Clinical-radiologic correlation of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidneys: Cases analysis.

Background: Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MESTK) is a rare tumor, with few malignant cases reported. Occurring mostly in middle-aged women, it is characterized by a biphasic pathological structure.

Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the imaging findings and medical records of six MESTK cases of a single institution in a 10-year period.

Percutaneous computed tomography-guided cryoablation for renal tumor: Experience in 30 cases.

Background: Percutaneous cryoablation is a minimally invasive alternative for surgical resection of a renal tumor. We report our experience with applying computed tomography-guided cryoablation in renal tumors, focusing on the technique, safety, and treatment response.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who received cryoablation from October 2009 to August 2013 for renal tumor diagnosed by imaging studies performed at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Evaluation of the extent of ketamine-induced uropathy: the role of CT urography.

Background: With growing ketamine abuse, ketamine-induced uropathy (KIU) has become more prevalent in recent years. This research evaluates the presence, distribution and extent of KIU in the upper and lower urinary tracts by retrospectively reviewing CT urography (CTU) images.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with KIU who underwent CT scanning from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2011 were recruited.

Are there useful CT features to differentiate renal cell carcinoma from lipid-poor renal angiomyolipoma?

Objective: This study was an attempt to identify key CT features that can potentially be used to differentiate between lipid-poor renal angiomyolipoma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Materials And Methods: We conducted an analysis of patients who received nephrectomy or renal biopsy from 2002 to 2011 with suspected RCC. We included tumors smaller than 7 cm with a completed three-phase CT examination.

Parallel second stent placement for refractory ureteral stent malfunction in malignant ureteral obstruction.

Purpose: To review retrospectively the outcome of placement of a parallel second ureteral stent in patients with urinary obstruction secondary to a malignancy.

Materials And Methods: During the period 2005-2008, the medical records of patients with ureteral obstruction from an abdominal malignancy were reviewed. Patients who experienced malfunction of the first ureteral stent subsequently underwent either initial stent exchange (control group) or a parallel second ureteral stent placement.

Prospective comparison of unenhanced spiral computed tomography and intravenous urography in the evaluation of acute renal colic.

Background: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of replacing intravenous urography (IVU) with unenhanced computed tomography (CT) as the first line diagnostic modality for acute renal colic in the emergency department.

Methods: In the 1-year study period, 82 patients who presented themselves to the emergency room with acute renal colic and who were suspected to have ureteral stones were included. They received both IVU and unenhanced CT on the same day.

Diffusion-weighted single-shot echo-planar imaging with parallel technique in assessment of endometrial cancer.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to determine the feasibility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with a single-shot echo-planar sequence and parallel technique for depicting endometrial cancer and to examine the role of this technique in preoperative assessment.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 31 patients were recruited for MRI evaluation of suspicious endometrial lesions found on transvaginal sonography. Twenty-four of the patients were proved to have endometrial cancer (patient group), and seven to have benign diseases (control group).

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Preliminary data regarding the use of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are encouraging, and show the technique to be associated with minimal morbidity. Thus, the current study was designed to evaluate the clinical applications, treatment efficacy, and complications of percutaneous RFA in RCC.

Methods: From February 2003 to February 2004, 12 consecutive patients with histopathologically proven RCC underwent imaging-guided percutaneous RFA.

Bowel preparation of outpatients for intravenous urography: efficacy of castor oil versus bisacodyl.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of two laxatives, castor oil and bisacodyl, in the routine bowel preparation of outpatients for intravenous urography (IVU). We used castor oil in patients undergoing IVU for 1 month, and then used bisacodyl in patients undergoing IVU for another month. Two uroradiologists, unaware of the method of bowel preparation, reviewed the standard radiographs and graded the residue in the large bowel and the clearness of the opacified urinary collecting system.

Prostatic abscess: transrectal color Doppler ultrasonic diagnosis and minimally invasive therapeutic management.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the transrectal ultrasound (US), or TRUS, and color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) findings and therapeutic strategies with TRUS-guided procedures in 13 patients with prostatic abscess. Over a period of 6 years, 18 prostatic abscesses were diagnosed in 13 patients (mean age: 59 years). Diagnostic workup included TRUS, analysis of midstream urine, and analysis and culture of abscess fluid for leukocytes and pathogens.

Assessment of CT urography in the diagnosis of urinary tract abnormalities.

Background: To evaluate the accuracy of helical computerized tomography urography (CTU) in diagnosing urinary tract disease.

Methods: We collected 102 patients who underwent CTU from March 2001 to September 2002. The clinical symptoms of these patients included: flank pain or hematuria, which were clinically suggestive of urinary system disorders.

Diagnostic value of unenhanced computerized tomography urography in the evaluation of acute renal colic.

This study prospectively evaluated the diagnostic value of unenhanced computerized tomography (CT) urography in patients with acute renal colic. Fifty-nine patients with clinical manifestations of acute renal colic underwent unenhanced helical CT to evaluate urinary tract abnormalities. Reformatted three-dimensional CT urography was performed in all patients.

Malignant renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma with aggressive behavior and distant metastasis.

Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a common renal tumor and mostly benign in entity. Malignant AML is extremely rare and most of them are found to be epithelioid AML histopathologically. We report the imaging features of a malignant epithelioid AML in a 58-year-old patient with liver and nodal metastases, and review the literatures.