Carl M. Sandler

Management of the ruptured bladder : seven years of experience with 111 cases

During a 7 year period, we have seen 111 patients with bladder rupture, 95 from blunt trauma and 16 due to penetrating injuries. All 16 patients with penetrating injuries, as well as an additional 34 patients with intraperitoneal injuries, nine patients with extraperitoneal injuries, and five with both intra- and extraperitoneal injuries from blunt trauma, had formal closure of the wound and urethral or suprapubic catheter drainage. All did well. A total of 39 patients with extraperitoneal bladder injuries were treated with only catheter drainage and all did well. Eight patients died before institution of therapy.

Pneumoperitoneum, Pneumomediastinum and Pneumopericardium Following Dental Extraction

Pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium and subcutaneous emphysema developed in a patient following simple dental extraction. Other causes of this unusual complication, such as pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, insufflation of fallopian tubes, pulmonary-peritoneal fistula, post-partum knee-chest exercises, laparotomy, paracentesis and peritoneal dialysis should be considered when peritoneal signs are absent so that unnecessary laparotomy can be avoided.

Lower urinary tract trauma

Abstract This article reviews and illustrates bladder and urethral injuries, including their mechanisms of injury, imaging diagnosis, systems for classification, and the accuracy/pitfalls of the diagnostic methods. The bulk of this review will focus on lower urinary tract injuries caused by high speed, wide impact blunt trauma which is the most common mechanism of lower urinary tract injury encountered in civilian practice.

Imaging and staging of transitional cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder is one of the most common malignancies affecting the genitourinary tract and is characterized by multifocality and a high incidence of recurrence. Radiologists play an important role in the staging and surveillance of this malignancy. In this article, we discuss the epidemiology, pathologic characteristics, and patterns of tumor spread of bladder carcinomas. We illustrate and focus on the role of imaging in the diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of TCC. CONCLUSION The hallmark of TCC is multiplicity and recurrence. Cystoscopy is the method of choice for evaluation of the primary tumor in patients with bladder carcinoma. Imaging acts as an adjunct to accurately stage disease in these patients. Nearly 2-4% of patients with bladder cancer develop upper tract TCC. Hence, surveillance of the upper tract, in which imaging plays a central role, is an important component in the management of TCC. As in every other cancer, we face some limitations in nodal staging of TCC, particularly when the nodes are not enlarged. Development and validation of newer scanning techniques and MR contrast agents may help address some of these limitations in the future.

PROVOCATIVE IMAGING: Diuretic Renography

Diuretic renography remains the noninvasive functional study of choice in patients with hydronephrosis resulting from apparent UPJ obstruction. Meticulous attention to proper patient preparation, radiopharmaceutical selection, furosemide dosage and administration, and image interpretation and an awareness of potential pitfalls are essential for accurate diagnosis. For most patients, the F + 20 protocol is sufficient, however; the F-15 protocol allows clarification in cases of equivocal baseline F + 20 studies. Invasive antegrade techniques such as the Whitaker pressure/perfusion test are best reserved for patients in whom the diagnosis remains equivocal after diuretic renography, or in patients with massive hydronephrosis or renal insufficiency. New standardized protocol guidelines should help to ensure studies that are reproducible in different nuclear medicine laboratories.

100 living-related kidney donor evaluations using digital subtraction angiography.

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV-DSA) combined with excretory urography was used to evaluate the renal anatomy of 100 potential living-relaed kidney donors. Each of the 100 patients underwent subsequent nephrectomy to verify the number and distribution of renal vessels. For the entire series, 71 patients had bilateral single, 2 bilateral multiple and 27 multiple renal arteries on one side determined by angiography. Eleven patients required standard catheter angiography due to inadequate IV-DSA studies. Four patients who had a single artery imaged by IV-DSA were found to have an additional vessel at the operation. The overall accuracy of IV-DSA to identify the number of renal vessels was 96% (85/89). The sensitivity of the exam was 100% (94/94) and the specificity was 67% (4/6). It is concluded that IV-DSA combined with excretory urography is a safe, cost effective, and suitable method to image the renal anatomy of potential kidney donors. Thus about 90% of donors can be spared the risks and inconvenience of standard angiography, and the donor evaluation can now be performed on an outpatient basis.

Noncontrast helical CT for ureteral stones

Abstract Noncontrast helical computed tomography (CT) has recently been found to be superior to excretory urography (IVU) in the evaluation of patients with suspected ureterolithiasis. Noncontrast helical CT does not require the use of intravenous contrast material with its associated cost and risk of adverse reactions and can be completed within 5 min, in most cases. Noncontrast CT often detects extraurinary pathology responsible for the patients symptoms. CT is also more sensitive than IVU in detecting the calculus, regardless of its size, location, and chemical composition. However, confidently differentiating ureteral calculi from phleboliths along the course of the ureter may, at times, be difficult. The “tissue-rim” sign, a rim of soft tissue attenuation around the suspicious calcification, is helpful in making this distinction. Noncontrast CT does not provide physiological information about renal function and the degree of obstruction. A pilot study has suggested a proportional relationship between the extent of perinephric edema and the degree of obstruction. The cost of the examination and the radiation dose delivered to the patient may be higher with CT. Despite these limitations, noncontrast helical CT has quickly become the imaging study of choice in evaluating patients with acute flank pain.

Current roles and controversies in the imaging evaluation of acute renal infection

Abstract The current roles and controversies in imaging of the kidneys for the evaluation of patients with acute renal infection are reviewed. The nomenclature used in describing the extent of the renal imaging findings in acute pyelonephritis suggested by the Society of Uroradiology to help avoid confusion in terminology in the past literature is briefly described. Computed tomography (CT) is superior to urography and renal sonography for the evaluation and management of adults with acute renal infection. [99mTc]-dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) cortical scintigraphy is the imaging study for the evaluation of children with acute pyelonephritis investigated by some, although power Doppler ultrasound, and even CT, can be considered as a possible alternative.

Sister Mary Joseph nodule from metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Metastatic lesions of the umbilicus are more common than primary malignancies and are commonly referred to as Sister Mary Joseph nodules. Most arise from the stomach or the female genital tract. We describe an unusual case of renal cell carcinoma with peritoneal implants producing a Sister Mary Joseph nodule diagnosed by CT. To our knowledge, no report of a urinary tract malignancy with umbilical involvement has been described in the radiological literature.

Upper urinary tract trauma : current concepts

Abstract This paper reviews current concepts and controversies in regard to the classification, clinical findings, imaging techniques, and management of upper urinary tract trauma. The impact of CT, and especially spiral CT, in differentiating significant from nonsignificant renal trauma is reviewed. The controversy in regard to the correct approach to the management of any significant renal trauma (i.e., conservative vs. aggressive therapy) as well as the differences in opinion as to the appropriate treatment between blunt and penetrating trauma are also reviewed.