Cystic Nephroma and Mixed Epithelial and Stromal Tumour of the Kidney: Opposite Ends of the Spectrum of the Same Entity?

Objectives

The term “renal epithelial and stromal tumour” (REST) was proposed recently to encompass the spectrum of findings observed in cystic nephroma (CN) and mixed epithelial and stromal tumour (MEST) of the kidney. Our aim was to review the broad spectrum of usual and unusual clinical and morphologic findings observed in CN and MEST.

Methods

Based on Medline database searches, all aspects of CN and MEST were assessed.

Results

CN and MEST have a remarkable similarity in sex predilection, age distribution, and morphologic attributes of both the epithelial and stromal components and immunohistochemical profile, albeit with variation in individual categories, with higher prevalence of stromal-to-epithelial ratio, prominent ovarian-like stroma, smaller cysts, and stromal luteinisation in MEST, and large cysts, thin septa, and low stromal-to-epithelial ratio in CN. The stromal component in both lesions expresses estrogen and progesterone receptors. Rare and unusual morphologic features, such as endometrioid, cervical, and intestinal differentiation, and luteinised ovarian-like stroma, have been described in MEST. The epithelial element occasionally shows estrogen and progesterone receptors. Rare aggressive behaviour has been reported for both neoplasms.

Conclusions

Considerable overlap is apparent between the two lesions, which suggests that they may represent opposite ends of the spectrum of the same process. Even though an aggressive behaviour has been reported in very few cases, in general both neoplasms are considered benign and surgical excision is curative.     

Study of the morphology and biomechanics of sacral fracture

Objective:To observe the morphological characteristics of sacral fracture under different impact loads. Method: Ten fresh pelvic specimens were loaded in dynamic or static state. A series of mechanical parameters including the pressure strain and velocity were recorded. Morphological characteristics were observed under scanning electron microscope. Results: The form of sacral fracture was related to the impact energy. Under low-energy impact loads, ilium fracture, acetabulum fracture and crista iliaca fracture were found. Under high-energy impact loads, three types of sacral fracture occurred according to the classification of Denis: sacral ala fracture, Type I fracture; sacral foramen cataclasm fracture, Type II fracture; central vertebral canal fracture, Type III fracture. Nerve injury of one or two sides was involved in all three types of sacral fracture. The fracture mechanism of sacrum between the dynamic impact and static compression was significantly different. When the impact energy was above 25 J, sacral foramen cataclasm fracture occurred, involving nerve root injury. When it was below 20 J, ilium and sacral fracture was most likely to occur. When it was 20 - 25 J, Type I fracture would occur. While in the static test, most of the fracture belonged to ilium or acetabulum fracture. The cross section of sacrum was crackly and the bone board of Haversian system was brittle, which could lead to separation of bone boards and malposition of a few of cross bone boards. Conclusions: In dynamic state, sacrum fracture mostly belongs to Type I and Type n , and usually involves the nerve roots. Sacrum fracture is relevant to the microstructures, the distribution of the bone trabecula, the osseous lacuna and the Haversian system of sacrum. The fracture of ilium and acetabulum more frequently appears in static state, with slight wound of peripheral tissues.     

Effect of the angle between the optical axis of the endoscope and the instruments’ plane on monitor image and surgical performance

Background: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of the angle between optical axis of the endoscope and the instruments plane (OAIP) on the monitor display angle (approach angle between the two instruments on a two-dimensional monitor) and endoscopic task performance. Methods: Two experiments were carried out in the Advanced Dundee Endoscopic Psychomotor Tester (ADEPT) using a standard two-dimensional video endoscopic system. In the first experiment, the monitor display angle was measured during use, with OAIP angles ranging between 0 and 80° (at 10° increments) and manipulation angles varying between 45 and 120° (at 15° increments). In the second experiment, 10 surgeons tied 500 intracorporeal knots with OAIP angles of 0° (optical axis in the same plane as the instruments), +15° and +30° (viewing above the instruments plane), and –15 and –30° (optical axis looking from below instruments plane). The end points were the execution time and knot quality score (KQS). Results: In the first experiment, instruments entered the visual field from lateral sides of the monitor with an apparent 180° monitor display angle with a 0° OAIP angle, whereas the monitor display angle approached the actual manipulation angle between the two needle drivers when an 80° OAIP angle was used. In the second experiment, the instruments appeared to enter the image field from the side of the surgeon when the endoscope viewed the instruments from above, whereas instruments entered the field from the opposite side to the surgeon when the endoscope viewed instruments plane from below. As a result, use of 0 and +15° OATP angles yielded significantly shorter execution times: 70 s compared to 83, 93, and 77 s for +30, –30, and –15° OAIP angles (p < 0.001), with KQS of 39° and 40 vs 38, 36, and 34%, respectively (p = 0.257). Conclusions: The angle between the optical axis of the endoscope and instruments plane determines how the instruments appear to enter the operative field. The monitor display angle between the instruments is different from the real manipulation angle unless the OAIP angle is near 80°. The apparent entry of instruments into the operative field becomes intuitive for the surgeon only if the endoscope is viewing from above or in the same plane as the instruments. Hence, the best performance for endoscopic knot tying is obtained with this configuration, and execution time increases significantly with viewing from below the instruments plane.     

Enzymuria and β2-Mikroglobulinuria in the assessment of the influence of proteinuria on the progression of glomerulopathies

The important role of the tubulo-interstitial system for the progression of glomerulonephritis (GN), is the cause of a continuous search for the proper markers of kidney tubules damage, which can be applied in clinical diagnosis.In the present work the activity ofN-acetyl--D-glucosamidase (NAG),its isoenzyme NAG-B, alanylaminopeptidase (AAP),-glutamyltransferase (GGT), concentration of ₂-microglobulin (₂M) and daily protein excretion in the urine of 37 patients with morphologically different glomerulopathies were measured. The serum creatinine was also controlled. The obtained results suggest that activity of NAG in the patients with GN has an intermediate connection with proteinuria and could be a cause of the inflammatory process of the kidney, but the activity of AAP is directly dependent on urine protein concentration. Systemic analysis of both partial and multiple correlation coefficients of the examined indicators creates new, additional possibilities in the estimation of activity and progress of GN.     

Cystic Hydatidosis of the Rib–Case Report and Review of the Literature

The hydatid disease is a zoonosis endemic to rural countries, such as those in the Mediterranean region, South America, North Africa, Central Asia and China. Hydatid cysts commonly affect liver and lungs, but less than 100 cases of costal hydatidosis have been reported in the literature. While diagnosis of the disease in commonly affected organs is relatively easy, uncommon locations can prove to be challenging as is the case with costal hydatidosis. Imaging techniques can suggest the diagnosis, but sometimes it remains uncertain until surgery. The treatment is surgical, assisted by long-time Albendazole chemotherapy. We present a rare case of costal hydatidosis, the first one to be reported in Romania according to our review of the literature.     

Prevention and treatment of the complications of progressive renal insufficiency

There is now clear evidence that all these pathophysiological changes that develop during the progressivley worsening course of chronic renal insufficiency can be prevented, or at least attemated, by a number of therapeutical interventions. Morever, evidence is accumulating that:     

The diagnosis and treatment of the ‘mixed’ type of depressed fractures of the calcaneum

Summary The mixed type of depressed fractures of the calcaneum is described and a classification proposed. During a six year period, 78 patients with fractures of the calcaneum were seen. Of these 32 were of the mixed type and 23 were treated by sub-talar arthrodesis and restoration of the calcaneal outline. Very good or good results were obtained in all patients subjected to operation.

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Résumé L'auteur décrit un type de fracture du calcanéum par enfoncement «mixte» (i. e. à la fois vertical et horizontal) et il en propose une classification. Sur 78 fractures du calcanéum observées en six ans, 32 étaient de ce type «mixte» et 23 d'entre elles furent traitées par arthrodèse sous-astragalienne avec reconstitution de la forme du calcanéum. D'excellents ou de bons résultats ont été obtenus chez tous les blessés qui ont bénéficié de cette intervention.

     

Paraganglioma of the Cauda Equina Region – Report of two Cases and Review of the Literature

Summary  A paraganglioma of cauda equina region is extremely rare and except for secreting tumour, the pre-operative diagnosis of paraganglioma is very difficult. Two cases of non-functional paragangliomas of the cauda equina region are reported, one was attached to the filum terminale and the other to a rootlet looking very much like a vascular neurinoma. Both were successfully removed by surgery. An extensive review of the literature permits one to find 77 other cases. The clinical, radiological, pathological (ultrastructural and immunohistochemical) features and surgical findings of all theses cases are discussed. Surgery remains the treatment of choice. No effect of radiotherapy on recurrence prevention has ever been demonstrated.     

A meta-analysis of the effect of strontium ranelate on the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fracture in postmenopausal osteoporosis and the interaction with FRAX?

Summary  

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of strontium ranelate as a function of baseline fracture risk. Treatment with strontium ranelate was associated with a significant 31% decrease in all clinical osteoporotic fractures (vertebral fractures included). Hazard ratios for the effect of strontium ranelate on the fracture outcome did not change significantly with increasing fracture probability.     

Assessment of the axial rotation of the pelvis with the EOS® imaging system: intra- and inter-observer reproducibility and accuracy study

Purpose

A source of radiological bias occurs when the axial rotation of the pelvis is disregarded in hip and spine biomechanics analyses. The EOS imaging system (EOS Imaging, France) offers the possibility of detecting and measuring the axial rotation of bones. Reproducibility and accuracy have not been documented in the case of the pelvis.

Methods

A dry pelvis has been X-rayed with the EOS system every 5° from 30° left to 30° right according to a laser line reference goniometer. Three observers have measured the rotation. One observer did it 3 times. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility and the accuracy have been calculated using the root mean square standard deviation calculation. The relationship between the axial rotation and the offset between the left and right acetabulae on the lateral view was investigated.

Results

The 95 % CI was ±0.23° for the intra-observer and ±0.33° for the inter-observer reliability. The mean of signed differences between the software calculation and the actual axial rotation of the pelvis was ?0.39° (SD 0.77°). The lateral acetabular offset was proportional to the sin of the rotation. Approximately, 30 mm offset corresponded to about 10° rotation.

Conclusions

The 3D slot scanning imaging system demonstrated significant reproducibility and accuracy for the assessment of the axial rotation of the pelvis.     

Osteitis or osteomyelitis of the pubis? A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge: report of 9 cases and review of the literature

Osteitis pubis is a noninfective inflammation of the symphysis pubis, without distinct aetiology. It has often been reported after urological or gynaecological procedures, and is also associated with trauma, rheumatic disorders, pregnancy and parturition. Symptoms mostly resolve spontaneously. On the other hand, osteomyelitis of the pubis is a classical infective inflammation of bone. The differential diagnosis between both entities may be difficult. The most common complaint in both inflammatory diseases is pain under load, either local or pseudoradicular in nature. The biochemistry is normal or slightly inflammatory in osteitis pubis, but frankly inflammatory in osteomyelitis. A 3-phase bone scan may be positive in the mineralisation or delayed phase in case of osteitis, and in all three phases in case of osteomyelitis. Aspiration is the ultimate diagnostic test: in case of osteomyelitis pubis, culture of the aspirate will usually lead to the diagnosis, sometimes even after antibiotic therapy.     

True and anastomotic femoral artery aneurysms: is the risk of rupture and thrombosis related to the size of the aneurysms?

OBJECTIVE: the management of asymptomatic femoral aneurysms remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between the diameter of true and anastomotic aneurysms and the risk of rupture. DESIGN: retrospective study. Material and methods: we reviewed the case records of 17 patients who underwent 17 arterial reconstructive procedures for true femoral aneurysms. In addition, the case records of 76 patients who underwent 90 arterial reconstructive procedures for femoral anastomotic aneurysms were identified and reviewed. RESULTS: the rupture rate for aneurysms less than 5 cm in diameter was 1.6% (one out of 64) compared with 16% (seven out of 43) for those larger than 5 cm. The thrombosis rate for aneurysms less than 5 cm in diameter was 17% compared with 5% for those larger than 5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: this study seems to show that the risk of rupture of femoral artery aneurysms is related to the diameter of the aneurysms. However, the rise in the risk of rupture with increasing size seems less dramatic than for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).