Preoperative evaluation of hilar vessel anatomy with 3-D computerized tomography in living kidney donors.

OBJECTIVES: Digital subtract angiography is the gold standard for anatomic assessment of renal vasculature for living renal donors. However, multidetector-row computerized tomography (MDCT) is less invasive than digital subtract angiography and provides information of kidney stones and other intra-abdominal organs. In this study, preoperative MDCT angiography results were compared with the peroperative findings to evaluate the accuracy of MDCT for the evaluation of renal anatomy. METHODS: From December 2002 to May 2007, all 60 consecutive living kidney donors were evaluated with MDCT angiography preoperatively. We reported the number and origin of renal arteries, presence of early branching arteries, and any intrinsic renal artery disease. Renal venous anatomy was evaluated for the presence of accessory, retroaortic, and circumaortic veins using venous phase axial images. The calyces and ureters were assessed with delayed topograms. The results of the MDCT angiography were compared with the peroperative findings. RESULTS: A total of 67 renal arteries were seen peroperatively in 60 renal units. Preoperative MDCT angiography detected 64 of them. The two arteries not detected by MDCT had diameters less than 3 mm. Anatomic variations were present in nine veins, five of which were detected by CT angiography. Sensitivity of MDCT angiography for arteries and veins was 95% and 93%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 100% for both arteries and veins. CONCLUSION: MDCT angiography offers a less invasive, rapid, and accurate preoperative investigation modality for vascular anatomy in living kidney donors. It also provides sufficient information about extrarenal anatomy important for donor surgery.

Coronary artery calcifications in hemodialysis patients and their correlation with the prevalence of erectile dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim in this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlation with coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) among hemodialysis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five male patients with chronic renal failure were selected to participate in this study. All patients underwent examinations for CACS using 16-channel multidetector computed tomography. The presence and severity of ED were determined by calculating the erectile function domain of the self-administered International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 22 to 78 with a mean of 51.6 years. The mean duration of hemodialysis was 75.7 months (range = 12 to 232). Twenty-six patients had a history of one or more systemic diseases. The prevalence of any level of ED was 82.9% for all hemodialysis patients, and severe ED, 40%. The CACS was significantly higher among patients with severe ED (P = .032). The IIEF-5 score was also shown to have a moderate negative correlation with the CACS (r = -.420, P = .012). Age, duration of hemodialysis, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart diseases, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disease, depression, tobacco consumption, and medication were not associated with the presence of ED (P > .05). CONCLUSION: ED is prevalent in hemodialysis patients. Although many possible factors contribute to ED, the severity of ED increases with greater CACS.

Renal transplantation in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction of different origin: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Renal transplantation in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) of various origins is a challenging issue in the field of pediatric transplantation. We report our single-center experience to evaluate patient and graft survivals as well as the risks of the surgery and immunosuppressive therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 70 pediatric transplant patients, 11 displayed severe LUTD. Videourodynamic tests were performed on all patients preoperatively as well as postoperatively if required. The cause of urologic disorders were neurogenic bladder (n = 5) and urethral valves (n = 6). Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) was needed in six patients to empty the bladder. To achieve a low-pressure reservoir with adequate capacity pretransplantation augmentation ileocystoplasty was created in four patients and gastrocystoplasty in one patient. Three of the patients received kidneys from cadaveric and eight from living donors. All patients were treated with calcineurin-based immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: The mean age at transplantation was 15 +/- 4.7 years. The median follow-up after transplantation was 36 months (6 to 62 months). At their last visit the median creatinine level was 0.95 mg/dL (0.8 to 2.4 mg/dL). Three patients had recurrent symptomatic urinary tract infections who had augmented bladder on CIC. One patient with ileocystoplasty who developed urinary leak and ureteral stricture in the early postoperative period was treated by an antegrade J stent. CONCLUSION: Severe LUTD carried high risks for the grafted kidney. However, our data suggested that renal transplantation is a safe and effective treatment modality, if the underlying urologic diseases properly managed during the transplantation course. Since surgery and follow-up is more complicated, patient compliance and experience of transplantation team have significant impacts on outcomes.

Utility of the Doppler ultrasound parameter, resistive index, in renal transplant histopathology.

BACKGROUND: Doppler ultrasonography is routinely used by many clinicians during long-term follow-up to identify high-risk patients without diagnosing the exact cause of graft dysfunction. Despite a number of studies showing a correlation between intrarenal resistive index (RI) and renal function in patients with kidney diseases, correlations between RI and renal histopathologic characteristics have not been sufficiently evaluated in renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to examine this relationship in grafted kidneys. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The intrarenal RI was retrospectively compared with biopsy findings in 28 kidney recipients. All renal biopsy specimens were reviewed by light microscopy and immunofluorescence staining. For glomerulosclerosis, we considered the percentage of glomeruli showing this change; for interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy and interstitial infiltration, we graded abnormalities according to the methods of Kliem et al (Kidney Int 49:666, 1996). RESULTS: The percentage of globally sclerosed glomeruli was significantly greater among patients with RI values higher than 0.75 than below this level (23% vs 47%; P = .022). Patients with grade 1 interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (n = 14) showed lower RI values (0.68 +/- 0.03 vs 0.74 +/- 0.06; P = .047) than those with grade 3 fibrosis (n = 12). Similarly, lower RI values (0.66 +/- 0.02 vs 0.73 +/- 0.05; P = .014) were observed among patients with grade 1 (n = 13) compared with grade 3 interstitial infiltration (n = 13). CONCLUSION: RI seemed to provide a prognostic marker for the graft rather than yielding an exact diagnosis of renal graft dysfunction.

Outcome of primary glomerular disease in pediatric renal transplantation: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: The recurrence of primary disease in transplantation is a well-known problem. We report our single-center experience to assess the frequency of the recurrence of primary glomerulonephritis in children after renal transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical reports of 14 children with primary glomerular disease were evaluated. Among the 14 grafts were 10 from living related and four from cadaveric donors. Ten were diagnosed as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), two membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), and two polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). The original diagnosis was biopsy-proven in every case. All patients were treated with calcineurin-based immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: The mean age was 15.5 +/- 5.4 years. The median transplantation duration was 47 months; however, one of the FSGS patient had hyperacute rejection. Five years later she received a second graft with a serum creatinine of 0.7 mg/dL at 7 years after transplantation. Posttransplant recurrence of FSGS was confirmed in two patients (20%), who were treated with plasmapheresis with no improvement of proteinuria, two FSGS patients had thromboses after transplantation. One had a cardiac thrombosis with heterozygote MTHFR mutation and one, a renal artery thrombosis and loss of graft with prothrombin 20210A mutation. They all have functioning grafts except these two. We did not observe recurrence of PAN or MPGN in patients. CONCLUSION: Although the number of patients is quite small, our recurrence rate was compatible with the previous reports. Additionally, we strongly recommend evaluation of all risk factors for thrombosis and give appropriate anticoagulation.

Triple immunosuppression with tacrolimus in pediatric renal transplantation: single-center experience.

AIM: In this single-center cohort, we retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in pediatric renal transplantation. METHODS: We examined the medical records of 22 consecutive renal transplantation recipients (12 boys, 10 girls) receiving tacrolimus, to evaluate occurrence of acute rejection (AR) episodes, glomerular filtration rates (GFR), and side effects. RESULTS: The mean recipient age was 15.07 +/- 3.96 years. Seven grafts came from cadaveric, and 15 from living related donors. The patients were placed on immunosuppression with prednisolone and tacrolimus plus azathioprine (n = 8) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (n = 12) or enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (n = 2). Eighteen patients received basiliximab on days 0 and 4. There were three AR episodes at 5, 9, and 12 months. Mean GFR at the end of 1 and 2 years were 97.1 +/- 24.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 116.9 +/- 42.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. There was no graft loss. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia were present in 14 (63.6%), 3 (13.6%), and 3 (13.6%) patients, respectively, without gingival hyperplasia, tremor, or hypertrichosis. Supraventricular tachycardia was noticed in five patients (22.7%), three of whom needed antiarrhythmic drugs (13.6%). CONCLUSION: Our single-center experience with tacrolimus, steroid plus azathioprine or MMF or enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium regimen in pediatric kidney recipients showed a low rate of AR with excellent graft survival and function at 1 and 2 year posttransplantation. The increased rate of supraventricular tachycardia in this regimen had not been previously reported; this association merits further studies.

Utility of c2 monitoring in prediction of diastolic dysfunction in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: A number of experimental studies have suggested that cyclosporine (CsA) toxicity induces cardiac modifications which may cause diastolic dysfunction over the course of time. Doppler echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) could consistently detect diastolic dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to assess diastolic dysfunction using C2 monitoring of CsA exposure in stable renal transplant patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight kidney recipients including 42 men and 36 women of overall mean age of 52 +/- 9 years were obtained in 47 living and in 31 cases from cadaveric donations over 12 or more months after transplantation using cases from CsA, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroid. C2 levels were measured by an enzyme multi-immune assay technique. The patients underwent conventional and Doppler echocardiography with TDI. RESULTS: The patients were divided into 2 groups according to C2 levels less than 500 mug/L (group 1, n = 40) versus greater than 500 mug/L (group 2, n = 38). The demographic parameters, serum creatinine and lipid levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, number and type of antihypertensive medications, and conventional echocardiographic parameters did not differ significantly between the groups. However, group 1 patients showed significantly higher isovolumic relaxation time (109 +/- 27 vs 86 +/- 14 ms), early diastolic deceleration time (189 +/- 52 vs 137 +/- 59 ms), and lower values of E velocity (56 +/- 32 vs 92 +/- 27 cm/s) and E/A ratios (0.81 +/- 0.23 vs 1.15 +/- 0.46) than group 2. TDI studies revealed significantly lower E'/A' (0.76 +/- 0.25 vs 1.09 +/- 0.32, P < .05) in group 1 versus group 2. CONCLUSION: The data suggested that the higher C2 levels may induce diastolic dysfunction in the hearts of kidney recipients without impairment of contractile performance.

The role of proinflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms for development of insulin resistance after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance, a frequent prediabetic metabolic complication after renal transplantation, is generally linked to immunosuppressive drugs including corticosteroids, cyclosporine (CsA) or tacrolimus, as well as to age, cadaveric donors and ethnic factors. Cytokines are known to be inflammation modulatory substances that contribute to metabolic derangements after transplantation. The present study investigated the effects of cytokine gene polymorphisms on insulin resistance in renal transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one renal transplant recipients (37 men, 24 women; mean age: 39.3 +/- 10.8 years) who attended regular clinical visits without a known history of diabetes were enrolled in the study. All patients were on a regimen of steroid, CsA, and mycophenolate mofetil. Venous blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses after an overnight fast at 08:00 pm. CsA trough levels, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were also estimated. Additional 10 mL of blood was withdrawn into an ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-containing tube to determine cytokine genotypes (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] -238 G/A, transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-beta] codon 10 -869 T/C). Insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method using the values of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin levels. Anthropometric indices as well as body height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured simultaneously to calculate body mass index (kg/m2) and waist-to-hip ratio. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was described as an FBG > or = 110 but < 126 mg/dL. RESULTS: IFG was detected in 27.9% of this study group. The HOMA index was significantly higher among patients with IFG compared with normal FBG (NoGT) (6.3 +/- 4.5 vs 3.7 +/- 1.5; P = .01). Neither FBG and insulin nor HOMA values correlated with antrophometric, metabolic, or inflammatory parameters. Cytokine genotype allele frequencies, age, sex, immunosuppressive and antihypertensive drug type and doses, CsA trough levels, and donor source (cadaveric/living) were similar for patients with IFG and NoGT. Mutant allele carrier genotypes (AA + GA) for TNF-alpha -238 G/A showed higher fasting insulin (14.0 +/- 7.9 vs 34.1 +/- 17.7 microIU/mL; P = .04) and HOMA (4.01 +/- 2.01 vs 7.95 +/- 5.44; P = .002) levels than GG homozygote subjects. FBG, HOMA, and other metabolic and anthropometric indices were similar between TGF-beta codon 10 -869 T/C genotypes. The daily dose of steroid (mg/d) and A allele frequency for TNF-alpha -238 G/A genotype were significant predictors of HOMA index in linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that beside the daily dose of steroids, TNF-alpha -238 G/A genotype may contribute to insulin resistance in renal transplant recipients. Further investigations may highlight the effects of cytokine gene heterogenity on insulin resistance in those patients.

Semen variables and hormone profiles after kidney transplantation during adolescence.

Our aim was to investigate the semen variables and hormone profiles among transplant patients who received kidneys during adolescence. Seven postpubertal transplant patients who underwent successful renal transplantation during adolescence (13-19 years; 3 were preemptive) were enrolled in our clinical follow-up. Serum levels of prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were checked together with the semen analysis. The ages of the patients ranged from 18 to 25 years (median, 22 years). The median age was 15 years (range, 12-18 years) at initial presentation. The median time between initial diagnosis and transplantation was 12 months (range, 2-60 months). The median follow-up after transplantation was 51 months (range, 23-134 months). Three of the seven patients had unilateral low testicular volume. The renal function tests were within normal limits, as well as serum levels of prolactin, FSH, LH, and testosterone. Sperm counts ranged from 0.2 to 55 million/mL (median, 1.7 million/mL). Only 1 patient (14.2%) had normal sperm parameters. Oligoteratozoospermia (low sperm count and defects in morphology) was observed in 1/7 (14.2%), asthenoteratozoospermia (low levels of motility and defects in morphology) in 1/7 (14.2%), and all parameters were abnormal in 4/7 (57.1%) cases. Our data suggest that in contrast to adult patients, semen variables are severely affected and spermatogenesis does not improve after renal transplantation when the patient was subjected to uremia before or during adolescence, the crucial period for spermatogenesis.

How does the presence of urologic problems change the outcome of kidney transplantation in the pediatric age group.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively reviewed the impact of functional and anatomic urologic disorders on kidney transplantation outcomes in terms of the surgical and long-term results of pediatric renal transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 55 kidney transplantations in the pediatric age group, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was secondary to genitourinary disorders in 23 patients (42%). The urologic abnormalities were vesicoureteral reflux in 13 patients (59%), neurogenic bladder in 4 patients (18%), posterior urethral valves in 3 patients (14%), renal stone disease in 4 patients (18%), bilateral ureterovesical junction obstruction in 3 patients (14%), and unilateral renal agenesis with concomitant contralateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction in 1 patient (4%). RESULTS: Of the 23 patients with urologic problems, 19 (83%) had functioning grafts with a mean follow-up of 49 months (range, 7-120 months). In the other 32 patients, 26 (81%) had functioning grafts with a mean follow-up of 43 months (range, 1-144 months). The graft survival, mean serum creatinine, and urinary tract infection rates of the patients did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of functional urologic disorders as the cause of ESRD did not seem to change the outcome of renal transplantation in terms of graft survival when compared with patients without any urologic disorders. Urinary tract infections seem to be a little more common and yet clinically not significant in those patients. Reflux does not always need to be corrected before transplantation, unless it is causing symptoms or infection.

Renal transplantation in children with augmentation enterocystoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: We report our experience with renal transplantation in patients with severe bladder dysfunction who underwent prior augmentation cystoplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 58 pediatric patients, three underwent bladder augmentation prior to renal transplantation. The patients' ages at transplantation were 10, 13, and 17. The etiologies of bladder dysfunction were posterior urethral valves in two patients and contracted bladder in one patient. Vesicoureteral reflux was concomitantly present in three patients. Pretransplant ileocystoplasty was created in two patients and gastrocystoplasty in one patient. All patients received kidneys from cadaveric donors and were treated with calcineurin-based immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: The patients had normal renal function without hydronephrosis of the transplanted kidney at 13, 22, 49 months follow-up. No patients had morbidity due to technical complications. All the patients were continent. Two of three patients required clean intermittent catheterization from a Mitrofanoff conduit, while one patient spontaneously voids without significant residual urine. Urinary tract infections observed in two patients were successfully treated without any permanent deterioration in graft kidney function. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that augmentation cystoplasty is a safe and effective option to treat patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing kidney transplantation. Experience of the transplantation team with a qualified pediatric urologist is essential due to the potentially high risk of surgical complications during the long term management of these patients.

Detection of urinary interleukin-2, interleukin-2 receptor, and tumor necrosis factor levels in patients with superficial bladder tumors after intravesical BCG immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence of urinary cytokines, after bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy, in order to provide further insight into the mechanisms of action of intravesical BCG therapy. METHOD: Urine levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) levels were determined in 34 patients with superficial bladder tumors after a six-week course of intravesical BCG therapy. The urine samples were obtained at the fifth hour following the sixth course of therapy and the determinations were made by using an (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) technique. RESULTS: The pre-BCG levels of IL-2, IL-2R, and TNF (32.1 ng/L, 21.1 ng/L, 37.6 micrograms/L, respectively) were increased significantly after therapy (175.2 ng/L, 54.4 ng/L, 625.9 micrograms/L, respectively). These levels remained significantly increased after all patients were stratified according to tumor and patient characteristics. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide further evidence for the immunologic basis of the mechanism of action of intravesical BCG therapy.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients aged 60 years or older.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients more than 60 years old. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated and compared the data of 28 percutaneous nephrolithotomies (PCNL) performed on 27 patients aged 60 years and older (mean 65.8) with the data of the remaining 178 PCNL procedures on 166 patients performed in our clinic between December 1997 and December 1999. RESULTS: Although staghorn stones seemed to be more common in the elderly group (25% v 22%), no statistical significance was demonstrated (P = 0.715), and the stone burden was similar for the two groups (P = 0.112). The only interesting finding in terms of patient characteristics was a significantly higher incidence of solitary kidney in patients aged 60 years or older (29% v 7%; P = 0.003). The success rates (stone-free patients and patients with residual stones <4 mm) were similar, being 89% for the elderly group and 92% for the younger patients (P = 0.718). Transfusion rates were also similar (21.4% in the elderly v 18% in the younger group; P = 0.662). No significant complication was observed in this elderly group, and no renal deterioration has been detected even in the follow-up of patients with a solitary kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the somewhat higher stone burden in the elderly patients (1077.92 mm2 v 920.85 mm2), the stone-free rate was similar to that obtained in the younger patients, without any higher rates of complications or blood transfusions or longer hospital stay. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and effective method of stone treatment in the elderly, even if they have a solitary kidney or complex calculi.

Segmental ATN in a kidney with a single artery transplanted from living related donor.

A sequential 99mTc-MAG3 renogram of a 20-year-old male who received a kidney from a living related donor is presented. Pre-transplant angiography of the donor showed the kidney had a single renal artery with upper and lower branches. The transplantation procedure was uneventful, allowing rapid simultaneous perfusion to the entire kidney. The first scan performed 2 days after the transplantation was normal except for retention of the radiotracer at the upper pole of the kidney. The renal collecting system was normal and no signs of dilatation or obstruction were noticed on ultrasonographic examination. A follow-up scan done on the 5th day of transplantation showed almost complete evacuation of the parenchymal retention previously seen on the upper pole of the kidney. This unusual finding was consistent with segmental acute tubular necrosis (ATN) of the upper pole of the kidney and showed that ATN might involve only a portion of a kidney in spite of the existence of a single artery of the transplant.

Triple immunosuppression with or without basiliximab in pediatric renal transplantation: acute rejection rates at one year.

Acute rejection (AR) is a major determinant of chronic allograft dysfunction and graft survival. This study evaluated the effect of basiliximab on AR in pediatric renal transplantation on triple immunosuppression. Forty-three transplantations (25 males and 18 females; mean age 14.9 +/- 3.6 years) were performed between 1996 and 2002. Thirteen of the grafts came from cadaveric donors and 30 from living-related donors. All patients were placed on immunosuppression with prednisolone + (azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil) + (cyclosporine [CYA] or tacrolimus). Basiliximab was also administered in 20 cases. The respective rates of biopsy-proven AR in the basiliximab group (BG) and the standard-regimen group (N-BG) were 0% vs 17.4% (P >.05) at 1 month posttransplantation; 0% vs 26.1% (P <.05) at 3 months; 0% vs 26.1% (P <.05) at 6 months, and 7.1% vs 26.1% (P >.05) at 12 months. In the N-BG group the 1- and 3-year graft survival rates were 91.3% (21/23) and 83.3% (15/18), respectively. The mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the first year after the transplantation was 75 +/- 33 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the N-BG and 98 +/- 21 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the BG patients (P <.05). Basiliximab significantly reduced the rates of acute rejection at 3 and 6 months after pediatric renal transplantation. The GFR in the first year was significantly higher among the patients treated with basiliximab, which was well tolerated by all patients and caused no significant adverse effects. The effect of basiliximab on long-term graft survival and chronic allograft dysfunction deserves further investigation.

Prediction of renal allograft function with early Doppler ultrasonography.

INTRODUCTION: Doppler ultrasonography (USG) is an useful, noninvasive diagnostic tool for the management and follow-up of the transplanted kidney. However, it is believed that the value of Doppler USG is limited to discrimination of acute rejection episodes. We tested whether early Doppler USG findings were predictive of 1-month and 1-year allograft functions in noncomplicated renal transplant recipients (RTRs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Resistive index (RI) and pulsatile index (PI) values obtained by doppler USG within the first week of transplantation were correlated with allograft function at 1 month and 1 year in 45 (10 women, 35 men, mean age: 27 years) noncomplicated cases. Patients with complications during the first posttransplant year were not included. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between both RI and PI with creatinine clearance values at 1 month and at 1 year posttransplant. There was a significant decline in allograft function among cases with either RI > or = 0.7 or PI > or = 1.1. Patients with impaired allograft function have higher RI and PI values. CONCLUSION: Renal allograft survival is influenced by many factors. However, no reliable simple parameter has been identified to predict long-term outcome. Doppler USG performed during the early transplantation period with calculation of RI and PI may have a predictive value to forecast early and long-term outcomes of noncomplicated kidney transplants.

Results of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children, using the Dornier MPL 9000 lithotriptor.

PURPOSE: The objective of the report is to review extracorporeal shock wave litotripsy (ESWL) results in the pediatric age group treated with Dornier MPL 9000. METHODS: Records of 59 pediatric patients undergoing ESWL using Dornier MPL 9000 lithotriptor for upper urinary tract stones between October 1991 and September 1995 were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent (42 of 59) of patients were completely stone free at 3 month follow-up, and 15% of the patients had partial stone clearance. Of 59, 13 had undergone ESWL for residual stone after open surgery. The mean stone size for all the patients was 14.5 mm (5 to 35 mm). CONCLUSIONS: ESWL is an effective method for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones in the pediatric age group. It can be used as the first line treatment in patients without previous surgery and patients with residual stones after open surgery. ESWL is an effective treatment for the upper urinary stones (up to 3.5 cm) in pediatric patients with a complete stone-free rate of 71% and partial clearance of stones in an additional 15%. We suggest that it should be used as the first line treatment in the pediatric age group.

Ureterocystoplasty: an alternative reconstructive procedure to enterocystoplasty in suitable cases.

PURPOSE: The objective of the report is to present the results of ureterocystoplasty in 6 children with megaureters and low-capacity, high-pressure bladders. METHODS: Of the 6 patients, 2 had valve bladders, 1 had Hinmann's syndrome, 1 had neuropathic bladder, and the remaining 2 with ureterocutaneostomy were mainly diverted because of refluxing megaureters. Nephrectomy was performed in both of the boys with posterior urethral valve because of vesicoureteral reflux dysplasia (VURD) syndrome, and the ipsilateral ureter was used for the augmentation. In 2 patients with ureterocutaneostomy and in 1 with Hinmann's syndrome, a transureteroureterostomy was carried out, and the distal part of the ureter was used to perform augmentation. The patient with neuropathic bladder had a nonfunctioning crossed ectopic left kidney with an associated ipsilateral, refluxing megaureter, and the ureter was used for augmentation after the nephrectomy. RESULTS: All of the patients are continent, and 4 patients who are neurologically normal void spontaneously without requiring clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). The average increase in bladder capacity is 263% (range, 190% to 340%). CONCLUSIONS: Ureterocystoplasty is the bladder augmentation of choice for patients with a nonfunctioning kidney with an associated ipsilateral, refluxing megaureter and for patients with kidneys both in good function and megaureters suitable for a transureteroureterostomy.

Urinary tract tuberculosis in a child with Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a case report.

A seven-year-old girl is presented, who was previously diagnosed as having Henoch-Schönlein vasculitis, and was further evaluated for hypertension. Urograms showed bilateral strictures of the ureter, causing obstruction on the left side. Tuberculosis, our preoperative diagnosis, evidenced by her sterile pyuria and PPD conversion was confirmed by the surgical specimen and treatment was begun.

Serum estradiol as a tumour marker for non-seminomatous germinal cell tumours (NSGCT) of the testis.

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) determinations of serum alphafetoprotein (AFP), beta human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) and estradiol (E2) levels have been made at various stages of the disease in 52 patients with testicular carcinoma. In non-seminomatous tumours of the testis, E2 has been found to be a highly specific tumour marker, helping to reduce clinical staging error. Increases in serum E2 levels have been observed in all patients with HCG-secreting tumours, but E2 has indicated tumour recurrence alone in 4 patients with normal AFP and BHCG levels. Gynecomastia, always accompanied by a rise in serum E2 and BHCG levels has been a bad prognostic sign. E2 had no significance as a marker in seminomatous tumours.