[Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. A rare differential diagnosis of an adrenal tumor]. / Retroperitoneales Leiomyosarkom. Eine seltene Differentialdiagnose des Nebennierentumors.

A pararenal mass is a clinical finding that cannot be explored preoperatively regarding its parent organ even nowadays. We report in the following about a patient who was admitted with dull pain located in the flank and upper abdomen. Ultrasound investigation at admission showed a solid homogeneous mass close to the upper pole of the left kidney. Urinalysis and catecholamine levels were normal. Intraoperatively, a sarcoma infiltrating the renal capsule and renal vein was observed. In the case of a mass located in the area of the adrenal gland, an extra-adrenal tumor must be considered especially if there are normal findings for urinalysis and catecholamine levels even if modern imaging techniques had been applied.

Diverticular carcinoma of the urinary bladder: diagnosis and treatment problems. A case report.

OBJECTIVES: To report a case of a primary carcinoma arising in a vesical diverticulum. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 59-year-old male patient presented with painless macrohematuria. A primary carcinoma arising in a vesical diverticulum was detected with cystoscopy and confirmed with rectal endosonography and computer tomography. and radical cystoprostatovesiculectomy with ileal conduit was performed. Chemotherapy with cisplatin and methotrexate followed. The patient died of an acute cardiac event in the 4th postoperative month. CONCLUSION: This report illustrates that in a case of a closed opening of a bladder diverticulum, rectal endosonography and computer tomography do provide additional support for making a diagnosis of a hidden tumor in the diverticulum.

[European Association of Urology guidelines on urinary and male genital tract infections]. / Synoptische Leitlinie der sexuell übertragbaren Erkrankungen (STD) mit Primärsymptomen im männlichen Genitale (S1). Leitinien der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Urologie.

Today, the classical bacteria that cause venereal diseases, e.g. gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid and inguinal granuloma, only account for a small proportion of all known sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Other bacteria and viruses as well as yeasts, protozoa and epizoa must also be regarded as causative organisms of STD. Taken together, all sexually transmitted infections comprise more than 30 relevant STD pathogens. However, not all pathogens that can be sexually transmitted manifest diseases in the genitals and not all infections of the genitals are exclusively sexually transmitted. Concise information and tables summarising the diagnostic and therapeutic management of STDs in the field of urology allow a synoptic overview, and are in agreement with the recent international guidelines of other specialist areas. Special considerations (i.e. HIV infection, pregnancy, infants, allergy) and recommended regimens are presented.

[Multi-slice CT in the planning of nephron-sparing interventions for renal cell carcinoma: Prospective study correlated with histopathology]. / Multi-Slice-CT in der Planung der organerhaltenden Operation des Nierenzellkarzinoms: Prospektive histopathologisch korrelierte Studie.

OBJECTIVE: For nephron sparing surgery of renal cell carcinoma knowledge of the intrarenal extension of the tumor and infiltration of the renal pelvis, the intrarenal vessels and the perinephric fat is essential. This question is much more difficult to answer compared to the description of staging parameters. Aim of this study is to evaluate the value of multi-slice CT in planning of nephron sparing surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study 46 patients with suspected renal cell carcinoma underwent a triphasic multi-slice CT (unenhanced, delay 30 s and 120 s). A reconstructed slice thickness of 2 mm in the arterial and parenchymal phase was used to create volume rendered 3D-reconstructions. Based on the source data and multiplanar reconstructed images the extent of the renal cell carcinoma was assessed in terms of size, hilar infiltration, arterial and venous invasions, capsula infiltration and perirenal growth. The results of two blinded readers were correlated with histopathological staging and intraoperative findings. RESULTS: 36 carcinomas were evaluated histopathologically. 10 patients showed no renal cell carcinoma histopathologically. Multi-slice CT allowed us to diagnose the localization and size of all tumors correctly. Infiltration into perinephric fat was correctly excluded in 24/30 and 8/30 cases. Infiltration of the renal pelvis could be excluded in 17/24 and 12/24 cases. The state of venous infiltration could be correctly diagnosed in 29/30 and 27 /30 carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Despite of the high temporal and spatial resolution of multi-slice CT, which allows the delineation of intrarenal arteries as well as renal hilus and the veins, the evaluation of tumor infiltration into the renal hilus, the intrarenal vessels and the perinephric fat remains a diagnostic problem. For planning of nephron sparing surgery, a knowledge of the infiltration in these structures is essential.

[Organ-sparing surgery of renal cell carcinoma - operative technique and findings in radiological follow-up]. / Organerhaltende Chirurgie des Nierenzellkarzinoms - Operationstechniken und Befunde in der radiologischen Nachsorge.

Nephron-sparing surgery of renal cell carcinoma in the 1970's and 1980's in patients with bilateral renal tumors or reduced renal function (imperative indication) has shown a very low risk of recurrent cancer. Today, nephron-sparing surgery in renal cell carcinoma is considered in an increasing number of patients with expected sufficient renal function after nephrectomy (elective indication). Resection technique, the use of Tabotamp(R) to reduce bleeding, and pseudotumors do complicate the interpretation of the images. It has been not yet defined which diagnostic modality is best suited for follow-up after renal cell carcinoma resection. Follow-up protocols in different institutions show a wide variety. The follow-up of patients after nephron-sparing surgery is performed by annual sonography or MRI every three months. Up to now, CT and ultrasound are the standard methods. MRI with its multiplanar imaging and improved soft tissue contrast seems to have an equal diagnostic value. Additionally, MRI seems to be suited for patients with reduced renal function. The aim of this paper is to give guidelines for the radiologist to understand the different surgical procedures and to evaluate the postoperative findings. Different imaging modalities in the follow-up of patients and special radiological phenomena are discussed.

[Magnetic resonance tomography of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Epidemiology, pathogenesis and symptoms]. / Magnetresonanztomographie der xanthogranulomatösen Pyelonephritis. Epidemiologie, Pathogenese und Erscheinungsbild.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare chronic infection of the kidney. In this overview article we reevaluated the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of our four patients with histologically proven XGP and correlated them with the CT and ultrasound findings described in the literature. Additionally, we give an overview of the pathogenesis and epidemiology. The following criteria were found in MRI: hydronephrosis and/or urethral stricture, vesicoureteral reflux or neurogenic bladder depletion disorders, and calculus as the origin of urinary obstruction. Moreover, in contrast to normal pyelonephritis, XGP is accompanied by fatty deposits in the peripelvic parenchyma, which demonstrate contrast enhancement and form the typical so-called bear paw sign. As XGP is often accompanied by severe kidney failure, contrast-enhanced CT with nephrotoxic contrast agents should be avoided and MRI should be performed instead. Because of proven reduced nephrotoxicity of gadolinium chelates, MRI seems to be superior to CT in patients with suspected XGP. Essential for the correct diagnosis is consideration of the complete medical history including recurrent pyelonephritis to avoid malpractice.

[Status of organ preserving surgery in renal cell carcinoma]. / Stellenwert der organerhaltenden Chirurgie beim Nierenzellkarzinom.

Nephron-sparing surgery in renal cell carcinoma is an accepted approach in patients with bilateral carcinomas, solitary kidneys and in patients with chronic renal failure in whom radical nephrectomy would necessitate immediate renal replacement therapy (mandatory indications). Because of the improvement of operative techniques-like renal perfusion in hypothermia or work-bench surgery-over 95% of patients can spared dialysis even if multiple tumors or locally advanced renal cancer is present. Based on the excellent outcome of nephron-sparing surgery in mandatory indications (5-year survival rates over 80%), several centers advocate extending the use of partial nephrectomy to selected patients with a normal opposite kidney (elective indications). Several reports on nephron-sparing surgery in elective indications with a median follow-up time of 40 months document similar survival rates compared to radical nephrectomy. Nevertheless, due to the low incidence of bilateral renal carcinomas (under 2%), only 2 of 100 patients would benefit from this approach. Furthermore, local recurrence after nephron-sparing surgery occurs mostly after 4 years (late recurrence); therefore, it seems doubtful whether the short follow-up times really reveal the the true recurrence rate. The prognosis after development of a local recurrence is poor.

Surgical treatment of invasive penile cancer--the Heidelberg experience from 1968 to 1994.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to establish oncological guidelines for the surgical treatment of invasive penile cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 51 patients with invasive penile cancer seen between 1968 and 1994 were reviewed in respect to treatment and long-term outcome. RESULTS: For stage T1 tumors treated with organ-preserving procedures the local recurrence rats was 56%, whereas no patient experienced a local recurrence after partial amputation. For stage T2 tumors, local recurrence rate was 100% (organ preservation) versus 20% (amputative procedures). There was no significant difference related to regional recurrence between surveillance, inguinal radiation and lymphadenectomy for stage N0 tumors. For N+ stages, survival was related to the extent of inguinal metastasis after dissection (5-year survival rate for N1: 71 vs. 33% for N2/3). CONCLUSIONS: Organ-preserving procedures include a high risk of local and regional recurrence. Adjuvant regional lymphadenectomy seems beneficial only in patients with solitary metastasis.

Absorption of vitamin B12 administered to continent ileal reservoirs for urinary diversion.

Urinary diversion through intestinal segments is a widely used method after radical cystectomy. During the last few years, new methods of bladder substitution, continent ileal neobladders, were developed. We used the method described by Hautmann et al. in 1986. 70 cm of ileum is used to form a reservoir. The ureters are implanted into the reservoir, which is then anastomosed to the urethral stump. A known problem when intestine is used for urinary diversion is the absorption of urinary solutes leading to metabolic disturbances. Therefore, the absorption of vitamin B12, instilled into the neobladders of 20 patients, was measured and related to the postoperative interval. The results show a high absorption rate 2 weeks postoperatively that is reduced quickly and significantly (p < 0.001) within the first 10 months (from more than 30 to below 5%). One year to 23 months after the operation, some neobladders absorbed no vitamin B12 at all, whereas others still absorbed significantly but only small quantities. These results may probably be attributed to the loss of villous structure as well as atrophy of the epithelial surface.

Aetiology, diagnosis and management of spontaneous perirenal haematomas.

This study focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic challenge posed by spontaneous perirenal haematomas (SPHs). The medical records of 18 patients with SPHs seen in the past 8 years were reviewed with respect to aetiology, diagnosis and therapeutic management. SPH was secondary to angiomyolipoma (n = 4), polycystic kidneys (n =4), panarteritis nodosa (n = 3), renal cell carcinomas (RCCs, n = 2), glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, Morbus Wegener and cortical adenoma (one each). One case remained unclear. With appropriate imaging techniques (computed tomography and angiography) the underlying disorder was detected in 72%; in 4 cases the diagnosis was revealed by exploration and biopsy. Surgery was necessary in 16 patients. The cause of bleeding can be revealed by appropriate imaging in most cases. When imaging procedures fail to reveal the cause of SPH, exploration and biopsy are mandatory to exclude RCC. If the cause of SPH remains unclear even after exploration, patient monitoring by CT is justified.

[The value of diagnostic imaging in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer]. / Wertigkeit der bildgebenden Diagnostik bei benigner Prostatahyperplasie und beim Prostatakarzinom.

Diseases of the prostate are of high socioeconomic importance owing to their high incidence and prevalence rates. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can be detected in 80% of males over the age of 80. Clinical symptoms do not correlate with organ enlargement. Only 10% of patients with BPH need surgical treatment. The decision for surgical treatment is made as a result of objective findings and the symptoms reported by the patient. Preoperative evaluation of BPH must include digital rectal examination (DRE), measurement of peak flow rate, sonographic estimation of residual urine, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), urethrocystography and the assessment of subjective complaints using symptom scores. Prostatic carcinoma is the most common malignancy in men. An abnormal DRE, increased PSA level and/or hypoechogenic lesions in TRUS are indications for prostate biopsy. The sensitivity of TRUS is superior to that of CT and MRI. New MRI techniques are promising with regard to local tumour extent. Whereas CT and MRI are not useful in screening of patients, these methods are valuable diagnostic tools in the follow-up of prostate cancer.

[Local recurrence after organ saving kidney tumor surgery]. / Lokale Rezidive nach organerhaltender Nierentumorchirurgie.

Although excellent survival rates for nephron-sparing surgery in mandatory indications (solitary kidney, bilateral renal neoplasms) have been documented, parenchymasparing surgery in elective indications (normal contralateral kidney) is a point of controversy. Local tumor recurrence is the most important argument against this approach. From January 1971 to December 1989, 107 patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma in solitary kidneys or bilateral renal carcinoma underwent nephron-sparing surgery. Thirteen patients (12%) suffered from local recurrence between 4 and 112 months after tumor resection. A high proportion of these recurrences were seen within the first 2 years after resection, followed by a almost linear increase thereafter. Thus-there are possibly two different entities for local recurrence. A correlation between tumor grade and interval from resection to local recurrence could be found, with a long average interval for grade 1 tumors--longer than the published follow-up times for patients undergoing elective tumor resections. Although most of the patients described in this report do not fulfil the surgical criteria for elective resection, we cannot recommend parenchyma-sparing surgery in elective indications.

[Is organ saving kidney operation in extensive traumatic parenchyma lesions justified?]. / Ist eine organerhaltende Nierenoperation bei ausgedehnten, traumatischen Parenchymläsionen gerechtfertigt?

The management of renal trauma is facilitated by using modern imaging techniques such as ultrasound and CT-Scan. Regarding the sequelae of conservative treatment we recommend an early operation within three days after the trauma. The complication rate after an organ preserving technique is low, and good functional results reaffirm our concept of early operation. Even in cases of severe parenchymal disruption organ preservation should be achieved. In polytraumatized patients the decision of organ preservation versus nephrectomy should be made depending on the blood loss and the cardiocirculatory stability of the patient.

Nitrosamine excretion in patients with continent ileal reservoirs for urinary diversion.

Adenocarcinomas are a recognized complication following ureterosigmoidostomy for which the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds may be a risk factor. As an alternative means of urinary diversion, the continent ileal reservoir has recently been developed. Microbiological and chemical investigations on the urine of patients with an ileal reservoir showed the presence of bacteria, nitrate, nitrite and N-nitrosamines formed endogenously in the ileal pouch. The role of nitrosamines in carcinogenesis in these patients as a late stage complication resulting from the use of a continent ileal reservoir is discussed.

[Intravesical prevention of recurrence of superficial urinary bladder cancer with BCG and KLH. A prospective randomized study]. / Intravesikale Rezidivprophylaxe beim oberflächlichen Harnblasenkarzinom mit BCG und KLH. Eine prospectiv randomisierte Studie.

In a prospective randomized trial intravesical prophylaxis for recurrence of superficial bladder cancer with BCG versus KLH was performed in 42 patients, 38 of whom were then evaluable. After a mean observation period of 20 +/- 7 months (8-32 months) 41.2% (7/17) of the patients in the KLH and 14.3% (3/21) of the patients in the BCG group developed recurrent bladder tumours. The recurrence rate according to EORTC was 1.95 in the KLH group versus 0.76 in the BCG group. Among the BCG treated patients, 60% (15/25) had cystitis and 28% (7/25) fever, whereas only 1 of 19 (5.3%) patients treated with KLH had cystitis. BCG is a highly effective prophylactic against recurrence of superficial bladder cancer. Intravesical instillation therapy with KLH has only a slight prophylactic effect if treatment is started 6 weeks postoperatively.

Do antibody-coated bacteria prove bacterial prostatitis?

Using the immunofluorescence technique in 187 patients with bacteriologically proven prostatitis according to the Meares-Stamey test demonstrated a significant amount of antibody-coated bacteria (ACB) in their ejaculates. The ACB test was useful to discriminate between chronic bacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia with a sensitivity of 65% and a specifity of 92%; likewise the ACB test is superior to complement and coeruloplasmin estimation in the ejaculate by radial immunodiffusion usually recommended for the differential diagnosis of inflammatory and psychosomatic diseases of the prostate.

Induction of mediator release from human glomerular mesangial cells by the terminal complement components C5b-9.

Exposure of cultured human glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) to normal human serum and an activator of the complement system results in rapid uptake of the terminal complement proteins C5b-9 by the cells. This 'innocent bystander' complement attack, however, does not result in cell killing, but in the stimulation of the GMC to release prostaglandin E (PGE), interleukin 1 (Il-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Endogenously synthesized Il-1 in turn activates PGE release, indicating that the C5b-9 attack initiates an autocrine feedback stimulation. Together with the fact that C5b-9 is found in many forms of glomerulonephritis, the data point to a role of the terminal complement proteins in the initiation and perpetuation of an inflammatory response.

[Diagnostic tumor resection in kidney tumors of unclear quality]. / Diagnostische Tumorresektion bei Nierentumoren unklarer Dignität.

From 1985 to June 1989 diagnostic tumour resections have been performed on 37 kidney tumours with unknown dignity following the preoperative imaging techniques. The kidney tumours were completely excised with about 1 cm of adjacent parenchyma outside the pseudocapsule during temporary ischemia. The tumours and biopsies from the resection margins were sent to quick frozen section. In case of benign histology or low grade clear cell carcinomas with exophytic growth and a size of less than 5 cm in diameter the operation was finished without removing of the kidney. In 21 patients with benign and 11/16 with malignant disease the kidneys could be preserved. In 5/16 patients the kidneys were removed after tumour resection and result of the quick frozen section. In our opinion the diagnostic kidney tumour resection in cases of kidney tumours with unknown dignity should be preferred to fine needle biopsies combining diagnostic and therapeutic proceeding in selected cases. On the other hand tumour resections without nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma and normal contralateral kidney should be done only in low grade tumours of small size.

Extrarenal abnormalities in Tc-99m DTPA renal perfusion studies due to hypervascularized tumors.

In cases of impaired renal perfusion and/or function, Tc-99m DTPA renal flow studies are often used as screening procedures. Besides the demonstration of pathological changes in renal perfusion and/or function, various extrarenal abnormalities may sometimes be detected. Three cases of hypervascular tumors were detected during the course of Tc-99m DTPA renography. These findings stimulated further diagnostic clarification revealing extended extrarenal lesions associated with several different etiologies: angiomyolipoma in tuberous sclerosis, extramedullary manifestations of plasma-cytoma, and metastasis of renal carcinoma. One should be aware of these extrarenal abnormalities in renal flow studies since these three tumor entities frequently exhibit increased vascularity.

Renal oncocytoma: origin from the collecting duct.

The histo- and cytogenesis of two cases of renal oncocytoma have been studied by cytomorphological and cytochemical methods. Transitions from collecting ducts into oncocytic tubules were observed at the light and electron microscopic levels. The fine structure of the oncocytes in tubules and tumors is described in detail. Cytochemically, the oncocytic tubules and oncocytomas share many characteristics with the distal nephron, especially the collecting ducts. A striking difference is the enhanced activity of succinic dehydrogenase which corresponds to the increase in the number of mitochondria in oncocytes. All the results suggest that renal oncocytoma originates from the collecting duct.