Endourological treatment for lumbar ureteral stones. What are the benefits of flexible ureterorenoscopy?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, there are no established criteria regarding treatment for lumbar ureteral stones. The objective of this work is to present our results in the endourological treatment of this pathology, analyzing the variables associated with the use of the flexible ureterorenoscope. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 103 patients who underwent retrograde URS with semi-rigid or flexible ureterorenoscope. Proximal location: L2-L3. Medial location: L4-L5. Semirigid URS was the initial treatment, with conversion to flexible URS when it was required to complete the procedure. Success was defined as absence of residual fragments (6 weeks). Demographic, surgical, immediate postoperative variables, and those related to the stone, were analyzed. Their correlation with the use of the flexible ureterorenoscope was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age: 57.2 years (SD 15.6); there were 73 men (70.9%). Stone size: 8 mm (range 4-30; IQR 4.5). Proximal location: 58 (56.3%). Previous JJ: 44.7%. Previous nephrostomy: 10.7%. Semirigid URS with conversion to flexible URS: 51 (49.5%). Impacted stones: 28.2%. Intraoperative complications: 2 (1.9%). Postoperative JJ: 84.5%. Immediate postoperative complications: 23 (22.3%) (Clavien-Dindo I-II: 91.3%). Postoperative ureteral stricture: 5.8%. Success: 88.4%. Residual fragments: 12 (11.7%). Spontaneous passage: 6 (50%). Greater performance of flexible URS in proximal ureteral stones (p = 0.001) of more than 11 mm (p = 0.02) in univariate analysis, and in proximal stones [OR 3.5; 1.5-8.1; p = 0.004] in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Endourological treatment obtained a high success rate in our sample. Size greater than 11 mm and proximal ureteral location in univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively, behaved as predictors of flexible URS.

Endourological treatment for lumbar ureteral stones. What are the benefits of flexible ureterorenoscopy? / Tratamiento endourológico de la litiasis ureteral lumbar. ¿Qué aporta la ureterorrenoscopia flexible?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, there are no established criteria regarding treatment for lumbar ureteral stones. The objective of this work is to present our results in the endourological treatment of this pathology, analyzing the variables associated with the use of the flexible ureterorenoscope. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 103 patients who underwent retrograde URS with semi-rigid or flexible ureterorenoscope. Proximal location: L2-L3. Medial location: L4-L5. Semirigid URS was the initial treatment, with conversion to flexible URS when it was required to complete the procedure. Success was defined as absence of residual fragments (6 weeks). Demographic, surgical, immediate postoperative variables, and those related to the stone, were analyzed. Their correlation with the use of the flexible ureterorenoscope was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age: 57.2 years (SD 15.6); there were 73 men (70.9%). Stone size: 8mm (range 4-30; IQR 4.5). Proximal location: 58 (56.3%). Previous JJ: 44.7%. Previous nephrostomy: 10.7%. Semirigid URS with conversion to flexible URS: 51 (49.5%). Impacted stones: 28.2%. Intraoperative complications: 2 (1.9%). Postoperative JJ: 84.5%. Immediate postoperative complications: 23 (22.3%) (Clavien-Dindo I-II: 91.3%). Postoperative ureteral stricture: 5.8%. Success: 88.4%. Residual fragments: 12 (11.7%). Spontaneous passage: 6 (50%). Greater performance of flexible URS in proximal ureteral stones (P=0.001) of more than 11mm (P=0.02) in univariate analysis, and in proximal stones [OR 3.5; 1.5-8.1; P=0.004] in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Endourological treatment obtained a high success rate in our sample. Size greater than 11mm and proximal ureteral location in univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively, behaved as predictors of flexible URS.

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in differentiating between benign and malignant vertebral lesions: role of diffusion-weighted imaging, in-phase/opposed-phase imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of MRI to distinguish between benign and malignant vertebral lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 85 patients and studied a total of 213 vertebrae (both pathologic and normal). For each vertebra, we determined whether the lesion was hypointense in T1-weighted sequences and whether it was hyperintense in STIR and in diffusion-weighted sequences. We calculated the in-phase/out-of-phase quotient and the apparent diffusion coefficient for each vertebra. We combined parameters from T1-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and STIR sequences to devise a formula to distinguish benign from malignant lesions. RESULTS: The group comprised 60 (70.6%) women and 25 (29.4%) men with a mean age of 67±13.5 years (range, 33-90 y). Of the 85 patients, 26 (30.6%) had a known primary tumor. When the lesion was hypointense on T1-weighted sequences, hyperintense on STIR and diffusion-weighted sequences, and had a signal intensity quotient greater than 0.8, the sensitivity was 97.2%, the specificity was 90%, and the diagnostic accuracy was 91.2%. If the patient had a known primary tumor, these values increased to 97.2%, 99.4%, and 99%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Benign lesions can be distinguished from malignant lesions if we combine the information from T1-weighted, STIR, and diffusion-weighted sequences together with the in-phase/out-of-phase quotient of the lesion detected in the vertebral body on MRI.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spermatic cord. Presentation of one case and literature revision]. / Histiocitoma fibroso maligno de cordón espermático. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

We present a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the spermatic cord. An 80-years-old man was admitted to the hospital with a left scrotal mass, related to a genital traumatism several months ago. Under the suspicion of a testicular tumor, left radical orchiectomy was performed. Histological examination of the tumoral mass revealed a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The tumor was firmly adhered to the spermatic cord. MFH is an extremely rare, highly malignant connective tissue tumor, which may, occasionally, affect the male genital tract. There are no agreed treatment principles. The overall prognosis is poor.

[Low-grade collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney in a patient treated by dialysis]. / Carcinoma renal de los conductos colectores de bajo grado en un paciente en tratamiento con hemodiálisis.

Patient treated by dialysis for end-stage renal disease are at increased risk of many cancers, especially those of kidney and urinary tract. A 56 years old man who undergoing chronic dialysis, presented in ultrasonography a 2 cm complex cystic mass in the left kidney what was confirmed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance. A laparoscopic left nephrectomy was performed. Histological examination showed a low grade collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney. An infrequent variant of kidney tumor.

[The use of double J stent for prevention of urological complications in kidney transplants]. / Empleo del catéter doble J para la prevención de las complicaciones urológicas en el trasplante renal.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the use of the double J stent in the incidence of urological complications, like fistula urinary and ureteral obstruction in kidney transplants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2003 and December 2005, 59 adult recipients underwent renal transplant. A retrospective study was conducted on two groups of patients: Group A with double J stent and group B without it. We reviewed the urological complications: fistula, ureteral obstruction and urinary tract infection. RESULTS: Group A: One ureteral obstruction and two urinary fistulas (7%) were developed in this group. 13 patients (46%) had a positive urinary culture. In only one case was necessary to retire the double J stent because of ureteral obstruction. Group B: Four patients (13%) developed ureteral obstruction and another five (16%) developed urinary fistula. 9 patients (29%) had a positive urinary culture. CONCLUSION: The routine insertion of a double J stent in kidney transplants reduces the number of early complications urinary fistula and ureteral obstructions.

[Ectopic ureter as cause of pyonephrosis and urinary incontinence]. / Uréter ectópico como causa de pionefrosis e incontinencia urinaria.

Ectopic ureter accounts with an incidence of 1 in 2000 newborns. When present, ectopic ureter can be associated with duplex kidneys in an 85 % of the cases. Clinical manifestations of this malformation include incontinence and urinary tract infections. Ectopic ureter frequently occurs in association with a dysplastic upper pole renal moiety. When a poorly functioning upper pole segment is present, a standard surgical treatment is upper pole heminephrectomy. A 23-years old woman presented with left renal colic pain, fever and urinary leak. Ultrasound, intravenous pyelogram and antegrade pyelogram revealed a partial duplex right kidney and a complete duplex left kidney with hydronephrosis and ectopic insertion into the urethra of the left upper pole moiety. Following diagnosis upper pole heminephrectomy and partial ureterectomy was performed.

[Vesical hemangioma]. / Hemangioma vesical.

Bladder hemangiomas are mesenquimal tumors, generally benign and of difficult diagnosis, representing only 0.6% primary bladder tumors. Fundamental diagnosis is histological, since imaging test can't differenciate this from other bladder tumors. We present a case of a 60-year-old male who came to our service with macroscopic hematuria. RTU of one blue mass in the bladder was performed and the histological examination showed to be cavernous hemangioma. A review of literature was realized, commenting on the most typical clinical aspects, the diagnostic methods and the last therapeutic techniques in this type of lesions.

TNF-alpha blockade induce clinical remission in patients affected by polymyalgia rheumatica associated to diabetes mellitus and/or osteoporosis: a seven cases report.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the elderly, characterized by aching and morning stiffness in the cervical region, shoulders and pelvic girdles. A steroid treatment course of 6-24 months is often required, but, due to important side effects, it is troublesome if the PMR patient is also affected by diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or osteoporosis. Aim of our study is to test anti-TNF alpha treatment as a steroid sparing tool in PMR patients affected by DM or osteoporosis. In particular, we hypothesise that TNF alpha blockade can be useful not only in remission maintaining, but also in the induction of clinical remission without corticosteroids in this kind of patients. In a six months follow up, patients had clinical improvement, confirmed by physical medical examination, and a statistically significant reduction in ESR and CRP mean values. Anti-TNF alpha treatment was well tolerated by all patients. These preliminary data suggest than Infliximab can be useful in the treatment of PMR patients, not only for steroid sparing purposes, but also as first line therapy in PMR patients with severe comorbidity, such as diabetes mellitus or osteoporosis.

[Minor surgery in the family physician's office. Description of one year's experience]. / Cirugía menor en la consulta del médico de familia. Descripción de un año de experiencia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the first results from minor surgery (MS) performed by the family doctor (FD) and to analyse the concordance between presurgical diagnosis and anatomical pathology. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Health centre and hospital anatomical pathology service. PARTICIPANTS: Interventions over a year by 4 FD and 8 third-year family medicine interns. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Descriptive variables for all the interventions were analysed. There were: age and gender; place, size and diagnosis of the lesion; reason for the MS; type of intervention; waiting time; and histological findings. The prior diagnosis was compared with the anatomical pathology for simple agreement. There were 243 interventions. Complete data were obtained for 229 (124 female and 105 male, aged between 4 and 79). The most common reason for MS was aesthetic, followed by fear of malignity and pain. The techniques used most often were: surgical exeresis (56.3%) and cryotherapy (36.2%). Most problems treated were naevi (72 cases), verrucas (83) and epidemic-sebaceous cysts (23). All the substances extracted (140) were sent to Pathology and there was 84.1% agreement between the Laboratory report and doctor's diagnosis. Average waiting time for the intervention was 15 days. CONCLUSIONS: Performing MS in primary care is feasible, as long as the FD is correctly trained. In our unit there is little waiting time and high histopathologic concordance.