Cutaneous reflex modulation during obstacle avoidance under conditions of normal and degraded visual input.

The nervous system integrates visual input regarding obstacles with limb-based sensory feedback to allow an individual to safely negotiate the environment. This latter source can include cutaneous information from the foot, particularly in the event that limb trajectory is not sufficient and there is an unintended collision with the object. However, it is not clear the extent to which cutaneous reflexes are modified based on visual input. In this study, we first determined if phase-dependent modulation of these reflexes is present when stepping over an obstacle during overground walking. We then tested the hypothesis that degrading the quality of visual feedback alters cutaneous reflex amplitude in this task. Subjects walked and stepped over an obstacle-leading with their right foot-while we electrically stimulated the right superficial peroneal nerve at the level of the ankle at different phases. Subjects performed this task with normal vision and with degraded vision. We found that the amplitude of cutaneous reflexes varied based on the phase of stepping over the obstacle in all leg muscles tested. With degraded visual feedback, regardless of phase, we found larger facilitation of cutaneous reflexes in the ipsilateral biceps femoris-a muscle responsible for flexing the knee to avoid the obstacle. Although degrading vision caused minor changes in several other muscles, none of these differences reached the level of significance. Nonetheless, our results suggest that visual feedback plays a role in altering how the nervous system uses other sensory input in a muscle-specific manner to ensure safe obstacle clearance.

Outcomes after urethroplasty for radiotherapy induced bulbomembranous urethral stricture disease.

PURPOSE: We recently demonstrated that radiotherapy induced urethral strictures can be successfully managed with urethroplasty. We increased size and followup in our multi-institutional cohort, and evaluated excision and primary anastomosis as treatment for radiotherapy induced urethral strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 72 patients from 3 academic institutions treated for radiotherapy induced bulbomembranous strictures. Outcome parameters of successful repair included recurrence, incontinence and erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: Among the 72 men treated for radiotherapy induced strictures 66 (91.7%) underwent excision and primary anastomosis. Mean followup was 3.5 years (median 3.1, range 0.8 to 11.2). Prostate cancer was the most common reason for radiotherapy (in 64 of 66, 96.9%). External beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy were performed in 28 of 66 men (42.4%) each, and a combination of both was performed in 9 (13.6%). Mean time from radiation to excision and primary anastomosis was 6.4 years (range 1 to 20) and mean stricture length was 2.3 cm (range 1 to 6). Successful reconstruction was achieved in 46 men (69.7%). Mean time to recurrence was 10.2 months (range 1 to 64) with new onset of incontinence observed in 12 men (18.5%). This was associated with stricture length greater than 2 cm (p = 0.013) and treatment center (p <0.001). The rate of erectile dysfunction remained stable (preoperative 45.6%, postoperative 50.9%, p = 0.71). Radiotherapy type did not affect stricture length (p = 0.41), recurrence risk (p = 0.91), postoperative incontinence (p = 0.88) or erectile dysfunction (p = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy induced bulbomembranous urethral strictures can be successfully managed with excision and primary anastomosis. Substitution urethroplasty with graft or flap is needed infrequently. Patients should be counseled on the potential risks of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Anterior Urethral Stricture Disease Negatively Impacts the Quality of Life of Family Members.

Purpose. To quantify the quality of life (QoL) distress experienced by immediate family members of patients with urethral stricture via a questionnaire given prior to definitive urethroplasty. The emotional, social, and physical effects of urethral stricture disease on the QoL of family members have not been previously described. Materials and Methods. A questionnaire was administered prospectively to an immediate family member of 51 patients undergoing anterior urethroplasty by a single surgeon (SBB). The survey was comprised of twelve questions that addressed the emotional, social, and physical consequences experienced as a result of their loved one. Results. Of the 51 surveyed family members, most were female (92.2%), lived in the same household (86.3%), and slept in the same room as the patient (70.6%). Respondents experienced sleep disturbances (56.9%) and diminished social lives (43.1%). 82.4% felt stressed by the patient's surgical treatment, and 83.9% (26/31) felt that their intimacy was negatively impacted. Conclusions. Urethral stricture disease has a significant impact on the family members of those affected. These effects may last decades and include sleep disturbance, decreased social interactions, emotional stress, and impaired sexual intimacy. Treatment of urethral stricture disease should attempt to mitigate the impact of the disease on family members as well as the patient.

Urethrography interpretation skills of urology and radiology residents at tertiary care medical centers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of urology and radiology residents to interpret retrograde urethrograms (RUGs) and voiding cystourethrograms (VCUGs). METHODS: A standardized examination of 10 combination RUGs and VCUGs of the male urethra was administered to urology and radiology residents from all levels of training at Washington University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University. Residents were asked to evaluate stricture location(s) and length, if present. RESULTS: Sixty residents participated, consisting of 26 from Washington University, 15 from Stanford University, and 19 from Northwestern University. Average years of training for urology and radiology were 3.6 and 2.8 years, respectively (P=.01). Normal RUGs and VCUGs were recognized by 18 of 31 radiologists (58%) and 19 of 29 urologists (65.5%; P=.5). Anterior strictures were correctly identified in 145 of 403 (36%) and 165 of 377 (43.8%) responses by radiologists and urologists, respectively (P=.03). Posterior strictures were correctly identified in 20 of 62 (32.3%) and 10 of 58 (17.2%) responses by radiologists and urologists, respectively (P=.09). When both groups of residents were combined, anterior strictures were identified correctly more often than posterior strictures (39.7% vs 25%; P<.01). Overall accuracy was 24.2% (75 of 310) for the radiology group and 27.9% (81 of 290) for the urology group (P=.30). In the presence of multiple strictures, accuracy declined to 7.26% (9 of 124) for the radiology group and 9.48% (11 of 116) for the urology group (P=.5), with a combined accuracy of 8.33% (20 of 240). CONCLUSION: Radiology and urology residents in the United States have poor skills at interpreting urethrography, especially when multiple strictures or posterior strictures are present. A formal educational program for RUG and VCUG interpretation should be designed and implemented into the radiology and urology resident curriculum.

Advances in diagnosis and management of genital injuries.

External genital trauma is uncommon. However when it occurs, it can cause long-term physical, psychological, and functional quality-of-life sequelae. Rapid and proper treatment can help preserve cosmesis and function. Therefore, the treating physician must have a high index of suspicion when evaluating genital injuries. This article reviews the proper initial assessment of the injury as well as the immediate and delayed operative management of genital trauma.