Renal cell carcinoma presenting as painless jaundice and unintentional weight loss.

Painless jaundice and unexplained weight loss is an exceedingly rare presentation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Such a presentation is more typical of a hepatocellular pathology. Stauffer syndrome is a paraneoplastic syndrome seen in RCC and is characterized by deranged hepatic enzymes and in association with fever, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms typically resolve following nephrectomy. The predominant picture of this syndrome is that of an anicteric patient. Here we report the case of a 48 year old man who presented with a 3 week history of painless jaundice, malaise, anorexia and unintentional weight loss of 10 kilograms. Imaging revealed a solid right renal mass measuring 11 cm × 11 cm × 14 cm. There were also findings consistent with the presence of an inferior vena cava thrombosis and multiple pulmonary lesions. Biopsy confirmed the pulmonary lesions as metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma. Following multi-disciplinary discussion, cytoreductive nephrectomy was recommended to the patient, however multiple paraneoplastic syndromes subsequently developed and the patient experienced hypertension, severe coagulopathy and hypercalcaemia. Subsequently, the patient opted for supportive and palliative care. The patient died 2 weeks after initial presentation. Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with RCC are often underdiagnosed due to their variety and often non-specific nature. Paraneoplastic syndromes may lead to patient presentation, where they often suggest advanced or metastatic disease, and those caring for such patients should remain vigilant as further syndromes may complicate patient care.

Biopsy at flexible cystoscopy: is it worthwhile?

INTRODUCTION: Flexible cystoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis and surveillance of bladder carcinoma. Most flexible cystoscopes feature a working channel allowing for bladder biopsy and diathermy if a suspicious lesion is observed. However, the working channel permits only small instruments which limit the volume of material retrieved for histological analysis. There are no published standards for quality control of biopsy specimens taken at flexible cystoscopy. We reviewed the diagnostic yield of biopsies taken at flexible cystoscopy at our institution. METHODS: Theatre log books were retrospectively examined to identify cases of flexible cystoscopy where bladder biopsy was performed. Histopathology reports were reviewed. All biopsies were taken using single-use biopsy forceps, diameter 1.8 mm, open cup width 4.5 mm. RESULTS: From January 2014 to December 2017, a total of 143 biopsies were performed. All biopsies were taken for suspicious lesions where the differential diagnosis included malignancy. Of the 143 samples taken, 27 biopsies showed evidence of malignancy, and 9 cases were high-grade urothelial cancer. A total of 16 samples were inadequate for any histological diagnosis. All remaining samples excluded malignancy within the sample provided. A histopathological diagnosis was provided for almost 89% of cases. CONCLUSION: Approximately 18% of biopsies detected malignancy. While only small volumes of tissue are collected at flexible cystoscopy, these can help to distinguish malignancy from benign pathology. Our institution reports a non-diagnostic rate of approximately 11%, and in these cases, when there is still a suspicion of malignancy, a rigid cystoscopy and biopsy should be performed.

Is Movember synonymous with moustaches or men's health? An examination of internet search activity for prostate and testicular cancer during the campaign.

BACKGROUND: The Movember campaign encourages men to grow a moustache during the month of November. The campaign's aims include promotion of prostate and testicular cancer awareness. AIMS: To examine the effectiveness of the Movember campaign at generating awareness of prostate and testicular cancers by examining Internet search activity. METHODS: Google Trends was used to review weekly Internet search activity from January 2004 to December 2015. We reviewed search activity for the search terms "prostate cancer", "testicular cancer", "Movember" and "moustache". The weeks in November from 2004 to 2015 were examined for changes in search activity for our chosen search terms, which could be attributed to the annual Movember campaign. Search activity was recorded weekly and scored from 0 to 100 with 100 representing peak search activity. RESULTS: Mean search activity for each term during the weeks of Movember campaign. However, throughout the 11 years assessed, only the term "moustache" was consistently statistically associated with increasing publicity for the Movember campaign. Cancer awareness was inconsistent. Testicular cancer shows a significant association in only one of the 11 years and prostate cancer in only 2 years. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the Movember campaign is consistently linked in the public consciousness with novelty facial hair and only weakly associated with an awareness of prostate and testicular cancers. Whilst the funding generated by the campaign should be commended, more could be done to link the campaign and moustaches to awareness of common male cancers.

Radiation dosing in the investigation and follow-up of urolithiasis: Comparison between historical and contemporary practices.

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard imaging modality for the diagnosis and follow-up of urolithiasis. Before the use of CT, intravenous urography (IVU) was the imaging modality of choice. CT remains contentious because of the cancer risk related to radiation exposure above a threshold level. We aimed to compare the radiation exposure dose to the average patient with urolithiasis in the era of CT with that of IVU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our hospital medical records database was searched for patients who presented to the Emergency Department over a 1-month period in 1990 with a diagnosis of renal colic. Patients with the same presentation, from the same month, in 2013 were also identified. A total of 14 patients from each year fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The estimated effective radiation exposure dose for each patient was calculated by using data from population-based studies. RESULTS: The median effective radiation dose per patient in the 1990 group, for initial diagnosis and subsequent follow-up, was 4.05 mSv (interquartile range [IQR], 3.7-4.4 mSv). The corresponding median dose in the 2013 group was 4.2 mSv (IQR, 4.2-4.9 mSv), and there was no evidence of a statistical difference between the groups (p=0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the contentiousness related to the use of serial CT scanning, our study demonstrated that for radiological investigation and follow-up of urolithiasis, the estimated effective radiation exposure dose to each patient is only marginally higher than in the era of IVU, with improvements in length of hospital stay and time to definitive diagnosis.

Renal track creation for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: the history and relevance of single stage dilation.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was described in the 1980s and revolutionized the treatment of stone disease. The crucial component to this surgery is satisfactory track creation. We examine how the development and production in the 1980s of a single stage dilator (SSD) subsequently modified for pediatric PCNL has become the ideal access tool for mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL) today. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The conception, production, scientific and clinical development of the original SSD is described. The pitfalls of track dilation in general according to method of dilation are also discussed and outlined. RESULTS: This study provides evidence clarifying commonly held misconceptions about the origin of SSD which is the mainstay of the mPCNL technique. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous renal surgery continues to evolve. In less than 40 years stone surgery has transformed from a morbid open operation to a number of minimally invasive, routine techniques. The SSD has been an innovation that has played a crucial role in this change.

Paediatric sutureless circumcision--an alternative to the standard technique.

INTRODUCTION: Circumcision is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in male children. A range of surgical techniques exist for this commonly performed procedure. The aim of this study is to assess the safety, functional outcome and cosmetic appearance of a sutureless circumcision technique. METHODS: Over a 9-year period, 502 consecutive primary sutureless circumcisions were performed by a single surgeon. All 502 cases were entered prospectively into a database including all relevant clinical details and a review was performed. The technique used to perform the sutureless circumcision is a modification of the standard sleeve technique with the use of a bipolar diathermy and the application of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (2-OCA) to approximate the tissue edges. RESULTS: All boys in this study were pre-pubescent and the ages ranged from 6 months to 12 years (mean age 3.5 years). All patients had this procedure performed as a day case and under general anaesthetic. Complications included: haemorrhage (2.2%), haematoma (1.4%), wound infection (4%), allergic reaction (0.2%) and wound dehiscence (0.8%). Only 9 (1.8%) parents or patients were dissatisfied with the cosmetic appearance. CONCLUSION: The use of 2-OCA as a tissue adhesive for sutureless circumcisions is an alternative to the standard suture technique. The use of this tissue adhesive, 2-OCA, results in comparable complication rates to the standard circumcision technique and results in excellent post-operative cosmetic satisfaction.

Septic shock due to Fournier's gangrene of the scrotum.

A 57-year-old morbidly obese (160 kg) man presented with a 12 h history of severe bilateral scrotal pain and swelling. His scrotum was erythematous, with cellulitis advancing superiorly along the anterior abdominal wall. He was in septic shock. Following resuscitation with intravenous fluids, commencement of vasopressor infusion and broad-spectrum antimicrobials, he underwent surgical exploration and debridement. This revealed a devitalised gangrenous scrotum with abscess formation noted in the ischio-rectal spaces. This was debrided posteriorly to the wall of the rectum. The penis was de-gloved. Both testicles were spared. A colostomy was performed on day 3 to maintain a clean environment for healing. Subsequent scrotal reconstruction and grafting was performed with a pedicled gracilis flap and split skin grafting. The colostomy was reversed at 5 months.

The treatment of vesicovaginal fistula by endoscopic injection of fibrin glue.

Creation of a vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a complication seen in a variety of patients from prolonged labour and elective hysterectomies to advanced gynaecological malignancies. Causing distressing symptoms such as a loss of continence and vulval excoriation, conventional teaching has always advocated an open surgical approach as described by Sims in 1852. This however may not be feasible in cases of advanced malignancy or attractive to the post-operative patient. In this article the case of a 46-year-old lady with a VVF following elective hysterectomy is discussed. She was successfully managed with endoscopic closure of her fistula with fibrin glue.

Dual kidney transplantation with organs from extended criteria cadaveric donors.

PURPOSE: The critical shortage of kidneys available for transplantation has led to alternate strategies to expand the pool. Transplantation of the 2 kidneys into a single recipient using organs suboptimal for single kidney transplantation was suggested. We assessed results in 24 grafts allocated for dual kidney transplantation vs those in a control group of 44 designated for single kidney transplantation. Each group underwent pretransplant biopsy and recipients were age matched. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dual kidney transplantation was done in 24 of 1,091 transplants (2.1%) from 2001 to 2008. In patients with dual kidney transplant vs single kidney transplant mean recipient age was 60.6 vs 60.8 years, mean HLA-A, B and DR mismatches were 3.3 vs 2.9, and average patient waiting time was 15.6 vs 13.9 months. All grafts were perfused with University of Wisconsin solution with a mean cold ischemia time of 17.9 hours. On donor dual kidney biopsy in the dual kidney transplant vs single kidney transplant group the average fibrosis rate was 30% (range 25% to 45%) vs 25% (range 3% to 40%) and the glomerulosclerosis rate was 17.9% (range 3.2% to 40.7%) vs 7.1% (range 0% to 50%). RESULTS: Good postoperative renal function was noted in 14 dual kidney transplantation cases. Acute tubular necrosis requiring dialysis developed in 5 patients as well as acute rejection in 1. Two dual kidney recipients (8%) died in the postoperative period with no single kidney deaths. One patient underwent bilateral transplantectomy. Mean anesthesia time was longer in the dual group (371 vs 212 minutes). Patient and graft survival was equivalent to that in the control group at 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Careful selection of marginal kidneys based on clinical and histological criteria allows the use of organs that would not ordinarily be sufficient for transplantation with acceptable outcomes. This is a valid strategy to address the organ shortage.

Carefully selected intratesticular lesions can be safely managed with serial ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a policy of conservative non-operative management for incidental, impalpable, < 1 cm, intratesticular pathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all scrotal ultrasonograms within an 8-year period to identify all radiological lesions of < 1 cm within the testis. All palpable lesions and those accompanied by elevated tumour markers or disseminated malignancy were managed surgically. The remaining incidentally detected lesions were followed with a protocol of serial ultrasonography (US). RESULTS: Of 1544 scans reviewed, 12 (0.8%) lesions suitable for observational management were identified. The mean (range) age of the patients was 54 (34-76) years. The indication for US was suspected epididymitis in five, contralateral epididymal cyst in five and infertility in two patients. The mean (range) size of the lesion was 4.9 (1.5-9.8) mm. Three anechoic lesions were consistent with intratesticular cysts, and each was followed with no change to a mean (range) follow-up of 26 (12-48) months. Eight hypoechoic lesions were followed to a mean of 34 (4-72) months, and only one showed growth on repeat US after an interval of 4 months, and was diagnosed as a 1.0-cm seminoma after orchidectomy. One hyperechoic lesion remains unchanged at 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Supported by previous reports suggesting that most testis lesions of < 1 cm are benign, we managed a series of carefully selected intratesticular lesions conservatively, the behaviour in most being in keeping with benign pathology.

Value of frozen section analysis with suspected testicular malignancy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether frozen section analysis (FSA) assists safe conservative surgery for men presenting with suspected testicular tumors. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of intraoperative testicular FSA used at a single university institution during an 11-year period. The exclusion criteria included lesions of paratesticular origin, size greater than 5 cm, and the known presence of elevated tumor markers or metastatic disease. RESULTS: Eighty men underwent FSA, facilitating the diagnosis of germ cell malignancy in 51 (54.3%) of the 94 new cases encountered during this period. Malignancy was reported by FSA in 52 patients (65.0%), but was later revised in 3 to benign Leydig cell tumor after orchiectomy. Also, 2 of 27 specimens reported as benign by FSA were revised to malignant after analysis of paraffin-embedded tissue from the biopsies. Both were seminoma and required delayed orchiectomy. FSA was reported as "suspicious" (intratubular germ cell neoplasia with necrosis) in 1 patient, in whom orchiectomy was performed and malignancy confirmed. In total, orchiectomy was avoided in 25 cases (31.3%). The positive and negative predictive value for FSA in the diagnosis of testicular malignancy was 94.2% and 92.6%, respectively. Of 13 lesions 1 cm or less, 10 (76.9%) were benign. All 26 lesions greater than 3 cm were malignant. A clear correlation between lesion size and the diagnosis of malignancy was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: FSA is a valuable tool assisting testicular preservation. Lesion size correlated with incidence of malignancy; therefore, FSA may be best used for small testicular lesions suitable for excision biopsy.