Ex vivo construction of a novel model of bioengineered bladder mucosa: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To generate and to evaluate ex vivo a novel model of bioengineered human bladder mucosa based on fibrin-agarose biomaterials. METHODS: We first established primary cultures of stromal and epithelial cells from small biopsies of the human bladder using enzymatic digestion and selective cell culture media. Then, a bioengineered substitute of the bladder lamina propria was generated using cultured stromal cells and fibrin-agarose scaffolds, and the epithelial cells were then subcultured on top to generate a complete bladder mucosa substitute. Evaluation of this substitute was carried out by cell viability and histological analyses, immunohistochemistry for key epithelial markers and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The results show a well-configured stroma substitute with a single-layer epithelium on top. This substitute was equivalent to the control bladder mucosa. After 7 days of ex vivo development, the epithelial layer expressed pancytokeratin, and cytokeratins CK7, CK8 and CK13, as well as filaggrin and ZO-2, with negative expression of CK4 and uroplakin III. A reduction of the expression of CK8, filaggrin and ZO-2 was found at day 14 of development. An immature basement membrane was detected at the transition between the epithelium and the lamina propria, with the presence of epithelial hemidesmosomes, interdigitations and immature desmosomes. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that this model of bioengineered human bladder mucosa shared structural and functional similarities with the native bladder mucosa, although the epithelial cells were not fully differentiated ex vivo. We hypothesize that this bladder mucosa substitute could have potential clinical usefulness after in vivo implantation.

Treatment of ureteral lithiasis with tamsulosin: literature review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Ninety percent of ureteral calculi <4 mm are expelled over a period of 3 months; if they are >6 mm the elimination possibilities are reduced to 30%. Presently, investigations in the treatment of ureteral lithiasis have the objective of modifying ureter contractibility with the aid of calcium antagonist and alpha-blocking drugs. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of tamsulosin in the treatment of the distal ureter lithiasis and to make a systematic analysis of the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study 70 cases of distal ureter lithiasis were divided into 2 groups: group 1 = 35 cases treated with ibuprofen (600 mg/12 h) and 2,000 ml water/24 h with tramadol on demand, and group 2 = 35 cases with the same treatment as described before plus tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day over 3 weeks. The number of stone-free patients, time to expulsion and the necessity for analgesia were evaluated. A literature review (2002-2007) and meta-analysis of 11 studies was performed. Statistical analysis included relative risk (RR), number needed to treat (NNT) and chi(2) test. RESULTS: Group 1 reported 19 stone expulsions (54.3%) and group 2 30 expulsions [85.7%, chi(2) = 8.23 (p < 0.01), RR = 1.58, NNT = 3 (95% CI 2-9)]. The mean time to expulsion was 14 days in group 1 and 8 days in group 2. No side effects were detected. Meta-analysis included 792 patients: 392 patients in group 1 and 400 patients in group 2. Group 1 reported 211 stone expulsions (53.8%) and group 2 reported 332 expulsions [83%, chi(2) = 78.17 (p < 0.01), RR = 1.54, absolute benefit = 29.2% (95% CI 23-35.3%), NNT = 3 (95% CI 3-4)]. The mean time to expulsion was 9.45 days in group 1 and 6.07 days in group 2 treated with tamsulosin; a significant difference was observed in all studies. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin increases the elimination of distal ureter lithiasis of <10 mm.

Renal lithiasis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Evolution and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between hyperparathyroidism and lithiasis is quite known, so the study of parathyroid glands is especially mandatory in the face of relapses. Our objective is to analyze both primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) associated with renal lithiasis and the evolution of this condition after parathyroidectomy, as well as to study factors associated with the presence of lithiasis or bone pathology, and carry out a review on bibliography. METHODS: We describe a retrospective study of a series comprising 287 cases of hyperparathyroidism: 237 of them were primary and the remaining 50, secondary. We have included: sex, age, evolution time and symptoms, diagnostic tests (biochemical, radiological and histological). Factors such as number of episodes prior to diagnosis and treatments were analyzed in patients with symptomatic lithiasis to know whether patients exhibited residual lithiasis after the management of calculi or whether patients underwent episodes after parathyroidectomy, or whether or not they were treated. Statistical analysis was carried out through SPSS 15.0 for Windows. RESULTS: Forty five percent of the patients had suffered lithiasis episodes; 50%, osteopenia/osteoporosis; 23%, musculoskeletal pain; 23%, asthenia and/or depressive syndrome. In 13.5% of cases, diagnosis was supported by the presence of hypercalcemia; no other symptoms were detected. We have analyzed factors that favor or inhibit renal lithiasis formation and compared biochemical parameters from the group of primary hyperthyroidism that exhibited lithiasis (41 patients) with those patients who did not (49). We noted that lithiasis patients showed higher values of calcium, alkaline phosphatase, intact PTH, mean PTH, osteocalcin, and chlorine/phosphate, calciuria and phosphaturia indexes. Student's t test on two independent samples revealed significant statistical differences in calcium levels (p<0.05), intact PTH (<.05) and osteocalcin. CONCLUSIONS: Primary hyperparathyroidism patients with lithiasis presented higher values of parathormone, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and Cl/P and calciuria indexes than lithiasis-free PHPT patients. These patients exhibit objective improvement of symptoms after parathyroidectomy, and rarely a recurrence of lithiasis, a factor that generally coincides with persistence of residual lithiasis.

Relationship between biopsy Gleason score and radical prostatectomy specimen Gleason score in patients undergoing sextant vs 12 core biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal is to analyze the degree of concordance between the Gleason score (GS) obtained in prostate biopsies and the one after radical prostatectomy. The intention is to know whether 12-core biopsy, instead of 6 (sextant biopsy), improves, or not, this correlation. METHODS: A Cohort/prevalence study was conducted on 128 patients who underwent prostate biopsy and subsequent radical prostatectomy. Patients showing biopsy Gleason values greater or equal to 6 were selected as candidates for radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: Mean age of the group of 128 patients was 62.9 years, with a mean PSA value of 8.53ng/ml. There was concordance between biopsy Gleason score and that obtained after radical prostatectomy in 63.28% of cases, while discordance was found in 36.72% of cases. There were not significant statistical differences after comparing results obtained between Gleason score concordance after 6 or 12-core biopsies and that obtained after radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We have noticed a low correlation between Gleason score after biopsy when it was compared with that obtained after radical prostatectomy, while these results are similar to those found in the literature. We did not find better results regarding Gleason score correlation after biopsies performed with 12 cores instead of 6.

[Imaging characterization of renal masses. Image atlas]. / Caracterización por la imagen de las masas renales. Atlas por la imagen.

The diagnostic study, analysis and characterization of renal masses and their behavior is one of the key elements for elaborating a surgical or therapeutic strategy, determining the prognosis, and for the follow-up of treatment efficacy in patients with benign or malignant disease. At present, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the two most reliable, effective and efficient instruments in this context--offering sensitivity and specificity values in excess of 87%, with a diagnostic relaibility of over 90% in application to renal masses of a cystic or complex nature, with nonspecific or specific inflammatory characteristics, or of a primary or secondary neoplastic nature. The aim of this study is to present the principal CT and MRI parameters in relation to renal pathology of this kind, correlating them to the clinical, physiopathological and histopathological data with a view to affording architectural, density, signal intensity and biological behavior parametric information of help in understanding the changes occurring in the renal and retroperitoneal regions secondary to such pathologies.

[Secondary hyperparathyroidism in advanced prostate cancer]. / Hiperparatiroidismo secundario en el cáncer de próstata avanzado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: High parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations are associated with increased bone resorption and bone matrix degradation. Some studies show elevated PTH concentrations and hypocalcemia in patients with advanced prostate carcinoma, although the pathophysiological significance of these findings is not well defined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 60 patients diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer (44 nonmetastatic and 16 metastatic) treated with androgen deprivation. In all patients, PTH, calcium, phosphorus, 25 (OH) vitamin D and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were determined. Bone scintigraphy had previously been performed. RESULTS: In patients with bone metastases, mean concentrations were as follows: calcium 9.19 mg/dl, phosphorus 3.47 mg/dl, 25 (OH) vitamin D 13.85 ng/ml, PTH 66.8 pg/ml and total PSA 101.27 ng/ml. For those without bone metastases, the results were calcium 9.39 mg/dl, phosphorus 3.38 mg/dl, 25 (OH) vitamin D 20.50 ng/ml, PTH 52.23 pg/ml and total PSA 2.52 ng/ml. PTH levels were significantly higher in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases than in those without metastases (p=0.03). Vitamin D levels were also significantly lower in this group (p=0.03). There were no differences in other values. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found increased PTH concentrations in patients with advanced prostate cancer. This finding could be useful to predict disease progression.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal abscess as the first clinical manifestation of a non-functioning retroperitoneal paraganglioma.

We demonstrate a novel clinical presentation of paraganglioma not described in the literature. The paraganglioma is a catecholamine secretory, or non-secretory, neuroendocrine tumour that derives from chromaffin cells. Its frequency, with regard to pheochromocytoma, is low, and the abdominal region is the most frequent localisation site, followed in importance by the cervical region. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman diagnosed with a retroperitoneal abscess; after drainage of the lesion, samples indicated necrotic paraganglioma cells, so it was decided to conduct a survey to determine catecholamine levels in urine, and carry out a MIBG gammagraphy, which described a non-functioning retroperitoneal paraganglioma that underwent surgical removal. There was no residual disease after 3-month follow-up.

[Current indications of open surgery for the treatment of renal lithiasis. Ureterocalycostomy as definitive treatment for lithiasis in a female with recurrent disease]. / Indicación actual de la cirugía abierta en el tratamiento de la litiasis renal. Ureterocalicostomía como tratamiento definitivo de litiasis en mujer con patología recidivante.

OBJECTIVE: We describe one case of recurrent lithiasis associated with anatomical alteration of the renal pelvis related to previous surgery. METHODS/RESULTS: The patient presented a urinary tract infection episode, complicated with pyonephrosis and septicemia. In the intravenous urography, infectious radiopaque pyelocaliceal multiple and complex lithiasis can be seen, as well as kidney hydronephrosis grade III-IV. Important pyelic sclerosis secondary to previous surgery on the renal unit was seen. Nephrectomy was performed with lower pole nephro-lithotomy and reconstruction of the upper urinary tract through ureterocalicostomy. Two and a half years after surgery, control urogram shows absence of urolithiasis and a slight delay of renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Ureterocalicostomy is indicated in cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction associated with intrarenal pelvis caused by alterations of fusion, rotation or location of kidney. It is also indicated in cases of severe peripyelic fibrosis secondary to previous pyeloplasty failure or renal surgery. In our case, in addition to the infectious component of lithiasis, an anatomical alteration, probably secondary to previous surgery, caused the chronification of lithiasis. Facing such suspicion a surgical management was undertaken to eliminate the lithiasis and get a correct derivation of the working area of the kidney, in order to prevent further recurrences.

[The treatment of bladder lithiasis with laser]. / Tratamiento de la litiasis vesical con láser.

OBJECTIVES: The use of laser for endoscopic lithotripsy started in 1968 when Mulvaney tried a ruby laser without success; Later on, the CO2 laser and the Nd:YAG were tried. With the pulsed dye and alexandrite lasers energetic performances between 30 and 200 mJ are obtained, their capacity of fragmentation is not universal and is limited to small stones, generally ureteral stones, so that it has not been a therapeutic alternative for bladder lithiasis. The holmium laser generates energy pulses of 400-2500 mJ, it is able to fragment every type of stone. The objective of this work is to analyze the results of endoscopic bladder lithotripsy with holmium-YAG laser. METHODS: In the period between 2006-2008 we treated 21 cases of bladder lithiasis, with a stone size between 1 and 4 cm in patients from 8-76 years, six women and 15 men, which correspond to: four cases of infantile lithiasis, 3 of uric acid, one case of cystine, seven cases of calcium oxalate and/or phosphate, five cases of bladder lithiasis growing around a double J catheter, and one case of lithiasis within on intravesical ureterocele. Treatment was performed with a 20W Dornier Medilas holmium-YAG equipment, applied using children/adult cystoscopes or 7-8.5 Ch ureteroscopes, both semirigid and flexible. Post operative control included KUB x-ray and ultrasound. We performed a study of lithogenic risk factors and stone fragments analysis. RESULTS: The 21 cases described are all secondary or type II bladder lithiasis. In all cases the absence of residual lithiasis was checked with imaging studies and the lithogenic risk factors were corrected with medical or surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that today bladder endoscopic lithotripsy with holmium laser is a therapeutic alternative. Despite there are multiple options for endoscopic treatment, transurethral lithotripsy with holmium laser offers good results with a low complication rate.