The Value of Estimation of Distal Ureteral Dilatation in Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux

PURPOSE: Recently, several studies have suggested that distal ureteral dilatation is an important factor influencing the spontaneous resolution of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). We evaluated the relationship between distal ureteral dilatation and the spontaneous resolution of primary VUR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 114 patients with primary VUR maintained on prophylactic antibiotics from April 1999 to August 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' mean age was 24.2 months (range, 6-108 months). There were 66 male patients and 48 female patients. The mean follow-up was 37.6 months (range, 12-102 months). We analyzed various factors including age, gender, grade of reflux, laterality, and ureteral diameter ratio (UDR; the largest ureteral diameter was divided by the distance from the L1-4 vertebral body to minimize the differences in diameter by age) to determine whether these factors influenced the spontaneous resolution of primary VUR. RESULTS: Unilateral, low-grade reflux and low UDR were significantly associated with the spontaneous resolution of reflux (p=0.048, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). The multivariate analysis revealed that the spontaneous resolution rate of primary reflux was significantly higher in patients with low UDR than in patients with high UDR (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The degree of distal ureteral dilatation is expected to be another important factor in determining therapeutic course and predicting the spontaneous resolution of VUR.

Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

A 78-yr-old woman presented with gross hematuria for 2 weeks. On cystoscopy, a frond-like mass was observed at the bladder trigone. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor was performed for the mass. Histopathological findings showed that 90% of lesions were lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELCA) and a few lesions were non-invasive transitional cell carcinoma. On microscopy, syncytial growth pattern and indistinct cytoplasmic borders were observed with the severe infiltration of lymphoid cells. The case was followed-up for 8 months without recurrence. This is the first report of a LELCA case in Korea.

Mesenteric Fibromatosis Causing Ureteral Stenosis

Mesenteric fibromatosis is a rare benign disease characterized by proliferating fibrous tissue in the bowel mesentery. We report a case of aggressive mesenteric fibromatosis with ureteral stenosis arising in a 46-year-old woman who suffered from intermittent right abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a right retroperitoneal mass with right ureteral stenosis at the level of the right common iliac vessel. The mass was excised with resection of the affected segment of the ileum, ascending colon, and ureter, and end-to-end ureter anastomosis was performed. Pathological examination confirmed mesenteric fibromatosis.

Risk Factors for Treatment Failure after Endoscopic Subureteral Injection of Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid Copolymer (Deflux(R)) for Vesicoureteral Reflux / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Endoscopic subureteral injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux(R)) has become an established alternative to long-term antibiotic prophylaxis and open ureteral reimplantation for the management of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. We retrospectively evaluated the risk factors for treatment failure after endoscopic correction of VUR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2005 and 2007, 23 boys and 26 girls (total of 69 ureters) with VUR underwent endoscopic subureteral injection of Deflux(R) primarily. VUR was unilateral in 29 patients and bilateral in 20 patients. Of the 69 ureters, VUR was grade II to V in 13, 28, 20, and 8, respectively. Follow-up urinalysis and ultrasonography were performed 1 and 3 months after the procedure, and a voiding cystourethrogram was performed at 6 or 9 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Treatment failure was defined as persistent VUR of grade II or over grade II. Endoscopic correction failed in 22 of 69 refluxing ureters. Age, sex, laterality, number of preoperative urinary tract infections, time from diagnosis to operation, presence of renal scarring, and injection volume did not influence outcome. However, preoperative presence of voiding symptoms, high-grade reflux and hydronephrosis, and having a horseshoe or golf-hole shaped ureteral orifice had a negative influence on the treatment result by univariate analysis. Severe dilatation of the lower ureter was the only statistically significant factor by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of lower ureteral dilatation is the most significant factor influencing the failure of endoscopic subureteral injection of Deflux(R). Other factors significantly involved in failure are the presence of voiding symptoms, high-grade reflux and hydronephrosis, and a horseshoe or golf-hole shaped ureteral orifice. Success rates may improve if we carefully consider these influencing factors before choosing an operative method.