Focused ultrasound guided relocation of kidney stones

Purpose: Complete removal of all fragments is the goal of any intervention for urinary stones. This is more important in lower pole stones where gravity and spatial orientation of lower pole infundibulum may hinder spontaneous passage of fragments. Various adjuvant therapies (inversion, diuresis, percussion, oral citrate, etc.) are described to enhance stone-free rate but are not widely accepted. Focused ultrasound-guided relocation of fragments is a recently described technique aimed at improving results of intervention for stone disease. Purpose of this review is to discuss development of this technology and its potential clinical applications. Materials and Methods: Pubmed search was made using key words "Focused ultrasound" and "kidney stone." All English language articles were reviewed by title. Relevant studies describing development and application of focused ultrasound in renal stones were selected for review. Results: Focused ultrasound has proven its efficacy in successfully relocating up to 8 mm stone fragments in vitro and in pigs. Relocation is independent of stone composition. The latest model allows imaging and therapy with a single handheld probe facilitating its use by single operator. The acoustic energy delivered by the new prototype is even less than that used for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Therapeutic exposure has not caused thermal injury in pig kidneys. Conclusion: Focused ultrasound-guided relocation of stones is feasible. Though it is safe in application in pigs, technology is awaiting approval for clinical testing in human beings. This technology has many potential clinical applications in the management of stone disease

Painful varicoceles: Role of varicocelectomy

The incidence of varicocele in the general population is up to 15%. It is estimated that the prevalence of pain with varicoceles is around 2-10%. Till the year 2000, only two studies evaluated efficacy of varicocelectomy in painful varicoceles with conflicting results. Over the past decade many other studies have addressed this issue and reported on the treatment outcome and predictors of success. We critically appraised studies published from March 2000 to May 2013 evaluating surgical management in painful varicoceles to provide an evidence based review of effectiveness of varicocelectomy in relieving pain in patients with symptomatic painful varicoceles. The association between varicoceles and pain is not clearly established. Conservative treatment is warranted as the first line of treatment in men with painful clinical varicoceles. In carefully selected men with clinically palpable varicoceles and associated characteristic chronic dull ache, dragging or throbbing pain who do not respond to conservative therapy, varicocelectomy is warranted and is associated with approximately 80% success. However, surgical success does not always translate into resolution of pain and pain might persist even when no varicoceles are detected postoperatively

Nanobacteria in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis: Myth or reality?

Stone formation in the urinary tract is a common phenomenon with associated morbidity. The exact physicochemical factors responsible for stone formation are not clearly known. Over the past decade considerable interest has been generated in defining the role of nanobacteria in urinary stone formation. A review of the available literature has been carried out to give insights into their nature and outline their role in stone formation. The two aspects of nanobacteria that need to be considered include its biological nature and the other merely as mineralo-protein complexes. Though the current literature favors the concept of mineralo-protein particles, further research is needed to clearly define their nature. Whether living or nonliving, these apatite forming nanoparticles appear to play role in kidney stone formation

Laparoscopic Palanivelu-hydatid-system aided management of retrovesical hydatid cyst

Hydatid cysts of the retrovesical region are rare. They are often adherent to the adjacent bowel and bladder, and complete removal is associated with potential injuries. The Palanivelu hydatid system allows minimally invasive treatment of hydatid cysts with no adjacent organ injuries. We describe the laparoscopic management of a pelvic hydatid cyst using this system

Medial thigh pain: An unusual presentation of giant calculi in sigmoid neobladder

Calculi in a neobladder usually present with irritative lower urinary tract symptoms, flank pain, and haematuria. We report a case of giant stones in a sigmoid neobladder, who presented with medial thigh pain

Egg in a cup

A case of medullary type papillary necrosis diagnosed on nephrostogram is presented showing characteristic egg-in-cup appearance

Radiological seminal vesicle stones may actually be in the ureter

Calculi in blind-ending ureters are uncommon. We describe a rare case of calculi in the diverticulum of a blind-ending ureter associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis, which masqueraded as seminal vesicle calculi