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Purpose: Renal hemangioma is a rare clinical entity that is difficult to diagnose. In the past it was treated with partial or complete nephrectomy. However, in the age of minimally invasive procedures endoscopy has enabled more accurate diagnosis and management. We reviewed our experience with transurethral ureterorenoscopy using a flexible ureteroscope to determine the feasibility and success of endoscopic treatment of renal hemangioma., Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 15 patients with a mean age of 37.5 years who presented with recurrent lateralized gross hematuria and were diagnosed with renal hemangioma based on transurethral ureterorenoscopy using a flexible ureteroscope. Lesions were treated using a 2 or 3Fr electrocautery probe, or a 200 mu. laser fiber with holmium or neodymium:YAG energy., Results: Followup was 2 to 96 months (mean 20.2). Of the 15 cases 14 were successfully managed by endoscopy. A single patient initially treated with endoscopy in 1988 underwent partial nephrectomy shortly thereafter secondary to continued bleeding. No patient had any complication related to the procedure. All except 1 of the 12 patients on whom followup data were available remain free of any hematuria., Conclusions: When the source of unilateral hematuria is unknown or in doubt, particularly in young patients, the diagnosis of a hemangioma should be considered. Transurethral ureterorenoscopy using a flexible ureteroscope is an excellent method of visualizing the offending lesion and safely treating it using an electrocautery probe or laser fiber.

Purpose: The loin pain-hematuria syndrome is a well recognized but poorly understood clinical condition in which patients have progressive loin pain accompanied by hematuria but they maintain stable renal function. We present 2 cases effectively treated with renal autotransplantation, as well as a review of the literature, and a coherent algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition., Materials and Methods: The medical literature concerning the loin pain-hematuria syndrome was reviewed. In 1994 we performed renal autotransplantation on 2 patients with the loin pain-hematuria syndrome at our institution., Results: Extensive urological evaluation revealed no obvious underlying abnormalities in patients with the loin pain-hematuria syndrome. Theories for the pathogenesis of this condition range from thrombotic phenomena to autoimmune processes. Treatment efforts have been directed primarily towards pain management. Narcotic dependence becomes progressive as the pain becomes debilitating. In extreme cases nephrectomy is performed despite normal renal function. Several invasive methods of nerve block and enervation provide only temporary relief. Renal autotransplantation provided lasting cessation of loin pain in both of our patients with followup of 1.5 and 2.5 years, and this intervention has been shown to provide the most durable pain relief in other series., Conclusions: Renal autotransplantation provides the most durable, nonnarcotic, nephron sparing relief for patients with the loin pain-hematuria syndrome. Further investigation is necessary to elucidate the pathophysiology of this debilitating condition.

Purpose: Since 1982 the Kock ileal reservoir has been the primary form of urinary diversion in patients requiring lower urinary tract reconstruction at our institution. The intussuscepted afferent nipple valve of the Kock ileal reservoir is designed to prevent reflux and protect the upper urinary tract. Problems associated specifically with the afferent antireflux valve have been few. We defined and characterized all complications associated with the Kock pouch antireflux nipple valve., Materials and Methods: From November 1984 through July 1992, 802 patients underwent construction of a continent Kock ileal reservoir. All complications associated with the afferent antireflux valve in this group and their management were identified., Results: Overall, 79 of 802 patients (9.8%) had a total of 84 complications of the afferent antireflux valve (10.4%), including formation of stones on staples securing the afferent nipple valve in 42 cases (5.2%), stenosis of the afferent valve in 35 (4.3%) and prolapse of the valve in 7 (0.9%). A total of 81 patients required surgical intervention to correct the afferent valve complication: 56 (7.0%) were treated endoscopically and 25 (3.1%) required open surgical revision., Conclusions: We report an overall complication rate of 10.4% associated with the afferent antireflux nipple valve in the Kock ileal reservoir. Most complications can be treated endoscopically without difficulty on an outpatient basis with the use of local sedation. With these results, and only a 3% incidence of open surgical correction of all afferent nipple problems, we encourage the continued use of the intussuscepted afferent nipple valve whenever continent urinary diversion is performed.

Between August 1982 and May 1988, 503 patients underwent construction of a continent ileal reservoir (Kock pouch) for cutaneous urinary diversion at our university. Stenosis of the afferent antireflux valve resulted in upper urinary tract obstruction in 11 patients (2%). In addition, 2 patients underwent Kock pouch diversion elsewhere and upon referral to our institution they had afferent valve stenosis. To date 13 patients have been identified with this problem. Hydronephrosis was present in 100% of the functional kidneys in these patients. Radiographs of the Kock pouch were uniformly normal without evidence of reflux or other pathological condition. The most common presenting symptom was flank pain in 7 patients (54%) and the most common presenting sign was creatinine elevation above baseline in 7 (54%). Infections recurred with or without sepsis in 5 patients (38%). Ureteroileal anastomotic strictures were not present in any patient. The interval from creation of the Kock pouch to the diagnosis of stenosis ranged from 2 to 75 months (mean 39). All patients underwent endoscopic evaluation of the Kock pouch confirming stenosis of the afferent antireflux valve, and subsequent mechanical dilation of the stenotic valve. Dilation procedures were repeated in 6 patients (46%), 4 of whom subsequently required open surgical revision of the afferent valve. Of these patients 3 are clinically stable and 1 died of the primary malignancy. The remaining 2 patients are clinically and radiographically stable after multiple dilations. Of the 7 patients (54%) requiring only a single dilation 6 are clinically stable and 1 died of the primary malignancy. Stenosis of the afferent antireflux valve of the Kock pouch, previously unreported to our knowledge, is a rare late complication leading to flank pain, hydronephrosis, recurrent infection and elevation of serum creatinine levels. Approximately 50% of the patients respond to a single dilation of the nipple valve. However, most patients who require repeat dilation will need open surgical revision.

The use of topical agents in the treatment and prophylaxis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is well described. Several physicians have reported the use of these materials in the upper urinary tract for treatment of transitional cell carcinoma. We present our treatment protocol using mitomycin C as topical therapy following endoscopic resection of superficial urothelial tumors of the renal pelvis or ureter. A total of 7 patients was treated during the last 4 years. No systemic side effects due to perfusion with mitomycin C occurred. We believe that our treatment method provides a safe means of delivering topical agents to the upper urinary tract and suggest its use when such treatment is believed to be necessary.

The Northgate SD-3 is a bathless, portable shock wave lithotriptor made in the United States. It uses ultrasound localization and spark-gap, electrode-generated shock waves to fragment calculi in the upper urinary tract. Since October 1987, 312 treatments have been performed on 281 patients (286 kidneys) with stone burdens less than 2 cm. during clinical trials at 6 investigational sites in the United States. A fragmentation rate of 94% was achieved. Of the treatments 78% were judged successful (stone-free or fragments of less than 5 mm. remaining in an asymptomatic patient) and a 3-month stone-free rate of 58% was noted. The retreatment rate was 9% and the ancillary procedure rate was 5%. The complications (hematuria, ecchymosis, pain, obstruction) were mild and not unlike those seen in patients undergoing lithotripsy with other devices.

The long-term effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) on children treated for renal calculi are unclear. To study the long-term bio-effects of this mode of treatment on the immature animal we evaluated 30 New Zealand white rabbits at 7 weeks of age for weight, serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, and arterial blood pressure after which they underwent left nephrectomy. Each group of 5 rabbits received ESWL of varying levels (500 to 3,000 shock waves) to the remaining right kidney using the Northgate SD3 lithotriptor (spark gap mediated). One control group received no shock waves. At maturity (16 weeks) the aforementioned parameters were measured again, and the kidneys and any grossly abnormal adjacent organs were examined. We found no significant change in total animal growth, renal growth, renal function or perirenal organs in the post-ESWL groups versus the control group. All post-ESWL groups had an increase in mean arterial blood pressure versus the control group with 3 of 6 groups showing significant increases (p less than 0.05). Histological renal changes, seen at all energy levels of ESWL delivered, included interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, glomeruli destruction, capsular thickening, perivascular fibrosis and mild arteriole wall thickening. Changes were proportional to the number of shocks received. We conclude that ESWL delivered to immature animals does not significantly affect renal growth and function but it can cause significant permanent histological renal changes even at low doses and may result in an increase in adult mean arterial blood pressure.

Urinary tract stone disease has been found to be a later complication associated with the construction of the Kock pouch continent urinary diversion. Of 383 patients who underwent Kock pouch diversion between August 1982 and December 1986 stones developed in the pouch in 64 (16.7%), usually on exposed staples or eroded Marlex used to construct the nipple valves. Stones have recurred in 13 of the 64 patients (22%). Most stones were removed endoscopically with techniques similar to those used for percutaneous stone removal. Risk factors for stone formation include Marlex collar erosion and acute pyelonephritis. Changes in surgical techniques with elimination of the Marlex collar and a reduction in the number of staples have reduced the incidence of this later complication to 10%.

Microscopic chromocystoscopy is a new in vivo procedure that we have developed to aid in the detection and treatment of bladder tumors. Intravesical ionic dye chromocystoscopy was introduced by our group to permit cystoscopic viewing with ordinary light of selectively stained malignant urothelial surfaces by the cationic dye, methylene blue. With the recent availability of the Hamou hysteroscope, a microscopic endoscope, we have combined intravesical ionic dye chromocystoscopy with microscopic cystoscopy to give in vivo urothelial surface histology, with resolution of cytological detail. We herein describe our new method and preliminary results with this procedure, which we have designated in vivo urothelial surface histology by microscopic chromocystoscopy.

Transurethral ultrasonic fragmentation of stones allows successful endoscopic removal of upper urinary calculi that otherwise would be considered too large to extract. We successfully extracted endoscopically 2 large renal pelvic and 5 large ureteral stones using transurethral ureteropyeloscopy and ultrasonic lithotripsy. The stone is visualized first with the ureteropyeloscope, and then engaged in a basket and either fragmented or disintegrated with the ultrasonic transducer. Any remaining small stone fragments can be retrieved with a stone basket or forceps. There has been little morbidity with this procedure and patients can return to normal activity after discharge from the hospital.

Balloon dilation catheters have been used extensively for percutaneous transluminal dilation of vascular narrowings. A recent urological application has been the use of a balloon to dilate acutely the normal ureteral orifice and intramural ureter for the purpose of performing transurethral ureteroscopy. Complications of balloon dilation may result if over inflation and bursting of the balloon occur followed by ureteral injury. We report the pressure needed to dilate the ureter adequately in 122 patients during an 18-month period. Adequate dilation was achieved in 93 patients (78 per cent) at pressures of 8 atmospheres or less, while 27 (22 per cent) required more than 10 atmospheres of pressure. Balloon dilation was not satisfactory in 2 patients (2 per cent) but it was accomplished by metal bougies. Our results confirm the safety and efficiency of balloon dilation to facilitate ureteroscopy. Important safeguards when using this method include the use of balloons designed specifically for ureteral dilation, slow balloon inflation to allow for ureteral accommodation and the use of fluoroscopy to judge the end point of dilation.

The treatment of proximal ureteral calculi has been altered markedly by recent developments in shock wave lithotripsy (bypass, pushback and in situ), ureterorenoscopy and percutaneous stone removal. In an effort to discern the proper role of these newer treatment options with respect to ureterolithotomy (flank approach or dorsal lumbotomy), we completed a multicentered study in which 142 upper ureteral stone patients in 7 different treatment categories were reviewed retrospectively and contacted for convalescence data. From these data we conclude that before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy an upper ureteral stone should be manipulated until it is either pushed back to the kidney or bypassed with a stent. This maneuver should result in successful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in more than 90 per cent of the patients. For those few patients with an impacted upper ureteral calculus ureterorenoscopy is recommended. Given the presently available treatment modalities we conclude that less than 3 per cent of all upper ureteral calculi will require ureterolithotomy. In this last circumstance a dorsal lumbotomy incision appears to be less morbid and yet as effective as anterior ureterolithotomy.

The development of rigid and flexible ureteropyeloscopes has provided the means for direct visualization of the upper urinary collecting system. Each instrument has its own advantages and disadvantages. The combined use of these instruments extends the range of endoscopy throughout the intrarenal collecting system, permits irrigation and provides a working channel.

Intraoperative ultrasonic guidance is a useful method to locate and to remove small renal stones broken from a larger stone during extraction, stones and calices proximal to a narrowed infundibulum and parenchymal calculi that should be removed during other procedures on the kidney.

Flexible ureteropyeloscopy was performed on 59 patients with 2.7, 3.2 or 3.6 mm. endoscopes with a deflectable tip. Techniques for use of these flexible endoscopes are discussed in detail. The endoscope could be passed into the ureter in 58 patients and into the kidney in 52 (88 per cent). The entire collecting system was visualized in 23 of the most recent 29 patients (79 per cent). A diagnosis was achieved in all 23 patients with an intrarenal filling defect demonstrated radiographically. The source of gross hematuria alone could be defined in 9 of 17 patients. Surveillance for tumor was achieved in 5 of 5 patients and for residual calculus in 4 of 4. The endoscope was used to establish continuity successfully in 3 patients with an obstructed ureteropelvic junction. An instrument with a deflectable tip and some technique for irrigation are essential for intrarenal inspection and complete visualization of the ureter. This procedure is valuable in selected patients and it rapidly may become the technique of choice for the diagnosis of intrarenal filling defects. It also is of value in patients with benign, essential hematuria.