Associated urologic anomalies in children with solitary kidney

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, nature, surgical treatment, and outcome of associated urologic anomalies (AUA) in children with anatomic or functional solitary kidney (SK).

Methods

In this study, SK was defined as the kidney that is present in cases of unilateral renal agenesis (RA), or the kidney that is contralateral to a kidney that is nonfunctional secondary to either noncystic dysplastic kidney disease (NCDK), or multicystic dysplastic kidney disease (MCDK). Fifty-seven consecutive patients with SK (17 owing to RA, 10 owing to NCDK, 30 owing to MCDK) were reviewed.

Results

A total of 23 of 57 (40%) had AUA in the SK (11 of 17 [65%] of RA cases; 7 of 10 [70%] of NCDK cases; and 5 of 30 [17%] of MCDK cases). The incidence of AUA in MCDK was significantly lower than that in RA or NCDK (p < .01: Mann-Whitney U test). Surgery was performed on 20 of 23 (87%) for vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in 13, pelviureteric junction stenosis in 3, and ureterovesical junction stenosis in 4. Surgery was not performed in 3 of 16 with VUR because the VUR that was present was of low grade. AUA-related symptoms such as urinary tract infection and abdominal mass were seen in 15 of 23; the remaining 8 were asymptomatic. Mean age at surgery was 4.8 years. There were no operative or postoperative complications, and all cases are well without impaired renal function or hypertension after a mean follow-up period of 5.3 years.

Conclusions

In patients with SK, 40% had AUA in the renal collecting system of the SK. All children with SK should undergo a screening voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) even in the absence of hydronephrosis or UTI, and early recognition and treatment are imperative to decrease the long-term risk for renal damage.     

Therapeutic Option for Infected Urinary Tract Fistulas in Renal Transplantation

Background

Approximately 20% of urinary tract fistulas after renal allografting are complicated by urinary tract infection, which presents a therapeutic challenge.

Objective

To evaluate an option for treatment of urinary tract fistulas associated with urinary tract infection and unsuitable for minimally invasive or primary surgical urinary tract repair.

Patients and Methods

The study included 650 recipients who underwent transplantation over 17 years. Urinary leakage was initially treated with indwelling bladder catheterization. Patients with fistulas refractory to treatment underwent surgical intervention to repair the urinary tract. In patients who were not candidates for primary repair of the urinary tract, temporary urinary diversion was performed, rather than classic percutaneous or open nephrostomy, using a ureteral stent (ie, a 6F or 8F Foley catheter with the balloon placed inside the renal pelvis).

Results

Overall, urinary leakage occurred in 36 patients (5.5%). Conservative management was successful in 14 vesical fistulas (42.4%) and no ureteral fistulas (0%). Three patients died of sepsis during conservative treatment, before the new surgical approach. Five of 36 urinary leaks (13.9%) were managed using ureteral intubation with an 8F Foley catheter, with a success rate of 80%.

Conclusion

Ureteral catheterization with an 8F Foley catheter is a feasible therapeutic option to treat complicated urinary tract fistulas unsuitable for primary surgical repair of the urinary tract.     

Urinary diversion in children with pelvic tumors

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate children presenting with malignant pelvic tumors obstructing the upper urinary tract.

Methods

Seventeen children with upper urinary tract obstruction by a malignant tumor were reviewed. A nephrostomy tube or Double J (DJ) stent was inserted into each obstructed urinary system and removed after tumor shrinkage and/or hydronephrosis regression.

Results

There were 9 boys and 8 girls in the study; the mean age and median follow-up were 5.7 years and 2.5 years, respectively. The most common obstructing tumor was rhabdomyosarcoma. Twelve children underwent diversion by nephrostomy tubes and 3 by DJ stents; 2 patients underwent resection of the tumors with ureteroureterostomy. Complications after the insertion of the stents included febrile urinary tract infections (UTI) or pyelonephritis in 4 of the children with DJ stents. In the nephrostomy group, febrile UTI developed in 3 and the tube fell out in 1, and was blocked in another. Of the 17 children, 9 have no evidence of disease, 2 are currently under treatment, and 6 died of cancer.

Conclusions

The prognosis of children with malignant pelvic tumor obstructing the upper urinary system justifies urgent and optimal upper tract diversion, enabling chemotherapy to be started immediately.     

Is removal of the stent at the end of 2 weeks helpful to reduce infectious or urologic complications after renal transplantation?

Objective

Ureteral stents are used to reduce urologic complications after renal transplantation. However, they predispose to infection. The optimal time to keep them in the urinary tract has not yet been defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early removal at the end of 2 weeks on urinary tract infections and early urologic complications (within 3 months), such as ureteroneocyctostomy leakage as well as ureteral anastomosis stricture or obstruction.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 48 patients who underwent renal transplantation using a ureteral stent. The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of stent removal: at the end of 2 weeks (group A; n = 10) versus at a later time (group B; n = 38).

Results

The urologic complication rate was 0% in group A and the urinary tract infection rate, 2%. The urologic complication rate was 0% in group B and the urinary tract infection rate, 35%.

Conclusion

Early removal of the stent at the end of 2 weeks after renal transplantation is decreased the rate of urinary tract infections.     

Laparoscopic-assisted bowel resection offers advantages over open surgery for treatment of segmental Crohn's disease in children

Background/purpose

Minimally invasive approaches have been shown to decrease hospital length of stay (LOS), decrease postoperative pain, and speed return to normal activity for a number of intraabdominal procedures. In this study, laparoscopic (LAP)-assisted bowel resection is compared with an open technique for patients undergoing an initial bowel resection.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of 28 patients (12 LAP, 16 open) undergoing initial bowel resection for segmental Crohn’s disease.

Results

Patients in the LAP group had decrease LOS (5.5 days v 11.5 days) decreased days of parenteral narcotics (3 days v 5 days) and more rapid return to regular diet (3 days v 5 days).

Conclusions

The data suggest that the laparoscopic approach may offer advantages to pediatric patients undergoing an initial bowel resection for segmental Crohn’s disease.     

Nonoperative management of symptomatic urachal anomalies

Introduction

Symptomatic urachal anomalies are rare disorders that consist of urachal remnants or fistulas with or without an associated cyst. Traditionally, when a urachal anomaly was recognized, operative excision was performed. There has been a shift toward the nonoperative management of urachal anomalies at many centers, although there is little in the literature to support this practice.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients with urachal anomalies was performed from January 2002 to March 2008. Children with a draining umbilicus and no radiographic or surgical confirmation of a urachal anomaly were excluded.

Results

Fifteen patients with symptomatic urachal anomalies were identified. The average age was 3.5 years (4 weeks to 14 years). Symptoms included umbilical drainage (n = 10), abdominal pain (n = 6), omphalitis (n = 4), intraabdominal mass (n = 3), dysuria (n = 1), recurrent urinary tract infections (n = 1), and fever (n = 4). The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound (n = 13) and/or computed tomographic scan (n = 4). The surgically treated cases included 7 urachal cysts (5 uninfected, 2 infected) and 1 patent urachal fistula. Mean follow-up is 37 months, and there have been no reported recurrences. Those treated without surgical excision included 4 patent urachal fistulas (mean follow-up, 20 months—no recurrences) and 3 infected urachal cysts (percutaneous drainage [n = 2] and laparoscopic drainage [n = 1]—no recurrences on ultrasound at 26 months).

Conclusion

Nonoperative management of urachal anomalies is a reasonable approach and may be extended to infected urachal cysts after initial drainage. Infected cysts that are adequately drained seem to obliterate with time. Modern ultrasonography facilitates thorough follow-up. We propose a treatment algorithm for the management of suspected urachal anomalies.     

Contemporary management of lower urinary tract disease with botulinum toxin A: a systematic review of botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) and dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA)

Context

The use of botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) in the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction has expanded in recent years and the off-licence usage list includes neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO), painful bladder syndrome (PBS), and lower urinary tract symptoms resulting from bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) or detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). There are two commonly used preparations of BoNTA: Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) and Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA).

Objective

To compare the reported outcomes of onabotulinumtoxinA and abobotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of NDO, IDO, PBS, DSD, and BOO for adults and children.

Evidence acquisition

We performed a systematic review of the published literature on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase in the English language reporting on outcomes of both BoNTA preparations. Review articles and series with <10 cases were excluded. The articles were graded for level of evidence and conclusions drawn separately for data with higher-level evidence.

Evidence synthesis

There is high-level evidence for the use of onabotulinumtoxinA and abobotulinumtoxinA in adults with NDO but only for abobotulinumtoxinA in children with NDO. Only onabotulinumtoxinA has level 1 evidence supporting its use in IDO, BOO, DSD, and PBS/interstitial cystitis.

Conclusions

We identified good-quality studies that evaluated onabotulinumtoxinA for all the indications described above in adults; such was not the case with abobotulinumtoxinA. Although this does not imply that onabotulinumtoxinA is more effective than abobotulinumtoxinA, it should be a consideration when counselling patients on the use of botulinum toxin in urologic applications. The two preparations should not be used interchangeably, either in terms of predicting outcome or in determining doses to be used.     

Social quality of life for adult patients with anorectal malformations

Background/Purpose

Pediatric surgeons who performed the initial surgery on anorectal malformations (ARM) lose contact with the patients as they become adults. In the present study, we examined 20- to 40-year-old adult patients with a history of surgery for ARM and analyzed them from the points of social quality of life.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-nine patients with ARM, aged 20 to 40, were surveyed by questionnaire or personal interview. Thirteen with high-type and 9 with intermediate-type anomalies underwent abdominoperineal rectoplasty, and 7 with low-type anomalies underwent perineoplasty between 1965 and 1985. Responses were analyzed from the perspectives of bowel, urinary, and sexual functions and social activity.

Results

One third of patients with high- or intermediate-type anomalies occasionally complained of fecal soiling. However, the other patients gained good bowel function and enjoyed occupational or student life without problems. Fecal soiling was the key factor disturbing occupational life, although the problem remained within a socially manageable level. All of the patients with ARM had normal urinary function. Three of the 18 male patients had sexual problems such as erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction because of associated genitourinary anomalies. Nine of the 11 female patients had regular menstruation and the other 2 had irregular menstrual periods. Five female patients were married and 4 of the 5 had children (1-5 children). Modes of delivery were normal vaginal delivery in 8 and cesarean section in 1. Only one of the 5 had a slight sacral anomaly. However, she had no apparent abnormality of bladder function and got through pregnancy and delivery without difficulty.

Conclusion

One third of adult patients with high- or intermediate-type anomalies after abdominoperineal rectoplasty had some problems in bowel function. Fecal soiling was the key factor that disturbed their occupational life. Most of the patients had normal urinary and sexual functions if they did not have associated genitourinary anomalies and enjoyed social activities.     

Management and outcome of patients with combined vaginal septum, bifid uterus, and ipsilateral renal agenesis (Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome)

Objective

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) is a rare müllerian anomaly consisting of uterine didelphy, hemivaginal septum, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the natural history and outcome of patients with HWWS.

Methods

With ethics review board approval, all patients with uterine/vaginal anomalies were reviewed between 1982 and 2004. Patients with cloacal and/or anorectal anomalies were excluded. Presenting symptoms, preoperative investigations, operative management, and long-term follow-up were assessed.

Results

Of 80 patients identified with uterine/vaginal anomalies, 12 had HWWS. Median age at presentation was 13 years. Most patients (11/12) in this series presented with either abdominal pain and/or pelvic masses. Two patients had intra-abdominal abscesses. Seven patients were menstruating at presentation with 4 of these patients having dysmenorrhea. Symptom duration ranged from 0.5 to 12 months. Diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound (n = 11), computed tomographic scan (n = 3), and/or magnetic resonance imaging (n = 2). Operative management included vaginal septectomy and drainage of the hematocolpos/hematometrocolpos. One patient required salpingectomy for pyosalpinx. Follow-up ultrasounds revealed no recurrent collections. Median follow-up was 3 years (2 months to 16 years). Eleven patients were asymptomatic after treatment. One patient complained of irregular menses.

Conclusion

This is one of the largest reviews of HWWS in pediatric patients to date. Good long-term outcome occurs after vaginal septectomy. This diagnosis should be suspected in females with a pelvic mass and ipsilateral renal agenesis.     

Adriamycin produces a reproducible teratogenic model of vertebral, anal, cardiovascular, tracheal, esophageal, renal, and limb anomalies in the mouse

Background/Purpose

The Adriamycin rat model is an established model for vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheal, esophageal, renal, and limb (VACTERL) anomalies and gastrointestinal atresias. Mice are the foremost mammal studied by developmental biologists, providing greater availability of molecular probes, antibodies, and transferable knowledge with transgenic studies. Only tracheoesophageal malformations have been previously described in the Adriamycin mouse model. The aim of this study was to carry out a dose-response analysis of the teratogenicity of Adriamycin in the mouse to determine the effect of the dose and timing of exposure in producing tracheoesophageal malformations and show if it causes other VACTERL anomalies.

Methods

CBA/Ca mice were accurately time mated (n = 30). Four different doses (0 [saline], 4, 5, and 6 mg/kg) of Adriamycin (EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG, A-4866 Unterach, Austria) at 3 different timings of injections were compared. Dams received 2 intraperitoneal injections, 24 hours apart, commencing on day 7, 7.5, or 8. Fetuses were harvested on day 18. Anomalies were examined using a dissecting microscope and serial transverse sections.

Results

Administering Adriamycin at 6 mg/kg on days 7 and 8 had the most teratogenic effect, with 80% of fetuses having 3 or more VACTERL anomalies: anorectal malformation, 100%; tracheoesophageal malformation, 50%; right-sided aortic arch, 58.3%; bladder agenesis/bilateral hydronephrosis, 100%.

Conclusion

This study establishes a mouse model that should provide insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying VACTERL anomalies.     

The Currarino triad: the variable expression

Background

The Currarino triad is a relatively unknown hereditary disorder linked to the 7q36 region and characterized by an anorectal malformation, sacrococcygeal defect, and a presacral mass.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to report the highly variable expression in patients with the Currarino triad and provide a guideline for the clinician if the Currarino triad is suspected.

Methods

We examined the symptoms and associated anomalies in 5 families with the Currarino triad by retrospective chart review.

Results

Fifteen patients had Currarino-associated anomalies. This included anorectal malformation in 9, a presacral mass in 9, and a sacral bone defect in 15. Tethered cord was present in 4 patients. There were 12 symptomatic patients. Constipation was diagnosed in all of them. Other symptoms included recurrent urinary tract infections caused by bladder dysfunction in 5, abnormal gait in 1, and another patient who initially presented with meningitis. Two carriers of the genetic defect had no symptoms or anomalies.

Conclusions

The phenotypical expression of the gene mutations causing the Currarino triad can vary from asymptomatic to patients presenting with the complete triad. Presence of a crescent-shaped defect of the sacral bone may be used as initial screening method. As the penetration of the genetic defect is variable, DNA screening is the only method to fully exclude the triad.     

Heat Shock Protein Polymorphism Predisposes to Urinary Tract Malformations and Renal Transplantation in Children

Background

Anatomical malformations of the kidney and urinary tract account for 17% of pediatric renal transplantation procedures. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones with a protective function that promotes cell survival. HSP72 is an endogenous ligand for toll-like receptor TLR4, thereby stimulating innate immunity. Both in adults and children, decreased expression of HSP70s is associated with a number of kidney diseases.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of HSPA1A G(190)C, HSPA1B A(1267)G, and TLR4 A(896)G polymorphisms in children who had undergone kidney transplantation.

Patients and Methods

Genotypes were analyzed using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction in 41 pediatric recipients. Allelic prevalence was related to reference values in 65 age- and sex-matched healthy children.

Results

Clinical data did not reveal a difference between any of the groups. HSPA1B (1267)GG genotype and HSPA1B (1267)G allele were observed more frequently in the transplant recipients compared with the control group: AA vs AG: odds ratio [OR], 12.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-100.0; P = .004; AA vs GG: OR, 20.80; 95% CI, 2.32-187.00; P = .01; and A vs G: OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.19-3.07; P = .01. Furthermore, the prevalence of the HSPA1B (1267)GG genotype was greater in transplant recipients with vs without urinary tract malformations: AG vs GG: OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.09-0.48; P = .007. No differences were observed in the other studied polymorphisms.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest an association between the carrier status of HSPA1B (1267)G with urinary tract malformations, leading to end-stage renal disease requiring kidney transplantation. This observation raises further questions about the clinical and therapeutic relevance of this polymorphism to pediatric nephrology.     

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic floor in children and adolescents with vesical and anorectal malformations

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic floor allows better assessment of pelvic pathology and has a potential as an adjunct for therapy planning. In complex congenital malformations of the pelvic floor and continence organs, it plays a major role in assessing urinary and fecal incontinence or constipation, especially when performed as a dynamic investigation such as MRI defecography.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-three patients (3-21 years old) with urinary and/or fecal incontinence or constipation attributable to congenital malformations of the pelvic region presented at our institution. The diagnoses were anorectal malformations (18), bladder exstrophy (2), and cloacal exstrophy (3). All patients underwent static and dynamic MRI of the pelvic floor with rest, squeeze, and evacuation in supine position.

Results

Morphology and function of the pelvic floor and pelvic organs could be demonstrated in each case. The reason for urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, or constipation could be defined, and an individual therapeutic management concept was made based upon the data obtained by the investigation.

Conclusions

The advantages of this method, in comparison to others, are direct visualization of the pelvic floor muscles and continence organs and their anatomical relationship during different functional actions. Pelvic floor dysfunction is often the reason for fecal and urinary incontinence and can be detected by MRI. Especially in children, minimizing radiation exposure is of major concern. Disadvantages are the costs and long investigation time.     

Candiduria in renal transplant recipients: incidence, clinical repercussion, and treatment indication

Introduction

The incidence of candiduria in renal transplant recipients is unknown. In clinical practice, the indications for antifungal therapy are not well established. Furthermore, there is the problem of the choice of the antifungal drug since some of them may select resistant Candida species, or interact with immunosuppressive agents or only be used intravenously.

Aim

We sought to study the incidence, clinical repercussions and effectiveness of antifungal treatment to prevent recurrence of candiduria.

Materials and methods

We examined all episodes of Candida-positive urine cultures (>50,000 cfu/mL) in 996 recipients over 2 years. We considered the Candida species, administered treatment, presence of fever, requirement for hospital admission versus outpatient case, occurrence of simultaneous bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI), antibiotic use during the week before candiduria, and presence of an indwelling urinary catheter.

Results

Among 996 subjects, 34 displayed 83 episodes of candiduria, yielding an accumulated incidence of 3.4% after 2 years. The frequency was higher among women (6.3% vs 1.7%, P < .001). Of the 45 outpatient episodes (54.2%), 17 were treated and one required hospitalization (5.9%). Of the 28 nontreated outpatients, two were hospitalized (7.1%, P = .68 vs treated patients). All cases of hospital admission presented simultaneous bacterial UTI, none developed candidemia, and two patients did not receive any antifungal therapy. With respect to the first episodes of each patient (n = 34), 5/11 treated (45.5%) and 4/23 untreated (17.4%) patients developed recurrences (P = .095). Selection of more resistant Candida species was not observed. Fifty cases (60%) were associated with antibiotic therapy and 34 (41%) the presence of a urinary catheter.

Conclusions

It does not seem necessary to treat candiduria in this setting. Antifungal therapy was not associated with either a reduction in recurrence or the appearance of more resistant species in this study. We observed no important clinical repercussions.     

The optimal dose of Adriamycin to create a viable rat model potentially applicable to congenital obstructive uropathy

Purpose

The Adriamycin rat model is an established model for different organ anomalies including congenital obstructive uropathy. In the current study, we carried out a dose-response analysis to find out the optimal dose of Adriamycin to create a viable rat model of obstructive uropathy.

Methods

Thirty time-mated Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups including 1 control group and 4 different treatment groups. The 4 Adriamycin dosage regimens investigated in this study were 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2 mg/(kg d). Experimental rats (n = 24) were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of Adriamycin on gestational days 7 to 9 (6 rats in each group). Control rats (n = 6) were injected with an equivalent volume of saline on the same days. Viable term fetuses were harvested on gestational day 21 by cesarean delivery and dissected under a dissecting microscope. Serial transverse sections from urinary tract system were obtained for histological examination.

Results

One hundred thirty-three viable fetuses were recovered from Adriamycin-treated rats, and 50 were from rats in the control group. There were no resorptions in the control group; however, 52 resorptions were recorded in Adriamycin groups. The rates of hydronephrosis and resorptions were 60% and 0%, 80.5% and 5.8%, 100% and 17.3%, and 100% and 76.9% at doses of 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, and 2 mg/(kg d), respectively. Histologic examination of the kidneys in the treated groups showed a significant decrease in renal parenchyma compared with the control group.

Conclusions

The dosage of 1.5 mg/(kg d) of Adriamycin yielded the highest number of viable hydronephrotic fetuses. At this dose, urinary abnormalities are milder; but the highest number of viable fetuses is provided, which is necessary to create a reproducible and viable animal model.     

Laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy in the neonate

Background

Minimally invasive procedures are performed in neonates for an ever-expanding list of congenital anomalies. The laparoscopic repair of duodenal atresia and stenosis in the neonate is one such indication.

Method

We report our experience with the laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy for duodenal atresia and stenosis in the neonate over the past 4 years. A retrospective chart review was conducted on all cases of duodenal atresia and stenosis diagnosed at our center between January 2004 and January 2008.

Results

Seventeen neonates underwent laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy successfully during the period. Patient weight at surgery ranged from 1.35 to 3.75 kg. Most were operated on within the first week of life. Many had associated anomalies. There were no conversions to an open procedure, no intraoperative complications, and no anastomotic leaks observed. Time to full feeds averaged 12 days.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy in the neonate can be safely and successfully performed with excellent short-term outcome.     

Long-term disease-specific quality of life in adult anorectal malformation patients

Background

Fecal and urinary incontinence may differently influence various aspects of quality of life (QOL). The main aim of the present study is to determine whether fecal and urinary incontinence measured at time 1 of the study will predict QOL at time 2 (after 4 years), above and beyond the prediction already explained by fecal and urinary incontinence at time 2.

Methods

Thirty-six adult patients from the Italian Parents' and Patients' Association for Anorectal Malformations answered items about urinary and fecal incontinence at time 1 of the study and completed the Hirschsprung Disease/Anorectal Malformation Quality of Life questionnaire after 4 years from the first questionnaire. Two sets of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted with fecal and urinary incontinence serving as predictors of QOL and the different areas of QOL from the Hirschsprung Disease/Anorectal Malformation Quality of Life serving as outcome variables.

Results

The principal findings indicated that fecal continence is a strong predictor of QOL in the areas of social functioning, emotional functioning, and body image and that urinary incontinence predicted sexual functioning.

Conclusions

It seems that one's past experience with fecal incontinence is extremely relevant to current QOL, especially for body image. Urinary incontinence contributed less in explaining QOL in our patients, but because it is very relevant for sexual functioning, it should not be disregarded.     

Duplex sonographic findings in children with torsion of the testicular appendages: overlap with epididymitis and epididymoorchitis

Background and Purpose

Torsion of the testicular appendages (TTA) is the most common cause of acute scrotum in children, and yet there are only few dedicated studies of the imaging findings.

Objective

To review our experience with the use of duplex sonography in children with TTA and to evaluate if sonography can successfully distinguish TTA from epididymoorchitis.

Methods

We reviewed the medical files and imaging findings of 29 children aged 0.7 to 13.9 years (mean, 6.5 years) with a diagnosis of TTA based on testicular exploration who were evaluated preoperatively with duplex sonography.

Results

A tender upper pole nodule, the typical sign of TTA, was palpated in only 2 (6.9%) children. Duplex sonography demonstrated an extratesticular upper pole nodule in 9 (31%) children. Secondary inflammatory changes included hydrocele in 22 (75.9%), enlarged epididymis in 22 (75.9%), scrotal wall edema in 16 (55.2%), and swollen testis in 9 (31%) children. Fourteen (48%) children had inflammatory changes with no evidence of an extratesticular nodule.

Conclusion

Duplex sonography findings of secondary inflammatory changes in the absence of evidence of an extratesticular nodule may suggest an erroneous diagnosis of epididymitis or epididymoorchitis in children with TTA.     

Preoperative Evaluation of Living Kidney Donors With Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determinate the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography for imaging evaluation of renal anatomic variants among potential living renal donors for surgical planning.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred twenty-three living kidney donors underwent MDCT angiography (MDCTA) in our institution over the last 2 years. The examination was performed with a 4-detector scanner, including scanning before and after power injection of nonionic contrast material during the arterial, nephrographic, and excretory phases. Scans were reconstructed for three-dimensional (3D) images using MIP, MPR, VRT, and CPR techniques.

Results

Arterial variants, including supernumerary renal arteries, were present in 140 subjects: 11 presented luminal stenosis; 10 had calcifications within the vessel wall; 3 had renal artery aneurysms; 2 had obstructions; and 1 had angulation of the renal artery. Calcifications were associated with luminal stenosis (4 subjects) or no pathology (6 subjects). Venous variants were present in 4 subjects, including 3 retroaortic renal veins and 1 left renal vein draining into the retrohepatic portion of the IVC. Incidental findings were 3 renal infarcts.

Conclusion

MDCTA and urography are a minimally invasive, fast method to detect and classify a variety of anatomic anomalies among potential living renal donors relevant to surgical planning.