The association of anatomical renal mass complexity with surgical approach, Hb drop, and the rate of blood transfusion.

INTRODUCTION: The third most prevalent malignant neoplasm involving the urinary tract is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), encompassing nearly 3.5% of the entire cancers afflicting the body. The aim of this research was to explore how the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score relates to the decisions made regarding surgery in individuals with localized RCC. METHODS: This prospective study, assessed patients with localized parenchymal renal masses (stages I and II) tentatively diagnosed as RCC. Utilizing preoperative multiphasic renal CT scans and MRI, the R.E.N.A.L. score categorized masses for nephrometry values. Inclusion criteria involved collecting patient data, and data collection utilizing a structured format focusing on the nephrometry grading system. RESULTS: The study included 64 patients aged (mean ± SD) 49.78 ± 12.35 yrs. Undergoing renal mass surgery, there were 17 (26.5%) low, 28 (43.8%) moderate and 19 (29.7%) high-complexity lesions. All patients with a low Nephrometry score (n = 17) underwent partial nephrectomy, and all cases with a high score (n = 19) underwent radical nephrectomy. For those with a moderate Nephrometry score (n = 28), 13 (46.4%) underwent partial nephrectomy, while the remaining 15 (53.6%) cases underwent radical nephrectomy. Morbidity was low, and no mortality occurred at 180 days. Patients who had lesions fully above or below polar lines were less likely to need blood transfusions. A trend towards higher Fuhrman grades in patients receiving transfusions suggests a potential link between tumor aggressiveness and bleeding risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide insight on the utilization of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score in forecasting perioperative, post-surgical, and oncological results. Such data might help optimize surgical methods and pre-operative patient counseling.

Laparoscopic resection of giant adrenal myelolipoma: A case report with review of literature.

Giant adrenal myelolipoma (AML) may cause severe symptoms. In contrast to the previous reports, laparoscopy may play a pivotal role in the management of giant AML. This report aims to discuss a case of giant AML managed successfully by laparoscopy. A 63-year-old male was found to have a giant (12 × 10 × 8 cm) left AML during a workup for left lower chest pain on imaging. laparoscopic excision of a left adrenal gland with the lesion was performed under general anesthesia. The patient was discharged from the hospital after 3 days uneventfully. AML is a benign tumor that is characterized by the presence of adipose tissue and hematopoietic elements. Myelolipomas are typically asymptomatic. AML diagnosis is based on imaging and blood workup. Small asymptomatic AML is usually managed conservatively, while symptomatic AML is managed with surgery. Even though an open approach is the standard option, laparoscopy, as a minimally invasive technique, in some centers may replace laparotomy. Laparoscopy can be a successful method for managing AML, even when they are large in size.

Predictive value of inflammatory markers for the spontaneous passage of Ureteral stones: a comprehensive systematic review with meta analysis.

Urolithiasis is a common disease that affects approximately one-fifth of the global population. This systematic review explores the predictive role of inflammatory markers for the spontaneous passage of ureteral stones. The literature was systematically searched via Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct, CINAHL, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases to identify papers published until 2023. Overall, 26 articles were identified, of which 10 were excluded. The remaining 16 papers reported 2,695 patients (1,723 males and 972 females), with 1,654 (61.37%) experiencing spontaneous stone passage (SSP) and 1,041 (38.63%) not experiencing it (non-SSP). Stones located in the upper part of the ureter were less likely to pass spontaneously (152/959, 15.94% in the SSP group vs. 180/546, 32.48% in the non-SSP group; p < 0.001). Mid-ureteral stones were present in 180/959 (18.75%) of the SSP group compared to 84/546 (14.52%) of the non-SSP group (p = 0.0974). Lower ureteral stones were more likely to pass spontaneously, with 627/959 (63.31%) in the SSP group compared to 282/546 (49.36%) in the non-SSP group (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between most inflammatory markers and SSP (p > 0.05). However, procalcitonin levels were lower in the SSP group compared to the non-SSP group (132.7 ± 28.1 vs. 207 ± 145.1, respectively) (p < 0.001). This systematic review has revealed that except procalcitonin, most inflammatory markers do not offer significant predictive capability for ureteral SSP.

Pediatric renal transplantation: a single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: The rising prevalence of global end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a significant health concern, especially among children. Although renal replacement therapy is available, children with ESRD are at an increased risk of mortality. Kidney transplantation is the preferred modality of treatment and surpasses renal replacement therapy in terms of survival. However, pediatric renal transplantation could prove difficult due to factors like smaller recipients and donor-recipient mismatches leading to higher complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-group case series study was conducted on children with ESRD who were planned to undergo kidney transplantation from living donors between 2015 and 2021. The data was collected from two centers in the city of Sulaymaniyah. RESULTS: The study comprised a predominantly male patient population, with a total of 39 individuals (n = 39) and 13 female patients. The donors were mostly males between 25-40 years old. The majority of participants were 15-18 years old. In majority of the patients Thymoglobulin was the immunosuppressive agent used in induction. The most common etiology for renal failure was reflux nephropathy and artery anastomosis was performed to the external iliac artery in the majority of patients. Only 9 patients had complications following the transplantation and 3 patients had an episode of acute rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Renal transplantation is the preferred treatment of renal failure in pediatric patients in the city of Sulaymaniyah. The most common etiology for pediatric renal failure was reflux nephropathy which was different from the findings of North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies.

Delayed Presenting Gastric Duplication Cyst Mimicking a Left Adrenal Cyst in a Young Female: A Case Report with a Literature Review.

Introduction: Gastric duplication cyst (GDC) is a rare congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Though GDC is often misdiagnosed, misidentification as an adrenal cyst has rarely been reported. Herein, we report a case of GDC in a young female mimicking an adrenal cyst. Case Presentation: A 17-year-old female presented with chronic epigastric pain, nausea, and intermittent vomiting. Physical examinations revealed mild tenderness in the epigastric region. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed no abnormality. Ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, and MRI of the abdomen and pelvis showed an oval-shaped left adrenal cystic lesion measuring 33 × 26 mm. Preoperative blood investigations and hormonal assessments were normal. Laparoscopy showed that the cyst originated from the greater curvature of the stomach. The left adrenal gland was normal. After an intraoperative consultation with a gastrointestinal surgeon, a wedge resection of the cyst was performed. Histopathology confirmed the gastric duplication cyst. Conclusion: GDCs are rare congenital malformations that may become symptomatic during adulthood. They can mimic adrenal cysts and lead to misdiagnosis.

Spermatocytic tumor of the testis: A case report and mini­review of the literature.

Spermatocytic tumors are a rare type of testicular cancer, comprising <1% of all testicular malignancies. This type of cancer typically affects males in their 60s and 70s and rarely metastasizes; however, it poses a threat to the health of affected individuals if left untreated. The present study describes the case of a 68-year-old male patient with this type of tumor, including a presentation of his initial symptoms, treatment and subsequent monitoring. A male patient, aged 68 years, visited the authors' clinic with an asymptomatic mass in the right testicle. The mass had been progressively increasing in size for a duration of 5 years following a history of blunt injury. During the examination, a noticeable, painless enlargement was detected in the right testis, whereas the left testis appeared to be in a normal state. Tumor markers were within normal limits. Imaging revealed a complex mass (11x8x7 cm) almost replacing the right testis, with no detectable lymph nodes. A right radical orchidectomy was performed under spinal anesthesia. A histopathological examination revealed a spermatocytic tumor. The post-operative period was uneventful, with no metastasis detected in the CT scans. The patient was discharged with instructions for regular follow-up appointments. The case presented herein highlights a rare spermatocytic tumor in a 68-year-old male. The early detection and treatment of testicular tumors, regardless of age, are crucial for a good prognosis.

Coexistence of acute pancreatitis and an obstructing upper ureteral calculus: does a calculus cause pancreatitis? a case report.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease that can affect both the peripancreatic tissues and distant organs. There are few reports of acute pancreatitis caused by endourological procedures. However, an obstructing ureteral calculus causing acute pancreatitis is very rare. Case presentation: A 36-year-old male patient presented with epigastric, and right loin pain with decreased urine output for 3 days. On physical examination, he had central abdominal and right flank tenderness. An abdominal ultrasound showed mild to moderate ascites, a hyperechoic pancreas, a small (26×77 mm) left kidney with increased echogenicity, right renal hypertrophy with moderate hydronephrosis, and a dilated upper ureter due to a 10 mm obstructing stone with a perirenal fluid collection. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis with an obstructing right upper ureteric stone was established. Under spinal anesthesia, an emergency ureteroscopy with laser fragmentation of the stone was performed, and a JJ stent was inserted. He developed postobstructive diuresis and his renal function was improved with a rapid decline of pancreatic enzymes as well. Clinical discussion: Two theories explain the presentation of acute pancreatitis by ureteral obstruction. First, the obstructed severe hydronephrotic kidney compresses the duodenum and head of the pancreas, obstructing the distal part of the common bile duct and triggering the elevation of pancreatic duct pressure, bile reflux, trypsin activation, and pancreatic autodigestion. The second theory states that acute pancreatitis develops when urine is extravasated from an obstructed kidney into the adjacent tissues, irritating the uncinate process of the pancreas. Conclusion: Although mentioning ureteral obstruction as a cause of pancreatitis is scarce, the clinician should be aware that in each case of ureteral obstruction, the emergence of acute pancreatitis is a possible complication.

Para­testicular arteriovenous malformation: A case report and mini­review of the literature.

Arteriovenous malformations from para-testicular structures are very rare, with only a limited number of cases reported in the literature. The present study reports a rare case of para-testicular arteriovenous malformation. A 6-year-old boy presented with painless swelling in the scrotum for 6 months. Upon examination, a non-tender and non-pulsatile cystic swelling was observed in the right hemi-scrotum below the testis. A scrotal ultrasound revealed a separate cystic lesion with a normal texture and the vascularity of both testes. Under general anesthesia, via a small scrotal incision, a cystic, blood-filled mass was excised. The results of a histopathological examination were suggestive of vascular malformation. The case described in the present study aims to shed light on vascular malformations. A number of vascular malformations are incorrectly referred to as hemangiomas, and numerous patients undergo inappropriate therapy due to this misclassification. Although para-testicular arteriovenous malformation is a very rare condition, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of para-testicular lesions.

Synchronous Kaposi sarcoma and renal cell carcinoma in an elderly male patient (a very uncommon reported entity): A case report.

Based on the literature, there are only three reports available to date on synchronous Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), at least to the best of our knowledge. The present study reports a rare case of synchronous classic KS and clear cell RCC. A 69-year-old male presented with painful, purplish nodular lesions on the dorsal aspect of his hands and feet. He had no chronic medical illnesses or prior surgical interventions. An excisional biopsy of one of the lesions revealed a nodular dermal lesion with numerous vascular channels and interlacing spindle cells. A 2.5 cm-enhancing mass was found in a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen, suggesting RCC or metastasis. A partial nephrectomy was performed, and the histopathological findings were consistent with clear cell RCC. The patient responded well to paclitaxel and topical imiquimod (5%), and the skin lesions disappeared. Both KS and RCC are vascular tumors, and their pathogenesis is commonly affected by an angiogenic factor known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). A complete response of KS was observed after sorafenib, an inhibitor of VEGF receptors, was administered for the treatment of metastatic renal cancer. This reinforces the fact that there is a common therapeutic and pathogenetic pathway between these two neoplasms. Synchronous KS and clear cell RCC are rare findings. Their simultaneous appearance may be triggered by the common enhancing angiogenic factor, VEGF.

Renal cell carcinoma T staging: Diagnostic accuracy of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 1-2% of all malignancies and is the most common renal tumor in adults. Imaging studies are used for diagnosis and staging. Tumor-Node-Metastasis staging strongly affects prognosis and management, while contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is regarded as a standard imaging technique for local and distant staging. The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of CECT for the preoperative staging of RCC by using surgical and pathological staging as the reference methods. This single-center prospective study was conducted between October 2019 and November 2021. The preoperative abdominal CT scans of patients suspected of having RCC were reviewed. Imaging data were collected, including tumor side and size, and perinephric fat invasion. Intraoperative notes were recorded, including the operation type, perinephric fat invasion, renal vein (RV) or inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor extension, and surrounding organ invasion. pathological data were collected on tumor size, RCC type, presence of clear margins, presence of renal capsule or perinephric fat invasion, renal sinus or pelvicalyceal system (PCS) invasion, segmental or main RV extension, and the involvement of Gerota's fascia and nearby organs. Preoperative CECT revealed that 42 out of 59 tumors had a greater maximum diameter than the pathological specimen, with an overall disparity of 0.25 cm. The specificity of CT for the detection of tumor invasion of the perinephric and renal sinus fat and PCS was 95%, and the sensitivity ranged from 80 to 88%. CT had an 83% sensitivity and a 95 specificity in detecting T4 stage cancer, with a 100% specificity for adrenal invasion. The concordance between radiographic and histological results for RV and IVC involvement was high, with specificities of 94 and 98%, and sensitivities of 80 and 100%, respectively. Overall accuracy for correct T staging was 80%. In conclusion, CECT is accurate in the local T staging of RCC, with high sensitivity and specificity for estimating tumor size and detecting extension to nearby structures and venous invasion.

A huge retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma in a middle-aged patient: Report of a diagnostically challenging case with review of the literature.

Ganglioneuromas (GNs) are benign, slow-growing tumors of neural crest cell origin. On rare occasions, adipose cells have been detected in these tumors. The present study reported a case of a huge retroperitoneal GN misdiagnosed and mismanaged as a liposarcoma. A 54-year-old male patient presented with gradually progressing dull back pain with abdominal discomfort for the past 6 months. The patient had abdominal distention and mild right abdominal tenderness. Ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a large right-sided retroperitoneal mass. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings were consistent with sarcoma. Cytologic examination was suggestive of liposarcoma. A decision was made to start neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, which proved ineffective. Complete surgical excision of the mass was performed via a midline laparotomy. Histopathology of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of GN. At two years post-operation, the patient developed a recurrence in the subhepatic area with the same diagnosis and the recurrent mass was surgically removed. Initially, the imaging findings were not sufficiently specific to establish the diagnosis. Rarely, cytologic techniques have detected adipose cells in these tumors, resulting in misdiagnosis. Hence, histopathology is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis of GN is difficult due to the lack of specific clinical manifestations, radiological confusion with other tumors and the presence of adipocytes in rare cases, leading to misdiagnosis and mismanagement.

The role of inflammatory serum markers and ureteral wall thickness on spontaneous passage of ureteral stone < 10 mm: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Ureteral stone is a worldwide disease and accounts for 20% of all urolithiasis. There is a widespread discussion on the preferred initial treatment method, whether medical or surgical, and each has its pros and cons. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of both ureteral wall thickness around the stone and inflammatory markers in guiding the decision-making process. Methods: In this prospective study, 161 patients who presented with ureteric colic and were diagnosed with ureteral stone with NCCT were included. UWT around the stone was measured, and the NLR and PLR were calculated. The patients were given a single daily dose of tamsulosin 0.4 mg for 4 weeks with weekly follow-up to determine SSP or failure. Results: Of the 161 patients with a mean age 40.12 ± 12.36 SD, 55.9% had a spontaneous stone passage. Receiver operating characteristics showed a cut off value of 2.45 mm UWT of non SSP patients with an 83% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between higher NLR, PLR and increased UWT (Pearson correlation of 0.314 and 0.426 respectively). The combined higher NLR, PLR and increased UWT were associated with failure of SSP (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Many factors play a role in decision making for management of ureteral stones. Our study concludes that patients with high NLR, PLR, and UWT around the stone have lesser chance of SSP using MET. Their rise can be used as predictors to decide early intervention.

Typical leiomyoma of the scrotum: A rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: Scrotal leiomyomas are benign tumors arising from the dartos layer of the scrotal wall. The exact cause of this tumor is not yet clear. Malignant transformation to leiomyosarcomas has been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old male who complained of a painless lump on the right side of the scrotum that lasted 12 years. Physical examination revealed a single, firm, and non-tender, mobile lump on the anterior aspect of the right scrotum. Both testes were normal and no inguinal lymph nodes could be palpated. Ultrasound scan of the scrotum showed a 40 mm × 20 mm hypoechoic, poorly vascular lesion in the scrotum. Under spinal anesthesia, the mass has been excised. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with the diagnosis of scrotal leiomyoma. DISCUSSION: Leiomyomas may originate from any location in the genitourinary system where there is smooth muscle. Scrotal smooth muscle tumors can be categorized into Leiomyomas, atypical or symplastic leiomyomas, which are not hypercellular and lack mitotic activity, and leiomyosarcomas. Ultrasound is the first-line imaging investigation in patients with suspected scrotal masses. Typical leiomyomas and atypical ones behave similarly. Therefore, they are managed only with surgical excision, while leiomyosarcomas need a wide 3-5 cm margin resection. Both recurrence and malignancy have been described. Close follow-up is required to detect recurrence. CONCLUSION: Scrotal leiomyoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor of the middle-aged men. The current report describes the clinical and histopathological characteristics to help reduce erroneous diagnoses of this rare tumor.

Xanthogranulomatous orchitis: Review of the published work, and report of one case.

Xanthogranulomatous reaction is rare begin disease affects many different organs, in clinical practice it is well known to affect kidney and gallbladder, but also affect male genital organs including (Testis, epididymis, and spermatic cord), we report a case 70-year old, diabetic patient presented with right scrotal swelling, had history of prior TURP, tumor markers was within normal range, ultrasound shows multiple hypo echoic lesions with moderate hydrocele, exploration done: pus found within tunica vaginalis, and destructed testicular tissue with necrosis, culture revealed (E.Coli), histopathology showed xanthogranulomatous orchitis.

Conservative management of delayed presentation of intraperitoneal bladder rupture following caesarean delivery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder injury is an uncommon complication of cesarean delivery (CD) with an incidence ranging from 0.0016% to 0.94%. The risk factors are emergency CDs, subsequent CDs, trial of normal delivery after CD and whether adhesions are present or not. The presentation is either immediate intraoperative event or delayed bladder rupture and urinary ascites. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old female presented with considerable abdominal distension, shortness of breath, oliguria, straining to void and elevated levels of blood urea and serum creatinine 11 days after an uneventful Caesarean delivery. Abdominal ultrasound showed marked ascites. Immediate resuscitation was done, a urethral catheter and percutaneous intraperitoneal pigtail catheter were inserted confirming urinary ascites. Next day cystoscopy was performed and revealed a perforation at the posterior wall of the bladder. She was kept on conservative treatment with adequate urine diversion through both urethral and intraperitoneal catheter. Her condition improved and responded well. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge this presentation of delayed intraperitoneal bladder rupture post CD is the second case reported in literature. Although surgical repair is regarded as the treatment of choice for intraperitoneal bladder injury, conservative treatment may succeed in properly selected cases. Non-operative managements include indwelling transurethral Foley catheter alone, percutaneous peritoneal drain alone or combined Foley catheter and percutaneous peritoneal drain for complete urinary drainage. CONCLUSION: Delayed urinary bladder rupture is a very rare complication of cesarean delivery. Non-operative treatment can be a viable alternative to surgical repair in carefully selected patients.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy; alarming variables for postoperative bleeding.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate factors contributing to bleeding after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and ways of managing this complication, as bleeding is a serious sequela that requires prompt management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The demographic and procedural data of 200 patients, who underwent unilateral PCNL during a 20-month period, were prospectively collected. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative details were recorded. The preoperative variables analysed included: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum creatinine, degree of hydronephrosis, previous ipsilateral open renal surgery, stone size and complexity. The operative variables analysed included: number of tracts, operative time, size of Amplatz sheath, type of anaesthesia, and complications such as calyceal and pelvic perforation. RESULTS: The variables of age, sex, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, and a preoperative creatinine level of >1.4 mg/dL had no significant effect on blood loss (all P > 0.05). However, the rate of bleeding was significantly higher (P â©½ 0.05) in patients who had a history of previous open renal surgery, intraoperative pelvicalyceal perforations, and Guy's Stone Score (GSS) grade 3 and 4 complex stones; however, absence of hydronephrosis, larger stone size, operative time (>83 min), more than one puncture, and size of the Amplatz sheath (26-30 F) did not maintain their significance in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: According to our present results stone complexity (GSS grade 3 and 4), history of ipsilateral renal stone surgery, and occurrence of intraoperative pelvicalyceal perforation are alarming variables for post-PCNL bleeding.

Migration of an intrauterine device to the left inguinal region, the first reported case.

INTRODUCTION: A large number of complications are reported with the use of IUD. Migration to inguinal region has not been mentioned in literature. We report a rare case of migrated IUD to inguinal canal. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old lady presented with a painfull mass in the left inguinal region. Diagnostic work up showed migrated IUD to inguinal region. Operation was done and the impacted IUD with surrounding granuloma was retrieved. DISCUSSION: When the string of the IUD is no longer visible at the external os of the cervix, radiological scan must be performed, this should begin with a sonographic examination and plain abdominal radiography may be used to localize the IUD. CONCLUSION: IUD Migration may occur to unusual area and perforation can be misdiagnosed as non-witnessed expulsion.

Endourologic Intervention for Management of Infertility in a Man with Zinner Syndrome Resulting in a Natural Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Ipsilateral renal agenesis associated with seminal vesicular cysts is an uncommon finding. Zinner syndrome is a rare variant of wolffian duct anomalies with a triad of seminal vesicle cyst, ipsilateral renal agenesis, and male fertility problems due to ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO). CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old man with 6 years history of primary infertility presented with left-side lower abdominal pain. A palpable cystic mass was found on digital rectal examination. Semen analysis revealed low volume ejaculate azoospermia. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a single right kidney and transrectal ultrasonography showed an evidence of left EDO. Transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct was performed. Semen analysis after 2 weeks showed normal sperm count (23M) and acceptable progressive motility (24%). Eight weeks later, his wife was pregnant with a 7-week viable fetus. CONCLUSION: Although not a common disease, a careful physical examination and thorough semen analysis interpretation should guide clinicians to diagnose a surgically treatable syndromic cause of male infertility.

Laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the management of chronic scrotal pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the management of chronic scrotal pain. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2011, 48 patients in total were treated with laparoscopic varicocelectomy for dull scrotal pain that worsened with physical activity and was attributed to varicoceles. All patients were followed up at 3 and 6 months and biannually thereafter with a physical examination, visual analog scale score, and ultrasonographic scan in selected cases. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.2 years (range, 23-54 years). The mean follow-up period was 19.6 months (range, 6-26 months). Bilateral varicoceles were present in 7 patients (14.6%), and a unilateral varicocele was present in 41 (85.4%). The varicocele was grade 3 in 27 patients (56.3%), grade 2 in 20 (41.6%), and grade 1 in 1 (2.1%). The mean preoperative visual analog scale score was 4.8 on a scale from 0 to 10. The mean postoperative visual analog scale score at 3 months was 0.8. After the procedure, 42 patients (87.5%) had a significant improvement in the visual analog scale score (P<.001); 5 (10.4%) had symptom improvement, although it was not statistically significant; and 1 (2.1%) remained unchanged. During follow-up, we observed 5 recurrences (10.4%) whereas de novo hydrocele formation was identified in 4 individuals (8.3%). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is efficient in the treatment of symptomatic varicoceles with a low complication rate. However, careful patient selection is necessary because it appears that individuals presenting with sharp, radiating testicular pain and/or a low-grade varicocele are less likely to benefit from this procedure.

Double-J ureteric stenting in pregnancy: A single-centre experience from Iraq.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ureteric stenting with a JJ stent in pregnant women, to relieve renal obstruction and intractable flank pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All pregnant patients presenting with intractable flank pain, with or without complications, to a tertiary national teaching hospital in Kurdistan/Iraq, and necessitating ureteric stenting with a JJ stent, were prospectively assessed for this study between March 2008 and March 2010. RESULTS: In all, 30 pregnant patients presented with intractable flank pain necessitating JJ ureteric stenting during the 25 months. Intractable flank pain (23 patients, 77%) was the most common indication for ureteric stenting, followed by flank pain with clinical sepsis (six, 20%). All pregnant women had hydronephrosis on ultrasonography (US), and 12 (40%) had evidence of coexisting renal stones on US. All ureteric stents were inserted successfully. The mean (range) indwelling time was 47.4 (3-224) days. Radiologically, 14 (47%) and 15 (50%) had complete resolution of the hydronephrosis on follow-up US in late pregnancy and in the early postnatal period, respectively. Two-thirds of patients had a clinical improvement immediately (15, 50%) and soon after (five, 17%) surgery. Stent encrustation (three, 10%), stent migration (three, 10%) and stent irritation (five, 17%) were reported as complications. The post-natal evaluation confirmed that half the patients had urinary calculus disease. CONCLUSION: Ureteric stenting during pregnancy can be safe, with no intraoperative imaging and even under local anaesthesia. It provides good symptom relief and has a low complication rate. We therefore advocate it as a first-line treatment in pregnant women with therapy-resistant flank pain.