Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis, an Unusual Presentation of Paralysis After Spinal Surgery: A Case Report.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare complication of hyperthyroidism, seen predominantly in men of Asian origin. We report an unusual presentation of paralysis post-lumbar laminectomy surgery, associated with shortness of breath and arrhythmia. The patient was initially thought to have nerve compression as a complication of surgery but was found to have severe hypokalemia, which responded to intravenous potassium supplements. Additional tests identified suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The patient was diagnosed with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP), which was treated with oral potassium supplements and antithyroid drugs, followed by a total thyroidectomy. The report discusses the epidemiology, presentation, treatment, and complications of this rare condition.

Identifying Priorities and Needs to Improve Oncology Research in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (1) identify the priorities of oncology research in the Gaza Strip; (2) explore the needs for improving oncology research in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Participants and Methods: A qualitative approach for data collection was used in this study. After obtaining the ethical approvals to conduct this study, a sample of 42 health-care providers who are involved in providing oncology care and research in the Gaza Strip were included in this study. Data were collected by the researchers through seven focus groups. Thematic coding was used for data analysis. Two main themes and several sub-themes were extracted during the data analysis. Results: The two main themes extracted from data analysis were research priorities and research needs. Participants identified several priorities in relation to oncology research that are assessing for cancer awareness, cancer prevention, exploring and finding new molecular biomarkers, screening for germ-line mutations related to the most common cancers, determining genetic and environmental risk factors for developing cancer, and exploring and testing new cancer therapies. Concerning research needs, participants identified several needs to enhance oncology research, which are financial needs, need for training, availability of data, creation of interdisciplinary research teams, and transforming in vitro studies to in vivo. Conclusion: Well-designed studies will certainly help to identify the priorities and needs to improve oncology research in the Gaza Strip, which is considered one of the most important steps to help push these priorities onto the agenda of health policymakers. Therefore, they will work to set goals and design policies and programs aiming to reduce incidence and prevalence rates of cancer in the Gaza Strip, promote early detection of cancer, improve prognosis, and reduce mortality related to cancer.

Delayed Bladder Perforation Related to Immediate Single Dose Intravesical Doxorubicin Instillation After TURBT: A Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Intravesical chemotherapy instillation immediately after tumor resection is a well-known practice in the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Despite being largely well tolerated in most cases, it is not devoid of severe and life-threatening complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We present an unusual case of bladder perforation that happened 2 weeks after bladder tumor resection. The patient had received single dose intra-vesical instillation of doxorubicin after TUR-BT. Conservative managements failed to achieve bladder healing; as a result, open surgical repair was performed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bladder perforation after intra-vesical doxorubicin instillation. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of such a rare serious complication in a mostly safe intervention must be taken into consideration. A high index of suspicion, timely management, and proceeding to more invasive surgical treatments when necessary are cornerstones in the management and preserving the bladder.

Huge perinephric hematoma after ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteral stone; A life-threatening rare complication: Case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteroscopy with pneumatic lithotripsy is a relatively safe procedure for the management of the ureteral stone disease. However; subcapsular hematoma and even huge perinephric hematoma are potentially serious events that may complicate this procedure and must be kept in mind. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of huge perinephric hematoma post ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy for an impacted ureteral stone. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of such a rare complication in a relatively safe procedure must be taken into consideration especially while dealing with patients with long-standing obstruction and thin renal cortex. Furthermore, the risk of bleeding should be included in risk-benefit counselling before ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

A Huge Penile Fibroepithelial Polyp Treated with Partial Penectomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Fibroepithelial polyps are benign tumors of mesodermal origin that usually arise on the surface of the skin and to a lesser extent in the urinary tract; however, their presence on the penis is extremely unusual. We report the case of a 73-year-old male with an extremely large broad-based penile fibroepithelial polyp (FEP) involving the penile shaft and glans penis associated with chronic condom catheter use and that was treated with partial penectomy. A review of the literature is included to highlight the rarity of this case. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest mass of its kind to be reported on the penis.

Evaluation of Voiding Position on Uroflowmetry Parameters and Post Void Residual Urine in Patients With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Healthy Men.

Uncertainty remains whether it is best for men to void in a sitting or standing position. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of standing and sitting voiding position on uroflowmetry parameters and post void residual urine (PVRU) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and healthy men. A total of 116 participants with BPH (Group 1) and 78 healthy men (Group 2) were enrolled in the study. The uroflowmetry parameters were measured in both positions. The PVRU volume was measured using transabdominal ultrasound after each voiding. Uroflowmetry parameters and PVRU were measured and compared between the two different voiding positions using Wilcoxon signed rank test. In Group 1, there were significant statistical differences in uroflowmetry parameters between standing and sitting voiding position. The median of maximum flow rate in Group 1 in standing and sitting position was 14.7 ml/s (IQR; 11.7-17.5) and 11 ml/s (IQR; 8.9-13.3), respectively (p < .0001). The median voided volume at standing position was 340 ml (IQR; 276-455) while it was 267 ml (IQR; 194-390) at sitting position (p < .0001). Median average flow rate in standing position was 5.9 ml/s (IQR; 4.5-7.5) and 5 ml (IQR; 3.2-6.4) in sitting position. There was a statistically significant difference between the median of PVRU in standing and sitting position (p < .0001). In patients with BPH, voiding in standing position showed better uroflowmetry parameters and significant less PVRU volume.

Survival and metastasis in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients who present with indeterminate pulmonary nodules before treatment.

BACKGROUND: Indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs) are common during initial evaluation of bladder cancer patients. Their significance is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: Determine the significance of indeterminate pulmonary nodules, including their size and number, in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients before definitive local therapy by surgery or chemo-radiotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective review, single-center descriptive study. SETTINGS: A tertiary cancer center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent definitive local therapy of bladder cancer by either radical cystectomy and lymph node dissection or with chemo-radiotherapy between January 1997 and December 2015. We identified patients with baseline CT scans done during staging work-up prior to definitive treatment. Patients with proven clinical metastasis at pre.sentation were excluded, while patients who had IPNs without features suggesting metastasis were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disease-free survival and overall survival. SAMPLE SIZE: 168 patients. RESULTS: The median age of patients at diagnosis was 66 years; 92% were males and 56% were smokers. IPNs (3 cm or less) were present in 74 patients (44.0%). Median follow-up was 24 months. IPNs were associated with decreased disease-free survival while IPNs did not affect the overall survival (HR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.4); P=.01 and HR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.0-2.5); P=.07, respectively. In addition, nodules greater than 1 cm had reduced disease-free survival (HR=2.5; 95% CI: 1.1-5.9); P=.04. In the surgery group (n=126), the median number of lymph nodes excised was 14, with no association between lymph nodes status and the presence of IPNs (P=.08). CONCLUSION: The presence of IPNs, especially nodules greater than 1 cm had a negative effect on disease-free survival. Tailored postoperative follow-up of these patients may impact disease outcomes. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature, the lack of standardized preoperative imaging protocols, the lack of a central radiology review and the small number of patients. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Periurethral adenocarcinoma of mesonephric origin: A case report and review of the literature.

Periurethral mesonephric adenocarcinoma is a rare tumor. To the best of our knowledge, only 13 cases have been reported in the literature to date. We report the case of a 36-year-old lady who presented with periurethral mesonephric adenocarcinoma, treated by surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy. We demonstrate the unusual histology of mesonephric adenocarcinoma and the necessity to consider this tumor in the differential diagnosis of all unusual genito-urologic tumours. In the present literature, combination of surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the most suitable treatment for locally advanced periurethral mesonephric adenocarcinoma.

Patterns of management of translocation renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Translocation renal cell carcinoma (TRCC) represents 1% to 5% of all cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with the highest frequency among children and young adults. Management of these tumors is ill defined. We sought to characterize clinicopathological features of TRCC and patterns of medical and surgical management in a middle eastern health institute. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical and pathological data of 23 patients from a single institution diagnosed with TRCC between January 2005 and July 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. We dichotomized patients based on demographics, methods of surgical approach and pathologic tumor stage. We then evaluated the methods of medical management for metastatic disease and response to treatment based on cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 37 years. Fifteen (65%) patients were male. Most of the patients were diagnosed incidentally (65%) during abdominal imaging for other reasons. The mean tumor size was 9 cm, 47% of the patients had pathologic ≥ T3 stage. Eleven patients had lymph node dissection for clinically enlarged lymph nodes, 7 of which (64%) had lymph node metastasis. Partial nephrectomies were performed for three tumors. Eight patients had metastasis (34.7%), and 3 of them had metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Six patients received sunitinib for the treatment of metastatic disease, one patient had complete response, 4 patients had stable disease and one had disease progression. Three patients died during follow-up period because of development of metastasis at postoperative 4 (n=1), and 21 (n=1) months, and cerebral hemorrhage (n=1). The mean follow-up period was 35 months and 3-year disease-free survival was 75%. CONCLUSION: TRCC is rarely seen but carries significant risk of disease progression with potential response to targeted therapy.

Ipsilateral synchronous clear and papillary renal cell carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma are the most common types of renal tumors. However, coexistence of both tumors in the same kidney is a rare condition. We report a 56-year old male who was found to have ipsilateral synchronous clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma in the left kidney. Review of related literature is provided to estimate the prevalence of similar cases.