MRI detection of atrophic kidney in a hypertensive child with a single kidney

The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the work-up of secondary causes of pediatric hypertension is typically restricted to that of renovascular causes where main renal artery stenosis is suspected. We report a case of a 10-year-old female child with hypertension, who was thought to have unilateral renal agenesis, because only a solitary left kidney could be visualized on both ultrasound and renal scintigraphy. Our patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging because of suspected renal artery stenosis in her solitary left kidney. At MRI she was found to have a normal left kidney. However, a very tiny, atrophic right kidney was also visualized. A laparoscopic right nephrectomy was performed, which resulted in complete resolution of her hypertension. This case illustrates a possible additional role for MRI in a very small subset of pediatric hypertensive patients: those with a single kidney on ultrasound.     

Bilateral cancer of the kidney and cancer of a solitary kidney

The analysis of a series of 31 cases of bilateral renal cancers and cancers of solitary kidneys revealed the following findings: 1) conservative in situ surgery with clamping of the renal pedicle and dopamine, when it is possible, appears to be by far the most logical and simplest solution (17 cases); 2) ex-vivo surgery with auto-grafting represents an extreme solution (2 cases); 3) cases of technical impossibility, in the absence of distant metastases, require radical nephrectomy followed by dialysis (3 cases); 4) in advanced forms, surgical abstention followed by hormone therapy (8 cases) or highly selective embolisation (1 case) sometimes provides surprising survivals.     

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in a kidney transplant population

AIM: To define specific manifestations of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in kidney transplant patients. METHODS: Of 874 consecutive first renal transplant patients 1985-1993, 114 (13%) had autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Mean age was 53 +/- 8 years, 62% were men, and 83% received cadaveric kidneys. Control patients were matched for sex, age and donor type. Median follow-up time was 63 months. One patient was lost to follow-up. Medical records before and after transplantation were reviewed. RESULTS: Survival of patients and grafts was similar in ADPKD patients and controls. Twenty- five ADPKD patients died, four of causes not seen in the controls; two aortic aneurysms, one urothelial cancer, one colon perforation. Four more ADPKD patients but no control had diverticulitis (P = 0.03), two with perforation. Cardiovascular morbidity was not increased. Eight patients had subarachnoidal haemorrhage before transplantation and two during follow-up. Nineteen patients had undergone nephrectomy before transplantation, 11 because of voluminous kidneys, five for infection, pain or bleeding, two for suspected malignancy, one for hypertension. After transplantation, seven patients underwent nephrectomy, only one related to kidney size. During the first year, need of phlebotomy occurred in 14% of patients versus 4% of controls, P = 0.02. Urinary tract infection rates were not increased. No morbidity was related to liver cysts. CONCLUSION: The specific features of kidney transplantation to patients with ADPKD were few: enlarged kidneys, relevant only before transplantation, erythrocytosis, and as rare but serious events, diverticulitis with perforation.      

Nephroid metaplasia of a graft kidney

BACKGROUND: Nephroid metaplasia is a benign and rare lesion that is confined to the lamina propria of the urinary tract. The leading cause of these lesions is previous trauma to the urothelium. METHOD: We report a case of nephroid metaplasia of a graft kidney from a living-unrelated donor. This patient presented to our clinics due to painless gross hematuria 1 month after renal transplantation. RESULT: Although malignancy was suspected in the beginning due to a filling defect demonstrated by urography, only percutaneous excision of the tumor was performed to preserve the renal function. However, the pathological result disclosed nephroid metaplasia. CONCLUSION: Hematuria warrant aggressive evaluation because underlying malignancy in a immunocompromised patient might be relatively progressive.     

Traumatic rupture of a horseshoe kidney

One-third to one-half of all patients with horseshoe kidney are asymptomatic and the condition is found incidentally. This congenital renal anomaly has shown as a predisponent condition for renal injury in blunt abdominal trauma, but often the degree of injury has a nonoperative therapy. Horseshoe kidney rupture is an exceptional pathology that require a complete diagnostic study to make an adequate management when surgical therapy is indicated. We present a fifteen-year-old male with previously unsuspected horseshoe kidney that suffered an atypical right upper-pole and mesorrenal kidney rupture after low-velocity-impact blunt abdominal trauma. A correct presurgical diagnose let a deferred surgical approach with right lower pole and horseshoe renal isthmus preservation. The trauma conditions, an excesive clinic manifestation, a clinical investigation about known congenital simultaneous anomallies and typical radiological signs, can suggest this infrequent patology. Computed tomography provides the best radiological information.     

Super-selective embolization of a kidney angioma

Superselective embolization of a centrally situated renal arteriovenous angioma in a 68-year-old woman is reported. The cardinal symptom was a recurrent painless gross hematuria, which disappeared after treatment. The embolization technique and the results of a 7-month follow-up examination are described.     

Percutaneous reanastomosis of a transplanted kidney

A case of a successful percutaneous reanastomosis of a transplanted kidney is reported. The kidney had already been operated on several times. The kidney-ureter anastomosis was occluded. Using a combination of ureteroscopy and the percutaneous technique, the old anastomosis was bypassed and a new one was made.     

Crossed ectopia of a solitary kidney

Crossed ectopia of a solitary kidney, a rare congenital anomaly, was accidentally disclosed in connection with a gynaecological emergency. The patient had no symptoms from the urinary tract. The condition is discussed and the importance of its recognition is pointed out.     

Laparoscopic heminephrectomy of a horseshoe kidney

Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized surgery for urologic disorders, and laparoscopic procedures have become widely available for several different ablative and reconstructive operations. Laparoscopic heminephrectomy in patients with horseshoe kidney can be a technically challenging procedure due to aberrant vessels, functional parenchyma in the isthmus, and abnormal location. We report the management of a case of symptomatic nonfunctioning left moiety of a horseshoe kidney with emphasis on its surgical technique combined with a review of the literature. Laparoscopic heminephrectomy is a feasible option in the surgical management of benign and malignant conditions of the horseshoe kidney and can be performed safely using a transperitoneal or a retroperitoneal approach.     

Lipoblastoma of kidney in a child

This report describes a very rare case of lipoblastoma of a kidney affecting a small child. A 2-year-old boy was admitted for a palpable mass in the right abdominal quadrant. A preoperative examination revealed a tumor of uncertain origin. A simple nephrectomy was performed. Postoperative histologic examination confirmed lipoblastoma of the kidney. No other therapy was necessary. The child is well, without any sign of the disease 9 years after the tumor removal.