Additional value of microvascular flow imaging in the assessment of cystic and solid renal lesions.

Background: Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is increasingly used in the evaluation of renal lesions, however, its availability remains limited. Thus, sensitive noncontrast ultrasound evaluation of renal lesion vascularity is an unmet need. Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study we assessed microvascular flow imaging (MV-flow) compared to CEUS in the evaluation of complex renal cysts and solid lesions. Out of 92 patients 28 were evaluated with both CEUS and MV-flow. Color Doppler, CEUS, and MV-flow was performed in 13 cases, whilst MV-flow, CEUS, and contrast-enhanced MV-flow (CE-MV-flow) was done in 16 cases. The CEUS diagnosis was considered gold standard. Results: MV-flow showed a substantial agreement with the CEUS diagnosis (weighted Kappa = 0.806), excluding equivocal lesions (Bosniak 2F). MV-flow substantially outperformed color Doppler (weighted Kappa = 0.77 vs. 0.133). The agreement of CE-MV-flow and MV-flow was comparable (weighted Kappa = 0.79 vs. 0.69). Conclusion: MV-flow significantly improves evaluation of renal lesion vascularity compared to conventional techniques. However, the sensitivity is limited for equivocal lesions (e.g. Bosniak 2F cysts). Thus, MV-flow should be used as an ancillary technique, not as a substitute to CEUS. Current MV-flow presets are ill-suited for postcontrast imaging, therefore specific presets optimized for this purpose are needed to establish its potential.

A case study on the potential angiogenic effect of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone in rapid progression and spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma during pregnancy and after surgical abortion.

BACKGROUND: Treatment possibilities of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have recently changed dramatically prolonging the overall survival of the patients. This kind of development brings new challenges for the care of mRCC. CASE PRESENTATION: A 22 year-old female patient with translocation type mRCC, who previously had been treated for nearly 5 years, became pregnant during the treatment break period. Follow-up examinations revealed a dramatic clinical and radiological progression of mRCC in a few weeks therefore the pregnancy was terminated. A few days after surgical abortion, CT examination showed a significant spontaneous regression of the pulmonary metastases, and the volume of the largest manifestation decreased from ca. 30 to 3.5 cm(3) in a week. To understand the possible mechanism of this spectacular regression, estrogen, progesterone and luteinizing hormone receptors (ER, PGR and LHR, respectively) immuno-histochemistry assays were performed on the original surgery samples. Immuno-histochemistry showed negative ER, PGR and positive LHR status suggesting the possible angiogenic effect of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) in the background. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that pregnancy may play a causal role in the progression of mRCC via the excess amount of hCG, however, more data are necessary to validate the present notions and the predictive role of LHR overexpression.

[Stereotactic radiosurgery of abdominal cancer metastases. Report on the first successful extracranial radiosurgical intervention in Hungary]. / Hasüregi daganatáttétek stereotaxiás sugárkezelése egy ülésben. Beszámoló az elso hazai, koponyán kívüli sugársebészeti beavatkozásról.

Due to the development and increasing effectiveness of novel cancer therapies, the role of local treatments in metastatic diseases have been increasing in the last decades. The aim of the authors was to present the first successful extracranial stereotactic radiosurgical intervention in Hungary. A 58-year-old male patient with gastric adenocarcinoma underwent surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Later, surgical removal of suprarenal gland metastases and first line chemotherapy were carried out. Four years after the first surgery a follow up computed tomographic scan revealed bifocal peritoneal metastases caudally from the edge of the liver and the left kidney with diameters of 2 cm in size. Definitive stereotactic body radiosurgery of 12 Gy single dose was performed using cone beam computed tomography image guidance and intensity modulated arc therapy with two pairs of arcs. The total duration of the procedure was only 25 min and early or late side effects were not observed. Follow up computed tomography scans performed 3 and 7 months after the intervention showed complete regression of the metastases. The authors conclude that stereotactic body radiosurgery can be a safe and effective alternative of metastasis surgery in case of slow growing oligo-metastases.

[Reconstruction after emergency esophageal and gastric surgery for corrosive injury]. / A pótlás lehetoségei és eredményei korrozív sérülés miatt végzett akut nyelocso- és gyomormutetek után.

We performed 26 reconstructions after emergency esophago-gastrectomy for corrosive injury during 13 years (1992-2004). Substernal replacement with pedicled colon graft was performed in 22 patients. Multi-stage operations were performed in 4 patients, two free jejunal grafts were applied after unsuccessful colon replacement. In two patients reconstruction could be completed only with a skin tube. Two patients died in the postoperative period. We do not support one stage reconstruction in corrosive injuries, and we suggest that the ideal time for reconstruction is around two months after esophago-gastrectomy.