o-lok clips when following up patients who have undergone LRN or LRU.