P. Eschwege

Pitfalls in urinary stone identification using CT attenuation values: Are we getting the same information on different scanner models?

INTRODUCTION Evaluate the capability of different Computed Tomography scanners to determine urinary stone compositions based on CT attenuation values and to evaluate potential differences between each model. METHODS 241 human urinary stones were obtained and their biochemical composition determined. Four different CT scanners (Siemens, Philips, GEMS and Toshiba) were evaluated. Mean CT-attenuation values and the standard deviation were recorded separately and compared with a t-paired test. RESULTS For all tested CT scanners, when the classification of the various types of stones was arranged according to the mean CT-attenuation values and to the confidence interval, large overlappings between stone types were highlighted. The t-paired test showed that most stone types could not be identified. Some types of stones presented mean CT attenuation values significantly different from one CT scanner to another. At 80kV, the mean CT attenuation values obtained with the Toshiba Aquilion were significantly different from those obtained with the Siemens Sensation. On the other hand, mean values obtained with the Philips Brilliance were all significantly equal to those obtained with the Siemens Sensation and with the Toshiba Aquilion. At 120kV mean CT attenuation values of uric acid, cystine and struvite stones obtained with the Philips model are significantly different from those obtained with the Siemens and the Toshiba but equal to those obtained with the GE 64. CONCLUSIONS According to our study, there is a great variability when different brands and models of scanners are compared directly. Furthermore, the CT scan analysis and HU evaluation appears to gather insufficient information in order to characterize and identify the composition of renal stones.

Short Leukocyte Telomere Length Precedes Clinical Expression of AtherosclerosisNovelty and Significance: The Blood-and-Muscle Model

Rationale: Short telomere length (TL) in leukocytes is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It is unknown whether this relationship stems from having inherently short leukocyte TL (LTL) at birth or a faster LTL attrition thereafter. LTL represents TL in the highly proliferative hematopoietic system, whereas TL in skeletal muscle represents a minimally replicative tissue. Objective: We measured LTL and muscle TL (MTL) in the same individuals with a view to obtain comparative metrics for lifelong LTL attrition and learn about the temporal association of LTL with ASCVD. Methods and Results: Our Discovery Cohort comprised 259 individuals aged 63±14 years (mean±SD), undergoing surgery with (n=131) or without (n=128) clinical manifestation of ASCVD. In all subjects, MTL adjusted for muscle biopsy site (MTLA) was longer than LTL and the LTL-MTLA gap similarly widened with age in ASCVD patients and controls. Age- and sex-adjusted LTL (P=0.005), but not MTLA (P=0.90), was shorter in patients with ASCVD than controls. The TL gap between leukocytes and muscle (LTL-MTLA) was wider (P=0.0003), and the TL ratio between leukocytes and muscle (LTL/MTLA) was smaller (P=0.0001) in ASCVD than in controls. Findings were replicated in a cohort comprising 143 individuals. Conclusions: This first study to apply the blood-and-muscle TL model shows more pronounced LTL attrition in ASCVD patients than controls. The difference in LTL attrition was not associated with age during adulthood suggesting that increased attrition in early life is more likely to be a major explanation of the shorter LTL in ASCVD patients. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02176941.

Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging angioanatomy of the arterial blood supply to the penis in suspected prostate cancer patients.

PURPOSE To describe the internal pudendal artery (IPA) and accessory pudendal artery (APA) detected by magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to help surgeons to find and preserve them during radical prostatectomy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Constrast-enhanced MR 3.0 T angiography of the pelvis were performed in 111 male patients suspected diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa), and describe the penile arterial blood supply. RESULTS There are three patterns of the arterial blood supply to the penis (IPA and/or APA) accounting for 51.4%, 46.8% and 1.8% of cases, respectively. About the accessory pudendal artery (APA): 54/111 (48.6%) patients had APA with five different branching patterns, they were type I (APA bilateral symmetry): 17 (31.5%); type II (APA bilateral asymmetry): 1 (1.9%); type III (APA unilateral lateral): 13 (24%); type IV (APA unilateral apical): 21 (38.9%); type V (APA unilateral mix): 2 (3.7%). APA origin were from inferior epigastric artery (IEA): 7 (9.5%); from inferior vesical artery (IVA): 32 (43.2%); from obturator artery (OA): 35 (47.3%). CONCLUSION A precise angioanatomic evalutation of arteries destined to the penis by MR angiography pre-operation for male pelvic organs will help surgeons to preserve them and contributes to reduce the erectile dysfunction after these procedures.

Néphrectomie chez le donneur vivant par voie laparoscopique robot-assistée : évaluation préopératoire et résultats à partir de 100 cas

AIM To assess short term morbidity and renal function after robotic laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutives patients undergoing a robotic laparoscopic living donors nephrectomy. We analyzed isotopic measure of the renal function before and 4 months after surgery, the side, the number of arteries, the blood loss, the operative time and warm ischemia time. In the outcomes, we collected the complications, the length of stay, and for the receiver, the renal function recovery time, dialysis, survival and renal function at one year. RESULTS Left kidney nephrectomy was performed in 85 patients and we observed 25 multiples renal arteries. Mean estimated blood loss was 0,8 g/dL. Mean operative time and warm ischemia time were respectively 174 ± 30 and 4.8 ± 1.7 minutes. Seven complications occured, with 2 major (Clavien-Dindo System). Mean length of stay was 5.1 ± 1.9 days. Mean glomerular filtration decrease was 26% and remains stable at one year after surgery. Grafts had an immediate renal function recovery for 99%, and were all functional after one year, with mean MDRD clearance of 57 ± 14mL/min. CONCLUSION Robotic procedure in laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy seems to guarantee low morbidity and the stability of the renal function decrease of 26%.

Testicular microlithiasis and testicular tumor: a review of the literature

IntroductionThere are numerous scientific publications on testicular microlithiasis (TML) detected during ultrasound (US) examination. We wished to update the data.MethodsPubMed was used to identify original articles published between 1998 and May 2017 describing the association between TML and testicular tumor. Studies were only included if TML was diagnosed by US. Studies were then classified into subgroups according to the following criteria: asymptomatic, symptomatic, infertility, cryptorchidism, family or personal history of testicular cancer, and “no given reason for US”. A Z-Test was used to identify differences within these subgroups. In addition, we identified prospective cohorts of TML patients. Numbers, duration of follow-up, and occurrence of the “testicular tumor” event were recorded for each of them.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-five articles were identified, 40 of which were included. Our review has not showed a clear evidence that cryptorchidism associated with TML is a risk factor for testicular tumor. However, there seems to be a correlation between infertility associated with TML and a higher tumor risk. There were not enough studies to confirm a relationship between family or personal history associated with TML and the tumor risk. There was also a correlation with a higher tumor risk for symptomatic associated with TML and “no given reason for US” plus TML groups. However, these groups are assumed to contain bias and caution must be taken regarding conclusions. Regarding the prospective cohort studies, 16 testicular tumors appeared in the follow-up of patients with TML, 13 patients had risk factors.ConclusionIn cases of TML incidental finding by US with the presence of risk factors (personal history of testicular cancer, testicular atrophy, infertility, cryptorchidism) a consultation with a specialist should be considered. In the absence of risk factors, the occurrence of testicular cancer in patients with TML is similar to the risk of the general population.RésuméIntroductionIl existe de nombreux articles sur les microlithiases testiculaires découvertes au cours d’une échographie. Nous voulions mettre à jour les données.MéthodesPubmed a été utilisé pour identifier des articles originaux traitant de l’association entre les microlithiases testiculaires et les tumeurs testiculaires, de 1998 à mai 2017. Les études ont été incluses si les microlithiases étaient diagnostiquées par échographie. Les études ont été classées en sous-groupes selon certains critères (asymptomatiques, symptomatiques, infertilité, cryptorchidie, antécédents familiaux ou personnels de cancer des testicules, et « absence de motif pour la réalisation de l’échographie »). Nous avons utilisé un Z-test pour indiquer les différences au sein de ces groupes. De plus, nous avons identifié des cohortes prospectives de patients atteints de microlithiases testiculaires. Le nombre, la durée du suivi et la survenue de l’événement « tumeur testiculaire » ont été enregistrés pour chacun d’entre eux.RésultatsCent soixante-quinze articles ont été identifiés, dont 40 ont été inclus. Dans notre revue, il n’y a pas de lien évident pour que les microlithiases associées à la cryptorchidie soient un facteur de risque de tumeur testiculaire. Il semble y avoir une corrélation entre l’infertilité et les microlithiases avec un risque tumoral plus élevé. Il n’y avait pas assez d’études pour confirmer une relation entre les antécédents personnels ou familiaux associés aux microlithiases et le risque de tumeur. Il y avait aussi une corrélation avec un risque tumoral plus élevé pour les microlithiases dans le groupe symptomatique et le groupe « sans motif de réalisation de l’échographie ». Cependant, ces groupes sont supposés contenir des biais et des précautions doivent être prises en ce qui concerne les conclusions. En ce qui concerne les études de cohorte prospective, 16 tumeurs testiculaires sont apparues dans le suivi des patients atteints de microlithiases. Treize patients avaient des facteurs de risque.ConclusionEn cas de découverte fortuite de microlithiases testiculaires à l’échographie associées à la présence de facteurs de risque (antécédents personnels de cancer des testicules, atrophie testiculaire, infertilité, cryptorchidie), une consultation avec un spécialiste doit être envisagée. En l’absence de facteurs de risque, la survenue d’un cancer du testicule chez les patients atteints de microlithiases est. similaire au risque pour la population générale.Mots-clésmicrolithiases testiculaires, tumeur testiculaire, cancer testiculaire, tumeur germinale, infertilité, échographie.