Postoperative Pyoderma Gangrenosum in Association with Renal Cell Carcinoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

INTRODUCTION: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare sterile neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by painful recurrent ulcerations. It is frequently associated with inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or malignancies. PG is a diagnosis of exclusion, and it is based on clinical presentation, histology, history of an underlying disease, and exclusion of other causes of ulceration. CASE REPORT: The authors report a 62-year-old male who developed a nonhealing ulcer at the site of incision following nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Past medical history included chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with rituximab. Histology of the skin lesion showed a phlegmonous nonspecific inflammation without being able to differentiate between a necrotizing wound infection and PG. The patient’s condition was initially diagnosed as an infectious process and treated accordingly. After unsuccessful results with systemic antibiotics, high-dose corticosteroids induced prompt healing of the wound. On these bases, the diagnosis of postoperative PG within chronic lymphocytic leukemia and renal cell carcinoma was made. CONCLUSION: Faced with postoperative necrotizing ulceration resistant to correctly administered antibiotics, PG must be considered. In such condition, the diagnosis must not be guided primarily by histology and early advice of a dermatologist is recommended

Anaplastic Sarcoma of the Kidney

We present a case of an extremely rare and relatively new tumor entity of the kidney, the anaplastic sarcoma. Although of unknown origin and pathogenesis, treating such a tumor as if it was anaplastic Wilms' tumor seems to be the only therapeutic solution at the present time. Newer immunohistochemical staining and molecular probes should be applied to this neoplasm in order for us to understand it nature and maximize therapy

Anaplastic Sarcoma of the Kidney

We present a case of an extremely rare and relatively new tumor entity of the kidney, the anaplastic sarcoma. Although of unknown origin and pathogenesis, treating such a tumor as if it was anaplastic Wilms' tumor seems to be the only therapeutic solution at the present time. Newer immunohistochemical staining and molecular probes should be applied to this neoplasm in order for us to understand it nature and maximize therapy

Empyema of the Ureteral Stump. An Unusual Complication Following Nephrectomy

A ureteral stump, which is the segment of the ureter left in place after nephrectomy, may occasionally give rise to a pathologic process called ureteral stump syndrome, which is clinically interpreted as febrile urinary tract infections, lower quadrant pain, and hematuria. Empyema of the ureteral stump, which belongs to this syndrome, is an uncommon disease entity presenting with a reported incidence of 0.8–1%. We present a case of empyema of the ureteral stump in a female patient 5 years postnephrectomy for a nonfunctioning kidney, and discuss the clinical presentation, radiologic diagnosis, and therapeutic options of this uncommon disease entity

Dry Gangrene of the Penis Induced by a Bullring for Sexual Stimulation Purposes

Dry gangrene of the penis is a critical clinical condition provoked by vascular compromise that can lead to severe complications. Although usually caused by diabetes mellitus or due to end-stage renal disease, in these last years, there has been an increase of penile gangrene incidents induced by penile strangulation due to constricting devices for sexual stimulation purposes. We present such a case and discuss the correct approach for treatment of this unusual condition