Surgical Advances in Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Africa: What About the Endoscopic Approach?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the practices, trends, and challenges associated with the use of endoscopic techniques in Africa related to the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia METHODS: The questionnaire, which was based on Google Forms, assessed several points related to the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. RESULTS: In 67.4% of the centers, BPH was the primary pathology requiring surgical management.In all 43 centers, approximately 1/3 of the urologists (n = 41) are able to perform an endoscopic procedure for the management of prostatic hypertrophy. Of the 43 centers, 30 had a block equipped with endourology equipment, and 56.6% (n = 17) performed endourological surgery exclusively for the surgical management of BPH. TURP is the most widely used endoscopic technique. Open prostatectomy was the only surgical technique used in 14 centers (32.5 %).In the remaining centers, both procedures (endoscopy and open surgery) were used depending on the surgeon's skills.Twenty-six (60.5%) centers expressed the need for training in endoscopic management of BPH. CONCLUSION: The main challenges encountered relate to the lack of competent personnel, the unavailability of equipment and materials, and the high cost to patients. It is essential to develop modern urology in Africa, particularly in terms of endourological practices.

Place of urolithiasis in the spectrum of urological pathologies, practices and use of endourological procedures in the management of calculi of the upper urinary tract: results of a survey of referral centres in Africa.

Our aim was to determine the current trend of endourology in the management of upper urinary tract calculi in Africa reference centres. We conducted an online multiple-choice questionnaire survey involving 46 centres from 27 countries using a structured well-designed Google Form (®) questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to the head of service through their emails. The questions collected demographic data about the centre, the epidemiology of urolithiasis, diagnostic means and management of upper urolithiasis, especially access to endourology procedures and their practices. Descriptive analyses were performed. The participation rate was 77.9%. Urinary lithiasis was one of the three main pathologies encountered in 42/46 centres. 33 centres had easy access to CT scanners and 34 had operating theatres equipped with endo-urological surgery equipment. Of these 34 centres, 30 perform endourology for the management of upper urinary tract stones. Rigid ureteroscopy is the main technique used by the centres. It is the only endourology technique used for stone management by 12 centres (40%). 7/30 (23.3%) have the option of performing rigid ureteroscopy, flexible ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The frequency of procedures varies widely, with 43.3% rarely performing endourological surgery. Seventeen centres have their operating theatre equipped with a fluoroscope and 6/42 centres have extracorporeal lithotripsy. Open surgery is still used in 29/42 centres (69.1%). Laparoscopy is available in 50% of centres, but none reported performing laparoscopic lithotomy. In Africa, urinary lithiasis plays an important role in the activities of referral centres. Modern management techniques are used to varying degrees (not all centres have them) and with very variable frequency. Open surgery is still widely performed as a management. Rigid ureteroscopy is the main endourological technique. It is essential to develop the practice of modern urology in Africa, mainly endourology.

Gross Hematuria Caused by Intravesical Migration of a Forgotten Intrauterine Device: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Intrauterine device (IUD) is the second most widely used method of contraception worldwide. Up to 14% women prefer IUD for its attractive advantages such as cost effectiveness, high efficiency, and low complication rate. Despite these advantages, however, some complications may occur. One of these complications is uterine perforation and migration of the device to involve adjacent viscera such as peritoneum, bowel, vessels, and rarely bladder. IUD migration into the urinary bladder is uncommon, and only 70 cases are reported in the literature. Recurrent urinary tract infection and bladder calculi are the commonest presentations, and, rarely, women can present with gross hematuria. A high index of suspicion is needed in the evaluation of women who report pregnancy after IUD insertion as it might be the first clue to suspect migration. A forgotten and long-standing IUD increases the risk of uterine perforation and migration. A routine abdominal radiography, cystoscopy, and transvaginal ultrasonography are diagnostic. A computed tomography can also be employed in selected cases to delineate anatomic relations. Urologists should consider a vesical foreign body such as migrated IUD in women with recurrent lower urinary infections. Gross hematuria in a young woman should alert the urologist, and the evaluation should address a detailed contraceptive history. Every migrated IUD should be removed via endoscopy, laparoscopy, or open surgery. Proper follow-up and education of women before and after IUD insertion is also recommended to pick up on complications in time. Here, we report the successful open surgical treatment of a woman who had a forgotten IUD for 15 years and ultimately presented with gross hematuria due to trans-vesical migration. As to our literature search, there was no similar case reported from a urology center from Ethiopia.

Torsed spermatocele, a rare cause of acute scrotum: Report of a case and review of literature.

Spermatocele is a common cause of benign scrotal swelling that mostly arises from the head of the epididymis. It is a fluid-filled swelling containing spermatozoa. Torsion of a spermatocele is a very rare encounter for a urologist. It is poorly described in the English literature and there are only seven cases reported so far. There is no specific clinical feature suggesting spermatocele torsion and the diagnosis is often made during an emergency scrotal exploration. We report the eighth case of torsed spermatocele in a young adult diagnosed during emergency scrotal exploration for a suspected testicular torsion.

Pilimiction, a Rare Presentation of Ovarian Teratoma: A Case Report.

Background: Adnexal teratoma involving the urinary bladder is a very rare condition. Presentation is variable ranging from irritative LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) to pilimiction or trichiuria (passage of hair in the urine). Case Presentation: We report a case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with pilimiction and lower abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan (CECT) and cystoscopy were used for the diagnosis. Tumor markers were negative. Right side salpingo-oophorectomy and partial bladder wall excision were performed. Histopathology of the specimen showed features consistent with mature teratoma. The patient reported improvement of symptoms in the subsequent follow-up visits. Conclusion: Pilimiction is a pathognomonic sign of bladder teratomas. This case represents a rare complication of ovarian teratoma. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is required in patients with ovarian teratoma presenting with urinary complaints. Transurethral resection is associated with a high recurrence rate and is not recommended for secondary bladder teratomas.

Bilaterally Fused Supernumerary Kidneys: A Very Rare Case Report and Review of Literature.

Supernumerary kidney is a rare anomaly of number where commonly a third extra kidney exists with its own collecting system, blood supply, and encapsulated parenchyma. However, an extremely rare and unique diagnosis of bilateral supernumerary kidneys is also reported in few instances where two extra kidneys exist on each side of the body. Parenchymal fusion and the presence of good excretory function make the supernumerary kidneys even rarer as many of the reported cases are rudimentary organs. We present a 35-year-old man with a sudden onset of agonizing right flank pain and tenderness. Radiologic assessment with computed tomography showed bilaterally fussed and malrotated supernumerary kidneys with an obstructive stone and good contrast uptake. The patient has four fully functional kidneys (two on each side) with their own arterial supply, venous drainage, collecting system and incompletely duplicated ureters bilaterally. An open pyelolithotomy is performed to relieve pain and hydronephrosis. The patient's symptoms improved after surgery and during subsequent follow-up.

Emergency Decompression of Obstructive Uropathy Using Percutaneous Nephrostomy: Disease Pattern and Treatment Outcome at Two Urology Centers in Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: Obstructive uropathy (OU) is a potentially life-threatening urologic emergency that requires urgent decompression. Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) is a commonly performed procedure to decompress OU. The objective of this study is to assess disease patterns and treatment outcome at two urologic centers in Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 patients who underwent emergency PCN from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. Data were collected by a retrospective chart review. SPSS 25 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were utilized to assess disease pattern and significant predictors. A p-value of <0.05 on multivariate logistic regression was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Females accounted for 70% of cases and mean age at presentation was 48 ± 12.9 years. Bilateral OU was diagnosed in 60% of patients and 77.3% of obstructions occurred at the level of the ureter. Malignancies were diagnosed in >80% of patients among which cervical cancer was the commonest (37.3%) followed by bladder cancer (17.3%). Acute kidney injury (AKI) accounted for 70% of the presenting indications for PCN. Success rate after emergency PCN was 75.5% and 41.8% of the cases developed post-procedure complications. Factors that predicted successful outcome include male gender [AOR = 5.72 (1.13-28.92), 95% CI; p = 0.035], severe hydronephrosis pre-operatively [AOR = 7.12 (1.32-38.45), 95% CI; p = 0.022], and use of combined imaging (ultrasound and fluoroscope) to guide PCN [AOR = 12.91 (1.13-46.54), 95% CI; p = 0.039]. On the other hand, postoperative complication is a negative predictor [AOR = 0.26 (0.08-0.86), 95% CI; p = 0.027]. CONCLUSION: In this study, overall success of emergency PCN is low. Presence of severe hydronephrosis predicts technical ease and better outcome of PCN. Procedures performed under ultrasound and fluoroscope guidance also improve outcome. Postoperative complication rate is high in this study and mandates strict preventive measures as it predicts unfavorable outcome.

Giant bladder stone resulting in acute kidney injury; A case report and review of literature.

A giant bladder stone is very rare in adults. We report a case of giant bladder stone causing acute kidney injury in a 23-year-old male, who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) characterized by both irritative and obstructive LUTS. In addition, he also had episodes of reddish urine for the past decade. A non-contrast-enhanced CT scan was used for the diagnosis. Open cystolithotomy was performed and a 500g weighing stone was removed. He developed a superficial surgical site infection which was treated with wound care. He was discharged improved. Improvement in symptoms and serum creatinine was noted on follow-up.

Fused Supernumerary Kidney with Single Pelvis and Ureter; Presenting with Stones: A Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: A supernumerary kidney is an extremely rare congenital anomaly, defined as the presence of one or more extra kidneys. Thus far, there have been less than 100 cases reported in the medical literature. It has its capsule, vascular supply, and collecting system. It frequently causes diagnostic challenges in clinical practice. The supernumerary kidney can be symptomatic due to the presence of stone. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 19-year-old male patient who came to our clinic with the complaint of abdominal pain. On computed tomography urography (CTU), he was found to have a caudally located left fused supernumerary kidney with a separate vascular supply. Both left kidneys had a separately draining calyceal systems uniting at the left renal pelvis and drained by a single ureter. Multiple left renal stones (largest measures 4cm x 2.2cm) in both kidneys were also seen. The stones were removed surgically by doing pyelolithotomy and radial nephrolithotomy. The patient was doing well during follow-up visits with the improvement of abdominal pain. CONCLUSION: Supernumerary kidney is a very rare congenital renal anomaly. This case is even unique, because of the fused supernumerary kidney and the presence of a single left renal pelvis and ureter. Imaging is very essential for planning surgical intervention. Stones in such kidneys can be managed with nephrolithotomy and/or pyelolithotomy.