Blood flow to the kidney via the gonadal-renal capsular artery

The gonadal artery is an important collateral pathway of blood flow to the kidney. Collateral routes may be from the gonadal artery to the inferior capsular artery (gonadal-renal capsular artery) or to the periureteric arteries. These pathways develop in cases of renal artery stenosis, or when a vascular renal tumor increases the kidneys need for blood. We present five cases in which the gonadal artery served as a source of blood supply to the kidney.     

Chemical Renal Denervation by Vincristine: The Role of the Flow Rate of Delivery

Purpose

Vincristine has been proven promising regarding its safety and efficacy for the renal artery denervation both in experimental models and in humans. The aim of the study was to compare in an experimental model the efficacy of constant versus random flow rate delivery of vincristine on renal sympathetic denervation.

Methods

We used 10 juvenile Landrace swine. After the introduction of a 7F sheath into the femoral artery, a guide wire was advanced into the distal part of the renal artery. Then the first delivery balloon catheter, which delivers vincristine in random flow rate, was advanced at the proximal part of the artery, and the balloon was inflated in order to locally deliver vincristine to the media of the renal artery. The process was repeated in the contralateral renal artery, with the use of the double balloon catheter that delivers vincristine with a constant flow rate. Euthanasia of the animals was performed at 28 days. All sections were processed for histological and immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

The delivery of vincristine with both catheters was successful and uncomplicated. Immunohistochemistry showed that the mean number of intact nerves in all sections was significantly lower in the group of vincristine delivered with constant flow catheter compared to the group that the delivery was performed in a random fashion. (1.48 ± 0.37 vs. 1.70 ± 0.41, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Chemical renal denervation with vincristine by a constant flow rate catheter is more effective compared to the denervation performed by a catheter that delivers vincristine in a random fashion.     

Methods for measuring the renal uptake rate of99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) : a comparative study

A comparative study of the renal uptake rate of^99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) was performed using a phantom study and clinical data from 100 patients (200 kidneys) with a variety of renal diseases. The measurement methods for renal uptake rate studied here include a posterior-view method, a conjugate-view method, and a method using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The renal uptake rates obtained by the posterior-view method significantly (P<0.001) depended on kidney depth correction. With the SPECT method, the cut-off level for delineating the kidney was changed according to the background count ratio using the results of the phantom study. The renal uptake rates obtained by the SPECT method correlated significantly (P<0.001) with those obtained by other methods, and there were no significant differences as compared with those obtained by the conjugate-view method. An analysis of error with the above methods indicated that the error relating to the sensitivity to body thickness was smallest for the SPECT method and greatest for the posterior-view method. In terms of measurement of renal uptake rate only, the conjugate-view method is considered the most useful because it needs no kidney depth correction and requires very little additional effort or examination time.     

Ultrasound of the neonatal urinary tract

Ultrasound (US) is a safe and accurate imaging method in the evaluation of the urinary tract. It should be the first procedure used in the neonate to confirm prenatal diagnosis, in patients with a malformation in another organ system that is known to be associated with kidney anomalies, in patients presenting with a spontaneous pneumothorax, in cases of an abdominal mass, and, in renal failure, asphyxiated babies, septicemia or urinary tract infection, or, prolonged jaundice. In association with the other uroradiological methods, it will lead to the correct diagnosis in most cases.     

右肾包膜动脉化疗栓塞在原发性肝癌介入治疗中的安全性及有效性研究

目的右肾包膜动脉参与原发性肝癌供血发生率低,既往文献报道少。本研究回顾性分析其临床特点及影像学资料,并探究右肾包膜动脉化疗栓塞在原发性肝癌患者中的有效性及安全性。 方法2016年5月至2019年12月,共纳入13例右肾包膜动脉参与原发性肝癌供血病例,观察并分析其影像学资料、右肾包膜动脉造影及参与肿瘤供血特点、化疗栓塞术后并发症以及近期疗效。 结果患者肿瘤大小为2.4～15.6 cm,平均8.0±4.25 cm。所有患者肿瘤均位于Ⅴ、Ⅵ、Ⅶ段中一段或两段,其中,69.2%（9/13）患者肿瘤压迫或紧贴右肾。10例患者仅由肾包膜上动脉供血,2例患者仅由肾包膜中动脉供血,1例患者同时由肾包膜上动脉、中动脉供血,无肾包膜下动脉供血病例。术后1个月及3个月局部控制率分别为92.3%、84.6%。 结论对于肝肿瘤位于右后叶且肿瘤负荷较大时,可常规行右侧膈下动脉及右肾包膜动脉造影,明确是否参与肿瘤供血。右肾包膜动脉化疗栓塞安全有效,近期疗效确切。     

Sonographic evaluation of renal masses: Correlations with angiography

The value of sonography in the diagnosis of renal masses in a series of 119 consecutive histologically confirmed cases is presented. Sonography correctly identified 92% of the cystic and 90% of the solid renal masses. Causes of incorrect diagnoses included lesions smaller than 2 cm, masses in the left upper pole, diffusely infiltrating urothelial tumors, echogenic fatty lesions (early in our experience), and acute abscesses and hematomas. Angiography in the same series of cases correctly diagnosed 80% of the cystic and 88% of the solid renal masses. Avascular lesions were the main cause for equivocal or incorrect angiographic diagnoses. We conclude that sonography is more definitive than angiography in the diagnosis of avascular masses, while angiography excels when the lesion is vascular or small. Combining the sonographic and angiographic findings allowed accurate diagnosis in over 99% of the cases.     

Roentgenographic aspects of subcapsular renal hematomas (author's transl)]

About four cases, the authors exhibit roentgenographic features of subcapsular hematomas. They particularly emphasize the interest of nephrotomography and angiography two provide the typical signs; i.e.: flattening of the lacteral border of the renal parenchyma, absence of acute edges between normal renal outline and flattened portion, and at last, displaced capsular artery and/or renal capsule itself. Between flattening of kidney and capsular artery or capsule, one may individualize a mass of soft tissue density, convex or biconvex, corresponding to the hematomas. Particular attention is required concerning differential diagnosis with renal cyst, and possibility of a small neoplasm, sometimes indetectable at angiography, as a cause of "spontaneous" subcapsular hematoma.     

Cross-sectional imaging of idiopathic solitary renal vein varix: Report of two cases

Two cases of solitary renal vein varices are reported which presented as incidental findings on abdominal computed tomography (CT) and were initially thought to represent retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Contrast-enhanced CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and Doppler ultrasound (US), all demonstrated the vascular nature of these masses suggesting the correct diagnosis. When a rounded soft tissue density mass is seen on noncontrast-enhanced CT either in or contiguous to the renal hilum, a renal vein varix must be excluded. Doppler US, MRI, or dynamic contrast-enhanced CT should be done to exclude a renal varix as the cause.     

Predictors and Outcomes of Postcontrast Acute Kidney Injury after Endovascular Renal Artery Intervention

Purpose

To determine incidence, predictors, and clinical outcomes of postcontrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) following renal artery stent placement for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

Current status of transcatheter management of neoplasms

Transcatheter arterial infusion and arterial embolization are employed in the treatment of various neoplasms. In patients with carcinoma of the colon metastatic to the liver, the hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of floxuridine and Mitomycin^© produced a 55% partial response and a 12% complete response, as well as an improved median survival of 18 months. In metastatic breast carcinoma, a 30% response was achieved. In some cases, proximal embolization of aberrant hepatic arteries was performed to redistribute the hepatic flow to a single vessel to assist infusion of the entire liver using a single catheter. Devascularization by hepatic artery embolization has also been used to treat hepatic neoplasms. Arterial occlusion of renal carcinoma, followed after four to seven days by nephrectomy and hormonal therapy, produced a 36% response rate in 49 patients with distant metastases. In 14 patients with osteosarcoma treated with cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) arterial infusion, a 57% response rate was achieved. Benign bone tumors were treated with arterial occlusion with a 60% response rate. Tumors of the pelvis were managed by bilateral internal iliac artery infusion using CDDP. In 21 patients with recurrent bladder carcinoma, control of pain and hematuria and prolonged survival were achieved.     

Vertebral artery variations and osseous anomaly at the C1-2 level diagnosed by 3D CT angiography in normal subjects

Introduction

The craniovertebral junction is anatomically complicated. Representative vertebral artery (VA) variations include the persistent first intersegmental artery (FIA), fenestration of the VA above and below C1 (FEN), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) from C1/2, and high-riding VA (HRVA). The ponticulus posticus (PP) is a well-known osseous anomaly at C1. Although those anomalies are frequent in patients with cervical deformity, the prevalence of these in subjects with normal cervical spines is still unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the variations and prevalence of vascular and osseous anomalies based on three-dimensional computed tomographic (3D CT) angiography in patients without any cervical diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Klippel-Feil syndrome, or Down syndrome.

Methods

Eligible subjects were patients who underwent 3D CT angiography by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Internal Medicine from January 2009 to October 2013 in our institution. The authors defined a HRVA as a C2 pedicle with a maximum diameter of 4 mm or less.

Results

Among 480 subjects with a mean age of 63.1 years, 387 patients were eligible. One hundred and eighteen subjects were female, and 269 were male. HRVA was observed in 10.1 % of patients (39 out of 387 cases), FIA in 1.8 % (7 cases), FEN in 1.3 % (5 cases), and PICA in 1.3 % (5 cases). PP was observed in 6.2 % of patients (24 cases).

Conclusion

According to past reports, many VA anomalies could be attributed to congenital or acquired conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis). However, VA anomalies appear to exist even in patients without any such cervical diseases.     

Multiple Renal Artery Pseudoaneurysms in Patients Undergoing Renal Artery Embolization Following Partial Nephrectomy: Correlation with RENAL Nephrometry Scores

Purpose

To describe the incidence of multiple renal artery pseudoaneurysms (PSA) in patients referred for renal artery embolization following partial nephrectomy and to study its relationship to RENAL nephrometry scores.

Materials and Methods

The medical records of 25 patients referred for renal artery embolization after partial nephrectomy were retrospectively reviewed for the following parameters: size and number of tumors, RENAL nephrometry scores, angiographic abnormalities, technical and clinical outcomes, and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) after embolization.

Results

Twenty-four patients had primary renal tumors, while 1 patient had a pancreatic tumor invading the kidney. Multiple tumors were resected in 4 patients. Most patients (92 %) were symptomatic, presenting with gross hematuria, flank pain, or both. Angiography revealed PSA with (n = 5) or without (n = 20) AV fistulae. Sixteen patients (64 %) had multiple PSA involving multiple renal vessels. Higher RENAL nephrometry scores were associated with an increasing likelihood of multiple PSA. Multiple vessels were embolized in 14 patients (56 %). Clinical success was achieved after one (n = 22) or two (n = 3) embolization sessions in all patients. Post-embolization eGFR values at different time points after embolization were not significantly different from the post-operative eGFR.

Conclusion

A majority of patients requiring renal artery embolization following partial nephrectomy have multiple pseudoaneurysms, often requiring selective embolization of multiple vessels. Higher RENAL nephrometry score is associated with an increasing likelihood of multiple pseudoaneurysms. We found transarterial embolization to be a safe and effective treatment option with no long-term adverse effect on renal function in all but one patient with a solitary kidney.

     

Traumatic occlusion and dissection of the main renal artery: endovascular treatment

Purpose

To report experience with endovascular treatment of traumatic injuries of the main renal artery.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of traumatic injuries to the main renal artery was performed in three major trauma institutions. Eight patients (age range, 17–46 y; mean age, 27 y) presented with main renal artery occlusion (n = 7) or dissection (n = 1) after major blunt abdominal trauma. Associated injuries were present in the majority of patients. The mean time from injury to intervention was 5 hours (range, 2–8 h).

Results

Recanalization of the occluded renal artery with stent placement was successfully achieved in six patients. In two of the eight patients, interventions resulted in extravasation of contrast medium, and embolization of the main renal artery was performed. At follow-up 2–24 months after injury, four patients had kidney atrophy (two treated with embolization and two with stents), two had proven stent patency with functional kidneys, one was normotensive with unknown stent patency, and one was lost to follow-up. One of the patients with an occluded stent developed severe renal hypertension and required nephrectomy.

Conclusions

The majority of occlusions and dissections of the main renal artery after major blunt abdominal trauma can be successfully treated with recanalization and stent placement. However, long-term kidney salvage is not always achieved, and there is a potential of development of renovascular hypertension, which may require late nephrectomy.     

Targeted Endovascular Temporary Vessel Occlusion with a Reverse Thermosensitive Polymer for Near-Bloodless Partial Nephrectomy: Comparison to Standard Surgical Clamping Techniques

Purpose

To determine whether reversible blood flow interruption to a randomly chosen target region of the kidney may be achieved with the injection of a reverse thermoplastic polymer through an angiographic catheter, thereby facilitating partial nephrectomy without compromising blood flow to the remaining kidney or adding risks beyond those encountered by the use of hilar clamping.

Methods

Fifteen pigs underwent partial nephrectomy after blood flow interruption by vascular cross-clamping or injection of polymer (Lumagel?) into a segmental artery. Five animals were euthanized after surgery (three open and two laparoscopic resection, cross-clamping n?=?2), and 10 (open resection, cross-clamping n?=?4) were euthanized after 6?weeks’ survival. Blood specimens were obtained periodically, and angiogram and necropsy were performed at 6?weeks.

Results

Selective renal ischemia was achieved in all cases. Surgical resection time averaged 9 and 24.5?min in the open and laparoscopic groups, respectively. Estimated blood loss was negligible with the exception of one case where an accessory renal artery was originally overlooked. Reversal of the polymer to a liquid state was consistent angiographically and visually in all cases. Time to complete flow return averaged 7.4 and 2?min for polymer and clamping, respectively. Angiography at 6?weeks revealed no evidence of vascular injury. Laboratory data and necropsies revealed no differences between animals undergoing vascular clamping or polymer injection.

Conclusion

Lumagel was as effective as vascular clamping in producing a near bloodless operative field for partial nephrectomy while maintaining flow to the uninvolved portion of the affected kidney.     

Assisted suicide by fentanyl intoxication due to excessive transdermal application

Herein, we report a case of an assisted suicide committed by application of 34 matrix-based fentanyl-containing transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) with different release rates. The TTS were supplied by the husband but administered by the deceased herself. Besides routine systematic toxicological analysis (STA), the concentrations of fentanyl and norfentanyl were determined in the blood (femoral and heart), urine, stomach content, brain, lung tissue, musculus iliopsoas, liver, kidney, bile and in some of the used TTS by LC-MS/MS. Blood levels of fentanyl were 60.6 μg/L in femoral blood and 94.1 μg/L in heart blood. These concentrations are in good concordance with levels described in cases with accidental or lethal suicidal fentanyl patch application. The organ distribution indicates an influence of post-mortem redistribution. The levels of residual fentanyl in the TTS were also determined. STA furthermore revealed supratherapeutic levels of bromazepam. Thus, the cause of death was a combination of fentanyl and bromazepam intoxication. However, considering the determined levels of fentanyl and norfentanyl in the entire set of specimens and the high toxicity in comparison to bromazepam, fentanyl was the leading toxic noxa.     

Transarterial Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Fed by the Right Renal Capsular Artery

PurposeTo evaluate the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) fed by the right renal capsular artery and to assess the tumor response and complications in patients treated with transarterial therapy via the renal capsular arteries with or without other extrahepatic arteries and/or intrahepatic arteries.Materials and MethodsBetween March 2006 and May 2012, 24 lesions in 19 patients were treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (23 sessions), transcatheter arterial embolization (two sessions), or transcatheter arterial infusion (one session), with HCCs fed by the right renal capsular artery with or without intrahepatic arteries and/or other collateral arteries. Other intrahepatic lesions were concurrently treated if needed.ResultsTumor size ranged from 10 mm to 107 mm (mean, 30.5 mm). Of the 24 tumors, 12 were located in segment VI, 10 in segment VII, one in the posterior segment, and one in the anterior segment after posterior segment resection. Severe complication occurred in four patients: liver abscess (n = 2), pleural effusion (n = 1), and duodenal ulcer (n = 1). Pleural effusion might be related to chemoembolization via the right renal capsular artery. A complete response was obtained in six sessions and a partial response in eight; 10 sessions were associated with stable disease and two with progressive disease.ConclusionsPrecise renal capsular artery knowledge would facilitate successful and safe transarterial therapy for HCCs fed by the renal capsular arteries.     

Small renal carcinoma with large retroperitoneal hemorrhage: Diagnostic considerations

Two cases of small peripheral papillary renal carcinoma causing large spontaneous perirenal hemorrhages are presented. The value and limitations of computerized tomography, ultrasonography, arteriography, and percutaneous aspiration biopsy in these cases are discussed. The need for careful explorative surgery and dissection of the specimen is emphasized. Excretory urography should be the first examination in all patients with renal pain and signs of internal bleeding. Arteriography should be done when the diagnosis is not evident.     

Circumferential perirenal urinoma mimicking nephromegaly on urography

Four cases of circumferential perirenal urinoma in patients with cancer are described. Intravenous urography showed evidence of apparent renal enlargement. In 1 case, opacification of extravasated urine was dense enough to be seen on the urogram, and the diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography (CT). In the other cases, sonography followed by CT diagnosed urinoma, after tumor invasion had been suggested because of the pseudonephromegaly. Ureteral obstruction was demonstrated in all cases, due to retroperitoneal adenopathy in 1 case and to pelvic tumor in the other 3. Sonography or CT is required for the diagnosis of circumferential perirenal urinoma mimicking nephromegaly urographically.     

Autoimmune pancreatitis: multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance (MR) findings in the Italian experience

Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are currently the most frequently performed imaging modalities for the study of pancreatic disease. In cases of suspected autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), a dynamic quadriphasic (precontrast, contrast-enhanced pancreatic, venous and late phases) study is recommended in both techniques. In the diffuse form of autoimmune pancreatitis (DAIP), the pancreatic parenchyma shows diffuse enlargement and appears, during the MDCT and MR contrast-enhanced pancreatic phase, diffusely hypodense and hypointense, respectively, compared to the spleen because of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and pancreatic fibrosis. During the venous phase of MDCT and MR imaging, the parenchyma appears hyperdense and hyperintense, respectively, in comparison to the pancreatic phase. In the delayed phase of both imaging modalities, it shows retention of contrast media. A “capsule-like rim” may be recognised as a peripancreatic MDCT hyperdense and MR hypointense halo in the T2-weighted images, compared to the parenchyma. DAIP must be differentiated from non-necrotizing acute pancreatitis (NNAP) and lymphoma since both diseases show diffuse enlargement of the pancreatic parenchyma. The differential diagnosis is clinically difficult, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MDCT has an important role. In the focal form of autoimmune pancreatitis (FAIP), the parenchyma shows segmental enlargement involving the head, the body-tail or the tail, with the same contrast pattern as the diffuse form on both modalities. FAIP needs to be differentiated from pancreatic adenocarcinoma to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures, since both diseases have similar clinical and imaging presentation. The differential diagnosis is clinically difficult, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MDCT and MR imaging both have an important role. MR cholangiopancreatography helps in the differential diagnosis. Furthermore, MDCT and MR imaging can identify the extrapancreatic manifestations of AIP, most commonly biliary, renal and retroperitoneal. Finally, in all cases of uncertain diagnosis, MDCT and/or MR follow-up after short-term treatment (2–3 weeks) with high-dose steroids can identify a significant reduction in size of the pancreatic parenchyma and, in FAIP, normalisation of the calibre of the upstream main pancreatic duct.