Prospective Assessment of Radiation in Pediatric Urology: The Pediatric Urology Radiation Safety Evaluation Study.

PURPOSE: Pediatric tissues are exquisitely sensitive to ionizing radiation from diagnostic studies and therapies involving fluoroscopy. We prospectively monitored radiation exposure in our pediatric urology patients during fluoroscopy guided operative procedures with single point dosimeters to quantify radiation dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children undergoing fluoroscopy guided urological procedures were prospectively enrolled in the study from 2013 to 2015. Single point dosimeters were affixed to skin overlying the procedural site for the durations of the procedures to record dosimetry data. Patient demographics, procedural variables and fluoroscopic settings were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients underwent 96 procedures, including retrograde pyelography, ureteral stent insertion, ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Median patient age was 12 years (range 0.3 to 17) and median body mass index percentile for age was 70.7 (1.0 to 99.1). Median skin entrance radiation dose for all procedures performed was 0.56 mGy. Median dosages associated with the 29 diagnostic procedures and 49 definitive interventions were 0.6 mGy (mean 0.8, range 0.1 to 2.2) and 0.7 mGy (1.1, 0.0 to 5.5), respectively. The dose associated with the 18 procedures of temporization was significantly higher by comparison (median 1.0 mGy, mean 2.6, range 0.1 to 10.7, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric radiation exposure is not insignificant during urological procedures. Further multi-institutional work would provide context for our findings. Protocols to optimize fluoroscopic settings and minimize patient exposure, and guidelines for radiation based imaging should have a key role in all pediatric radiation safety initiatives.

Tracking of radiation exposure in pediatric stone patients: The time is now.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing incidence of pediatric nephrolithiasis, there is little data quantifying the radiation exposure associated with treatment of this disease. In this study, pediatric patients with nephrolithiasis who were managed at a single institution were identified, and the average fluoroscopy time and estimated radiation exposure associated with their procedures were reported. METHODS: Stone procedures performed on pediatric patients between 2005 and 2012 were retrospectively identified. Procedures were classified as primary ureteroscopy (URS), stent placement prior to ureteroscopy (SURS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and bilateral ureteroscopy (BLURS). Patient demographic information, stone size, stone location, number of radiographic images, and fluoroscopy times were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 152 stone procedures were included in the final analysis (92 URS, 38 SURS, eight BLURS and 14 PCNL). Mean patient age at time of stone treatment was 15.94 ± 4.1 years. Median fluoroscopy times were 1.6 (IQR 0.8-2.4), 2.1 (IQR 1.6-3.0), 2.5 (IQR 2.0-2.9), and 11.7 (IQR 5.0-18.5) minutes for URS, SURS, BLURS and PCNL, respectively. There was a moderate correlation between stone size and fluoroscopy time (r = 0.33). When compared with ureteroscopic procedures, PCNL was associated with a significantly higher fluoroscopy time (11.7 vs 2.1 min, P < 0.001). The estimated median effective dose was 3 mSv for ureteroscopic procedures and 16.8 mSv for PCNL. In addition to radiation exposure during treatment, patients in this cohort were exposed to an average of one (IQR1-3) CT scan and three (IQR 1-8) abdominal X-rays. No new malignancies were identified during the limited follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation exposure during treatment of pediatric stone disease is not trivial, and is significantly greater when PCNL is performed. Given the recommended maximum effective dose of 50 mSv in any one year, urologists should closely monitor the amount of fluoroscopy used, and consider the potential for radiation exposure when choosing the operative approach. Prospective studies are currently underway to elucidate precise dose measurements and localize sites of radiation exposure in children during stone treatment.

Evaluation of adhesion formation using Interceed (TC7) absorbable adhesion barrier on ovarian surgical wounds in the rabbit model.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an Interceed patch would decrease adhesion formation in ovarian surgical wounds healing by second intention in the rabbit model. METHODS: Twenty-five New Zealand White female rabbits underwent midline laparotomy. Using microsurgical technique, each ovary was bivalved longitudinally with a no. 15 blade scalpel, and hemostasis was achieved with bipolar electrocautery. One ovary was then covered with an Interceed patch in a randomized fashion, while the other ovary served as a control. The animals were then allowed to recover routinely. Four weeks later, the rabbits were euthanized and the adhesions were graded by a blinded observer. Adhesion scores between the Interceed-treated ovaries and the control ovaries were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The mean adhesion score of the Interceed-treated ovaries (1.65 +/- 0.87) was not significantly different from the mean adhesion score of the control ovaries (1.5 +/- 1.0) (P = .51). Some degree of atrophy was noted in 14 of the 50 ovaries. The mean adhesion score in the atrophied ovaries was significantly higher than in the nonatrophied ovaries, regardless of whether the ovaries had been treated with Interceed (2.21 versus 1.40; P = .01). There was no difference in the incidence of atrophy between the Interceed-treated and untreated sides. Exclusion of the ovaries with atrophy again demonstrated no difference in the mean adhesion scores between the treated and untreated sides. CONCLUSION: We were not able to demonstrate any benefit from using Interceed to decrease postoperative adhesion formation of ovarian surgical wounds in the rabbit model.

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma with coexistent tuberculous salpingitis: a case report.

A case of primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube with coexistent tuberculosis has been presented, and previously reported cases in the literature reviewed. These cases represent a rare occurrence where the diagnosis might be missed without a thorough pathologic evaluation. Clinicians should maintain an index of suspicion for fallopian tube carcinoma in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women with menometrorrhagia who fail to respond to hormonal therapy and a D and C. The finding of a tuboovarian abscess in a postmenopausal woman should also cause concern for tubal carcinoma, as it is usually a disease of menarcheal women. Similarly, a possibility of granulomatous salpingitis should always be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the fallopian tube.

The Sister (Mary) Joseph nodule: its significance in gynecology.

Twenty-five cases of metastatic carcinoma of the umbilicus in women diagnosed and treated at Emory University Hospitals from 1973 to 1989 were reviewed, as were all previously reported cases in the English language literature. In our series, overall survival was greatest in patients treated with aggressive surgery and chemotherapy, compared with patients receiving no therapy or those treated with either surgery or adjunctive therapy alone. Individual survival was enhanced when the primary tumor site was of ovarian origin.

Adhesion formation after ovarian wound repair in New Zealand white rabbits: a comparison of ovarian microsurgical closure with ovarian nonclosure.

Thirty female New Zealand white rabbits underwent standard laparotomy. Each ovary was bivalved and hemostasis was achieved with bipolar electrocautery. One ovary was then randomized to the closure group, whereas the other ovary was placed in the nonclosure group. In the closure group, the ovarian capsule was closed with a continuous suture of 8-0 Vicryl absorbable surgical suture material with microsurgical technique. In the nonclosure group, the ovaries were left open. Three weeks later the animals were killed and the ovarian adhesions were graded with a standardized scale by an observer (A. A. T.) blinded to the closure status of the animals. Five control animals underwent sham operations with minimal adhesion formation. Statistical analysis of the study animals by the paired Student t test showed a significantly higher adhesion score on the ovaries that were microsurgically closed compared with the ovaries not closed (p = 0.02).

Amniotic membranes in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis complicating vulvar herpes virus infection.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the vulva developed in an immunocompromised patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia, apparently from secondarily infected herpes simplex lesions. In addition to surgical debridements and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy, the wound was treated using specially prepared amniotic membranes as a wound dressing. The patient died on hospital day 65 because of complications of her immunocompromised state, with autopsy findings of disseminated cytomegalovirus. However, use of amniotic membranes as a wound dressing appeared to be beneficial.

Granulosa cell, Sertoli-Leydig cell, and unclassified sex cord-stromal tumors associated with pregnancy: a clinicopathological analysis of thirty-six cases.

Seventeen granulosa cell, thirteen Sertoli-Leydig cell and six unclassified sex cord-stromal tumors diagnosed during pregnancy or the puerperium were reviewed. Eleven patients presented with abdominal pain or swelling, five in shock, two with virilization, and one with vaginal bleeding. Three asymptomatic patients were explored because of a palpable mass and one because of an adnexal mass found on ultrasound examination. In thirteen patients the tumor was discovered during a cesarean section; five of them had had dystocia and in eight of them the tumor was an incidental finding. All the tumors were Stage I but 13 of them had ruptured; all but one were unilateral. Hemoperitoneum was present in seven cases. On microscopical examination many of the tumors differed from tumors in the same diagnostic categories occurring in the absence of pregnancy by having a disorderly arrangement of their cells, lacking recognizable differentiation in many areas, showing prominent edema, and containing unusually large numbers of lutein or Leydig cells. The last two features were most obtrusive in tumors removed at term. With one exception the patients were initially treated by conservative surgical procedures. Two of them received chemotherapy and two radiation therapy postoperatively. A hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy was performed at a second operation in eight cases; no residual tumor was found in any of the specimens. Only one patient had a recurrence, which was treated surgically. Follow-up for an average of 4.7 years is available for 30 of the 36 patients; all of them were alive and free of disease at the time of the last examination.

Endodermal sinus tumor of the vulva in an infant.

An endodermal sinus tumor arising in the vulva of a 22-month-old infant is reported and the features of 3 previously recorded endodermal sinus tumors of the vulva are reviewed. Despite radical surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy the tumor was fatal within 6 months. Only one of the 3 previously described patients with this type of vulvar tumor has survived more than 2 years. That tumor was the smallest reported, being the only one under 2 cm in diameter.

Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with oral contraceptive use and pregnancy.

Numerous undesirable side effects have been attributed to oral contraception, from mild breast discomfort to thromboembolism. The authors present a case report of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with oral contraceptive use and pregnancy and discuss the potentially fatal association of malignant liver tumors with usage of oral contraception.

PIP: The possible association of hepatocellular carcinoma with oral contraceptive (OC) use is supported by the case of a 33-year old black female, gravida 5, para 4. She presented in April 1978 with right upper quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatty food intolerance. The case had been taking norethindrone, 1 mg with mestranol 0.05, for 2 years. There was no history of liver disease, alcohol abuse, or exposure to chemical toxins. The preoperative diagnosis was subacute cholecystitis; however, an unresectable primary liver tumor of both lobes was detected on surgery. OC use was discontinued, and the case refused chemotherapy. On December 1, 1978, she presented with a 9-week pregnancy which was aborted. Physical examination revealed an enlarged liver and mass in the upper right quadrant. The patient was readmitted December 11 with intractable pain and discharged. She died December 28, 1978. At autopsy the liver tumor appeared as a moderate to poorly differentiated hepatoma with irregular hyperchromatic nuclei. There was no evidence of coexistent benign lesions. The rapid progression of the disease following pregnancy suggests that hepatic growth was stimulated by the high estrogen levels of pregnancy. Earlier diagnosis and improved management are required in such cases. Ultrasonography can be used to confirm the presence of a mass, and liver scan or hepatic angiogram may be useful. Liver biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis. Treatment involves discontinuation of OC use and complete excision of the tumor where possible. If tumors have progressed beyond the stage of resectability, as in this case, the prognosis is poor.

Delayed traumatic rupture of the diaphragm in pregnancy.

Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm may result from trauma or from direct penetrating injuries. The rupture is often an occult injury, which can have a symptom-free interval that may last for years. This paper presents the first 2 reported cases of delayed rupture associated with intrauterine pregnancy. A review of clinical signs and symptoms is presented along with typical radiological findings. Mortality in the nonpregnant state approaches 50% and varies directly with the number of organs involved, the presence of strangulation, and the interval of time from rupture to surgical intervention. The authors conclude that all obstetrical patients with a history of penetrating wounds of the chest or upper abdomen require special evaluation and prompt surgical intervention if delayed rupture of the diaphragm is established.

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast in the postpubertal adolescent: a case report.

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is an extremely rare neoplasm in the teenage or pre-teenage child. Routine pediatric physical examination should include careful examination of the breast and all palpable masses should be excised. Carcinoma occurring in the prepubertal child carries an improved prognosis particularly if the tumor stains PAS-positive. Carcinoma occurring in the postpubertal teenager probably carries the same prognosis as that in the adult and should be treated in a similar manner. The authors discuss such a case occurring in a 13-year-old girl.

The stilbestrol child.

PIP: There have been over 100 cases reported of clear cell carcinoma in young girls, most of whose mothers received diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy. Other nonsteroidal synthetic estrogens, such as dienestrol and hexestrol, have also been implicated. Dose and duration of therapy varied widely in the cases. Until these cases of vaginal and cervical clear cell carcinoma are understood, patients who took nonsteroidal synthetic estrogens during pregnancy must be examined thoroughly, stained and biopsied when necessary, and followed carefully with frequent pelvic examinations. In fact, carcinoma of the vagina should be considered as a possibility in every case of irregular vaginal bleeding in young girls; vaginal examination should be performed in order to exclude such a possibility. A follow-up program in the clinic at Emory University is described. The program involves a complete pelvic examination, a Pap smear, an application of Schiller's stain to the vagina and cervix, and routine follow-up treatment at regular intervals.^ieng