[Treatment Outcome of Ureteral Reconstruction Surgery].

We retrospectively reviewed the surgical outcome of ureteral reconstruction that was performed in Asahikawa Medical University Hospital between 2005 and 2021. A total of 14 patients (3 males, 11 females; 15 ureters) were included in this analysis. The median age was 57 years old. The reason for ureteral reconstruction was ureteral injury or stenosis due to pelvic surgery in 9 patients, transurethral lithotripsy for ureteral stone in 3, ureteral invasion of sigmoid colon cancer in one and ovarian cancer in one. The site of ureteral reconstruction was proximal ureter in 2, middle in 3 and distal in 10. The surgical procedure was ureteroneocystostomy with Boari flap in 8 patients (57%), ureteroureterostomy in 4 (21%), transureteroureterostomy in one (7%), and transureteroureterostomy combined with Boari flap for bilateral ureteral stenosis in the remaining patient (7%). Postoperatively, vesicoureteral reflux, ileus and surgical site infection were observed in 3, 2 and 1 patient, respectively. No patient required nephrostomy or ureteral catheter, or any additional procedure after the surgery. There was no episode of febrile urinary tract infection after the surgery. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was, respectivery 75.8 and 78.5 ml/min/1.73 m2 before surgery and at 1-101 months (median of 18) after the surgery. In conclusion, satisfactory outcome was achieved after ureteral reconstruction surgery. We emphasize the importance of selecting the most appropriate procedure for ureteral reconstruction in each patient to prevent renal function deterioration and urinary tract infection.

Uroflowmetry pattern in detrusor underactivity and bladder outlet obstruction in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if uroflowmetry (UFM) curve patterns could differentiate between detrusor underactivity (DU) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). METHODS: A hundred consecutive data sets of male patients who were evaluated using UFM and invasive urodynamics (pressure flow study) were retrospectively collected. DU and BOO were diagnosed according to the bladder contractility index and BOO index. The UFM curve with two or more notches was defined as sawtooth pattern, and the interrupted pattern was defined if several curves with interruptions reducing to zero were noted. We also compared other UFM parameters including maximum and average flow rates (Qmax and Qave), voiding time, time to Qmax, the slope to first peak flow, the number of notches on the curve (sawtooth pattern), the number of curves (interrupted pattern), and the maximum drop on the sawtooth pattern. RESULTS: Twenty-five and forty-nine patients were categorized in the BOO group and the DU group, respectively. The incidence of sawtooth pattern was significantly higher in the DU group (57%) than in the BOO group (32%), while the incidence of interrupted pattern was not different between the two groups (36% in the BOO group and 49% in the DU group). There were significant differences in age (area under the curve = 0.75), prostatic volume (0.67), the slope to first peak flow (0.58), the number of notches on the curve (0.61), and the maximum drop (0.76) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The sawtooth UFM pattern is more common in patients with DU than in those with BOO. New parameters on UFM curve patterns could be helpful to evaluate DU and BOO without invasive urodynamics.

[The Clinical Course of α1 Blocker Discontinuation in Patients with LUTS/BPH Receiving Combination Therapy of Dutasteride and α1 Blocker].

We retrospectively investigated the clinical course of α1 blocker discontinuation in patients who had lower urinary tract symptoms with benign prostate hypertrophy (LUTS/BPH) and received combination therapy ofdutasteride and α1 blocker. Among the patients with LUTS/BPH who had been receiving combination therapy, those who wished to reduce the number ofprescribed drugs and discontinue the use of α1 blocker because ofsymptom improvement were recruited in this study. Symptom scores including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), parameters ofuroflowmetry and prostate volume (PV) were evaluated at the time of α 1 blocker discontinuation. Twenty-two patients discontinued the use of α 1 blocker. The mean PV at the time of α 1 blocker discontinuation was 43.2 ml, and the mean duration ofcombination therapy was 39.4 months. In 11 (50%) patients, dutasteride monotherapy without α1 blocker was maintained for a mean follow-up of 10.5 months (9-12 months) after α1 blocker discontinuation (Non-resumption group). In the other 11 patients (50%), α1 blocker was resumed because ofthe patient's request to resume the use of α1 blocker (Resumption group). The mean length ofdutasteride monotherapy was 4. 5 months (1-8 months) in the resumption group. Compared with the non-resumption group, IPSS total score and storage sub-score ofIPSS at the time of α1 blocker discontinuation were significantly higher in the resumption group. Based on the ROC curve, IPSS total score <16, IPSS voiding/storage symptom score <7, OABSS <7 and PV 54 ml or more at the time of α1 blocker discontinuation were predictors ofnon-resumption of α1 blocker. These results suggest that if LUTS is controlled by a long-term combination therapy ofdutasteride and α1 blocker and still PV is large enough, α1 blocker can be discontinued.

[Initial Experiences of Dynamic Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (DSNB) in Patients with Penile Cancer].

We present 2 cases of penile cancer in which the inguinal lymph node was not palpable and inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) could be safely avoided by conducting dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy (DSNB). The first case was in a 54-year-old man complaining of penile tumor for at least 3 months. We performed partial penectomy and DSNB. The pathological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), pT2-3. There was no cancer metastasis in sentinel nodes (0/2). There has been no recurrence for 6 years after operation. The second case was 65-year-old man suffering from penile tumor for at least 6 months. We performed partial penectomy and DSNB. The pathological diagnosis was SCC,pT2. There was no cancer metastasis in sentinel nodes (0/3). There has been no recurrence for 1 year after operation. ILND has been recommended for intermediate and high-risk penile cancer even in patients with non-palpable inguinal lymph nodes. However,the complication of ILND is very high. DSNB has the potential to avoid ILND if there is no cancer metastasis in sentinel nodes.

Persistence Rate with Tadalafil for Treatment of Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the persistence rate with tadalafil for treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and explored the factors relevant to withdrawal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of male patients who received tadalafil treatment for LUTS. The persistence rate and the reason for withdrawal were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients were examined. Mean age and mean observation period were 71.9 (48-93) years and 15.1 (1-52) months, respectively. During the observation period, 74 patients (48%) withdrew tadalafil. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated a 58% persistence rate at 1 year. The reasons for withdrawal included insufficient efficacy (31 patients, 42%), adverse events (21 patients, 28%), or symptom improvement (8 patients, 11%). Patients who continued tadalafil were significantly younger than those who withdrew it due to insufficient efficiency (71.4 ± 9.6 vs. 74.9 ± 9.1 years). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients withdrew tadalafil due to insufficient efficacy. Older patients are likely to withdraw the treatment because of insufficient efficacy, thus, tadalafil for male LUTS could be more effective for younger patients.

[Relationship between Early Complications after Radical Cystectomy and Psoas Muscle Mass].

Psoas muscle mass index (PMI) is related to sarcopenia. We examined whether PMI is associated with early complications after radical cystectomy. Seventy one male and 29 female patients who were 65 years old or older and who had undergone radical cystectomy at our hospital from April 2005 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Psoas muscle section area was measured manually on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan and normalized by patient's height. Early postoperative complications of grade 3 or more occurred in 12 male (16.9%) and 5 female (17.2%) patients. PMI was lower in male patients who had early postoperative complications of grade 3 or more than in those without complications (5.61 vs 6.54 cm2 /m2, p=0. 08), although the difference was not statistically significant. There was suggested to be a relationship between early postoperative complications after radical cystectomy and preoperative PMI in elderly male patients.

[A Case of Adenocarcinoma of the Reconstructed Bladder 45 Years after Ileocystoplasty].

The patient was a 66-year-old man who had undergone ileocystoplasty and right nephrectomy at the age of 21 for the treatment of urinarytract tuberculosis. He had been receiving hemodialysis from the age of 58. Regular computed tomography (CT) examination at the age of 63 revealed a bladder mass, but the transurethral biopsyof the bladder mass did not reveal malignant findings. At the age of 66, his urine cytology indicated a suspicion of malignancy, and bladder tumor was detected by cystoscopy. The patient was referred to our hospital and we performed transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. Pathological diagnosis was papillaryadenocarcinoma. Because left lower ureteral cancer was also suspected byCT scan, we performed left nephroureterectomy and radical cystectomy. Pathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma of the reconstructed bladder. The patient remains free of disease for 1 year and 11 months after the operation. Forty-five cases of bladder cancer after enterocystoplasty have been reported in Japan. There are no guidelines for follow-up protocols after enterocystoplasty. A long-term follow-up is mandatory because of the possibilityof development of bladder malignancylong after the enterocystoplasty.

Long-term symptomatic outcome after transurethral resection of the prostate: A urodynamics-based assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the long-term outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate before December 2010. Patients had been evaluated by urodynamics and the International Prostate Symptom Score preoperatively, and they were re-evaluated by using the International Prostate Symptom Score at the minimum 7 years after transurethral resection of the prostate. Patients who received any treatments to improve voiding symptoms were defined as having a relapse of voiding dysfunction. The Schäfer nomogram was used to assess the degree of obstruction and detrusor contractility. We assessed the change in International Prostate Symptom Score over time depending on obstruction (Schäfer grade 3-6) versus no obstruction (Schäfer grade 0-2), and normal detrusor contractility (strong and normal) versus detrusor underactivity (weak and very weak). Relapse rates of voiding dysfunction were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were included. The mean age at transurethral resection of the prostate was 69.8 years, and the mean observation period after transurethral resection of the prostate was 114 months. During the observation period, eight patients (21%) were categorized as relapse of voiding dysfunction and the mean time to relapse was 4.2 years. Patients categorized as no obstruction or detrusor underactivity had a higher recurrence rate of voiding dysfunction with a statistical significance between those with versus without obstruction. Except for patients with relapse of voiding dysfunction, improvement of the International Prostate Symptom Score was maintained over a period of 10 years after transurethral resection of the prostate. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable long-term symptomatic outcome after transurethral resection of the prostate is likely in patients with urodynamic obstruction. Patients without urodynamic obstruction are likely to have a relapse of voiding symptoms and require additional treatments in the long term.

Long-term persistence with mirabegron in a real-world clinical setting.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the long-term persistence rate with mirabegron in a real-world clinical setting. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of patients who were prescribed mirabegron. We investigated the persistence rate and the reason for the discontinuation. The analysis included patient's age, diagnosis, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, prostatic volume, the prescription by specialists for lower urinary tract dysfunction, drug-naïve patients, replacement of antimuscarinics or add-on therapy to antimuscarinics. RESULTS: A total of 556 patients were included. Among them, 401 patients (72%) had overactive bladder and the other 155 (28%) were categorized as having other storage symptoms. During the observation period, 170 patients (42%) with overactive bladder discontinued mirabegron. The reasons for discontinuation in patients with overactive bladder included unmet expectation of treatment (45 patients, 26%), any adverse events (38 patients, 22%) or symptom improvement (37 patients, 22%). The persistence or discontinuation was not related with age, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, prostatic volume or the prescription by specialists, while older male patients tended to continue mirabegron. The 3-year persistence rates in female and male overactive bladder patients were 46% and 51%, respectively, and these were better than those in patients with storage symptoms without urgency. In female overactive bladder patients, the persistence rate with mirabegron used as add-on therapy to antimuscarinics was higher than that in the drug-naïve patients on the Kaplan-Meier curve. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows a relatively good long-term persistence rate with mirabegron in overactive bladder patients, notwithstanding the retrospective study in an academic hospital. The combined treatment with antimuscarinics could result in a good persistence rate with mirabegron.

Urodynamic Efficacy and Safety of Mirabegron Add-on Treatment with Tamsulosin for Japanese Male Patients with Overactive Bladder.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate urodynamic efficacy and safety of mirabegron add-on treatment with tamsulosin for Japanese male patients with overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in 26 consecutive male patients with OAB who had been taking tamsulosin. OAB was diagnosed by overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS). Before and 8 weeks after mirabegron add-on treatment with preceding tamsulosin, we assessed OABSS, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), free uroflowmetry (UFM), filling cystometry and pressure-flow study (PFS). RESULTS: Mean age and prostate volume of the study patients were 75 ± 7 years and 32 ± 19 mL, respectively. Mirabegron significantly improved OABSS (from 8.5 ± 2.3 to 4.7 ± 2.5, P < 0.001). On free UFM, mirabegron significantly increased voided volume (from 135 ± 47 to 182 ± 102 mL, P = 0.01), maximum (from 10.7 ± 3.7 to 13.5 ± 6.4 mL/sec, P < 0.01) and average flow rate (from 5.5 ± 1.9 to 7.1 ± 3.3 mL/sec, P < 0.01), while postvoid residual urine volume did not change significantly (from 47 ± 38 to 63 ± 61 mL, P = 0.23). Before mirabegron, 24 patients (92%) had detrusor overactivity (DO). After mirabegron add-on, maximum cystometric capacity significantly increased from 170 ± 98 to 212 ± 95 mL (P = 0.01) and DO disappeared in six patients (25%). In the other 18 patients with persistent DO, amplitude of involuntary contraction decreased and bladder volume at first involuntary contraction increased with statistical significance. On PFS, detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate (from 79 ± 31 to 68 ± 19 cmH2 O, P = 0.10) or bladder contractility index (from 126 ± 39 to 120 ± 27, P = 0.45) did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Mirabegron add-on treatment with tamsulosin has efficacy and safety because it improves storage symptom without impairment of bladder contractility during voiding in male patients with OAB.

Combination of GnRH Antagonist Degarelix and Antiandrogen Is Effective in PSA Reduction and Bone Management in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of combination treatment of degarelix and antiandrogen in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We prospectively investigated the efficacy of combination treatment of degarelix and antiandrogen in 12 patients with treatment-naive prostate cancer. We surveyed PSA, LH, FSH and testosterone at day 3, 7, 14 and 28 during the initial month and thereafter once a month for 1 year. In cases with bone metastasis, we analyzed serum bone markers such as alkaline phosphatase(ALP), bone-type ALP and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type- I collagen once a month. Skeletal related events (SREs) were also monitored. RESULTS: PSA progression free survival was 65%. PSA was reduced from baseline by 80% at day 14 and by 93% at day 28. In all patients serum testosterone immediately reached castrate level at day 3 and was maintained for 1 year without breakthrough escape. Both LH and FSH were reduced to within normal range at day 3. In contrast, all bone markers temporarily increased at day 28, and thereafter decreased. Although 2 patients had suffered from SREs before treatment, there were no SREs after combination treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that combination of degarelix and antiandrogen could lead to favorable PSA reduction and immediate castrate level at an earlier phase. However, further study is needed to compare the difference between degarelix monotherapy and these combinations.

Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Considerations for Non-Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Children.

Non-neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in children is very common in clinical practice and is important as an underlying cause of lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux in affected children. LUTD in children is caused by multiple factors and might be related with a delay in functional maturation of the lower urinary tract. Behavioral and psychological problems often co-exist in children with LUTD and bowel dysfunction. Recent findings in functional brain imaging suggest that bladder bowel dysfunction and behavioral and psychiatric disorders in children might share common pathophysiological factors in the brain. Children with suspected LUTD should be evaluated properly by detailed history taking, validated questionnaire on voiding and defecation, voiding and bowel diary, urinalysis, screening ultrasound, uroflowmetry and post-void residual measurement. Invasive urodynamic study such as videourodynamics should be reserved for children in whom standard treatment fails. Initial treatment of non-neurogenic LUTD is standard urotherapy comprising education of the child and family, regular optimal voiding regimens and bowel programs. Pelvic floor muscle awareness, biofeedback and neuromodulation can be used as a supplementary purpose. Antimuscarinics and α-blockers are safely used for overactive bladder and dysfunctional voiding, respectively. For refractory cases, botulinum toxin A injection is a viable treatment option. Prudent use of urotherapy and pharmacotherapy for non-neurogenic LUTD should have a better chance to cure various problems and improve self-esteem and quality of life in affected children.

[A Case Report of Suspected Tuberculous Granuloma in the Kidney after BCG Perfusion Therapy for Urothelial Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis].

A 66-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital for bilateral renal pelvic tumors. Ureteroscopic biopsy revealed urothelial carcinoma (UC) of low grade (G1) of the renal pelvis. Renal sparing treatment with systemic chemotherapy and percutaneous tumor resection was performed. However, during subsequent follow up, a recurrent tumor was found on the left ureter. After ureteroscopic laser ablation of the tumor, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) perfusion therapy (once a week, total 6 weeks) was performed via a single J ureteral catheter with no adverse events. Later, another recurrent recurrence was found on the right ureter, and was managed by ureteroscopic laser ablation followed by BCG perfusion therapy via a single J ureteral catheter. However, the patient developed high fever with chill from the day after initial BCG perfusion therapy on the right side. Although we started antibiotics, high fever continued. Then antituberculous drugs were administered and his condition was improved. Computed tomographic scan revealed a right renal mass 57 mm in diameter, which was consistent with tuberculous granuloma. The tuberculous granuloma persisted despite the continuation of anti-tuberculous drugs. In exceptional cases of upper tract UC such as single kidney and bilateral tumor, BCG perfusion therapy has been used as adjunctive treatment to cure or prevent UC. However, dosages and administration methods of BCG perfusion therapy for upper tract UC still remain to be standardized. Serious adverse events after BCG perfusion therapy require prompt and proper management including the use of anti-tuberculous drugs.

[Successful Management by Immunoglobulin for Sunitinib-Induced Thrombocytopenia in a Patient with Advanced Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma].

An 81-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a right renal tumor with vena cava thrombus and multiple lung metastases that were detected by computed tomography (CT) scan during evaluation of respiratory discomfort. We started medical treatment with sunitinib at a dose of 50 mg daily in a 2-week-on, 1-week-off schedule after confirming clear cell renal cell carcinoma by tumor biopsy. After 2-week sunitinib treatment, thrombocytopenia continued and platelet count decreased to 1.8×10(9)/l at day 11 after stopping sunitinib. We needed to administer a total of 60 units platelet transfusion because of persistent thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow aspiration did not reveal myelosuppression or carcinoma invasion to bone marrow. Under the clinical diagnosis of drug-induced thrombocytopenia secondary to sunitinib, we started immunoglobulin therapy at day 23 after stopping sunitinib. Platelet count returned to normal 10 days after starting immunoglobulin. The patient developed exacerbating lung metastasis and carcinomatous lymphangiosis during subsequent course and died of renal cell carcinoma 79 days after starting sunitinib. Thrombocytopenia after sunitinib therapy is often encountered but prolonged thrombocytopenia is rare after stopping sunitinib. This case suggests that immunoglobulin therapy is effective for drug-induced prolonged thrombocytopenia through immunological mechanism.

Association between Chronic Periodontal Disease and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Both Sexes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between chronic periodontal disease (CPD) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in both sexes. METHODS: The interview sheet of the CPD self-checklist and LUTS was distributed to 600 adult men and women (300 each) who visited the first dental examination at dental clinics. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire/Quality Of Life (IPSS/QOL) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) were used to assess LUTS. The relationship between the CPD score and LUTS or OAB was examined. RESULTS: The interview sheet was collected from 88 men (50.9 ± 16.6 years old) and 97 women (51.1 ± 15.5 years old). There was no statistically significant correlation between the CPD score and age, or between the CPD score and the presence of LUTS in either men or women. However, urgency and weak stream score of IPSS were significantly correlated with the severity of CPD in both sexes. Significant correlation between the severity of CPD and the presence of OAB was only noted in men but not in women. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated for the first time that some storage and voiding symptoms were significantly associated with CPD in both sexes. Thus, although CPD and LUTS seem to have common pathophysiological factors, the interrelationship between CPD and LUTS is slightly different between men and women.

Improvement of Overactive Bladder Symptoms and Bladder Ischemia with Dutasteride in Patients with Benign Prostatic Enlargement.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation of clinical and urodynamic parameters with bladder vascular resistance before and after dutasteride treatment in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic enlargement. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in 30 consecutive patients with benign prostatic enlargement who had not been satisfied with alpha-adrenergic antagonist monotherapy. Before and 24 weeks after dutasteride add-on treatment, we assessed International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate volume (PV), urodynamic study and contrast-enhanced color Doppler ultrasonography to measure bladder vascular resistive index (RI). RESULTS: Twenty-four weeks after dutasteride, PV significantly decreased from 68 ± 29 to 48 ± 28 mL (P < 0.001), and there was significant improvement of IPSS (from 18.8 ± 7.7 to 13.4 ± 7.2, P < 0.001). Urgency score of IPSS was also significantly improved from 2.3 ± 1.9 to 1.4 ± 1.4 (P < 0.01) after dutasteride. On pressure-flow study, bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) (from 58 ± 36 to 38 ± 27, P < 0.001) and detrusor pressure at Qmax (PdetQmax) (from 73 ± 34 to 54 ± 25 cmH2 O, P < 0.001) were significantly improved. RI significantly decreased after dutasteride (from 0.548 ± 0.069 to 0.486 ± 0.064, P < 0.001). In 20 patients with persistent urgency after dutasteride, RI was less improved than in another 10 patients without urgency (change of RI 0.045 ± 0.091 vs. 0.096 ± 0.042, P < 0.05). Post-treatment BOOI and PdetQmax in patients with persistent urgency was significantly higher than in those without urgency after dutasteride (BOOI: 46 ± 28 vs. 24 ± 20, P < 0.05, PdetQmax: 62 ± 26 vs. 40 ± 17 cmH2 O, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of obstruction and improvement of bladder ischemia might play an important role in a beneficial impact of dutasteride on overactive bladder symptoms.

[Efficacy of combination therapy with mirabegron for anticholinergic-resistant neurogenic bladder: videourodynamic evaluation].

Using a videourodynamic study, we examined the efficacy of combination therapy with mirabegron for anticholinergic-resistant neurogenic bladder. We retrospectively studied 7 patients with neurogenic bladder (5 males and 2 females) who had detrusor overactivity (DO) or low compliance bladder (＜10 ml/cmH2O) despite taking anticholinergic medication. Bladder deformity was categorized from G0 to G3 by Ogawa's classification. Mean age of study patients was 51 years (25-76). Underlying diseases were spinal cord injury in 3 patients, spina bifida in 2, spinal cord infarction in 1, and post-radical hysterectomy in 1. Preceding anticholinergic medication was solifenacin 5 mg in 1 patient, solifenacin 10 mg in 5, and tolterodine 4 mg in 1. Before mirabegron, bladder deformity was G1 in 4 patients, G2 in 1 and G3 in 2, and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was detected in 3 patients. Five and 4 patients had detrusor overactivity and low compliance bladder, respectively. Videourodynamic study was reevaluated at a mean of 7 months (2- 12 months) after mirabegron. After mirabegron, urinary incontinence was improved in all patients. G3 bladder deformity was improved to G2 and G1 in one patient each, and VUR disappeared in all 3 patients. DO disappeared in 2 of the 5 patients, and bladder compliance was improved in all 4 patients with low compliance bladder. In conclusion, combination therapy of mirabegron is effective and beneficial for anticholinergic-resistant neurogenic bladder.

[Perioperative complications of transurethral resection of bladder tumor in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy].

We examined perioperative complications of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy. We retrospectively studied 276 patients who underwent TURBT in our institute from January 2007 to March 2013. The study group consisted of 105 patients (38%) who were receiving antithrombotic agents, and the other 171 patients (62%) without antithrombotic agents were assigned to the control group. The period of discontinuation of antithrombotic agents complied with our institutional rule. The most frequently used agent was aspirin (69 patients : 66%), followed by warfarin (25 patients : 24%). Fourteen patients receiving warfarin (56%) needed heparin bridging therapy. There was no significant difference in average operative time (51 minutes versus 54 minutes), or average days to removal of urethral catheter (3.7 days versus 3.3 days) between the study and control groups. Hemorrhagic and ischemic complications were noted in 11 (10.5%) and 2 (1.9%) patients in the study group and 11 (6.4%) and none (0%) of the patients in the control group, respectively, with no significant difference between the 2 groups. However, prevalence of hemorrhagic complications in patients receiving heparin bridging therapy (21.4%) was significantly higher than that in the control group. Ischemic complications in the study group included chest pain suggestive of angina in one patient and acute myocardial infarction leading to death in another patient. We should pay attention to hemorrhagic complications in patients receiving heparin bridging therapy and keep in mind the possibility of lethal ischemic complications after discontinuation of antithrombotic agents.

Decreased urinary nerve growth factor reflects prostatic volume reduction and relief of outlet obstruction in patients with benign prostatic enlargement treated with dutasteride.

OBJECTIVES: To examine urinary nerve growth factor before and after dutasteride treatment, and to analyze correlations between clinical parameters and change of urinary nerve growth factor in patients with benign prostatic enlargement. METHODS: We prospectively studied 30 patients with benign prostatic enlargement who had not been satisfied with α-adrenergic antagonist monotherapy for more than 3 months. Before and 24 weeks after dutasteride add-on treatment, we assessed International Prostate Symptom Score, prostatic volume, filling cystometry and pressure-flow study. Urinary nerve growth factor was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and normalized to the urinary creatinine (nerve growth factor/creatinine) before and 24 weeks after dutasteride add-on treatment. RESULTS: In baseline characteristics before dutasteride, there was no significant correlation between urinary nerve growth factor/creatinine and any clinical parameters including age, International Prostate Symptom Score, prostatic volume, presence of detrusor overactivity, detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate, bladder outlet obstruction index or bladder contractility index. Dutasteride significantly reduced prostatic volume (from 68 ± 31 mL to 49 ± 28 mL) and improved International Prostate Symptom Score (from 17.2 ± 8.7 to 13.1 ± 6.8), storage (from 8.0 ± 4.3 to 6.0 ± 2.9) and voiding symptom subscore of International Prostate Symptom Score (from 9.3 ± 5.7 to 7.1 ± 4.5). In urodynamic study, detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate (from 77 ± 32 cmH2 O to 59 ± 24 cmH2 O) and bladder outlet obstruction index (from 62 ± 32 to 42 ± 27) were significantly decreased after dutasteride treatment. Urinary nerve growth factor/creatinine was significantly decreased after dutasteride from 2.61 ± 2.50 to 1.64 ± 1.68. The change of urinary nerve growth factor/creatinine significantly correlated only with the change of prostatic volume (r = 0.38) and bladder outlet obstruction index (r = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary nerve growth factor decreases in association with reduction of prostatic volume and relief of bladder outlet obstruction. Urinary nerve growth factor might be useful as a biomarker to monitor the improvement of bladder outlet obstruction in patients with benign prostatic enlargement.

[Successful conservative management of blunt renal rupture in a girl].

An 11-year-old girl visited the emergency room of our hospital with complaints of pain, nausea and gross hematuria after abdominal injury due to a fall from a fence. Computed tomography (CT) showed ruptured right kidney, hematoma, urinoma, and slight liver damage in S7 area. According to the Classification of Renal Injury by the Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma, this case was Type IIIb, but according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Severity Scale for the Kidney, it was Type V. Because her vital signs were stable after admission, conservative management was initiated. There was no progression of anemia, and blood transfusion was not required. Right ureteral stenting was performed on the 4th hospital day because of an increase in fluid accumulation around the right kidney. Percutaneous drainage was performed on the 9th hospital day because of a further increase in fluid accumulation around the right kidney. After percutaneous drainage, fluid accumulation around the kidney was improved, and the drainage tube was removed on the 20th hospital day. The patient was discharged on the 22nd day. Although the decreased blood flow in the ruptured portion of the right kidney was observed in a subsequent CT scan, renal scintigraphy showed a relatively well maintained function of the right kidney (split renal function; right 38% and left 62%). She had no increase in blood pressure one year after renal injury.