W. Boeckmann

Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors. Report of nine cases and review of the literature

In a series of 181 patients with testicular germ cell tumors, the phenomenon of bilateral involvement of the testicles was observed nine times (5%). Two patients evidenced a simultaneous bilateral tumor, and, in seven others, a second tumor occurred after an interval ranging between 8 months and 6 years and 11 months. The incidence, histologic findings, therapy, and prognosis of bilateral testicular tumors are discussed on the basis of a survey of the literature. Emphasis is placed on the significance of a long‐term follow‐up period as well as on the important role of sonography in the early detection of a contralateral tumor.

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY CHARACTERIZATION OF RENAL CELL TUMORS IN CORRELATION WITH HISTOPATHOLOGY

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The authors distinguish the histomorphologic subtypes of renal cell tumors (RCTs) by computed tomography (CT). METHODS In a consensus conference between radiologists, pathologists, and urologists, the CT criteria of the various subtypes of RCTs (clear cell, chromophilic cell, chromophobic cell renal carcinoma and oncocytoma) were established. Computed tomography scans of 65 resected RCTs were reevaluated independently by seven radiologists. Using a numerical scoring system, they first attempted to differentiate clear cell from nonclear cell RCTs. A further attempt then was made to classify each tumor into one of the four categories. RESULTS The sensitivity for the diagnosis of clear cell RCT was 72.5% (213 of 294 true-positive findings) and 82% (132 of 161 true-positive findings) for the nonclear cell group. For tumors more than 3 cm in diameter the sensitivities were 80.25% for the clear cell group and 80.7% for the nonclear cell group. Specific differentiation into the four subtypes was not possible. Oncocytomas were classified correctly in only 6 of 49 observations (12.2%). CONCLUSIONS Small clear cell tumors often fail to show the CT characteristics that would permit an accurate classification. In tumors measuring 3 cm or more, differentiation between clear cell and nonclear cell types by means of CT criteria is possible. Nevertheless, as RCTs show a great variation in appearance, a differentiation into subtypes of the nonclear cell RCTs cannot be accomplished by CT. Using a uniform examination protocol and spiral scanning technique, the sensitivity of CT in the diagnosis of the subtypes of RCTs may be able to be further increased. Some tumors, especially oncocytomas, undoubtedly will remain diagnostic dilemmas.

Laparoscopical Marsupialization of Symptomatic Post-Transplant Lymphoceles

Post-transplant lymphoceles after kidney transplantations occur with an incidence between 2 and 15%. In the last two years we observed four patients with symptomatic lymphoceles. After an infection or urinoma had been ruled out all cases were operated on laparascopically. All goals of open surgery in lymphoceles were achieved by this minimally invasive technique within an operating time between 40 and 70 min. No complications or recurrences occurred during a mean follow-up period of 17.8 months. Symptomatic post-transplant lymphocele is a rare event and represents an ideal indication for laparoscopic marsupialization.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Laparoscopy of the Nonpalpable Testis

We report about laparoscopic examination and treatment of 19 patients with 25 non-palpable testes. Thirteen patients presented with unilateral and six patients with bilateral absent testes, respectively. In all cases of non-palpable testes laparoscopy was able to determine the exact localization and supported the surgical approach. Six testicles were treated by open orchiectomy after diagnostic laparoscopy; three testes were fixed by laparoscopically assisted orchiopexy. Three patients (three testicles) were treated by standard orchiopexy after laparoscopy and in three cases microvascular autotransplantation was performed. Laparoscopically, five aplastic testicles without vas and vessels were diagnosed. Three testes were considered as vanishing and in two patients (two testes) due to previous surgical exploration elsewhere testicular remnants were totally atrophic and were resected with the adjacent vas. All laparoscopic findings except the vanishing testis syndrome were proven either by open surgery or by laparoscopic preparation of the internal inguinal ring.