Challenges in the diagnosis of calyceal diverticulum: A report of two cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Calyceal diverticula outpouchings that occur rarely in the upper collecting system of the kidney and is often difficult to detect. In this study, we present two cases of calyceal diverticula and discuss their clinical characteristics and radiologic features.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the presented two cases, we applied several imaging examinations, including delayed intravenous pyelography, retrograde pyelography and axial computerized tomographic (CT) scanning of the kidneys with and without contrast. Serum creatinine levels in fluid withdrawn from the diverticula were found to be significantly higher than the simultaneous serum creatinine levels. Intravenous injection of methylene blue through a ureteral catheter was also aided in the diagnosis. Calyceal diverticulum neck dilatation was performed through a percutaneous nephroscope.ResultsThe two cases were diagnosed preoperatively and the operation was successful performed. The nephrostomy tube was removed seven days after surgery without complications. CT scans of the kidney after six months showed that the size of the calyceal diverticulum of two patients were considerably smaller than pre-surgery. There were no reports of pain in the lumbar region or other discomfort.

COMMENTS

Diagnosis of calyceal diverticulum mainly depend on a variety of imaging examinations, including the delayed intravenous pyelography, retrograde pyelography, and kidney CT plain scan plus enhanced scan. If the patient cannot be diagnosed by above methods, cyst fluid can be aspirated percutaneously to measure the preoperative creatinine level. If it is significantly higher than the serum creatinine level, the cyst fluid is considered urine, which can assist in the diagnosis of calyceal diverticulum. A ureteral catheter should also be inserted before operation namely, intravenous injection of methylene blue through a ureteral catheter is helpful for diagnosis. The choice of surgical treatment is based on the size and location of calyceal diverticulum and clinical manifestations.

The presence and distribution of alpha adrenergic receptors in human renal pelvis and calyces

In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the presence of Alpha (α) 1 receptors and subtypes in human pelvis and calyces, because an agent to facilitate kidney stone movement and help decrease pain may be an α 1 adrenergic blocker, as used in ureteral stones. Twenty patients who applied to our clinic for renal cell carcinoma were enrolled to the study. All patients underwent radical nephrectomy. After the specimens were removed, excisional biopsies were performed on healthy pelvises and calyces. Mean α-receptor stain rates in renal pelvis were 2.65 ± 0.74, 1.35 ± 0.81 and 2.9 ± 0.30 for α 1A, 1B and 1D, respectively. For calyces, the rates are 2.40 ± 0.82, 1.50 ± 0.76 and 2.75 ± 0.44 for α 1A, 1B and 1D, respectively (Fig. 1). When the staining patterns were compared, α 1A and 1D were expressed more in both pelvis and calyces than α 1B (p < 0.05). After the demonstration of α-adrenergic receptors in pelvis and calyces of human kidney, it may be helpful in coming up with new alternative treatments for patients suffering from kidney stones.

The nitric oxide pathway in pig isolated calyceal smooth muscle

In pig and humans, whose kidneys have a multi-calyceal collecting system, the initiation of ureteral peristalsis takes place in the renal calyces. In the pig and human ureter, recent evidence suggests that nitric oxide (NO) is an inhibitory mediator that may be involved in the regulation of peristalsis. This study was designed to assess whether the NO synthase/NO/cyclic GMP pathway modulates the motility of pig isolated calyceal smooth muscle. Immunohistochemistry revealed a moderate overall innervation of the smooth muscle layer, and no neuronal or inducible NO synthase (NOS) immunoreactivities. Endothelial NOS immunoreactivities were observed in the urothelium and vascular endothelium, and numerous cyclic GMP-immunoreactive (-IR) calyceal smooth muscle cells were found. As measured by monitoring the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline, Ca(2+)-dependent NOS activity was moderate. Assessment of functional effects was performed in tissue baths and showed that NO and SIN-1 decreased spontaneous and induced contractions of isolated preparations in a concentration-dependent manner. In strips exposed to NO, there was a 10-fold increase of the cyclic GMP levels compared with control preparations (P < 0.01). It is concluded that a non-neuronal NOS/NO/cyclic GMP pathway is present in pig calyces, where it may influence motility. The demonstration of cyclic GMP-IR smooth muscle cells suggests that NO acts directly on these cells. This NOS/NO/cyclic GMP pathway may be a target for drugs inhibiting peristalsis of mammalian upper urinary tract. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:673-685, 1999.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, its inhibitor, and its receptor in patients with upper urinary tract carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. Its activity during metastasis may be regulated by a plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). Furthermore, uPA exerts its action by binding to a membrane-bound receptor (uPAR). The authors attempted to examine the immunohistochemical expression of uPA, uPAR, and PAI-1 in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (TCC-UUT).

METHODS

Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tumor tissues from 154 patients were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

There was moderate to strong cytoplasmic staining for uPA, PAI-1, and uPAR in 57.8%, 96.1%, and 88.3%, respectively, of tumor epithelial cells, and in 22.7%, 53.9%, and 24.7%, respectively, of stromal cells at the tumor/stroma interface. Examination of the relationship between immunoreactive score and clinicopathologic findings revealed that the uPA score for stromal cells significantly correlated with the stage and pattern of growth of the tumors. The PAI-1 score for tumor epithelial cells and the uPAR score for stromal cells both correlated with stage, grade, and pattern of growth. The PAI-1-score for stromal cells correlated with stage and grade. The uPAR-score for tumor epithelial cells correlated with stage. When only the immunoreactive scores that were classified as "high" (if the score was > or = 5 or > or = 1, for tumor epithelial and stromal cells, respectively) were considered, univariate analysis revealed that a "high" PAI-1 score for tumor epithelial cells and a "high" uPAR score for stromal cells both were significantly associated with poor disease free and overall survivals, particularly early period survival. In the final models of the multivariate analysis, only stage (all periods, disease free survival and overall survival), and grade (12 months, overall survival) were found to be progressive or prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of immunoreactivity for plasminogen activator parameters appears to be of little or no value in determining the prognosis of patients with TCC-UUT, although some parameters were found to be associated with high stage or high grade of the tumors.

Effects of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy on urinary concentration of epidermal growth factor

In a prospective study, we tried to determine whether extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) has any effect on urinary epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations and to investigate whether EGF can be used as a marker for detecting shockwave-induced impairment of distal tubular cells. A total of 12 patients with renal pelvic or caliceal stones < or = 2 cm undergoing anesthesia-free SWL without ancillary measures and a control group of 10 patients without any urologic symptoms were included in this study. The urinary concentrations of EGF were measured by radioimmunoassay before and 4 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days after SWL. Relative urinary EGF concentrations were expressed as the ratio of EGF to creatinine (ng/mL creatinine). The mean urinary EGF concentration (mean +/- standard error) in control subjects and patients with renal pelvic or caliceal stones before SWL was 23.90 +/- 3.15 ng/mL creatinine and 22.18 +/- 6.85 ng/mL creatinine, respectively (p > 0.05). In patients with stones, we found a decrease in urinary EGF concentration 4 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days after SWL. Indeed, 7 days after SWL, the EGF concentration was on average half of the original value, a biologically significant, although not statistically significant, decrease.

Stimulation of calcium uptake by norepinephrine or high external potassium in human calyces and renal pelvis

The effects of stimulation with either 10 mumol/l norepinephrine or 85 mmol/l extracellular potassium concentration on calcium uptake were studied in muscle strips from human renal calyces and from the renal pelvis. The apparent uptake of calcium under control conditions was essentially complete after 30 min. Stimulation of the muscle strips with norepinephrine or high external potassium significantly (P less than 0.05) increased the calcium uptake over the control values at 30 and 100 min, whereas 45Ca efflux was virtually not affected. It is concluded that the mechanical responses of the muscle strips to norepinephrine or high external potassium correspond with an increased uptake of calcium suggesting that both types of activation are mediated by an increase of intracellular calcium concentration similar to that described in other smooth muscles.

Acute renal failure caused by extreme hyperphosphatemia after chemotherapy of an acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The authors report a documented case of hyperphosphatemia-induced nephrocalcinosis after chemotherapy of an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Microscopic examination of the kidney showed numerous calcium deposits with concentric structure in the calyces and in the tubules. Electronic microsound analysis proved the deposits to be composed of calcium phosphate. The nephropathy mechanism is studied, and a review of the 34 similar cases of this acute tumor lysis syndrome is made. Some suggestions are put forward to present the consequences of this therapy-induced syndrome.

Perirenal extravasation of urographic contrast medium demonstrated by computed tomography

Two cases of spontaneous perirenal extravasation of urographic contrast medium are presented. Both were secondary to ureteral obstruction by tumor. Computed tomography demonstrated the presumed route by which contrast material reached the perirenal space as opposed to the more common peripelvic area.

[Differential diagnosis of contrast medium recesses of the renal pelvis or the renal calyx system (author's transl)]

Contrast medium recesses in the renal pelvis and calyx system of a retrograde pyelogram or urogram are due to many widely different pathologico-anatomical changes in the renal region. It is the aim of the present study to show up this multitude of differential diagnostic possibilities which lead to contrast medium recesses in the renal pelvis and renal calyx system of a pyelogram.