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Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the EDAP LT 02 lithotripter for the in situ treatment of ureteric calculi. Patients and methods One hundred consecutive patients presenting with ureteric calculi were treated with in situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using the EDAP LT 02 lithotripter. There were 49 patients with upper, nine with mid and 42 with lower ureteric stones. The largest diameter of the stones varied from 7 to 21 mm (mean 9.6 mm). Mild or severe hydronephrosis was present in 53 cases. Mid and lower ureteric stones were treated with the patients in the prone position, with no anaesthesia or pre-medication, and upper ureteric stones in the supine position, with intravenous sedation in 44 cases. Results Localization of the stones was easy in 81 cases and more difficult in 19, but an intravenous pyelogram was only necessary in three cases. The number of sessions per patient varied from 1 to 3 (mean 1.17). Complete success rate was achieved in 75% of patients and partial success (residual stones ≤ 3 mm) in 6%. The stone-free rate was statistically affected by stone size but was independent of stone localization or the degree of obstruction. The rate of infective and obstructive complications was 14% and auxiliary treatments were necessary in 5% of patients. Conclusion In situ piezoelectric ESWL with the EDAP LT 02 device is a convenient and efficient method for the treatment of ureteric stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To quantify and compare cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality (OCM) in individuals with stage T1G1-3 clinically node-negative (cN0) squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) since there is no consensus regarding the need for an inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) in patients with T1G2-3 cN0 SCCP., Methods: Relying on the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database, we identified 655 patients diagnosed with primary SCCP between 1988 and 2006. Cumulative incidence plots were used to graphically depict the effect of CSM relative to OCM. Competing-risks regression analyses were used to quantify the risk of CSM or OCM after adjusting for age, race, tumour grade and surgery type., Results: The 5-year CSM rates after a primary tumour excision without ILND were 2.6%, 10.0% and 15.9% in patients with respectively T1G1, T1G2 and T1G3 cN0 SCCP. The 5-year OCM rates were 29.5%, 27.3% and 29.3% in patients with respectively T1G1, T1G2 and T1G3. Age failed to provide additional stratification., Conclusions: The CSM rate was highest in T1G3 patients and appears to justify ILND. Conversely, the CSM rate was lowest in T1G1 patients, which justifies active surveillance in this patient subset. A moderate CSM rate at 5 years was recorded for T1G2 patients, which brings into question the benefits of ILND., (© 2012 BJU INTERNATIONAL.)

Background: Conditional survival (CS) implies that, on average, long-term cancer survivors have a better prognosis than newly diagnosed individuals. The objective of the current study was to devise an accurate predictive tool that accounts for CS in men diagnosed with penile cancer., Methods: Overall, 1245 patients treated with primary tumor excision (PTE) for pT(1-3)M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) between 1998 and 2006 were identified. Cox regression models were fitted for prediction of cancer-specific mortality (CSM). Nomogram development for prediction of CSM using CS methodology at 2 and 5 years was performed on 670 patients. External validation and calibration of the conditional nomogram was performed in 575 patients., Results: The 5-year CSM-free survival of patients at surgery was 84.3% and increased to 95.0% and 97.8% after 2 and 5 years of disease-free survival (DFS), respectively. The predicted probabilities varied by as much as 49% (57% vs 85%) when, for example, predictions of CSM-free survival at 5 years were made after PTE versus after 2 years of DFS. Within the external validation cohort, the accuracy of the conditional nomogram was 75.3% and 78.1% at 2 and 5 years after PTE., Conclusions: The authors developed and externally validated the first conditional nomogram for predicting SCCP CSM-free survival that allows consideration of the length of survivorship., (Copyright © 2011 American Cancer Society.)

Purpose: Penile cancer is rare. Thus, predicting cancer specific mortality may be difficult. We devised an accurate and yet easily applicable predictive rule that compares favorably with 2 previous models (73.8% and 74.7% accuracy, respectively)., Materials and Methods: We identified patients treated with primary tumor excision for all stages of penile squamous cell carcinoma between 1998 and 2006. Disease stage definitions using Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results stage, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage and TNM classification, and tumor grade were used to predict cancer specific mortality. Predictive accuracy estimates were compared using the DeLong method for related AUCs., Results: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results stage alone (1 predictor variable) was least accurate (74.5%). American Joint Committee on Cancer stage with tumor grade (2 predictor variables) was the most simple and most accurate (80.9%, p <0.001). A benefit similar to that of American Joint Committee on Cancer stage with tumor grade was seen for TNM classification and TG (80.7%, p = 0.8). However, this rule (4 predictor variables) was more complex than American Joint Committee on Cancer stage and tumor grade., Conclusions: American Joint Committee on Cancer stage combined with tumor grade is the simplest, most accurate cancer specific mortality prediction rule after primary tumor excision for penile squamous cell carcinoma. This method is also more accurate than 2 previous cancer specific mortality prediction rules., (Copyright © 2011 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The adherence rate to National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommendations regarding inguinal lymph nodes dissection (ILND) in high grade T1 (G3T1) and T2-4 squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) is not known. We assessed ILND rates in a North American cohort., Materials and Methods: The 17 registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database included 868 patients with SCCP, diagnosed between 1988 and 2006. Analyses consisted of univariable and multivariable logistic regression models., Results: Overall, 27.6% of patients underwent an ILND. ILND rates were directly proportional with T stage: 19.0%, 30.5%, 30.6%, and 32.6% for, respectively, G3T1, T2, T3, and T4 SCCP (chi-square trend, P = 0.01). ILND rates also increased over time and were 19.3, 27.3, 30.7, and 30.8% for respectively, 1988-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2003, and 2004-2006 periods (chi-square trend, P = 0.03). Finally, ILND rates decreased with patient age and were 42.6, 33.2, 24.7, and 7.3% for, respectively, patients aged ≤ 57, 58-68, 69-78 and ≥ 79 years of age (chi-square trend, P < 0.001). All 3 variables (T-stage, year of primary tumor excision and patient age) achieved independent predictor status in multivariable analyses., Conclusions: The overall rate of ILND is low. Nonetheless, there is an upward trend over time. Our data indicate that the adherence to the NCI ILND guidelines is suboptimal. In consequence, ILNDs should be more strongly encouraged.

Objective: To evaluate the morbidity of living donor kidney harvesting and the long-term medical consequences and impact on quality of life (QoL)., Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical and surgical data for 114 living kidney donors in a single teaching hospital between 1977 and 2005. Complications were evaluated in relation to the surgical approach and body mass index (BMI) using a Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Changes in renal function (serum creatinine, creatinine clearance), proteinuria and blood pressure (BP) were studied by Student's t test or a Mann-Whitney U or Wilcoxon nonparametric test. Long-term QoL was evaluated by the MOS SF-36 questionnaire and a local questionnaire and was then compared to that of the French general population., Results: The median follow-up was 63 months. The morbidity of kidney harvesting was significantly correlated with the surgical approach (p = 0.018) and a BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 (p = 0.014). No mortality was observed in this series. A moderate elevation of serum creatinine was observed during follow-up (mean serum creatinine increased from 82.2 micromol/l [+/- 16.3] to 104.5 micromol/l [+/- 19.9]), and mean creatinine clearance decreased from 113.4 ml/min [+/- 27.6] to 76 ml/min [+/- 29.9]. Little impact was observed on proteinuria and BP and QoL was not altered by kidney harvesting., Conclusion: The perioperative complication rate is correlated with BMI and a flank incision. Kidney harvesting lowers glomerular filtration, but clearance remained stable during follow-up. Macroalbuminuria or hypertension may be observed, but their frequency is not higher than in the general population. The QoL of living donors is not altered. Clear information for the general public would allow promotion of living donor transplantation.

Purpose: Heterotrimeric G proteins are signal transduction proteins coupled to hormone receptors that activate intracellular second messenger systems, mainly cyclic adenosine monophosphate mediated protein kinase. Recent studies indicate that G proteins may have a major role in oncogenesis as well as in tumor invasiveness and cell proliferation. The involvement of G proteins was formerly thought to be limited to hormonal signal transduction. Activating Gsalpha mutations have been reported in tumors arising only from highly specialized endocrine tissue, such as pituitary adenomas, toxic thyroid adenomas and differentiated thyroid carcinomas, but never in other nonendocrine tumors. We hypothesized that a constitutive activation of this pathway, that is activated Gsalpha and inhibited Gialpha, could be implicated in kidney cancers. We searched for alterations on the Gsalpha gene GNAS and the Gialpha gene in renal cell carcinoma., Materials and Methods: Using nested polymerase chain reaction, enzyme digestions, laser microdissection and direct sequencing we looked for activating mutations on GNAS codons 201 and 227, and inhibiting mutations on the Gialpha gene in 30 consecutive patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma between January 2003 and January 2004., Results: Somatic (tumor specific) activating mutations of Gsalpha were present in a significant proportion of human clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Activating mutations were identified in 5 of the 30 patient DNA preparations (16.6%) with a substitution of arginine 201 by cysteine in 3 and histidine in 2., Conclusions: These findings suggest the implication of this pathway in human oncogenesis. It may provide a potential therapeutic approach to these frequent and aggressive tumors.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the site and dimensions of ureteric stones on the modalities and performances of in situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)., Material and Methods: A population of 385 patients with solitary radiopaque ureteric stones was analysed. The long axis of these stones (211 (55%) lumbar, 38 (10%) iliac and 136 (35%) pelvic stones) ranged from 5 to 21 mm (mean = 8.2 mm). The initial shock wave frequency was 4/s. Lumbar stones were treated in the dorsal supine position under diaz-analgesia and pelvic stones were treated in the ventral supine position without systematic sedation. The influence of wave frequency (1 versus 4/s) on the level of sedation and therapeutic performances was studied on 146 patients with lumbar (n = 92) or pelvic stones (n = 54). The results were evaluated after only one ESWL session and were analysed statistically by Student's test and Fisher test., Results: The overall complete success rate was 74%. Iliac stones were characterized by significantly (p < 0.05) lower (61%) performances. The results were inversely proportional to the size of the stones, as the complete success rate was only 25% for stones > 12 mm. For lumbar stones, a lower frequency allowed a very significant reduction (p < 0.0001) of the level of sedation required without affecting the performance. For pelvic stones, a low frequency significantly (p < 0.05) limited the efficacy of ESWL, especially for stones > 8 mm (27% of complete successes)., Conclusion: In situ piezoelectric ESWL allows effective management of most ureteric stones with of long axis between 5 and 10 mm. In the context of outpatient treatment, however, this approach requires modulation of the shock wave frequency according to the site of the stone. Another therapeutic approach, particularly endoscopy, should be considered for very large stones.

Objective: To evaluate the prognosis of stage pT3bM0 invasive urothelial bladder tumours treated by cystectomy alone or combined with adjuvant chemotherapy according to the MVAC protocol (methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin and cisplatin)., Material and Methods: From 1987 to 1996, 90 patients with stage pT3M0 urothelial bladder tumours were treated with isolated cystectomy (n = 69) or followed by MVAC chemotherapy (n = 21). Lymph node stage was N0 (n = 55), N+ (n = 29) or Nx (n = 6). Essentially selected because of their good general status, patients treated with chemotherapy had a lymph node stage N0 (n = 7) or N+ (n = 14). Chemotherapy had to be suspended in 2 cases and with a fatal outcome during treatment in 4 cases, due to tumour progression, surgical complication or bone marrow aplasia., Results: 65 deaths have occurred with a follow-up of 2 to 120 months (m = 15), including 2 postoperative deaths, 39 cancer deaths and 14 intercurrent deaths. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 70%, 48% and 19% for stage N0 and 54%, 25% and 3% for stage N+, respectively, with corresponding median survivals of 20 and 12 months (p < 0.005). The recurrence rate increased from 40% at stage N0 to 62% at stage N+ (p = 0.05), and the corresponding recurrence-free survivals were 16 months and 7 months (p < 0.02). The median survival without chemotherapy ranged from 11 months at stage N+ to 20 months at stage N0 and, with chemotherapy, from 19 months at stage N+ to 67 months at stage N0. The median recurrence-free survival with and without chemotherapy, was 43 months and 17 months at stage N0 and 12 months and 7 months at stage N+., Conclusion: The prognosis after cystectomy for stage pT3b bladder cancer is severe, especially in the presence of lymph node involvement. Adjuvant chemotherapy according to the MVAC protocol tends to improve survival, especially recurrence-free survival, and appears beneficial at stage N0. However, the value of this adjuvant treatment, which is associated with a high specific morbidity appears to be more relative at stage N+.

Cystine urinary stones is a relatively rare hereditary disorder of dibasic amino acid transport characterized by frequent recurrences. The management of these stones remains problematical despite the remarkable progress in the urological treatment of upper urinary tract stones. Cystine stones are particularly refractory to extracorporeal shock waves and relatively inaccessible to dye pulsed laser (504 nm). Apart from this exception, endourological techniques often represent the most appropriate therapeutic solution, but they are associated with significant morbidity. The physicochemical characteristics of these stones also allow dissolution by urinary alkalinization or the formation of disulfide compounds. In parallel with oral treatments, which constitute the basis of prevention of recurrence, dissolution can be obtained by direct perfusion of the urinary tract. This approach often requires irrigation for several weeks with a risk of the specific complications of catheterization, especially percutaneous catheterization. Prophylaxis, essentially consisting of dilution and dissolution of urinary cystine, raises the problem of the potential adverse effects of drug treatment. Cystinuria is easily detectable and can be investigated either systematically or only in the families concerned. However, the incidence as well as the frequently benign nature of cystinuria tend to limit its value and its indications.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare vesical and renal calcium oxalate crystalluria in an attempt to correlate crystal formation with chemical composition and calcium oxalate saturation of renal urine., Material and Methods: Urine specimens were directly collected from the bladder and the kidney, of 11 stone formers and 11 control subjects under general anesthesia. The type of crystals present in urine as well as their size, number by cubic millimeter and state of aggregation were determined. In addition, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, phosphate, citrate, oxalate, pyrophosphate and uric acid were measured in order to evaluate the calcium saturation status (EQUIL V program)., Results: Calcium oxalate crystals were detected in 3 stone formers (27%) and 2 control subjects (18%) in vesical urine and in 4 stone formers (36%) and 3 control subjects (27%) in renal urine. Only 2 stone formers presented with simultaneous renal and vesical crystalluria. Subjects of the two groups with and without renal crystalluria were compared in terms of chemical composition and calcium oxalate saturation of renal urine. Crystalluric subjects (n = 7) had significantly higher uricosuria (p = 0.02), calciuria (p = 0.04), magnesiuria (p = 0.04) and calcium oxalate molar product (p = 0.05) than noncrystalluric (n = 15); calcium oxalate saturation was similar (p = 0.5)., Conclusions: Beyond theorical considerations on lithogenesis, our observations and in particular the apparent discrepancy between renal and vesical crystalluria pose the problem of the clinical interest of the evaluation of calcium oxalate crystalluria based on freshly voided urine in the assessing the lithogenic risk or in the follow-up of patients who are particularly prone to stone recurrence.

Objective: To evaluate the prognosis and therapeutic modalities of stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis (NSGT) with an embryonic carcinomatous component (EC)., Material and Methods: 18 patients with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumour of the testis with an embryonic carcinomatous component were treated between 1987 and 1995. EC represented more than 50% of the testicular tumour mass in 15 cases. This tumour contingent constituted the only potential prognostic factor in 4 cases, but vascular or lymphatic emboli (n = 3), tumour stage > pT1 (n = 5) or absence of endodermal sinus component (n = 9) were observed in 14 cases. The first 3 patients underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and the following 15 patients were submitted to surveillance (n = 4) or chemotherapy (n = 11) according to the PVB [Cisplatin, Vinblastine, Bleomycin] (n = 7) or BOE [bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin] (n = 4) protocols., Results: With a follow-up of 10 to 110 months (mean: 46), the survival rate is 100% and the recurrence rate is 22%. None of the patients with a local stage exceeding pT1 relapsed after chemotherapy. 2 patients in whom the EC contingent represented less than 50% of the tumour mass and who were simply watched, did not relapse. 4 relapses, detected 3 to 14 months after orchidectomy (mean: 8.5), during surveillance (n = 2) or after chemotherapy (n = 2), required surgical resection or complementary chemotherapy. They occurred in patients in whom EC represented more than 50% of the testicular lesion. The tumour of initially conservatively managed patients did not contain an endodermal sinus component (n = 2) or presented vascular emboli (n = 1). The subjects treated by chemotherapy were characterized by the presence of emboli (n = 1) or the absence of endodermal sinus component (n = 1). The course after recurrence was favourable in 3 cases and the last patient is currently receiving chemotherapy., Conclusion: EC is an independent risk factor whose presence justifies proposal of complementary treatment by retroperitoneal lymph node dissection or chemotherapy, possibly limited to 2 courses of BOE. Surveillance can only be considered in the case of a minority of EC in the tumour, in the absence of any associated risk factors.

Objective: To assess the value of retrograde endoscopic lithotripsy for very large pyelocaliceal stones., Material and Methods: Eighteen patients between the ages of 28 and 80 years (mean : 52) and presenting a staghorn renal calculus (n = 7) or with a maximal diameter greater than or equal to 20 mm (n = 11) were initially managed by rigid or flexible retrograde ureterorenoscopy, with ballistic (Lithoclast) or electrohydraulic (Riwolith) stone fragmentation. In 16 cases (89%), an additional extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) session was performed immediately after the endoscopic procedure. Early complications consisted of 3 cases of bacteraemic discharge rapîdly responding to medical treatment and 1 death from septic shock on the 8th postoperative day. Twelve patients (67%) were subsequently treated by ureteroscopy (n = 4) or ESWL (n = 11)., Results: 17 patients were evaluated after this therapeutic procedure, with a follow-up of 3 to 6 months (mean : 4). Stone elimination was complete for 8 patients (47%), 3 of whom initially presented a staghorn calculus. A residual stone was observed in 9 cases (53%), with a maximal diameter < 5 mm in 7 cases (41%). One patient (5%) underwent secondary percutaneous nephrolithotomy., Conclusion: Technological progress has clearly facilitated the ureteroscopic approach to very large pyelocaliceal stones, but fragmentation and stone elimination remain problematical. This unconventional approach constitutes a potential field of technical progress, but does not represent a really efficient alternative to PCNL at the present time.

Two cases of cystic tumour are reported. The first consisted of a pseudohaemorrhagic cyst of the right adrenal gland discovered during aetiological assessment of HT refractory to medical treatment. Plasma and urinary assays did not reveal any abnormality suggestive of secreting adrenal tumour. Imaging (ultrasonography. CT and MRI) was in favour of a necrotic malignant tumour and a normal isotope scan (MIBG iodine 131) eliminated phaechromocytoma. Adrenalectomy was easily performed via a subcostal laparotomy and the postoperative course was uneventful. The second case consisted of a right adrenal cyst detected incidentally on ultrasonography. The laboratory assessment demonstrated only a slight elevation of urinary metanephrine and imaging (CT and MRI) was not suggestive of a malignant lesion. Simple annual CT follow-up was decided in this case. The various pathological types of rare cystic lesion of the adrenal gland are described with particular emphasis on their diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency, predictive parameters and prognosis of urethral recurrence after cystoprostatectomy for urothelial bladder cancer., Material and Methods: From 1989 to 1994, 8 of a series of 185 patients (4.3%) treated by cystoprostatectomy for bladder carcinoma between 1988 and 1993 developed urethral recurrence revealed by urethral bleeding, with a follow-up of 6 to 36 months (m = 16)., Results: The initial bladder tumour was localized in 3 cases and multifocal in 5 cases. The posterior urethra was not involved in 5 cases, but presented lesions of CIS in 1 case and neoplastic infiltration also involving the prostate in 2 cases. These recurrences were treated by urethrectomy, as first-line treatment in 7 cases and after failure of endoscopic treatment in 1 case. A balanic recurrence required distal penectomy following insufficient urethral resection. The course was very rapidly unfavourable for 3 patients with generalized cancer and an intercurrent disease was fatal in 1 other case. With a follow-up of 12 to 44 months (m = 26), 4 patients are alive with no obvious signs of disease progression., Conclusion: The indications for prophylactic urethrectomy can be reserved to patients with positive urethral resection margins, provided all other cases are submitted to strict surveillance. In the context of a replacement bladder, it is essential to exclude neoplastic involvement of the posterior urethra or prostate, especially in patients previously treated by intravesical instillations.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of in situ piezolectric extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the middle part of the ureter., Material and Methods: 36 consecutive patients presenting with stones of the middle part of the ureter were treated by in situ piezoelectric ESWL (EDAP LT 02). The maximal dimensions of the stones ranged from 5 to 14 mm (m = 7.8). Moderate or severe ureterohydronephrosis was present in 19 cases (53%) and a double J stent had been previously implanted in 6 cases (17%). The ESWL sessions were performed in the ventral supine position without any anaesthesia or systematic premedication, but an IM injection of 100 mg of pethidine was administered during poorly tolerated treatments., Results: The stone was located easily in 23 cases (64%) and with greater difficulty in 13 cases (36%), as an intraoperative intravenous injection of contrast agent was performed in 6 cases (17%). The number of sessions per patient ranged from 1 to 2 (m = 1.16). The complete sucess rate was 75%, with a 64% success rate after a single ESWL session. The performances were statistically independent of stone dimensions and the degree of obstruction of the urinary tract. The complication rate was 5.5%, but no ancillary endoscopic or percutaneous treatment was required., Conclusion: In situ piezoelectric ESWL allows effective management of most stones of the middle part of the ureter. However, the treatment of stones with a maximal diameter < 5 mm, especially poorly radiopaque stones, can raise problems of localization. Very large or impacted stones, especially when complicated by urinary tract infection, should be preferably treated by first-line ureteroscopy.

The authors report 3 cases of fibroepithelial polyps, one of which was an incidental finding and 2 were symptomatic, presenting in the form of macroscopic haematuria and chronic back pain, respectively. These lesions required 2 nephroureterectomies because of their renal repercussions or their multifocal nature, combined with segmental resection of the ureter, including the base of the tumour. In the light of these cases, the authors review the literature and analyse the current management of this rare disease, in particular the indications for endourological techniques which appear to have a major diagnostic contribution as a complement to IVU and retrograde urography, but whose therapeutic value has yet to be defined.

Despite the progress in basic research, the precise assessment of the risk of calcium oxalate urinary stones and the detection of patients at particular risk of recurrent stones are often problematical. A population of 55 renal stone patients and 50 controls served as a basis for various comparative studies of Parks' index, Tiselius' index, the urinary citrate/urinary calcium ratio and the morning calcium oxalate crystalluria. Parks' index and the urinary citrate/urinary calcium ratio were highly discriminant, in contrast with Tiselius' index and crystalluria, which were statistically comparable in the 2 groups. A close correlation was observed for the 3 versions of Tiselius' index, which estimates diuresis, but no particular correlation was detected between crystalluria and the other parameters studied. Parks' index and the urinary citrate/urinary calcium ratio are potentially adapted to the detection and monitoring of renal stone patients at risk of recurrence. On the other hand, the various Tiselius' indices can be essentially used to evaluate urinary calcium oxalate oversaturation and possibly to control treatments interfering with this parameter. The formula simply based on diuresis, and the 24-hour urinary calcium and oxalate excretion (CaO.71.Ox.V-1.2) appears to be sufficient for this purpose. The absence of correlation between crystalluria and the other potential indicators of lithogenic risk raises the problem of their respective validity as well as the possible prevalence in the crystallization process of the powerful inhibitors which are currently unidentified, but probably macromolecular.

Objective: To evaluate changes in the management of major blunt renal trauma since the introduction of computerized tomographic diagnosis and follow-up., Material and Methods: Twenty-three consecutive patients with deep blunt renal lacerations without major pedicle injury or shattered kidney were treated from 1986 to 1995. In group 1 (1986-1989, 12 patients), initial management was conservative, but with open surgery in cases of hemodynamic instability or persistent urinary extravasation. In group 2 (1990-1995, 11 patients), a plain conservative approach was followed and open surgery was reserved for major complications only., Results: In group 1, 6 patients required early renal exploration (4 nephrectomies, 2 renorrhaphies). A persistent urinary fistula led to late nephrectomy in 1 of the renorrhaphy patients. Retroperitoneal hematoma and urinary extravasation spontaneously resolved in 6 cases. Length of hospital stay was significantly lower (p = 0.02) for nonoperated patients. None suffered from hypertension at long-term follow-up (5-8 years, mean 7.2). In groups 2, all 11 patients were treated conservatively, with endoscopic ureteric stenting in 4 cases. Urinary extravasation always resolved, but 9 patients had residual perirenal hematoma at the time of discharge. Length of hospital stay was significantly higher (p = 0.0005) with ureteric stenting. Nine months after trauma, 1 patient suffered from recurrent pyelonephritis. Radiographic follow-up (1-30 months, mean 10.2) revealed minor sequelae in all evaluated patients., Conclusion: In most patients with major blunt renal lacerations, a conservative approach is safe. Most extravasation spontaneously resolves and minimally invasive techniques will deal with nearly all complications. In our experience, open surgery usually results in nephrectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the management of urolithiasis in children since the development of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)., Methods: Between 1988 and 1994, 37 children, aged from 2 to 15 years (mean 10), with upper tract urolithiasis were evaluated and treated. Lithogenic metabolic disorders or anomalies of the urinary tract were present in 11 children (30%) Urolithiasis was multiple in 9 cases and bilateral in 2 cases. A total of 47 renal (30) or ureteral (17) stones were managed, of which 5 were partial or complete staghorn calculi. Initial treatment was surgery in 4 cases (1 nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy and 2 pyelolithotomies) and piezoelectric ESWL in 43 cases., Results: The overall ESWL success rate was 82.2%, with auxillary endoscopic procedures in 3 cases. ESWL failures required surgical stone removal in 5 cases, endoscopic ureterolithotripsy in 1 case and electrohydraulic ESWL in 1 case. Residual fragments after pyelolithotomies were also treated by ESWL., Conclusion: ESWL is the mainstay of treatment of childhood upper tract urolithiasis, but other therapeutic methods retain specific indications. Its application requires great vigilance and its long-term effects are uncertain. It is therefore important to rule out any underlying pathology and where possible to prevent further stone formation.

Objectives: To evaluate the morbidity of renal transplant biopsies performed after simple ultrasonographic identification of the transplants, using a Vim-Silverman or Tru-cut needle., Methods: From January 1987 to April 1991, 360 renal transplant biopsies were performed after simple ultrasonographic identification of the transplants, using a Vim-Silverman (n = 204) or Tru-cut (n-156) needle. In 221 transplants, these biopsies were performed because of a rise of serum creatinine (n = 319) or proteinuria (n = 17) or were even performed systematically (n = 24). One to 5 (mean = 1.6) transplant biopsies were performed systematically and the interval between renal transplantation and biopsy varied between 3 days and 11 years., Results: 290 biopsies (80.6%) allowed the analysis of a minimum of 3 glomeruli (mean = 9.3). The yield of the Vim-Silverman needle was significantly greater than that of the Tru-cut model (p = 0.02). 147 biopsies (50.7%) demonstrated acute or chronic rejection, 57 (19.7%) revealed cyclosporin nephrotoxicity, 41 (14.1%) showed acute tubular necrosis and 14 (4.8%) showed glomerulopathy, while 31 (10.7%) were strictly normal. The morbidity of these biopsies was reflected by 37 complications (10.3%), including 30 minor and 7 major complications (2 cases of haemoperitoneum, 4 cases of obstructive anuria and 1 arteriovenous fistula). However, only one case required transplantectomy. These problems were significantly more frequent following inadequate biopsies (< 3 glomeruli, purely medullary, extra-renal)., Conclusion: Despite the considerable risk of iatrogenic lesions, these biopsies were justified by their potential diagnostic and therapeutic benefit. The prophylaxis of complications of this procedure is based on strict respect of blood pressure and haematological criteria and on real-time ultrasound monitoring of the biopsy and miniaturization of the trocars. The treatment of severe complications has been greatly improved by the development of endourology and interventional radiology, but surgery, and especially transplantectomy, is still occasionally required.

From May 1988 to September 1994, 15 spinal cord injury patients were treated by piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Aged from 23 to 71 years (mean = 39), they presented with a total of 23 stones, of which 18 were located in the calyces, three in the renal pelvis and two in the proximal ureter. The maximum dimensions of calculi varied from 5 to 35 mm (mean = 11). Patients were placed in a dorsal decubitus position during the sessions, three being sedated with diazepam, while the other 12 remained unsedated. All were treated routinely with systemic antibiotics. Auxiliary procedures consisted of two pyelocalyceal flushings, three double J ureteral stenting and three ureteroscopies with fragment removal with a Dormia basket. No episode of autonomic dysreflexia was observed. Short term side effects were limited to a few cases of gross haematuria which regressed spontaneously. Overall, eight successes (53%), and seven failures (47%), were registered. Of the failures, one was the result of a partial fragmentation, while six were related to intrarenal retention of residual fragments resulting in four cases in rapid recurrences. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can be easily applied to spinal cord injury patients. Its usefulness and limitations need to be well understood and a global consideration must be applied to the prevention and early detection of the upper urinary calculi in this exposed population of patients.

From 1972 to 1993, we carried out 803 consecutive renal transplants including 8 third transplants. Exclusively cadaveric, these third renal transplants were implanted by intraperitoneal approach in right iliac position, without previous homolateral transplantectomy in 5 cases. The arterial anastomoses were common (7) or external iliac and hypogastric (1), and the venous anastomoses external (1) and common iliac (3), or inferior vena cava (4). Restoration of urinary continuity was by ureteronecystostomy (Politano-Leadbetter = 4, Grégoir-Lich = 3) or ureteroureteric anastomosis (1). The level of HLA compatibility varied from 2 to 5 identities (mean 3.1) and 4 of the 7 patients explored were hyperimmunized with lymphocytotoxic antibody levels > or = 80%. With the exception of the first of these third transplants, the immunosuppressive protocol associated azathioprine, prednisolone, antilymphocytic serum and cyclosporin. Postoperative sequels were marked by 3 vascular rejections and 1 death from hyperkalemia. Moreover, 1 urinary fistula on ureteroureteric anastomosis settled after percutaneous nephrostomy and placing of an uteric stent endoprosthesis. With a postoperative follow-up of 8-32 months (mean 24), 5 of the transplanted patients (62.5%) have a functional renal transplant with a serum creatinine from 120 to 180 microM/l (mean 140). This brief series, whose failures are exclusively immunological, reveals the remarkable technical reliability for these third renal transplants in right iliac implantation, by median transabdominal approach and above a former transplant site.

Forty patients with stress urinary incontinence, treated between April 1982 and June 1988 according to Burch's technique, were reviewed. 24 (60%) successes, 8 (20%) major improvements and 8 (20%) failures were recorded with a mean follow-up of 85 months. Compared to the early postoperative findings, a marked deterioration in urinary continence was observed in 4 cases (10%). These results are in contrast with earlier papers reporting remarkable stability of the therapeutic performance of this type of cervicocystopexy. Although too brief to allow reliable statistical analysis, this series simply draws attention to the hypothetical long-term efficacy of Burch's operation.

From June 1991 to April 1993, 25 non-staghorn renal stones with a maximal diameter greater than or equal to 25 mm were treated by piezoelectric extracorporeal lithotripsy (EDAP LT 01). The complete success rate was 56% after 1 (16%), 2 (12%), 3 (16%) or 4 sessions (12%). 14 double J ureteric stents were implanted (56% of cases) and 4 complications were observed (2 cases of acute pyelonephritis and 2 cases of ureteric silting). These results were inferior to those obtained with percutaneous surgery, but help to define the potential indications of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. This treatment modality can therefore be applied to large friable weddellite or even struvite stones, particularly when the anatomical conditions are unfavourable for percutaneous surgery.

From April to September 1992, systematic screening for iatrogenic vesicoureteric reflux was performed in a series of 30 patients treated by rigid ureterorenoscopy. Most of these endoscopies were performed for renal stones using a Wolff Multiscope (7.5/12 F) without prior dilatation of the urinary tract. The study protocol was essentially based on pre- and postoperative retrograde and voiding cystography. The site and tone of the ureteric orifice and the compliance of the intramural ureter were also evaluated and the operating time was determined. Out of 33 ureteric endoscopies, only one case of type I pelvic vesicoureteric reflux was demonstrated following an operation with no particular technical problems. This rare and benign deferred complication draws attention to the potential consequences of rigid ureterorenoscopy on the vesicoureteric antireflux device.

We recently observed 3 cases of ectopic ureteric orifice in the seminal tract in patients between the ages of 16 and 42 years. The first case was discovered incidentally, but the other two presented with scrotal symptoms. Intravenous urography, ultrasonography and computed tomography contributed to the diagnosis, but magnetic resonance imaging was the most conclusive, avoiding the need for deferentography in one case. These 3 recent cases allow an evaluation of the respective value of these various imaging modalities.

The authors report a case of Waldenström's disease in which the initial staging assessment reveals an isolated tumour of the left upper urinary tract. Combination chemotherapy (6 courses of protocol M2) induced a marked reduction in the monoclonal IgM peak and in the tumour mass. In the light of this atypical case, which emphasises the diversity of the potential sites of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia, the authors review its potential for progression and the various therapeutic modalities available.