3D printing: a useful tool for safe clinical practice in children with complex vasculature.

BACKGROUND: 3D printing has been used in different medical contexts, although it is underutilised in paediatrics. We present the first use of 3D printing in the management of three paediatric patients with complex renovascular disease. METHODS: Patient-specific 3D models were produced from conventional 2D imaging and manufactured using 3D polyjet printing technology. All three patients had different underlying pathologies, but all underwent multiple endovascular interventions (renal artery balloon angioplasty) prior to 3D printing and subsequent vascular surgery. The models were verified by an expert radiologist and then presented to the multidisciplinary team to aid with surgical planning. RESULTS: Following evaluation of the 3D-printed models, all patients underwent successful uni/bilateral renal auto-transplants and aortic bypass surgery. The 3D models allowed more detailed preoperative discussions and more focused planning of surgical approach, therefore enhancing safer surgical planning. It influenced clinical decision-making and shortened general anaesthetic time. The families and the patients reported that they had a significantly improved understanding of the patient's condition and had more confidence in understanding proposed surgical intervention, thereby contributing to obtaining good-quality informed consent. CONCLUSION: 3D printing has a great potential to improve both surgical safety and decision-making as well as patient understanding in the field of paediatrics and may be considered in wider surgical areas.

Nephrogenic Adenoma of the Urinary Bladder after Kidney Transplantation: Long-Term Follow-Up.

Nephrogenic adenoma is a rare lesion that consists of epithelial cells arranged in tubular form, resembling tubules in the renal medulla, and is found usually in the urinary bladder although it can occur anywhere in the transitional epithelium of the lower urinary tract. The first case of nephrogenic adenoma of the urinary bladder was reported before the first kidney transplantation, and the lesion has been reported in patients with and without renal transplantation. The origin of cells in nephrogenic adenoma is debated and has been postulated to arise from cells of embryonic origin or from metaplasia secondary to chronic irritation or from implantation of allograft cells in patients with kidney transplantation. The long-term outcome and potential to convert into malignancy are not established, and therefore, there are no recommendations on how to follow up these patients. We present a case of a patient who was found to have nephrogenic adenoma of the urinary bladder during his second kidney transplantation from a cadaveric donor. He had undergone living donor kidney transplantation previously which subsequently failed. The patient did not manifest any symptoms of nephrogenic adenoma. During a follow-up period of 5 years, he has not manifested any symptoms related to nephrogenic metaplasia. Histopathological examination 5 years after the second transplantation did not show any malignant change. It can be concluded that nephrogenic adenoma is likely to behave in benign fashion post kidney transplantation.