Ten-year experience of percutaneous image-guided radiofrequency ablation of malignant renal tumours in high-risk patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate survival and outcomes after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of malignant renal tumours in high-risk patients with long-term follow-up. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2009, 62 patients (71 tumours), with a median age of 73.5 years (20-87), consecutively treated with RFA under ultrasound or computed tomography guidance for malignant renal tumours were retrospectively selected and prospectively followed until 2012, including 25 patients (40.3 %) with solitary kidney and 7 cystic cancers. Maximal tumour diameters were between 8 and 46 mm (median: 23 mm). RESULTS: Radiofrequency ablation was technically possible for all patients. Mean follow-up was 38.8 months (range: 18-78 months). Primary and secondary technique effectiveness was 95.2 % and 98.4 % per patient respectively. The rates of local tumour progression and metastatic evolution were 3.2 % and 9.7 % per patient and were associated with tumour size >4 cm (P = 0.005). The disease-free survival rates were 88.3 % and 61.9 % at 3 and 5 years. No significant difference in glomerular filtration rates before and after the procedure was observed (P = 0.107). The major complications rate was 5.9 % per session with an increased risk in the case of central locations (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous renal RFA appears to be safe and effective with useful nephron-sparing results. KEY POINTS: • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a well-tolerated technique according to mid-term results. • RFA for malignant renal tumours preserved renal function in high-risk patients. • Mid-term efficacy of RFA was close to that of formal conservative surgery. • Tumour size and central location limit the efficacy and safety of RFA.

Embolization of polycystic kidneys as an alternative to nephrectomy before renal transplantation: a pilot study.

In autosomal polycystic kidney disease, nephrectomy is required before transplantation if kidney volume is excessive. We evaluated the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) to obtain sufficient volume reduction for graft implantation. From March 2007 to December 2009, 25 patients with kidneys descending below the iliac crest had unilateral renal TAE associated with a postembolization syndrome protocol. Volume reduction was evaluated by CT before, 3, and 6 months after embolization. The strategy was considered a success if the temporary contraindication for renal transplantation could be withdrawn within 6 months after TAE. TAE was well tolerated and the objective was reached in 21 patients. The temporary contraindication for transplantation was withdrawn within 3 months after TAE in 9 patients and within 6 months in 12 additional patients. The mean reduction in volume was 42% at 3 months (p = 0.01) and 54% at 6 months (p = 0.001). One patient required a cyst sclerosis to reach the objective. The absence of sufficient volume reduction was due to an excessive basal renal volume, a missed accessory artery and/or renal artery revascularization. Embolization of enlarged polycystic kidneys appears to be an advantageous alternative to nephrectomy before renal transplantation.

Assessing the welfare of genetically altered mice.

In 2003, under the auspices of the main UK funders of biological and biomedical research, a working group was established with a remit to review potential welfare issues for genetically altered (GA) mice, to summarize current practice, and to recommend contemporary best practice for welfare assessments. The working group has produced a report which makes practical recommendations for GA mouse welfare assessment and dissemination of welfare information between establishments using a 'mouse passport'. The report can be found at www.nc3rs.org.uk/GAmice and www.lal.org.uk/gaa and includes templates for the recommended welfare assessment scheme and the mouse passport. An overview is provided below.

Long-term data on the reproduction and maintenance of a colony of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus) 1972-1983.

We have used our laboratory records to compare data on the reproduction and maintenance of common marmosets in different colonies and to provide additional information on the species in captivity. Data are presented for a period of 12 years. This was long enough to allow information on longevity, mortality, aggression and incest. In addition 543 infants were born from a total of 202 births. No seasonality was found and the highest proportion of births overall was that of triplets. A significantly greater proportion of males was born, but perinatal mortality reduced this to a proportion of 52.2% surviving males. The interbirth interval for all normal births ranged from 145 to 382 days, with a median of 158 days. There was no evidence that interbirth intervals increased with age. The proportion of non-breeding pairs was small (4 out of 28) and progesterone assays showed that these females were ovulating.

Enrichment in puppyhood and its effects on later behavior of dogs.

Enrichment of the captive environment is becoming more common, but little is known about the consequences of early enrichment on later development. Sixty pups from the breeding colony at Pfizer UK were assigned either to a control group or to one of two groups which received enrichment between the ages of 5 to 14 weeks: 1) a group receiving extra human socialization or 2) a group provided with chewable items suspended in the pen and a length of plastic pipe within the pen. The dogs' behavior was observed after two changes in husbandry: at 15 weeks of age after being placed in same-sex groups of five and after removal from these groups to pair-housing in a laboratory block. Rawhide was the most popular of the tested items. The litters with toys spent an average 64% of their time interacting with them, indicating that, given the choice, pups will make extensive use of such items. Enrichment did not have any measurable effect on the development of stereotypes, but 6 to 11 months after enrichment, dogs given increased human socialization were slightly more approachable than dogs from the other groups. Male dogs from this group spent 37% more time than did controls at the front of the pen, sitting and monitoring the room, a behavior that could be interpreted as an attempt to seek human contact. Early enrichment is easy to achieve and can improve the quality of life for pups.