The impact of retrograde intrarenal surgery for asymptomatic renal stones in patients undergoing ureteroscopy for a symptomatic ureteral stone.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the era of rigid ureteroscopy (URS) for ureteral stones, asymptomatic renal stones were often left in place. With the advent of flexible URS, however, the treatment of such renal stones became an attractive option. Data are scarce regarding the impact of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) performed at the time of URS for a symptomatic ureteral stone in comparison with ureteral stone removal alone. The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes of URS combined with RIRS with URS alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comparison between patients who underwent URS and RIRS (group A, n=47) and a matched control group of patients undergoing URS alone (group B, n=47) was performed. Matching was based on ureteral stone size and location, and preprocedural Double-J stent placement. RESULTS: The median size of the largest ureteral stone in both groups was 8 mm with a mean total stone burden of 52.9 mm(2) (28.9) and 47 mm(2) (21.1) in groups A and B, respectively. Median renal stone size was 9 mm with a mean total stone burden of 84.1 mm(2) (40.3). Mean surgery time in groups A and B was 68 minutes (19.61) and 39 minutes (15.96), respectively (P<0.001). Median hospital stay was 1 day for both groups. The success rate for ureteral stone removal was 98% and 100% in groups A and B, respectively. Success rate for RIRS was 85% (40/47 cases). Hospitalization length and complications, mainly postoperative fever, did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Managing asymptomatic renal stones at the time of URS for symptomatic ureteral stones significantly prolongs surgery duration but does not lengthen hospital stay, increase complications, or lower success rates. This combined approach reduces the need for future procedures and is probably more cost effective.

Expanding use of ureteral access sheath for stones larger than access sheath's internal diameter.

The internal diameter of the ureteral access sheath limits the size of stones that can be removed during flexible ureteroscopy. We describe a technique that allows removal of larger stones, which are entrapped and removed en bloc with the access sheath. This new technique was shown to be efficient and safe.

Metastatic renal carcinoid: case report and review of the literature.

Primary renal carcinoid tumor is a rare tumor of the kidney. Metastatic renal carcinoid tumor has not been described in the medical literature. We report a case of renal metastasis of a primary bronchial carcinoid tumor and review the literature about renal carcinoid tumors.

Empirical management of urinary tract infections complicating transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.

PURPOSE: Although urinary tract infection is a recognized complication of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, to our knowledge there are no recommendations in the literature for its management. We studied the unique features of this infection and provide management recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective design was used. The study group was composed of patients admitted to the emergency department from 2000 to 2001 with complaints suggestive of urinary tract infection after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. The indication for biopsy, prophylactic regimen used and clinical manifestations were documented. Urine and blood cultures were obtained at hospital admission and bacterial susceptibility was examined for all positive cultures. RESULTS: All 23 patients enrolled in the study underwent biopsy for acceptable indications and 95.7% had received antibiotic prophylaxis, including 69.5% with fluoroquinolones. Infection was typically accompanied by high fever (mean +/- SD 39.1 +/- 0.6C), chills in 78.3% of cases and leukocytosis in 56.5%. All positive blood cultures and 92.9% of positive urine cultures yielded Escherichia coli. Bacterial isolates showed high resistance to fluoroquinolones and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and 100% susceptibility to second and third generation cephalosporins, amikacin and carbapenems. CONCLUSIONS: The successful management of urinary tract infection complicating transrectal prostate biopsy depends on the recognition of its unique features, the pathogens involved and their antimicrobial susceptibility. The recommended empirical treatment is a second or third generation cephalosporin, amikacin or a carbapenem.