Ronald L. Hrebinko

Changes in Renal Function Following Nephroureterectomy May Affect the Use of Perioperative Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Nephroureterectomy alone fails to adequately treat many patients with advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Perioperative platinum-based chemotherapy has been proposed but requires adequate renal function. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine whether the ability to deliver platinum-based chemotherapy following nephroureterectomy is affected by postoperative changes in renal function. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS We retrospectively reviewed data on 388 patients undergoing nephroureterectomy for UTUC between 1991 and 2009. Four institutions were included. INTERVENTION All patients underwent nephroureterectomy. MEASUREMENTS All patients had serum creatinine measured before and after surgery. The value closest to 3 mo after surgery was taken as the postoperative value (range: 2-52 wk). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation. eGFR values before and after surgery were compared using the paired t test. We chose an eGFR of 45 and 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) as possible cut-offs for chemotherapy eligibility and compared eligibility before and after surgery using the chi-square test. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Our cohort of 388 patients included 233 men (60%) with a median age of 70 yr. Mean eGFR decreased by 24% after surgery. Using a cut-off of 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), 49% of patients were eligible for chemotherapy before surgery, but only 19% of patients remained eligible postoperatively. Using a cut-off of 45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), 80% of patients were eligible preoperatively, but only 55% remained eligible after surgery. This distribution persisted when we limited the analysis to patients with advanced pathologic stage (T3 or higher). Patients older than the median age of 70 yr were more likely to be ineligible for chemotherapy both pre- and postoperatively by either definition, and they were significantly more likely to have an eGFR <45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) postoperatively, regardless of their starting eGFR. This study is limited by its retrospective nature, and there was some variability in the timing of postoperative serum creatinine measurements. CONCLUSIONS eGFR is significantly diminished after nephroureterectomy, particularly in elderly patients. These changes in renal function likely affect eligibility for adjuvant cisplatin-based therapy. Accordingly, we suggest strong consideration of neoadjuvant regimens.

The Limited Role of Imaging Techniques in Managing Children with Undescended Testes

We studied the usefulness of radiography for localization of cryptorchid testes. A total of 23 radiographic studies ordered by referring physicians was done for testis localization in 18 boys. Two patients had retractile testes and were followed expectantly. Ultrasonography failed to detect palpable testes in both cases. A total of 16 boys (19 undescended testes) underwent operative exploration and the findings were compared. Ultrasonography correlated with the operative findings in 7 of 12 cryptorchid testes (58%), while computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging correlated in only 4 of 12 (33%) and 0 of 1 (0%), respectively. The overall accuracy of radiological testing was 44%. Physical examination was 53% accurate when performed by the referring physician and 84% accurate when done by the attending pediatric urologist. In no case did radiographic assessment influence the decision to operate, the surgical approach or the viability/salvageability of the involved testes. Preoperative radiography for undescended testes is neither necessary nor helpful.

THE USE OF 2 IPSILATERAL URETERAL STENTS FOR RELIEF OF URETERAL OBSTRUCTION FROM EXTRINSIC COMPRESSION

PURPOSE We present our early experience with the novel approach of placing 2 parallel stents simultaneously in extrinsically obstructed ureters in which single stents had failed. The increased stiffness of 2 stents reduces kinking and luminal compression, and the potential space between the stents likely preserves flow around as well as through them. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four patients recently presented with ureteral obstruction secondary to nonurinary tract malignancies. Previous stenting with a single 6F Double-J* stent had failed in all cases. Three patients experienced flank pain and 1 had persistent azotemia within 3 days of initial stent placement. All patients had significant residual sonographic hydronephrosis despite good stent position. In all cases cystoscopy/stent exchange was performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. Parallel 4.7F Double-J stents were placed simultaneously over 2, 0.035 hydrophilic coated glide wires under fluoroscopic guidance after removal of the malfunctioning 6F stent. RESULTS Stent placement was uneventful in all 4 patients with prompt drainage of contrast material seen after parallel ipsilateral stent placement. Patients tolerated the double 4.7F parallel stents with no discernible difference in irritative symptoms compared to single 6F stents. Flank pain and azotemia resolved in 3 patients, and hydronephrosis improved in all 4 after placement of parallel Double-J stents. All patients remain alive with a mean followup of 5.8 months (range 4 to 8). Except for 1 patient who later underwent ureterolysis, each has subsequently had the stent changed every 3 months. No patient has required proximal urinary diversion (that is percutaneous nephrostomy tube). CONCLUSIONS Placement of 2 ipsilateral parallel ureteral stents simultaneously is an easy technique. It may obviate percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement in patients in whom drainage with a single stent failed, especially in cases of extrinsic ureteral compression.

Long-term Results of Selective Partial Cystectomy for Invasive Urothelial Bladder Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES We reviewed our experience with partial cystectomy to assess local control and survival rates, and to identify pathologic predictors for recurrence. METHODS From 1995 to 2005, 25 patients with urothelial carcinoma underwent partial cystectomy with curative intent. As protocol, patients with primary solitary muscle-invasive bladder tumors underwent preoperative localized radiotherapy, administration of a single dose of intravesical chemotherapy at the time of partial cystectomy, and postoperative intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy. We reviewed clinical and pathologic data to identify variables associated with disease recurrence. RESULTS We analyzed data from 25 patient records meeting review criteria (72% male, mean age 65.1 +/- 9.8 years). At time of transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT), all had a solitary primary T2 (68%) or T1HG (32%) lesion with no evidence of carcinoma in situ. At follow-up (mean 45.3 +/- 30.7 months), 5-year recurrence-free, disease-specific, and overall survival rates were 64%, 84%, and 70%, respectively. At a mean of 18.0 +/- 15.6 months, 8% of patients experienced intravesical non-muscle-invasive tumor recurrences and were treated with TURBT and intravesical chemotherapy. Twenty percent recurred with locally advanced tumors or visceral metastasis and were treated with systemic chemotherapy, local resection or cystectomy, or both. On univariate analysis, only tumor size at time of partial cystectomy (P = .03) was significantly associated with tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Partial cystectomy offers adequate control of localized invasive urothelial carcinoma in carefully selected patients with solitary primary tumors. Lifelong follow-up with cystoscopy and abdominal imaging is recommended to detect recurrence.

Preliminary results of percutaneous treatment of renal cysts with povidone-iodine sclerosis.

Symptomatic renal cysts can be treated with percutaneous sclerosis using ordinary povidone-iodine solution. We describe our methods and outcomes in 5 patients so treated.

IDENTIFICATION OF NUCLEAR MATRIX PROTEIN ALTERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

PURPOSE Neoplastic transformation, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is always accompanied by changes in nuclear morphology. Nuclear grading of RCC is based on characteristic alterations in nuclear shape, size, area and other morphologic parameters. The nuclear matrix, which forms the skeleton of the nucleus, determines nuclear morphology. Alterations in nuclear matrix protein (NMP) composition specific to tissue and cancer type have been described in a variety of human cancers. We conducted a study to analyze the nuclear matrix protein composition of renal cell carcinoma and compare it to that of normal renal tissue and renal cell carcinoma cells grown in culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed the nuclear matrix protein composition of RCC tumor tissue and that of normal kidney tissue obtained from seventeen patients undergoing radical nephrectomy for RCC. We also analyzed the NMP composition of two renal cancer cell lines (A-498 and 769-P). RESULTS We were able to identify five different and unique NMPs which were present only in the human RCC tumor samples and were absent in all normal kidney tissue. One NMP was found specifically in the normal kidney tissue. All five RCC specific NMPs were also identified in the nuclear matrix of the two cell lines analyzed. CONCLUSIONS Five nuclear matrix proteins specific and unique to RCC were identified. These NMPs are different from those previously identified in other tissues and neoplasms. The RCC specific NMPs identified in this study can potentially be used as diagnostic markers for renal cell carcinoma and for therapeutic tumor targeting.

Comparative hospital cost-analysis of open and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE To perform a contemporary comparative cost-analysis of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) and open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). METHODS All patients undergoing RARP (n = 115) or RRP (n = 358) by 1 of 4 surgeons at a single institution during a 15-month period were retrospectively reviewed. The hospital length of stay (LOS), operative time, hospital charges, reimbursement, and direct and indirect hospital costs were analyzed and compared. RESULTS The mean LOS between patients undergoing RARP (1.2 ± 0.6 days) and RRP (1.4 ± 0.8 days) was not significantly different. The operating room supply costs per case were almost 7 times greater for RARP (

Technique of parastomal hernia repair using synthetic mesh

2852 ±

CIRCUMFERENTIAL LASER VAPORIZATION FOR SEVERE MEATAL STENOSIS SECONDARY TO BALANITIS XEROTICA OBLITERANS

528) than for RRP (

Glomus Tumor of the Kidney: Case Report and Literature Review

417 ±