L. García-Aparicio

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in children and adolescents: Six-case series and review of the literature *

OBJECTIVE Lower urinary tract tumours are uncommon in paediatrics. Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCCB) is rarely found in the first two decades of life and is exceptional under 10 years of age. The present series aimed to expand the number of reported cases in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS In 1984-2007, six patients (four male, two female), aged 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 17 years, were treated at our centre. Clinical presentation was macroscopic haematuria in five and pyelonephritis in one. Physical examination, laboratory analysis, ultrasound and cystoscopy were performed before surgical treatment in all patients. Follow up was by clinical and ultrasound assessment. RESULTS Neither physical examination nor laboratory analysis revealed any significant abnormalities, but ultrasound showed exophytic intravesical lesions. Surgical resection was performed endoscopically. Histological studies showed grade I TCCB in all cases. The immediate postoperative period was uneventful and long-term follow up did not reveal recurrence. CONCLUSION Despite its low incidence in children, TCCB must be suspected in the event of macroscopic haematuria. Ultrasound followed by cystoscopy are the ideal diagnostic tools for visualization of these tumours. Endoscopic resection proved effective in all the present cases. Follow up must be clinical with periodic ultrasound evaluation. Urine cytologic examination is ineffective. Periodic cystoscopy is indicated only in cases of clinical or ultrasonographic suspicion of recurrence.

High Pressure Balloon Dilation of the Ureterovesical Junction—First Line Approach to Treat Primary Obstructive Megaureter?

PURPOSE We describe the efficacy of dilation of the ureterovesical junction to treat primary obstructive megaureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 13 patients with primary obstructive megaureter were treated from May 2008 to December 2010. Of these patients 8 were diagnosed prenatally and the others were diagnosed after a urinary tract infection. Preoperative studies included ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrography despite vesicoureteral reflux and diuretic isotopic renogram (mercaptoacetyltriglycine). With the patient under general anesthesia, high pressure balloon dilation of the ureterovesical junction was performed under direct and fluoroscopic vision until the disappearance of the narrowed ring. A Double-J(®) catheter was positioned, and 2 months later it was withdrawn and the ureterovesical junction was reviewed. A secondary treatment was performed in those in whom the ureterovesical junction was still narrow. Followup was performed with ultrasonography, cystourethrography and isotopic diuretic renography. RESULTS A total of 18 procedures were performed in 13 patients (median age 7 months, range 4 to 24). Median diameter of the distal ureter was 14 mm (range 10 to 26), and median diameter of the renal pelvis and calyx was 27 mm (range 10 to 47) and 12 mm (range 9 to 26), respectively. Significant postoperative improvement of hydroureteronephrosis was observed in 11 of 13 patients and vesicoureteral reflux was found in 2. Only 3 patients needed ureteral reimplantation after endoscopic treatment due to hydroureteronephrosis in 2 and high grade vesicoureteral reflux in 1. CONCLUSIONS High pressure balloon dilation of the ureterovesical junction is effective in treating primary obstructive megaureter, but long-term followup is needed.

Median raphe cysts of the perineum in children.

Median raphe cysts of the perineum are uncommon congenital lesions of the male genitalia. They can be found all the way from the distal penis and scrotum toward the perineum in a midline position. They are considered as congenital alterations in embryologic development. A case of a 6 year-old boy is presented. Review of the literature relevant to children was made regarding the embryologic, diagnostic, and treatment aspects. We believe it is important that adult and pediatric urologists recognize these lesions and their management to provide the appropriate information to the parents.

Heminephroureterectomy for duplex kidney: Laparoscopy versus open surgery

OBJECTIVE To report our experience of laparoscopic heminephroureterectomy (Hnu) in pediatric patients with duplex anomalies, in comparison to open surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective review of data from patients who underwent Hnu from 2005 to 2008 was performed. The patients were divided into two groups: laparoscopic (LHnu) and open surgery (OHnu). Laparoscopic surgery was performed by transperitoneal approach in majority of cases. Open surgery was performed by retroperitoneal approach in all cases. RESULTS Group LHnu: nine patients (8 females, 1 male) with median age of 14 months (range 3-205). Transperitoneal approach was performed in eight patients. Mean operative time was 182 min (CI 95% 146-217). No conversion to open surgery was necessary and there were no complications. Mean hospital stay was 2.44 days (CI 95% 1.37-3.52). Group OHnu: eight patients (3 females, 5 males) underwent nine heminephrectomies at median age of 6.9 months (range 1-12). Mean operating time was 152 min (CI 95% 121-183). There were no complications and mean hospital stay was 4.38 (CI 95% 2.59-6.16) days. Statistical analysis showed no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in operating time between groups while mean hospital stay was significant (P=0.021). CONCLUSION The laparoscopic approach is feasible, safe, reduces hospital stay, does not increase operating time and has better cosmetic results. We believe this should be the first option for heminephrectomy.

Anderson-hynes pyeloplasty in patients less than 12 months old. Is the laparoscopic approach safe and feasible?

PURPOSE The aim of our study is to compare the outcomes of open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children less than 12 months of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed all medical charts of patients less than 12 months old who underwent pyeloplasty from January 2007 to February 2013. We divided them in two groups: Open pyeloplasty (OP) and laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP). The following data were analyzed: age, sex, weight, US measurements, operative time, hospital stay, complications, and success rate. Quantitative data were analyzed with the Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test or Fisher test for qualitative data. RESULTS Fifty-eight patients (46 boys and 12 girls) with a mean age of 4.66 months (±3.05) were included. Mean age was 4.25 months and 5.15 months in OP and LP group respectively. Mean weight was 6.78 kg and 7.02 kg in OP and LP groups. There were no statistical differences in age, weight, and sex between OP and LP groups. There were no statistical differences in preoperative ultrasonography measurements. Mean posterior-anterior (PA) pelvis diameter was 28.57 mm and 23.94 mm in OP and LP groups, respectively. Mean calices diameter were 10.86 mm and 10.96 mm in OP and LP groups, respectively. Mean operative time was 129.53 minutes in the OP group and 151.92 minutes in the LP group with statistical differences (P=0.018). Mean hospital stay was 6.34 days in the OP group and 3.46 in the LP group with statistical differences (P<0.05). No intraoperative and postoperative complications were found in either group. Hydronephrosis improved in all patients, and no patient needed a repeated pyeloplasty. CONCLUSION The laparoscopic approach of Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty in patients less than 12 months old is a safe procedure with the same outcomes as the open approach.

¿Es necesario realizar una cistouretrografía miccional seriada (CUMS) tardía tras el tratamiento endoscópico exitoso inicial con copolímero de dextranómreo/ácido hialurónico (Dx/HA) para el reflujo vesicoureteral (RVU)?

INTRODUCTION Some guidelines recommend an early voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) after endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), but theres no consensus if its necessary a long-term follow-up in these patients. The aim of our study is analyze if its necessary a delayed VCUG after initial successful treatment with Dx/HA. MATERIAL AND METHOD We have reviewed all medical charts of patients that underwent Dx/HA treatment from 2006 to 2010. We have selected patients with initial successful treatment and more than 3 years of radiological and clinical follow-up. We have analyzed late clinical and radiological outcomes. RESULTS One hundred and sixty children with 228 refluxing ureters underwent Dx/HA endoscopic treatment with a mean follow-up of 52.13 months. Early VCUG was performed in 215 ureters with an initial successful rate of 84.1%. The group of study was 94/215 ureters with more than 3 years of follow-up with a delayed VCUG. VUR was still resolved in 79,8% of the ureters. Clinical success rate was 91.7%. The incidence of febrile urinary tract infection in those patients with cured VUR and those with a relapsed VUR was 8 and 15%, respectively; but there were no significant differences. We have not found any variable related with relapsed VUR except those ureters that initially received 2 injections (P<.05). CONCLUSION If our objective in the treatment of VUR is to reduce the incidence of febrile urinary tract infection it is not necessary to perform a delayed VCUG even though the long-term radiological outcomes is worse than clinical outcome.

Urinary and Gastrointestinal Malakoplakia in a 12-Year-Old Girl

Malakoplakia is a rare chronic inflammatory disease that was originally described in the urinary bladder but can involve many other organs and soft tissues. It is believed to be caused by an alteration in the bacterial phagocytic system. Clinically, it is described as single or multiple tumors that can appear in any part of the body. Histologically, the presence of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies is pathognomonic. Malakoplakia in children is rare. Few pediatric cases in the urinary tract, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract have been published. We present a case of urinary and gastrointestinal malakoplakia in a 12-year-old girl.

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty in pediatric patients. Our initial cases and lessons learned

OBJECTIVE To analyze the initial experience in our first patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) treated by laparoscopic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS All laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasties performed from July 2007 to April 2009 were analyzed. Before surgery, patients underwent a renal ultrasound and isotope renogram. A double J catheter was left in place and subsequently removed. Patients were followed up by ultrasound and renography. RESULTS Fourteen patients with a median age of 8.6 years were analyzed. Preoperative ultrasound showed a median renal pelvis diameter of 34.5 mm. Median operating time was 235 min, and median hospital stay 5.5 days. Median renal pelvis diameter decreased in all patients (13.5 mm). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopy is an effective procedure for UPJO correction in children, although operating times are still long.

Características bacterianas y significado clínico de catéteres ureterales doble J en niños

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of urinary tract infection in those patients that we have used an ureteral double-J stent as internal diversion after urological procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed all the medical records of patients who had a ureteral double-J stent after a urological procedure from August 2007 to May 2013. We have analyzed the following data: age, gender, type of prophylaxis, incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI), days of internal diversion with double-J stent, surgical procedure, bacterial characteristics, bacterial sensibility to antibiotics and UTI treatment. RESULTS We have used 73 double-J stents as ureteral internal diversion in 67 patients with a mean age of 44.73±57.23. Surgical procedures were 50 laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasties in 49 patients, and 20 high-pressure balloon dilatation of the ureterovesical junction to treat primary obstructive megaureter in 15 patients; and 3 patients with ureterovesical obstruction after endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Forty three stents showed a bacterial colonization in cultures. Pseudomona aeruginosa was present in 9 (20.9%) stents. Only in 12 stents, bacterial colonization was sensible to antibiotic prophylaxis. Stent colonization was higher in boys and younger patients. Four patients had a febrile UTI. Incidence of UTI in younger patients that underwent HBPD of UVJ is higher. CONCLUSION Bacterial colonization is frequent in double-J stents but the incidence of UTI is low. Double-J colonization is higher in younger patients. Patients that underwent HPBD have a higher risk of UTI related with ureteral double J stent.