One and done: Feasibility and Safety of Primary Ureteroscopy in a Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric urolithiasis has been increasing at rate of 4-10 % annually in the United States, most notably within adolescents and females. A significant number of patients will require surgical management of their stones. Primary ureteroscopy (URS) affords the opportunity to treat stones under a single anesthetic with lower re-treatment rates or anatomical and stone characteristic limitations compared to shockwave lithotripsy. Previous studies evaluating primary URS have been largely underpowered, are limited by stone location, and/or are not representative of the stone population in the United States. OBJECTIVES: Primary study outcomes were the success of primary URS and patient characteristics associated with success. Secondary outcomes were the stone-free rate (SFR), 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, 30-day readmissions, and complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients less than 18 years of age from 2011 to 2023 who underwent primary URS. Patients were excluded if a ureteral stent was placed prior to URS or diagnostic URS was performed. A successful primary URS was considered if access to the ureter was obtained and treatment of the stone(s) completed. In failed primary URS, a ureteral stent was placed for staged management. RESULTS: A total of 196 patients were included and primary URS was performed or attempted on 224 renal units. The median age was 15.8 (IQR 13.4-16.9) years and median follow up 8.4 (IQR 1.1-24.6) months. The success rate of primary URS was 79 %. No significant characteristics were appreciated for successful primary URS based on: overall age, <14 vs > 14 years of age, sex, body mass index, history of stones, history of endourologic procedures, preoperative alpha blockade, location of stone(s), multiple stones, type of URS, or acute treatment. In successful primary URS, the SFR was 88 % with stone size (p = 0.0001) the only predictor of having residual stones. The 30-day ED rate was 21.4 %, 30-day unplanned readmission rate was 12.5 %, and complication rate was 7.5 %. No long-term complications were appreciated. DISCUSSION: Our success of primary URS compares favorably to previously published literature. Our SFR rate, 30-day ED visits, 30-day unplanned readmission, and complication rates are similar to other studies. Limitations of the study are its retrospective design, selection bias, and intermediate follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Primary URS can be completed safely in the majority of pediatric patients without any patient characteristics associated with success. We advocate for primary URS when possible due to the excellent SFR and potential of treating stones under a single anesthetic.

Trends in Presentation and Management of Pediatric Renal Trauma.

OBJECTIVE: We queried the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) to evaluate the presentation, management, and outcomes of renal trauma in children from birth to 18 years from 2007-2018. METHODS: Patients were categorized as infants (0-1 year), toddlers (2-4 years), children (5-9 years), preteen (10-14 years), and teens (15-18 years), and patient demographics, grade of injury, and mechanism of injury including sports-related trauma (SRT) were collected. Each group was then evaluated for the level of management and patient outcome. RESULTS: We identified 3720 patients with renal trauma. Our cohort was predominantly White (68.5%), male (68.6%), and required public insurance (38.5%). Most injuries were low grade (86.7%) and managed non-operatively (94.7%). The overall mortality was 51 (1.4%). Younger patients (infants, toddlers, children) were more likely to present with complex injuries and they were more likely to have been involved in a motor vehicle accident. They had higher blood transfusion rates, longer inpatient courses, higher levels of admission acuity, and higher mortality. Patients in the older age groups presented most after SRT. Across all age groups, the most common source of SRT was limited contact sports; however, when considering only teens, full contact sports were the primary offending activity. This review of the PHIS database provides insight to the rates and patterns of pediatric renal trauma in the United States. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest an age-related differences in the presentation, management, and outcomes of pediatric renal trauma patients.

Microwave ablation of cT1a renal cell carcinoma: oncologic and functional outcomes at a single center.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous ablation is an established alternative to surgical intervention for small renal masses. Radiofrequency and cryoablation have been studied extensively in the literature. To date, series assessing the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) are limited. We present a cohort of 110 renal tumors treated with MWA. METHODS: A review of the medical record between January 2015 and July 2019 was performed, retrospectively identifying 101 patients (110 tumors). All ablations were performed by a single board-certified urologist/interventional radiologist. Demographic information, intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up surveillance data were recorded. RESULTS: Median (IQR) age was 69.7 years (60.8-77.0); 27 (24%) were female. Median (IQR) BMI was 27.0 (25.1-30.2) and Charleston Comorbidity Index was 5.0 (4.0-6.0). 82 tumors were biopsy-confirmed renal cell carcinoma/oncocytic neoplasms. Median (IQR) tumor size was 2.0 cm (1.5-2.6). Median (IQR) RENAL nephrometry score was 6.0 (5.0-8.0). Technical success was achieved in all patients and all but one patient were discharged on the same day. Median (IQR) eGFR at baseline and 1 year were 71.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 (56.5-82) and 63.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 (54.0-78.2); the difference was -5.3 (p = 0.12). Two Clavien-Dindo type-I complications, one type-II complication, and one type-III complication were experienced in this cohort. Median radiographic follow-up was 376.5 days with 2 tumors (2.4% of RCC/oncocytic neoplasms) having recurred to date. CONCLUSIONS: MWA is a safe and efficacious treatment option for small renal masses with minimal adverse events and low rates of recurrence in this cohort of 101 patients. Continued follow-up is needed to assess long-term outcomes.

Contemporary Results and Clinical Utility of Renal Mass Biopsies in the Setting of Ablative Therapy: A single center experience.

PURPOSE: Clinical guidelines have recently included renal mass biopsy (RMB) in management algorithms, especially in the setting of small renal masses ≤ 4 cm (SRM) and ablative therapy. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic rates of RMB, factors associated with a non-diagnostic biopsy, its clinical utility, and its safety profile in the setting of ablative therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 174 RMB from 167 patients, performed in a tertiary academic center from 01/2015 to 01/2019, were included. Patient demographics, radiographic mass size, RMB diagnoses, subsequent clinical management, and complications were retrospectively reviewed. RMBs were classified as diagnostic or non-diagnostic based on set criteria. RESULTS: The mean mass size was 3.0 cm (range: 0.5-15.3 cm) and 140 biopsies (80%) were SRM. Among all RMB, 159 (91%) were diagnostic and 15 (9%) were non-diagnostic. Non-diagnostic biopsies were associated with small mass size, the presence of a cystic component (p < 0.00001) and fewer number of cores submitted (p = 0.0046). All non-diagnostic biopsies occurred in SRMs, where the mean mass size was significantly smaller than diagnostic biopsies (1.3 versus 3.2 cm, p = 0.001). RMB with concurrent ablation yielded non-diagnostic results more frequently than isolated RMBs (15% vs 2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RMB is useful for definitive diagnosis and clinical management in the setting of ablative therapy. Small mass size, cystic lesions, and fewer number of passes obtained are associated with non-diagnostic biopsies. When a renal mass diagnosis is particularly critical, a separate biopsy procedure prior to ablative therapy is recommended.

Is There a Role for Combination, Single-Session Selective Transarterial Embolization and Microwave Ablation for Large Renal Masses?

PURPOSE: Thermal ablation of small renal tumors is safe and efficacious. Thermoablation of tumors greater than 3 cm has decreased efficacy and a greater risk of complications. Combined embolization and radiofrequency ablation has shown encouraging results. We report on the use of combined single-session transarterial embolization and microwave ablation to treat large renal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining IRB approval, a review of the medical record between October 2016 and January 2020 was performed. Patients with renal tumors who underwent combined transarterial embolization and microwave ablation were assessed retrospectively. Patient demographic information, intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified meeting inclusion criteria. The mean age was 73 years, with 64% male, an average BMI of 26.5, and average Charleston Comorbidity Index of 6.7. Nine tumors were identified as clear cell carcinoma, one as papillary carcinoma and one as an oncocytic neoplasm. Average tumor size was 4.5 cm (2.7-8.3), with an average RENAL score of 8.5. Successful ablation with a 5 mm margin was achieved in all patients, and in all cases, ablation and embolization were performed on the same day. The only related post-procedure complication was a single groin hematoma. Surveillance was performed with CT or MRI. Average follow-up was 419.5 days (range 27-747), with no patients showing evidence of recurrence to date. CONCLUSIONS: Combined single-session transarterial embolization and microwave ablation is technically feasible, safe, and efficacious in treating large renal tumors in a series of 11 patients with no recurrence to date. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, case series.

Cervical carcinoma in the setting of uterovaginal prolapse: comparing standard versus tailored management.

OBJECTIVES: Cervical cancer in the setting of uterovaginal prolapse is exceedingly rare. Altered anatomy can complicate treatment of underlying cancer. We first present a rare case of cervical cancer with invasion of uterovaginal prolapse as well as a systematic review of similar reported cases in the literature. The objective of this study was to compare the practice patterns and outcomes regarding cervical cancer with invasion of procidentia. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of online databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline and the Cochrane Library) from 1990 to 2018 of all the cases of cervical cancer associated with stage III-IV uterovaginal prolapse. Patient demographics, pathology, surgical management, chemotherapy, radiation and disease-free survival were compared. RESULTS: Fifteen reported cases of cervical cancer in the setting of procidentia were identified (squamous cell carcinoma-14, clear cell carcinoma-1). The mean age at diagnosis was 74 years (range 54-89). Thirteen percent (n = 2) of cases presented with FIGO stage I disease, 67% (n = 10) with stage II, and 20% (n = 3) with stage III. All cases had stage III-IV uterovaginal prolapse. 73% (11) were treated surgically including nine patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy. Among patients who underwent primary surgery, 7% (1) received adjuvant chemotherapy, 33% (5) adjuvant radiotherapy and 21% (3) both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. 33% (5) of surgical cases included procedures to address the pelvic organ prolapse (colpoclesis (n = 3), uterosacral suspension (n = 1) and anterior posterior repair (n = 1)). Two patients died from the disease within 12 months, one patient died from other causes within 1 month, and the remainder of patients were free of disease at last reported follow-up (Table 1). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cancer in the setting of stage III-IV uterovaginal prolapse can be managed successfully with standard treatment strategies (primary surgery with adjuvant therapy as necessary versus chemoradiation). When patients are surgical candidates, techniques to address the underlying prolapse can be used for symptomatic improvement.

Pediatric renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the presentation, natural history and treatment of renal cell carcinoma in children and young adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RECENT FINDINGS: Complete resection of lymph nodes at the time of tumor resection can improve clinical outcomes and limit the need for adjuvant chemotherapy. Genetic alterations that lead to translocation tumors are a therapeutic target of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. SUMMARY: The incidence of RCC increases with age. Unlike adult patients, young patients with RCC present symptomatically and at higher stage and grade. Translocation tumors predominate RCC in children with biologic activity characterized by early spread to lymph nodes with small primary tumors. Preoperative imaging is poorly sensitive for positive lymph nodes; as such, surgeons should have a low threshold for lymph node sampling during tumor resection. Despite the advanced stage at presentation, the prognosis in children is more favorable than their adult counterparts. Complete resection of lymph nodes at the time of surgical resection improves patient prognosis. Chemotherapy targeting the PI3/AKT pathway has demonstrated clinical benefit.