Release Date: February 2013
Expiration Date: February 2014
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Estimated time to complete the educational activity: 1 hour
This activity is jointly sponsored by Medical Education Resources and Haymarket Medical Education.
Statement of Need: The urologic community to date has been reticent to rely on renal biopsy in the treatment of renal cortical masses. The historically common presentation of renal tumors—a classic triad of pain, a flank mass, and hematuria—almost always resulted in the discovery of a large renal tumor. These tumors were mostly malignant, and, by definition, symptomatic. As such, the use of renal biospy was not warranted. In addition, the presence of small incidental renal cortical neoplasms was quite rare in the past, and biopsy even rarer. This algorithm must be re-evaluated, as incidental small renal cortical neoplasms are more frequently seen today.
Target Audience: This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of urologists and allied healthcare clinicians who treat patients with nephrotic and acute nephritic syndromes, and associated cancer.
Educational Objectives: After completing the activity, the participant should be better able to: < /p>
- Review the epidemiology of small renal cortical neoplasm.
- Discuss renal biopsy techniques, image guidance, and type of biopsy.
- Underline complications associated with a biopsy of the kidney.
Accreditation Statement:This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Medical Education Resources (MER) and Haymarket Medical Education. MER is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation: Medical Education Resources designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Medical Education Resources ensures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all our educational programs. In accordance with this policy, MER identifies conflicts of interest with its instructors, content managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of an activity. Conflicts are resolved by MER to ensure all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a CME activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. MER is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements or quality in health care and not a commercial interest.
The faculty reported the following financial relationships with commercial interests whose products or services may be mentioned in this CME activity:
| Name of Faculty | Reported Financial Relationship |
| Allison R. Polland, MD
Jaime Landman, MD |
No financial relationships to disclose
Research Support: Hitachi Aloka |
The content managers, Jody A. Charnow and Marina Galanakis, of Haymarket Medical Education, and Julie Johnson, PharmD, of Medical Education Resources, have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest.
Method of Participation: There are no fees for participating in and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period December 2012 through December 2013, participants must: 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures, 2) study the educational activity, 3) complete the posttest and submit it online. Physicians may register at www.myCME.com/renalandurologynews, and 4) complete the evaluation form online.
A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed post-test with a score of 70% or better.
