Ventral Approach for the Non-transecting Bulbar Urethroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, short bulbar strictures refractory to one endoscopic treatment attempt could be managed with non-transecting urethroplasty technique as a first option.1 Jordan et al2 and Bugeja et al3 described a dorsal approach, sparing vessels, and spongiosum in the hope of a decrease of surgical side effects. OBJECTIVE: To describe the step-by-step technique of the ventral approach for the non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty in distal and mid short bulbar strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of a cohort of patients who underwent a ventral non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty for short mid or distal bulbar strictures from January 2016 to December 2018. We included 10 patients. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A ventral midline urethrotomy is made and extended to assure a good caliber lumen both distally and proximally (20 Fr). The mucosal scar tissue is marked and a mucosectomy is performed, preserving the spongiosum.We bring the distal and proximal edges of healthy mucosa together without tension with a 5/0 absorbable monofilament. Ventral stricturotomy is closed over a 20F catheter, in a Heinike-Mikulics fashion, with 5/0 absorbable monofilament for the mucosal anastomosis and a 4/0 absorbable monofilament for the spongioplasty. RESULTS: Mean age was 56,50 years (+/-17,27) and mean stricture length was 1,06cm (+/-1,82). The majority of strictures (90%) were located in the mid bulb. After a mean follow up of 27,25 months (+/-12,12), 9 patients remain recurrence-free (87,5%). A significant mean increase in Qmax was observed (12+/-4,53 ml/s, p=0,04). Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (USS-PROMS), items (Questions 1-6) related to urinate symptoms also showed a significant improvement(p=0,03). We didn't find any significant decrease in erectile function with this technique. CONCLUSION: The ventral approach for mid and distal short bulbar strictures is a feasible and reproducible technique with a significant increase in Qmax and improvement in USS-PROMS. Preliminary results show no decrease in erectile function.

Evolución de pacientes varones con detrusor hipoactivo y tratamiento conservador. Seguimiento a cinco años / Evolution of male patients with detrusor underactivity and conservative treatment. Five-year follow-up

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo del trabajo fue comparar la evolución de pacientes varones con detrusor hipoactivo (DU) neurógeno (DUN) frente a DU no neurógeno (DUNoN) y establecer factores de riesgo para predecir la necesidad de cateterismo limpio intermitente (CLI) en el seguimiento. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio longitudinal, descriptivo, sobre una cohorte de pacientes con diagnóstico de DU. Se revisaron 2.496 estudios urodinámicos (2008-2018). Se incluyeron pacientes con DU (ICS2002 y/o Bladder contraction index [< 100]) sin tratamiento. Se excluyeron pacientes en CLI o tratamiento intervencionista. Se realizó seguimiento semestralmente con flujometría. Se indicó CLI ante residuos elevados (RPM) > 200 mL o eficiencia de vaciado (EV) < 50%. Se comparó la necesidad de CLI durante el seguimiento o la aparición de complicaciones (infecciones urinarias [ITU], litiasis vesical). RESULTADOS: Se encontraron 172 (6,89%) varones con DU. En 106 (61,6%) se evidenció causa neurológica. Finalmente se incluyeron 62 pacientes con seguimiento medio de 4,9 años (+/-2,6). De ellos, 33 (53%) fueron DUN y 29 (47%) DUNoN. No se apreciaron diferencias en la aparición de ITU (p = 0,34) o litiasis vesicales (p = 0,39). Seis pacientes con DUN precisaron CLI frente a ninguno con DUNoN (p = 0,04). Los pacientes que requirieron CLI presentaron mayor RPM [p = 0,009]) y menor EV [p = 0,017]). También se apreciaron diferencias en el tiempo hasta la necesidad de CLI (log rank: 0,009), siendo este de 15,1 meses (4-38). En el análisis multivariante ninguna de las variables pudo demostrarse como factor predictivo de necesidad de CLI. CONCLUSIONES: La causa más frecuente de DU es la lesión neurológica. Los pacientes con DUN permanecen estables sin necesidad de CLI. No hemos detectado factores de riesgo que identifiquen a los pacientes en riesgo de necesitar CLI

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to compare the evolution of male patients with neurogenic detrusor underactivity (NDU) versus non-neurogenic DU (NNDU) and to establish risk factors to predict the need for clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) during the follow-up period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal, descriptive study of a cohort of patients diagnosed with DU, and 2,496 urodynamic studies (2008-2018) were reviewed. Patients with DU (ICS 2002 and/or Bladder contraction index (< 100)) without treatment were included. Patients with CIC or interventional treatment were excluded. Follow-up included flowmetry every six months. CIC was indicated in cases of high residual volume (PVR) > 200 mL or voiding efficiency (VE) < 50%. The need for CIC during follow-up or the appearance of complications (urinary tract infections (UTI), bladder lithiasis) were compared. RESULTS: DU was found in 172 (6.89%) men. Neurological causes were observed in 106 (61,6%) cases. Finally, 62 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 4.9 years (+/- 2.6). Of these patients, 33 (53%) presented NDU and 29 (47%) NNDU. Six patients with NDU needed CIC versus none with NNDU (p = 0.04). Patients requiring CIC had higher PVR (p = 0.009) and lower VE (p = 0.017)), and there were also differences in terms of time until the need for CIC (log Rank: 0.009), which was 15.1 months [4-38]. In the multivariate analysis, none of the variables showed to be predictive of the need for CIC. CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of DU is neurologic injury. Patients with NDU remain stable without requiring CIC. We have not detected any risk factors that identify patients at risk of needing CIC

Evolution of male patients with detrusor underactivity and conservative treatment. Five-year follow-up. / Evolución de pacientes varones con detrusor hipoactivo y tratamiento conservador. Seguimiento a cinco años.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to compare the evolution of male patients with neurogenic detrusor underactivity (NDU) versus non-neurogenic DU (NNDU) and to establish risk factors to predict the need for clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) during the follow-up period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal, descriptive study of a cohort of patients diagnosed with DU, and 2,496 urodynamic studies (2008-2018) were reviewed. Patients with DU (ICS 2002 and/or Bladder contraction index (< 100)) without treatment were included. Patients with CIC or interventional treatment were excluded. Follow-up included flowmetry every six months. CIC was indicated in cases of high residual volume (PVR) > 200 mL or voiding efficiency (VE)<50%. The need for CIC during follow-up or the appearance of complications (urinary tract infections (UTI), bladder lithiasis) were compared. RESULTS: DU was found in 172 (6.89%) men. Neurological causes were observed in 106 (61,6%) cases. Finally, 62 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 4.9 years (+/- 2.6). Of these patients, 33 (53%) presented NDU and 29 (47%) NNDU. Six patients with NDU needed CIC versus none with NNDU (p = 0.04). Patients requiring CIC had higher PVR (p = 0.009) and lower VE (p = 0.017)), and there were also differences in terms of time until the need for CIC (log Rank: 0.009), which was 15.1 months [4-38]. In the multivariate analysis, none of the variables showed to be predictive of the need for CIC. CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of DU is neurologic injury. Patients with NDU remain stable without requiring CIC. We have not detected any risk factors that identify patients at risk of needing CIC.

Oral quality of life after buccal mucosal graft harvest for substitution urethroplasty. More than a bite?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to analyze the oral quality of life (QoL) in patients with urethral stricture treated with BMG by using a validated questionnaire (OIDP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, single-arm, observational single-centre study of a cohort of patients scheduled for BMG Urethroplasty was conducted. OIDP assesses the impact of oral conditions on daily activities including an oral QoL question (0-10). The questionnaire was self-administered before, 3 months postoperatively and at the end of the study. Means, pre- and postoperatively, were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for a low quality of life (<8) after surgery. RESULTS: We included 41 patients (2013-2017). The mean preoperative oral QoL was 9.33 points (SD1.16). Preoperative mean OIDP dimensional score and global score were 0,5 (SD:0.02) and 0,8%. The most frequently preoperative altered aspect was hygiene. Mean oral QoL, 3 months after surgery, was 8,56 (SD1.89) and OIDP dimensional score and global score were 0,67 (SD0.21) and 1,1%. Mean oral QoL at the end of the study (mean 3,12 years) was 8,50 (SD1.13). OIDP dimensional score and global score were 0,7 (SD 0.16) and 1,1%.The most frequently altered aspect at the end of the study was eating. No statistical (p = 0.07) decrease in oral QoL was found. The increase in OIDP dimensional and global score was also not statistically significant. Neither age nor smoking, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular morbidity, previous OIDP score, width, length of the graft, or surgery success could explain a low oral QoL alter graft harvesting. CONCLUSIONS: BMG harvesting is not free of problems at the donor site. Eating seems to be the most affected aspect after surgery. Nevertheless, those sequelae do not induce a reduction in oral QoL.

Adaptación al español de las Good Urodynamic Practices de la International Continence Society / Adaptation to Spanish of the ICS Good Urodynamic Practices

El grupo de trabajo de estandarización de la Sociedad Internacional de Continencia ha actualizado las directrices de Buenas Prácticas en Urodinámica de dicha sociedad. Estas GUP2016 basadas en la evidencia han definido los términos y estándares para la práctica de la Urodinámica tanto en los gabinetes como para la práctica individual, en el control de calidad durante la cistomanometría o el estudio de presión-flujo. Además, el grupo de trabajo ha incluido recomendaciones previas a la prueba e información sobre la preparación del paciente, así como recomendaciones para realizar el informe urodinámico. Basándose en la estandarización previa de la Sociedad Internacional de Continencia y en la evidencia actual, se ha detallado la práctica de la uroflujometría, la cistomanometría y el estudio de presión-flujo, con el objetivo de que esta actualización de las Buenas Prácticas en Urodinámica ayude a mejorar la calidad de la clínica e investigación en Urodinámica

The standardisation working group of the International Continence Society has updated the Good Urodynamic Practice directives. This evidence-based ICS-GUP2016 has defined the terminology and standards of Urodynamic practice, for the laboratory and for individual practice, in quality control during cystometry and pressure-flow analysis. In addition, the working group included recommendations prior to the test and information about how to prepare the patient, as well as recommendations for the reporting of urodynamics. Based on earlier International Continence Society standardisations and current evidence, the practice of uroflowmetry, cystometry and pressure-flow study have been detailed with a view to ensuring that this Good Urodynamic Practice update contributes towards improving clinical and research quality in urodynamics

Adaptation to Spanish of the ICS Good Urodynamic Practices. / Adaptación al español de las Good Urodynamic Practices de la International Continence Society.

The standardisation working group of the International Continence Society has updated the Good Urodynamic Practice directives. This evidence-based ICS-GUP2016 has defined the terminology and standards of Urodynamic practice, for the laboratory and for individual practice, in quality control during cystometry and pressure-flow analysis. In addition, the working group included recommendations prior to the test and information about how to prepare the patient, as well as recommendations for the reporting of urodynamics. Based on earlier International Continence Society standardisations and current evidence, the practice of uroflowmetry, cystometry and pressure-flow study have been detailed with a view to ensuring that this Good Urodynamic Practice update contributes towards improving clinical and research quality in urodynamics.

Bilateral testicular torsion in an adolescent: a case with challenging diagnosis

ABSTRACT Bilateral testicular torsion is a very uncommon emergency, with a challenging differential diagnosis. We describe the case of a 15-year-old patient with a left testicular torsion of 48 hours of duration and a sudden onset of right scrotum pain during his stay at the emergency area. Bilateral testicular torsion was diagnosed after repeat physical examination and doppler ultrasound, which had been normal for right testis in a first evaluation. Surgical exploration was performed with orchiectomy in left testis and fixation in right testis. In previous literature, there are reported bilateral torsion only in four adolescents and five adults. With this case, we demonstrate that bilateral spermatic cord torsion may be easily overlooked in a patient with acute scrotum and we emphasize the importance of bilateral exploration in testicular torsion.

Bilateral testicular torsion in an adolescent: a case with challenging diagnosis.

Bilateral testicular torsion is a very uncommon emergency, with a challenging differential diagnosis. We describe the case of a 15-year-old patient with a left testicular torsion of 48 hours of duration and a sudden onset of right scrotum pain during his stay at the emergency area. Bilateral testicular torsion was diagnosed after repeat physical examination and doppler ultrasound, which had been normal for right testis in a first evaluation. Surgical exploration was performed with orchiectomy in left testis and fixation in right testis. In previous literature, there are reported bilateral torsion only in four adolescents and five adults. With this case, we demonstrate that bilateral spermatic cord torsion may be easily overlooked in a patient with acute scrotum and we emphasize the importance of bilateral exploration in testicular torsion.

Adaptación cultural al español (España) del cuestionario Overactive Bladder Family Impact Measure (OAB-FIM) / Cultural adaptation to Spanish (Spain) of the questionnaire

Objetivo: El OAB-FIM se desarrolló como una medida del impacto de la vejiga hiperactiva en los familiares que conviven con el paciente. El objetivo fue realizar la adaptación cultural al español (España) del cuestionario OAB-FIM. Métodos: La adaptación incluyó una fase de validación conceptual y lingüística, y otra de medición de las propiedades psicométricas en 25 familiares (edad media 63,0 años [DE: 14,3], siendo el 44% mujeres) con convivencia habitual con pacientes con vejiga hiperactiva, de ambos géneros y ≥18 años. Se midieron equivalencia conceptual y lingüística, fiabilidad interna, validez de constructo y validez de contenido. Se valoró la aplicabilidad y carga de administración. Resultados: El OAB-FIM fue equivalente conceptual y lingüísticamente al original, manteniendo sus 6 dominios: social, viajes, preocupación, irritabilidad, sueño y sexual. El acuerdo interjueces ubicó correctamente a todos los ítems en su dominio, excepto el 10, que se ubicó más en preocupación que en irritabilidad, motivando su reformulación. Un 2,95% de ítems estuvieron ausentes. Los efectos suelo y techo de los ítems variaron, respectivamente, entre 20-28% y 0-16%. El tiempo medio para cumplimentar el cuestionario fue de 5,2 minutos (DE: 2,8) y un 24% necesitó algún tipo de ayuda. El coeficiente α-Cronbach varió entre 0,948-0,839. Las correlaciones con escalas similares en el familiar fueron moderadas-altas (0,407-0,753) o pequeñas-moderadas con las administradas al paciente (0,004-0,423). Conclusión: Se ha obtenido una versión española (España) del OAB-FIM conceptual y lingüísticamente equivalente al original. El cuestionario ha mostrado buena consistencia interna y validez de contenido y constructo, además de ser aplicable

Objective: The OAB-FIM was developed as a measure of the impact of an overactive bladder (OAB) on relatives who live with the patient. The objective of this study was conduct a cultural adaptation to Spanish (Spain) of the OAB-FIM questionnaire. Methods: The adaptation included a conceptual and linguistic validation phase, as well as a phase for measuring the psychometric properties in 25 relatives [mean age, 63.0 years (SD, 14.3); 44% women] who regularly live with patients with OAB, who are of either sex and 18 years of age or older. We measured conceptual and linguistic equivalence, internal reliability, construct validity and content validity. We assessed the applicability and administration load. Results: The OAB-FIM was conceptually and linguistically equivalent to the original, maintaining its 6 domains: social, travel, worry, irritability, sleep and sex. The interagreement correctly placed all items in their domain, except for number 10, which was placed more in worry than in irritability, motivates its reformulation. Some 2.95% of the items were missing. The floor and ceiling effects of the items varied, respectively, between 20-28%, and 0-16%. The mean time for completing the questionnaire was 5.2minutes (SD, 2.8), and 24% of the participants required some type of assistance. The α-Cronbach coefficient varied between 0.948-0.839. The correlations with similar scales in the family were moderate-high (0.407-0.753) or small-moderate with those administered to the patient (0.004-0.423). Conclusion: We obtained a Spanish (Spain) version of the OAB-FIM that was conceptually and linguistically equivalent to the original. The questionnaire showed good internal consistency, content and construct validity and applicability

Cultural adaptation to Spanish (Spain) of the "Overactive Bladder - Family Impact Measure (OAB-FIM)" questionnaire. / Adaptación cultural al español (España) del cuestionario Overactive Bladder Family Impact Measure (OAB-FIM).

OBJECTIVE: The OAB-FIM was developed as a measure of the impact of an overactive bladder (OAB) on relatives who live with the patient. The objective of this study was conduct a cultural adaptation to Spanish (Spain) of the OAB-FIM questionnaire. METHODS: The adaptation included a conceptual and linguistic validation phase, as well as a phase for measuring the psychometric properties in 25 relatives [mean age, 63.0 years (SD, 14.3); 44% women] who regularly live with patients with OAB, who are of either sex and 18 years of age or older. We measured conceptual and linguistic equivalence, internal reliability, construct validity and content validity. We assessed the applicability and administration load. RESULTS: The OAB-FIM was conceptually and linguistically equivalent to the original, maintaining its 6 domains: social, travel, worry, irritability, sleep and sex. The interagreement correctly placed all items in their domain, except for number 10, which was placed more in worry than in irritability, motivates its reformulation. Some 2.95% of the items were missing. The floor and ceiling effects of the items varied, respectively, between 20-28%, and 0-16%. The mean time for completing the questionnaire was 5.2minutes (SD, 2.8), and 24% of the participants required some type of assistance. The α-Cronbach coefficient varied between 0.948-0.839. The correlations with similar scales in the family were moderate-high (0.407-0.753) or small-moderate with those administered to the patient (0.004-0.423). CONCLUSION: We obtained a Spanish (Spain) version of the OAB-FIM that was conceptually and linguistically equivalent to the original. The questionnaire showed good internal consistency, content and construct validity and applicability.

Hidrodistensión bajo anestesia más inyección de Onabotulinumtoxin A en pacientes con síndrome de dolor vesical refractario a tratamiento conservador / Hydrodistension plus Onabotulinumtoxin A in bladder pain syndrome refractory to conservative treatments

Introducción: En el síndrome de dolor vesical (SDV) refractario a tratamientos conservadores, la guía europea contempla la hidrodistensión (HD) vesical bajo anestesia y la inyección de Onabotulinumtoxin A (OnabotA) de manera conjunta. El objetivo fue evaluar nuestra experiencia en la aplicación de la técnica. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de 25 pacientes con SDV sometidos a HD más inyección submucosa de 100 U de OnabotA en trígono. Las lesiones de Hunner fueron tratadas endoscópicamente mediante resección o electrocoagulación. Se realizaron 38 procedimientos (25 primeras intervenciones y 13 reintervenciones). Para estudiar la modificación clínica se evaluó la mejoría subjetiva (escalas TBS y PGIC), la escala visual analógica (EVA) para dolor, el cuestionario BPIC-SS y el diario miccional de 3 días. Para el análisis de datos se emplearon los test de Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, Kaplan-Meier y Log-Rank. Resultados: Observamos mejoría subjetiva en 21 pacientes (84%), en 47% de ellos mejoría importante, en 41,2% moderada y en 11,8% leve. No hubo mejoría en 4 pacientes. Se objetivó una reducción postratamiento en la EVA de dolor (de 7,1 a 1,8 puntos; p = 0,001), en la frecuencia miccional diurna (de 11,8 a 7,5; p = 0,012) y nocturna (de 5,9 a 3,6; p = 0,003) y en el cuestionario BPIC-SS (de 27,9 a 11,2 puntos; p = 0,042). El grado de mejoría no tuvo relación con la edad, con la presencia de lesiones vesicales ni con el tratamiento de las recaídas. La mediana en la duración de la mejoría fue de 7 meses (IC 95%: 5,69-8,31) de manera global, aunque en los pacientes menores de 65 años fue algo mayor. Se produjeron complicaciones leves en el 23,7% de los casos. Conclusiones: La realización conjunta de HD más inyección de OnabotA es una opción terapéutica válida en el SDV refractario, con buenos resultados clínicos y manteniendo la efectividad en los retratamientos

Introduction: For bladder pain syndrome (BPS) refractory to conservative treatment, the European guidelines consider bladder hydrodistention (HD) under anaesthesia and the injection of Onabotulinumtoxin A (OnabotA) jointly. The objective of this study was to assess our experience in implementing this technique. Material and methods: A prospective study of 25 patients with BPS who underwent HD plus a submucosal injection of 100 U of OnabotA in trigone. The Hunner lesions were treated endoscopically using resection or electrocoagulation. Thirty-eight procedures were performed (25 first interventions and 13 reoperations). To study the clinical change, we evaluated the subjective improvement (Treatment Benefit Scale [TBS] and Patient Global Impression of Change [PGIC] scales), the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Score (BPIC-SS) questionnaire and the voiding diary for 3 days. For the data analysis, we employed the Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. Results: We observed subjective improvement in 21 patients (84%), which was significant in 47% of these patients, moderate in 41.2% and slight in 11.8%. Four patients did not improve. A post-treatment reduction in the pain VAS (from 7.1 to 1.8 points; P = .001), in daytime (from 11.8 to 7.5; P = .012) and night-time (from 5.9 to 3.6; P = .003) voiding frequency and in the BPIC-SS (from 27.9 to 11.2 points;P = .042). The degree of improvement was not related to age, the presence of bladder lesions or the treatment of relapses. The median duration of improvement was 7 months (95% CI 5.69-8.31), although this duration was somewhat longer for the patients younger than 65 years. Mild complications occurred in 23.7% of the cases. Conclusions: The joint implementation of HD plus OnabotA is a valid therapeutic option in refractory BPS, which provides good clinical results and maintains its effectiveness in retreatments

Hydrodistension plus Onabotulinumtoxin A in bladder pain syndrome refractory to conservative treatments. / Hidrodistensión bajo anestesia más inyección de Onabotulinumtoxin A en pacientes con síndrome de dolor vesical refractario a tratamiento conservador.

INTRODUCTION: For bladder pain syndrome (BPS) refractory to conservative treatment, the European guidelines consider bladder hydrodistention (HD) under anaesthesia and the injection of Onabotulinumtoxin A (OnabotA) jointly. The objective of this study was to assess our experience in implementing this technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study of 25 patients with BPS who underwent HD plus a submucosal injection of 100 U of OnabotA in trigone. The Hunner lesions were treated endoscopically using resection or electrocoagulation. Thirty-eight procedures were performed (25 first interventions and 13 reoperations). To study the clinical change, we evaluated the subjective improvement (Treatment Benefit Scale [TBS] and Patient Global Impression of Change [PGIC] scales), the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Score (BPIC-SS) questionnaire and the voiding diary for 3 days. For the data analysis, we employed the Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. RESULTS: We observed subjective improvement in 21 patients (84%), which was significant in 47% of these patients, moderate in 41.2% and slight in 11.8%. Four patients did not improve. A post-treatment reduction in the pain VAS (from 7.1 to 1.8 points; P=.001), in daytime (from 11.8 to 7.5; P=.012) and night-time (from 5.9 to 3.6; P=.003) voiding frequency and in the BPIC-SS (from 27.9 to 11.2 points; P=.042). The degree of improvement was not related to age, the presence of bladder lesions or the treatment of relapses. The median duration of improvement was 7 months (95% CI 5.69-8.31), although this duration was somewhat longer for the patients younger than 65 years. Mild complications occurred in 23.7% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The joint implementation of HD plus OnabotA is a valid therapeutic option in refractory BPS, which provides good clinical results and maintains its effectiveness in retreatments.

[Extragonadal germ-cell tumors located in the mediastinum]. / Tumores de células germinales extragonadales de localización mediastínica.

INTRODUCTION: The extragonadal germ-cell tumors (EGGCT) represent 5% of all germ-cell tumors at presentation. Histologically, they are identical to testis germ cell tumors. They may arise in such sites as the mediastinum, retroperitoneal area, sacrococcygeal area, or pineal area without a primary in the testis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 10 patients with mediastinal EGGCT were reviewed between 1973 and 1996. All patients were males and his mean age was 26.7 years old (21-24). Follow-up was 19 months (3-72). RESULTS: The first symptoms are diverse. The histology results nonseminomatous tumor at 9 patients and seminomatous tumor at the restant. All of the scrotal examination was normal and only five patients presented increased tumoral markers (alpha-FP in 4 and beta-HCG in 1). Previous at 1990 didn't exist a standard treatment, resulting the four patients treated in this period exitus. After 1990 the treatment was cisplatin-based chemotherapy: BEP (bleomicyn, etoposide-VP-16- and cisplatin-CDDP) then we obtained the best results, a patient died after 6 months but the restants five are alive and without evidence of disease during a follow-up between 3 and 72 months.

[Ask-Upmark kidney: description of a case and review of the literature]. / Riñón de Ask--Upmark: descripción de un caso y revisión en la literatura.

We present a 15-year-old male patient diagnosed histopathologically as suffering from Ask-Upmark kidney, in the absence of vesicoureteral reflux and with hypertension. The first clinical manifestation was completely atypical: right loin pain, with so many agudisation treated at our emergency serve that justified a thorough study. The pathogenesis of the Ask-Upmark kidney is still unknown; some authors defend the congenital malformation hypothesis, as it was first described in 1929, but there are groups who support the Ask-Upmark kidney as a form of reflux nephropathy. After our description we present a review of the literature.

[Current status of p53 tumor suppressor gene as a possible molecular marker of cancer of the prostate]. / Estado actual del gen supresor de tumor p53 como posible marcador molecular del cáncer de próstata.

Diagnosis of prostate cancer has increased over the last few years both in localized and in more advanced stages. At present, several groups are working in the search and evaluation of alternative tumoral markers as the current ones do not cover all the Urologist's needs. In this context, a number of studies on the mutation of the tumour suppressor gen p53 in both localized and metastatic prostate cancer are being carried out. When a noxa acts on the DNA, protein p53 inhibits the cell cycle allowing the repair systems to operate and, if the damage is significant enough, cell apoptosis. The loss of this control mechanism secondary to the synthesis of anomalous proteins can result in the proliferation of neoplastic cells. A revision of the most representative papers in the literature is presented here, addressing the surrounding controversy and the resulting future possibilities.