Feasibility of one-shot dilation access in the pediatric age group

ObjectiveTo compare sequential fascial dilation (SFD) versus one-shot dilation (OSD) in the pediatric patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy.MethodsThe present study is an observational study. The study subjects were divided into two groups. In group 1, renal dilation was done using the SFD and in group 2, renal dilation was done using the OSD. The amount of time exposed to radiation during access to pelvicalyceal system was estimated. Complications, stone free rates, ancillary procedures for residual stones and hospital stay were compared. Modified Clavien-Dindo classification was used for grading the complications.ResultsRadiation exposure and operative time were less in OSD group (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.068 to 14.072, and 2.565 to 12.435, p<0.005). The mean drop of hematocrit was statistically less significant in OSD group (p=0.032). In both groups, complications, stone free rate and hospital stay were statistically insignificant.ConclusionsOSD is feasible in the children with reduced radiation exposure and shorter operative time. The outcome was similar to SFD.

Robot-assisted pyeloplasty with buccal mucosa graft for the management of an extended recurrent ureteropelvic junction stricture

A clinical case of robot-assisted pyeloplasty with buccal mucosa graft of an extended recurrent stricture of the left ureteropelvic junction is presented. The patient had previously undergone left-sided laparoscopic antevasal pyeloplasty and retrograde endopyelotomies with ureteral stenting. However, after these interventions, the dilatation of the left pelvicalyceal system persisted, the patient complained of lumbar pain and periodic exacerbations of chronic pyelonephritis. Transperitoneal robotic access isolated the ureteral upper third and the ureteropelvic junction from scar tissue, after dissecting the narrowed ureteral section, its length was about 3.0 cm. In this regard, plastic surgery was performed with a buccal mucosa graft, the ureter was drained with a stent. There were no postoperative complications, and on day 3 the patient was discharged. The stent was removed 4 weeks after. During the control ultrasound examination, the renal pelvicalyceal system was relatively reduced, and the patient did not notice any pain.

Contrast Agent Mimicking Calculi in Entrapped Calyx. A Report of a Case

Urolithiasis is a common condition, and it represents a large number of hospital visits. Under the term infundibulopelvic dysgenesis, many conditions amongst a spectrum of congenital disorders of the pelvicalyceal system are described. Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is an effective and safe treatment modality in the management of urinary system stone disease. Fluoroscopic imaging is a cornerstone in endourology. Herein, we present a case where we diagnosed an obstructed calyx during RIRS for renal calculi and operated on it. In this extraordinary case, contrast agent was trapped in the calyx mimicking a renal stone and that was the reason that we discovered the infundibular stenosis. The patient, 24 h after the operation, left the hospital without any complications reported.

The three-dimensional reconstruction of the dilated renal pelvicalyceal system by non-enhanced computed tomography

Introduction. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the renal pelvicalyceal system (PCS) is possible when performing enhanced computed tomography (CT). However, the use of a contrast agent has its limitations associated with the presence of allergy and chronic kidney disease.Purpose of the study. To describe the method of semi-autonomous three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the PCS based on non-enhanced CT images of patients with upper urinary tract obstruction.Materials and methods. Five patients diagnosed with renal colic were recruited from April-May 2021. All patients underwent CT-urography after informed consent. Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit program (MITK) expanded with explainable update were used for 3D-reconstruction of PCS via excretory and native phases. To assess the accuracy of the latter, both contrast and non-contrast models were compared regarding their surface area. Also, the PCS of one patient was used to reconstruct virtual endoscopic views based on enhanced and non-enhanced models. Five urologists estimated their similarity and potential use of non-enhanced models for the interventional planning via a Likert scale questionnaire. The resulting models were also analyzed by programmer-engineers to test their suitability for 3D-printing.Results. The average surface area of enhanced and non-enhanced models was 3291 mm2 and 2879 mm2, respectively. Obtained models were suitable for their intraluminal reconstruction and potential 3D-printing. Analyzed properties of non-enhanced models were estimated at 4.5 out of 5.0.Conclusion. The described semi-autonomous reconstruction of the renal PCS based on non-enhanced CT images allows for a short time to reconstruct its 3D-view in patients with the upper urinary tract obstruction.

A Case Report of Calyceal Diverticulum: Differential Diagnosis for Organ-Preserving Operations

Calyceal diverticula and epidermal cysts are extremely rare kidney lesions with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. They have non-specific clinical and radiological picture. Despite the benign nature, sometimes these disorders mimic malignant tumors leading to unjustified nephrectomy. We present a clinical and morphological observation of a multicystic lesion in a 76-year-old patient's right kidney filled with keratinized masses and imitating a malignant solid tumor. The detailed gross, histological and immunohistochemical (desmin, cytokeratin 7, uroplakin and p63) analyses of the kidney tissue excluded the malignant nature of the lesion. The final differential diagnosis was between an epidermal cyst and calyceal diverticulum with pronounced squamous cell metaplasia of urothelium. The upper pole localization of the lesion, its connection with the pelvicalyceal system through the unobstructed isthmus, the presence of urothelial lining and smooth muscle cells in its wall let us diagnose a calyceal diverticulum type I. Knowledge of the key clinical and morphological features of epidermal cysts and diverticula of the pelvicalyceal system will help the practicing physicians suspect the benign nature of such lesions and perform organ-preserving operations.

Urinary fistulas after partial nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma

Urinary fistulas after partial nephrectomy are rare complications of this operation. There are various reasons for their development, prevention and treatment. This review analyzes the results of the cases' prevalence of urine leakage after partial nephrectomy with various approaches, occurrence's predictors of urinary fistulas, possible ways of their intraoperative prevention and treatment methods. The obtained data show that the size of tumors, their endophytic nature and proximity to the kidney pelvicalyceal system, as well as suturing of its defect, can be predictors of the development of urinary fistulas (UFs). Some authors point to the influence of long ischemia time and high blood loss on the occurrence of UFs. The main method of treating UFs is ureteral stenting or percutaneous drainage of the kidney pelvicalyceal system. For long-term persistent UFs, the method of choice can be simultaneous introduction of 2 stents, retrograde or percutaneous injection of fibrin glue, percutaneous cryoablation of the UFs.

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis

Objectives: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) has high mortality rates reaching 50%, however later studies have reported significantly lower mortality rates ranging from 0 to 37.5%. Renal percutaneous drainage techniques have reduced the mortality and the necessity for surgery. Nevertheless, the same studies have reported a wide diversity in the usage of percutaneous drainage (PCD) and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) techniques. Methods: A retrospective study of 17 patients was conducted over a 10year period, from January 2008 to December 2017. All patients had undergone abdominal computerized tomography, these were reviewed and categorized according to Huang and Tseng’s classification. Results: 13 patients (76%) were categorized as class I and II, 3 (17%) as class IIIA, and 1 (6%) as class IIIB. Five patients from the class I & II categories underwent drainage of the pelvicalyceal system, 4 by PCN and 1 by Double J Stent (DJS) insertion. All the class IIIA and IIIB patients had PCN inserted. One class IIIB patient required PCD for localized gas and fluid collection but later underwent emergency nephrectomy. There were no mortalities. Conclusion: The favourable outcome of this study is in keeping with the more recent studies. However, despite the present classifications and guidelines, wide variations are reported in the use of percutaneous drains with PCD ranging from 2.5 – 91%. The lack of precise guidelines may be a cause of these disparities in the clinical management.Keywords: emphysematous, pyelonephritis, drainage, percutaneous, nephrostomy.

Fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma presenting as pelvicalyceal filling defect: an unusual presentation of a rare disease

A 75-year-old man was referred to our urology service with painless haematuria. The delayed phase on a subsequent computed tomography (CT) abdomen and pelvis showed a filling defect in the left renal pelvicalyceal system, suspicious for a transitional cell carcinoma. The patient underwent ureteroscopic biopsy suggestive of a papillary neoplasia, before progressing to a laparoscopic radical left nephrouretectomy. Final histology revealed a fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma with clear margins. The patient was subsequently referred for genetic counselling.