Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Garcia-Cuerpo.
Unlike the other exploratory techniques (US, arteriography, phlebography, CT and MRI), laparoscopy constitutes the only reliable diagnostic method for absent testis, which has a high incidence in children with non palpable testes. The finding of the blind-ending spermatic veins and deferent duct confirms the diagnosis of absent testis.
We report 7 cases of bone tissue in the upper urinary tract. Routine excretory urography was suspicious for renal lithiasis. However, pathological evaluation of the kidney tissue revealed bone metaplasia in all 7 cases. Retrospective examination of the first 6 cases showed a typical radiological sign, consisting of a radiopaque eccentric halo surrounding an area of lesser radiological density that, in turn, connected with the urothelium. These findings permitted a correct preoperative diagnosis of bone metaplasia in case 7. Accurate preoperative differentiation of bone metaplasia (false calculi) and true renal lithiasis is important owing to the different treatments required.
A case in which bone has been found in the upper urinary tract is reported. Since the physiopathology and morphological characteristics of this tissue do not meet the requirements needed to be defined as a urolith, we believe this is a case of bone metaplasia and not urinary lithiasis.