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An abdominal mass was palpated in an asymptomatic adult during a routine medical check-up. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scan diagnosed a simple renal cyst, a mesenteric cyst and a seminal vesicle cyst. At laparotomy a complete ureteral duplication and a giant ectopic megalo-ureter were diagnosed. Other complications were ruled out in the follow-up. Ureterectomy without heminephrectomy was performed and the patient remains asymptomatic 5 years after surgery.

We report a case of primary amyloidosis affecting the kidney and presenting as a renal infarction on computed tomography and ultrasound examination. To our knowledge, it is the first case in the radio-logical literature with these imaging characteristics.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of a new technique of transvascular renal biopsy with a flexible forceps in high-risk patients and compare its results with those reported for other techniques of renal biopsy., Patients and Methods: Sixteen transfemoral renal biopsies were performed in 13 high-risk patients. Indications included severe bleeding disorders, combined renal-hepatic biopsy, morbid obesity, solitary kidney, and poor clinical condition. The technique was performed through the femoral vein; a 7-F Mullins introducer sheath was placed in a subcortical renal vein, and the biopsy was performed with a flexible biopsy forceps., Results: Renal tissue was obtained in 15 of 16 procedures (93.7%) with at least one glomerulus in 14 of 16 (87.5%), and at least six glomeruli in 11 of 16 procedures (69%). Samples adequate for diagnosis were obtained in 13 of 16 procedures (81%). Mean number of glomeruli per procedure was 12.6 (range, 0-39). Aside from transient hematuria in two patients, no other complications were known to have occurred., Conclusions: Transfemoral renal biopsy is a safe technique for acquisition of renal samples in high-risk patients. The procedure can be performed at the same time as other vascular techniques. The histopathologic results, although worse than those obtained with the percutaneous approach, are better than those reported with other transvascular techniques.

Seventeen cirrhotics with refractory ascites were treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and followed for 15.5 +/- 3.4 months. Five patients died, four within 3 months after TIPS (hepatocellular failure) and one after 22 months (cholangiocarcinoma). Six patients received transplants 1 to 10 months after the procedure. Actuarial survival at 6, 12, and 24 months was 75%, 75%, and 63%, respectively. Portosystemic venous pressure gradient decreased by 46% at 1 month and by 38% at 7 to 12 months. Eight patients presented 18 stenoses 1 to 18 months after TIPS. Twelve stenoses required balloon dilatation. Tense ascites was present before TIPS in 100% of the patients, whereas it was mild or absent in 56% at 1 month, in 66% at 3 to 6 months, in 57% at 7 to 12 months, and in 100% at 24 months after TIPS. Requirements for diuretics and paracentesis decreased after TIPS (P < .001, both). One month after TIPS, urinary and fractional sodium excretion increased (P < .001, both), plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone (P < .005, both), and plasma norepinephrine (P < .05) decreased and cardiac output (P < .01) increased, systemic vascular resistances (P < .005) decreased, and arterial pressure did not change. Acute hepatic encephalopathy was frequent early after TIPS but was responsive to treatment and caused no long-term disability. In conclusion, TIPS is useful in the treatment of refractory ascites through lowering portal pressure and improving renal sodium excretion. This effect could be attributable to an increase in effective blood volume causing deactivation of vasopressor systems.