TNM-Based Head-to-Head Comparison of Urachal Carcinoma and Urothelial Bladder Cancer: Stage-Matched Analysis of a Large Multicenter National Cohort / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Outcome analysis of urachal cancer (UraC) is limited due to the scarcity of cases and different staging methods compared to urothelial bladder cancer (UroBC). We attempted to assess survival outcomes of UraC and compare to UroBC after stage-matched analyses. @*Materials and Methods@#Total 203 UraC patients from a multicenter database and 373 UroBC patients in single institution from 2000 to 2018 were enrolled (median follow-up, 32 months). Sheldon stage conversion to corresponding TNM staging for UraC was conducted for head-to-head comparison to UroBC. Perioperative clinical variables and pathological results were recorded. Stage-matched analyses for survival by stage were conducted. @*Results@#UraC patients were younger (mean age, 54 vs. 67 years; p < 0.001), with 163 patients (80.3%) receiving partial cystectomy and 23 patients (11.3%) radical cystectomy. UraC was more likely to harbor ≥ pT3a tumors (78.8% vs. 41.8%). While 5-year recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival were comparable between two groups (63.4%, 67%, and 62.1% in UraC and 61.5%, 75.9%, and 67.8% in UroBC, respectively), generally favorable prognosis for UraC in lower stages (pT1-2) but unfavorable outcomes in higher stages (pT4) compared to UroBC was observed, although only 5-year CSS in ≥ pT4 showed statistical significance (p=0.028). Body mass index (hazard ratio [HR], 0.929), diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.921), pathologic T category (HR, 3.846), and lymphovascular invasion (HR, 1.993) were predictors of CSS for all patients. @*Conclusion@#Despite differing histology, UraC has comparable prognosis to UroBC with relatively favorable outcome in low stages but worse prognosis in higher stages. The presented system may be useful for future grading and risk stratification of UraC.

Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Delivery, and Cisplatin Eligibility in Korean Patients Initially Diagnosed with Urothelial Carcinoma / 이화의대지

Objectives@#The aim of this study was to examine the clinical presentation, treatment delivery, and cisplatin eligibility of Korean patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) in a real-world setting. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients initially diagnosed with UC from March 2013 to June 2018. Creatinine clearance >60 mL/min and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0–1) were adopted as cisplatin eligibility criteria. @*Results@#This study included 557 eligible patients. Median age was 71.0 years (range, 33–94 years), and males were dominant (80%). Primary tumor sites were: upper genitourinary tract, 18%; bladder, 81%; and urethra, 0.4%. Initial disease status was non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (313, 56%), diffuse infiltrating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (19, 3%), cTanyN0 upper tract UC (75, 13%), cT2-4N0 bladder UC (82, 15%), TanyN1-3 UC (36, 7%), or initially metastatic UC (32, 6%). At the time of analysis (June 2019), following treatments were delivered to 134 patients with localized UC: radical operation with or without perioperative treatment (89, 67%), definitive chemoradiation (7, 5%), and palliative surgery or supportive care only (36, 28%). In total, 89 patients had metastatic UC, including those with recurrent disease (n=57), and 34 (38%) of the 89 were eligible for cisplatin. @*Conclusion@#Clinical presentations in East Asian UC patients were consistent with those of previous studies in other countries, except for a relatively high incidence of upper genitourinary tract. Our results can serve as a benchmark for further advances and future research for treatments of UC in East Asian patients.

Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Delivery, and Cisplatin Eligibility in Korean Patients Initially Diagnosed with Urothelial Carcinoma / 이화의대지

Objectives@#The aim of this study was to examine the clinical presentation, treatment delivery, and cisplatin eligibility of Korean patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) in a real-world setting. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients initially diagnosed with UC from March 2013 to June 2018. Creatinine clearance >60 mL/min and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0–1) were adopted as cisplatin eligibility criteria. @*Results@#This study included 557 eligible patients. Median age was 71.0 years (range, 33–94 years), and males were dominant (80%). Primary tumor sites were: upper genitourinary tract, 18%; bladder, 81%; and urethra, 0.4%. Initial disease status was non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (313, 56%), diffuse infiltrating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (19, 3%), cTanyN0 upper tract UC (75, 13%), cT2-4N0 bladder UC (82, 15%), TanyN1-3 UC (36, 7%), or initially metastatic UC (32, 6%). At the time of analysis (June 2019), following treatments were delivered to 134 patients with localized UC: radical operation with or without perioperative treatment (89, 67%), definitive chemoradiation (7, 5%), and palliative surgery or supportive care only (36, 28%). In total, 89 patients had metastatic UC, including those with recurrent disease (n=57), and 34 (38%) of the 89 were eligible for cisplatin. @*Conclusion@#Clinical presentations in East Asian UC patients were consistent with those of previous studies in other countries, except for a relatively high incidence of upper genitourinary tract. Our results can serve as a benchmark for further advances and future research for treatments of UC in East Asian patients.

Health-Related Quality of Life Changes in Prostate Cancer Patients after Radical Prostatectomy: A Longitudinal Cohort Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) information related to radical prostatectomy (RP) is valuable for prostate cancer (PC) patients needing to make treatment decisions. We aimed to investigate HRQOL change in PC patients who underwent three types of RP (open, laparoscopic, or robotic) and compared their HRQOL with that of general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were prospectively recruited between October 2014 and December 2015. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and PC-specific module (PR25) were administered before surgery (baseline) and at postoperative 3 and 12 months. At each time point, HRQOL was compared, and a difference of 10 out of 0-100 scale was considered clinically significant. RESULTS: Among 258 screened patients, 209 (41 open, 63 laparoscopic, and 105 robotic surgeries) were included. Compared to baseline, physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning improved at 12 months. Role functioning worsened at 3 months, but recovered to baseline at 12 months. Pain, insomnia, diarrhea, and financial difficulties also significantly improved at 12 months. Most PR25 scales excluding bowel symptoms deteriorated at 3 months. Urinary symptoms and incontinence aid recovered at 12 months, whereas sexual activity and sexual function remained poor at 12 months. Clinically meaningful differences in HRQOL were not observed according to RP modalities. Compared to the general population, physical and role functioning were significantly lower at 3 months, but recovered by 12 months. Social functioning did not recover. CONCLUSION: Most HRQOL domains showed recovery within 12 months after RP, excluding sexual functioning and social functioning. Our findings may guide patients considering surgical treatment for PC.

Clinical Outcomes of Continuous Addition of Androgen Deprivation Therapy During Docetaxel Chemotherapy for Patients With Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: This study compared the oncologic results of docetaxel chemotherapy (DOC) in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) according to continuous addition of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) during chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 106 patients who received DOC in 6 medical institutes. Among them, 72 patients had a complete medical record: 28 patients with ADT (DOC+continuous ADT group) and 44 without ADT (DOC only group). We compared the progression-free survival of these groups after DOC. RESULTS: Docetaxel was administered an average of 28 months after primary ADT as the first treatment. A median number of 6 cycles of DOC was administered in both groups. In the DOC+continuous ADT group, orchiectomy was performed in 18 patients and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist was injected in 10 patients. During DOC treatment, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival was statistically different (6.0±4.75 months in DOC+continuous ADT group vs. 4.8±3.2 months in DOC only group, p=0.024), whereas radiologic progression-free survival was not statistically different (5.0±3.12 months in DOC+continuous ADT group vs. 5.0±2.79 months in DOC only group, p=0.387). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, continuous addition of ADT showed a significant benefit in PSA progression-free survival during DOC in CRPC patients. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Penile Cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the clinicopathologic characteristics of penile cancer, including patterns of therapy, oncologic results, and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and July 2015, 71 patients at 6 institutions who had undergone penectomy or penile biopsy were enrolled. Their medical records were reviewed to identify the mode of therapy, pathology reports, and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate. RESULTS: Clinicopathologic and outcome information was available for 52 male patients (mean age, 64.3 years; mean follow-up, 61.4 months). At presentation, 17 patients were node-positive, and 4 had metastatic disease. Management was partial penectomy in 34 patients, total penectomy in 12 patients, and chemotherapy or radiotherapy in 6 patients. The pathology reports were squamous cell carcinoma in 50 patients and other types of carcinoma in the remaining 2 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a 5-year CSS rate of 84.0%. In univariate and multivariate analyses, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage and pathologic grade were associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Partial penectomy was the most common treatment of penile lesions. The oncologic outcomes were good, with a 5-year CSS of 84.0%. The AJCC stage and pathologic grade were independent prognostic factors for survival.

Comparison of Multiparametric and Biparametric MRI in First Round Cognitive Targeted Prostate Biopsy in Patients with PSA Levels under 10 ng/mL

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of cognitive targeted prostate biopsy using biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (b-MRI) for patients with prostate-specific antigen levels under 10 ng/mL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data from 123 consecutive patients who underwent cognitive targeted prostate biopsy using prostate MRI. Of these patients, the first 55 underwent prostate biopsy using multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI), and the remaining 68 underwent prostate biopsy using b-MRI. For b-MRI, we generated T2 weighted axial imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging sequences. We found that 62 of the 123 men had suspicious lesions on MRI (32 of the 55 men in the mp-MRI group and 30 of the 68 men in the b-MRI group). We compared the prostate cancer detection rates and the proportions of clinically significant prostate cancer between the different MRI sequences. RESULTS: Between the two MRI groups, there were no statistically significant differences in prostate cancer detection rate and proportions of clinically significant prostate cancer (41.8% vs. 30.9%, p=0.208 and 82.6% vs. 76.2%, p=0.598). Among the 62 men who had suspicious lesions on MRI, the prostate cancer detection rates were 62.5% and 63.3% (p=0.709) in the mp-MRI and b-MRI groups, respectively, and the proportions of clinically significant prostate cancer were 95.0% and 84.2% (p=0.267). CONCLUSION: Prostate biopsy using b-MRI showed similar performance to that using mp-MRI for detecting prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer. Considering the satisfactory performance and cost effectiveness of b-MRI, this technique could be a good option for obtaining intraprostatic information for first round prostate biopsy.

Long-term Functional Outcomes of Ileal Neobladder Reconstruction Following Radical Cystectomy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare clinical and urodynamic parameters among patients undergoing orthotopic neobladder substitution with ileal segment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 2015 orthotopic bladder replacement with an ileal segment was performed 158 patients. All data were recorded retrospectively from medical records. For neobladder function, at 1-year follow-up we checked abdominal computed tomography, voiding cystourethrography, and voiding diary. Twenty-eight patients underwent urodynamic evaluation. Urodynamic data were divided into 4 groups based on follow-up duration. Preoperative (17 patients), 6 months (24 patients), 1–5 years (20 patients) and above 5 years (15 patients) after surgery evaluations were performed by urodynamic study. RESULTS: All patients were men. Mean age is 61.7 years (range, 40–72 years). Mean follow-up period is 86.7 months (range, 7–182 months). Maximum bladder capacity, maximum detrusor pressure (Pdet), and maximum urethral closure pressure improve over the time. Maximum flow rate (Qmax) is constant during the follow-up. There was vesico-ureteric reflux during voiding in 5 renal units. At day time, 23 of 28 substitution patients were completely continent. Thirteen of 28 substitutions have night time continence. Of neobladder-related complications, the most common was acute pyelonephritis. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term functional outcomes with the ileal neobladder have acceptable. The urodynamic parameters without Qmax tended to improve with the lapse of time. However, the number of patients in each group was relatively small in comparison to the numbers of orthotopic diversion. Our results support the good functional outcomes of radical cystectomy with Studer ileal neobladder.

Visually Estimated MRI Targeted Prostate Biopsy Could Improve the Detection of Significant Prostate Cancer in Patients with a PSA Level <10 ng/mL

PURPOSE: To compare prostate cancer detection rates between 12 cores transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) and visually estimated multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI)-targeted prostate biopsy (MRI-visual-Bx) for patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) level less than 10 ng/mL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 76 patients with PSA levels below 10 ng/mL underwent 3.0 Tesla mp-MRI and TRUS-Bx prospectively in 2014. In patients with abnormal lesions on mp-MRI, we performed additional MRI-visual-Bx. We compared pathologic results, including the rate of clinically significant prostate cancer cores (cancer length greater than 5 mm and/or any Gleason grade greater than 3 in the biopsy core). RESULTS: The mean PSA was 6.43 ng/mL. In total, 48 of 76 (63.2%) patients had abnormal lesions on mp-MRI, and 116 targeted biopsy cores, an average of 2.42 per patient, were taken. The overall detection rates of prostate cancer using TRUS-Bx and MRI-visual-Bx were 26/76 (34.2%) and 23/48 (47.9%), respectively. In comparing the pathologic results of TRUS-Bx and MRI-visual-Bx cores, the positive rates were 8.4% (77 of 912 cores) and 46.6% (54 of 116 cores), respectively (p<0.001). Mean cancer core lengths and mean cancer core percentages were 3.2 mm and 24.5%, respectively, in TRUS-Bx and 6.3 mm and 45.4% in MRI-visual-Bx (p<0.001). In addition, Gleason score ≥7 was noted more frequently using MRI-visual-Bx (p=0.028). The detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer was 27/77 (35.1%) and 40/54 (74.1%) for TRUS-Bx and MRI-visual-Bx, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: MRI-visual-Bx showed better performance in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer, compared to TRUS-Bx among patients with a PSA level less than 10 ng/mL.

Risk Factors for Transient Urinary Incontinence after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate

PURPOSE: To investigate the factors associated with the occurrence of and recovery from transient urinary incontinence (TUI) after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2009 to December 2012, 391 consecutive patients treated with HoLEP for benign prostatic hyperplasia were enrolled. Information regarding age, prostate volume, International Prostate Symptom Score, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, peak urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine, and operation time was collected. TUI was defined as a patient complaint of urine leakage, regardless of type. Logistic regression was used to investigate the factors associated with the occurrence of TUI, and the Kaplan-Meier test was used to analyze the TUI recovery period. RESULTS: TUI after HoLEP occurred in 65 patients (16.6%), 52 patients of whom (80.0%) showed recovery within three months. Stress and urge urinary incontinence and postvoid dribbling occurred in 16 patients (4.1%), 29 patients (7.4%), and 33 patients (8.4%), respectively. Age (odds ratio [OR]=3.494; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.565~7.803; p=0.002) and total operation time (OR=3.849; 95% CI=1.613~9.185; p=0.002) were factors that significantly affected the occurrence of TUI. CONCLUSIONS: TUI, defined as any type of urine leakage, occurred after HoLEP in some patients, most of whom recovered within three months. Stress urinary incontinence occurred in only 4% of patients after HoLEP. Age and total operation time were associated with the occurrence of postoperative TUI.

Predicting Progression and Survival in Korean Patients with High Grade T1 Bladder Cancer Using EORTC Risk Tables

The treatment of high grade T1 bladder cancer remains controversial because of the particularly high risk of recurrence and progression. The purpose of this study was to compare the oncological outcomes of radical cystectomy and a bladder preservation approach using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk tables. Among 688 transurethral resections of bladder tumors for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer conducted between 2000 and 2010, 102 patients who had a history of high grade T1 were included. All patients were treated by transurethral resection with additional intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and 33 patients were treated with deferred radical cystectomy. The risk classifications for tumor recurrence, and progression and survival rates were calculated using the EORTC risk tables. At a follow-up between 48 and 164 months (mean 90.1 months), 53 patients recurred, 34 patients progressed, and 18 patients died. In high grade T1 patients, the probability of progression was 15% in patients in the high risk group and 57% in patients with highest risk at 5 years. The bladder cancer specific survival was 95% in high risk patients and 88% in patients at highest risk at 5 years. High grade T1 bladder cancers are heterogeneous in nature, which complicates treatment decisions. Patients in the highest risk group in EORTC risk tables have different feasible treatment options including early cystectomy.

Prognostic Value of Sex-Hormone Receptor Expression in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE: We investigated sex-hormone receptor expression as predicting factor of recurrence and progression in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated tumor specimens from patients treated for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder at our institution between January 2006 and January 2011. Performing immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal androgen receptor antibody and monoclonal estrogen receptor-beta antibody on paraffin-embedded tissue sections, we assessed the relationship of immunohistochemistry results and prognostic factors such as recurrence and progression. RESULTS: A total of 169 patients with bladder cancer were evaluated in this study. Sixty-threepatients had expressed androgen receptors and 52 patients had estrogen receptor beta. On univariable analysis, androgen receptor expression was significant lower in recurrence rates (p=0.001), and estrogen receptor beta expression was significant higher in progression rates (p=0.004). On multivariable analysis, significant association was found between androgen receptor expression and lower recurrence rates (hazard ratio=0.500; 95% confidence interval, 0.294 to 0.852; p=0.011), but estrogen receptor beta expression was not significantly associated with progression rates. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the possibility of recurrence was low when the androgen receptor was expressed in the bladder cancer specimen and it could be the predicting factor of the stage, number of tumors, carcinoma in situ lesion and recurrence.

The Studer Orthotopic Neobladder: Long-Term (More Than 10 Years) Functional Outcomes, Urodynamic Features, and Complications

PURPOSE: Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion are the standard treatment for invasive bladder cancer. We analyzed the long-term (>10 years postoperatively) functional outcomes, complications, and urodynamic findings in a single center series of patients who underwent cystectomy and a Studer ileal neobladder substitution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 108 Studer pouches constructed during 1990 and 2011 was performed. Data were analyzed in terms of long-term (>10 years) outcomes. Complications, incontinence, voiding difficulties, upper urinary tract changes, overall satisfaction, and urodynamic findings of the reservoir were obtained. RESULTS: We evaluated 19 out of 50 patients who had lived for over 10 years postoperatively. Another 31 patients were not traced: 7 patients died following recurrence, 15 died due to exacerbation of a comorbidity, and 9 patients were lost to follow-up. Concerning complications, 6 patients had an atrophied kidney, 5 patients had moderate hydronephrosis, 5 patients had chronic recurrence of pylelonephritis, and 2 patients had voiding difficulty because of bladder neck stricture due to clean intermittent catheterization. One patient underwent an operation due to intestinal obstruction. Seven patients had incontinence; all 7 patients showed intermittently at night and 2 patients even in waking hours. Maximum bladder capacity was 484.1+/-119.2 mL, maximum flow rate was 13.6+/-9.7 mL/sec, and post-void residual urine volume was 146.8+/-82.7 mL. CONCLUSION: Long-term outcomes with the Studer orthotopic ileal neobladder have an acceptable complication rate and good functional results. However, potential adverse outcomes such as renal deterioration, dysfunctional voiding should also be considered.

Laparoscopic Ureteroneocystostomy: Modification of Current Techniques

PURPOSE: To review the feasibility of laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy with extracorporeal eversion of the ureteral end in various distal ureteral lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 5 laparoscopic procedures of ureteroneocystostomy with extracorporeal eversion of the ureteral end. Of these, 4 patients (range, 45 to 54 years) had distal ureter stricture or obstruction after gynecological surgeries for endometriosis or a large uterine myoma. One patient (male, 67 years) had low-grade distal ureter cancer. The laparoscopic procedure was combined with cystoscopic insertion of a ureteral stent and extracorporeal eversion of the ureter through the 10-mm port on the affected side. RESULTS: The laparoscopic ureteral reimplantations with and without a psoas hitch in patients with distal ureteral lesions was successful in all patients. The mean operation time was 137 minutes (range, 104 to 228 minutes). Two patients underwent additional psoas hitch. In all patients, short-term success was confirmed by voiding cystourethrography and intravenous pyelography conducted 3 months after the operation. The mean follow-up of the entire group was 12 months (range, 3 to 30 months). We noted no major or minor complications over the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy for benign or malignant ureteral strictures continues to evolve. Surgeons should be versatile with various options and technical nuances when dealing with these cases. Simple modifications of laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy with extracorporeal eversion of the ureteral end, nonreflux extravesical anastomosis, and simultaneous cystoscopy will be crucial to the ease of performance and a successful outcome.

Surgical Treatment of Inferior Vena Cava Invasion in Patients with Renal Pelvis Transitional Cell Carcinoma by Use of Human Cadaveric Aorta

We herein report a case of radical nephroureterectomy and replacement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with ahuman cadaveric aortic graft for a patient with renal pelvis transitional cell carcinoma associated with IVC infiltration. In advanced disease, radical surgery is essential to achieve long-term survival. This case entails the use of another treatment option among the numerous options currently available for the management of patients with advanced renal cancer associated with IVC invasion.

Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis in Korean Children

PURPOSE: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is rare among children. In most cases, XGP is diffusely or focally enlarged, mimicking the neoplastic process. The aim of this study was to examine clinical characteristics and outcomes of Korean children with XGP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen children (9 boys, 5 girls) with XGP were reviewed retrospectively. The cohort included 2 children managed at our institution and 12 children reported in the Korean literature. The patients' records were reviewed with respect to age at diagnosis, clinical presentation, management method, and other characteristic features. RESULTS: The mean age was 79.4+/-66.5 months (range 1-168 months). Common clinical presentations included fever (85.7%), abdominal pain (57.1%), and palpable mass (28.6%). Laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis (57.1%), anemia (57.1%), and pyuria (57.1%). The types of XGP that were diagnosed based on preoperative radiologic studies included the focal form in 9 children and the diffuse form in 5. Thirteen children underwent nephrectomy, and 1 child received conservative medical therapy. CONCLUSION: The possibility of XGP should be considered if a child is diagnosed with a renal mass, especially if it is a small renal mass associated with fever, leukocytosis, or stone. Nephrectomy is the treatment of choice for the diffuse form, whereas partial nephrectomy or conservative medical therapy may be indicated to manage focal XGP.

Torsion of an Indirect Hernia Sac Causing Acute Scrotal Swelling in a Child

Torsion of a hernia sac is an extremely rare condition that presents as acute scrotum in children. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy who presented with an acute scrotum and was found during surgical exploration to have torsion of an indirect hernia sac associated with hydrocele. Upon scrotal exploration, deterioration of the scrotum due to inflammatory changes was found. A necrotic cyst was recognized within a communicating hydrocele of the scrotum and was twisted at an angle of about 360degrees. All urologists should be aware of this special condition in the differential diagnosis of acute scrotum.

Modified Differential Renal Function Measurement Revised by Renal Cross Sectional Area in Children with Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

PURPOSE: Diuretic (99m)Tc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Tc-DTPA) renal scans may show false-negative or false-positive results in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). We evaluated whether modified differential renal function (DRF) revised by the renal cross-sectional area on imaging study may be a more valuable predictor than conventional DRF on a renal scan for deciding on a proper interventional time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2001 and January 2008, we reviewed the diuretic renal scan results of 29 pediatric patients who underwent pyeloplasty due to unilateral UPJO. Diuretic renal scans using the standard (99m)Tc-DTPA protocol and imaging studies for renal unit measurement area were done. Conventional DRF measurement and modified calculation of DRF per unit area were done. Conventional DRF was classified into group I (below 40%) and group II (above 40%). RESULTS: The mean age of all patients was 42.6+/-52.6 months (range, 3-198 months). The mean cross-sectional areas of the UPJO kidney and of the normal contralateral kidney were 62.1+/-29.2 cm2 and 41.3+/-22.5 cm2, respectively (p<0.01). The conventional and modified DRF of the UPJO kidney were 45.2+/-9.2% and 35.2+/-9.5%, respectively (p<0.01). Thirteen children (62%) in group II (n=21) were classified in group I by the modified DRF measurement. CONCLUSIONS: The modified DRF measurement calculated according to cross-sectional area showed fewer false-negative results and may be a valuable method for deciding on pyeloplasty under equivocal circumstances.

The Clinical Significance of a Retroaortic Left Renal Vein

PURPOSE: A retroaortic left renal vein (RLRV) is located between the aorta and the vertebra and drains into the inferior vena cava. Urological symptoms can be caused by increased pressure in the renal vein. To evaluate the clinical importance of RLRV, we reviewed patients' medical records and radiologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients who were studied with multidetector computed tomography at our institution from January 2003 to December 2009 had urologic symptoms with RLRV. We retrospectively reviewed these patients' medical records and analyzed their clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 46.0+/-20.1 years (range, 17-65 years) and the male to female ratio was 5 to 4. The urologic symptoms of the initial diagnosis were various (hematuria: 5 of the 9 patients; left flank pain: 4 of the 9 patients; inguinal pain: 1 of the 5 male patients; and gross hematuria: 1 of the 9 patients). The distribution among the type I, II, III, and IV of RLRV was 6, 2, 1, and 0 patients, respectively. The concomitant diseases were ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO; 2 of the 9 patients) and varicocele (2 of the 5 male patients). One patient with UPJO underwent pyeloplasty and the other patient with UPJO underwent nephrectomy due to a nonfunctional atrophied kidney. The microscopic hematuria was not resolved with conservative management for long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Hematuria and inguinal or flank pain seem to be common in patients with RLRV. The most common type of RLRV was type I. It appeared that the microscopic hematuria continued in the long-term follow-up.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of the Renogram, the Serial Renal Scan and the Diuretic Half Time according to the Renal Function for Interpreting a Diuretic DTPA Scan following Pyeloplasty / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: The diuretic renal scan has been considered to be a good tool for evaluating the postoperative renal function in the patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the renogram, the serial renal scan and the diuretic half time according to the differential renal function (DRF) on the diuretic renal scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the diuretic renal scans of 27 pediatric patients (25 males and 2 females) who underwent pyeloplasty due to unilateral UPJO. Diuretic renal scanning was done using the 99mTc- DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) standardized protocol. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the renogram, the serial renal scan and the diuretic half time according to the DRF (group I: above 40%, group II: below 40%). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 48.0 59.2 months (range: 2-210 months). The diuretic half time, renogram, serial renal scan and each combination demonstrated statistical significance for the interpretation of ureteral obstruction (generalized estimation equation, p=0.003). The interpretation of the diuretic renal scan was not affected by the DRF (McNemar test, p=0.598). The false positive rate and specificity of the renogram, serial renal scan and diuretic half time were 22.2%, 29.6%, 59.3% and 77.8%, 70.4%, 40.7%, respectively. In addition, the false positive rate and specificity of a combination of the diuretic half time and renogram, the diuretic half time and serial renal scan, the renogram and serial renal scan, the diuretic half time and renogram, and serial renal scan were 22.2%, 25.9%, 14.8%, 14.8%, and 77.8%, 74.1%, 85.2%, 85.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diuretic half time, renogram and serial renal scan were individually correlated with the postoperative status of the UPJO. However, a combination of various factors of the renal scan should be considered for evaluating the postoperative status of UPJO.