Can the Leibovich score for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) be accurately reported by a general pathologist?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of reporting of the Leibovich score (LS) by general pathologists at our centre by comparing the LS in their initial reports with the LS in subsequent review reports by our specialist urological pathologists. We also assessed whether a revision in the LS subsequently altered the risk group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 54 consecutive patients had had their initial histology after nephrectomy reported by a general pathologist between August 2008 and March 2012. The histological slides were subsequently re-reviewed by the two specialist urological pathologists and revised LS were given if appropriate. The cases were then discussed at the Uro-oncology Multi disciplinary meeting (MDT) and the reason for the revised LS was discussed with the participating panel and reviewed by the uropathologist. RESULTS: The general pathologists allocated the 54 patients into low- (13 patients), intermediate- (25) and high-risk (16) categories. After a review of the slides by the specialist urological pathologists and discussion at the MDT meeting the LS was revised in 23 patients (42.6%). The 23 patients who had their LS revised were divided into two groups for the purpose of the present study. On revision of the LS a total of eight patients (14.8%) changed their prognostic group. The change in the prognostic group in the eight patients was increased from intermediate- to high-risk in four patients. There was a reduction in the LS in four patients, which was from high- to intermediate-risk category in one patient and intermediate- to low-risk in three patients. CONCLUSION: In the present study, histopathology review by a specialist urological pathologist led to a change in LS in 42.6% of cases leading a change in risk grouping in 14.8% of cases. This level of discrepancy is not insignificant. However, the few cases evaluated in the present study does limit robust conclusions and further studies are needed to investigate this issue, so that recommendations can be made to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility.

Boari flap vesicocalycostomy: a salvage drainage procedure for complete ureteric stricture and pyelocalyceal fistula.

To increase the working knowledge on how to drain a transplanted kidney via the use of a Boari flap as a salvage procedure. A female with a transplant kidney had complete obstruction at the ureteropelvic junction and multiple strictures of the ureter causing deterioration of the graft function. Surgery was the only way to successfully drain the obstructed kidney, but conventional methods were not possible due to dense fibrosis around the kidney. A Boari flap to the lower pole calyx of the transplant kidney was therefore employed. A Boari flap vesicocalycostomy is a potential method available to the transplant surgeon to successfully restore graft function in a case where the transplant or native ureter is unsalvageable.

The continent, catheterizable abdominal conduit in adult urological practice.

OBJECTIVE: To report a large, single-centre experience with a continent, catheterizable abdominal conduit in adult patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the case notes of all 65 patients who had surgery to create a continent catheterizable conduit based on the Mitrofanoff principle. Operations were carried out over a 13-year period. Data on surgical procedure, complications and final outcome were collected and analysed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 38.4 years and mean follow-up interval was 75.2 months. Patients with neuropathic lower urinary tracts accounted for the largest single indication for reconstruction (36 patients). The appendix was the conduit of choice and was available and suitable for use in 37 patients. There were 57 patients who continued to use their native bladder or had undergone an augmentation or substitution cystoplasty; 24.5% of these 57 individuals had also undergone closure of the bladder neck or urethra. There were postoperative complications requiring laparotomy in five (8%) patients. In all, 30 patients (46%) had catheterization problems, but most of these were easy to treat. Five patients (8%) had an incontinent conduit which was a more difficult problem to deal with. Two patients have died of unrelated cause and five patients have been converted to an ileal conduit. In all, 58 patients (92%) now have a Mitrofanoff conduit, of which 97% are catheterizable and 95% are continent. CONCLUSIONS: Continent urinary diversion, based on the Mitrofanoff principle, has similar outcomes in adult urological practice to those described in published paediatric case series. There is good evidence to suggest that Mitrofanoff conduits are durable. However, patients should be aware of complications and the need for long-term follow-up.