[Squamous Cell Papilloma of the Urinary Bladder].

We report a case of squamous cell papilloma of the urinary bladder, which is an extremely rare disease with only 15 cases reported in the Japanese and English literature. The case was in a 76-year-old woman. She was referred to the department of urology because multifocal tumors of the urinary bladder were found by computed tomographic scan during an examination for acute enteritis. Cystoscopy showed a nonpapillary flat tumor with whitish plaque on the left posterior wall, measuring 3 cm. Urinalysis and urine cytology revealed no abnormalities. Transurethral resection was performed. Histology revealed a papillary noninvasive squamous cell tumor with extensive keratinization on its surface. There were no nuclear atypia or evidence of koilocytotic change. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were negative for both p16 and p53. Based on the pathological findings, the tumor was diagnosed as squamous cell papilloma. The tumor recurred three month after the operation and she is being followed with no change observed for two and a half years.

[Angiomyolipoma with Epithelial Cysts (AMLEC) of the Kidney].

A 49-year-old man was demonstrated to have two tumors in the right kidney by computed tomographic scan during an examination for cholelithiasis. One was a fat rich solid tumor which was clinically diagnosed as angiomyolipoma, and the other was an unconfirmed cystic tumor. Cholecystectomy and radical nephrectomy were performed. Based on pathological findings, the solid tumor was diagnosed as common angiomyolipoma and the cystic tumor as angiomyolipoma with epithelial cysts (AMLEC). The cystic tumor consisted of 3 components : an epithelial cyst lined with single flat to cuboidal cells, a subepithelial compact stroma and an external layer of muscle predominant angiomyolipoma. Immunohistochemical examinations showed strong intense staining of pan-cytokeratin in the epithelium lining the cyst. The subepithelial compact stroma was stained with both CD10 and HMB45. The muscle predominant angiomyolipoma exhibited expression of HMB45. AMLEC is a recently recognized rare variant of angiomyolipoma.

[Two cases of spontaneous rupture of upper urinary tract caused by the primary ureteral or renal pelvic tumor: a case report].

We report two cases of spontaneous urinary rupture caused by primary ureteral or renal pelvic cancer. Case 1: A 76-year-old man presented with macrohematuria and left back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed left middle ureteral tumor and rupture of upper ureter. Left nephroureterectomy was performed. Histological findings revealed urothelial carcinoma, G2, pT1, lt-u0, ew0, ly0, v1. At five months postoperatively, he died of lymph node metastases after two courses of adjuvant chemotherapy. Case 2: A 59-year-old man presented with macrohematuria and left back pain. Computer tomography showed left renal pelvic tumor with extravasation of urine. Left nephroureterectomy was performed. Examination of surgical specimen revealed a renal pelvic tumor and rupture hole at the renal pelvis. Histological finding revealed urothelial carcinoma, G3, pT3, lt-u0, ly0, v1. One course of adjuvant chemotherapy was performed. At six months postoperatively, he was free from recurrence.

[Extrarenal angiomyolipoma with spontaneous rupture: a case report].

We present a very rare case of retroperitoneal extrarenal angiomyolipoma (AML) with spontaneous rupture. A 67-year-old woman without tuberous sclerosis was admitted to our hospital complaining of sudden right flank pain. We suspected right renal AML with rupture by imaging analysis, but the diagnosis was extrarenal AML by surgery and pathological examination.

[Two cases of adult tethered cord syndrome with surgical treatment].

We report two cases of adult tethered cord syndrome alleviated by untethering surgery. Case 1 was a 35 year-old female who complained of incontinence while exercising. Radiograph revealed spinal disraphism below the L5 level. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed low placed conus medullaris at the levels of S2 and sacral intradural lipoma. Further urodynamic studies demonstrated normal sphincteric function and autonomous bladder. Diagnosis resulted in the decision to perform an untethering operation. The patient had increased bladder compliance after surgery for untethering and has continued to be continent 16 months post-operatively. Case 2 was a 27-year old female who complained of apprehension to void and straining during urination. Radiograph demonstrated spinal disraphism below the S2 level and MRI revealed low placed conus medullaris at the level of S5 and sacral intradural lipoma. Urodynamic examination verified normal sphincteric function and autonomous bladder. After complete diagnosis, an untethering operation was performed. Post-operatively, bladder compliance and urinary sensation normalized. Furthermore, the patient spontaneously delivered a baby 3 years after having the untethering operation.

[Effect of oral lactosucrose supplementation on human enteric oxalate-degrading bacteria].

A variety of oxalate-degrading bacteria including Oxalobacter formigenes and some species of Bifidobacterium are known to colonize the human intestinal tract. Oral lactosucrose supplementation promotes the growth of Bifidobacterium in the human intestine. Therefore, we investigated the effect of oral lactosucrose supplementation on enteric oxalate-degrading bacteria in twelve healthy men (age ranging from 25 to 39 years). Lactosucrose was orally administered 10 g daily for 2 weeks without restriction of dietary intake. The total number of oxalate-degrading bacteria in feces and the 24-hour urinary excretion of oxalate were examined before and after lactosucrose supplementation. The total number of oxalate degrading-bacteria was significantly increased by lactosucrose supplementation (9.20 +/- 0.44 versus 9.77 +/- 0.46, p<0.05), although there was no significant change in the urinary oxalate excretion. The oxalate degrading-bacteria isolated from feces was biochemically identified as Bifidobacterium adolescentis. In conclusion, oral supplementation of 10 g lactosucrose daily for 2 weeks was effective in multiplying oxalate-degrading bacteria, but not in reducing urinary oxalate excretion under free non-restricted dietary intake. In addition, it was suggested that various species of Bifidobacterium were related to degradation of oxalate in the human intestine.

[Detection of Oxalobacter formigenes in human feces and study of related genes in a new oxalate-degrading bacterium].

The first objective of the present study was to examine the presence of Oxalobacter formigenes (an oxalate-degrading bacterium in the human intestine) according to sex in a large number of Japanese. The second objective was to study the presence of three related genes in Bifidobacterium breve, which is considered to be a new oxalate-degrading bacterim. Fecal samples were collected from 55 male and 37 female healthy volunteers. O. formigenes was detected by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a culture-based method. DNA was amplified by the PCR method including the site of important base sequences of each gene in order to detect oxc, frc, and OxlT. O. formigenes was present in 80% of 54 male and 62% of 34 female subjects in the PCR-based assay, while it was present in 62% of 40 male and 50% of 24 female subjects in the culture-based assay. The partial base sequences of the three related genes in B. breve were determined. The RNA polymerase-binding site in promoters and the rho-independent termination sequence were preserved in oxc and frc. In conclusion, the rate of the presence of O. formigenes was the same as in previous reports. Female subjects showed a 15% lower rate than males. B. breve is considered to be an oxalate-degrading bacterium since it was found to have oxalic acid-degrading ability and three genes involved in oxalate degradation.

Association of absence of intestinal oxalate degrading bacteria with urinary calcium oxalate stone formation.

AIM: Urinary concentration of oxalate is considered an important factor in the formation of renal stones. Dietary oxalate is a major contributor to urinary oxalate excretion in most individuals. Furthermore, oxalate degrading bacteria have been isolated from human feces. We investigated the significance of oxalate degrading bacteria for urinary oxalate excretion and urinary stone formation. METHODS: Twenty-two known calcium oxalate stone-forming patients (stone formers) and 34 healthy volunteers (non-stone formers) were included in the study. Stool specimens were inoculated into pepton yeast glucose (PYG) medium supplemented with oxalate under anaerobic condition at 37 C for one week. After the incubation period, each colony was checked for the loss of oxalate from the culture medium. A 24-h urine sample was collected in 43 individuals and analyzed for oxalate excretion. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 34 (82%) healthy volunteers and 10 of 22 (45%) calcium oxalate stone formers were colonized with oxalate degrading bacteria. Calcium oxalate stone formers were more frequently free of oxalate degrading bacteria (P < 0.01). Urinary excretion of oxalate in those with oxalate degrading bacteria was significantly less than in those without oxalate degrading bacteria (P < 0.05). Hyperoxaluria (> 40 mg/day) was found in four of 27 individuals (15%) with oxalate degrading bacteria compared to seven of 16 (44%) without oxalate degrading bacteria (P < 0.05), suggesting an association between the absence of oxalate degrading bacteria and the presence of hyperoxaluria. CONCLUSION: The absence of oxalate degrading bacteria in the gut could promote the absorption of oxalate, thereby increasing the level of urinary oxalate excretion. The absence of oxalate degrading bacteria from the gut appears to be a risk factor for the presence of absorptive hyperoxaluria and an increased likelihood of urolithiasis.