Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A A Caldamone.
While laparoscopy has become a reasonably well accepted modality in the management of the nonpalpable testis, its role has been largely diagnostic. We report complete laparoscopic management of the intra-abdominal testis. The advantage of the 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy is discussed and the technique of a laparoscopic second stage is described, which has been used successfully in 5 patients.
A total of 208 boys with a unilateral impalpable testis and a contralateral descended testis was studied to correlate the probability of finding blind-ending vas and vessels (vanishing testis) with the side of presentation of the impalpable testis. Of 142 boys with a left impalpable testis 93 (65%) had a vanishing testis and of 66 boys with a right impalpable testis 38 (58%) had a vanishing testis (p < 0.28). These data indicate that impalpable and vanishing testes are more likely to occur on the left side in boys with a unilateral impalpable testis but the likelihood of having a vanishing testis is similar regardless of the side of presentation.
Laparoscopy was done in 104 consecutive patients with 106 impalpable testes. Three clinical presentations were identified and the value of laparoscopy in each was analyzed. 1) For unilateral impalpable and contralateral normal testes laparoscopic identification of testicular absence was made in 27% of the cases and intra-abdominal testes were found in 16%. Therefore, laparoscopy was of value in 43% of the cases. 2) For bilateral undescended testes (1 or both impalpable) laparoscopy was diagnostic in 75% of the cases (17% had blind-ending spermatic vessels above the internal ring and 58% had intra-abdominal testes). 3) For patients with previous negative inguinal exploration laparoscopic diagnosis was made in 100%.
Lymphomatous involvement of the kidneys is a common manifestation of systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but associated renal dysfunction is uncommon. In contrast, lymphoma originating within the kidneys is a rare event. We report a case of primary renal lymphoma presenting with renal insufficiency and hypertension in a 10-year-old boy.
We report three additional cases of primary extrarenal Wilms' tumor and review those cases previously documented. Analysis of the location, histopathology, treatment, and survival of these cases supports the following conclusions: Wilms' tumor may occur in an extrarenal location without primary renal involvement and must be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal, pelvic, and inguinal masses; an extrarenal location supports a more frequent occurrence of ectopic metanephric blastema than was previously recognized or origin of Wilms' tumor from a more primitive mesodermal tissue; and the natural history and prognosis of extrarenal and renal Wilms' tumors appears similar.
A 15-month-old phenotypic female was diagnosed as having 46XY gonadal dysgenesis following karyotyping for Turner-like features. Gonadectomy at the time of bilateral ureteral reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux showed gonadoblastoma. This case, in which malignancy was already established at 15 months, indicates the need for early gonadectomy, which should be performed at the time of diagnosis.
Disorders of urachal remnants are uncommon. While a urachal cyst usually is asymptomatic, infection may mimic a variety of acute intra-abdominal or pelvic processes. We describe 10 patients in 2 distinct age groups (the young child and the young adult) with an infected urachal cyst. The presenting symptoms and signs in most patients included dysuria, severe lower abdominal pain and fever. In 7 patients the correct preoperative diagnosis was made. Diagnoses at referral included Crohn's disease, bladder carcinoma and pelvic inflammatory disease. A single procedure was performed in 7 cases and a staged technique was used in 3. The differential diagnosis of acute abdominal and pelvic pain or a midline lower abdominal mass in the pediatric or young adult age group should include infection of a urachal remnant.
The adreno-genital syndrome (congenital adrenal hyperplasia) is caused by deficiency of an enzyme (usually C-21 hydroxylase) necessary for adrenal production of cortisol, which results in excessive accumulation of androgenic precursors. It is the most common cause of female pseudohermaphroditism. There have been a few sporadic reports of ultrasonic demonstration of enlarged adrenals in the adreno-genital syndrome. To determine whether ultrasonography could be used to establish or exclude the diagnosis, ultrasonic examinations were performed on eight newborn infants with ambiguous genitalia who were subsequently proven to have the adreno-genital syndrome. The adrenals were found to be enlarged in three patients, at the upper limit of normal in three patients, and in two infants the adrenals were well within normal limits in size. The uterus was identified in seven of the eight patients, but was not seen for technical reasons in one. It is concluded that ultrasound is useful in the evaluation of infants with congenital adrenal hyperplasia to establish the presence of a uterus and to demonstrate enlargement of the adrenals, but it should be cautioned that finding adrenals of normal size does not exclude the diagnosis. Key words ultrasound, adreno-genital syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
The practice of pediatric urology has changed much during the last 25 years. Procedures that were once done only on inpatients are now done as ambulatory cases, comprising more than 60 per cent of all surgery. This trend has continued, with even more cases being done as office procedures. These consist of circumcision, meatotomy for stenosis, lysis of labial adhesions, and meatal dilatation after hypospadias repair. If an operation is done with attention to detail, it can be completed with minimal complications, although, as evidenced with circumcision, those that do occur can carry significant morbidity and even cause death. The primary limiting factor for performing procedures in the office is the comfort of the patient. The procedure, by necessity, has to entail minimum pain and great ease in obtaining hemostasis and requires a cooperative patient and family. Therefore, even as the number of operations performed on an out-patient basis increases, there are a finite number of cases suitable for the office.
Acquired infundibular stenosis is an unusual complication resulting in pancalyceal obstruction. We have cared for 6 patients with acquired infundibular stenosis not associated with tuberculosis. All patients had urinary diversion with ileal conduits for a minimum of eleven years and documented ileal-ureteral reflux and chronic urinary tract infections. The clinical, radiographic, and pathologic characteristics of this syndrome are described and therapeutic guidelines suggested.
With all of the recent attention focused on obtaining an internalized form of urinary diversion, the use of ureterosigmoidostomy is often overlooked. In spite of the many potential complications associated with this procedure, with recent improvements in surgical technique, the availability of antibiotics, and a better understanding of physiology of the colon, these formerly life-threatening complications can now be minimized. We believe the use of ureterosigmoidostomy should not be overlooked in the individual in whom an internalized form of urinary diversion is desirable. In the properly motivated patient with rectal continence, who is free of intrinsic renal disease and does not have ureteral dilation, ureterosigmoidostomy can be expected to be a highly successful form of urinary diversion.
Duplication of the upper tract constitutes a common anomaly of the renal pelvis and ureter. The varied combinations and presentations provide a challenge in both diagnosis and treatment. The author presents a synopsis of the more common types of anomalies encountered along with their evaluation and treatment.
We have found that the blanket philosophy of emergency scrotal exploration in all cases of acute scrotal swelling in boys results in an unacceptably large number of unnecessary explorations. The use of specific aspects of the clinical examination, in conjunction with the radioisotope testicular scan in selected instances, has guided our management of 150 consecutive boys presenting with acute scrotal symptoms.
Ureteroceles can be associated with obstruction and/or reflux to any of the involved renal units. Their management is controversial and the possible options are numerous. From a population of 58 children with ureteroceles we analyzed those patients who underwent upper pole heminephrectomy alone as to the secondary operative rate. Followup examination of those patients whose management was initiated with upper pole partial nephrectomy and partial ureterectomy revealed a higher than expected incidence of persistent reflux.
Postoperative intussusception is a documented complication of pediatric surgical and pediatric urologic abdominal operations. In contrast to "primary" intussusception's triad of crampy abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass, and "currant jelly" stools, postoperative intussusception is generally characterized by abdominal pain and vomiting. An abdominal mass is not usually palpable, and few children have bloody stools. Proper diagnosis and treatment may be delayed because of similar abdominal symptoms in children who may be receiving radiation and chemotherapy, or with prolonged ileus. Two children operated on for Wilms tumor demonstrate the need for awareness of this potential problem in the postoperative patient.
The treatment of children with calculi requires special considerations. One must search for underlying anomalies that may be predisposing factors. Technical considerations play a major role in the choice of treatment of upper tract stones in the pediatric population.
The acute scrotum in the pediatric patient frequently presents a diagnostic dilemma for even the most experienced clinician. In an effort to improve testicular salvage in equivocal cases, immediate surgical intervention has been recommended, despite a large number of unnecessary explorations. Evaluating the sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m radioisotopic scan in 46 boys, we found this study to be a rapid, reliable, sensitive, and noninvasive test that allows the selection of those patients who require immediate surgical intervention.