A Rare Case of an Adrenal Ganglioneuroma Treated Laparoscopically in a Patient with Left-Sided Inferior Vena Cava.

Background: Ganglioneuroma is a rare tumor derived from the neural crest that can occur in any sympathetic tissue. It corresponds to 0.3% to 2% of incidental adrenal tumors and <250 have been reported in the literature so far. Case Presentation: We present a case of a 30-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a large bilobed adrenal tumor found on a CT scan during the investigation of acute abdominal pain. The image also showed a rare anatomic variation of a left-sided inferior vena cava. Biochemical work-up for adrenal incidentaloma showed normal markers. Since we could not rule out malignancy, the patient was subjected to laparoscopic adrenalectomy and the pathology report showed an adrenal ganglioneuroma, a rare nonfunctioning tumor of the adrenal. Conclusion: Ganglioneuroma can present as a large bilobed adrenal tumor. The laparoscopic approach is feasible and safe. Preoperative planning is needed and vascular variations can be challenging during the procedure.

Is urodynamics necessary to identify occult stress urinary incontinence?

PURPOSE: To investigate Occult Stress Urinary Incontinence (OSUI) using physical exam (PE) and urodynamics (UDS) in women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and compare the two methods. METHODS: This study comprised 105 women with POP stage-III and -IV, according to POP quantification (POP-Q) system, evaluated prospectively between January and December 2015. A standard history, an incontinence questionnaire and PE were completed before the investigation of the OSUI that was performed in the supine and standing positions, reducing the prolapse using gauze and Cheron dressing forceps. The stress test was performed with and without the prolapse reduction. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 65.7 years, mean parity 5.1 and mean body mass index 27.4. From a total of 105 patients, 70 (66.7%) presented with POP-Q stage III and 35 (33.3%) stage IV. Sixty-three (60%) women were identified as having OSUI, 27 (25.7%) as continent, and 15 (14.3%) having stress urinary incontinence. From the 63 OSUI subjects, 48 (76.2%) were identified in both evaluations, eight were identified only during PE, and seven only during UDS. The sensitivity to detect OSUI during PE and UDS was 88.9 and 87.3%, respectively (P = .783). The kappa value to measure the agreement between both tests was .648 (95% CI .441-.854). CONCLUSION: UDS and PE are equivalent and concordant to demonstrate OSUI, thus it is not necessary to perform UDS to exclusively identify OSUI. UDS utility in OSUI patients, to evaluate urethral and detrusor function, deserves further investigation.

Image-guided percutaneous intralesional administration of mesenchymal stromal cells in subjects with chronic complete spinal cord injury: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AIMS: The potential of cell therapies to improve neurological function in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) is currently under investigation. In this context, the choice of cell type, dose, route and administration regimen are key factors. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be easily obtained, expanded and are suitable for autologous transplantation. Here we conducted a pilot study that evaluated safety, feasibility and potential efficacy of intralesional MSCs transplantation performed through image-guided percutaneous injection, in subjects with chronic complete SCI. METHODS: Five subjects with chronic traumatic SCI (>6 months), at thoracic level, classified as American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale (AIS) grade A, complete injury, were included. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and urodynamics were assessed before and after treatment. Autologous MSCs were injected directly into the lesion site through percutaneous injection guided by computerized tomography (CT). RESULTS: Tomography-guided percutaneous cell transplantation was a safe procedure without adverse effects. All subjects displayed improvements in spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) scores and functional independence measure (FIM), mainly due to improvements in bowel movements and regularity. Three subjects showed improved sensitivity to tactile stimulation. Two subjects improved AIS grade to B, incomplete injury, although this was sustained in only one of them during the study follow-up. CONCLUSION: Autologous bone marrow MSC transplantation, performed through CT-guided percutaneous injection, was shown to be safe and feasible. Further studies are required to demonstrate efficacy of this therapeutic scheme.

Predicting outcomes in partial nephrectomy: is the renal score useful?

ABSTRACT Introduction and Objective The R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry system (RNS) has been validated in multiple open, laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy series. The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry system in predicting perioperative outcomes in surgical treatment of kidney tumors <7.0cm in a prospective model. Materials and Methods Seventy-one patients were selected and included in this prospective study. We evaluate the accuracy of RNS in predicting perioperative outcomes (WIT, OT, EBL, LOS, conversion, complications and surgical margins) in partial nephrectomy using ROC curves, univariate and multivariate analyses. R.E.N.A.L. was divided in 3 groups: low complexity (LC), medium complexity (MC) and high complexity (HC). Results No patients in LC group had WIT >20 min, versus 41.4% and 64.3% MC and HC groups respectively (p=0.03); AUC=0.643 (p=0.07). RNS was associated with convertion rate (LC:28.6% ; MC:47.6%; HC:77.3%, p=0.02). Patients with RNS <8 were most often subjected to partial nephrectomy (93% x 72%, p=0.03) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (56.8% x 28%, p=0.02), AUC=0.715 (p=0.002). The RNS was also associated with operative time. Patients with a score >8 had 6.06 times greater chance of having a surgery duration >180 min. (p=0.017), AUC=0.63 (p=0.059). R.E.N.A.L. score did not correlate with EBL, complications (Clavien >3), LOS or positive surgical margin. Conclusion R.E.N.A.L. score was a good method in predicting surgical access route and type of nephrectomy. Also was associated with OT and WIT, but with weak accuracy. Although, RNS was not associated with Clavien >3, EBL, LOS or positive surgical margin.

Predicting outcomes in partial nephrectomy: is the renal score useful?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry system (RNS) has been validated in multiple open, laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy series. The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry system in predicting perioperative outcomes in surgical treatment of kidney tumors <7.0cm in a prospective model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients were selected and included in this prospective study. We evaluate the accuracy of RNS in predicting perioperative outcomes (WIT, OT, EBL, LOS, conversion, complications and surgical margins) in partial nephrectomy using ROC curves, univariate and multivariate analyses. R.E.N.A.L. was divided in 3 groups: low complexity (LC), medium complexity (MC) and high complexity (HC). RESULTS: No patients in LC group had WIT >20 min, versus 41.4% and 64.3% MC and HC groups respectively (p=0.03); AUC=0.643 (p=0.07). RNS was associated with convertion rate (LC:28.6% ; MC:47.6%; HC:77.3%, p=0.02). Patients with RNS <8 were most often subjected to partial nephrectomy (93% x 72%, p=0.03) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (56.8% x 28%, p=0.02), AUC=0.715 (p=0.002). The RNS was also associated with operative time. Patients with a score >8 had 6.06 times greater chance of having a surgery duration >180 min. (p=0.017), AUC=0.63 (p=0.059). R.E.N.A.L. score did not correlate with EBL, complications (Clavien >3), LOS or positive surgical margin. CONCLUSION: R.E.N.A.L. score was a good method in predicting surgical access route and type of nephrectomy. Also was associated with OT and WIT, but with weak accuracy. Although, RNS was not associated with Clavien >3, EBL, LOS or positive surgical margin.

Safety and neurological assessments after autologous transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in subjects with chronic spinal cord injury.

INTRODUCTION: The administration of stem cells holds promise as a potential therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI). Mesenchymal stem cells have advantages for clinical applications, since they can be easily obtained, are suitable for autologous transplantation and have been previously shown to induce regeneration of the spinal cord in experimental settings. Here we evaluated the feasibility, safety and potential efficacy of autologous transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells in subjects with chronic complete SCI. METHOD: We conducted a phase I, non-controlled study in 14 subjects of both genders aging between 18 to 65 years, with chronic traumatic SCI (>6 months), at thoracic or lumbar levels, classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A - complete injury. Baseline somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and urodynamics were assessed before and after treatment. Pain rating was performed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and a visual analogue score scale. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured and characterized by flow cytometry, cell differentiation assays and G-band karyotyping. Mesenchymal stem cells were injected directly into the lesion following laminectomy and durotomy. RESULTS: Cell transplantation was an overall safe and well-tolerated procedure. All subjects displayed variable improvements in tactile sensitivity and eight subjects developed lower limbs motor functional gains, principally in the hip flexors. Seven subjects presented sacral sparing and improved American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS) grades to B or C - incomplete injury. Nine subjects had improvements in urologic function. One subject presented changes in SSEP 3 and 6 months after mesenchymal stem cells transplantation. Statistically significant correlations between the improvements in neurological function and both injury size and level were found. CONCLUSION: Intralesional transplantation of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in subjects with chronic, complete spinal cord injury is safe, feasible, and may promote neurological improvements. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01325103 - Registered 28 March 2011.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in a rural community in the Brazilian state of Bahia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in the rural community of Cavunge, in the Brazilian state of Bahia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 160 individuals (age>19 years) randomly drawn from those listed in the population census of the Cavunge Project. The following parameters were studied: arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, waist-hip ratio (WHR), physical activity, and overall cardiovascular risk classified according to the Framingham score. The assessing parameters used were those established by the III Brazilian Consensus on Hypertension and the II Brazilian Consensus on Dyslipidemia. RESULTS: Of the randomly drawn individuals, 126 with a mean age of 46.6 +/- 19.7 years were included in the study, 43.7% of whom were males. The frequency of arterial hypertension was 36.5%; 20.4% of the individuals had cholesterol levels > or =240 mg/dL; 31.1% of the individuals had LDL-C levels >130 mg/dL; 4% were diabetic; and 39.7% had a high-risk Framingham score. Abdominal obesity was observed in 41.3% of the population and in 57.7% of the females. High caloric-expenditure (HCE) physical activities were performed by 56.5% of the individuals. The HCE group had a greater frequency of normal triglyceride levels (63% vs 44%; P=0.05), no diabetes, and WHR tending towards normal (46% vs 27%, P=0.08) as compared with those in the low caloric-expenditure group. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, are frequently found in rural communities. The greatest frequency of normal triglyceride levels and normal WHR in the HCE group reinforces the association between greater caloric expenditure and a better risk profile.

Avaliaçäo de fatores de risco cardiovascular em uma comunidade rural da Bahia / Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in a rural community in the Brazilian state of Bahia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in the rural community of Cavunge, in the Brazilian state of Bahia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 160 individuals (age > 19 years) randomly drawn from those listed in the population census of the Cavunge Project. The following parameters were studied: arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, waist-hip ratio (WHR), physical activity, and overall cardiovascular risk classified according to the Framingham score. The assessing parameters used were those established by the III Brazilian Consensus on Hypertension and the II Brazilian Consensus on Dyslipidemia. RESULTS: Of the randomly drawn individuals, 126 with a mean age of 46.6 + 19.7 years were included in the study, 43.7 percent of whom were males. The frequency of arterial hypertension was 36.5 percent; 20.4 percent of the individuals had cholesterol levels >240 mg/dL; 31.1 percent of the individuals had LDL-C levels > 130 mg/dL; 4 percent were diabetic; and 39.7 percent had a high-risk Framingham score. Abdominal obesity was observed in 41.3 percent of the population and in 57.7 percent of the females. High caloric-expenditure (HCE) physical activities were performed by 56.5 percent of the individuals. The HCE group had a greater frequency of normal triglyceride levels (63 percent vs 44 percent; P=0.05), no diabetes, and WHR tending towards normal (46 percent vs 27 percent, P=0.08) as compared with those in the low caloric-expenditure group. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, are frequently found in rural communities. The greatest frequency of normal triglyceride levels and normal WHR in the HCE group reinforces the association between greater caloric expenditure and a better risk profile