Children with spinal abnormalities have an increased health burden from upper tract urolithiasis

The urological evaluation and management of neurogenic bladder in children and adolescents-what every pediatric nephrologist needs to know

Neurogenic bladder (NGB) is an encompassing term that includes multiple causes of bladder dysfunction linked to a congenital or acquired neurological condition that adversely impacts the innervation of the lower urinary tract. Multiple static or progressive conditions can be associated with NGB in pediatric and adolescent patients. Currently, spinal dysraphism (i.e., spina bifida) is one of the most common etiologies, which occurs in 3-4 per 10,000 live births in developed nations. Abnormal bladder dynamics can lead to kidney damage secondary to high pressures or recurrent infections, as well as urinary incontinence. The current management paradigm centers on a proactive approach to preserving kidney function and achieving continence through behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical means. This educational review highlights the key components of urological management to maximize collaboration with pediatric nephrologists.

Incidence and safety outcomes associated with active stone removal procedures (ASRP): a comparison between neurological and non-neurological patients using the French National Health Data Base

PURPOSE

To compare the incidence and the safety outcomes associated with active stone removal procedure (ASRP) between neurological and non-neurological patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was conducted using the data issued from the French National Health Data Base. All patients that have been hospitalized to undergo an ASRP between January 1 2012 and December 31 2018 were included and allocated to four neurological groups (multiple sclerosis, spinal dysraphism, paraplegia, tetraplegia) and one non-neurological group. The primary outcome was the rate of patients hospitalized at least once to undergo an ASRP over the study period. The secondary outcomes included the type of ASRP performed, the length of hospital stay, the rates of post-operative UTI, of early re-admission and re-treatments. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odd ratios, the four neurological groups being compared to the non-neurological group.

RESULTS

During the study period, 45,745,055 patients were hospitalised, with 151,850 of them presenting with an underlying neurological disease. Among the non-neurological patients, 0.89% underwent an ASRP, while 1.39% neurological patients did. Neurological patients presented with a lower rate of ESWL associated with a higher rate of PCNL, while the length of hospital stay, the rate of post-operative UTI, of early re-admission and of re-treatment were systematically increased (p < 0.001), when compared to non-neurological patients, regardless of the type of ASRP considered.

CONCLUSIONS

The results presented here confirm and clarify the incidence and the safety outcomes associated with ASRP within the neurological population and advocate for the emergence of a dedicated research field focusing on neuro-urolithiasis.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery for impacted upper ureteral stone in a patient with advanced lumbar scoliosis and lower-extremity development defect: a case report

BACKGROUND

Today, retrograde intrarenal surgery is the most preferred and very successful treatment method for upper ureteral stones that do not spontaneously pass and/or do not benefit from extracorporeal wave lithotripsy. However, perioperative complications are more common in retrograde intrarenal surgery if the stone in the ureter is impacted. Moreover, urosepsis and renal dysfunction are detected more frequently in patients with impacted stones. Impacted stones, which are a risky stone group even in patients with normal vertebral anatomy, are a more challenging situation in patients with advanced vertebral scoliosis. It is difficult to achieve an operating position in these patients. In addition, the ureteral tracing is altered, curved, and tortuous, making it more difficult for the endoscope to advance through the ureter.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this case report, we present a 23-year-old Caucasian male patient with right concavity and severe scoliosis, lower-extremity developmental disorder, and urosepsis. To treat the urosepsis picture, first percutaneous nephrostomy drainage was provided and the urine was sterilized with appropriate antibiotics according to the culture/antibiogram. Then, we performed ureterolithotripsy with a flexureterorenoscope. Finally, we see that flexible ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy to the upper ureteral stone with impacted stones, which is a very challenging operation even in patients with normal vertebrae, could be successfully performed in our patient with advanced scoliosis deformity.

CONCLUSION

High stone-free and low complication rates can be obtained with flexible ureterorenoscopic retrograde intrarenal surgery in medium-sized impacted upper ureteral stones in patients with advanced scoliosis.

Acute urinary retention in pediatric cerebral palsy: Is there an optimal management strategy?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Cerebral palsy (CP) patients commonly have lower urinary tract dysfunction. Urinary retention (UR), which has been associated with dysfunctional voiding in CP can correlate to chronic upper tract dysfunction. We sought to provide insight into the pediatric presentation of acute UR in patients with CP and subsequent outcomes in this at-risk population.

STUDY DESIGN

All children with perinatally acquired CP presenting to a regional health network were identified from 2009 to 2019. Retrospective analysis of a hospitalized subset concurrently diagnosed with a first episode of acute UR was performed. Factors associated with new-onset UR are described, as well as management. Using follow-up data, we also assessed the risk for recurrent UR and/or abnormal renal imaging after an initial UR presentation.

RESULTS

3404 CP patients were analyzed with only 33 fulfilling inclusion criteria. Median age was 10(IQR 7.5-16; range 1-22) years, 87.9% were GMFCS-V. 39.4% had a reported history of decreased urinary frequency. At presentation, median maximal time without void prior to catheterization was 13 h, and catheterized volume was a median 120% expected capacity-for-age. 84.8% of presentations were associated with a known transient/reversible etiology. 51.5% were post-anesthesia at median 3.5 days, 33.3% had associated constipation, 30.3% had received exacerbating medications. 11/33 were taught clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) after the initial presentation (all pro re nata [PRN] except one). At a median follow-up of 37 months: 50% of those without a CIC PRN no void plan had a repeat episode, at a median of 10.8 months later. Of the patients who had follow-up renal imaging at a median 22.0 months after presentation, 45% had abnormalities: 7 with debris or suspected stones and 2 with collecting system dilation. No factors associated with the initial UR presentation were found to be significantly predictive of recurrence or abnormal follow-up imaging.

DISCUSSION

Patients with CP presenting with acute UR are often those with the most severe limitations and have a history of decreased urinary frequency. They usually have transient or reversible factors associated with UR presentation, however UR recurrence and abnormal imaging in this population subset is common.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with CP who present with acute UR usually present in the context of recent anesthesia and in the setting of exacerbating factors. They are at risk for recurrence and may be best managed with caretaker education of CIC PRN no void to address recurrent episodes. Providers should consider surveillance of these patients for the development of abnormal renal imaging.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery by flexible ureteroscope in patients with spinal deformities

OBJECTIVE

To present our experience with retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for managing renal stones in patients with spinal deformities.

DESIGN

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven patients with congenital scoliosis (n = 5), spina bifida (n = 2) who had undergone RIRS for renal stones. Stone-free status was determined by CT 30 days after the procedure and was defined as the absence of stones in the kidney or residual fragments ≤1 mm.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 27 years (18-45 years), and mean stone size was 176 mm (143-340 mm). The average operative time was 38 minutes (25-53 minutes), and postoperative hospital stay was 1 day (1-2 days). A stone-free status was obtained in six (85.7 %) patients, and one patient was considered to have treatment failure. This patient was managed by a repeat RIRS. A Double-J stent was placed at the end of the procedure in all (100 %) patients. No severe complications, either from anesthesia or the surgical procedure, were observed, and no blood transfusion was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The good clearance rate with a low incidence of complications shown by the present study has demonstrated that RIRS is a safe and effective procedure for renal stones in patients with spinal deformities.

Complications of surgical management of upper tract calculi in spina bifida patients: analysis of nationwide data

PURPOSE

The management of upper urinary tract stones in patients with spina bifida is challenging but poorly described in the literature. We compared urolithiasis interventions and related complications in patients with spina bifida to those in other stone formers using a national database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the NIS to identify hospital admissions for renal and ureteral stones from 1998 to 2011. We used ICD-9-CM codes to identify urological interventions, including shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ureteral stent placement. NSQIP data were used to identify postoperative complications.

RESULTS

We identified 4,287,529 weighted stone hospital admissions, including 12,315 (0.3%) of patients with spina bifida. Compared to those without spina bifida the patients with spina bifida who had urolithiasis were significantly younger (mean age 34 vs 53 years), more likely to have public insurance (72% vs 44%) and renal vs ureteral calculi (81% vs 58%), and undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy (27% vs 8%). After adjusting for age, insurance, comorbidity, treatment year, surgery type, stone location and hospital factors patients with spina bifida were more likely to have urinary tract infections (OR 2.5), urinary complications (OR 3.1), acute renal failure (OR 1.9), respiratory complications (OR 2.0), pneumonia (OR 1.5), respiratory insufficiency (OR 3.2), prolonged mechanical ventilation (OR 3.2), sepsis (OR 2.7), pulmonary embolism (OR 3.0), cardiac complications (OR 2.4) and bleeding (OR 1.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to those without spina bifida the patients with spina bifida who were hospitalized for urolithiasis were younger, and more likely to have renal stones and undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Urolithiasis procedures in patients with spina bifida were associated with a significantly higher risk of in-hospital postoperative complications.