Use of trans-labial ultrasound in the diagnosis of female urethral diverticula: A diagnostic option to be strongly considered.

AIM: To demonstrate effectiveness of trans-labial ultrasound (TL-US) in the evaluation of female urethral diverticula (UD). METHODS: In the study period, 20 UD were diagnosed and treated. All data on demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, diagnostic and operative procedures, were considered. Patients were referred to TL-US for diverticular evaluation, using a 2D 7.5-MHz endfire probe. For each UD, size, complexity, echogenicity content, and presence of diverticular neck were considered. Follow-up controls were carried out at 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery, to evaluate outcome and need for further intervention. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 46 years (range, 35-55 years) and mean parity was 1 (range, 0-3). The principal symptoms associated with the diverticular mass was dysuria (25%). In all evaluated cases, UD was single (simple in 15 cases and complex in 5). The mean size of the diverticula was 28 mm (range, 8-50 mm). Nineteen diverticula were diagnosed on TL-US, and urethrocystoscopy was carried out for confirmation. Treatment consisted of diverticulectomy. At 1-, 6- and 12-month follow up after surgery, TL-US showed no recurrence of UD in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: TL-US is a valid, mini-invasive and reproducible method to diagnose UD.

Botox(®) for idiopathic overactive bladder: efficacy, duration and safety. Effectiveness of subsequent injection.

PURPOSE: To test the efficacy, duration and safety of 100 U of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) in women affected by idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) and the effectiveness of subsequent injections. METHODS: In this double centre, prospective study conducted from March 2008 to March 2010, we selected women affected by IDO who failed to respond to various antimuscarinic agents, reported intolerable anticholinergic side-effects or contraindication to their use, also without any response to tibial stimulation. Medical history, physical examination, standard urodynamic examination, urinalysis, urine culture, a 4-day voiding diary and a quality of life questionnaire were requested for all patients. A total amount of 100 U of BoNT/A were injected into the detrusor muscle. A second injection of BoNT/A was suggested to patients who experienced a relapse of initially improved symptoms. RESULTS: We enrolled a total number of 68 women. All patients showed significant improvement in urodynamic parameters, clinical features and quality of life, after the first injection of Botox(®) until the 9 months of follow-up. Even after the second injection, with a follow-up of 3 months, we obtained results comparable with the first injection. Side-effects include an increase in post-void residual volume, dysuria and urinary infections. CONCLUSIONS: We considered the dose of 100 U of Botox(®), for treatment of IDO, as an efficacious and safe solution compared to other therapeutic options, without serious and lasting adverse effects for women, even after a second injection.

Is intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate useful in preventing recurrent bacterial cystitis? A multicenter case control analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in the female population and, over a lifetime, about half of women have at least one episode of UTI requiring antibiotic therapy. The aim of the current study was to compare two different strategies for preventing recurrent bacterial cystitis: intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) plus chondroitin sulfate (CS), and antibiotic prophylaxis with sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of two different cohorts of women affected by recurrent bacterial cystitis. Cases (experimental group) were women who received intravesical instillations of a sterile solution of high concentration of HA + CS in 50 mL water with calcium chloride every week during the 1(st) month and then once monthly for 4 months. The control group included women who received traditional therapy for recurrent cystitis based on daily antibiotic prophylaxis using sulfamethoxazole 200 mg plus trimethoprim 40 mg for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Ninety-eight and 76 patients were treated with experimental and control treatments, respectively. At 12 months after treatment, 69 and 109 UTIs were detected in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The proportion of patients free from UTIs was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (36.7% vs. 21.0%; p = 0.03). Experimental treatment was well tolerated and none of the patients stopped it. CONCLUSION: The intravesical instillation of HA + CS is more effective than long-term antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing recurrent bacterial cystitis.

Monoprosthesis for simultaneous correction of stress urinary incontinence and cystocele: a 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and cystocele can occur simultaneously because they have identical predisposing factors. This procedure reinforces pubourethral ligaments and the vesicovaginal fascia, solving SUI and Cystocele. METHODS: 57 patients with grade III or higher cystocele were enrolled in this trial; SUI was present in 20% of patients (mean age: 57 years). NAZCA TC was used as monoprosthesis. Prolapse was evaluated using the POP-Q System, sexuality using the FSFI questionnaire, and LUTS using the OAB-SF questionnaire. RESULTS: After surgery, there were positive changes, sustained during the follow-up: SUI was cured in 80% patients; there was only one patient with de novo SUI and a single case of prolapse recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NAZCA TC is safe and effective, adding the advantage of correcting SUI at the same time.