Renal oncocytoma: preoperative diagnosis using technetium 99m sestamibi imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if 99mTc-sestamibi (technetium 99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile) can be used preoperatively to differentiate renal oncocytomas from other renal masses. METHODS: We performed 99mTc-sestamibi scans on 6 patients with various renal masses, using a standard technique. The diagnosis in each patient was determined either by radiologic methods. RESULTS: There was significantly increased uptake in the patient with the renal oncocytoma, whereas the other lesions had decreased uptake in comparison to normal kidney. This was determined visually and by mean pixel analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Technetium 99m sestamibi scanning appears to have a potential role in the nonoperative diagnosis of renal oncocytomas, in combination with pathologic fine-needle biopsy confirmation. More definitive pathologic experience is required before recommending standard use.

An evaluation of 646 stone patients treated on the HM4 extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has become the preferred treatment modality for the majority of urinary tract calculi. This form of treatment boasts excellent patient acceptance and has significantly reduced the need for surgical intervention. An evaluation of our first 646 patients undergoing 722 ESWL treatments at Walter Reed Army Medical Center revealed an overall stone-free rate at 1 and 3 months of 52% and 79%, respectively. The exact location of each stone within the kidney and ureter further determined the stone-free rates at 1 and 3 months. Stone-free rates at 3 months ranged from 89% for renal pelvic stones to 64% for lower pole caliceal stones. Upper third ureteral stones treated in situ without stenting resulted in a 74% stone-free rate at 3 months. This rate increased to 85% when these patients were stented and treated in situ. Although statistically insignificant, when the upper third ureteral stones were manipulated into and treated in the renal pelvis (31% of our patient population) the 3-month stone-free rate increased to 87%. Attempts were made to stent all ureteral stones before treatment. The stone-free rate at 3 months was 86% for mid third ureteral stones and 81% for lower third ureteral stones. The overall retreatment rate was 11.8% with a complication rate of 7.6% and a 6.3% post-ESWL intervention rate (open or percutaneous surgery, stent or percutaneous nephrostomy placement).

Use of glycosylated hemoglobin to identify diabetics at high risk for penile periprosthetic infections.

We report an 18-month prospective study of 90 patients undergoing penile prosthesis implantation to evaluate a possible cause-and-effect relationship between degree of diabetic control and the risk of infection complicating the operation. Long-term diabetic control was objectively evaluated by measurement of the glycosylated hemoglobin of the patient, which is known to provide an objective value for degree of control for the preceding 60 to 90 days. Of 90 patients 5 (5.5%) had a periprosthetic infection requiring explantation and all infections occurred in the 32 diabetics (36%) in the population (p less than 0.009). Of the 32 diabetics 13 (41.1%) were poorly controlled with time as demonstrated by a glycosylated hemoglobin level of greater than 11.5% and 4 of the infections occurred in this group. Of the 19 remaining controlled diabetics (glycosylated hemoglobin level less than 11.5%) only 1 infection occurred. Therefore, infection occurred in 31% of the poorly controlled versus 5% of the adequately controlled patients (p less than 0.0003). Measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin values appears to be a useful tool to evaluate diabetic patients before implantation of a penile prosthesis. Patients with a glycosylated hemoglobin level of 11.5% or greater should be more optimally controlled before undergoing implantation in an effort to avoid infectious complications.

Cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma: what are the options.

Cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma is a potentially aggressive variant of the usually benign congenital mesoblastic nephroma. Our recent experience with 3 patients with cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma prompted a critical review of the literature to evaluate risk factors for recurrence and present treatment programs. A total of 38 patients, including our 3 patients, with cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma were divided into 2 groups: those with recurrent (7) and those with nonrecurrent (31) tumors. A statistical comparison of clinical and pathological data was performed. Of the 7 patients with local recurrence and/or pulmonary metastasis, 3 died. The average time to first recurrence was 5.4 months. Histological differences were not predictive of recurrent disease. Pathologically positive surgical margins (p less than or equal to 0.02) were the only statistically significant variable suggesting recurrent disease. While the presenting age was not predictive of recurrence (p equals 0.27), the relative risk of recurrence doubles in the first 3 months of life and quadruples after 6 months of life. Treatment programs also were evaluated. An infant with cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma, regardless of age, is cured with surgery alone given clear pathological margins. In 4 of 5 children with recurrent tumors Wilms tumor treatment agents (vincristine and actinomycin D) failed to control local or distant disease. Of these cases 2 subsequently were treated with sarcomatous chemotherapy (vincristine, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin) and both are in remission. These agents may prove to be more efficacious in the treatment of local or metastatic disease.