Initial Experience of Radiofrequency Ablation of Renal Tumor / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We wanted to report the our early experience with performing nephron-sparing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three percutaneous RFAs were performed under combined computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonogram guided, and two intraoperative ultrasonograpy-guided laparoscopic RFAs were performed since June 2004. The treatment indications were localized, small (<4cm), solid renal masses in elderly patients and also the same type masses in the patients with comorbid conditions. The follow-up studies included physical examination, CBC, serum creatinine, urine analysis and kidney CT, and these were performed at day 1, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after ablation, and then semi-annually thereafter. The mean follow-up duration was 8.8 months (range: 5-12 months). RESULTS: All five patients underwent successful RFA without any serious events. One patient had a mild perinephric hematoma and another patients had mild gross hematuria postoperatively. With a mean follow-up of 8.8 months, none of the patients showed any residual tumor on follow-up contrast-enhanced CT after the final tumor ablation. Complete tumor ablation was achieved after a single treatment session in 80% of the patients and in 20% of patients after the subsequent ablation sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous or laparoscopic RFA is a promising nephron-sparing treatment for selected patients with small renal mass. Contrast-enhanced CT performed immediately after ablation is a reliable method to exclude residual viable tumor. The ultimate role for this modality will continue to evolve and this warrants further studies.

Frequency Due to Bladder Amyloidosis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Two Cases Reports / 대한류마티스학회지

Secondary amyloidosis is characterized by accumulation of an amorphous proteinous material in the various tissue and organs with infectious disease or inflammatory disease. Symptoms of the amyloidosis are variable according to the involved organs. Reactive amyloidosis of bladder in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a rare condition with hematuria in the most cases. However, we report two cases of patients with RA, who have frequency due to secondary amyloidosis of bladder without hematuria. Therefore secondary amyloidosis of urinary bladder should be considered as a possible cause of frequency in patients with long-term RA.