Reninoma: An Uncommon Cause of Renin-Mediated Hypertension

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an increasingly performed, minimally invasive alternative to open partial nephrectomy. We compared early postoperative outcomes in 1,800 patients undergoing open partial nephrectomy by experienced surgeons with the initial experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in patients with a single renal tumor 7 cm or less. Data on 1,800 consecutive open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomies were collected prospectively or retrospectively in tumor registries at 3 large referral centers. Demographic, intraoperative, postoperative and followup data were compared between the 2 groups. Compared to the laparoscopic partial nephrectomy group of 771 patients the 1,028 undergoing open partial nephrectomy were a higher risk group with a greater percent presenting symptomatically with decreased performance status, impaired renal function and tumor in a solitary functioning kidney (p<0.0001). More tumors in the open partial nephrectomy group were more than 4 cm and centrally located and more proved to be malignant (p<0.0001 and 0.0003, respectively). Based on multivariate analysis laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was associated with shorter operative time (p<0.0001), decreased operative blood loss (p<0.0001) and shorter hospital stay (p<0.0001). The chance of intraoperative complications was comparable in the 2 groups. However, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was associated with longer ischemia time (p<0.0001), more postoperative complications, particularly urological (p<0.0001), and an increased number of subsequent procedures (p<0.0001). Renal functional outcomes were similar 3 months after laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy with 97.9% and 99.6% of renal units retaining function, respectively. Three-year cancer specific survival for patients with a single cT1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma was 99.3% and 99.2% after laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy, respectively. Early experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is promising. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy offered the advantages of less operative time, decreased operative blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. When applied to patients with a single renal tumor 7 cm or less, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was associated with additional postoperative morbidity compared to open partial nephrectomy. However, equivalent functional and early oncological outcomes were achieved.

Historically, hypertension in childhood was thought to be an uncommon diagnosis, usually related to an underlying condition, most often parenchymal renal disease. Primary hypertension in childhood was felt to be quite rare. However, the worldwide childhood obesity epidemic has had a profound impact on the frequency of hypertension and other obesity-related conditions with the result that primary hypertension should now be viewed as one of the most common health conditions in the young. This review will present updated data on the prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents, the impact of the childhood obesity epidemic on hypertension prevalence and blood pressure levels, shifts in how often primary hypertension is being diagnosed in childhood, and an overview of the pathophysiology of obesity-related hypertension. It is hoped that improved understanding of the significance of these issues will lead to improved recognition and treatment, which will be the key to averting an epidemic of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.