Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer Embolization for Acute Renal Hemorrhage: Initial Experience in 24 Cases.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer (Onyx, Medtronic) for embolization for acute renal hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Between October 2006 and June 2018, 24 consecutive patients were treated by embolization with EVOH copolymer for acute renal hemorrhage at Hôpital Bichat-Claude-Bernard. CT angiography was performed in all patients before treatment. Technical success was defined as the complete occlusion of the bleeding artery on final renal angiogram. Clinical success was defined as the absence of rebleeding after embolization. Complications mid procedure, infarcted renal area on final angiogram, and renal function 1 week after embolization were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS. Active bleeding was observed in all cases. The causes of acute renal hemorrhage were iatrogenic in 12 patients, vascular malformation in four patients, renal tumor in four patients, and unknown in four patients. EVOH copolymer was the sole embolic agent used in 16 patients. In eight patients, EVOH copolymer was used after persistent bleeding after embolization with coils. Technical and clinical success rates were 100%. No patient required surgery or new embolization during a mean follow-up period of 35 months (range, 6-86 months). No serious complications were attributable to EVOH copolymer. The mean infarcted renal area was 10% (range, 5-30%). Renal function, available for 16 (67%) patients, was not altered 1 week after embolization. CONCLUSION. EVOH copolymer is safe and effective for embolization of acute renal hemorrhage, either as a first-line embolic agent or after failure of coil embolization.

Daily Green Tea Infusions in Hypercalciuric Renal Stone Patients: No Evidence for Increased Stone Risk Factors or Oxalate-Dependent Stones.

Green tea is widely used as a ''healthy'' beverage due to its high level of antioxidant polyphenol compounds. However tea is also known to contain significant amount of oxalate. The objective was to determine, in a cross-sectional observational study among a population of 273 hypercalciuric stone-formers referred to our center for metabolic evaluation, whether daily green tea drinkers (n = 41) experienced increased stone risk factors (especially for oxalate) compared to non-drinkers. Stone risk factors and stone composition were analyzed according to green tea status and sex. In 24-h urine collection, the comparison between green tea drinkers and non-drinkers showed no difference for stone risk factors such as urine oxalate, calcium, urate, citrate, and pH. In females, the prevalence of calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) and calcium phosphate stones, assessed by infrared analysis (IRS) was similar between green tea drinkers and non-drinkers, whereas prevalence of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones was strikingly decreased in green tea drinkers (0% vs. 42%, p = 0.04), with data in accordance with a decreased oxalate supersaturation index. In males, stone composition and supersaturation indexes were similar between the two groups. Our data show no evidence for increased stone risk factors or oxalate-dependent stones in daily green tea drinkers.

Pyonephrosis Caused by Salmonella Typhi: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Salmonella is a rare cause of urinary tract infections. We report here a unique case of pyonephrosis due to Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) complication, a stone-related obstructive pyelonephritis. CASE REPORT: A 47-year-old man, without any history of typhoid fever or gastrointestinal symptoms, presented with a pyonephrosis and life-threatening bacteremia following an acute obstructive right pyelonephritis caused by S. Typhi. The patient was treated by urinary drainage (ureteral stent), antibiotics, and delayed right nephrectomy. We postulated that urolithiasis could explain asymptomatic chronic urinary carriage of S. Typhi. CONCLUSION: S. Typhi is one possible cause of life-threatening urinary tract infection, especially in the context of urolithiasis.

Demographics and characterization of 10,282 Randall plaque-related kidney stones: a new epidemic?

Renal stone incidence has progressively increased in industrialized countries, but the implication of Randall plaque in this epidemic remains unknown. Our objectives were to determine whether the prevalence of Randall plaque-related stones increased during the past decades after having analyzed 30,149 intact stones containing mainly calcium oxalate since 1989 (cross-sectional study), and to identify determinants associated with Randall plaque-related stones in patients (case-control study). The proportion of Randall plaque-related stones was assessed over 3 time periods: 1989-1991, 1999-2001, and 2009-2011. Moreover, we analyzed clinical and biochemical parameters of 105 patients affected by calcium oxalate stones, with or without plaque. Of 30,149 calcium oxalate stones, 10,282 harbored Randall plaque residues (34.1%). The prevalence of Randall plaque-related stones increased dramatically during the past years. In young women, 17% of calcium oxalate stones were associated with Randall plaque during the 1989-1991 period, but the proportion rose to 59% 20 years later (P < 0.001). Patients with plaques experienced their first stone-related event earlier in life as compared with those without plaque (median age 26 vs 34 years, P = 0.02), had increased ionized serum calcium levels (P = 0.04), and increased serum osteocalcin (P = 0.001) but similar 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. The logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, confidence interval [CI] 0.926-0.994, P = 0.02), weight (OR 0.97, CI 0.934-0.997, P = 0.03), and osteocalcin serum levels (OR 1.12, CI 1.020-1.234, P = 0.02) were independently associated with Randall plaque. The prevalence of the FokI f vitamin D receptor polymorphism was higher in patients with plaque (P = 0.047). In conclusion, these findings point to an epidemic of Randall plaque-associated renal stones in young patients, and suggest a possible implication of altered vitamin D response.

Retrograde Approach to a Diverticular Kidney Stone through a Vesicoureteral Cohen's Reimplantation: A Novel Surgical Technique.

Cohen's technique is the standard treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children. Its disadvantage is still the classic difficulty in subsequent retrograde ureteral access, requiring the use of percutaneous techniques in the treatment of kidney stones. We describe a novel surgical technique for retrograde catheterization of an adult ureter by a flexible ureterorenoscope, thereby facilitating the treatment of a symptomatic diverticular kidney stone. We compare our technique to other methods described in the literature.

Rapidly progressive kidney failure induced by fungal mycelia obstructing indwelling ureteral stents.

Antibiotics reduce the commensal flora in the gut, thereby facilitating the overgrowth of undesirable microorganisms such as Candida albicans. Here, we report the case of a 48-year-old woman with a history of obstructive uropathy consecutive to a radiation therapy, in whom both indwelling ureteral stents were rapidly occluded by fungal mycelia, resulting in a rapidly progressive kidney failure. Ascendant infection by C albicans had occurred after a 2- week course of antibiotics, prescribed for a perforative peritonitis also due to radiation-induced colitis. As shown by iterative CT scans made before (at the time of the diagnosis of peritonitis) and after the antibiotic course, kidney failure was explained by a sudden and bilateral pyelocaliceal dilation, due to the obstruction of the ureteral stents. Fungal mycelia were objectivised during the replacement procedure. Intravenous fluconazole was started, and renal function recovered ad integrum with the relief of the obstruction.

[Infertility and testicular seminoma]. / Infertilité et séminome testiculaire.

INTRODUCTION: Infertility in men may be associated with an elevated risk of testicular cancer. The authors report a case of testicular seminoma discovered fortuitously during a workup for infertility. CASE: A 30 year-old male was seen for infertility. Physical examination and testicular ultrasonography were normal. The sperm count found oligoasthenospermia related to the excretory ducts. The patient underwent testicular biopsies for infertility, which showed an intratubular germ cell tumor. Tumor markers (beta HCG, alpha FP, LDH) were normal. Computed tomography was normal for the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. We performed an inguinal orchiectomy. The pathology examination found seminoma, at a pT1 stage. One course of chemotherapy followed. DISCUSSION: The incidence of testicular cancer is increasing throughout the world. Recent studies show a strong relation between infertility and an increased risk of testicular cancer, and some authors even suggest a causal relation.

Upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: recurrence rate after percutaneous endoscopic resection.

OBJECTIVES: To assess oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous management for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT-TCC) of the renal cavities. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of data for patients who underwent percutaneous conservative surgery for a UUT-TCC between 1989 and 2005: sex; age at diagnosis; mode of diagnosis; smoking; history of bladder cancer; type of surgery; complications; tumour site, size, stage and grade, and recurrence and progression. We evaluated recurrence and survival rates. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 24 patients. Median age was 70 yr. The tumour was located in the renal pelvis in 11 patients and in the caliceal system in 13 patients. Mean tumour size was 1.8 cm (range: 0.8-2.9). Four patients had a history of bladder carcinoma. Three patients experienced perioperative blood loss requiring transfusion, and one experienced colon wound. Median follow-up was 62 mo. Eight (33.3%) patients experienced local recurrence (three in the treated urinary tract, one in the contralateral tract, four in the bladder). Five patients underwent nephroureterectomy (NUT) during follow-up. Five (20.8%) patients have died, four from disease progression and one from cardiovascular causes. The 5-year disease-specific and tumour-free survival rates were 79.5% and 68%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous management can be recommended as an alternative to NUT or ureteroscopy for low-grade or superficial UUT-TCCs localised in the renal cavities. These patients require long-term postsurgical surveillance. For patients with high-grade or invasive tumours, open NUT remains the gold standard.

[Bladder perforation during transurethral resection of bladder tumour: a review]. / Perforations vésicales au cours d'une résection trans-uréthrale de tumeur de vessie.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumour is a common procedure (10,711 new cases of bladder tumour diagnosed in France in 2000), associated with a certain morbidity. Intra- or extraperitoneal perforation of the bladder wall is a possible complication. The diagnosis is generally established intraoperatively and cystography can be performed in the operating room to demonstrate the diameter of the perforation. Most cases of extraperitoneal perforation can be treated conservatively by simple bladder drainage. Intraperitoneal perforations may require surgical repair Laparoscopy is currently tending to replace open surgery for this repair. One of the risks of perforation is also tumour seeding outside of the bladder However metastases related to perforation appear to be rare and occur rapidly requiring close surveillance.

Late metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the submaxillary gland 10 years after radical nephrectomy.

Renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the submaxillary gland after tumor nephrectomy has not been previously recorded in the literature. Most reported cases have involved the parotid gland. We report in this article the first case of solitary submaxillary gland metastasis from clear cell renal cell carcinoma in an 83-year-old man who presented 10 years after primary treatment. The submaxillary gland was excised with preservation of the facial nerve.

Laparoscopic excision of seminal vesicle cyst revealed by obstruction urinary symptoms.

Primary diseases of the seminal vesicle are rare. Most seminal vesicle cysts are congenital, and two-thirds are associated with renal dysplasia or agenesis and ectopic ureter opening into the seminal vesicle. Acquired cysts may be due to genitourinary infections, surgical prostate resection or ejaculatory duct lithiasis. We report a case of video laparoscopic ablation of seminal vesicle cysts.

Nephron-sparing surgery for de novo renal cell carcinoma in allograft kidneys.

Renal cell carcinomas account for 4.6% of post-transplant cancers, 10% of which occur in allograft kidneys. We report three such cases among kidney grafts that were performed or followed from 1970 to 2004. In all patients, we performed a partial allograft nephrectomy after consideration of the tumor size, location, and absence of metastases and local extension. Renal function has remained stable, and there has been no sign of graft rejection, tumor recurrence or metastases. The surgery was technically feasible without exposing the patients to increased postoperative risks. The lateral, peripherally located tumor allowed excision without renal hilar dissection or entry into the collecting system. In agreement with data emerging from the literature, the present cases confirm that even in the setting of long-standing immunosuppression, de novo RCC of the kidney graft warrants a minimally invasive approach to spare patients graft loss and return to hemodialysis.

[Spontaneous renal haematoma: diagnostic and therapeutic approach in 7 cases]. / Hématomes spontanés du rein: conduite à tenir diagnostique et thérapeutique. A propos de 7 cas.

OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous renal haematomas are rare. The authors discuss the aetiological diagnosis and management of these haematomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven cases (3 females and 4 males) of spontaneous renal haematoma were managed between July 1999 and December 2002 and the case files were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: The circumstances of discovery were nonspecific. One patient presented with haemorrhagic shock. Radiological work-up comprised abdominal ultrasound and CT scan in almost every case. Ultrasound failed to demonstrate the aetiological diagnosis. CT revealed the cause of bleeding in 7 cases. MRI was performed in 4 cases, but urgent angiography was not performed. Four total nephrectomies were necessary, while two patients were treated by conservative surgery. One patient was simply followed by repeat CT scan. The short-term course was favourable with a mean follow-up of 23 months. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous renal haematomas raise 2 problems, that of their aetiology: tumours are the commonest causes (angiomyolipoma and renal cell carcinoma), and that of their management. Three therapeutic approaches are possible: radical surgery in the case of uncontrollable bleeding, conservative surgery or surveillance in the absence of a life-threatening emergency and when the aetiological diagnosis has not been established. Rigorous and repeated radiological surveillance can identify the cause of the bleeding allowing conservative surgery to be performed when indicated.

Impact on active scope deflection and irrigation flow of all endoscopic working tools during flexible ureteroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Flexible ureteroscopy is nowadays an alternative effective option for treatment of upper urinary tract stones, especially in the lower renal pole. Access in this case is often limited by active deflection capabilities of the instrument which is always deteriorated by the passage of different tools through the working channel. Insertion of them limits also the irrigation flow and so that the visibility. These deteriorations vary largely following the tool inserted. We performed an in vitro evaluation of deterioration of active deflection, possibility of tool insertion in maximal active deflection and irrigation flow in 6 different flexible ureteroscopes with almost all of tools available. METHODS: A total of 546 measures of maximal deflection, test of passage of tools in maximal deflection and measures of irrigation flow passage through the working channel were made on 6 different ureteroscopes, the ACMI DUR-8, the ACMI DUR-8 "Elite", the Karl Storz 11274 AA, the Karl Storz 11278 AU1 "Flex-X", the Wolf 7325.172 and the Olympus URF/P-3 without any tool inserted and with 22 different tools (14 extraction devices and 8 lithotripsy probes). RESULTS: Larger caliber tools resulted in more deflection degradation than smaller ones but it is more evident in case of use of non-nitinol tools instead of the nitinol ones. Generally lithotripsy probes affected active deflection more than nitinol extractions tools but different brand laser fibres present different results. Usually 1.6 and 1.9F electro hydraulic probes offer a slightly better deflection than does the 200micro laser fibre. Ballistic shock probes are so stiff that can not be used for treating lower renal pole stones. CONCLUSIONS: An array of different instruments are nowadays available for upper renal endoscopic treatment but they differ largely on stiffness and on obstruction to irrigation flow. Laser probes are very problematic to insert in the already deflected instruments, something that is less evident with the EHL probes and the smaller nitinol extraction tools. Irrigation flow is inversely proportional to the diameter of the tool inserted. Tools with a diameter of 3 French or more block totally the flow.

[Pseudo-tumor form of bladder scleroderma: unusual cause of hematuria]. / La forme pseudo-tumorale de la sclérodermie vésicale: cause rare d'hématurie.

The bladder is a rare site of scleroderma. The frequency of bladder involvement is difficult to estimate, as only about thirty cases have been reported in the literature. Scleroderma bladder involvement usually presents in the form of frequency and burning, but may sometimes cause urgency or recurrent urinary tract infections. The authors report a case of bladder scleroderma responsible for severe haematuria in a 56-year-old woman and discuss this rare cause of macroscopic haematuria in the light of the histological findings and a review of the literature.