Robot-assisted heminephrectomy for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in L-shaped fused crossed ectopia: Surgical challenge

Renal cell carcinoma associated with fused ectopic kidneys has rarely been reported in the literature. Here we report the first case of robot-assisted heminephrectomy for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in an L-shaped fused ectopic kidney. The present case report highlights the importance of three-dimensional vision and enhanced maneuverability with the EndoWrist technology of the robotic surgical system for precise dissection. This report also highlights the importance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography with three-dimensional arterial reconstruction for surgical planning.

Evaluation of low-dose dual energy computed tomography for in vivo assessment of renal/ureteric calculus composition

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of low-dose dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in predicting the composition of urinary calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients with urinary calculi were scanned with a 128-slice dual-source DECT scanner by use of a low-dose protocol. Dual-energy (DE) ratio, weighted average Hounsfield unit (HU) of calculi, radiation dose, and image noise levels were recorded. Two radiologists independently rated study quality. Stone composition was assessed after extraction by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). Analysis of variance was used to determine if the differences in HU values and DE ratios between the various calculus groups were significant. Threshold cutoff values to classify the calculi into separate groups were identified by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 137 calculi were detected. FTIRS analysis differentiated the calculi into five groups: uric acid (n=17), struvite (n=3), calcium oxalate monohydrate and dihydrate (COM-COD, n=84), calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM, n=28), and carbonate apatite (n=5). The HU value could differentiate only uric acid calculi from calcified calculi (p80% sensitivity and specificity to differentiate them. The DE ratio could not differentiate COM from COM-COD calculi. No study was rated poor in quality by either of the observers. The mean radiation dose was 1.8 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose DECT accurately predicts urinary calculus composition in vivo while simultaneously reducing radiation exposure without compromising study quality.

Comparative Efficacy of Tamsulosin Versus Tamsulosin With Tadalafil in Combination With Prednisolone for the Medical Expulsive Therapy of Lower Ureteric Stones: A Randomized Trial

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of tamsulosin and tamsulosin with the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor tadalafil in combination with prednisolone as medical expulsive therapies for lower ureteric stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2011 and December 2012, 62 adult patients presenting with distal ureteric stones sized 5 to 10 mm were randomized equally to treatment with tamsulosin (group A) or tamsulosin with tadalafil (group B). Therapy was given for a maximum of 6 weeks. In addition, patients in groups A and B were given 5-mg prednisolone once daily (maximum 1 week). The stone expulsion rate, time to stone expulsion, analgesic use, number of hospital visits for pain, follow-up and endoscopic treatment, and adverse effects of the drugs were noted. Statistical analyses were done by using Student t-test and chi-square test. RESULTS: There was a higher expulsion rate (83.9% in group B and 74.2% in group A) and a lower time to expulsion in both treatment groups than in historical controls used in earlier studies. However, these results were not statistically significant (p=0.349, p=0.074, respectively). Statistically significant differences were noted in hospitalization for colic and analgesic requirement, which were less in group B than in group A. There were no serious adverse events. Another important finding was improvement in erectile function in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteric stones using tamsulosin and tadalafil with prednisolone is safe and efficacious. Also, the prescription of tadalafil in cases of erectile dysfunction with the development of lower ureteric stones may provide additional advantages.

Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Naftopidil and Tamsulosin as Medical Expulsive Therapy in Combination With Prednisolone for Distal Ureteral Stones

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of naftopidil and tamsulosin with prednisolone as medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteric stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2010 and March 2012, 120 adult patients presenting with distal ureteric stones of size 5 to 10 mm were randomized equally to tamsulosin (group A), naftopidil (group B) or watchful waiting (group C). Tamsulosin or naftopidil was given for a maximum of four weeks. In addition patients in group A and B were given 5 mg prednisolone once daily (maximum one week). Stone expulsion rate, time to stone expulsion, analgesic use, number of hospital visits for pain, follow-up and endoscopic treatment and adverse effects of drugs were noted. Statistical analyses were done using chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and analysis of variance. RESULTS: There was a statistically higher expulsion rate in groups A (70%) and B (87.5%) as compared to group C (32.5%) (p<0.001). The expulsion rates were not statistically different between groups A and B (p=0.056). The mean time to expulsion was comparable between groups A and B but longer in group C. Analgesic use was significantly lower in groups A and B. Average number of hospital visits for pain, follow-up and endoscopic treatment was similar in all groups. There was no serious adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: Medical expulsive therapy for the distal ureteric stones using either naftopidil or tamsulosin in combination with prednisolone is safe and efficacious.

CA 19-9 as a serum marker in urothelial carcinoma

CA 19-9 is a carbohydrate antigen related to Lewis A blood group antigen. It is well-known marker for pancreatic carcinoma and is being investigated for other malignancies including carcinoma bladder. We evaluated the role of serum CA 19-9 as a tumor marker and correlated its level with tumor stage and grade. Seventy-five patients with histologically proven urothelial carcinoma were included in this study as case and 25 healthy volunteers as control. Preoperative 5 ml blood sample was collected. Serum level of CA 19-9 was measured using solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The value of CA19-9 was expressed in U/ml and 37 U/ml was taken as cut-off upper value of normal. The range of CA19-9 in patients of urothelial carcinoma was 2 to 122 U/ml with a mean of 26.33 +/- 29.28, while in control, it was 8.48 +/- 5.01 U/ml [P<0.001]. The sensitivity of CA19-9 was 29%. Serum CA19-9 was significantly elevated in invasive disease in comparison with superficial disease [47.17 +/- 34.43 vs 16.53 +/- 20.13] [P<0.001]. Significantly high proportion of patients with invasive disease had value >/=37 U/ml [14/24 [58.3%] vs 8/51 [15.7%]] with P value <0.001. High proportion of high-grade tumor had raised value, 14/34 [41.25%]; all patients with metastatic disease had value more than 37 U/ml. Serum CA19-9 is a marker of aggressiveness of urothelial carcinoma and is almost invariably raised in patients with metastatic disease. Thus, it may be used as a prognostic marker but not as a screening tool due to its low sensitivity