Histopathological findings in nephrectomy specimens--A review of 42 cases

Abstract

Objective: This study aims at determining the histopathological findings in nephrectomy specimens in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Methods: A retrospective study of all cases of nephrectomies in UMTH between January 1993 and December 2003.

Results: There were 42 cases of unilateral nephrectomies, 26 (61.9%) males and 16 (38.1.9%) females giving a ratio of 1.6:1. Of these, 23 (54.8%) were benign and 19(45.2%) malignant. Chromic interstitial/pyelonephritis was the commonest indication for nephrectomy and this accounted for 28.6% of all cases. Nephroblastoma, the second commonest, accounted for 23.8% of all cases and is the major malignant indication for nephrectomies. Renal cell carcinoma and hydronephrosis accounted for 7(16.7%) cases each; polycystic kidney, transitional cell carcinoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Conclusion: There is need to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis and proper treatment of urinary tract infections, since chronic interstitial/pyelonephritis is the commonest indication for nephrectomy in our environment. This will go long way in reducing the rate nephrectomies on our patients.