[POSTERIOR PERIURETHRAL ABSCESSES DUE TO NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE POSED DIAGNOSTIC DIFFICULTIES].

Posterior periurethral abscesses due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae are rare and thus difficult to diagnose and treat. We diagnosed this type of abscess using MRI and treated it conservatively.A 27-year-old man presented with perineal discomfort that had persisted for 1 week. Physical and CT findings indicated a prostate abscess, but MRI after admission revealed a multilocular mass in the posterior periurethra and polymerase chain reaction was positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The posterior periurethral abscess was treated with Ceftriaxone and drainage via a cystostomy. This strategy improved the inflammation and CT confirmed the disappearance of the abscess from start of therapy in 43 days.

[Marked efficacy of multimodality therapy for ureteral cancer producing granulocyte colony-stmimulating factor].

A 69-year-old man was admitted with the chief complaint of macroscopic hematuria. Computerized tomography (CT) and ureteroscopy showed right ureter cancer. Right nephroureterectomy and partial cystectomy were performed. Histological examination revealed urothelial carcinoma of ureter (Grade3, pT3, INFbeta, ly1). The patient underwent two courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin. Three months later, abdominal CT showed a mass in his right obturatorius area. The patient's white blood cell count was 34,140 cells/microl. Additionally serum analysis revealed high value of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), 596 pg/ml with no obvious focus. After being diagnosed with recurrent ureteral cancer producing G-CSF, the patient underwent secondary chemotherapy with gemcitabine and docetaxel. After three courses of chemotherapy, CT revealed a marked decrease in tumor size, and the value of G-CSF declined at 31 pg/nl. Subsequently, radiotherapy (60 Gy) was administered. The patient has been alive for 16 months.

Sunitinib treatment for refractory malignant pheochromocytoma.

We report the clinical response and adverse events of a female patient treated for recurrent malignant pheochromocytoma using the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib. A 41-year-old woman underwent adrenectomy and nephrectomy forpotentially malignant adrenal pheochromocytoma. Fifty-four months after surgery, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine((131)I-MIBG) scintigraphy revealed multiple tumors in the liver. Two chemotherapy protocols were administered in succession (first line: cyclophosphamide/vinblastine/dacarbazine; second line: cisplatin/docetaxel/ifomide). Despite these treatments, however, the tumors continued to progress. Treatment with sunitinib was initiated, but the patient quickly developed critical hypertension caused by tumor lysis syndrome. The sunitinib dose was reduced, and a partial response, as defined by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), was observed after 6 treatment cycles. Moreover, no severe adverse events occurred during this lower-dose sunitinib treatment. Unfortunately, sunitinib treatment became unaffordable for the patient, who eventually resorted to palliative care and died 37 months later. This case study is consistent with previous reports indicating that appropriate doses of sunitinib can induce a partial antitumor response in patients with refractory pheochromocytoma.

Complete remission of renal cell carcinoma with lung metastases in two hemodialysis patients after low-dose interferon therapy.

A standard immunotherapy strategy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in dialysis patients has yet to be established. In this study, we report complete remission of RCC with lung metastases in 2 hemodialysis patients after low-dose interferon therapy (Sumiferon® 3 × 106 international unit 3 times a week). These results suggest that interferon therapy is important for clear cell RCC with lung metastases in dialysis patients, even in the era of molecular-targeted therapies.

[A case of testicular tumor with inferior vena cava thrombus].

A 31-year-old man presented with edema in left lower leg and dyspnea. Computed tomographic scanning detected a right testicular tumor, multiple lung nodules, and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. After insertion of an IVC filter, high inguinal orchiectomy was performed after the first combination chemotherapy. Pathological examination demonstrated an embryonal carcinoma with vascular invasion and direct tumoral extension into the right spermatic cord. According to our survey, this is the 14th case of testicular tumor with IVC thrombus in Japan.

Microscope-assisted reduction clitoroplasty used to treat two patients with clitoromegaly.

We report 2 cases of clitoromegaly, 1 in a patient with true hermaphroditism, and the other in a patient with adrenogenital syndrome. Both were treated surgically with reduction clitoroplasty. There are 3 different clitoroplasty procedures: clitorectomy, clitoral recession, and reduction clitoroplasty. Reduction clitoroplasty with preservation of the neurovascular bundle is considered superior in terms of formation of the external genitals and sensation. However, the disadvantages are that detachment of the neurovascular bundle from the clitoral shaft is difficult and that there is a high possibility of sensory and blood flow disorders in the clitoris. In an attempt to achieve safe and reliable surgical manipulation, we used a surgical microscope (OPMI 6-SDFC, Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH, magnification x8) to detach the neurovascular bundle from the clitoral shaft in our 2 patients. Our impression is that our efforts were extremely effective. Furthermore, our experience leads us to believe that the procedure for neurovascular bundle detachment required in reduction clitoroplasty is not particularly difficult if performed with a surgical microscope by a plastic surgeon who regularly performs microsurgery. Because the procedure can be performed simply and safely, we believe that reduction clitoroplasty with preservation of the neurovascular bundle is the best overall of the 3 clitoroplasty procedures.

Relation of leukocytosis in prostatic fluid and inflamed prostatic tissue.

In our continuing investigation of the significance of leukocytosis in prostatic fluid (PF), the relation of leukocytosis in PF to that in selected sections of prostate with significant inflammation was studies with whole-mount specimens obtained at radical prostatectomy from 12 patients with prostate cancer. Although leukocytosis was observed both in PF and in prostate tissue in all 12 patients, there was no correlation between the leukocyte count in PF and the intensity of inflammation. However, the ratio of macrophages among leukocytes in PF correlated with the number of ducts filled with macrophages in prostate tissue (p=0.0481). This finding was consistent with our previous finding that activation of macrophages in PF reflects active inflammation in prostate tissue. Further studies are needed to clarify the roles of macrophages and whole leukocytes in PF and prostate tissue.

Significance of noninvasive diagnosis of prostate cancer with cytologic examination of prostatic fluid.

OBJECTIVES: While reassessing the value of exfoliative cytologic examination of prostatic fluid (PF) for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, we found that PF is easily obtained with transrectal ultrasonography during prostate biopsy and that cytologic examination of PF is useful for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. METHODS: The cohort included 53 consecutive patients who underwent transrectal prostate biopsy from May through September 2005. Patient age was 66.7 +/- 7.24 years, and the mean concentration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 15.1 +/- 25.8 ng/ml. The PF for cytologic examination was obtained before biopsy, and Papanicolaou's staining was performed. The results of cytologic examination are expressed as class 1 to 5. Results of cytologic examination and prostate tissue pathologic examination were analyzed. Patient age, PSA levels, total prostate volume (TPV), and PF volume were compared with cytologic class by means of analysis of variance. RESULTS: The mean PF volume was 378.4 +/- 245.3 microl, and the mean TPV was 38.0 +/- 18.8 ml. The numbers of patient in classes 1 to 5 were 1 (1.9%), 37 (69.8%), 11 (20.7%), 1 (1.9%), and 3 (5.7%), respectively. Pathologic examination showed 23 (43.4%) cases of cancer, 27 (50.9%) cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and 3 (5.7%) cases of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. All three patients with class 5 results had prostate cancer (Gleason score, 7 to 10). All 9 patients with a PSA level greater than 16 ng/ml had biopsy-proven cancer, and 3 of these 9 patients (33.3%) were in cytology class 5. Therefore, PF cytologic examination showed a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 33.3% in patients with PSA levels higher than 16 ng/ml. The cytologic classes differed in PSA levels (F=8.271, P=0.000) but not in patient age, TPV, or PF volume. CONCLUSIONS: Exfoliative cytologic examination of PF is a valuable, noninvasive method for detecting prostate cancer, especially in patients with high PSA levels.

Study of prostatic fluid from patients with elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen.

INTRODUCTION: Characteristics of prostatic fluid (PF), which can be obtained in large amounts during screening transrectal ultrasound just before prostate biopsy to detect prostate cancer, were investigated. These characteristics include the amount of PF obtained and the number of leukocytes in PF, which would be useful for planning cell-biological or immunological studies of leukocytes in PF and for increasing the understanding of prostatitis in elderly men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The volume of PF and the number of leukocytes in PF were measured in 50 patients suspected of having prostate cancer because of elevated levels of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Correlations of the volume of PF, the number of leukocytes per milliliter, the total leukocyte number with age and prostate volume and correlation of PSA levels with the number of leukocytes per milliliter and total leukocyte number were also investigated. RESULTS: The average patient age was 67.2 years, and PF specimens were obtained from 43 of the 50 patients (86%). The mean +/- SD of PF volume, number of leukocytes in PF, and total leukocyte number were 347.65 +/- 305.76 microl, 4.84 +/- 6.07 x 10(6) /ml, and 1.47 +/- 2.10 x 10(6), respectively. A correlation was observed only between the total leukocyte number and the volume of the transitional zone (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide information for investigators to plan cell-biological or immunological studies of leukocytes in PF and for understanding prostatitis in elderly men.

Urethral stent (Angiomed-Memotherm) implantation in high-risk patients with urinary retention.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) has been established as the golden standard for the treatment of urinary retention in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, TUR-P is not performed on patients with certain high-risk complications. We have obtained favorable results using urethral stent (Angiomed-Memotherm) implantation to treat high-risk urinary retention patients. Here, we review the results obtained on 15 patients treated using this procedure. Two patients experienced recurrent urinary retention; in one patient, the stent had to be removed due to stone formation; in the remaining 12 patients, urination was favorable after stent implantation. Also, urethral stent implantation was found to be useful in 4 of the 7 patients with neurogenic bladder (rather than BPH) as the underlying disease. The present technique is convenient and noninvasive, and we strongly believe that it can improve the patient's quality of life (QOL) by facilitating urination in high-risk patients who would otherwise require urethral catheterization.

Diagnosing the location of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder using pirarubicin hydrochloride.

INTRODUCTION: No established technique for locating solitary carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder or CIS accompanying bladder cancer has been determined. Here we investigated whether the location of CIS of the urinary bladder can be macroscopically ascertained by instilling pirarubicin hydrochloride (THP) into the urinary bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We dissolved 50 mg of THP in 50 ml of distilled water, and instilled the resulting solution into the urinary bladder. After 5 min, the urinary bladder is examined using a cystoscope. The study group consisted of 30 subjects (23 men and 7 women). RESULTS: THP uptake was seen in 19 flat (nontumorous) areas of the bladder mucosa in 13 patients. Of these, 11 lesions in 6 patients were confirmed to be CIS. THP uptake was also seen in flat malignant lesions such as bladder cancer invasion into the prostatic urethra, and in benign lesions such as chronic cystitis and urothelial hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The present method can be useful to find easily and macroscopically the location of flat malignant lesions such as CIS.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator for treating small peripheral renal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has been recently applied as a minimally invasive procedure. Several non-ischemic operation devices in partial nephrectomy have been developed. However, the problem related to maintenance of renal homeostasis remains. We investigated the efficacy and safety of a microwave tissue coagulator in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. METHODS: Between April 2001 and February 2003, eleven patients with small renal tumors underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator. Seven patients underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic procedure and 4 pure laparoscopic procedure. RESULTS: The mean tumor size on preoperative CT scan was 2.5 cm (range: 2.0 to 4.0 cm), the mean operative time was 307 minutes (range: 160 to 580 minutes), and the mean estimated blood loss was 154.4 ml (range: 50 to 1,140 ml). The microwave tissue coagulator well controlled the renal bleeding and maintained renal function. All patients safely underwent partial nephrectomy without inducing renal ischemia. A complication of urine leakage was recognized in only one patient with hypoproteinemia caused by nephrotic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator was a useful method for achieving homeostasis, and was less invasive for treating small renal tumors.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in four patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

We report four patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Three patients underwent transurethral resection (TUR) of their tumors, which were grade 2 or 3, stage pT1 TCC. Among them, one patient underwent repeat TUR for recurrent superficial TCC. The remaining one patient underwent total cystectomy for grade 3, stage pT4 TCC and squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. Subsequently, he died suddenly without evidence of local recurrence or systemic metastasis. We discuss the relationship between the duration of HD and the tumor grade and stage of primary bladder TCC in maintenance HD patients.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: initial 30-case experience.

BACKGROUND: We carried out this study to clarify whether the operative methods of laparoscopic prostatectomy established in France could become standard therapy. The purpose was to evaluate the technical feasibility, oncological efficacy, and intraoperative and postoperative morbidity of laparoscopic prostatectomy performed by a general urologist. METHODS: Between June 2000 and August 2002, 30 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed as previously reported by Guillonneau and colleagues. Oncological data were assessed by pathological examination and by postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. All prostatectomy specimens were processed according to the Stanford protocol. Prostate features, including tumor weight; Gleason score; and the tumor status of the capsule, seminal vesicles, and surgical margins were studied. RESULTS: Complete laparoscopic removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles was achieved in all 30 patients. Operating time averaged 325.5 min (range, 165 to 880 min). The transfusion rate for the patients in the series was 50%, using own-blood transfusion (800-1200 ml). No patient required an allogenic blood transfusion. Only 2 of the 30 patients had a positive surgical margin that involved the urethra. There were three complications: bladder injury, rectal injury, and ileus associated with a drainage tube. No vascular, nervous system, or urethral complications were found. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results demonstrated that radical prostatectomy can be performed laparoscopically by general urologists. Laparoscopy offered better luminosity and magnification than conventional procedures, permitting precise dissection. Thus, laparoscopic prostatectomy could be a standard operation for patients with clinically organ-confirmed prostate cancer.