Effective radiation exposure evaluation during a one year follow-up of urolithiasis patients after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

INTRODUCTION: To determine and evaluate the effective radiation exposure during a one year follow-up of urolithiasis patients following the SWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total Effective Radiation Exposure (ERE) doses for each of the 129 patients: 44 kidney stone patients, 41 ureter stone patients, and 44 multiple stone location patients were calculated by adding up the radiation doses of each ionizing radiation session including images (IVU, KUB, CT) throughout a one year follow-up period following the SWL. RESULTS: Total mean ERE values for the kidney stone group was calculated as 15, 91 mSv (5.10-27.60), for the ureter group as 13.32 mSv (5.10-24.70), and in the multiple stone location group as 27.02 mSv (9.41-54.85). There was no statistically significant differences between the kidney and ureter groups in terms of the ERE dose values (p = 0.221) (p >0.05). In the comparison of the kidney and ureter stone groups with the multiple stone location group; however, there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.000) (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ERE doses should be a factor to be considered right at the initiation of any diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedure. Especially in the case of multiple stone locations, due to the high exposure to ionized radiation, different imaging modalities with low dose and/or totally without a dose should be employed in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up bearing the aim to optimize diagnosis while minimizing the radiation dose as much as possible.

Comparison of the efficacy of diclofenac, acupuncture, and acetaminophen in the treatment of renal colic.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to compare the analgesic effects of diclofenac, acetaminophen, and acupuncture in urolithiasis-driven renal colic pain relief. METHODS: Renal colic patients were divided randomly into 3 groups. Patients in group I (n = 40) were treated with intravenous acetaminophen, those in group II (n = 41) with acupuncture, and those in group III (n = 40) with a 75-mg intramuscular injection diclofenac sodium. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and verbal rating scale (VRS) were used to assess pain intensity after 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes. RESULTS: No significant differences in baseline VAS or VRS were found with regard to age or sex. After 10 minutes, all 3 groups experienced a significant decrease in VAS and VRS scores, with the most drastic decrease occurring in group II. After 30 minutes, there was a significantly higher decrease in group III than in group I (P = .001). After 60 minutes, mean VAS scores of groups I and III (P = .753) were similar. The mean VAS score of group III was lower than that of group II (P = .013). After 120 minutes, the difference in the VAS scores was (P = .000) between groups I and II and between groups II and III. Yet, the VAS evaluation made after 120 minutes revealed statistically similar outcomes for groups I and III (P = .488). The statistical findings for VRS evaluations made after 10, 30, 60, and 120 were similar to those for VAS. CONCLUSIONS: In renal colic patients with a possible nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and acetaminophen side effect risk, acupuncture emerges as an alternative treatment modality.

Treatment of symptomatic lower pole stones of a kidney with partial nephrectomy using micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy technique.

We present the treatment of lower pole stones of a 62-year-old male patient with a history of open partial nephrectomy due to renal angiomyolipoma and renal stones. He was successfully treated with micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy technique under spinal anesthesia in spite of fibrotic and scar tissue due to previous open surgery. The patient was stone-free and was discharged after a 24-hour hospitalization period. There is not any published report of micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy in a partial nephrectomized kidney before. In this report, we suggest that microperc technique may be considered for challenging conditions in case of failed retrograde intrarenal surgery.

Management of patients with retroperitoneal tumors and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal tumors (RTs) develop insidiously and are generally seen as large masses, and 50% of RTs are larger than 20 cm at the time of diagnosis. In this article, we share our experience of 5 years of surgical management of RTs. METHODS: We evaluated 28 RT cases operated on in three education hospitals in Turkey from January 2008 onwards, with regard to patients' demographic characteristics, complaints, weight loss figures, the location and size of the tumor, blood transfusion, intra-operational time, metastases (in malignant cases), additional organ resection, histological grade, local recurrences, average life expectancy, and post-operative treatment methods. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 49 years (range, 18 to 78 years). Twenty (71.43%) were female, and 8 (28.57%) were male. The primary complaint was abdominal pain in 18 patients (64.28%). CT scans were performed in 17 (61%) patients, 10 (35.4%) underwent abdominal MR imaging, and 1 (3.6%) underwent both abdominal CT and abdominal MR imaging. A mass was palpated in the pelvis (suprapubic region) in seven (25%) of the patients during physical examination. The largest tumors were detected in the left lumbar area. The mean tumor size was 12.78 cm (range, 2 to 30 cm). The mean intra-operational time was 192 min (range, 70 to 380 min). The mean hospitalization period was 11 days (range, 8 to 23 days). Seven (25%) patients were reported to have benign tumors, while 21 (75%) were reported to have malignant tumors. The most frequently seen malignant pathology was liposarcoma (eight cases; 38.09%) followed by leiomyosarcoma (five cases; 23.8%) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (four cases; 19.04%). The earliest local recurrence was detected in the 12th month and the latest in the 28th month. A total of 11 (52.3%) of the total of 21 malignant cases experienced local recurrence within 3 years. The 3-year average life expectancy was 85.7% in the 18 malignant cases. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the low response rate of all but two types of RT to chemotherapy, the best remaining treatment option is surgery with wide resection margins, whereby all macroscopic traces of tumor are removed.

Outcomes of retrograde flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy for stone disease in patients with anomalous kidneys.

Due to the presence of structural and anatomical differences that accompany anomalous kidneys, currently available endourological modalities such as SWL and PNL may be insufficient, or additional laparoscopic assistance may be required. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of retrograde flexible ureterorenoscopic stone treatment in patients with kidney anomalies. Over the last 3 years, 25 patients with renal stones in anomalous kidneys were consecutively treated by flexible ureterorenoscopy and holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy. Among the 25 patients, fiberoptic or digital flexible ureterorenoscopies were performed for the management of horseshoe kidneys (n = 3), cross-fused ectopic kidney (n = 1), renal ectopies [n = 13; associated with pelvic (n = 6) or lumbar kidneys (n = 7)], renal malrotations (n = 4), and duplicate ureters (n = 4). For lithotripsy, 200 or 273 µm probes were used, and for stone retraction 1.3-1.9 Fr ZeroTip baskets were used. Success was defined as the complete absence of stones as evaluated with a CT scan 1 month after the operation. The mean patient age was 39.4 ± 15.75 years, and the mean stone size was 194.64 ± 103.93 mm(2) (range 50-393). Complete stone clearance was achieved in 16 patients (64%) after a single session. Seven of the patients with residual stones underwent a second session and the remaining three patients were subsequently treated with SWL. The overall complete clearance rate was 88% (22 patients) with ancillary procedures. There were no serious postoperative complications except for one case (4%) of urosepsis. Flexible ureterorenoscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy is a safe option for the treatment of renal stones in anomalous kidneys with satisfactory success rates.

Bladder cancer invasion predictability based on preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.

An increased pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal, gastric, and ovarian cancer; malignant mesothelioma; and renal cell carcinoma. The present study aims to define the predictive value of preoperative peripheral blood count NLR in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive disease (MIBC) patients. There were in total 291 patients, 241 males and 50 females. Out of these, 156 male and 36 female patients were in the NMIBC group and 85 male and 14 female patients in the MIBC group. In the NMIBC group, 172 patients had low-grade and 20 high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma. The mean age of the patients in the NMIBC group was 64 ± 13, ranging from 27 to 97. The mean age of the patients in MIBC group was 70.5 ± 10, ranging from 27 to 95. A statistically significant relation between patient ages and tumor invasiveness was determined (p = 0.023, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 63.3-66.7). The mean tumor size of the NMIBC group was 2.1 ± 1.09 (cm) (range 0.5-8), and of MIBC group 3.6 ± 1.5 (cm) (range 0.8-9). There was a statistically significant relation between the tumor size and invasiveness (p = 0.002, 95 % CI 2.8-4.4). In the NIMBC group, 149 (77.6 %) of them have NLR ≤ 2.5 and 43 (22.4 %) have NLR > 2.5. Also, in MIBC, 67 (67.7 %) of them have NLR ≤ 2.5 and 32 (32.3 %) have NLR > 2.5. The mean NLR in the NMIBC group was 2.4 ± 0.1 (range 0.08-6.49, 95 % CI 1.52-2.71) and in the MIBC 2.9 ± 0.2 (range 0.08-16.72, 95 % CI 1.67-2.97). In terms of NLR, there was a statistically significant difference between the NMIBC and MIBC groups (p = 0.028). Platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) of the two groups was also analyzed. The PLR of the NMIBC group was 12.8 ± 15.1 (range 3.38-19.1) and of the MIBC 13.6 ± 8.78 (range 0.18-63), yet there was not any statistically significant difference (p = 0.810, 95 % CI 11.4-14.8) (Table 1). The correlation tests revealed a positive correlation between the age (r = 0.144, p = 0.024), tumor size (r = 0.193, p = 0.02), and tumor invasiveness NLR (r = 0.138, p = 0.031). NLR can be used to determine tumor invasiveness as a cost-effective, common, and simple biomarker in bladder cancer (BC).

Testicular adrenal rest tumor in 11-Beta-hydroxylase deficiency driven congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) occur often as asymptomatic nodules in corticotropin-dependent lesions aberrant adrenal tissue in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients. The present manuscript is about an unusual case of a 16-year-old CAH patient due to 11ß-hydroxylase deficiency. He underwent testicle biopsy because of testicle tumor suspicion and diagnosed with TART.

Micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy (microperc) in a two-year-old with the 'all-seeing needle'.

This paper presents the use of the single-step micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy (microperc) procedure for the treatment of a 13-mm renal stone using a 4.85-Fr 'all-seeing needle' in a 2-year-old toddler. In the current literature to date, this is the youngest case. Moreover, the advantages and reliability of this technique in toddler renal stone treatment are also evaluated.

Effects of bipolar and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate on urinary and erectile function: a prospective randomized comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of bipolar vs conventional monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) on urinary and erectile function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 286 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were randomized to bipolar or monopolar conventional TURP treatment groups. Operative and early postoperative variables and complications were recorded and all patients were re-evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine volume (PVR) and the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-ED). A comparative evaluation of erectile function was performed on 188 preoperatively non-catheterized patients with regular sexual partners. RESULTS: The operating time was shorter in the bipolar TURP group. Postoperative bleeding and blood transfusion requirements did not significantly differ between the two groups. Sodium levels were significantly lower in the monopolar group than in the bipolar group. Transuretheral resection syndrome developed in two (1.4%) patients in the monopolar group. Both groups had similar and significantly improved IPSS values, maximum urinary flow rate values and PVR measurement. ED worsened in 32 (17.0%) patients, improved in 53 (28.2%) patients, and was unchanged in 103 (54.8%) patients. Changes in the IIEF scores during the follow-up period were similar between the bipolar and monopolar groups. CONCLUSION: Bipolar TURP is a safe and effective procedure that is associated with a significantly shorter operating time, a smaller reduction in serum sodium levels and a similar efficacy compared with conventional monopolar TURP.

Factors affecting kidney function and stone recurrence rate after percutaneous nephrolithotomy for staghorn calculi: outcomes of a long-term followup.

PURPOSE: There are few studies of the long-term outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy for staghorn calculi. We report the long-term outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with staghorn calculi. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 265 study patients (272 renal units) were followed in the long term for greater than 12 months. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the 4-variable modification of diet in renal disease equation. Cases were staged for chronic kidney disease by National Kidney Foundation guidelines. The impact of patient and procedure related factors on renal function as well as stone recurrence was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: At a mean ± SD followup of 37.3 ± 25.4 months the chronic kidney disease stage classification was maintained in 177 patients (66.8%) while the classification of 34 (12.8%) and 54 (20.4%) had improved and deteriorated, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that an immediate postoperative change in the estimated glomerular filtration rate was the only factor predicting a change in renal function in the long term. Stones recurred in 73 of the 234 kidneys (31.2%) that were stone free 3 months after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Stone size increased in 24 of the 38 kidneys (63.2%) with residual stones after intervention. Recurrent urinary infections during followup and diabetes were associated with stone recurrence and residual stone enlargement. CONCLUSIONS: In almost 80% of patients with staghorn stones renal function was improved or maintained after percutaneous nephrolithotomy, as documented during long-term followup. Stones recurred in a third of the patients with staghorn calculi.

Comparison of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde flexible nephrolithotripsy for the management of 2-4 cm stones: a matched-pair analysis.

UNLABELLED: Study Type--Therapy (case control). Level of Evidence 3b. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Recently European Association of Urology 2011 guidelines on urolithiasis recommended retrograde intrarenal surgery as the second-line therapy for the treatment of kidney stones <10 mm in diameter. This study shows that retrograde intrarenal surgery may be an alternative therapy to percutaneous nephrolithotomy, with acceptable efficacy and low morbidity for 2-4 cm stones. OBJECTIVE: • Currently, the indications for retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) have been extended due to recent improvements in endoscopic technology. In this study, we compare the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and RIRS in the treatment of 2-4 cm kidney stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: • Between September 2008 and January 2011, 34 patients who had renal stones ranging from 2 to 4 cm in diameter were treated with RIRS. The outcomes of these patients were compared with patients who underwent PCNL using matched-pair analysis (1:1 scenario). • The matching parameters were the size, number and location of the stones as well as age, gender, body mass index, solitary kidney, degree of hydronephrosis, presence of previous shock wave lithotripsy and open surgery. • Data were analysed using Fisher's exact test, Student's t test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: • Stone-free rates after one session were 73.5% and 91.2% for RIRS and PCNL respectively (P= 0.05). Stone-free rate in the RIRS group improved to 88.2% after the second procedure. • Mean operation duration was 58.2 (±) 13.4 min in the RIRS group but 38.7 (±) 11.6 min in the PCNL group (P < 0.0001). Blood transfusions were required in two patients in the PCNL group. • Overall complication rates in the PCNL group were higher, but the differences were not statistically significant. Hospitalization time was significantly shorter in the RIRS group (30.0 + 37.4 vs 61.4 + 34.0 h, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: • Satisfactory outcomes can be achieved with multi-session RIRS in the treatment of 2-4 cm renal stones. RIRS can be used as an alternative treatment to PCNL in selected cases with larger renal stones.

Long-term outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 177 patients with chronic kidney disease: a single center experience.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the long-term outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with chronic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on 1,904 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy between 2002 and 2011 were retrospectively collected. The estimated glomerular filtration rate for each patient was retrospectively calculated using a 4-variable modification of diet in renal disease equation. Patients were staged for chronic kidney disease by National Kidney Foundation guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients (12.7%) had a preoperative glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 ml per minute/1.73 m(2). Those monitored a minimum of 1 year were included in analysis. The study included 177 patients with a mean ± SD age of 54.3 ± 12.1 years. Perioperative and postoperative complications were noted in 15.2% of patients. At a mean followup of 43.4 ± 22.7 months renal function in 29.4% of patients had improved but it remained the same or deteriorated in 54.2% and 16.4%, respectively. On multivariate regression analysis diabetes and preoperative or postoperative complications predicted renal function. The stone-free rate 3 months postoperatively was 80.2% (142 of 177 cases). Stones recurred during long-term followup in 36 of these patients (25.3%). Spontaneous stone passage was detected in 12 of the 35 patients (34.2%) with residual stones but 8 (22.8%) with residual stones experienced an increase in stone size. CONCLUSIONS: At long-term followup renal function was maintained or improved in greater than 80% of patients with chronic kidney disease who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Stones recurred or residual stones grew in approximately 25% of these patients.

Variables that influence operative time during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: an analysis of 1897 cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Operative time is an important perioperative factor and is related to postoperative complications and procedural cost-effectiveness. There are few studies, however, investigating factors that affect operative time during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). In this study, patient and kidney stone-related factors that influence operative time were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records from 1897 patients with renal calculi who underwent PCNL were retrospectively reviewed, and these patients were divided into two groups based on their median operative time (group 1: ≤60 min; group 2: >60 min). Multivariate analyses as well as univariate analyses including chi-square, Fisher exact and Mann Whitney U tests were used to investigate the effects of independent variables on operative time, including patient and kidney stone-related factors such as age, sex, body mass index, history of ipsilateral open surgery, shockwave lithotripsy, presence of hydronephrosis, stone burden, stone type and opacity, and surgical experience. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 64.9±27.6 minutes (range 10-220 min). Univariate analyses determined that a history of open surgery, presence of hydronephrosis, stone type and size, and surgical experience correlated with operative time (P<0.05 for all). Multivariate analyses revealed that presence of hydronephrosis (odds ratio [OR]: 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-1.78, P=0.002), stone type (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.69-2.70, P<0.0001), stone burden (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.85-3.12, P<0.0001), and surgical experience (OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.46-0.70, P<0.0001) were significant independent factors in influencing operative time. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of hydronephrosis, renal stone size and type significantly affect the operative time during PCNL. The duration of the operation was also observed to decrease with increased surgical experience.

Outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with solitary kidneys: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes, complications, and early and late postoperative kidney function of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with solitary kidneys. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2009, 47 patients with a solitary kidney (congenital in 10 patients, 21.3%; contralateral nephrectomy in 22 patients, 46.8%; and nonfunctional kidney in 15 patients, 31.9%) underwent PCNL. Serum creatinine was measured preoperatively, on postoperative day 1, and at each follow-up visit at regular intervals. The 4-variable modification of diet in renal disease equation was used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The 5-stage classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was used according to the National Kidney Foundation published guidelines. Of 47 patients, 44 were followed least 6 months, whereas 3 patients were lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Success was achieved in 84.5% (40/47) of patients after 1 session of PCNL. Complex stones were detected in 32 (68.1%) patients. Among all patients, 23.4% (n = 11) of them required multiple accesses. Complications developed in 5 (10.6%) patients. At a mean follow-up time of 18.7 ± 11.8 (6-60) months, the overall success rate improved to 97.7% after auxiliary treatments. eGFR was 76.4 ± 27.1, 73.4 ± 26.1, and 83.5 ± 29.4 per 1.73 m(2) during preoperative period, immediate postoperative period, and at the last follow-up visit (>6 months), respectively (P < .001). According to CKD classification, kidney function was stable, improved and worse in 63.6% (n = 28), 29.5% (n = 13), and 6.8% (n = 3) of patients, respectively, compared with preoperative levels. CONCLUSIONS: PCNL is safe and has an acceptably low complication rate in patients with solitary kidneys. At long-term follow-up, renal function had stabilized or improved in more than 90% of patients with a solitary kidney after PCNL.