The Cystoscope Sheath as a Platform for Performing Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery in a Transplanted Kidney with Complex Renal Anatomy.

BACKGROUND: Endourology is a widely used means by which to manage urolithiasis. Patient anatomy can oftentimes limit what can be accomplished with current technology. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a case of a patient with renal and ureteral stones within a transplant kidney. Her anatomy would not allow for a standard retrograde ureteroscopic approach. We describe a method by which to overcome this difficult scenario by using a rigid cystoscope as a platform by which a ureteroscope was passed to allow for stone removal. CONCLUSION: For this difficult case, we effectively used our instruments to achieve our goal of retrograde ureteroscopy in a transplant kidney with an unfavorably angulated ureter.

Utility of Prostate Cancer Screening in Kidney Transplant Candidates.

Screening recommendations for prostate cancer remain controversial, and no specific guidelines exist for screening in renal transplant candidates. To examine whether the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening in patients with ESRD affects time to transplantation and transplant outcomes, we retrospectively analyzed 3782 male patients ≥18 years of age undergoing primary renal transplant evaluation during a 10-year period. Patients were grouped by age per American Urological Association screening guidelines: group 1, patients <55 years; group 2, patients 55-69 years; and group 3, patients >69 years. A positive screening test result was defined as a PSA level >4 ng/ml. We used univariate analysis and Cox proportional hazards models to identify the independent effect of screening on transplant waiting times, patient survival, and graft survival. Screening was performed in 63.6% of candidates, and 1198 candidates (31.7%) received kidney transplants. PSA screening was not associated with improved patient survival after transplantation (P=0.24). However, it did increase the time to listing and transplantation for candidates in groups 1 and 2 who had a positive screening result (P<0.05). Furthermore, compared with candidates who were not screened, PSA-screened candidates had a reduced likelihood of receiving a transplant regardless of the screening outcome (P<0.001). These data strongly suggest that PSA screening for prostate cancer may be more harmful than protective in renal transplant candidates because it does not appear to confer a survival benefit to these candidates and may delay listing and decrease transplantation rates.

Elective versus routine postoperative clinic appointments after circumcisions performed under local anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a model of elective postoperative clinic appointments after a minor urological procedure and to compare it to the traditional practice of routine appointments. METHODS: A total of 104 consecutive patients undergoing adult circumcision under local anesthesia were divided into 2 groups; group A (n = 45) received routine postoperative clinic appointments and group B (n = 59) were given the option to make an appointment on an as-needed basis. Both groups received detailed postoperative instructions on the early signs of symptoms of potential adverse events. The 2 groups were compared regarding demographics, clinical profile, postoperative recovery, and outcome. RESULTS: Group A patients ("routine appointments") were younger (51 vs 60 years, P <.0001) and included fewer African Americans (57.8% vs 78.0%, P <.03) compared to group B patients ("elective appointments"). Postoperative clinic appointments were categorized as unnecessary in 84.4% (38/45) and 71.1% (42/59) of the patients in groups A and B, respectively. Of the remaining 17 patients in group B who elected to make an appointment, only 1 patient (1.7%) had a true procedure-related issue that justified the visit and required management. Overall, there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups with regard to the number of patients with perceived postoperative issues (P = .36). CONCLUSION: The traditional practice of routine clinic appointments after uncomplicated adult circumcision is medically unnecessary and provides little value in the majority of cases. The practice of open access elective postoperative evaluation based on clearly defined clinical criteria is efficacious, safe, convenient, and enhances resource utilization.

Goodpasture's Syndrome and Silica: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We report a case of Goodpasture's syndrome following chronic low level and an acute, high level of exposure to crystalline silica. A 38-year-old male tilesetter was admitted to the emergency room with dyspnea and respiratory failure. He reported that his symptoms had developed over the previous week after inhaling a large amount of dust while dry-sanding and sweeping a silica-based product used to fill cracks in a cement floor. Over the following days, his pulmonary function declined and he developed acute renal failure. Tests of antiglomerular basement membrane antibody were positive and renal biopsy revealed global glomerulonephritis. He was diagnosed with Goodpasture's syndrome and treated with steroids, plasmapheresis, and hemodialysis. This man had a history of childhood asthma and a remote, one pack-year history of cigarette use. He used the flooring product for seven years prior to the inciting event, however, previous jobs had utilized significantly smaller amounts. Goodpasture's syndrome and other autoimmune diseases have been reported in association with silica exposure. The acute onset following high level silica exposure in this previously healthy man, suggest that clinicians should investigate silica exposure as a causal factor in cases of Goodpasture's syndrome.