Introdução e Objetivo: Hidronefrose e Obstrução são condições associadas, entretanto dilatações da via excretora podem ocorrer na ausência de obstruções clinicamente importantes. Ultra-sonografia convencional e Renograma com Diuréticos são os métodos diagnósticos complementares mais utilizados na avaliação das hidronefroses na infância. Recentes trabalhos têm demonstrado a possibilidade de observarmos os jatos ureterais com o Estudo Ultra-sonográfico com Doppler Colorido e sugerido a sua aplicação no diagnóstico diferencial das hidronefroses. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a aplicabilidade do estudo dos jatos ureterais como método diagnóstico na identificação das hidronefroses obstrutivas e não obstrutivas na população pediátrica. Métodos: Foram estudadas 48 crianças (35 meninos e 13 meninas) com idade que variou de um mês a 14 anos (mediana de 4 anos), que se apresentaram com Hidronefroses Unilaterais, Graus III e IV, e com suspeita de obstrução da junção pieloureteral. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos ao Estudo dos jatos ureterais e ao Renograma com Diuréticos num período de duas semanas. As unidades hidronefróticas foram consideradas obstruídas quando a Função Renal Diferencial era menor do que 40%, ou em indivíduos mais velhos que apresentavam dor lombar intermitente. Os jatos ureterais de cada meato foram contados por um período de 5 minutos e considerados separadamente. Freqüência Relativa dos Jatos (FRJ) foi definida como o numero de jatos ureterais no lado afetado dividido pela soma dos jatos ureterais observados bilateralmente. Resultados: Vinte e duas (45,8%) unidades hidronefróticas foram consideradas obstruídas.A média da FRJ diferiu significativamente entre as hidronefroses obstrutivas (0,09 ± 0,15) e não obstrutivas (0,41 ± 0,11). (p<0.001). Análise da Curva ROC revelou que FRJ < 0,25 é o melhor valor que distingue as hidronefroses obstrutivas e não obstrutivas e o faz corretamente em 91,2 % dos casos, com uma Sensibilidade de 86,4% (IC95%=78,6-98,2%) e Especificidade de of 96.15% (IC95%=87.8-99%). O Índice de Probabilidade Positivo foi de 22,45 e a Razão de Chances Diagnóstica de 158,3. A área sob a curva ROC foi de 0,91 (IC95%=0,86-0,98) indicando a excelente acurácia do método. Conclusões: FRJ < 25 % mostrou ser um bom indicador de obstrução nas hidronefroses unilaterais da infância. O estudo dos jatos ureterais a Ultrasonografia com Doppler Colorido é método simples, não invasivo e pode ser utilizado na abordagem inicial e no seguimento, na diferenciação das hidronefroses obstrutivas e não obstrutivas na população pediátrica / Introduction and Objective: Hydronephrosis (HN) and obstruction are closely associated, but upper urinary tract dilatation can occur without significant obstruction. Despite some pitfalls, conventional ultrasonography and diuretic renography (DR) are the main modalities in the evaluation of HN in children. Recent reports have demonstrated the usefulness of Color Doppler Ultrasonography (CDUS) as a reliable method to identify the ureteric jets (UJ) in the bladder. The aim of this study was to evaluate CDUS evaluation of the UJ in the bladder as a diagnostic tool to distinguish obstructive from non-obstructive dilatations of the upper tract in pediatric population. Methods: We evaluated 48 patients (35 boys and 13 girls), aged 1 month to 14 years (median = 4 ys.), who presented with unilateral grade III and IV hydronephrosis suspicious of pyeloureteral junction obstruction. All patients underwent DR and evaluation of UJ by transverse CDSG of the bladder within a maximum of 2 weeks. Obstruction was considered in the DR when the hydronephrotic unit showed Differential Renal Function of less than 40%, or when symptomatic intermittent renal colic was present in older children. The number of UJ was counted over a 5 min period and its frequency was calculated for each ureteral orifice. Relative Jet Frequency (RJF) was defined as the UJ frequency of hydronephrotic side divided by total UJ frequency. Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) plots were constructed to determine the best cuttoff for RJF, in order to identify renal units with obstructive hydronephrosis. Results:Twenty-two(45.8%) hydronephrotic units were considered obstructed. The mean RJF differed significantly between obstructive (0.09 ± 0,15) and non-obstructive hydronephrosis (0.41± 0.11)(p<0.001). ROC analysis revealed that RJF< 0.25 was the best threshold and it correctly discriminates obstruction in 91.2% of the childrens with a sensitivity of 86.4% (95%CI=78.6-98.2%) and specificity of 96.15% (95%CI=87,8-99%). The Positive Likelihood Ratio was 22.45 and Diagnostic Odds Ratio was 158.3.The area under the ROC curve was 0.91 (95%CI=0.86-0.98), indicating excellent discrimination power. Conclusions: In this study RJF < 25% was found to be a good indicator of obstruction in children with unilateral hydronephrosis. CDUS evaluation of UJ is an easy and non-invasive method that can be used as an initial diagnostic tool and in follow-up cases, to differentiate obstructed from non-obstructed hydronephrosis in the pediatric population

Introdução e Objetivo: Hidronefrose e Obstrução são condições associadas, entretanto dilatações da via excretora podem ocorrer na ausência de obstruções clinicamente importantes. Ultra-sonografia convencional e Renograma com Diuréticos são os métodos diagnósticos complementares mais utilizados na avaliação das hidronefroses na infância. Recentes trabalhos têm demonstrado a possibilidade de observarmos os jatos ureterais com o Estudo Ultra-sonográfico com Doppler Colorido e sugerido a sua aplicação no diagnóstico diferencial das hidronefroses. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a aplicabilidade do estudo dos jatos ureterais como método diagnóstico na identificação das hidronefroses obstrutivas e não obstrutivas na população pediátrica. Métodos: Foram estudadas 48 crianças (35 meninos e 13 meninas) com idade que variou de um mês a 14 anos (mediana de 4 anos), que se apresentaram com Hidronefroses Unilaterais, Graus III e IV, e com suspeita de obstrução da junção pieloureteral. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos ao Estudo dos jatos ureterais e ao Renograma com Diuréticos num período de duas semanas. As unidades hidronefróticas foram consideradas obstruídas quando a Função Renal Diferencial era menor do que 40%, ou em indivíduos mais velhos que apresentavam dor lombar intermitente. Os jatos ureterais de cada meato foram contados por um período de 5 minutos e considerados separadamente. Freqüência Relativa dos Jatos (FRJ) foi definida como o numero de jatos ureterais no lado afetado dividido pela soma dos jatos ureterais observados bilateralmente. Resultados: Vinte e duas (45,8%) unidades hidronefróticas foram consideradas obstruídas.A média da FRJ diferiu significativamente entre as hidronefroses obstrutivas (0,09 ± 0,15) e não obstrutivas (0,41 ± 0,11). (p<0.001). Análise da Curva ROC revelou que FRJ < 0,25 é o melhor valor que distingue as hidronefroses obstrutivas e não obstrutivas e o faz corretamente em 91,2 % dos casos, com uma Sensibilidade de 86,4% (IC95%=78,6-98,2%) e Especificidade de of 96.15% (IC95%=87.8-99%). O Índice de Probabilidade Positivo foi de 22,45 e a Razão de Chances Diagnóstica de 158,3. A área sob a curva ROC foi de 0,91 (IC95%=0,86-0,98) indicando a excelente acurácia do método. Conclusões: FRJ < 25 % mostrou ser um bom indicador de obstrução nas hidronefroses unilaterais da infância. O estudo dos jatos ureterais a Ultrasonografia com Doppler Colorido é método simples, não invasivo e pode ser utilizado na abordagem inicial e no seguimento, na diferenciação das hidronefroses obstrutivas e não obstrutivas na população pediátrica / Introduction and Objective: Hydronephrosis (HN) and obstruction are closely associated, but upper urinary tract dilatation can occur without significant obstruction. Despite some pitfalls, conventional ultrasonography and diuretic renography (DR) are the main modalities in the evaluation of HN in children. Recent reports have demonstrated the usefulness of Color Doppler Ultrasonography (CDUS) as a reliable method to identify the ureteric jets (UJ) in the bladder. The aim of this study was to evaluate CDUS evaluation of the UJ in the bladder as a diagnostic tool to distinguish obstructive from non-obstructive dilatations of the upper tract in pediatric population. Methods: We evaluated 48 patients (35 boys and 13 girls), aged 1 month to 14 years (median = 4 ys.), who presented with unilateral grade III and IV hydronephrosis suspicious of pyeloureteral junction obstruction. All patients underwent DR and evaluation of UJ by transverse CDSG of the bladder within a maximum of 2 weeks. Obstruction was considered in the DR when the hydronephrotic unit showed Differential Renal Function of less than 40%, or when symptomatic intermittent renal colic was present in older children. The number of UJ was counted over a 5 min period and its frequency was calculated for each ureteral orifice. Relative Jet Frequency (RJF) was defined as the UJ frequency of hydronephrotic side divided by total UJ frequency. Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) plots were constructed to determine the best cuttoff for RJF, in order to identify renal units with obstructive hydronephrosis. Results:Twenty-two(45.8%) hydronephrotic units were considered obstructed. The mean RJF differed significantly between obstructive (0.09 ± 0,15) and non-obstructive hydronephrosis (0.41± 0.11)(p<0.001). ROC analysis revealed that RJF< 0.25 was the best threshold and it correctly discriminates obstruction in 91.2% of the childrens with a sensitivity of 86.4% (95%CI=78.6-98.2%) and specificity of 96.15% (95%CI=87,8-99%). The Positive Likelihood Ratio was 22.45 and Diagnostic Odds Ratio was 158.3.The area under the ROC curve was 0.91 (95%CI=0.86-0.98), indicating excellent discrimination power. Conclusions: In this study RJF < 25% was found to be a good indicator of obstruction in children with unilateral hydronephrosis. CDUS evaluation of UJ is an easy and non-invasive method that can be used as an initial diagnostic tool and in follow-up cases, to differentiate obstructed from non-obstructed hydronephrosis in the pediatric population

Introdução: As moléculas de adesão celular (MAC) participam da interação entre o epitélio e a matriz extracelular (MEC) que são importantes para o desenvolvimento normal da célula. Alguns estudos têm revelado que alterações na expressão das MAC têm implicações no processo de carcinogênese. Nosso objetivo foi estudar a influencia da expressão da E-caderina e cateninas por imuno-histoquímica (IH) na previsão prognóstica de pacientes com carcinoma urotelial do trato urinário superior submetidos à cirurgia. Material e métodos: Avaliamos os espécimes de 20 pacientes com carcinoma urotelial da pelve renal e ureter tratados com nefroureterectomia ou ureterectomia com intenção curativa entre junho de 1997 e janeiro de 2007, todas realizadas pelo mesmo cirurgião (MS). A expressão das MAC foi avaliada através de IH pela técnica de microarranjo tecidual ou tissue microarray (TMA), e correlacionada com as características anatomopatológicas do tumor e sobrevida dos pacientes Resultados: Observamos uma relação entre a expressão de E-caderina com a recidiva da doença. Dos tumores com expressão forte de E-caderina, 85,7% sofreram recidiva contra 50,0% daqueles com moderada expressão (p=0,014). Também houve diferença na sobrevida livre de doença, sendo que aqueles com expressão forte evidenciaram media de sobrevida livre de doença de 49,1 meses, enquanto aqueles com expressão moderada ou ausente sofreram média de 83,9 meses (p=0,011). A ausência de expressão de -catenina se relacionou com maior frequência de tumores com mais de 3cm (p=0,003). Conclusões: Demonstramos que a imuno-expressão da E-caderina e - catenina estão relacionadas com recidiva e tamanho tumoral no carcinoma urotelial do trato urinário alto, podendo constituir novos marcadores prognósticos nessa neoplasia / Introduction: The cell adhesion molecules (CAM) participating in the interaction between epithelium and extracellular matrix (ECM) that are important for normal development of the cell. Some studies have shown that changes in the expression of CAM have implications in the process of carcinogenesis. We studied the E-cadherin and catenins expression profile by immunohistochemistry in patients with urothelial carcinoma of upper urinary tract underwent surgery. Materials and Methods: We evaluated specimens from 20 patients with urothelial carcinoma of renal pelvis and ureter treated with nephroureterectomy or ureterectomy between June 1997 and January 2007, all performed by one surgeon (MS). The expression of CAM was evaluated by tissue microarray technique (TMA). Results: We observed a relation between E-cadherin expression with disease recurrence. Tumors with strong expression of E-cadherin, 85.7% recurrence compared to 50.0% of those with moderate expression and 0.0% with weak expression (p = 0.014). There was also a difference in disease-free survival, and those with strong expression recurrence a median time of 49.1 months while those with moderate expression recurrence a median time of 83.9 months (p = 0.011). The absence of -catenin expression was associated with tumors larger than 3 cm (p = 0.003). Conclusions: We demonstrate that the immuno-expression of E-cadherin and -catenin are related to recurrence and tumor size in urothelial carcinoma of upper urinary tract, may be new prognostic markers in these disease

Objective: In this study, 22 cases of locally recurrent urological malignant fibrous histiocytoma were reviewed considering therapeutic options, follow-up and prognosis. Patients and Methods: In the available literature on this topic we identified 19 cases of locally recurrent genitourinary malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Three additional cases are discussed, primarily arising from the kidney, the bladder and the paratesticular region. Results: The prognosis of locally recurrent urological malignant fibrous histiocytoma was found to be extraordinarily poor. Only 2 of 22 patients have survived for longer than 3.5 years. One of them reported herein is still alive 10 years after extensive lymphatic spread accompanying the first local recurrence. In this case, late local recurrence occurred after an 8-year interval free of disease. Conclusion: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is an unusual urological malignancy with a high rate of local recurrence. The latter is frequently accompanied by metastatic disease and unrelenting progression. Despite the poor prognosis early detection of local failure and aggressive salvage therapy might offer the chance of long-term survival in selected cases. Close and life-long follow-up is advisable for patients once treated for recurrent urological malignant fibrous histiocytoma. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Background: Factors predicting survival in men with lymph node-positive prostate cancer are still poorly defined. Patients and Methods: 193 prostate cancer patients with histopathologically proven lymph node involvement with a median follow-up of 7.3 years were studied. 94% of patients received immediate hormonal therapy. Kaplan-Meier curves were calculated to evaluate overall survival rates and compared with the log-rank test. Cumulative disease-specific and competing mortality rates were calculated by competing risk analysis and compared with the Pepe-Mori test. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the independent significance of predictors of all-cause mortality. Results: Age (70 years or older vs. younger), Gleason score (8–10 vs. 7 or lower) and the number of involved nodes (3 or more vs. 1–2) were identified as independent predictors of all-cause mortality. When patients with 0–1 of these risk factors were compared with those with 2–3 risk factors, all-cause (rates after 10 years 21% vs. 71%, p < 0.0001), disease-specific (12 vs. 37%, p = 0.009) and competing mortality (9 vs. 33%, p = 0.02) differed significantly. Conclusions: Some of the excess mortality in patients with poor-risk lymph node-positive prostate cancer may be attributed to increased competing mortality, possibly caused by an interaction between comorbid diseases and hormonally treated persistent or progressive prostate cancer. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Purpose: Leiomyosarcoma of the urinary bladder is exceedingly rare. Most clinicians come across only a few cases during their career, and information regarding treatment and outcome is scattered in the scientific literature. Interested clinicians and patients have to undertake troublesome search for treatment and outcome information. Material and methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature using the PubMed and Web of Science databases and included all identified cases published in English language between 1970 and June 2018 into a meta-analysis. Prior to the literature search, key questions were formulated and with the data obtained, answers to these questions should be derived. Results: We analyzed clinical data of 210 cases of urinary bladder leiomyosarcoma revealed by this review and seen in our institution. The mean age of patients was 52 years. The majority (75%) of the tumors was classified as high-grade sarcomas. We found no report of a prior radiation therapy to the pelvic organs, but some authors suggested an association between cyclophosphamide treatment and the development of bladder leiomyosarcoma, especially in patients with retinoblastoma. For the whole sample, we determined 5- and 10-year cancer-specific cumulative mortality rates of 38 and 50%. Patients with high-grade sarcomas had a trend toward a higher mortality compared with lowgrade tumors (p = 0.0280). The most promising treatment option seems to be surgery (radical or partial cystectomy) with negative resection margins, possibly supplemented by chemotherapy or radiation. Conclusion: About half of patients with bladder leiomyosarcoma survived on the long run. Low-grade tumors may have a better outcome with, nevertheless, countable long-term mortality. For better assessment of that rare bladder tumor, its best treatment options, and the influence of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies on the outcome of patients, a larger series with longterm survival data is required.

Background: Factors predicting survival in men with lymph node-positive prostate cancer are still poorly defined. Patients and Methods: 193 prostate cancer patients with histopathologically proven lymph node involvement with a median follow-up of 7.3 years were studied. 94% of patients received immediate hormonal therapy. Kaplan-Meier curves were calculated to evaluate overall survival rates and compared with the log-rank test. Cumulative disease-specific and competing mortality rates were calculated by competing risk analysis and compared with the Pepe-Mori test. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the independent significance of predictors of all-cause mortality. Results: Age (70 years or older vs. younger), Gleason score (8–10 vs. 7 or lower) and the number of involved nodes (3 or more vs. 1–2) were identified as independent predictors of all-cause mortality. When patients with 0–1 of these risk factors were compared with those with 2–3 risk factors, all-cause (rates after 10 years 21% vs. 71%, p < 0.0001), disease-specific (12 vs. 37%, p = 0.009) and competing mortality (9 vs. 33%, p = 0.02) differed significantly. Conclusions: Some of the excess mortality in patients with poor-risk lymph node-positive prostate cancer may be attributed to increased competing mortality, possibly caused by an interaction between comorbid diseases and hormonally treated persistent or progressive prostate cancer. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

This thesis addresses the three principal questions concerning the development of CT urography for investigating haematuria and each question is the subject of a separate chapter. The questions are: What is the reasoning behind using CT urography? What is the optimum diagnostic strategy using CT urography? What are the problems with using CT urography and how may solutions be provided? Haematuria can signify serious disease such as urinary tract stones, renal cell cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) and bladder cancer (BCa). CT urography is defined as contrast enhanced CT examination of kidneys, ureters and bladder. The technique used here includes unenhanced, nephrographic and excretory-phases for optimized diagnosis of stones, renal masses and urothelial cancer respectively. The reasoning behind using excretory-phase CT urography for investigating haematuria is based on results showing its high diagnostic accuracy for UTUC and BCa. Patients with haematuria are classified as low risk or high risk for UTUC and BCa, by a risk score, determined by the presence/absence of risk factors: age > 50 years, visible or nonvisible haematuria, history of smoking and occupational exposure. The optimum diagnostic strategy for patients at high risk for urothelial cancer, uses CT urography as a replacement test for ultrasonography and intravenous urography and as a triage test for flexible and rigid cystoscopy, resulting in earlier diagnosis and potentially improving prognosis. For patients at low risk, ultrasonography, unenhanced and nephrographic-phase CT urography are proposed as initial imaging tests. Problems with using CT urography include false positive results for UTUC, which are eliminated by retrograde ureteropyelography-guided biopsy, an innovative technique, for histopathological confirmation of diagnosis. Recommendations for the NHS and possible future developments are discussed. CT urography, including excretory-phase imaging, is recommended as the initial diagnostic imaging test before cystoscopy for patients with haematuria at high risk for urothelial cancer.