Cystic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is almost certainly overdiagnosed and overtreated. Efforts to diagnose and treat RCC at a curable stage result in many benign neoplasms and indolent cancers being ...resected without clear benefit. This is especially true for cystic masses, which compared with solid masses are more likely to be benign and, when malignant, less aggressive. For more than 30 years, the Bosniak classification has been used to stratify the risk of malignancy in cystic renal masses. Although it is widely used and still effective, the classification does not formally incorporate masses identified at MRI or US or masses that are incompletely characterized but are highly likely to be benign, and it is affected by interreader variability and variable reported malignancy rates. The Bosniak classification system cannot fully differentiate aggressive from indolent cancers and results in many benign masses being resected. This proposed update to the Bosniak classification addresses some of these shortcomings. The primary modifications incorporate MRI, establish definitions for previously vague imaging terms, and enable a greater proportion of masses to enter lower-risk classes. Although the update will require validation, it aims to expand the number of cystic masses to which the Bosniak classification can be applied while improving its precision and accuracy for the likelihood of cancer in each class.
Purpose Partial nephrectomy is the reference standard for the management of small renal tumors and is commonly used for localized kidney cancer. A primary goal of partial nephrectomy is to preserve ...as much renal function as possible. New baseline glomerular filtration rate after partial nephrectomy can have prognostic significance with respect to long-term outcomes. Recent studies provide an increased understanding of the factors that determine functional outcomes after partial nephrectomy as well as preventive measures to minimize functional decline. We review these advances, highlight ongoing controversies and stimulate further research. Materials and Methods A comprehensive literature review consistent with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria was performed from January 2006 to April 2014 using PubMed®, Cochrane and Ovid Medline. Key words included partial nephrectomy, renal function, warm ischemia, hypothermia, nephron mass, parenchymal volume, surgical approaches to partial nephrectomy, preoperative and intraoperative imaging, enucleation, hemostatic agents and energy based resection. Relevant reviews were also examined as well as their cited references. An additional Google Scholar search was conducted to broaden the scope of the review. Only English language articles were included in the analysis. The primary outcomes of interest were the new baseline level of function after early postoperative recovery, percent decline in function, potential etiologies and preventive measures. Results Decline in function after partial nephrectomy averages approximately 20% in the operated kidney, and can be due to incomplete recovery from the ischemic insult or loss of nephron mass related to parenchymal excision or collateral damage during reconstruction. Compensatory hypertrophy in the contralateral kidney after partial nephrectomy in adults is marginal and decline in global renal function for patients with 2 kidneys averages about 10%, although there is some variance based on tumor size and location. Irreversible ischemic injury can be minimized by pharmacological intervention or surgical approaches such as hypothermia, limited warm ischemia, or zero or segmental ischemia. Excessive loss of nephron mass can be minimized by improved preoperative or intraoperative imaging, use of a bloodless field, enucleation and vascular microdissection. Hemostatic agents or energy based resection that minimizes the need for parenchymal and capsular suturing can also optimize preservation of the vascularized nephron mass. Conclusions Our understanding of the decline in renal function after partial nephrectomy has advanced considerably, including better appreciation of its magnitude and impact in various settings, possible etiologies and potential preventive measures. Many controversies persist and this remains an important area of investigation.
Objective To determine the relative effect of type and duration of ischemia and parenchymal volume preservation on renal function after partial nephrectomy (PN). Materials and Methods Ninety-two ...patients with localized renal tumors (2007-2012) managed with PN at our center with necessary studies for analysis were included. This comprised 37 patients with a solitary kidney and 55 with a contralateral kidney. Thirty-five patients were managed with hypothermia and 57 with limited warm ischemia. Volumetric computed tomography was used to measure the volume of functional parenchyma before and after PN in the operated and contralateral kidneys. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined by the modification of diet in renal disease 2 equation, along with renal scan data for patients with a contralateral kidney. Regression analysis assessed the relationships between %GFR preserved in the operated kidney and potential predictive factors. All postoperative analyses were performed 4-12 months after surgery. Results Median age was 61 years, median tumor size 3.5 cm, and median RENAL nephrometry score 8. Median cold ischemia time was 28 minutes and median warm ischemia time 21 minutes. Median %GFR preserved in the operated kidney was 79%. Median %parenchymal volume saved was 83%. Function in the contralateral kidney only increased marginally (median increase 6%). On regression analysis, %GFR preserved associated most strongly with %parenchymal volume saved ( P <.0001), but also with lower RENAL scores ( P = .0457) and the use of hypothermia ( P = .0209). In contrast, ischemia time did not correlate with %GFR preserved ( P = .5051). Conclusion Ultimate function after PN primarily correlated with parenchymal volume preservation, whereas ischemia played a secondary role. Thus, maximal parenchymal preservation with a precise PN should be a priority during PN.
Anastomosing haemangioma is a rare benign vascular neoplasm that may histologically mimic angiosarcoma. We report the largest single institution series of anastomosing haemangioma in the adrenal ...gland with emphasis on clinical and radiological features.
Our laboratory information system was searched for a 25-year period (1999-2023), yielding seven cases confirmed as anastomosing haemangioma of the adrenal gland after pathological re-review. Clinical, radiological and pathological information was obtained from medical charts and submitting pathologists. Of a total of seven patients, four (57.1%) were men and three women, ranging in age from 37 to 75 years (mean = 61). Six of seven patients underwent adrenalectomies and one had radical nephrectomy. Tumours ranged from 0.7 to 6.4 cm (mean = 2.1 cm) and five of seven (71%) were grossly well-circumscribed. Five of seven lesions were found incidentally at imaging for other indications. All tumours were unifocal except one, which presented with multifocal disease with a concurrent adjacent retroperitoneal anastomosing haemangioma. Three of five tumours imaged with contrast enhancement were almost completely hyperenhancing with a small central non-enhancing portion, features overlapping with pheochromocytoma. One of seven tumours involved the peri-adrenal adipose tissue with a focally infiltrative pattern. There were no recurrences or metastases in six patients with available follow-up data (median = 95 months).
Benign anastomosing haemangiomas of the adrenal gland tend to occur in older patients, may mimic pheochromocytoma on imaging and must be distinguished from angiosarcoma pathologically. Better awareness of this entity by pathologists, radiologists and surgeons is crucial to appropriate work-up, diagnosis and management.
OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of and risk factors for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in adrenal incidentaloma (AI).
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:AI guidelines are based ...on data obtained with old-generation imaging and predominantly use tumor size to stratify risk for ACC. There is a need to analyze the incidence and risk factors from a contemporary series.
METHODS:This is a retrospective review of 2219 AIs that were either surgically removed or nonoperatively monitored for ≥12 months between 2000 and 2017. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to define risk factors. ROC curves constructed to determine optimal size and attenuation cut-offs for ACC.
RESULTS:16.8% of AIs underwent upfront surgery and rest initial nonoperative management. Of conservatively managed patients, an additional 7.7% subsequently required adrenalectomy. Overall, ACC incidence in AI was 1.7%. ACC rates by size were 0.1%, 2.4%, and 19.5% for AIs of <4, 4 to 6, and >6 cm, respectively. The optimal size cut-off for ACC in AI was 4.6 cm. ACC risks by Hounsfield density were 0%, 0.5%, and 6.3% for lesions of <10, 10 to 20, and >20 HU, with an optimal cut-off of 20 HU to diagnose ACC. 15.5% of all AIs and 19.2% of ACCs were hormonally active. Male sex, large tumor size, high Hounsfield density, and >0.6 cm/year growth were independent risk factors for ACC.
CONCLUSION:This contemporary analysis demonstrates that ACC risk per size in AI is less than previously reported. Given these findings, modern management of AIs should not be based just on size, but a combination of thorough hormonal evaluation and imaging characteristics.
We determined the association between ureteral diameter and ureteral injury during ureteral access sheath placement.
Patients were prospectively enrolled in the study from July 2014 to September ...2015. All patients underwent preoperative noncontrast computerized tomography and had a 12Fr to 14Fr ureteral access sheath placement without pre-stenting. A measurement of proximal ureteral diameter was carried out by 2 urologists and 1 radiologist. Ureteral wall injuries were evaluated by 2 endourologists using the 5-grade classification.
A total of 68 patients were included and the overall success rate for sheath placement was 94.1% (64). Among this group 46 patients (71.9%) had evidence of any type of injury to the ureter wall and the rate of high grade injuries was 26.1% (12). The ureteral diameter of patients who had a high grade injury was significantly smaller compared to those with low grade injuries (mean±SD 3.29±0.46 mm vs 4.5±0.97 mm, p <0.001). On multivariate analysis narrower proximal ureteral diameter was associated with a higher risk of high grade ureteral injury (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.9-3.4, p <0.001), regardless of age, gender, body mass index, and middle and distal ureteral diameter.
The proximal ureteral diameter is associated with high grade ureteral injury. A smaller ureteral diameter increases the risk and the severity of ureteral injury. Therefore, preoperative measurement of the ureteral diameter is recommended for ureteral access sheath placement to predict the risk of ureteral injury.
Imaging of the scrotum in the setting of acute symptoms such as pain or swelling is commonly performed emergently to differentiate between patients who require immediate surgery and those that do ...not. Acute scrotal symptoms are generally caused by infectious, traumatic or vascular etiologies. Rapid diagnosis and initiation of treatment is vital for testicular salvage in cases of acute testicular torsion, testicular rupture, and Fournier gangrene. Epididymitis, epididymo-orchitis, torsed testicular appendage, segmental testicular infarction, scrotal hematomas, testicular neoplasms, and acute idiopathic scrotal edema can have similar clinical presentations, but these conditions do not require immediate surgery. Ultrasound is the well-established first-line imaging modality for the acute scrotum. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging can be useful as problem-solving tools when ultrasound studies are inconclusive or equivocal. This review describes normal scrotal anatomy and a wide range acute scrotal disorders, with emphasis on the imaging and clinical features that can minimize the risk of misdiagnosis.