Cystic-appearing lesions are commonly seen in clinical practice at imaging of the extremities. However, only some of these lesions are truly cystic lesions (eg, ganglia or synovial cysts, bursae) and may be managed conservatively. Fluid-filled lesions usually have homogeneous high T2 signal at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A broad array of solid benign masses (eg, myxomas, peripheral nerve sheath tumors [PNSTs], certain vascular lesions, glomus tumors) and malignant solid masses (including undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas, myxofibrosarcomas, myxoid liposarcomas, synovial sarcomas, extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, and, less frequently, soft-tissue metastases) may also exhibit bright T2 signal at MR imaging, thereby simulating a cyst. On the other hand, fluid-filled lesions with associated complications (eg, bleeding or inflammatory changes) may have a more complex appearance. MR imaging plays a major role in distinguishing truly cystic lesions from solid lesions. If a cystic-appearing lesion demonstrates wall thickening or internal complexity (heterogeneous signal, nodules, or thick septa), evaluation with contrast material enhancement is mandatory, and a solid lesion must be suspected if any internal enhancement is present. In addition to categorizing the lesions as truly cystic or solid, the differential diagnosis may be further narrowed by considering the anatomic location of the lesion or characteristic imaging features (eg, internal linear or patchy enhancement at contrast-enhanced MR imaging and an intramuscular location in myxomas; the "split fat sign," "string sign," and "target sign" in PNSTs; tiny foci of fat in myxoid liposarcomas). In most cases, however, histologic analysis is required to achieve a definitive diagnosis.

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We previously showed that nearly half the patients left with residual fragments (RFs) after URS experience a subsequent stone-related event (SE). We aimed to determine if a stone free state after URS is associated with a fewer SEs than those left with residual fragments.METHODS: After undergoing URS for renal and ureteral calculi between December 2015 and February 2017 167 patients (209 renal units, RUs) were prospectively enrolled. CT was obtained 6-8 weeks post-operatively. Patients were evaluated at subsequent office visits and/or contacted by phone to determine if a stone event attributable to the treated RU occurred. A stone event (SE) was defined as spontaneous stone passage, symptoms requiring emergency department (ED) visit, surgical intervention, or stone growth. Only patients with at least 12 months of follow-up were included for analysis. Kaplan Meier analysis, Chi-squared analysis, log rank test, and logistic regression were used to assess outcomes.RESULTS: Among the study group, 123 patients and 152 RUs met study criteria, including 57% (87 RUs) with residual fragments and 43% (65 RUs) who were rendered stone-free on post URS CT. Median overall follow-up was 29 months . The mean number of RFs per patient was 2.1 AE 1.5 and mean largest fragment size was 3.7 AE 2.0 mm. SE occurred in 47% (41/87) of RUs with RFs and 14% (9/ 65) of those that were stone free (p<0.001). Median time to SE was 33 months for those with RFs (CI 23-43) and 45 months in those who were stone free . The stone event-free survival was 68% in those with RFs and 98% in those stone free at 24 months (p<0.001) (Figure 1). Multivariate regression demonstrated stone-free status as a predictor of a stone event (OR 4.98, p<0.001), although residual fragment size and number were not.CONCLUSIONS: Attaining a stone-free state after URS with basket extraction reduces the rate of SEs in patients undergoing ureteroscopy.

Purpose Obstructive pyelonephritis is a common urologic emergency that requires prompt decompression of the collecting system. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed patient flow and healthcare strategies at numerous emergency departments across Brazil with still unknown consequences for the population. This study sought to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on clinical outcomes in patients with acute obstructive pyelonephritis at a tertiary academic center. Materials and methods After Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective chart review of patients who required decompression of the collecting system due to acute obstructive pyelonephritis from June 2019 to July 2020 was conducted. Basic demographic information, pre-operative, and peri-operative data were recorded. Patients were assigned in "Pre-Covid" and "Post-Covid" groups based on the admission dates. Results A total of 63 patients were included, with 40 patients in the Pre-Covid group and 23 in the Post-Covid group. Patients from the Post-Covid group presented at the ER later after symptoms onset (7.8 vs. 4.3 days; p = 0.012), had higher rates of SIRS (57% vs. 25%; p = 0.012), perirenal abscesses (13% vs. 0%; p = 0.019), overall complications (p = 0.047) and presented longer hospital length of stay (7.6 vs. 3.8; p = 0.007). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with acute obstructive pyelonephritis presented later for evaluation at the ER, had higher disease severity and longer hospital length of stay when compared to the pre-COVID group of patients with the same pathology.