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Published on: July 20, 2022
Implications of Erdheim-Chester disease and percutaneous renal access
Lael Stieglitz1, Vernon M Pais
1Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
Insights
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) can cause retroperitoneal fibrosis, complicating kidney stone removal. Understanding these fibrotic changes is crucial for successful surgical planning and patient outcomes in urology.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Histiocytosis
- Retroperitoneal Fibrosis
Background:
- Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare systemic histiocytosis.
- Urologic manifestations are common in ECD patients.
- Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a significant ECD manifestation, often encasing the kidneys.
Observation:
- A case involving a patient with a large kidney stone burden requiring percutaneous nephrolithotomy is presented.
- The patient also had Erdheim-Chester disease with associated retroperitoneal fibrotic changes.
Findings:
- Retroperitoneal fibrosis in ECD can present challenges during urologic procedures.
- The dense inflammatory rind associated with ECD can complicate surgical access and manipulation.
Implications:
- Awareness of ECD-related retroperitoneal fibrosis is vital for urologists.
- Perioperative counseling and surgical planning must account for these fibrotic changes.
- Informed planning can improve the likelihood of successful surgical outcomes for patients with ECD and kidney stones.
Abstract:
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare systemic histiocytosis with urologic manifestations in a majority of affected patients. An important manifestation is a pronounced retroperitoneal fibrosis with reported dense inflammatory rind surrounding the kidneys. We report a case of a patient with large stone burden necessitating percutaneous nephrolithotomy and the implications related to his Erdheim-Chester-related retroperitoneal fibrotic changes. Foreknowledge of these implications may inform perioperative counseling and surgical planning to maximize opportunity for successful outcomes.
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