Impact of gender on success and complication rates after ureteroscopy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of gender differences on treatment success, intraoperative and postoperative complications in patients undergoing ureteroscopy (URS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospectively maintained database of 927 consecutively performed ureteroscopies on solitary ureteral stones in four different centers was retrospectively analyzed. Stones were detected with preoperative computed tomography scans or intravenous urography imaging. Patients received intravenous antibiotics as perioperative prophylaxis. Patients with symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) prior to surgery were excluded. Follow-up was up to 2 weeks after URS or stent removal. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-six women and 641 men were included in this study. Mean stone size was 9 mm (range 2-35 mm). A double-J stent was placed in 240 (83 %) women and 527 (82 %) men at the end of surgery (p = 0.075). There was no significant gender difference in terms of stent dislocation (p = 0.239). Two hundred and fifty-one women (87 %) and 564 men (87 %) were stone-free after the first procedure (p = 0.917). Intraoperative complications were observed in 14 (4.8 %) women and 37 (5.9 %) men (p = 0.313). Severe UTI presenting with fever (>38 °C) and requiring prolonged hospitalization with parenteral antibiotics were observed in 11 (3 %) women and 8 (1 %) men postoperatively. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: No significant differences between female and male patients harboring ureteral stones with respect to intraoperative complications were detected. Although stone characteristics were comparable between groups, a small number of women had significantly more severe UTI's postoperatively. Our current therapy regimen for URS seems to be efficient and safe both for females and males.

Renal papillary attenuation differences between primary and recurrent idiopathic calcium stone disease patients.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to investigate whether renal papillae of patients with nephrolithiasis are more radiodense than that of control patients and to evaluate the predictability of urolithiasis using papillary density differences between stone and non-stone formers. METHODS: Renal papillary Hounsfield Unit (HU) measurements were conducted at the level of upper pole, middle region and lower pole of both kidneys in a total of 126 primary (group 1), 133 recurrent (group 2) stone disease patients and 108 controls (group 3). RESULT: Mean patient age did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05). Mean stone diameters (±SD) were 5.0±3.1 mm (3-9 mm) and 6.1±3.3 mm (3-15 mm) for primary and recurrent groups, respectively and group distributions and variances were similar (P>0.05). Mean papillary attenuation values (±SD) were 27.26±9.30 (4.00-56.00) in group 1, 30.42±9.88 (12.00-64.00) in group 2 and 25.83±2.72 (20.30-32.56) in the control group. The difference between the mean papillary attenuation value of the primary stone disease group and the control group was statistically insignificant (P=0.104). When the control group and the recurrent stone group was compared without variances, in terms of the mean renal papillary attenuation value, a statistical significance was achieved (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: With increasing renal papillary HU values, the risk of recurrent calcium stone disease is increased.

Microscopic venous invasion is associated with disease free and cancer free survival in renal cell carcinoma.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of microscopic venous invasion (MVI) as a prognostic factor for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: The present study included 220 patients with non-metastatic RCC who underwent radical nephrectomy (RN). MVI was defined by the presence of a cancer cell in blood vessels based on microscopic examination of hematoxylin-eosin stained specimens. The impact of MVI on disease progression and survival after 37 (6-190) months of median follow-up and its correlation with known clinicopathological features were studied. Survival analyses using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank models for univariate comparisons and Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: MVI was found in 68 patients (30.8%), and of these, 26 (38.2%) developed a tumor recurrence and 16 (23.5%) died of cancer progression, whereas only 18 (11.8%) of the remaining 152 patients without MVI presented with disease-recurrence and 8 (5.3%) died of cancer. In the multivariate analysis, MVI (P=0.014) Fuhrman's grade (P=0.028), and sarcomatoid differentiation (SD) (P=0.01) were the factors predicted a decreased disease-free survival (DFS). Meanwhile, MVI (P=0.04) and SD (P=0.029) were also found to be predictor of cancer specific survival (CSS) with necrosis (P=0.037) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that MVI is associated with the vast majority of the adverse pathological features related with RCC. Furthermore, it was found to be an independent clinical prognostic factor for DFS and CSS.

Delayed repair of post-traumatic posterior urethral distraction injuries: long-term results.

OBJECTIVES: There is still controversy regarding the treatment of post-traumatic posterior urethral distraction injuries. Initial suprapubic cystostomy and delayed perineal urethral reconstruction has been considered the reference standard. In this report, we review our experience with delayed perineal urethral reconstruction, with a focus on the long-term outcome and complications. METHODS: A total of 77 men with posterior urethral distraction injury due to pelvic trauma underwent reconstruction with delayed perineal approach. In all cases, the area of fibrosis was aggressively excised, the corpus spongiosum was mobilized, and a tension-free, spatulated end-to-end anastomosis was achieved by splitting the corporeal bodies in 66.2% and by an additional perineally performed inferior pubectomy in 49.3% of the patients. The median time from injury to surgical repair was 12 months. The preoperative evaluation consisted of combined antegrade and retrograde cystourethrograms and cystourethrography. A detailed sexual history was obtained in 58 patients (75.3%). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 47 months (range 15 months to 14 years), the urethral continuity was adequate in 94. 8%; however, 2 patients required a perineal surgical revision (total of 79 operations). Postoperative incontinence was observed in 7 (9. 1%) of 77 patients. Postoperative erectile dysfunction was noted in 16.2% of patients who were known to be potent by history before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the belief that delayed perineal reconstruction with extensive excision of fibrosis and a tension-free, spatulated end-to-end anastomosis is a successful treatment alternative for posterior urethral distraction defects, with acceptable morbidity.

Primary gonadotropin releasing hormone and adjunctive human chorionic gonadotropin treatment in cryptorchidism: a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of intranasal gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the treatment of cryptorchidism was investigated in 48 prepubertal boys. METHODS: Forty-eight prepubertal boys with 70 undescended testes were enrolled into a prospective study between November 1989 and November 1991. GnRH was applied as nasal spray at a dose of 1.2 mg/day for 4 weeks. The patients with partial descent were subsequently treated with 1500 IU hCG weekly for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Complete descent was observed in 53% (37 of 70) of testes; 58% (15 of 26) in unilateral and 50% (22 of 44) in bilateral undescended testes. One abdominally located testicle did not respond to therapy. Of 37 testes located in the inguinal canal, seven (19%) descended. On the other hand, descensus rates were 100% for the testes located at the external inguinal ring and at a high scrotal level. Six primarily descended testes (16%) showed relapse during the follow-up. Surgery was performed in 12 patients (14 testes), revealing associated hernia in nine testes and epididymal anomalies in four. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the GnRH and hCG combination is an effective therapy for undescended testes located at and beyond the external inguinal ring and should be the first treatment choice because of its noninvasiveness. Both unilateral and bilateral undescended testes responded with similar success rate to hormonal therapy. Surgery should be considered for proximal cryptorchidism.

[Plastic surgical correction of megaureter]. / Plastisch chirurgische Korrektur des Megaureters.

Between 1967 and 1986 185 children (246 renoureteral units) and 21 adults (25 renoureteral units) with megaureters have been treated surgically in our department. 85 of the children had primary obstructive megaureters, 77 children showed secondary megaureters, whereas 23 others showed either a gross ureteral dilatation due to an ureterocele or gross reflux. All of the adult patients presented with primary obstructive megaureters. 122 children (65.9%) and 15 adults (71.4%) underwent ureterocystoneostomy (UCN) using various techniques, the Psoas Hitch technique being exclusively the method of choice since 1977 with markedly better results. The indication for ureteral tapering was considered extremely conservatively. In the rest of the patients the elimination of the infravesical obstruction alone was sufficient or a nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy had to be performed due to a non-functioning kidney. The percentage of UCN in primary obstructive megaureters throughout the years (79% in 1967-1971 and 63% in 1977-1986) and its significant decrease in secondary megaureters from 71% to 39% during the same time period displays the conceptional changes in the therapy regimen. The majority of children and adults with primary obstructive megaureters can be treated conservatively. UCN should be indicated for cases with synchronous reflux and/or recurrent febrile urinary tract infections. The indication for ureteral tapering should be considered very carefully. Especially in secondary megaureters the indication for ureteral tapering and reimplantation is rare since the adequate relief of the infravesical obstruction may be sufficient alone in many of the cases.

[Current therapy standards in treatment of genuine stress incontinence in the woman with urethral mini-devices]. / Aktueller Therapiestandard in der Behandlung der genuinen Stressinkontinenz der Frau mittels Harnröhren-Mini-Devices.

Conservative treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence in females gained more and more interest. The use of mini-devices is one of the newly developed therapeutical options however, its clinical relevance and longterm-results are still under debate. This review article gives a critical evaluation of the available urethral plugs and regulators and new developments as well according to the long-term-follow-up studies in the literature and own experience with those devices. The continence rates that can be obtained with the different plugs or regulators are dependent upon the degree of stress incontinence, ability to insert the plug and compliance of the patient. Reported longterm results vary between 48% and 100%. The most frequent side effects are urinary infection, haematuria and/or handling problems with the devices. According to the published material it is impossible to give therapeutical standards for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence with urethral mini-devices. Although proper Patient selection might give excellent longterm-results in patient continence rates.

Hydrodynamic assessment of efferent limb valve mechanisms in continent urinary diversion: comparative study on a cadaveric model.

Various valve mechanisms, customarily employed in continent urinary diversion, were constructed from fresh cadaveric porcine bowel for later urodynamic assessment. A total of six different types of valves were formed from ileum or colon in varying lengths and tested by volume pressure trials. The leak point or maximum pressure were recorded at constant perfusion rates of 30 ml/min of the constructed reservoir. Ileal or colonic nipple valves, as well as the embedded or pulled-through ileum, tapered to 12 F at a length of 3 cm, withstood maximum pressures ranging between 75 and 138 cm H2O before leakage or protrusion of the valve occurred. Plicated or tapered terminal ileum in caecal reservoir revealed water leakage at pressures as low as 25 to 40 cm H2O. A newly-developed valve mechanism consisting of a 12 F, plicated colonic-serosal tunnel with a minimum intra-reservoir length of 5 cm resisted maximum pressures of more than 70 cm H2O. Our cadaveric porcine bowel model proved to be reliable for acute volume/pressure trials and correlated with all clinical urodynamic results and animal trials. It is simple, inexpensive and allows scope for individual ideas before commencing with animal trials.

The role of the papilla in idiopathic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis.

The complex and multifactorial phenomenon of urinary stone disease remains unclear. Anatomical and physiochemical theories do not adequately deal with certain aspects of idiopathic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in particular or of nephrolithiasis. One of the reasons for this could be that nephrolithiasis is not only a primary disorder but may also be a symptom of other disorders or various pathologic changes in the metabolism of lithogenic substances. Both affirmative and contradictory reports have been published since Randall's first description of papillary calcifications and their possible active role in the genesis of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. Our intention is to discuss focal calcified lesions as an etiologic factor of renal stone disease as well as the change from historical to modern concepts regarding the development of medullary calcifications and their relationship to idiopathic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis.

MR urography findings of a duplicated ectopic ureter in an adult man.

In this report we present the imaging findings in an adult male with a duplicated ectopic ureter which inserted into the prostatic urethra. The appearances at excretory urography, US, CT, and MR urography are described together with the potential pitfalls of the imaging techniques. Both US and MR urography accurately image the collecting system from the kidney to the point of distal ureteral insertion, and in our patient, MR urography provided similar information to US.

Treatment update on pediatric urolithiasis.

At the doorstep of the twenty-first century the role of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as the treatment of choice for more than 80% of all stones in children is established. ESWL is safe and effective, with very few differences in success rates being observed among different lithotriptors. The present problem with ESWL appears to be the residual stone fragment, which has a proven clinical significance. A thorough metabolic evaluation and metaphylaxis is indicated in all children, and this will enable physicians to deal with the residual fragments in a more cause-specific manner and prevent regrowth. Another subject that needs prospective randomized studies to be unveiled is the assumption that a specific or universal metaphylaxis, possibly with alkaline citrates, will enhance stone clearance, lower the incidence of residual stone fragments, and optimize the ESWL results. Finally, both percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ureteroscopic stone removal have been established in children as safe and effective treatment options. This gives the clinician the opportunity to choose from a wide range of treatment alternatives, including open surgery, and only this approach will ensure 100% stone removal in individual patients along with the prevention of recurrence and, thus, the elimination of long-term morbidities in this vulnerable patient population.

Urinary stone disease in Turkey: an updated epidemiological study.

In a nationwide survey conducted in 14 provinces on 1,500 individuals, an overall prevalence of 14.8% and an incidence of 2.2% for the year 1989 are found for urinary stone disease in Turkey. The male:female ratio was 1.5:1. The prevalence showed a geographical distribution with higher figures in southern and south-eastern parts of the country. Low socioeconomic and educational status were associated with a higher prevalence rate, while there was no significant difference between people living in rural areas or in cities. Similarly, occupation had no significant impact on the incidence of urinary stone disease. Urolithiasis is a severe problem in Turkey and more detailed epidemiological studies are needed to enlighten the pathogenetic factors of stone formation and its geographical variations.

Role of inhibitor deficiency in urolithiasis. II. Deficiency grade-adjusted and intermittent augmentation therapy for magnesium and citrate deficiency.

63 patients with hypocitraturia (44.9% of the total) and 33 patients with hypomagnesiuria (24.8% of the total) received oral magnesium hydroxide and/or Na/K citrate in addition to other therapeutic agents if indicated and a common-sense diet. Hypocitraturic patients were categorized into 3 groups and received 27-81 mEq/day oral citrate according to the deficiency grade. Hypomagnesiuric patients also formed two groups according to the deficiency grade and received 500 and 1,000 mg/day magnesium hydroxide, respectively. Replacement was intermittant and was controlled every 3 months until reaching normal values. We evaluated 28 of 63 hypocitraturic and 15 of 33 hypomagnesiuric patients who had inhibitory deficiency as the sole causal factor of their urolithiasis. After a follow-up of 13.5 +/- 10.2 months, no patient in either group developed a new stone. Citrate and magnesium were increased significantly in the respective groups; calcium and oxalate excretion was lowered, and urine pH and volume increased significantly. A deficiency grade-adjusted and intermittant replacement therapy with Mg and citrate is very effective, has less side effects and ensures good patients compliance.

Penile fracture: emergency surgery for preservation of penile functions.

Traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum is a rare injury and occurs following a blunt trauma on erected penis. We herewith present 16 cases which underwent a uniform emergency operation. With this strategy we observed no complications, and all penile functions including erection were preserved.

Rationale of urodynamic assessment in adult enuresis.

Between October 1988 and November 1990, 39 adult patients (average age 18.5 years) with enuresis underwent urodynamic evaluation. Filling cystometry was performed transurethrally using normal saline in the supine position. Abnormal cystometric findings were observed in 11 patients (28.2%), unstable bladder being the most common pathology (n = 7). Abnormal cystometric findings did not correlate with sex, age and diurnal symptoms of the patients. The only difference between pathologic and normal cystometry groups was the functional bladder capacity which is found to be reduced significantly in the former group. Cystometry does not contribute to the diagnosis of enuresis but helps to enlighten its physiopathology.

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Review of the literature and report of two cases.

The signet ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a rare neoplasm; the 70 cases found in the literature pursued a fulminant and mostly fatal course; the neoplasms diffusely invaded the bladder wall without forming intraluminal growths and could not be controlled by segmental resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone or in combination. We herewith present 2 cases of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder--one associated with high-grade transitional cell carcinoma and in situ carcinoma--and review the literature.

Discrepancy between Gleason scores of biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimens.

OBJECTIVE: The grade of the prostate cancer is an important factor in defining prognosis and deciding on treatment. In this study, we compared the Gleason score determined by 18-gauge core needle biopsies with both the Gleason score and pathological staging of the radical prostatectomy specimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1992 and September 1998, we performed 144 radical retropubic prostatectomies for clinically localized prostatic carcinoma, after a negative frozen section in bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy in all cases. Ten patients with pathologic stage T1a and T1b were excluded. The final study group consisted of 134 patients, all of whom had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma by transrectal needle biopsies with an 18-gauge automated spring-loaded biopsy gun. No patients received neoadjuvant therapy, including androgen deprivation and radiation therapy. All patients had a designated Gleason score on the needle biopsy and prostatectomy specimens. RESULTS: We found that grading error was greatest with well-differentiated (Gleason score 2-4) tumors, The accuracy was 15% for Gleason score 2-4 on needle biopsy. Of the 113 evaluable patients with Gleason score 5-7 on needle biopsy, 110 (97%) were graded correctly. All of the Gleason score 8-10 on needle biopsy was graded correctly. But only 1 patient in our series had Gleason score 8 on needle biopsy. Twenty-seven (25%) of 110 patients with a biopsy grade of Gleason score <7 had the cancer upgraded to 7. Of patients with both Gleason score <7 in the needle biopsy and Gleason score 7 in the prostatectomy specimen, only 3 (11%) had tumor confined to the prostate. CONCLUSION: The potential for grading error is greatest with well-differentiated tumors and of patients with both Gleason scores <7 in the needle biopsy and Gleason score 7 in the prostatectomy specimen, only 11% had tumor confined to the prostate. This effects treatment policy, especially for watchful waiting criteria.

Role of inhibitor deficiency in urolithiasis. I. Rationale of urinary magnesium, citrate, pyrophosphate and glycosaminoglycan determinations.

Between October 1988 and March 1990, 173 urinary stone patients (average age 38.3 years) were evaluated metabolically, especially with regard to urinary magnesium, pyrophosphate (Ppi) citrate and glycosaminoglycans (GAG). 25 healthy subjects served as controls. Inhibitory deficiency was found to be the most frequent causal factor in our series, with an incidence of 48.7% in first-time stone formers and 51.08% in recurrent urolithiasis (p less than 0.1). Deficient citrate levels were present in 46.56%, hypomagnesiuria in 24.4%, hypopyrophosphaturia in 10.7% and deficient GAG in 2.7% of the patients. Deficient urinary Ppi was seen in only 2.7% of the stone formers as the only metabolic defect, while deficient GAG was never the only causal factor. All 4 inhibitors showed no correlation with age, sex, activity of stone disease, stone weight and burden. There were no statistically significant differences with controls. We think that routine metabolic evaluation must be performed both in recurrent patients and first-time stone formers and must include urinary citrate and Mg determinations in every case. Urinary Ppi should be determined in selected cases and GAG determinations are irrational.

Hydatid disease of the kidney caused by Echinococcus multilocularis: a rare clinical entity.

Hydatid disease of the urinary tract is extremely rare and constitutes approximately 4% of all cases of hydatid disease. The Echinococcus multilocularis is a relatively rare form of echinococcus as the cause of renal hydatid disease. We describe a patient who had renal hydatidosis which is rarely caused by the E. multilocularis.