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Purpose: Laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (LLDN) is the gold-standard procedure for kidney procurement. Ipsilateral orchialgia has barely been described. Some authors reported that ligation of gonadal vein (GV) above iliac vessel bifurcation could prevent orchialgia. We aimed to assess incidence and duration of orchialgia after LLDN in male donors despite distal ligation of GV. Methods: Patients who underwent LLDN from 2014 to 2017 were included. Standard procedure consisted in distal ligation of GV, close to the renal vein confluence and proximal ureteral ligation. Patients' demographics, per-operative data, and post-operative consultation reports were retrospectively reviewed. Orchialgia and scrotal symptoms were assessed through a non-validated questionnaire by phone interview. Results: Sixty-nine donors were included. Orchialgia incidence and testicular swelling were 31.9% (n = 22) and 15.9% (n = 11), respectively. Median symptom duration was 15.5 months. Orchialgia led to medical consultation in 41.7% (n = 10) of cases. All patients declared having been informed, prior to donation, about possible residual pain but not specifically orchialgia. Conclusion: Orchialgia after LLDN affects more than 30% of donors, despite distal ligation of GV and led less than 50% of them to medical consultation, suggesting a large underestimation in clinical practice. Emphasis should be put on this complication during pre-donation information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate and compare pathological characteristics of renal cysts Bosniak IIF, III and IV in light of recent histological classification.Patients and methods: The French research network for kidney cancer UroCCR conducted a multicentre study on patients treated surgically for a renal cyst between 2007 and 2016. Independent radiological and centralized pathological reviews were performed for every patient. Pathological characteristics were compared to the Bosniak classification.Results: Of a total 216 patients included, 175 (81.0%) tumours (90.9% of Bosniak IV, 69.8% of Bosniak III) were malignant or had a low malignant potential, with 60% of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), 24% of papillary RCC (PRCC) and 6.9% of multilocular cystic renal tumour of low malignant potential (MCRTLMP). Malignancies were mostly of low pT stage (86.4% of pT1-2), and low ISUP grade (68.0% of 1-2). Bosniak III cysts had a lower rate of CCRCC (46.7 vs. 67.3%), higher rate of PRCC (30 vs. 20.9%) and MCRTLMP (18.3 vs. 0.9%) compared to Bosniak IV (p < 0.001). Low-malignant potential lesions were less likely Bosniak IV and pT3-4 stage was more frequent in Bosniak IV vs. III (15.7 vs. 3.5%; p = 0.04). There were two recurrences (1.1%) and no cancer-related death occurred during follow-up.Conclusion: These results confirmed that cystic renal malignancies have excellent prognosis. Bosniak III cysts had a low malignant potential, which suggests surveillance could be an option for these lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prognoses for intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa) remain heterogeneous. Improved substratification could optimize treatment and monitoring strategies. The objective was to validate this subclassification in a radical prostatectomy (RP) series. Methods: Between 2000 and 2011, 4038 patients who underwent RP for intermediate-risk PCa in seven French academic centers were included. Unfavorable intermediate-risk (UIR) PCa was defined as having a primary Gleason score of 4, ≥50% positive biopsy cores (PPBC), or more than one D'Amico intermediate-risk factor (i.e., cT2b, PSA 10-20, or Gleason score 7). Remaining PCa cases were classified as favorable. Main endpoints were pathologic results (pT stage, final Gleason score, surgical margin status), and oncologic outcomes were assessed according to PSA recurrence-free survival (PSA-RFS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Median follow-up was 48 months (95% CI = [45-49]). Patients with UIR had worse PSA-RFS (68.17 vs. 81.98% at 4 years, HR = 1.97, 95% CI = [1.71; 2.27], p < 0.0001) compared to those with a favorable disease. The need for adjuvant therapy was significantly greater for UIR patients (43.5 vs. 29.2%, p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, primary Gleason score of 4 (HR = 1.81, 95% CI = [1.55; 2.12], p < 0.0001) and PPBC ≥ 50% (HR = 1.26, 95% CI = [1.02; 1.56], p = 0.0286) were significant preoperative predictors for worse PSA-RFS. Conclusions: This study highlights the heterogeneity of NCCN intermediate-risk patients and validates (in a large RP cohort) the previously proposed subclassification for this group. This classification can significantly predict both pathologic and oncologic outcomes. This easy-to-use stratification could help physicians' decision making. Prospective study and new tools as genomic tests and novel molecular-based approaches can improve this stratification in the future for patient counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare partial nephrectomy (PN) and percutaneous ablative therapy (AT) for renal tumor in imperative indication of nephron-sparing technique (NST). Materials and methods: Between 2000 and 2015, 284 consecutive patients with a kidney tumor in an imperative indication of NST were retrospectively included in a multicenter study. PN [open ( n = 146), laparoscopic ( n = 9), or robotic approach ( n = 17)] and AT [radiofrequency ablation ( n = 104) or cryoablation ( n = 8)] were performed for solitary kidney ( n = 146), bilateral tumor ( n = 78), or chronic kidney disease (CKD) ( n = 60). Results: Patients in the PN group had larger tumors and a higher RENAL score. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to age, reasons for imperative indication, and preoperative eGFR. Patients in the AT group had a higher ASA and CCI. PN had worse outcomes than AT in terms of transfusion rate, length of stay, and complication rate. Local radiological recurrence-free survival was better for PN, but metastatic recurrence was similar. Percentage of eGFR decrease was similar in the two groups. Temporary or permanent dialysis was not significantly different. On multivariate analysis, PN and AT had a similar eGFR change when adjusted for tumor complexity, reason of imperative indication and CCI. Conclusion: In imperative indication of nephron-sparing treatment for a kidney tumor, either PN or AT can be proposed. PN offers the ability to manage larger and more complex tumors while providing a better local control and a similar renal function loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Screening of living kidney donors may require scintigraphy to split glomerular filtration rate (GFR). To determine the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) to split GFR, we compared scintigraphy-split GFR to CT-split GFR. We evaluated CT-split GFR as a screening test to detect scintigraphy-split GFR lower than 40 mL/min/1.73 m2/kidney.Methods: This was a monocentric retrospective study on 346 potential living donors who had GFR measurement, renal scintigraphy, and CT. We predicted GFR for each kidney by splitting GFR using the following formula: Volume-split GFR for a given kidney = measured GFR*[volume of this kidney/(volume of this kidney + volume of the opposite kidney)]. The same formula was used for length-split GFR. We compared length- and volume-split GFR to scintigraphy-split GFR at donation and with a 4-year follow-up.Results: A better correlation was observed between length-split GFR and scintigraphy-split GFR (r = 0.92) than between volume-split GFR and scintigraphy-split GFR (r = 0.89). A length-split GFR threshold of 45 mL/min/1.73 m2/kidney had a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 75 % to detect scintigraphy-split GFR less than 40 mL/min/1.73 m2/kidney. Both techniques with their respective thresholds detected living donors with similar eGFR evolution during follow-up.Conclusion: Length-split GFR can be used to detect patients requiring scintigraphy.Key Points: • Excellent correlation between kidney length and scintigraphy predicted GFR • Kidney length screening detects all donors with GFR lower than 40 mL/min/1.73 m 2 • Kidney length screening can replace scintigraphy screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite benefits in functional renal outcome and favorable oncological efficacy, previous studies show marked underuse of partial nephrectomy (PN). We investigated national utilization of partial and radical nephrectomy (RN) using a contemporary, prospective population-based cohort. Methods: Between June and December 2010, 1,237 patients were treated by PN or RN for renal cell carcinoma in 56 French centers. Data were prospectively collected, and statistical analyses were performed. Results: Overall, 667 (53.9 %) and 570 patients (46.1 %) underwent RN and PN, respectively. In case of PN, surgical approach was an open PN in 63.3 % of cases, a laparoscopic PN in 21.0 % of cases and a robot-assisted PN in 15.7 % of cases. PN was used in T1a, T1b, T2 and T3 tumors in 395 (76.7 %), 131 (38.2 %), 29 (14.7 %) and 7 (4.6 %), respectively. Median ischemia time was 16 min [0-60], and mean blood loss was 280.4 ml (±339.9). Tumor characteristics and operative features were significantly different according to the surgical approach. Warm ischemia time was significantly higher in case of laparoscopic or robot-assisted procedure ( p < 0.001). There was no statistical significant difference in blood loss and transfusion rate according to surgical approach. Postoperative medical and surgical complications occurred in 8.2 and 10.0 % of PN, respectively, with no significant difference according to surgical approach. Conclusions: Partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma is commonly used in this French centers sample. Mini-invasive approaches represent also a significant part of all partial nephrectomies with no difference in terms of complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the outcome after nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) of patients with small renal masses (SRMs) who would have been eligible for active surveillance (AS). Methods: Data were collected retrospectively for 758 patients who underwent NSS over a 5-year period. Outcomes were assessed in two groups of patients who were eligible for AS according to different criteria. Group 1 criteria were as follows: age >75 years, renal mass ≤4 cm, significant comorbidities [Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) >2]. Group 2 criteria were as follows: any SRM ≤ 4 cm regardless of age, severe comorbidities with a 10-year mortality risk >50 % (CCI > 4). The two groups were not compared statistically because some patients were included in both. Results: Fifty-five patients (7.3 %) were included in Group 1 and 62 (8.2 %) in Group 2. There was a significant proportion of benign tumours in Group 1 ( N = 6; 11 %) and Group 2 ( N = 6; 10 %). Six (11 %) positive margins were observed in Group 1 and 8 (13 %) in Group 2. The 2- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 100 and 77.4 %, respectively, in Group 1, and 88.5 and 79.6 % in Group 2. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates were 100 and 74.7 % in Group 1, and 96.7 and 78.1 % in Group 2. Conclusions: The majority of patients with SRMs who would have been eligible for AS had no recurrence after initial tumour removal. In these patients, a CCI > 4 appeared to be a pertinent criterion to identify those patients less likely to benefit from immediate surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Adrenal tumours are a heterogeneous group of rare tumours. The aim of this article was to critically review gender-specific differences in the incidence, prognosis and symptoms of the different subtypes of adrenal tumours. Methods: Data acquisition regarding gender differences in adrenal tumours was performed using MEDLINE searches with combinations of the following keywords: adrenal tumours, gender, sex differences, adrenocortical carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, incidentaloma, risk factors and genetic aspects. Results: Data are scarce in the literature concerning the effects of gender on adrenal lesions. Although the incidence of most types of tumours (other than breast cancer and other gender-related tumours) is higher in men than in women, evidence suggests that adrenal tumours (i.e. incidentalomas, adrenal carcinomas, oncocytomas and adrenal cysts) are more frequent in women than in men. In addition, female patients have significantly increased numbers of self-reported signs and symptoms of pheochromocytoma than male patients, irrespective of biochemical phenotype and tumour presentation. Relatively little research has been performed examining the reasons for these disparities. However, hormonal interactions involving complex adrenal, endocrine and neurocrine functions together with variations in hormonal receptor sensitivity have been hypothesised to be involved. Conclusion: Gender differences exist in the incidence and symptoms of several subtypes of adrenal tumours. The reasons for these disparities are not well established. In addition to epidemiological data, these results need to be further investigated to better understand the role of genetic and hormonal predispositions in the development, behaviour and aggressiveness of adrenal tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the early detection of residual tumour after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal tumours.Methods: Patients referred to our institution for RFA of renal tumours prospectively underwent CEUS and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before, within 1 day and 6 weeks after treatment. Identification of residual tumour was assessed by three blinded radiologists. Reference standard was CT/MRI performed at least 1 year after RFA.Results: A total of 66 renal tumours in 43 patients (median age 62 years; range 44-71.5) were studied. Inter-reader agreement (kappa value) was 0.84 for CEUS. Prevalence of residual disease was 19%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), respectively, were as follows: 64% [confidence interval (CI) 39-84], 98% [CI 91-100], 82% [CI 52-95] and 92% [CI 83-97] on 24-h CEUS; 79% [CI 52-92], 100% [CI 94-100], 100% [CI 74-100] and 95% [CI 87-100] on 6-week CEUS; 79% [CI 52-92], 95% [CI 86-98], 79% [CI 52-92] and 95% [CI 86-98] on 24-h CT/MRI; and 100% [CI 72-100], 98% [CI 90-100], 91% [CI 62-98] and 100% [CI 93-100] on 6-week CT/MRI.Conclusion: CEUS has high specificity for the early diagnosis of residual tumour after renal RFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of contrast imaging was introduced to ultrasound almost 30 years ago. The development of ultrasound contrast agents (USCAs), initially slowed by technical limitations, has become more dynamic during the past decade. The ideal USCA should be non-toxic, injectable intravenously, capable of crossing the pulmonary capillary bed after a peripheral injection, and stable enough to achieve enhancement for the duration of the examination. While satisfying cost-benefit requirements, it should provide not only Doppler but also gray-scale enhancement. Already, Doppler examinations are improved by using USCAs when studying deep and small vessels, vessels with low or slow flow, or vessels with a non-optimal insonation angle. Ultrasound contrast agents also enhance detection of flow within abnormal vessels, including tumor vascularization and stenotic vessels, and provide better delineation of ischemic areas. Research is focusing on the development of specific contrast imaging sequences that allow detection of tissue enhancement similar to that obtained with CT or MRI. These sequences take advantage of the nonlinear behavior of the microbubbles within the ultrasound field, bringing real-time perfusion imaging for liver, kidney, and the myocardium into reach. New objectives include targeted agents that could further widen USCA applications to specific delivery of active drugs such as anticoagulants or cytotoxic compounds. The combination of new generations of USCAs and new ultrasound image sequences appears to be very promising and currently represents a significant part of ultrasound research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystine urolithiasis is the only clinical expression of cystinuria, an autosomal recessive genetic defect of the transepithelial transport of cystine and other dibasic amino acids in the kidney. Stones form due to the increased excretion of cystine, which is poorly soluble at normal urine pH. Cystine stones are often resistent to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, so that percutaneous surgery or ureteroscopy are the preferred techniques of stone extraction. Medical preventative treatment is based on high diuresis (>1.5 1/m² per day) well distributed throughout the day and night, and urine alkalinization up to pH 7.5 by means of sodium bicarbonate and/or potassium citrate. When these basal measures are ineffective at preventing stone recurrence or dissolving pre-existing stones, sulfhydryl agents such as D-penicillamine or tiopronin, which form highly soluble mixed disulfides with cystine moieties, are to be added to urine dilution and alkalinization, especially when cystine excretion is in excess of 750 mg/day (3 mmol/day). Frequent clinical and ultrasound follow-up is needed to encourage patient compliance and assess efficacy and tolerance of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]