[Complications of endovesical treatment with BCG in a series of 200 patients]. / Complicaciones del tratamiento endovesical con BCG en una serie de doscientos pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and quantify the side effects of intravesical BCG therapy (Connaught strain) in different therapeutic protocols. METHODS: 200 patients were studied; 126 treated according to the standard protocol of our hospital (modality 1 and modality 2: twelve and nine 81 mg instillations, respectively) and 74 patients in the CUETO protocols (90008, 93009, 95011, 95012). Classification of BCG toxicity was based on the criteria utilized by Lamm which divides it into side effects and complications. We have distinguished side effects further as local irritative symptoms (LIS) and cystitis. RESULTS: The most common side effects were LIS (80%) and cystitis (21.5%). The incidence of cystitis (44.4%) and general malaise (44.4%) was higher for modality 1 than for modality 2 (24.1% and 20.3%, respectively). The CUETO 93009 protocol (mitomycin + BCG) showed the highest incidence of side effects (LIS 100%, cystitis 57.1% and fever < 39 degrees C 71.4%). The most frequent complication was fever > 39 degrees C (4%), followed by hepatitis (3%). The rate of bladder retraction was notably high (1.5%), requiring cystectomy with neobladder substitution in two cases. The overall complication rate for modality 1 (16.6%) was reduced when modality 2 was utilized (8.3%). In the CUETO 90008 protocol, dose reduction did not reduce the complication rate (81 mg: 7.1%; 21 mg: 19.2%). BCG therapy was discontinued in 14%. CONCLUSIONS: Toxicity due to intravesical BCG therapy did not decrease when the dose was reduced, but diminished in number and intensity when the number of consecutive instillations was reduced.

[Fracture of the penis: value of echo-Doppler-color]. / Fractura de pene: valor del eco-doppler-color.

OBJECTIVE: A case of traumatic rupture of the corpora cavernosa evaluated by color Doppler ultrasonography is presented. METHODS: A 43-year-old male consulted for a large penile hematoma that had presented 16 hours earlier during sexual intercourse. The patient was evaluated by Doppler ultrasound using a 5 Mhz linear probe. The vascular integrity of the penis was demonstrated by color Doppler ultrasonography of the cavernous arteries and penile veins. RESULTS: Disruption at the base of the right corpus cavernosum associated with a small hematoma appeared as adjacent hypoechoic images. The color Doppler ultrasonic evaluation demonstrated the integrity of the arteries and cavernous veins and no pulsation of the hematoma, indicating conservative management. Four months after the trauma, no changes in erectile function or penile deviation have been observed. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler ultrasound is a useful diagnostic imaging technique in the assessment and follow-up of penile trauma.

[Continuing neurologic assessment in myelodysplasia]. / Evaluación neurourológica continuada en la mielodisplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Myelodysplasia produces a neurological lesion with unpredictable urodynamic sequelae. The present study describes our experience in 18 patients with myelodysplasia and vesicourethral dysfunction. METHODS: The study comprised 18 patients (11 males and 7 females) with myelodysplasia and vesicourethral dysfunction. Patient median age was 15.7 years (range 7 months-57 years) and the mean follow-up was 20 months (range 7-47 months). After physical and neurological examination, all patients underwent a complete urodynamic evaluation, including selective electromyography of the periurethral sphincter and videocystography. The urodynamic studies were repeated regularly during follow-up. RESULTS: 14 patients (67.7%) showed a lower motor neuron vesicourethral dysfunction; 2 (11.1%) had upper motor neuron lesion and 2 (11.1%) mixed motor neuron lesion. During the study period, no alterations were observed in the urodynamic pattern of patients with upper or mixed motor neuron lesions, but 9 patients (64.2%) with lower motor neuron lesions showed changes in the urodynamic pattern compared with the first evaluation, with alterations in bladder compliance being the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in bladder compliance may arise from neurogenic and nonneurogenic factors. Our findings indicate the need for close urodynamic surveillance of patients with myelodysplasia and vesicourethral dysfunction.