Clinical questions in the Japanese Urological Association's 2024 clinical practice guidelines for urethral strictures.

Transurethral procedures such as direct vision internal urethrotomy and urethral dilation have been the traditional treatments for urethral strictures. However, transurethral procedures are associated with high recurrence rates, resulting in many uncured cases and prompting major international urological societies to recommend urethroplasty as the standard treatment owing to its high success rate. In contrast, many Japanese general urologists have little doubts about treating urethral strictures with transurethral treatment. Therefore, urethral stricture treatments in Japan are not in line with those used in other countries. To address this, the Trauma, Emergency Medicine, and Reconstruction Subcommittee of the Japanese Urological Association has developed guidelines to offer standardized treatment protocols for urethral stricture, based on international evidence and tailored to Japan's medical landscape. These guidelines target patients with a clinically suspected urethral stricture and are intended for urologists and general practitioners involved in its diagnosis and treatment. Following the Minds Clinical Practice Guideline Development Manual 2020, the committee identified eight critical clinical issues and formulated eight clinical questions using the "patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome" format. A comprehensive literature search was conducted. For six clinical questions addressed by the existing guidelines or systematic reviews, the level of evidence was determined by qualitative systematic reviews. Quantitative systematic reviews and meta-analyses were performed for the two unique clinical questions. The recommendation grades were determined using the Delphi method and consensus by the committee. These guidelines will be useful to clinicians in daily practice, especially those involved in the care of urethral strictures.

The Japanese Urological Association's clinical practice guidelines for urotrauma 2023.

The Japanese Urological Association's guidelines for the treatment of renal trauma were published in 2016. In conjunction with its revision, herein, we present the new guidelines for overall urotrauma. Its purpose is to provide standard diagnostic and treatment recommendations for urotrauma, including iatrogenic trauma, to preserve organ function and minimize complications and fatality. The guidelines committee comprised urologists with experience in urotrauma care, selected by the Trauma and Emergency Medicine Subcommittee of the Specialty Area Committee of the Japanese Urological Association, and specialists recommended by the Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology. The guidelines committee established the domains of renal and ureteral, bladder, urethral, and genital trauma, and determined the lead person for each domain. A total of 30 clinical questions (CQs) were established for all domains; 15 for renal and ureteral trauma and five each for the other domains. An extensive literature search was conducted for studies published between January 1, 1983 and July 16, 2020, based on the preset keywords for each CQ. Since only few randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses were found on urotrauma clinical practice, conducting a systematic review and summarizing the evidence proved challenging; hence, the grade of recommendation was determined according to the 2007 "Minds Handbook for Clinical Practice Guidelines" based on a consensus reached by the guidelines committee. We hope that these guidelines will be useful for clinicians in their daily practice, especially those involved in urotrauma care.

Surgical technique of laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy using the VIO soft-coagulation system.

One of the most crucial issues while performing ureterocalicostomy (UC) in patients with well-functioning thick renal parenchyma is controlling bleeding from the anastomotic site. In general, renorrhaphy is necessary for hemostasis because conventional coagulation remains unreliable in cases of an incised thick renal parenchyma. Instead of the parenchymal renorrhaphy, the VIO soft-coagulation system is used for hemostasis. Sutureless hemostasis using soft coagulation is a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive technique for laparoscopic UC.

[BILATERAL CALCIFIED URETERAL STRICURE REQUIRING URINARY RECONSTRUCTION IN EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGITIS: A CASE REPORT].

Calcified ureteral obstruction is a rare complication of vasculitis. Only a few cases of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) have been published. We herein report a case of successful surgical repair of bilateral ureteral strictures in a patient with EGPA. A retrograde pyelogram revealed complete bilateral ureteral obstruction in the patient. Bilateral nephrostomies were placed because we were unable to introduce a double-J stent. The vasculitis and eosinophilia both responded to immunosuppressive therapy, but ureteral obstruction persisted. Surgical reconstruction was elected in order to eliminate the need for permanent external drainage. A combined nephrostogram/retrograde ureterogram revealed a 10 cm right ureteral gap and a 3 cm left ureteral gap. The left ureter was amenable to end-to- end anastomosis, pyeloureteroplasty, but repair of the right ureter required interposition of intestinal tissue. Right ureteral reconstruction was performed by combining the Yang-Monti ileal ureteral substitution and appendiceal interposition with a psoas hitch. The isolated appendix was interposed in an antiperistaltic fashion between the Yang-Monti tube and bladder. His kidney function has remained normal, and he is without vasculitic symptoms.

Can excretory phase computed tomography predict bacteremia in obstructive calculous pyelonephritis?

PURPOSE: Acute pyelonephritis (AP), a complication of urolithiasis, can be fatal if it progresses to septic shock. We aimed to evaluate the performance of excretory phase computed tomography (CT) in predicting bacteremia among AP patients with upper urinary tract calculi. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 250 patients diagnosed with AP and upper urinary tract calculi and who were admitted to our institute. We analyzed 132 patients who underwent excretory phase CT. Excretory phase CT images were obtained 7 min after injection with the contrast agent. Obstruction was classified either as high or low grade. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of bacteremia. RESULTS: Of 132 patients, 73 (55.3%) had bacteremia. Escherichia coli was the most frequently identified pathogen in blood cultures. Univariate analysis demonstrated that high-grade obstruction on excretory phase CT and quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score ≥ 2 were correlated with bacteremia. In addition, the administration of vasopressors was significantly associated with bacteremia (31.5% vs. 6.8%; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified high-grade obstruction on excretory phase CT [odds ratio (OR) 6.68; p < 0.001] and qSOFA score ≥ 2 (OR 3.59, p = 0.03) as independent risk factors for bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: Excretory phase CT images can be used to predict bacteremia by evaluating the degree of ureteral obstruction. The evaluation of the passage of urine shown by excretory phase CT is critical in patients with AP associated with upper urinary tract calculi.

Recurrence of sigmoid colon carcinoma in the retained urethra after cystectomy: A case report and review of the literature.

Urethral recurrence arising from a primary colorectal adenocarcinoma is rare. Here, we report a case of urethral recurrence of sigmoid colon cancer, which developed after cysto-prostato-sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer invading the bladder. The patient underwent urethrectomy successfully and is currently tumor-free. Surgeons who follow patients with colorectal cancer invading the bladder should be aware of this case. The early detection of recurrence improves the chances for disease-free survival.

[Nurse questionnaire survey about the urethral catheterization and clinical analysis of iatrogenic urethral injury].

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the status of iatrogenic urethral injury associated with insertion of urethral catheters at our hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied the data of 32 patients with iatrogenic urethral injury at our hospital. We also carried out a questionnaire survey of 150 nurses who could be in charge of urethral catheter insertions, and conducted an analysis based on the answers obtained from 133 of the 150 nurses (response rate 88.7%). RESULTS: The 32 patients included 14 patients with reduced activity of daily living (ADL) who required assistance in daily life (44%), 4 patients with spinal cord injury (13%), and 4 patients under anesthesia or sedation (13%). Acute complications included sepsis in 5 patients (16%) and septic shock in 3 patients (9%). Long-term urethral catheterization was indicated in all the patients with sepsis. Examination of the responses to the questionnaire showed that while 86% of the nurses said "I inject water to fix the balloon after confirming urine outflow," 7% answered "I inject water into the balloon even if there is no urine outflow"; 46% said "I compress the lower abdomen when there is no urine outflow," 6% said "I perform urinary bladder irrigation," and 48% said "I neither compress the lower abdomen when there is no urinary flow nor perform urinary bladder irrigation". CONCLUSION: Nearly half of the patients with iatrogenic urethral injury at our hospital had reduced ADL. In the patients in whom long-term catheterization was indicated, urethral injury at the time of regular replacement of a catheter was associated with a high likelihood of sepsis occurring as a complication. Based on the results of the questionnaire, more than 80% of the nurses complied with the rule that water to fix the balloon must be injected only after confirming urinary outflow at the time of inserting a urethral catheter. However, when there was no urine outflow after insertion of the catheter, there were variations in the procedure to handle the situation. In the education of nurses, training on the appropriate actions that must be taken in this situation appears to be important.

Acute pyelonephritis and secondary bacteraemia caused by Veillonella during pregnancy.

We report a case of pyelonephritis and secondary bacteraemia caused by Veillonella species during pregnancy. Veillonella is part of the normal flora from the oral cavity, gut and vagina. However, because Veillonella is usually isolated from cultures of clinical specimens as part of commensal flora, it is frequently regarded as a contaminant. In the present case, Veillonella was isolated from the patient's urine and blood samples that showed evidence of pyelonephritis and secondary bacteraemia. We found that ureteral stenting is an extremely effective therapeutic option for pregnant woman with hydronephrosis and clear signs and symptoms of urosepsis.

[A case of Mycoplasma hominis infection after bladder injury during cesarean section].

A 21-year-old female patient underwent emergency cesarean section and a postoperative hematoma occurred at the site of the uterine incision. The patient underwent laparotomy for hemostasis. An 3 cm perforation at the posterior wall of the bladder was identified. The bladder was repaired in two layers with an absorbable suture. Three days later she developed a fever of over 38 degrees C. Despite therapy with several antimicrobial agents, her fever persisted and the wound was opened. Computed tomography scan revealed an abscess at the site where the hematoma had formed. We present a case of severe wound infection that was caused by Mycoplasma hominis infection after cesarean section. Bladder perforation associated with cesarean section is uncommon. Mycoplasma hominis should be considered as a causative organism if an antimicrobial resistant infection occurs at the surgical site after a cesarean section.

Mercaptoacetyltriglycine-3 renogram is not superior to estimated glomerular filtration rate measurement for the prediction of long-term renal function after nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) measured using preoperative mercaptoacetyltriglycine-3 (MAG3) renogram for the prediction of chronic renal insufficiency after nephrectomy. METHODS: A total of 47 patients underwent preoperative MAG3 renal scintigraphy and subsequent unilateral nephrectomy. Correlations between the 5-year postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the preoperative ERPF of the contralateral kidney (cERPF), ERPF of the diseased kidney (dERPF), total ERPF (tERPF), cERPF to dERPF ratio, serum creatinine (sCr) level, eGFR, as well as the influence of preoperative comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension) on the postoperative eGFR, were evaluated with both univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis showed that preoperative cERPF significantly correlated with postoperative eGFR. However, a much stronger correlation was observed between the preoperative and postoperative eGFR. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only preoperative eGFR was a significant predicator of the development of advanced-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative MAG3 renogram is not superior to eGFR measurement as a prognostic indicator of long-term renal function after unilateral nephrectomy.

A case of laparoscopic excision of a huge retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma.

Retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma is a rare benign tumor. Most patients eventually experience some symptoms that necessitate therapeutic intervention. Excision is the treatment of choice, and some cases of laparoscopic resection have been reported. We report another case of a huge retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma that was successfully excised laparoscopically with the SAND balloon catheter. Large cystic lymphangioma was downsized by puncturing and aspirated with the SAND balloon catheter. Laparoscopic surgical technique should be considered for treatment of selected cystic lesions of retroperitoneal origin.

[Case of pharyngeal emphysema with airway obstruction during retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy].

A 76-year-old woman with right renal pelvic cancer underwent a laparoscopic nephroureterectomy via a retroperitoneal approach. During the 300 minutes of CO2 insufflation, arterial blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen saturation were stable, whereas the end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) gradually increased and reached a peak of 55 mmHg. Her arterial blood gas analysis suggested acute respiratory acidosis. She developed hypercapnia in spite of controlled hyperventilation in response to the increasing ETCO2. Skin crepitus was extending into the neck and face from the operative site. A portable chest radiograph taken postoperatively showed pneumomediastinum and extensive subcutaneous emphysema of neck and chest wall. Laryngoscopy revealed grossly emphysematous pharyngeal tissues preventing direct vocal cord visualization. Her airway was appeared to be totally occluded by markedly edematous laryngeal tissues. As a leak sound around the tracheal tube was not heard after deflation of the tube cuff, her pharyngeal swelling was suspected to be severe and tracheal extubation during the operation was postponed. When cervicofacial emphysema occurs intraoperatively, we recommend that laryngoscopy should be performed before tracheal extubation to avoid potential airway obstruction from associated pharyngeal emphysema.

[Pericardial effusion due to metastatic prostate cancer: a case report].

We describe a patient whose complaints were related to pericardial effusion due to prostatic carcinoma. An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of chest discomfort and dyspnea. The chest radiograph revealed cardiomegaly and computed tomographic scan showed a large pericardial effusion. Pericardiocentesis revealed sanguinous exudates. Cytologic study suggested metastatic adenocarcinoma or malignant mesothelioma. He died suddenly because of ventricular tachycardia. At autopsy, the major finding was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate with metastases to the mediastinum.

[Acute urethritis caused by Neisseria meningitidis and Chlamydia trachomatis].

A 16-year-old heterosexual man presented to our hospital with a purulent urethral discharge and pain at voiding. These symptoms began seven days after oral-genital contact (fellatio) with his partner. A Gram-stained smear from the urethral discharge showed Gram-negative diplococci, and the antigen of Chlamydia trachomatis from urine was positive. We initially made a diagnosis of urethritis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. However, N. meningitidis was isolated by culture. Clinicians should pay attention to the possibility of N. meningitidis infection in all cases resembling gonococcal urethritis.

[Nontraumatic perirenal hematoma: a case report].

A patient with non-traumatic perirenal hematoma is reported. A 56- year-old woman visited our hospital with a complaint of left back pain. Computed tomographic scan showed left perirenal hematoma. Selective renal arteriogram demonstrated no apparent vascular abnormality but minor leakage of contrast medium was detected from the branch of the renal artery. The patient was treated with selective transcatheter arterial embolization. The patient has been followed up after the embolization without any complications. A total of 149 cases of non-traumatic perirenal hematoma were collected from the literature and discussed.

[A case report of a young patient with invasive bladder cancer].

A 29-year-old male with bladder cancer was referred to our hospital. Histological examination of transurethral biopsy showed transitional cell carcinoma with invasion into prostate (T4aN0M0, grade 3). Nerve-sparing radical cystectomy with ileal neobladder reconstruction was performed after 3 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with Methotrexate, Epirubicin and Cisplatin. Continence and erectile function were preserved and no recurrence has been observed for 18 months after the operation. This is the sixth case of an invasive bladder cancer in Japanese patients under 30 years old.