Long-term chronological changes in renal function and functional renal volume after nephron-sparing surgery: A prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate long-term chronological changes in functional renal volume and renal function after nephron-sparing surgery, and factors that contribute to the progression of postoperative chronic kidney disease. METHODS: A total of 80 patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery were enrolled in this prospective observational study. The renal function deterioration group was defined as patients whose estimated glomerular filtration rate at 5 postoperative years decreased by ≥20% relative to that before surgery. RESULTS: The predicted estimated glomerular filtration rate, calculated based on the functional renal volume at 5 postoperative years, was strongly correlated with the postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (Spearman's ρ = 0.89, P < 0.001). The rate of new-onset stage IIIb chronic kidney disease was significantly higher in the renal function deterioration group than in the stable renal function group (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified proteinuria (P = 0.017), small preoperative total functional renal volume (≤250 mL, P = 0.046) and large tumor volume (≥4.5 mL, P = 0.036) as independent factors associated with renal function deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the functional renal volume is significantly associated with renal function, even in the long-term postoperative period. Additionally, for patients with preoperative proteinuria, large tumor volume and small total preoperative functional renal volume, both oncological follow ups and medical interventions, including prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, might prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Estimated functional renal parenchymal volume predicts the split renal function following renal surgery.

PURPOSE: The change in functional renal volume (FRV) has an absolute influence on renal function after nephrectomy (Nx) or nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). In this study, we prospectively examined whether the postoperative renal function following Nx and NSS could be accurately predicted and assessed the reproducibility of our newly developed 3-D image reconstruction system (Kashihara) to measure the FRV. METHODS: We enrolled 98 patients who underwent Nx and 41 patients who underwent NSS from April 2006 to September 2009 to predict postoperative FRV and renal function. FRV was measured before and after (1 month and 1 year) renal surgery. The postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was predicted from the preoperative eGFR calculated from the serum creatinine (sCr) level and the ratio of the postoperative/preoperative FRV. To assess the reproducibility and accuracy of our newly developed 3-dimensional (3-D) image reconstruction system, FRV was measured by five examiners using images obtained by CT (five cases) and MRI (five cases). RESULTS: Significant correlation was found both for FRV and for renal function between the predictive values and the actually measured values at 1 month and 1 year after surgery, not only in the Nx group, but also in the NSS group. The accuracy and reproducibility could be confirmed both with CT and MRI studies. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative FRV and renal function could be predicted preoperatively using a 3-D image reconstructive system, preoperative routine diagnostic imaging, and preoperative sCr level.

Follow-up study of unilateral renal function after nephrectomy assessed by glomerular filtration rate per functional renal volume.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) divided by functional renal volume (FRV) measured by three-dimensional image reconstruction (eGFR/FRV) for the prediction of functional outcomes after nephrectomy. METHODS: Eighty-three patients who underwent nephrectomy were enrolled. The FRV of each patient was measured before surgery. Preoperative medical information on proteinuria, blood pressure, blood glucose level, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin level and serum cholesterol level were also obtained. We evaluated the relationships between eGFR/FRV and each of these parameters before surgery. We also assessed the potential relationship between eGFR/FRV and the 3-year postoperative eGFR. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to elucidate independent factors. RESULTS: The median FRV and eGFR were 310.15 cm3 and 79.0 ml/min/1.73 m² before surgery, respectively. The correlation between FRV and eGFR was statistically significant (r = 0.465, P < 0.001). The median eGFR/FRV was 0.24 ml/min/1.73 m²/cm³. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the independent parameters (multiple correlation coefficient, r = 0.389, P = 0.031) associated with eGFR/FRV were proteinuria, BMI, age and hypertension. Proteinuria was statistically associated with eGFR/FRV, and the independent parameters (multiple correlation coefficient, r = 0.694, P < 0.001) associated with the 3-year postoperative eGFR were age, BMI and eGFR/FRV. The eGFR/FRV was statistically associated with the 3-year postoperative eGFR (r = 0.559, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrated that patients with proteinuria are expected to have a lower eGFR/FRV than those without proteinuria. The present study also supports the notion that eGFR/FRV is the primary determinant of the long-term functional outcome after nephrectomy. It should be taken into consideration that patients with a low eGFR/FRV may develop chronic kidney disease after nephrectomy.

Clinical significance of subepithelial growth patterns in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical significance and prognostic value of histopathological features of bladder cancer, such as subepithelial growth patterns and tumor growth pattern at the invasion front. METHODS: In total, 130 patients newly diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and underwent transurethral resection between 1998 and 2009 were enrolled. Subepithelial growth patterns consisting of endophytic growth pattern (EGP) and von Brunn's nest involvement (VBNI) were investigated using hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, and their frequency of occurrence, prognostic value, and correlation with other clinicopathological features was evaluated. RESULTS: EGP and VBNI were found in 40 (30.8%) and 5 (3.9%) of the 130 cases, respectively. Of the 26 pT1 tumors, the growth pattern at the invasion front was trabecular in 17 (65.4%) and infiltrative in 9 (34.6%). Although 8 (47.1%) of 17 trabecular tumors coexisted with EGP, no cases with infiltrative tumors had EGP (p = 0.023). VBNI correlated with high tumor grades (p = 0.006) and lymphovascular involvement (p = 0.026). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that tumor diameter less than 3 cm (p = 0.04) and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy (p = 0.004) were independent favorable prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival, whereas tumor stage was an independent poor prognostic factor for disease progression (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Subepithelial growth patterns were not a significant prognostic factor in this study. Additionally, no tumors with an infiltrative growth pattern coexisted with EGP, suggesting that determining the presence of EGP might be helpful for managing non-muscle invasive bladder cancers.

[A case of segmental testicular infarction].

A 39-year-old man presented with left scrotal pain which lasted for 3 days. The laboratory test showed slightly elevated C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase whereas α-fetoprotein and ß-human chorionic gonadotropin were normal. Scrotal Doppler ultrasound test demonstrated an oval-shaped hypoechoic lesion and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed an avascular lesion in the left testis with the rim enhancement. He underwent left high orchiectomy. The histopathological examination revealed segmental testicular infarction with partial necrosis.

[Metastatic intrapelvic tumor from esophageal cancer: a case report].

We report a case of a metastatic intrapelvic tumor arising from esophageal cancer. The patient, a 74-year-old man, visited our hospital with the chief complaint of gross hematuria. Magnetic resonance imaging and cystoscopy revealed a huge intrapelvic tumor which invaded the bladder, rectum, sigmoid colon and left ilium. The patient underwent total pelvic evisceration with ileal conduit and colostomy. Pathologic diagnosis of the intrapelvic tumor was moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Preoperatively, gastrointestinal fiberscopy revealed an esophageal tumor, and biopsy showed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Finally, the intrapelvic tumor was diagnosed as metastatic tumor from esophageal cancer.

[Neuroendocrine differentiation in adenocarcinoma of the prostate during hormonal treatment: a case report].

Neuroendocrine (NE) cells are widely distributed in the acini and ducts of the normal prostate gland and produce neurosecretory products, which affect growth, differentiation and regulation of secretory function. Prostatic NE carcinoma is a rare situation and the NE differentiation in prostate adenocarcinoma appears to be characterized by poor prognosis, rapid tumor progression and the androgen-independent state, for which there is currently no successful therapy. We report a case of NE differentiated prostatic carcinoma, which was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma initially and the tumor progressed rapidly with NE differentiation during androgen suppression therapy.

[Spontaneous rupture of a left renal artery aneurysm: a case report].

Rupture of a renal artery aneurysm is an acute surgical event associated with high mortality. We report a case of retroperitoneal hemorrhage from a spontaneously ruptured renal artery aneurysm. A 73-year-old woman complained of left flank and abdominal pain. She consulted our department and left retroperitoneal hemorrhage was recognized by abdominal computerized tomography. Selective left renal arteriography revealed a saccular aneurysm arising from the ventral branch of the renal artery, and did not show extravasation of contrast material from the aneurysm. Since it was difficult to remove the aneurysm with preservation of the involved renal unit, we performed left nephrectomy.

[Genital tuberculosis occurring in the spermatic cord: a case report].

Genital tuberculosis occurring in the spermatic cord is a rare disease. A 70-year-old man presented with a mass on the left side of the scrotum which had been painless and had gradually enlarged over the previous 4 months. Surgical excision was performed. The tumorous mass was located in the spermatic cord but did not connect with the testis or epididymis. The removed specimen was 15 x 20 x 15 mm in size and weighed 6 g. Histopathological diagnosis was tuberculosis. At present, 27 months after surgery, recurrence has not been found.