¿Cómo mejorar la función eréctil post-prostatectomía radical? / How to improve erectile function after radical prostatectomy?

La prostatectomía radical (PR) es uno de los pilares en el manejo del cáncer próstata. Esta cirugía constituye un reto para el urólogo, quien debe encontrar un balance entre el riesgo de extensión extraprostática y el grado de preservación del tejido neural. A pesar del avance en técnicas quirúrgicas, la incontinencia urinaria y disfunción eréctil (DE) post-prostatectomía continúan impactando considerablemente la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Por lo anterior, un abordaje transdisciplinario desde el momento del diagnóstico es esencial para mejorar los desenlaces funcionales y oncológicos.

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is one of the mainstays in the management of prostate cancer. This surgery constitutes a challenge for the urologist, who must find a balance between the risk of extraprostatic extension and the degree of preservation of neural tissue. Despite advances in surgical techniques, post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction (ED) continue to significantly impact the quality of life of patients. Therefore, a transdisciplinary approach from the time of diagnosis is essential to improve functional and oncologic outcomes.

Risk factors for postobstructive diuresis in pediatric patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction, following open pyeloplasty in three high complexity institutions.

INTRODUCTION: Postobstructive diuresis (POD) is a polyuric state in which large quantities of salt and water are eliminated after solving a urinary tract obstruction. These patients are at increased risk of severe dehydration, electrolytic disturbances, hypovolemic shock, and death. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common etiology of collecting system dilatation in the fetal kidney, and a significant number of patients require pyeloplasty. There are limited data regarding prognostic risk factors for POD in this scenario. OBJECTIVE: To describe possible clinical risk factors for POD in the pediatric population after open pyeloplasty. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case series study of consecutive patients diagnosed with UPJO at three high complexity centers, managed with open pyeloplasty from 2006 to 2016. Multiple qualitative and quantitative variables possibly associated with POD were included according to the literature review. They were statistically analyzed with STATA 14 software. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients with UPJO following open pyeloplasty were analyzed. Twenty-seven patients (30%) had POD. A tendency to present POD in younger patients was found, with a mean age of 20.2 months vs. 72.3 months. There was also an increased risk of POD in patients with previous diagnosis of tubular acidosis. CONCLUSIONS: There are no data about prognostic clinical risk factors for POD after open pyeloplasty in the pediatric population. Our study corresponds to one of the larger series reported so far. It suggests that younger patients and patients with a previous diagnosis of tubular acidosis could be at greater risk of POD. Consequently, prospective studies are required for validation of our results, and possible impact on patient follow-up.

Experiencia en el abordaje de pacientes con complejo extrofia-epispadias en un centro de alto nivel de complejidad en Colombia, 10 años / 10-years experience in the management of bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex in a tertiary care health centre in Colombia

Objetivos El complejo extrofia-epispadias (CEE) se considera una de las malformaciones más severas de la línea media de compromiso multisistémico. La extrofia vesical es la presentación más frecuente en el espectro del complejo. Esta patología tiene un alto impacto en la calidad de vida. A pesar de la relación entre un cierre primario temprano y mejores resultados, en nuestro medio la remisión es tardía y la experiencia es escasa. El objetivo del siguiente estudio es mostrar la experiencia en el abordaje de CEE en los últimos 10 años en una institución de alto nivel de complejidad y remisión en Colombia. Materiales y métodos Se realiza un estudio observacional descriptivo, con una serie de casos del 2006 al 2016. Resultados En 10 años, se presentaron 5 casos de CEE en un centro de alta complejidad y remisión en Colombia. La mayoría de los pacientes han tenido múltiples intervenciones; la edad del primer procedimiento fue 829 días en promedio (27,6 meses). Se ha tenido un seguimiento postoperatorio promedio de 2,8 años. No se han presentado neoplasias en el seguimiento. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes son infección y litiasis. Ninguno de los pacientes contactados reportó inicio de vida sexual. La escala International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) tuvo un promedio de 9 puntos. Existen factores sociales asociados en nuestro medio. Conclusión El CEE requiere un abordaje temprano y multidisciplinario en instituciones con experiencia; los resultados en continencia urinaria, función sexual, desarrollo psicosocial y calidad de vida están sujetos a tratamiento oportuno de la patología.

Objective Exstrophy-epispadias complex (ECC) is considered one of the most severe midline abnormalities. Exstrophy of the bladder is the most frequent presentation of the exstrophy-epispadias spectrum. The disease has high impact on the quality of life. In developing countries, patient referral to experienced centres is often delayed. The experience in the disease is generally poor. The aim of this study is to describe the experience in the approach to EEC in the past 10 years in an institution of high level of complexity in Colombia. Materials and methods An observational descriptive study of a case series. Results A total of 5 cases of ECC were identified in the last 10 years in an institution of high level of complexity in Colombia. All the patients had multiple interventions. The mean follow-up time was 2.8 years. No neoplasms were recognised. The most common comorbidities were lithiasis and urinary tract infections. None of the patients contacted reported starting a sex life. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence-Short Form (ICIQ-UC-SF) gave a mean of 9 points. Conclusion The EEC requires an early and cross-disciplinary assessment in experienced centres. There are additional factors associated with the prognosis in our area.

Resecting critical nodes from an epileptogenic circuit in refractory focal-onset epilepsy patients using subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to MRI.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the positive predictive value of postresection outcomes obtained by presurgical subtracted ictal SPECT in patients with lesional (MRI positive) and nonlesional (MRI negative) refractory extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Specifically, outcomes were compared between partial versus complete resection of the regions of transient hyperperfusion identified using subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to MRI (SISCOM) in relation to the ictal onset zone (IOZ) that was confirmed by electrocorticography (ECoG). That is, SISCOM was used to understand the long-term postsurgical outcomes following resection of the IOZ that overlapped with 1 or more regions of ictal onset-associated transient hyperperfusion. METHODS The study cohort included 44 consecutive patients with refractory ETLE or TLE who were treated between 2002 and 2013 and underwent presurgical evaluation using SISCOM. Concordance was determined between SISCOM localization and the IOZ on the basis of ECoG monitoring. In addition, the association between the extent of the resection site overlapping with the SISCOM signal and postresection outcomes were assessed. Postsurgical follow-up was longer than 24 months in 39 of 44 patients. RESULTS The dominant SISCOM signals were concordant with ECoG and overlapped the resection site in 32 of 44 (73%) patients (19 ETLE and 13 TLE patients), and 20 of 32 (63%) patients became seizure free. In all 19 ETLE patients with concordant SISCOM and ECoG results, the indicated location of ictal onset on ECoG was completely resected; 11 of 19 patients (58%) became seizure free (Engel Class I). In all 13 TLE patients with concordant SISCOM and ECoG results, the indicated ECoG focus was completely resected; 9 of 13 patients (69%) became seizure free (Engel Class I). Complete resection of the SISCOM signal was found in 7 of 34 patients (21%). Of these 7 patients, 5 patients (72%) were seizure free (Engel Class I). Partial resection of the SISCOM signal was found in 16 of 34 patients (47%), and 10 of these 16 patients (63%) were seizure free (Engel Class I) after more than 24 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Concordance between 1 or more SISCOM regions of hyperperfusion with ECoG and at least partial resection of the dominant SISCOM signal in this refractory epilepsy cohort provided additional useful information for predicting long-term postresection outcomes. Such regions are likely critical nodes in more extensive, active, epileptogenic circuits. In addition, SPECT scanner technology may limit the sensitivity of meaningful SISCOM signals for identifying the maximal extent of the localizable epileptogenic network.

Proposal: different types of alteration and loss of consciousness in epilepsy.

There are at least five types of alterations of consciousness that occur during epileptic seizures: auras with illusions or hallucinations, dyscognitive seizures, epileptic delirium, dialeptic seizures, and epileptic coma. Each of these types of alterations of consciousness has a specific semiology and a distinct pathophysiologic mechanism. In this proposal we emphasize the need to clearly define each of these alterations/loss of consciousness and to apply this terminology in semiologic descriptions and classifications of epileptic seizures. The proposal is a consensus opinion of experienced epileptologists, and it is hoped that it will lead to systematic studies that will allow a scientific characterization of the different types of alterations/loss of consciousness described in this article.

Anoxia-ischemia: a mechanism of seizure termination in ictal asystole.

Cerebral anoxia-ischemia (CAI) is a potent inhibitor of cerebral hyperactivity and a potential mechanism of seizure self-termination. Prolonged ictal asystole (IA) invariably leads to CAI and has been implicated as a potential cause of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). IA was seen in eight consecutive patients (0.12% of all patients monitored). Ten of their seizures with IA had evidence of CAI on electroencephalography (EEG), manifested by bilateral hypersynchronous slowing (BHS), and were compared to 18 seizures without signs of CAI. The ictal EEG pattern resolved in all 10 CAI events with onset of the BHS. The period from IA onset to seizure end was reduced in events with BHS compared to events without BHS (10.5 s vs. 28.3 s, respectively; p = 0.005), and the total seizure duration tended to be shorter. Anoxia-ischemia as a result of IA may represent an effective endogenous mechanism for seizure termination and may explain why the hearts of patients with ictal asystole reported to date in the literature resumed beating spontaneously.

Ictal asystole: a benign condition?

Ictal asystole (IA) has been implicated as a preventable cause of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy presumably provoked by a direct autonomic effect of the electrical stimulus on the heart. An electronic database search of patients with IA was performed comparing heart rate (HR) characteristics to a group of patients with vasovagal asystole. IA was seen in eight patients, all with temporal lobe epilepsy. No statistical difference was found in duration of asystole, bradycardia, and baseline HR characteristics except of a higher HR acceleration postasystole in the controls. None of the six patients with IA who underwent pacemaker implantation had recurrence of asystolic events during mean follow-up of 5 years. This study in a small group of patients suggests that the epileptic activation leading to IA is possibly mediated through a transient increase in vagal tone and not by a direct autonomic effect on the heart.

Vitamina D y Cáncer / Vitamin D and Cancer

Tradicionalmente, la vitamina D ha sido reconocida como una hormona de acción endocrina que se ha relacionado con la homeostasis del calcio. Estudios realizados durante los últimos 10 años, han permitido ampliar este concepto. El calcitrol, la forma más activa de la vitamina D es una molécula que ejerce amplios efectos a través de mecanismos genómicos mediados por el VDR, (Vitamin D Receptor, un receptor perteneciente a la familia de los receptores de hormonas esteroideas - tiroideas) y mecanismos no genómicos mediante la regulación de los niveles de calcio intracelular. A la luz de estos hallazgos, el calcitrol aparece ahora como un modulador de la respuesta inmune y un factor hormonal con efectos antiproliferativos y prodiferenciadores en diversas lineas tumorales, un hallazgo prometedor. Sin embargo, el efecto antineoplásico observado en modelos in vitiv, se ha visto opacado en gran medida por el efecto hipercalcémico de la hormona in vivo, haciendo de su aplicación clínica, una meta difícil. Por este motivo, el desarrollo de moléculas análogas pero con un efecto hipercalcémico disminuido, que puedan constituirse en alternativas de tratamiento el manejo de desordenes en hiperproliferativos como la psoriasis y varios tipos de cáncer, constituye un avance novedoso con importantes repercusiones para la practica medica