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Objective To evaluate the long-term urinary tract infection (UTI) rates after endoscopic correction of vesicoureteral reflux and the possible risk factors for urinary infection. Materials and Methods A retrospective study of patients who underwent endoscopic management of vesicoureteral reflux at a single institution from 2001 to 2011 was performed. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year. Voiding cystourethrograms were completed 3 months postoperatively. UTI questionnaire pertaining to the patient's UTI history before and after the surgery was mailed to each patient. Data were first evaluated looking only at culture-confirmed UTIs, and a second analysis included all patient-reported and culture-confirmed urinary infections. Factors considered in the analysis included sex, age, preoperative dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan, reflux on postoperative voiding cystourethrogram, voiding dysfunction, and preoperative reflux grade. Results Data on 175 patients for a minimum of 1 year were collected. There were 34 of 175 confirmed UTIs after endoscopic management, and 11 confirmed febrile UTIs. There were no significant predictors of febrile or afebrile UTIs in this group. Fifty-three of 175 patients (30%) experienced any UTI, 19 of which were febrile (10%). In this group, recurrent reflux was the only significant predictor of UTI ( P = .03) and febrile UTIs ( P = .04). Patients with more UTIs preoperatively were more likely to have a postoperative febrile UTI. Conclusion Rates of UTI and febrile UTI in endoscopic management are similar and no better than those for open ureteral reimplantation. Longer follow-up suggests an association of recurrent reflux and preoperative UTI rates as predictors of postoperative febrile UTIs. These patients benefit from closer postoperative observation.

Endoscopic dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Dx/HA) injection by subureteric transurethral injection (STING) or hydrodistention implantation technique (HIT) for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has variable results with HIT reporting better outcomes. We determined outcomes with each technique comparing reflux resolution rates and evaluating predictors of treatment success and failure.Univariate and multivariate analysis compared 163 patients (246 ureters) who underwent a single endoscopic Dx/HA injection from December 2001 to April 2010. Data on pre, peri, and post-operative variables were prospectively collected. Resolution was defined as no reflux on voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) at 3 month follow up. Calculated ellipsoid volume (CEV) of Dx/HA mounds was defined as (4/3π(height/2) × (length/2) × (width/2)) based on post-operative ultrasound dimensions.Ureter resolution was 79.75% and 80.84% for STING and HIT, respectively (p = 0.86). Patient resolution was 70.0% and 74.3% for STING and HIT, respectively (p = 0.57). Multivariate ureter analysis revealed lower pre-operative grade (p = 0.004) and injected Dx/HA volume 0.80-1.00 mL (p = 0.039) as predictors of success. CEV0.20 mL (p = 0.002) and CEV/injected-volume25% (p = 0.006) were predictors of failure. Volcano morphology (p = 0.004) and lower pre-op grade (p = 0.015) were predictors of success for STING and HIT, respectively.We found no differences in ureter or patient resolution between endoscopic Dx/HA injection techniques STING or HIT. Lower pre-operative grade and moderated Dx/HA volume were predictors of success regardless of technique.

Objective In the US, there has been an evolution in the practice of pediatric urology from a primary academic sub-specialty focused on reconstruction of major congenital genitorurinary abnormalities to a mixed academic and private practice that serves as the primary care giver for all pediatric urologic concerns. The estimated manpower needs were unable to be resolved, due to our inability to determine the impact of sub-specialty certification on referral patterns, along with the failure to embrace the use of physician extenders. Here, we review a series of surveys performed in 2006–2010 regarding the sub-specialty of pediatric urology. Materials and Methods The four surveys focused on workforce needs, appraised the financial impact of educational debt on the pediatric urology community, and evaluated concerns of the current fellows in training. Results The median financial income for a pediatric urologist, the resident’s educational debt load, and a desire of the fellows to have an open dialog with the urologic community regarding the merits of the research year are revealed. Conclusion We have identified that the ability to recruit fellows into our field is dependent upon a combination of factors: interest in the field, job availability in relationship to geographic locations, mentoring, concerns regarding financial/familial hardships encountered during a 2-year fellowship, and the lack of increased financial reimbursement for the extra training required.

Objectives To review, prospectively, our experience with endoscopic Deflux injection and evaluate the volume injected, grade, endoscopic appearance after injection, and presence or absence of voiding dysfunction as predictors of success. Subureteral injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux) has become an effective treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Methods A total of 52 patients (50 females and 2 males; 80 ureters) were treated with a single subureteral injection of Deflux. The mean patient age was 7.6 years (range 14 months to 22 years). The presence or absence of voiding dysfunction was evaluated with a preoperative questionnaire and patient history. The volume of Deflux injected in each ureter was recorded. The endoscopic appearance after injection was recorded as “volcano” or “other.” Success was defined as no reflux on postoperative voiding cystourethrography. Results The success rate by grade of reflux in individual ureters was 82%, 84%, 78%, and 73% for grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 vesicoureteral reflux, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the cure rate by grade ( P = 0.76). The overall cure rate by ureter was 80% and by patient was 71%. New contralateral reflux developed in 12.5% of patients. No statistically significant difference was found in the cure rate with respect to the volume injected or the presence or absence of voiding dysfunction. The ureteral cure rate with volcano and alternate morphology was 87% and 53%, respectively ( P = 0.004). Conclusions Mound morphology was the only statistically significant predictor of a successful outcome, with an associated cure rate of 87%. Concomitant voiding dysfunction did not have an adverse effect on the cure rate. In our experience, no statistically significant difference was found in the cure rate for grades 1 through 4 vesicoureteral reflux after a single injection of Deflux.

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor is a rare benign neoplasm of the testicular stroma that accounts for 1-5% of all prepubertal testis tumors [Metcalfe PD, Farivar-Mohseni H, Farhat W, McLorie G, Khoury A, Bagli DJ. Pediatric testicular tumors: contemporary incidence and efficacy of testicular preserving surgery. J Urol 2003;170:2412-2416; Ross JH, Rybicki L, Kay R. Clinical behavior and a contemporary management algorithm for prepubertal testis tumors: a summary of the prepubertal testis tumor registry. J Urol 2002;168:1675-1679]. A prior case series retrospectively identified a cystic testis tumor on prenatal ultrasound images which was subsequently diagnosed as a juvenile granulosa cell tumor [Bryan DE, Cain MP, Casale AJ. Juvenile granulosa-theca cell (sex cord-stromal) tumor of the infant testis. J Urol 2003;169:1497-1498]. We report a case of a prenatally diagnosed testis tumor which was subsequently diagnosed as a juvenile granulosa cell tumor.

The structure of Ru(dppe)(CO)3 was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction [monoclinic crystal system, space group P21/n, a=12.2353(2) A, b=16.0803(3) A, c=14.2451(3) A, β=111.109(1)°, V=2614.62(9) A3, Z=4] and found to be intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal. One electron oxidation of Ru(dppe)(CO)3 using [(η5-C5H5)2Fe][PF6] produced [Ru2(dppe)2(CO)6][PF6]2. The dicationic complex was fully characterized by solution spectroscopic methods and by single crystal X-ray diffraction [trigonal crystal system, space group P3121, a=20.566(2) A, c=13.871(2) A, V=5080.7(8) A3, Z=3] and found to have a dimeric structure with two octahedral units sharing a common apex via a Ru(I)–Ru(I) single bond. One octahedral unit is rotated approximately 45° relative to the other, and the chelating phosphine ligand occupies sites cis and trans to the Ru(I)–Ru(I) bond. All of the carbonyl ligands were found to be terminal. The dimer was fluxional in solution and line-shape analysis of the 31P{1H} and 13C{1H} variable-temperature NMR spectra was used to investigate the exchange mechanism and evaluate the rate constants. The mechanism involved an intramolecular, two-site exchange involving pairwise bridging carbonyls and had activation parameters of 11.8±0.15 kcal mol−1 and −6.7±0.6 eu for ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ respectively. The dimer exhibited similar thermal and photochemical reactivity patterns; disproportionation occurred in CH3CN and halogen atom abstraction occurred in halogenated solvents.

The most serious complications of laparoscopy are attributable to gaining access to the peritoneal cavity. This has traditionally been performed with a closed technique utilizing the Verres needle and subsequently with a 5 to 10 mm trocar. The risks of blind peritoneal access are magnified in pediatric patients due to the smaller abdominal cavity and the closer proximity of the great vessels. Open techniques have been devised for adults but often require a larger incision with an undesirable cosmetic result in pediatric patients. We describe a safe, open technique for laparoscopic access to the pediatric peritoneal cavity.

Isolated abdominal bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare. We report the fourth such case in an asymptomatic 4-year-old girl who initially presented for evaluation of urinary tract infection and new-onset urinary incontinence. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with an adrenal mass. At exploration, the patient wes found to have a mass in the area of the gastroesophageal junction and a normal left adrenal gland. The final pathology confirmed the diagnosis of a bronchogenic cyst. Abdominal bronchogenic cysts, although rare, should be considered in the diagnosis of a retroperitoneal mass.