Current state and effectiveness of abdominal ultrasonography in complete medical screening

Purpose The current state and effectiveness of abdominal ultrasonography (US) were investigated by reviewing statistical data for US of the kidney as part of complete medical screenings conducted at our institution between April 1994 and March 2004. Methods Among 4339 individuals with US findings, computed tomography (CT) was performed on 129 individuals at our institution. Among these individuals, US findings and CT diagnoses were compared and analyzed. Results US findings indicated renal tumors in 73 of the 129 subjects, and the breakdown of CT diagnoses for these 73 individuals was as follows: no lesion, n = 45 (61.6%); simple renal cyst, n = 13 (17.8%); complicated renal cyst, n = 5 (6.8%); suspected malignant tumor, n = 5 (6.8%); renal angiomyolipoma, n = 2 (2.7%); pelvic dilatation, n = 1 (1.4%); granuloma, n = 1 (1.4%); teratoma, n = 1 (1.4%). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 4 of the 5 subjects with suspected malignant tumor, and surgery was performed in all 4 cases with suspected kidney cancer. Kidney cancer was histopathologically confirmed in 2 patients, resulting in a detection rate of 0.046% for kidney cancer by US as part of a complete medical screening. In the 2 patients with kidney cancer, differentiating cystic renal cell cancer from a renal cyst was not possible based on US findings alone in 1 patient, and no thorough examinations were performed in the 3 years leading up to surgery. Conclusions These results suggest that additional US and thorough examinations are necessary if a lesion cannot be confirmed as a simple renal cyst on initial US. Furthermore, to improve the skill levels of healthcare professionals who perform and interpret US, a feedback system should be established where data related to complete medical screenings are available to the personnel involved.     

The loss of BAP1 protein expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis

Objectives

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterized by a propensity for extension into the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) and is associated with poor prognosis. BAP1 mutation, which occurs in about 15% of patients with clear cell RCC (ccRCC), also predicts poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association between BAP1 protein expression and clinicopathological outcomes in patients with nonmetastatic ccRCC with an IVC tumor thrombus (IVCTT).

Decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate is associated with risk of end-stage renal disease in type 2 diabetes with macroalbuminuria: an observational study from JDNCS

Background

There is increased interest in surrogate endpoints for clinical trials of chronic kidney disease.

Methods

In this nationwide observational study of 456 patients with type 2 diabetes and clinically suspected diabetic nephropathy followed for a median of 4.2 years, we evaluated the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria at baseline or during follow-up and risk of ESRD.

Results

Low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m²) and macroalbuminuria at enrollment were independently associated with risk of ESRD. In patients with macroalbuminuria, both ≤?50% change and ?50 to ?30% change in eGFR over 1 and 2 years were predictive of ESRD. The higher cut point (≥50% decline in eGFR) was more strongly predictive but less common. Remission of macroalbuminuria to normo-/microalbuminuria at 1 and 2 years was associated with a lower incidence of ESRD than no remission; however, it was not a determinant for ESRD independently of initial eGFR and initial protein-to-creatinine ratio.

Conclusion

These results suggest that a ≥30% decline in eGFR over 1 or 2 years adds prognostic information about risk for ESRD in patients with type 2 diabetes and macroalbuminuria, supporting the consideration of percentage decline in eGFR as a surrogate endpoint among macroalbuminuric cases in type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, our study suggests that additional analyses on the relationship between remission of macroalbuminuria and risk of ESRD are needed in type 2 diabetes.