Evaluation of a severity score to predict the prognosis of Fournier's gangrene.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of a Fournier's gangrene severity index (FGSI), developed to assign a numerical score describing the severity of FG, and evaluate factors in the survival of patients with FG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients diagnosed with FG between 1994 and 2006. Data were collected on their medical history, which included vital signs (temperature, heart and respiratory rates) and metabolic variables (sodium, potassium, creatinine, bicarbonate levels, haematocrit, and white blood cell count). We computed a score relating to the severity of the disease at the time, and compared it to other features according to whether the patient survived or died. The different prognostic factors were assessed by univariate analysis with the Mann-Whitney U and Kendall A-B tests. RESULTS: Of the evaluated 51 inpatients, eight died (16%) and 43 survived (84%). The median (range) age was 63 (17-85) years and the median time from the onset of the symptoms until the admission to the emergency room was 7.8 (1-60) days. The mean hospital stay was 33 (2-90) days and 17 patients were admitted to the intensive-care unit for a mean of 4.5 days. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Body surfaces involved were the scrotum in five patients (10%), the penis and scrotum in 11 (22%), the scrotum and perineum in 30 (59%) and the abdominal wall in five (10%). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution in those who survived or died (P = 0.131). The median age of 60 (17-81) years in the survivors was significantly lower than that of 73.5 (50-85) years in those who died (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference (P = 0.06) between the number of repeated debridements in the survivors (3.23) and those who died (5.25). The mean (range) FGSI score for survivors was 6.7 (0-14), vs 8.7 (6-13) for those who died (P = 0.12). The only laboratory variables associated with death were serum bicarbonate (P = 0.04) and serum sodium (P = 0.02) levels. CONCLUSIONS: FG is an unpredictable disease process with wide variability in its presentation. In our experience, the FGSI gives no indication of the likelihood of survival, but the risk factors for predicting the severity of FG seem to be greater in older patients and those with high sodium and low bicarbonate levels.

[Surgical treatment for renal cancer metastases]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis del cáncer renal.

Complete removal of metastatic lesions can contribute to improve clinical prognosis of renal cancer. Nowadays, it is accepted that surgical extirpation of solitary metastases for patients with renal cancer is the only potential for long-term survival. Provided that the metastases could be technical and functionally resected. This review addresses the current evidence about resecable renal cancer metastases at lung, liver, bone, kidney and other organs. The criteria to consider a patient as candidate for resection of metastases are: control of primary tumor, surgical extirpation feasibility and lack of systemic disease. In patients with synchronous metastases, the surgical extirpation should be performed at the same time than nephrectomy. The clinical prognosis is worse when metastases are asynchronous. After the introduction of novel anti-angiogenic agents, surgery is also justified in patients with good responses. Although, this approach remains in the field of investigation.

[Primary bladder adenocarcinoma in unreconstructed exstrophic bladder]. / Adenocarcinoma vesical primario en extrofia vesical no corregida.

We report a 60-years-old patient with a not repaired exstrophic bladder, who develops an adenocarcinoma on his bladder and review of the literature.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis del cáncer renal / Surgical treatment for renal cancer metastases

La extirpación completa de lesiones metastásicas pueden contribuir a mejorar el pronóstico clínico del cáncer renal. Hoy en día, se acepta que la extirpación quirúrgica de las metástasis solitarias para los pacientes con cáncer renal es la única posibilidad de supervivencia a largo plazo. Siempre que las metástasis puedan ser técnica y funcionalmente resecadas. Esta revisión se refiere a la evidencia actual sobre metástasis resecables del cáncer renal a nivel de pulmón, hígado, hueso, riñón y otros órganos. Los criterios para considerar a un paciente como candidato a la resección de metástasis son: control de tumor primario, extirpación quirúrgica de viabilidad y la falta de enfermedad sistémica. En pacientes con metástasis sincrónicas, la extirpación quirúrgica debe realizarse al mismo tiempo que la nefrectomía. El pronóstico clínico es peor cuando las metástasis son asíncronas. Tras la introducción de las nuevos agentes anti-angiogénicos, también se justifica la cirugía en pacientes con buena respuesta. Si bien, este enfoque sigue estando en el ámbito de la investigación (AU)

Complete removal of metastatic lesions can contribute to improve clinical prognosis of renal cáncer. Nowadays, it is accepted that surgical extirpation of solitary metastases for patients with renal cancer is the only potential for long-term survival. Provided that the metastases could be technical and functionally resected. This review addresses the current evidence about resecable renal cancer metastases at lung, liver, bone, kidney and other organs. The criteria to consider a patient as candidate for resection of metastases are: control of primary tumor, surgical extirpation feasibility and lack of systemic disease. In patients with synchronous metastases, the surgical extirpation should be performed at the same time than nephrectomy. The clinical prognosis is worse when metastases are asynchronous. After the introduction of novel anti-angiogenic agents, surgery is also justified in patients with good responses. Although, this approach remains in the field of investigation (AU)

Adenocarcinoma vesical primario en extrofia vesical no corregida / Primary bladder adenocarcinoma in unreconstructed exstrophic bladder

Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente de 60 años con extrofia vesical no corregida en su infancia, que desarrolla un adenocarcinoma vesical y revisión de la literatura (AU)

We report a 60 years old patient with a not repaired exstrophic bladder, who develops an adenocarcinoma on his bladder and review of the literature (AU)

Value of frozen section biopsies during radical prostatectomy: significance of the histological results.

PURPOSE: To review the evidence about frozen sections during radical prostatectomy (RP) and its ability to decrease the incidence of positive margins, the impact on PSA postoperatively and the significance of residual benign prostatic cells after prostatectomy. METHODS: The information for this review was compiled by searching the Pubmed database. We used Mesh Terms "Prostatectomy" and "Prostatic Neoplasms" and we added "frozen sections" and/or "hyperplasic cells" and/or "benign cells" and/or "positive margins". Furthermore, we review the articles referenced in those studies and editorials letters. RESULTS: Several groups have studied the performance of frozen section during RP to try and assess the risk of positive margins intraoperatively. The controversial sites where they should be performed are the apex, the dorsolateral zones and the bladder neck. They have been performed routinely or when the surgeon decides it, depending on the preoperative or intraoperative findings. CONCLUSIONS: At the present time there is no standardisation in the number, the site and the type of patient where this procedure should be done. The improvement in functional outcomes and biochemical control is not proven.

A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study comparing ertapenem and ceftriaxone followed by appropriate oral therapy for complicated urinary tract infections in adults.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of ertapenem, a new once-daily parenteral beta-lactam, with that of ceftriaxone for the initial empiric treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs). METHODS: In a multicenter, prospective, double-blind study, patients with cUTIs were stratified as to whether they had acute pyelonephritis or other cUTIs (without pyelonephritis) and randomized to receive ertapenem, 1 g once a day, or ceftriaxone, 1 g once a day. After 3 days, patients with a satisfactory clinical response could be switched to an oral antimicrobial agent. RESULTS: Of 258 randomized patients, 97 (55.4%) in the ertapenem group and 53 (63.9%) in the ceftriaxone group were evaluated microbiologically. Almost all patients in each treatment group were switched to oral therapy. The mean duration of therapy was similar in both treatment groups: parenteral, approximately 4 days; total, approximately 13 days. The most common pathogen was Escherichia coli. At the primary efficacy endpoint, 5 to 9 days after treatment, 85.6% of patients who received ertapenem and 84.9% who received ceftriaxone had a favorable microbiologic response, indicating that the two treatment groups were equivalent. The frequency and severity of drug-related adverse events were generally similar in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, ertapenem was as effective as ceftriaxone for the initial treatment of cUTI in adults, was generally well tolerated, and had a similar safety profile.

Prognostic value of DNA ploidy and nuclear morphometry in prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prognostic value of flow cytometry and nuclear morphometry in prostate cancer after androgen deprivation treatment. METHODS: A total of 127 patients with a prostate cancer diagnosis who had undergone androgen suppression were retrospectively studied. The DNA content by flow cytometry and nuclear morphometry was studied from biopsy specimens. In the patients with Stage M0, two multivariate analyses by the Cox proportional regression model were performed to determine whether the experimental variables (DNA content and nuclear area) added independent information to the classic prognostic factors (Gleason score and stage). Using the statistical analysis results, risk groups were created. RESULTS: T and M categories, Gleason score, DNA ploidy, and mean nuclear area proved to have prognostic value in the univariate analysis. For the group of patients free of metastasis (M0), it was possible to create low, intermediate, and high-risk groups using stage and Gleason score with statistically significant differences in survival. Multivariate analysis, combining the classic and experimental variables, selected Gleason score and DNA content as prognostic independent factors. Also, risk groups with statistically significant differences in survival were created. However, the net result of combining both kinds of factors was at least as valuable as the combination of stage and Gleason score in predicting survival. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of DNA ploidy and mean nuclear area do not add enough independent information to improve the predictive value to justify their use in this group of patients treated with hormonal therapy.