Parenchymal biopsy in the management of patients with renal cancer.

PURPOSE: The role of non-tumour renal biopsy in predicting renal function after surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is poorly investigated. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of renal parenchymal histology on renal function after radical nephrectomy in a cohort of patients with RCC. METHODS: This cohort study included 171 patients with RCC submitted to radical nephrectomy between 2006 and 2018. Two biopsy samples from normal parenchyma were collected at nephrectomy and renal parenchyma damage (RPD) was scored on histologic samples according to validated methodology. The outcomes were eGFR after surgery and its reduction > 25% relative to baseline at maximum 12 months' follow-up. Linear and logistic multivariable regression were used, adjusting for age at surgery, presence of hypertension, diabetes, clinical tumour size, time from surgery and basal eGFR. RESULTS: 171 patients were enrolled and RPD was demonstrated in 64 (37%). Patients with RPD had more comorbidities (CCI > 2 in 25 vs. 9%, p < 0.001), in particular hypertension (70 vs. 53%; p = 0.03), diabetes with (5% vs. 0%, p = 0.007) or without (31 vs. 18%; p = 0.007) organ damage, cerebrovascular disease (19 vs. 5%; p = 0.006) and nephropathy (20 vs. 3%; p = 0.0004). At multivariable analyses, RPD was associated with lower eGFR (Est. - 5.48; 95% CI - 9.27: - 1.7; p = 0.005) and with clinically significant reduction of eGFR after surgery (OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.17: 8.49; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of RPD in non-tumour renal tissue is an independent predictor of functional impairment in patients with RCC. Such preliminary finding supports the use of parenchyma biopsy during clinical decision making.

Pulmonary complications associated with veno-arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation: a comprehensive review.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a life-saving technology that provides transient respiratory and circulatory support for patients with profound cardiogenic shock or refractory cardiac arrest. Among its potential complications, VA-ECMO may adversely affect lung function through various pathophysiological mechanisms. The interaction of blood components with the biomaterials of the extracorporeal membrane elicits a systemic inflammatory response which may increase pulmonary vascular permeability and promote the sequestration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils within the lung parenchyma. Also, VA-ECMO increases the afterload of the left ventricle (LV) through reverse flow within the thoracic aorta, resulting in increased LV filling pressure and pulmonary congestion. Furthermore, VA-ECMO may result in long-standing pulmonary hypoxia, due to partial shunting of the pulmonary circulation and to reduced pulsatile blood flow within the bronchial circulation. Ultimately, these different abnormalities may result in a state of persisting lung inflammation and fibrotic changes with concomitant functional impairment, which may compromise weaning from VA-ECMO and could possibly result in long-term lung dysfunction. This review presents the mechanisms of lung damage and dysfunction under VA-ECMO and discusses potential strategies to prevent and treat such alterations.

Acute surgical intervention for a depressed skull fracture causing a laceration to the brain parenchyma from a bite wound in a dog.

A 5-month-old spayed female mixed breed dog was attacked by another dog causing multiple fractures of the left calvarium with a fragment penetrating through the gray matter of the parietal lobe. Surgery was performed to remove the bone fragment. A 6-month follow-up showed dramatic improvement in neurologic status.

Intervention chirurgicale d'urgence pour une fracture du crâne pénétrante causant une lacération au parenchyme du cerveau suite à une morsure chez une chienne. Une chienne stérilisée de race croisée âgée de 5 mois a été attaquée par un autre chien causant des fractures multiples de la voûte crânienne gauche avec un fragment pénétrant dans la matière grise du lobe pariétal. La chirurgie a été réalisée pour enlever le fragment d'os. Un suivi de 6 mois a démontré une amélioration spectaculaire de l'état neurologique.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Intraparenchymal hematoma as a late complication of retrograde intrarenal surgery.

A 34 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with left flank pain. A non-contrast enhanced computerized tomography (NCCT) revealed a 1.5x2cm left proximal ureter stone. Patient was scheduled for ureterorenoscopy (URS) and stone removal. She was submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). At the postoperative 1st day, the patient began to suffer from left flank pain. A NCCT was taken, which revealed a subcapsular hematoma and perirenal fluid. The patient was managed conservatively with intravenous fluid, antibiotic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy and was discharged at the postoperative 6th day. Two weeks after the discharge the patient was admitted to emergency department with severe left flank pain, palpitation and malaise. KUB (kidney-ureter-bladder) radiography showed double-J stent (DJS) to be repositioned to the proximal ureter. Patient was evaluated with contrast enhanced CT which revealed an 8cm intraparenchymal hematoma/abscess in the middle part of the kidney. A percutaneous drainage catheter was inserted into the collection. The percutaneous drainage catheter and the DJS were removed at the 10th day of second hospitalization. RIRS surgery is an effective and feasible choice for renal stones with high success and acceptable complication rates. However, clinician should be alert to possible complications.

[The mechanical strenth characteristics of the biological tissues: the current state-of-the-art]. / Prochnostnye svoistva biologicheskikh tkanei: sovremennoe sostoianie voprosa.

This article reports the results of analysis of the publications in the scientific literature concerning the mechanical strength characteristics of the biological (human) tissues. It is shown that many researchers successfully used the methods and means finding wide applications in the technical disciplines for the investigations into the mechanical strength of such biological objects as skin, tendons, blood vessels, bones, etc. There are thus far no available reports on the studies of the mechanical strength characteristics of the internal organs. At the same time, such studies are of paramount importance for obtaining the materials that might greatly contribute to the better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of the lesions in the internal organs. They are likely to enhance objectiveness of expert conclusions in the framework of forensic medical expertise of the injuries to the human body.

Small damage of brain parenchyma reliably triggers spreading depolarization.

Objectives: Spreading depolarization (SD) is a well-recognized component of the stress response of the cortex to its acute injury. Cortical SD has been shown to occur in severe brain insults and standard neurosurgical procedures in patients and is supposed to promote delayed secondary brain injuries. Stereotactic surgery and site-specific intracerebral microinjections produce a small tissue injury when a thin needle is inserted directly into the brain parenchyma (via the cannula guide). The present study was designed to examine whether such a parenchymal damage can trigger SD.Methods: Experiments were performed in awake freely moving rats with simultaneous video-monitoring of behavior and recording of SD-related DC potentials in the cortex and striatum. A parenchymal damage was produced by 1-mm protruding of thin (0.3-mm diameter) cannula beyond the tip of cannula guide preliminary implanted into the amygdala or deep cortical layers.Results: We found that the micro-injury of the brain parenchyma the volume of which did not exceed 0.3 mm3 was sufficient to initiate SD in a very high proportion of rats (75-100%). The amygdala showed increased resistance against the injury-induced SD compared to the cortex. We further showed that SD triggered by the local micro-injury invaded remote intact regions of the cortico-striatal system and evoked specific changes in spontaneous animal behavior.Discussion: The findings indicate that SD may represent a previously unidentified side effect of local parenchymal injury during site-specific microinjections and stereotactic surgery.

A clinical series of packing the wound tract for arresting traumatic hemorrhage from injuries of the lung parenchyma as a feasible damage control technique.

Background: Tractotomy has become the standard of care for transfixing through-and-through lung injuries as it can be performed quickly with little blood loss and a low risk of complications. However, packing with laparotomy pads could be a feasible alternative to tractotomy on selected patients. We describe a series of four patients with lung trauma in which packing of the pulmonary wound tract was used as the primary and unique surgical strategy for arresting hemorrhage from injuries of the lung parenchyma. Methods: Packing of the traumatic tract is achieved by gently pulling a laparotomy pad with a Rochester clamp and adjusting it to the cavity to stop the bleeding. The pack is removed in a subsequent surgery by moistening and tractioning it softly to avoid additional damage. The operation is completed by manual compression of the wounded lobe. We present a case series of our experience with this approach. Results: From 2012 to 2016, we treated four patients with the described method. The mechanism was penetrating in all them. The clinical condition was of exsanguinations with multiple sources of hemorrhage. There were three patients with peripheral injuries to the lung and one with a central injury to the pulmonary parenchyma. Bleeding was stopped in all the cases. Three patients survived. A patient had recurrent pneumothorax which was resolved with a second chest tube. Conclusion: Packing of the traumatic tract allowed rapid and safe treatment of transfixing through-and-through pulmonary wounds in exsanguinating patients under damage control from several bleeding sources.

A Case of Successful Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation Using the Injured Pancreas Graft.

OBJECTIVE: Graft injuries sometimes occur and may cause complications such as the leakage of pancreatic secretions, which is often lethal. We report our experience of a case of successful simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation using injured pancreas graft. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The recipient was a 57-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and the donor was a 30-year-old man with a brain injury. In the donation, the pancreas parenchyma, splenic artery, and gastroduodenal artery were injured iatrogenically. We therefore reconstructed these arteries using vessel grafts and then performed simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. RESULTS: Five days after transplantation, we noted a high titer of amylase in the ascites; therefore, we performed an urgent laparotomy. The origin of the amylase was the injured pancreatic parenchyma, and continued washing and drainage were carried out. We reconstructed the duodenojejunostomy using the Roux-en-Y technique to separate the passage of food from the pancreas graft to prevent injury to other organs due to exposure to pancreatic secretions. Thereafter, we inserted a decompression tube into the anastomosis thorough the blind end of the jejunum. Finally, we inserted 3 drainage tubes for lavage. Following this procedure, the patient recovered gradually and no longer required hemodialysis and insulin therapy. She was discharged from our hospital 56 days after transplantation. CONCLUSION: The restoration of the injured graft was possible by management of pancreatic secretions and use of the donor's vessel grafts. Shortage of donors is a problem throughout the world; thus, it is important to use injured grafts for transplantation if possible.

Intraparenchymal hematoma as a late complication of retrograde intrarenal surgery

ABSTRACT A 34 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with left flank pain. A non-contrast enhanced computerized tomography (NCCT) revealed a 1.5x2cm left proximal ureter stone. Patient was scheduled for ureterorenoscopy (URS) and stone removal. She was submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). At the postoperative 1st day, the patient began to suffer from left flank pain. A NCCT was taken, which revealed a subcapsular hematoma and perirenal fluid. The patient was managed conservatively with intravenous fluid, antibiotic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy and was discharged at the postoperative 6th day. Two weeks after the discharge the patient was admitted to emergency department with severe left flank pain, palpitation and malaise. KUB (kidney-ureter-bladder) radiography showed double-J stent (DJS) to be repositioned to the proximal ureter. Patient was evaluated with contrast enhanced CT which revealed an 8cm intraparenchymal hematoma/abscess in the middle part of the kidney. A percutaneous drainage catheter was inserted into the collection. The percutaneous drainage catheter and the DJS were removed at the 10th day of second hospitalization. RIRS surgery is an effective and feasible choice for renal stones with high success and acceptable complication rates. However, clinician should be alert to possible complications.