Retroperitoneal schwannoma. A complex surgical treatment of a tumor with uncertain behavior.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal schwannoma is a rare nerve sheath tumor; the surgical removal of this tumor is sometimes compromised by its location. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of this type of tumor. METHOD: We present our experience between 1999 and 2011 in the diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal schwannoma. During that time, we diagnosed and treated five female patients (four adults and one infant) with the condition. The tumors appeared sporadically and were not associated with neurofibromatosis or other syndromes. Diagnosis was performed by computed tomography (CT) imaging in four cases and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in one case. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgical treatment and complete resection of the lesion. An open resection was performed in four cases, and in the most recent case, the excision was conducted laparoscopically. In all of the cases, the histological diagnosis was retroperitoneal schwannoma, and in one case, there was a melanocytic variant that was not associated with Carney syndrome. At the time of this report, there has been no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal schwannoma is a tumor that is difficult to diagnose with imaging techniques, and because of its localization, the tumor is difficult to remove surgically.

Evaluation of tumour size and rete testis invasion in progression free survival of our patients with stage i testicular seminoma. A retrospective observational study of a reference hospital center and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of tumour size and rete testis invasion in progression free survival of our patients with stage I testicular seminoma. A literature review is also made. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed. We included patients with stage I seminoma between January 2010 and July 2022. Patients without factors of poor prognostic -Group A- were compared with patients with factors of poor prognostic -Group B-. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank testing were used to compare progression free survival (PFS) between these groups. Statistical significance was considered at P≤.05. RESULTS: 55 patients were included in this study. 20 patients (36.4%) were of good prognostic -Group A- and 35 (63.6%) had factors of poor prognostic -Group B-. The mean age was similar in both groups (mean±standard deviation), 38.62±9.04 years. The mean follow-up time was 63.5±33.6 months. All the patients in group A and 25.7% of the patients in group B underwent active surveillance (AS). 26 patients (74.3%) of the patients in Group B were treated with one cycle of adyuvant carboplatin. Three patients suffered a relapse with retroperitoneal lymph nodes (10.3%), all of them were treated with three cycles of BEP, with a complete response of the disease. No statistical significant differences were found in PFS between Group A and B (log Rank P=.317). CONCLUSION: Individualization of adjuvant treatment in stage I seminoma is important, avoiding the adverse effects derived from them.

Prostate health index (PHI) as an accurate prostate cancer predictor.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the ability of the PHI versus tPSA test to predict the presence of PCa in our population. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed. We included patients with tPSA ≥ 2.5 ng/ml, biopsy naïve or previous negative biopsy, undergoing a blood test, which includes tPSA, fPSA, and p2PSA, and a prostate biopsy between March 2019 and March 2022. Patients with PCa found in the biopsy-Group A-were compared with patients with a negative biopsy result-Group B. Diagnostic accuracy of tPSA and PHI was assessed by receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves and logistic regression. RESULTS: 140 men were included. Fifty-seven (40.7%) had a positive prostate biopsy result (Group A), and 83 (59.3%) had a negative biopsy result (Group B). The mean age was similar in both groups (mean ± standard deviation), 66.86 ± 6.61 years. No difference was found in the tPSA value between the groups (Group A PSA: 6.11 ng/ml (3.56-17.01); Group B: 6.42 ng/ml (2.46-19.45), p = 0.41). The mean value of PHI was statistically different between groups (Group A 65.50 (29-146) vs. Group B 48 (16-233), p = 0.0001). The area under the curve 0.44 for tPSA and 0.77 for PHI. The multivariate logistic regression model applied to PHI showed a significant increase in its predictive accuracy: 72.14% in the model without PHI, 76.09% with PHI. CONCLUSION: The PHI test improves PCa detection compared to tPSA in our population.

[Fournier gangrene: description of 37 cases and analysis of associated health care costs]. / Gangrena de Fournier. Análisis descriptivo y coste económico-sanitario de nuestra serie de 37 casos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fournier gangrene is a urological emergency associated with a high mortality. It is a necrotizing fasciitis caused by polymicrobial infection originating in the anorectal or genitourinary area. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Fournier gangrene along with the variables that influence disease course and mortality in patients treated in our department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of 37 patients diagnosed with Fournier gangrene between January 2001 and October 2010. RESULTS: All of the patients were men, 43.2% had diabetes, and the mean age of the patients was 57.68 years. Statistically significant differences were observed between the age of surviving patients and that of patients who died (55.8 and 69.6 years, respectively). The mean hospital stay was 27.54 days and 32.4% of patients required admission to the intensive care unit. Etiology was unknown in 39.8% of cases. Polymicrobial infection was observed in 59.5% of cases. The mean health care cost associated with a patient diagnosed with Fournier gangrene admitted to intensive care and requiring at least 1 procedure in the operating room was €25,108.67. Mortality was 13.5%. Based on analysis of individual comorbid conditions, only ischemic heart disease displayed a statistically significant association with mortality due to Fournier gangrene; ischemic heart disease was also associated with longer hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Fournier gangrene is associated with high mortality despite appropriate early treatment. Although the condition is infrequent, the high associated health care costs suggest that primary and secondary prevention measures should be implemented.

Fournier gangrene: description of 37 cases and analysis of associated health care costs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fournier gangrene is a urological emergency associated with a high mortality. It is a necrotizing fasciitis caused by polymicrobial infection originating in the anorectal or genitourinary area. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Fournier gangrene along with the variables that influence disease course and mortality in patients treated in our department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of 37 patients diagnosed with Fournier gangrene between January 2001 and October 2010. RESULTS: All the patients were men, 43.2% had diabetes, and the mean age of the patients was 57.68 years. Statistically significant differences were observed between the age of surviving patients and that of patients who died (55.8 and 69.6 years, respectively). The mean hospital stay was 27.54 days and 32.4% of patients required admission to the intensive care unit. Etiology was unknown in 39.8% of cases. Polymicrobial infection was observed in 59.5% of cases. The mean health care cost associated with a patient diagnosed with Fournier gangrene admitted to intensive care and requiring at least 1 procedure in the operating room was €25,108.67. Mortality was 13.5%. Based on analysis of individual comorbid conditions, only ischemic heart disease displayed a statistically significant association with mortality due to Fournier gangrene; ischemic heart disease was also associated with longer hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Fournier gangrene is associated with high mortality despite appropriate early treatment. Although the condition is infrequent, the high associated health care costs suggest that primary and secondary prevention measures should be implemented.

[Statistical analysis of the influence of the virus of papilloma human in the development of the vesical carcinoma]. / Análisis estadístico de la influencia del virus del papiloma humano en el desarrollo del carcinoma vesical.

INTRODUCTION: The bladder cancer is an important disease by its morbi-mortality and its multifactorialidad. At the moment, between the possible aetiology agents that they have been indicated is the infection by the virus of papilloma human (VPH). The objective study is to analyse, by meta-analysis, the relationship between bladder cancer and infection by human papillomavirus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We made a search in the electronic data base MEDLINE of the articles published until September of the 2004 that relate the infection of the VPH to the bladder tumors. Of 414 listed articles, we selected 38 articles. RESULTS: The articles were classified in two groups, according to they use or non methods based on the detection of the DNA. In articles based on the detection of the DNA, it was that the global proportion from the cases that had contact with the virus, through the detection of the genome was of the 19.4% (95% CI 0.160 to 0.228). Of the total of studies based on the detection of the DNA 8 were selected, to show to a group defined control, in which, the OR was investigated. If we combined the ORs, we obtain an OR estimation of 3.2 (95% CI 1.19 to 8.60) and p = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: Most of these studies showed the relation rose at the beginning of the study. Although the majority lacked a group defined control, is possible to analyze the value of the Odds global ratio due to the homogenous behaviour of the studies with defined cases and controls affluent. This demonstrated to association between VPH and the bladder cancer.

[The role of thiazides in the prophylaxis of recurrent calcium lithiasis]. / Papel de las tiazidas en la profilaxis de la litiasis cálcica recidivante.

OBJECTIVE: To show the prolonged efficacy of thiazides in the prophylaxis and treatment of recurrences in patients with calcium oxalate and phosphate lithiasis. METHODS: A randomised prospective study is conducted, with a three-year follow-up, in 150 patients diagnosed with recurrent calcium lithiasis. The patients are divided into three groups: A) 50 cases subject to observation with no treatment, B) 50 cases treated with 50 mg/day of hydrochlorothiazide, and C) 50 cases treated with 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide and 20 mlEq of potassium citrate/day. Each group is subject to a renal study with imaging techniques and a urinary metabolic study at baseline, 12, 24 and 36 months. RESULTS: The patients treated with thiazides (Groups B and C) obtain a significant reduction in lithiasis recurrence compared with the control group (Group A). The most common abnormality found in the metabolic study was hypercalciuria, 52% of cases; 16% present a mixed lithogenic pattern. The number of recurrences and need for new sessions of extracorporeal lithotripsy in patients with hypercalciuria treated with thiazides is significantly smaller than in Group A (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: We observe a significant relation between lithogenic pattern and lithiasis recurrence. Thiazides help us to control lithogenic factors and recurrences in patients with calcium lithiasis. This effect is prolonged and significant in patients with hypercalciuria.

Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide and alendronate in patients with stones and bone mineral density loss. Evolution of bone metabolism and calciuria with medical treatment. / Tratamiento con hidroclorotiazida y alendronato en pacientes con litiasis y pérdida de densidad mineral ósea. Evolución de la calciuria y metabolismo óseo en el tratamiento médico.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of calcium stones is based on diet and pharmacological measures such as the use of thiazides and other drugs. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of alendronate on hydrochlorothiazide on urinary calcium and bone mineral density in patients with calcium stones. METHODS: Prospective observational study involving 77 patients with relapsing calcium stones divided into 2 groups according to treatment received. Group 1: 36 patients treated with alendronate 70 mg/week; Group 2: 41 patients treated with hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/day. All patients receive diet recommendations and fluid intake. Studied and analyzed among other variables were bone mineral density, bone turnover markers and calciuria before and after 2 years of treatment. Statistical study with SPSS 17.0, statistical significance p<0.05. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in the distribution by sex or age of the patients between groups. In group 1 statistically a significant decrease was observed in the Β-crosslaps and improvement in bone mineral density, along with decreased urinary calcium after 2 years of treatment. In Group 2 statistically significant decrease in urinary calcium and fasting calcium/creatinine was seen, along with improvement in bone mineral density after 2 years of treatment. In group 1, there is a more obvious and significant improvement in bone mineral density compared to 2 and Β-crosslaps decrease. However, in group 2 the decrease in urinary calcium and calcium/creatinine was more significant than in group 1. CONCLUSION: Treatment with thiazide decrease calciuria and produces an improvement in bone mineral density, although not in the same range as treatment with alendronate.

Calcium and phosphorus metabolism and lithogenic factors in patients with osteoporotic fracture.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the attendance of mineral metabolism disorders and lithogenic factors in patients' urine with osteoporotic fracture without previously known stones MATERIAL AND METHODS: 67 patients with osteoporotic fractures surgically treated in trauma service are included. The area of the fracture site, fracture mechanism and the presence of osteoporosis were the factors taken into account to diagnose osteoporotic fracture. Mineral metabolism, calciuria, oxaluria, uricosuria and citraturia in 24hours urine were analyzed. The presence of abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism was proved comparing hypercalciuria patients with normocalciuria ones. RESULTS: 12 men and 55 women with mean age 68.8±14.5 years old were included. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 27.4±4.1kg/m2. 42% of patients showed hypercalciuria, 34% hyperoxaluria, 34% hypocitraturia and 7% hyperuricosuria. Statistically significant differences were observed only in fasting calcium/creatinine ratio (0.17 vs. 0.08; P<.0001) when comparing patients with hypercalciuria with those with normocalciuria. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with osteoporotic fractures show different lithogenic factors in urine, mainly hypercalciuria, always in fasting conditions.

[Extracorporeal lithotripsy in Spain in the 20th. Century]. / Litotricia extracorpórea en España en el siglo XX.

INTRODUCTION: In November of 1998, the Spanish Association of Urology decides to carry out a study on the lithotripsy in Spain, through the Group of Work in Lithiasis Urinary, with the objective of knowing the n(o) and distribution of Units and the real situation of the extracorporeal litotripsy for shock waves, in connection with other complementary methods or therapeutic alternatives. METHODOLOGY: We remit to all the Units of Lithotripsy a record of collection of data: Characteristic of the unit, no. of sick, localization of the calculi, complications, evolution and personal comments. RESULTS: 63 units of lithotripsy have participated in the study, at the moment 3 of them don't work and 23 belong to the Public Sanitary System. The Spanish population belong to 39,848,000 inhabitants, distributed in 17 autonomous communities, there is a lithotripsy unit for each 660,000 Spaniards. 264,875 sick people have been treated, they present synchronous bilateral lithiasis, 18,276 (6.9%) and a new treatment for relapse of calculi has been carried out in 18,592 sick people. The treated calculi are located at renal level in 60% of the cases, ureteral, 39% and vesical, 1%. The expelled, deposited or not expelled lithiasis residue corresponds to 9%, 6.8% and 6% respectively, and to 21.8% in total. CONCLUSIONS: After the analysis of these data, it is observed with evidence that in Spain, each million of inhabitants generate 602 cases of lithiasis/year, susceptible of being treated with shock waves. The distribution of resources decreases the complementary expenses: displacements, derivation temporary urinary, prevention infection urinary, analgesic, etc.

[Treatment of calculi not easily seen with radiology using extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. Value of contrast media]. / Tratamiento de los cálculos de difícil visualización radiológica mediante litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque. Valor de los medios de contraste.

Currently, most calculi can be treated with shockwave extracorporeal lithotrity regardless their location within the urinary apparatus or their physico-chemical features. In order to optimize results only medical criteria for patient's selection should be taken into account. Certain type of calculi can obstruct adequate radioscopic viewing by not allowing correct centring for shockwave emission. The problem can be overcome by using echography or other contrast procedures. Of a total 514 patients treated in our Unit with ESWL, execution of contrast procedures was necessary in 18 cases (3.5%) in order to allow adequate viewing of the calculi. Calculi in 10 patients were midly radiopacque, uric acid in 4, and bone-superimposed in the remaining 4. This technical manoeuvre allowed in all cases a good centring of the calculi. After a two months follow-up. lithiasis is absent in 15 patients and only 2 present expellable lithiatic fragments. It can therefore be concluded that the use of contrast procedures, both through i.v. or a catheter, is a simple, safe and well tolerated procedure allowing convenient viewing of those calculi, also followed by good results after ESWL treatment.

[Our experience in the treatment of cystine lithiasis]. / Nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento de la litiasis cistínica.

Contribution of six cases of patients with cystinic lithiasis, diagnosed and treated at our centre. Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms, key data for their diagnosis and current aspects of treatment, as well as a review on past and recent literature on this disease.

[Conservative treatment of Wünderlich syndrome in a functional monorenal patient]. / Tratamiento conservador del síndrome de Wünderlich en enferma monorrena funcional.

Presentation of one case of Wünderlich's syndrome secondary to spontaneous mesorenal fracture due to renal angiomyolipoma. In our case, the therapeutical approach is based in the need to preserve the functional renal unit. Wünderlich's syndrome or spontaneous perirenal haematoma can occur for a variety of causes, the most frequent ones being renal adenocarcinoma and renal angiomyolipoma. The latter is a hamartoma made up of three different tissue lines: smooth muscle cells, blood vessels and adipose tissue. Based on our case, we discuss the clinical, prognostic and therapeutical aspects related to renal angiomyolipomes.

[Prevention of recurrence of superficial tumors of the bladder with intravesical epirubicin]. / Profilaxis de la recidiva en tumores vesicales superficiales con epirrubicina endovesical.

Twenty-six patients with surface vesical tumor receiving epirubicin are included for prophylaxis of relapse following surgical exeresis. The dosage used was 15 endovesical instillations of 50 mg in 50 cc sterile water, one instillation a week during the first month followed by once monthly to complete a year. After an average follow-up of 14 months a percentage of 19% relapses were observed with a relapse are of 1.3. Toxic events were seen in 46.1% of cases, and were almost exclusively chemical cystitis. Due to intractable vesical intolerance 5 patients were withdrawn from the study. Epirubicin was shown to be effective in reducing the relapse rate but showed a high incidence of chemical cystitis.

[Orange juice in the prevention of calcium oxalate lithiasis]. / Zumo de naranja en la prevención de la litiasis oxalocálcica.

From the assumption that prophylaxis of oxalocalcium lithiasis is feasible with an the intake of citrate-rich food, this paper presents a prospective, medium-term research in two groups of patients with a background of this type of lithiasis; the first group was treated with diet and increased fluid intake exclusively, while the second group had to follow similar dietetic measures and take also one litre of orange juice daily. Orange juice raises citraturia and pH, decreasing the rate of lithiasis formation and crystallization risk indicators for calcium phosphate. No significant differences are obtained in the number of relapse ratio reductions for the second group as compared to controls.

[Granulated potassium citrate in the prevention of calcium oxalate lithiasis]. / Citrato potásico granulado en la profilaxis de la litiasis oxalocálcica.

Since the approval of potassium citrate for the treatment of urolithiasis, there are many patients in other countries who have benefited from this drug. This paper describes the biochemical changes and tolerance seen in fifteen patients treated for one month with granulated potassium citrate. Some significant changes are observed in serum potassium and creatinine, and in urinary pH, citrate and potassium. Tolerance was good. Our results confirm that potassium citrate is an effective, easy to use, and well tolerated drug for the prophylaxis of oxalocalcium lithiasis.

[Clinico-flowmetric analysis of patients being surgically treated for BPH]. / Análisis clínico-flujométrico en pacientes sometidos a tratamiento quirúrgico por H.B.P.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a common urological disease with a standard surgical approach, transurethral resection (TUR) or open adenectomy (OA), but the flowmetric clinical results are controversial. Fifty-five patients were evaluated; in 23 of them TUR was performed and 32 underwent OA. The Boyarsky clinical questionnaire was filled in, and a flow evaluation conducted prior and subsequent to the procedure to measure maximum and average flow (Qmax and Qave) which was correlated to mictional volume according to Siroky's nomogram. The purpose is to compare the flowmetric clinical results of TUR and OA, and to evaluate flowmetry as a prognostic factor. Correlation of obstructive symptoms and Qmax is low (r = 0.49) and minor for irritative symptoms. Both groups of patients achieve significant clinical improvement (p < 0.001). OA obtains a 248% increase in Qmax, while this figure is 76% with TUR. Patients with post-treatment obstruction after OA are 9.3%, and 26.9% for TUR. Results are better when Qmax prior to surgery is < 5 ml/s than when it is > 10 ml/s.

[Ureteral lithiasis. Analysis of 3 series]. / Tratamiento de la litiasis ureteral. Análisis de tres series.

Presentation of our experience on 1000 cases of ureteral lithiasis treated over the last five years with ESWL, ureteroscopy and ureterolitotomy, distributed in three series of 396, 265 and 339 cases respectively. In the first series (396 cases), lumbar ureter calculi were treated with ESWL (dornier HM3) and iliopelvian calculi with ureteroscopy. In the second series (265 cases), all calculi were treated with ESWL (Siemens Lithostar). The third series was in turn subdivided in three groups: in the first group, comprising simple ureteral calculi, 'in situ' ESWL was performed; in the second group, of lumbar ureter complex calculi, ESWL was performed assisted by simple endourological techniques; ureteroscopy was performed in the third group, iliopelvian ureter complex calculi. Calculi characteristics (site, size, consistency and number), excretory tract and renal function, designated as CEP/LTS-X were assessed. These parameters allow us to grade ureteral lithiasis in Types I, II and III. A comparative study of the results in the three series was made reaching an overall conclusion that simple or Type I ureteral lithiasis can be treated with 'in situ' ESWL as first choice; in Type II or lumbar ureter complex lithiasis, 'in situ' ESWL is insufficient and other endoeurological support techniques are required, while in Type III, iliopelvian ureter complex lithiasis, ureteroscopy should be recommended.

[Distal tubular renal acidosis with nephrocalcinosis]. / Acidosis tubular renal distal con nefrocalcinosis.

Nephrocalcinosis and distal tubular acidosis are two infrequent processes caused by several etiologies which can present in association. This paper describes a clinical case of tubular acidosis and explains the differential diagnosis of both entities.