Alexander Combes's research while affiliated with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and other places

Introduction: Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are vascular tumours that while histologically benign, carry a risk of rupture and potentially life-threatening haemorrhage. Selective arterial embolisation (SAE) has been demonstrated as effective treatment; however, given most tumours are asymptomatic, the challenge facing the radiologist is selection of which AML should undergo treatment. This study considers presence and size of intratumoural aneurysm, to advance the readers treatment decision-making beyond historical size criteria. Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of all SAE-treated AML at a quaternary-level institution in the last 10 years was completed independently by two radiologists. Computerised tomography (CT) and angiographic imaging were reviewed to evaluate tumour size, presence of intratumoural aneurysm and aneurysm size. Univariant and multivariant statistical analyses were used to identify predictors of spontaneous rupture and haemorrhage. Results: Twenty-seven renal AML underwent SAE. Five tumours had presented with haemorrhage. Twenty-two were asymptomatic or without CT/angiographic detectable haemorrhage. There was no statistically significant size difference between ruptured (mean 7.8 cm, range 6.1-12.0 cm) and unruptured AML (7.5 cm, 3.3-21.7 cm) in the study population. Eighty percent of ruptured AML and 27% of unruptured AML contained at least one intratumoural aneurysm (P-value < 0.05). Mean aneurysm size in ruptured AMLs was 5.4 mm, versus 4.6 mm among unruptured AML (P-value > 0.05). Conclusion: The presence of intratumoural aneurysm is a useful predictor for AMLs that are at risk of spontaneous rupture and haemorrhage. Intratumoural aneurysm should therefore be considered when selecting patients to undergo SAE.

Objective The objective was to determine whether giant renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) can be managed through selective angioembolisation (SA) and compare outcomes to nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) and nephrectomy. Methods A retrospective case series was compiled from a prospectively maintained database, commenced in 2011 of renal AMLs that underwent SA. We extracted patient demographics, size of AMLs, intervention and outcomes. A literature review of case reports and case series was performed on the management of giant renal AMLs managed through SA, NSS or nephrectomy. Results Of 30 AMLs that underwent SA, 6 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean diameter of AMLs prior to embolisation was 14.3 cm. All embolised AMLs decreased in size post-embolisation by an average of 18% (mean: 39-month follow-up). There were no complications in our cohort’s follow-up period, including no rise in any patients’ creatinine associated with SA. Our literature review of 284 articles found 82 articles pertaining to 102 giant renal AMLs. Our review identified SA, NSS and nephrectomy to all be effective management pathways for giant AMLs with minimal complications. Total nephrectomy did result in five patients requiring dialysis post-procedure. Conclusions SA is an effective intervention for giant AMLs with comparable outcomes to NSS and nephrectomy and should be considered a suitable management option for giant renal AMLs. Level of evidence Not applicable

Purpose Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is the most common benign renal tumor. Whilst generally asymptomatic, they can cause life-threatening bleeding. Selective angioembolization (SAE) may be used to treat large symptomatic and asymptomatic AMLs. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SAE for symptomatic and asymptomatic renal AMLs and determine characteristics that predict spontaneous bleeding. Patients and Methods Data were retrospectively collected from a prospectively maintained database from July 2011 to April 2022. Patients were included if AML was >4cm and they underwent subsequent SAE. Follow-up imaging was analyzed to calculate mean reduction in AML size. Clinical notes were reviewed to analyze lesion characteristics including vascularity, fat content and presence of aneurysm as well as post-procedural complications. Results 26 patients with 30 AMLs were identified. Interval of follow-up imaging ranged from 1 to 60 months. 25 AMLs were embolized electively with 5 emergency embolizations performed for bleeding. Mean reduction in AML volume was 41% at 3 months (p=0.013) and 63% at 12 months (p=0.007). All 5 bleeding AMLs had a rich vascularity with 60% also having either aneurysms or a low fat content. Complications included post-embolic syndrome (n=9), segmental renal parenchyma devascularization (n=3), acute bleeding requiring re-embolization (n=2), nephrectomy for ongoing bleeding (n=1) and delayed bleeding managed conservatively (n=1). No deterioration in renal function was observed. Conclusion SAE is an effective procedure for managing symptomatic and asymptomatic renal AML, with minimal significant complications. AML vascularity, fat content and aneurysms may be useful characteristics to assess future risk of bleeding in patients with renal AML.

Introduction: Demand for donor kidneys far exceeds the availability of organs from deceased donors. Living donor kidneys are an important part of addressing this shortfall, and laparoscopic nephrectomy is an important strategy to reduce donor morbidity and increase the acceptability of living donation. Aim: To retrospectively review the intraoperative and post-operative safety, technique and outcomes of patients undergoing donor nephrectomy at a single tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia. Method: Retrospective capture and analysis of clinical, demographic and operative data for all living donor nephrectomies performed between 2007 to 2022 at a single University Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Results: 472 Donor Nephrectomies were performed: 471 were laparoscopic, two of which were converted from laparoscopic to open and hand assisted nephrectomy respectively, and 1 (0.2%) underwent primary open nephrectomy. The mean warm ischaemia time was 2.8 minutes (±1.3SD, median 3 minutes, range 2-8 minutes) and the mean length of stay was 4.1 days (±1.0 SD). The mean renal function on discharge was 103μmol/L (±23.0 SD). Seventy-seven (16%) patients had a complication with no Clavien Dindo IV or V complications seen. Outcomes demonstrated no impact of donor age, gender, kidney side, relationship to recipient, vascular complexity; or surgeon experience, on complication rate or LOS. Conclusion: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is a safe and effective procedure with minimal morbidity and no mortality in this series. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. The imaging assessment and treatment of prostate cancer has vastly improved over the past decade. The introduction of PSMA PET-CT has improved the detection of loco-regional and metastatic disease. PSMA PET-CT also has a role in the primary diagnosis and staging, in detecting biochemical recurrence after curative treatment and in metastasis-directed therapy. In this paper we review the role of PSMA PET-CT in prostate cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is rare on non-sun exposed skin such as the scrotum and thus diagnosis is often delayed. This case highlights an approach to scrotal skin lesions, risk factors and diagnostic features of BCC. Importantly, scrotal BCCs are more likely to metastasise than non-scrotal BCCs. Management should consist of wide local excision and recommended follow up with thorough clinical history, skin examination and imaging in high-risk patients.

A 33-year-old male presented with a one-centimetre lesion at the penoscrotal junction which was excised and revealed to be an epithelioid sarcoma (ES). A wide local excision of the lesion and subsequent neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed, with transposition of the patient's testicles laterally to protect fertility. At 3-year follow-up, the patient has no local or distant recurrence but does have a low sperm count. The patient has also had intermittent haematospermia since his treatment for which a cause has yet to be identified. This case highlights that ES of the penis can be managed successfully with surgical excision and local radiotherapy.