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Endourology plays an important role in modern urological practice. Compared to open surgery, it offers many advantages. In Africa, endourology is not widely practiced or non‐existent in some referral centres. Several factors have been linked to this challenge. This article explores and proposes strategies to improve endourology practice in the African context. Recognising the unique challenges and opportunities in the region, the document discusses key initiatives and recommendations to promote the growth and development of endourological practices, including the identification of local needs, training, technological adaptation, etc. It aims to provide valuable information on the advancement of endourology in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Congenital or acquired disorders of patency of the inferior vena cava (IVC) or iliac veins have been considered for a long time to be an almost insurmountable technical obstacle in paediatric renal transplantation. The authors report their experience based on 7 transplantations performed in children with a disorder of venous patency, in whom renal transplantation was able to be performed. More generally, they also discuss the available technical options based on a review of the literature., Material and Method: From April 1987 to January 2002, renal transplantation was performed in 7 children with congenital or acquired abnormality of the iliac veins or IVC in our unit. All children underwent radiological assessment by venous Doppler ultrasound before transplantation. The contribution of radiological examinations to the diagnosis, the surgical technique performed, postoperative complications, patient survival and graft survival as well as long-term renal function were studied retrospectively., Results: Four of the 7 transplanted children presented a congenital anomaly of the IVC and 3 had acquired thrombosis. In 5 out of 7 cases, the diagnosis was established before transplantation by Doppler ultrasound (completed by cavography in one case). The transplant renal vein was anastomosed to the iliocaval system in the majority of cases and the portal system had to be used in one case. With a mean follow-up of 94 months, all children have a functioning graft with a mean serum creatinine of 88 micromol/l., Conclusions: Disorders of patency of the IVC or iliac veins in children waiting for renal transplantation are rare, but these abnormalities can cause problems for the surgical team and compromise graft survival. Radiological assessment of patency of the venous network must help to demonstrated these abnormalities in order to optimally adapt the transplantation technique, which ensures very acceptable graft survival rates.

Partial nephrectomy has recently become the reference treatment for localized renal cancer, less than 40 mm in diameter, in adults. The development of laparoscopy remains limited by the difficulties of haemostasis in these indications. "Minimally invasive techniques" have therefore been developed in this context, in order to achieve two objectives: parenchyma sparing and low morbidity. Various approaches, using cryotherapy, radiofrequency, microwaves or high intensity focused ultrasound, are under investigation. The preliminary clinical results appear to be promising, but the efficacy endpoints of these treatments still need to be evaluated, as well as the survival results based on longer term follow-up. However, if the good initial results are confirmed, these techniques could constitute, in the future, an alternative to surgery for the management of renal cancers less than 40 mm in diameter The objective of this article is to review these various techniques, to summarize the studies published in the literature and to discuss the preliminary oncological results.

Testicular infarction without torsion of the spermatic cord is a rare lesion, generally idiopathic and spontaneous. It may be exceptionally associated with certain risk factors (vasculitis, cholesterol emboli, malakoplakia, protein S or antithrombin III deficiency, etc.). It often simulates testicular tumour, leading to orchidectomy, which can be avoided, particularly in the case of segmental infarction, by applying conservative treatment. The authors report an original case of infarction of an inguinal ectopic testis without torsion. No cause was identified. In the light of this case and a review of the literature, the authors discuss the various aspects of this clinical entity.

Retro-iliac ureter is a rare congenital abnormality. The authors report a case of retro-iliac ureter associated with ipsilateral megaureter in a 38-year-old patient treated by section of the ureter at the ureterovesical junction, and dissection as far as the iliac pedicle and anterior repositioning of this pedicle, followed by ureterovesical reimplantation. Based on a review of the literature, this appears to be the first published case of this pathological association.

Skin is an uncommon site of metastatic disease when compared to other organs or sites in the body. Occasionally, cutaneous metastasis may be the first clinical manifestation of a clinically silent, visceral malignancy of unknown origin. We report the case of a 25 year old man with a single perineal reddish nodule. Microscopic examination of the cutaneous nodule revealed the typical histologic features of a testicular tumor with metastases to liver and lungs. The patient died four month after the diagnosis due to complications of metastatic disease.

Primary hyperaldosteronism represents less tha 1% of all causes of hypertension. We report one case of primary hyperaldosteronism which emphasizes the difficulty of distinguishing tumoral PHA from idiopathic PHA (bilateral adrenal hyperplasia), observed in a 57-year-old man. The diagnosis was suggested by marked hypokalemia, and was confirmed by hyperaldosteronaemia and low and poorly stimulated renin activity. Intravenous saline infusion failed to significantly suppress plasma aldosterone levels. Upright posture for 60 minutes suppressed plasma aldosterone concentration. A Computed tomography (CT) scan showed bilateral adrenal mass. Management consisted of total right adrenalectomy, and enucleation of adenoma from the opposite adenoma. The patient is normotensive 4 years after surgery.

Aim: Hydatid disease is endemic in some countries, where it constitutes a real public health problem. It can affect any, but the kidney is a relatively rare site, representing 2% to 4% of all visceral sites. Renal hydatid cyst only presents at the stage of complications. Laboratory tests may suggest the diagnosis, which is confirmed by radiology. Renal hydatid cyst raises therapeutic problems making conservative surgery difficult. The objective of this paper is the find the best adapted treatment., Material and Method: 34 consecutive cases of renal hydatid cyst (1980-2001) were observed in 23 men and 11 women with a mean age of 42 years (range: 15-73 years). The clinical features were dominated by pain (63%), a mass (26%), hydaturia (11.4%), haematuria (31.4%), prolonged fever (23%) and hypertension (3%). Intravenous urography performed in all patients showed calcifications in 5 cases, a mass syndrome in 11 cases and silent kidney in 2 cases. Abdominal CT, performed in 8 patients, was necessary whenever the diagnosis remained uncertain, particularly in the case of pseudoneoplastic cysts. However, ultrasonography, performed in 30 patients, remains the preferred diagnostic examination., Results: Treatment consisted of resection of the prominent dome in 23 cases, pericystectomy in 5 cases, 1 partial nephrectomy and 6 total nephrectomies. An associated procedure was performed during the same operation (hepatic, peritoneal hydatid cyst) in 3 cases, and was deferred (pulmonary hydatid cyst) in 1 case. The postoperative course was marked by urinary fistula in 2 cases and suppuration of the residual cavity in 1 case, treated by ultrasound-guided aspiration-drainage., Conclusion: The resection of the prominent dome is the most adapted treatment whenever possible.

Focal bacterial nephritis or lobar nephronia represents an acute localized non-liquefactive infection of the kidney caused by bacterial infection. This is an uncommon form of pyelonephritis that can affect both adults and children. Imaging techniques, particularly CT scan, are necessary for diagnosis and to distinguish it from other conditions (abscess or renal masses) that require a different treatment. The authors describe a case of acute lobar nephronia in a 24-year-old man.