Incidence of genitourinary anomalies in congenital scoliosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The main objective of this study was to assess the overall incidence of genitourinary anomalies in patients with congenital scoliosis by providing the highest level of evidence. The secondary objective was to look for associations and trends influencing the incidence. METHODS: A meta-analysis using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Collaboration Library database was carried out. We included studies focusing on patients with congenital scoliosis and genitourinary anomalies. The main outcome was the incidence of genitourinary anomalies in congenital scoliosis. We also collected the following data: patient gender, type of deformity (formation, segmentation, or mixed), deformity location, and associated anomalies. We included cohort studies. Data was extracted from published reports and combined using Review Manager 5.4. The quality of the included studies was assessed independently by two authors using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. RESULTS: A total of eight cohort studies were included from a pool of 2781 patients. The incidence of genitourinary anomalies associated with congenital scoliosis was 22.91% (95% CI 13.39-32.43%). The incidence of surgically treated genitourinary anomalies was 13.92% (95% CI 4.54-23.31%). There were no differences related to gender (male 49.3% versus female 50.7%; p > 0.05). There were no differences regarding the type of deformity. The incidences of associated intraspinal, cardiac, musculoskeletal and craniofacial anomalies were 33.30%, 17.60%, 27.77% and 19.83% respectively. The most frequent genitourinary anomalies were: unilateral kidney (111/388); renal ectopia (50/367); obstructive uropathy (30/201), horseshoe kidney (30/313) and undescended testicle (16/180). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of genitourinary anomalies associated with congenital scoliosis was 22.91%, and 13.92% were surgically treated. Unilateral kidney was the most common genitourinary abnormality. There were no differences between genders and deformity types. It is important to consider the association between genitourinary anomalies and intraspinal or musculoskeletal anomalies.

Riñón pélvico fusionado con uréter único, hidrometrocolpos y ano imperforado: conjunción de malformaciones infrecuentes en una adolescente / Pancake kidney with a single ureter, hydrometrocolpos, and imperforate anus: a set of uncommon malformations in a female adolescent

Una niña de 11 años de edad con antecedentes de ano imperforado, infección urinaria y episodios de constipación intermitentes se presentó a la consulta con cólicos abdominales y náuseas de una semana de evolución. Estudios radiológicos revelaron hidrometrocolpos y fusión renal pélvica con uréter único hidronefrótico. El examen vaginal evidenció un tabique transverso no permeable. Se evacuó temporalmente la colección con resolución de los síntomas. La paciente fue programada para cirugía vaginal reconstructiva definitiva. Se destaca en este caso no solo la asociación de malformaciones infrecuentes, sino una sintomatología muy común en la práctica pediátrica a causa de una patología rara vez considerada en el diagnóstico diferencial, y la importancia de una evaluación precoz y completa de este tipo de malformaciones para un tratamiento oportuno.

An 11-year-old girl with a history of imperforate anus, urinary tract infection, and intermittent episodes of constipation presented with abdominal pain and nausea for 1 week. The x-rays revealed hydrometrocolpos and fused pelvic kidney with a single hydronephrotic ureter. The vaginal examination revealed a non-permeable transverse vaginal septum. The collection was temporarily drained and symptoms resolved. The patient was scheduled for definitive vaginal reconstructive surgery. In this case, it is worth noting the association of infrequent malformations and also the signs and symptoms very common in pediatric practice due to a pathology rarely considered in the differential diagnosis, and the importance of an early and complete assessment of this type of malformations for a timely treatment.

Case report: Prenatal diagnosis of Ectrodactyly-Ectodermal dysplasia-Cleft syndrome (EEC) in a fetus with cleft lip and polycystic kidney.

Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft (EEC) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and orofacial clefting. Reduced penetrance is manifested in these core features and additional under-recognized features, especially in prenatal cases. Here, we present a fetus with EEC syndrome at 22 weeks gestation, in which the cleft lip and palate and the right polycystic kidney are shown by prenatal ultrasound. A de novo missense mutation of R304W in the TP63 gene is confirmed by whole-exome sequencing associated with EEC syndrome. We further investigate the reported TP63-related prenatal cases and provide a more complete picture of the prenatal phenotypic spectrum about EEC. It illustrates the potential severity of genitourinary anomalies in TP63-related disorders and highlights the need to counsel for the possibility of EEC syndrome, given the occurrence of genitourinary anomalies with orofacial cleft or limb deformities.

Caudal regression syndrome: Postnatal radiological diagnosis with literature review of 83 cases.

Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by arrest of caudal spinal growth and associated with wide spectrum multisystemic anomalies. Herein, we presented a case of a newborn baby who did not pass meconium due to imperforated anus and was referred to the pediatric surgeon for urgent diverting loop colostomy. The conventional X-ray, abdominal ultrasound and abdominal pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T) at 2-month-old age revealed right kidney agenesis, sacrococcygeal agenesis, vertebral bodies dysraphism and the spinal cord ends at D12-L1 with anterior and posterior bands of the terminating filaments. The diagnosis of CRS was confirmed. Through this case report, we hope to draw attention to this rare syndrome and the wide range of associated anomalies, also to consider this syndrome on the top of differential diagnosis list once the newborn has anorectal malformation mainly imperforated anus.

Associated Anomalies and Complications of Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney.

BACKGROUND: To assess multicystic dysplastic kidneys (MCDK) in children, their complications and associated congenital genitourinary anomalies. METHODS: Children with unilateral MCDK, evaluated between 2012 and 2020, were analyzed. In this retrospective study, data were obtained from electronic and paper health care records. RESULTS: There were 80 children included. Follow-up time was 8.0 +/- 5.2 years (mean +/- standard deviation). None of them had hypertension. In total, 43.8% of the children had associated congenital genitourinary anomalies, most commonly cryptorchidism and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and 6.3% of these children had chromosomopathy. All of them had normal kidney function except one child with dysplasia of the contralateral kidney. Urinalysis was normal in 90% of children. Extrarenal malformations occurred in 22.5% of them. We observed spontaneous involution of MCDK in 38.8% of children in the observed period. Nephrectomy was performed in 12.5% of children, at an average age of 2.0 years. CONCLUSIONS: Children with a unilateral MCDK have a very good prognosis if the contralateral kidney is normal. Associated congenital genitourinary anomalies are common. Cryptorchidism was found to be the most common associated anomaly among boys, which is unique for this study. Most of these children do not suffer from hypertension, kidney dysfunction or other complications.

Diagnosis and treatment of nephroblastoma with WAGR syndrome / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To discuss the diagnosis and treatment 0f WAGR syndrome.Methods:The clinical data of 10 cases of WAGR syndrome children admitted to our hospital from January 2008 to November 2019 were respectively analyzed including the clinical features, diagnosis, and surgical treatments. There were 6 males and 4 females, aged from 13 to 36 months, with an average of 23.6 months. 9 cases were diagnosed as iris absence due to ocular abnormalities in infancy, and 1 case was diagnosed as iris absence due to ocular abnormalities by physical examination because of renal mass. There were 2 boys with cryptorchidism, and 2 boys with hypospadias, 1 of which did not received operation because of mild hypospadias, and another undergoing surgery. There were no abnormality of genitourinary system in the remaining 5 cases. There were 7 cases of unilateral nephroblastoma, with 1 case at the left and 6 cases at the right, and there were 3 cases of bilateral nephroblastoma. Abdominal doppler ultrasound and enhanced abdominal CT were performed for all patients. Abdominal doppler ultrasound indicated solid mass in renal parenchyma or non-uniform echo zone. Abdominal enhanced CT indicated renal tumor with diameter of 1.8 cm-12.7 cm and locally non-uniform enhanced echo. Among the 7 cases of unilateral nephroblastoma, 4 underwent nephrectomy, 1 underwent tumor enucleation, and 2 underwent tumor enucleation for unilateral tumor complicated with nephrogenic rests. There were 3 cases of bilateral nephroblastoma, 2 cases undergoing unilateral tumor enucleation firstly and contralateral tumor enucleation following chemotherapy. One case underwent unilateral tumor nephrectomy followed by contralateral tumor enucleation. One case of unilateral nephrogenic rests did not undergo renal tumor surgery. Preoperative chemotherapy was performed in 7 patients, including 3 bilateral nephroblastoma, 1 unilateral nephroblastoma combined with contralateral nephroblastoma, and 3 unilateral tumors larger enough to pass the midline. The chemotherapy regimen was VCR+ ACTD in 5 cases, VCR+ ACTD+ CTX+ DOX/CDDP+ VP16 and VCR+ CTX+ DOX in another 2 cases respectively.Results:All 10 cases were diagnosed as nephroblastoma. There were 3 patients without preoperative chemotherapy which belongs to COG stageⅠ(1 case) and STAGEⅢ(2 cases); Preoperative chemotherapy was performed in 2 patients with SIOP stage Ⅱ, 2 patients with SIOP stage Ⅲ, and 3 patients with SIOP stageⅤ. Nine children received regular chemotherapy after surgery, among which 1 child in stage Ⅰ received DD4A chemotherapy regimens, 2 children in stage Ⅱ received DD4A and EE4A regimen respectively, and 3 of the 4 children in stage Ⅲ received regular chemotherapy after surgery, including EE4A(1 case)and DD4A(2 cases). EE4A(1 case)and DD4A(2 cases) chemotherapy were performed in 3 patients with stage Ⅴ according to their unilateral tumor stage. Ten cases were followed up, with 9 of the 10 cases having no tumor recurrence or metastasis, and death in 1 case. At present, abdominal doppler ultrasound of 1 child with nephrogenic rests showed no obvious progress. The renal function of 9 children was not significantly abnormal during the regular follow-up. The results of intelligence screening showed that 6 of the 10 patients were significantly behind their peers, and 4 had no obvious abnormality compared with their peers. Gene tests were performed 3 times after surgery, and the results showed the deletion of 11p13 and adjacent distal genes.Conclusions:WAGR syndrome is rare in clinical practice, and renal ultrasound should be monitored after diagnosis to detect renal tumors in early stage. For bilateral cases, renal function should be preserved as long as possible in order to reduce the probability of renal failure. Long-term follow-up of nephroblastoma with this syndrome is particularly important.

Results From the WAGR Syndrome Patient Registry: Characterization of WAGR Spectrum and Recommendations for Care Management.

WAGR syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by Wilms tumor, Aniridia, Genitourinary anomalies, and Range of developmental delays. In addition to the classic features, patients affected by WAGR syndrome can develop obesity and kidney failure, and a wide variety of non-classical manifestations have also been described. This suggests that a broader phenotypic spectrum beyond the classic syndrome exists and here we demonstrate that spectrum using data from the WAGR Syndrome Patient Registry. In the present study, we collected information from 91 individuals enrolled in the registry to explore self-reported health issues in this patient population. A wide variety of common clinical issues not classically associated with the disorder were found, prompting the redefinition from WAGR syndrome to WAGR spectrum disorder to incorporate the phenotypic variations that occur. A comprehensive care management approach is needed to address the wide range of clinical issues and we propose a care model for patients affected by WAGR spectrum disorder. Further research is needed to solidify the breath of the phenotype and confirm the observations in this study to advance individualized patient care in this population.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with WAGR syndrome and Wilms tumor and/or nephroblastomatosis: The 30-year SIOP-RTSG experience.

BACKGROUND: WAGR syndrome (Wilms tumor, aniridia, genitourinary anomalies, and range of developmental delays) is a rare contiguous gene deletion syndrome with a 45% to 60% risk of developing Wilms tumor (WT). Currently, surveillance and treatment recommendations are based on limited evidence. METHODS: Clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed for patients with WAGR and WT/nephroblastomatosis who were identified through International Society of Pediatric Oncology Renal Tumor Study Group (SIOP-RTSG) registries and the SIOP-RTSG network (1989-2019). Events were defined as relapse, metachronous tumors, or death. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were identified. The median age at WT/nephroblastomatosis diagnosis was 22 months (range, 6-44 months). The overall stage was available for 40 patients, including 15 (37.5%) with bilateral disease and none with metastatic disease. Histology was available for 42 patients; 6 nephroblastomatosis without further WT and 36 WT, including 19 stromal WT (52.8%), 12 mixed WT (33.3%), 1 regressive WT (2.8%) and 2 other/indeterminable WT (5.6%). Blastemal type WT occurred in 2 patients (5.6%) after prolonged treatment for nephroblastomatosis; anaplasia was not reported. Nephrogenic rests were present in 78.9%. Among patients with WT, the 5-year event-free survival rate was 84.3% (95% confidence interval, 72.4%-98.1%), and the overall survival rate was 91.2% (95% confidence interval, 82.1%-100%). Events (n = 6) did not include relapse, but contralateral tumor development (n = 3) occurred up to 7 years after the initial diagnosis, and 3 deaths were related to hepatotoxicity (n = 2) and obstructive ileus (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with WAGR have a high rate of bilateral disease and no metastatic or anaplastic tumors. Although they can be treated according to existing WT protocols, intensive monitoring of toxicity and surveillance of the remaining kidney(s) are advised. LAY SUMMARY: WAGR syndrome (Wilms tumor, aniridia, genitourinary anomalies, and range of developmental delays) is a rare genetic condition with an increased risk of developing Wilms tumor. In this study, 43 patients with WAGR and Wilms tumor (or Wilms tumor precursor lesions/nephroblastomatosis) were identified through the international registry of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology Renal Tumor Study Group (SIOP-RTSG) and the SIOP-RTSG network. In many patients (37.5%), both kidneys were affected. Disease spread to other organs (metastases) did not occur. Overall, this study demonstrates that patients with WAGR syndrome and Wilms tumor can be treated according to existing protocols. However, intensive monitoring of treatment complications and surveillance of the remaining kidney(s) are advised.

Results of Treatment for Patients With Multicentric or Bilaterally Predisposed Unilateral Wilms Tumor (AREN0534): A report from the Children's Oncology Group.

BACKGROUND: A primary objective of Children's Oncology Group study AREN0534 (Treatment for Patients With Multicentric or Bilaterally Predisposed, Unilateral Wilms Tumor) was to facilitate partial nephrectomy in 25% of children with bilaterally predisposed unilateral tumors (Wilms tumor/aniridia/genitourinary anomalies/range of developmental delays [WAGR] syndrome; and multifocal and overgrowth syndromes). The purpose of this prospective study was to achieve excellent event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) while preserving renal tissue through preoperative chemotherapy, completing definitive surgery by 12 weeks from diagnosis, and modifying postoperative chemotherapy based on histologic response. METHODS: The treating institution identified whether a predisposition syndrome existed. Patients underwent a central review of imaging studies through the biology and classification study AREN03B2 and then were eligible to enroll on AREN0534. Patients were treated with induction chemotherapy determined by localized or metastatic disease on imaging (and histology if a biopsy had been undertaken). Surgery was based on radiographic response at 6 or 12 weeks. Further chemotherapy was determined by histology. Patients who had stage III or IV disease with favorable histology received radiotherapy as well as those who had stage I through IV anaplasia. RESULTS: In total, 34 patients were evaluable, including 13 males and 21 females with a mean age at diagnosis of 2.79 years (range, 0.49-8.78 years). The median follow-up was 4.49 years (range, 1.67-8.01 years). The underlying diagnosis included Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in 9 patients, hemihypertrophy in 9 patients, multicentric tumors in 10 patients, WAGR syndrome in 2 patients, a solitary kidney in 2 patients, Denys-Drash syndrome in 1 patient, and Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome in 1 patient. The 4-year EFS and OS rates were 94% (95% CI, 85.2%-100%) and 100%, respectively. Two patients relapsed (1 tumor bed, 1 abdomen), and none had disease progression during induction. According to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor 1.1 criteria, radiographic responses included a complete response in 2 patients, a partial response in 21 patients, stable disease in 11 patients, and progressive disease in 0 patients. Posttherapy histologic classification was low-risk in 13 patients (including the 2 complete responders), intermediate-risk in 15 patients, and high-risk in 6 patients (1 focal anaplasia and 5 blastemal subtype). Prenephrectomy chemotherapy facilitated renal preservation in 22 of 34 patients (65%). CONCLUSIONS: A standardized approach of preoperative chemotherapy, surgical resection within 12 weeks, and histology-based postoperative chemotherapy results in excellent EFS, OS, and preservation of renal parenchyma.

Sustained endocrine profiles of a girl with WAGR syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Wilms tumor, aniridia, genitourinary anomalies and mental retardation (WAGR) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by heterozygous deletions of WT1 and PAX6 at chromosome 11p13. Deletion of BDNF is known eto be associated with hyperphagia and obesity in both humans and animal models; however, neuroendocrine and epigenetic profiles of individuals with WAGR syndrome remain to be determined. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 5-year-old girl with the typical phenotype of WAGR syndrome. She showed profound delays in physical growth, motor and cognitive development without signs of obesity. Array comparative genome hybridization (CGH) revealed that she carried a 14.4 Mb deletion at 11p14.3p12, encompassing the WT1, PAX6 and BDNF genes. She experienced recurrent hypoglycemic episodes at 5 years of age. Insulin tolerance and hormonal loading tests showed normal hypothalamic responses to the hypoglycemic condition and other stimulations. Methylation analysis for freshly prepared DNA from peripheral lymphocytes using the pyro-sequencing-based system showed normal patterns of methylation at known imprinting control regions. CONCLUSIONS: Children with WAGR syndrome may manifest profound delay in postnatal growth through unknown mechanisms. Epigenetic factors and growth-associated genes in WAGR syndrome remain to be characterized.

Array CGH analysis of a cohort of Russian patients with intellectual disability.

The use of array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) as a diagnostic tool in molecular genetics has facilitated the identification of many new microdeletion/microduplication syndromes (MMSs). Furthermore, this method has allowed for the identification of copy number variations (CNVs) whose pathogenic role has yet to be uncovered. Here, we report on our application of array CGH for the identification of pathogenic CNVs in 79 Russian children with intellectual disability (ID). Twenty-six pathogenic or likely pathogenic changes in copy number were detected in 22 patients (28%): 8 CNVs corresponded to known MMSs, and 17 were not associated with previously described syndromes. In this report, we describe our findings and comment on genes potentially associated with ID that are located within the CNV regions.

Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome: A distinct genetic entity clinically related to the group of FRAS-FREM complex disorders.

Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome (AMS; OMIM 200110) is an extremely rare congenital malformation syndrome. It overlaps clinically with Fraser syndrome (FS; OMIM 219000), which is known to be caused by mutations in either FRAS1, FREM2, or GRIP1, encoding components of a protein complex that plays a role in epidermal-dermal interactions during morphogenetic processes. We explored the hypothesis that AMS might be either allelic to FS or caused by mutations in other genes encoding known FRAS1 interacting partners. No mutation in either of these genes was found in a cohort of 11 patients with AMS from 10 unrelated families. These findings demonstrate that AMS is genetically distinct from FS. It is proposed that it constitutes a separate entity within the group of FRAS-FREM complex disorders.

Urologic Aspect in the Management of VATER Anomalies / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Ten cases of VATER syndrome were reviewed to determine the type of anomalies, genitourinary anomalies, complications of treatment and prognosis. None of the four cases that were born in our hospital and six cases that were referred to us were diagnosed prenatally. Eight patients were born at full term with normal birth weight, two were premature and one showed pre-eclampsia at IUP 34 weeks.The male to female ratio was 6 to 3 with one patient having ambiguous genitalia. Tracheo-esophageal fistula was found in five patients. Three of these five patients died after the parents refused treatment, and one died the next day after birth even with treatment. Imperforate anus was observed in seven patients. Unilateral renal agenesis, crossed renal ectopia and dysplastic kidney were found in four, three (one pelvic kidney, one crossed renal ectopia with fusion, one crossed renal ectopia) and one patients, respectively. There was one hypospadias. Six of the eight patients with vertebrae anomaly survived; four of the survivors had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and neurogenic bladder. Two of the four patients with VUR received ureteroneocystostomy then clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), sympatholytic and antibiotics. The other two patients with neurogenic bladder received clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and vesicostomy. Complications of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and acute epididymitis occurred when descending loop colostomy was performed due to imperforate anus and urethro-rectal fistula. Separated colostomy instead of descending loop colostomy is recommended for recto-urinary fistula since infections of the upper urinary tract in such cases required ureteroneocystostomy before the correction of imperforate anus and continued antibiotic administration was needed because of the possibility of delayed wound healing and recurrent UTI. A strong will by the patient`s parents, protection of renal function through early detection of genit-ourinary anomalies and other appropriate treatments are required for the high success rate in the surgical correction of VATER syndrome.

Urologic Anomalies Associated with Imperforate Anus / 대한비뇨기과학회지

The increased occurrence of genitourinary tract anomalies in infants with imperforate anus is well documented. A retrospective analysis was made on 130 children with imperforate anus over the last 10 years. A 21%(27cases) incidence of associated genitourinary anomalies was found in this series. Patients with high and intermediate imperforate anus demonstrated a 30%(19/61) incidence of genitourinary anomalies. In contrast, patients with low imperforate anus revealed 12% (8/66) incidence of genitourinary anomalies. The spectrum of these anomalies were hydronephrosis. bilateral renal agenesis, bilateral polycystic kidney, bilateral VUR, unilateral renal hypoplasia, posterior urethral stricture, renal stone, cryptorchidism, hypospadias and epispadias in descending frequency of order. Hydronephrosis( 13/27, 48%) was the most frequently encountered anomaly. Patients with high imperforate anus seems to be prone to have more severe urinary anomalies. Fistulae between the rectum and urinary tract were found in 33 patients with high and intermediate type imperforate anus( rectourethral fistula; 27 cases, rectovesical fistula, 3 cases, rectocloacal fistula, 3 cases). During the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, fistula was corrected simultaneously. In conclusion, early urological screening should be done for the early diagnosis and treatment of associated genitourinary anomalies in all children with imperforate anus.

A survey of externally recognizable genitourinary anomalies in Korean newborns

To estimate the incidence of externally recognizable genitourinary anomalies and associated anomalies in the newborns in Korea, retrospective and prospective studies have been performed. Thirty eight of 48 urology training hospitals participated in this nationwide survey. In this study we have included minor defects or variations in the anomaly to evaluate the incidence of the recognizable genitourinary conditions in the newborns. The incidence of genitourinary anomaly in 1,000 newborn delivery in a year was 11.0 in the prospective study and this figure is about three times higher than the retrospective study and is considered to be close to the true incidence. The incidence of genitourinary anomaly in 1,000 male newborn was 20.4. Hydrocele, cryptorchidism and hypospadias were most commonly observed. The incidence of hydrocele in 1,000 male newborn was 9.89 and the incidence of cryptorchidism was 7.26 and the incidence of hypospadias was 2.13. The incidence of associated anomaly in 100 genitourinary anomaly was 7.9. Congenital heart diseases and anorectal anomalies were commonly associated anomalies. In the newborns with genitourinary anomalies, premature infants account larger portion than is usually reported in total delivery.