Impact of tumor histology and grade on treatment success of percutaneous renal cryoablation.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed oncological outcomes in patients who underwent percutaneous renal cryoablation (PRC) with documented renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by perioperative biopsy. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective analysis of 153 patients [median follow-up 48 months] who underwent PRC from 09/2005 to 08/2014 was performed. We divided the cohort into patients who developed recurrence versus no recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analyses examined recurrence-free survival (RFS) according to grade and histology. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed to identify factors associated with tumor recurrence. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-three patients were analyzed [18 patients (11.8 %) with recurrence and 135 (88.2 %) patients without recurrence]. There were no differences between the groups with respect to demographics, RENAL score, and number of probes utilized. Recurrence group had larger tumor size (3.1 vs. 2.4 cm; p = 0.011), upper pole tumor location (p = 0.016), and greater proportions of high-grade tumor (33 vs. 0.7 %; p < 0.001) and clear cell histology (77.8 vs. 45.9 %; p = 0.011). Four-year RFS was 100 versus 80 % for grade 1 versus grade 2/3 tumors (p = 0.0002), and 97 versus 88 % for other RCC versus clear cell RCC (p = 0.07). MVA demonstrated tumor size >3 cm (OR 2.46; p = 0.019), clear cell histology (OR 2.12; p = 0.027), and high tumor grade (OR 2.33, p < 0.001) as independent risk factors associated with tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Association of higher grade and clear cell histology with recurrence and progression suggests need for increased emphasis on preoperative risk stratification by biopsy, with grade 1 and non-clear cell RCC being associated with improved treatment success than higher grade and clear cell RCC.

A case of percutaneous cryoablation complicated by subcapsular hemorrhage managed conservatively.

Herein, we report a patient who underwent percutaneous cryoablation for suspected renal cell carcinoma and developed a subcapsular hematoma with numerous pseudoaneurysms and dramatic structural deformity. Despite the severity suggested by the radiologic presentation, a conservative management approach was selected due to the patient's favorable hemodynamic status. This resulted in a positive outcome as alternative treatment options would have resulted in loss of the organ.

Percutaneous application of fibrin sealant in surgically recalcitrant urinomas following oncocytoma resection.

Surgical application of fibrin sealant is well established as a hemostatic agent. However, reports of its percutaneous application and its uses within the urinary tract are limited. Presented below are two patients with recalcitrant urinomas despite diversion therapy following partial nephrectomy for oncocytomas. Both patients were successfully treated with percutaneous application of fibrin sealant via a sheath at the time of percutaneous perinephric drain removal. Follow-up imaging demonstrated resolution of the urinomas with stabilization of creatinine. Percutaneous application of fibrin sealant may be considered as an alternative treatment for recalcitrant urinomas prior to surgical intervention, though more studies are required to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

Diagnosis, management, and follow-up of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: an interdisciplinary collaboration between urology and radiology.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a common and lethal malignancy. Patients diagnosed with this illness often face invasive workups, morbid therapies, and prolonged post-operative surveillance. UTUC represents approximately 5-10% of urothelial malignancies in the United States and affect 4600-7800 new patients annually. Various environmental exposures as well as smoking have been implicated in the development of UTUC. The diagnosis and workup of UTUC relies on heavily on imaging studies, a close working relationship between Urologists and Radiologists, and invasive procedures such as ureteroscopy. Treatments range from renal-sparing endoscopic surgery to radical extirpative surgery depending on the specific clinical situation. Follow-up is crucial as UTUC has a high recurrence rate. Here we review the epidemiology, diagnosis, management strategies, and follow-up of UTUC from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Percutaneous renal mass biopsy: historical perspective, current status, and future considerations.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous renal mass biopsy has evolved over the last decade with improvements on previous pitfalls including low tissue yield, high non-diagnostic rates, and complications. As understanding of tumor biology and natural history of renal cortical neoplasms has improved, percutaneous renal mass biopsy is poised to have an expanding role in an area characterized by individualized management and refined risk stratification. Areas covered: This review summarizes the evolution of renal mass biopsy to its current state with respect to outcomes, indications, and clinical guidelines. Expert opinion: With improved understanding of differential biological potential of renal cortical neoplasms combined with technical improvements in diagnostic yield and accuracy, utilization of renal mass biopsy is becoming an important adjunct to patient care in a broad range of clinical scenarios, including active surveillance, thermal ablation, and use of primary systemic therapy in localized and advanced settings.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous periarterial thrombin injection for paracentesis-related hemoperitoneum.

Paracentesis is a common procedure used in the diagnostic evaluation of peritoneal fluid as well as the therapeutic removal of high-volume ascites. Although generally regarded as a safe procedure, complications may arise from arterial injury, including hematomas and pseudoaneurysms. Transcatheter embolization and surgery are first-line interventions for injuries refractory to conservative management. We present a case where a patient failed conventional therapies for hemoperitoneum following a paracentesis which resolved after thrombin injection into the subcutaneous tissues, a novel use for thrombin. Using a linear 12-3 MHz transducer, approximately 3000-3500 U of thrombin was injected through connecting tubing and a 25-gauge needle by the interventional radiologist into the subcutaneous tissues around the origin of the arterial hemorrhage. The bleeding ceased and the patient's hemoglobin and hemodynamics stabilized.

Can multiphase CT scan distinguish between papillary renal cell carcinoma type 1 and type 2?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of multiphase computed tomography (CT) and percutaneous renal mass biopsy (PRMB) in differentiating between papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC)-Type 1 and -Type 2, as emerging data have suggested differential enhancement patterns in different renal tumor histologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 51 patients (23 pRCC-Type 1/28 pRCC-Type 2) who underwent multiphase CT followed by surgery from July 2011 to April 2016 was performed. Data were analyzed between subgroups based on histology. Multiphase CT was analyzed for tumor size, and attenuation [Hounsfield Units (HU)]. Change in HU (ΔHU) was calculated between noncontrast (NC), corticomedullary (CM), nephrographic (N), and delayed (D) phases. Subset analysis was carried out on patients who underwent PRMB prior to surgery. RESULTS: There was no difference in median tumor size (pRCC-Type 1 2.8 vs. pRCC-Type 2 2.6 cm, p=0.832). In addition to tumor size being similar between groups, distribution of tumor stages between groups was also similar (p=0.651). Greater proportion of high-grade tumors (III/IV) was noted in pRCC-Type 2 (42.9% vs. 8.7%) (p=0.011). There was no difference in HU values for NC (p=0.961), CM (p=0.118), N (p=0.277), and D (p=0.256) phases, and in ΔHU between CM-NC (p=0.278), N-NC (p=0.316), and D-NC (p=0.103). Thirteen patients underwent percutaneous biopsy, 11 of whom had diagnostic samples. Examination of 10/11 (90.9%) samples accurately predicted correct histology, and of 6/11 (54.5%) samples correctly identified high-vs. low-grade histology. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest substantial overlap of CT findings, despite pRCC-Type 2 having greater proportion of high-grade tumors. Utility of CT is limited in the differentiation between pRCC subtypes. Patients with suggested pRCC on CT imaging being considered for a non-extirpative strategy should undergo PRMB for risk stratification.

RENAL nephrometry score is associated with complications after renal cryoablation: a multicenter analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze outcomes and complications of percutaneous (PRC) and laparoscopic renal cryoablation (LRC) using the radius, endophytic, nearness to collecting system, anterior/posterior, and location (RENAL) nephrometry system. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter analysis of 154 consecutive patients who underwent either ultrasound-guided LRC (n = 88) or computed tomography (CT)-guided PRC (n = 66) from March 2003 to December 2011. RENAL score and demographics were compared to postoperative complications (Clavien). Multivariable analysis was carried out for factors associated with development of postprocedure complications. RESULTS: Mean age was 68 years (94 men/60 women). Median follow-up was 34 months (range 23.6-45.6 months). Mean tumor size was 2.6 ± 1 cm. Mean RENAL score was 5.2 ± 1.4. Differences in (A)nterior/posterior component and (H)ilar domain of the RENAL scores were noted, with PRC favoring posterior tumors and hilar lesions compared to LRC (P < .001 and P = .044, respectively). There were 14.9% complications, all of which were low-grade (Clavien 1,2). There were no differences in complications between LRC and PRC (15.9% vs 13.6%, P = .82). Most common complication type was hemorrhagic in 9 of 154 patients (5.8%); significant increase in the hemorrhagic complication rate was noted for patients with "N" ("nearness") component score of 2 or 3 (5/36, or 13.9%), compared to patients with "N" score of 1 (4/115 or 3.5%, P = .033). multivariable analysis demonstrated that increasing RENAL score was associated with postprocedure complications (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37, P = .025). When separated into individual domains, multivariable analysis revealed that "N" score 3 was significantly associated with postoperative complications (OR 16.15, P = .027). CONCLUSION: Increasing RENAL score was associated development of postprocedure complications after renal cryotherapy. Further investigation is requisite to elucidate the role of RENAL nephrometry score in risk stratification prior to renal cryotherapy.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and percutaneous ethanol injection for Hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective review of the Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy worldwide and has a poor prognosis. Although surgery and liver transplantation provide better outcomes, most patients are not candidates due to advanced disease, lack of donor availability, or presence of comorbidities. Several percutaneous approaches such as transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) have been developed for local control and can potentially increase survival in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with HCC who were treated with TACE, PEIT, or both from 2000 to 2005 at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System in Puerto Rico to evaluate tolerability, response, and survival. Patients were evaluated with cross-sectional computed tomography imaging to determine response using response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST). RESULTS: Thirty-three men with a mean age of 66 years were treated. Mean tumor size was 5.6 cm, ranging from 2 cm to 16 cm. All patients had cirrhosis, with alcohol abuse and hepatitis C as the most common etiologies. Objective radiographic partial response was observed in 28% of patients and 48% had disease stabilization. Most of the patients had a therapeutic response demonstrated by necrosis of the tumor and decreased contrast enhancement. Patients who underwent both TACE and PEIT had a higher response rate and disease stabilization but no difference in survival compared with those who received TACE or PEIT alone. Median survival for the whole group was 2 years. Causes of death included tumor progression, hepatic failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and infections. The initial tumor size and Child-Pugh class did not confer a significant difference in survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: In Puerto Rico, where liver transplantation is not performed at present, percutaneous treatments are effective local therapies for patients who are not candidates for surgery and who have disease limited to the liver.

Right thyrocervical trunk bronchial artery collateral: source of type II Endoleak after endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm.

A patient with an enlarging thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) after endovascular repair showed a persistent endoleak on follow-up imaging at three and six months. He subsequently underwent angiography and transcatheter embolization of a right thyrocervical trunk bronchial collateral. Examination of potential anomalous or collateral thoracic pathways is mandatory when considering treatment of a Type II endoleak following endovascular TAA repair.

Single-pass percutaneous liver biopsy for diffuse liver disease using an automated device: experience in 154 procedures.

PURPOSE: To describe our experience with ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous liver biopsies using the INRAD 18 G Express core needle biopsy system. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four consecutive percutaneous core liver biopsy procedures were performed in 153 men in a single institution over 37 months. The medical charts, pathology reports, and radiology files were retrospectively reviewed. The number of needle passes, type of guidance, change in hematocrit level, and adequacy of specimens for histologic analysis were evaluated. RESULTS: All biopsies were performed for histologic staging of chronic liver diseases. The majority of patients had hepatitis C (134/153, 90.2%). All patients were discharged to home after 4 hr of post-procedural observation. In 145 of 154 (94%) biopsies, a single needle pass was sufficient for diagnosis. US guidance was utilized in all but one of the procedures (153/154, 99.4%). The mean hematocrit decrease was 1.2% (44.1--42.9%). Pain requiring narcotic analgesia, the most frequent complication, occurred in 28 of 154 procedures (18.2%). No major complications occurred. The specimens were diagnostic in 152 of 154 procedures (98.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Single-pass percutaneous US-guided liver biopsy with the INRAD 18 G Express core needle biopsy system is safe and provides definitive pathologic diagnosis of chronic liver disease. It can be performed on an outpatient basis. Routine post-biopsy monitoring of hematocrit level in stable, asymptomatic patients is probably not warranted.