Differences in accuracy based on biopsy technique, imaging modality and biopsy period were determined by chi-square analysis.

Results: We identified 166 patients who underwent percutaneous biopsy of the primary tumor before cytoreductive nephrectomy between 1991 and 2007, and had data available for review. Median pathological tumor size was 9.1 cm (range 3 to 32). Median time from biopsy to surgery was 46 days (range 6 to

717). Of 104 patients in whom biopsy was assigned a Fuhrman nuclear grade 33 (31.7%) had the same grade in the nephrectomy specimen, including 74 of 109 (67.9%) when considering only high or low grade. Grade change by more than 2 points was seen in 18 of 104 patients selleck compound (17.3%). Sarcomatoid features were present in 34 of 166 nephrectomy specimens (20.5%) but only 4 (11.8%) were identified preoperatively.

Conclusions: In patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma percutaneous renal biopsy has poor accuracy to assess Fuhrman nuclear grade or sarcomatoid features. Physicians should use caution when using biopsy data to guide therapy.”
“BACKGROUND: Pain after traumatic brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) has 2 distinct patterns: continuous burning pain LDC000067 mw and paroxysmal shooting pain. Lesioning of the dorsal root entry

zone (DREZotomy) is more effective for paroxysmal than continuous pain. It is unknown, however, whether electric motor cortex stimulation (EMCS) has a differential effect on continuous vs paroxysmal BPA pain.

OBJECTIVE: URMC-099 solubility dmso To analyze the differential effect of EMCS and DREZotomy on continuous vs paroxysmal BPA pain in a series of 15 patients.

METHODS: Fifteen patients with intractable BPA pain underwent DREZotomy alone (n = 7), EMCS alone (n = 4), or both procedures (n = 4). Pain intensity was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale, and separate ratings were recorded for paroxysmal and continuous

pain. Pain relief was categorized as excellent (> 75% pain relief), good (50%-75%), or poor (< 50%). Favorable outcome was defined as good or better pain relief.

RESULTS: Eight patients had EMCS; 7 were followed up for an average of 47 months. Of those 7 patients, 3 (42%) with continuous pain had favorable outcomes compared with no patients with paroxysmal pain. Eleven patients had DREZotomy; 10 were followed up for an average of 31 months. Of those 10 patients, 7 (70%) with paroxysmal pain had favorable outcomes compared with 2 (20%) with continuous pain.

CONCLUSION: EMCS was ineffective for paroxysmal pain but moderately effective for continuous pain. DREZotomy was highly effective for paroxysmal pain but moderately effective for continuous pain. It may be prudent to use EMCS for residual continuous pain after DREZotomy.