Routine urethroscopic surveillance is of limited value after radical cystectomy: a single centre retrospective cohort analysis.

PURPOSE: The incidence of urethral recurrence (UR) following radical cystectomy (RC) for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder varies between 1.5 and 6%. There is debate over the timing of urethrectomy for patients undergoing RC. We evaluated the requirement for a formal surveillance programme for UR in patients after RC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent RC between 2006 and 2019. Females, non-TCC cases and patients with neo-bladder diversions were excluded. Histological prostatic urethral involvement at the time of RC was deemed high risk for UR. Carcinoma in-situ, multifocal tumours and bladder neck involvement were deemed intermediate risk and the absence of the above features was considered low risk. RESULTS: 417 patients underwent RC, 300 cases remained after exclusion criteria were applied. 42 patients were high-risk for UR, 102 patients were intermediate risk and 156 were low risk. Of the 300, 24 urethrectomy cases were recorded. Six cases of UR occurred. Of these, 5 presented with symptoms and only 1 case was detected by surveillance. Only 1 low-risk patient developed UR, 7 years post RC. Using our risk stratification, UR rates for high, intermediate and low-risk cohorts were 25%, 10.5% and 0.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, routine surveillance for all patients with annual urethroscopy was of limited value in detecting UR post RC. Staged Urethrectomy for high and intermediate-risk patients, and patient counselling in self-identification of recurrence symptoms for low-risk patients will improve the early detection of UR.

Assessment of Age and Duration of Symptoms on Outcomes of Emergency Scrotal Exploration for Acute Scrotal Pain.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of age and duration of symptoms on the outcomes of scrotal explorations for acute scrotal pain at our institution. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Bradford Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, from January 2006 to December 2017. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective data was collected from electronic case records of the patients who required scrotal exploration for suspected torsion of the testis. Group difference between continuous variables (age and duration of symptoms) were assessed by Kruskal Wallis and independent samples Mann-Whitney U-tests. The Fisher Exact and Chisquare tests were used to analyse relationships between categorical data. RESULTS: In total, 502 patients required scrotal exploration. The median age (years) and duration of symptoms (hours) were 16.4 years (1.3 - 77) and 4 hours (1 - 336), respectively. Torsion of the testis was found in 231 (46%), torsion of the testicular appendix in 126 (25%), epididymal inflammation in 46 (9.2%), and no cause identified in 99 (19.7%). Immediate orchidectomy for non-viable testis performed in 34 (14.7% of TT group and 6.8% of the overall cohort). Duration of symptoms was significantly associated with risk of orchidectomy in torsion patients 4 vs. 27 hours (p <0.0001). Overall 47 (9.3%) patients presented after 12 hours, 22 (46.8%) had TT. There were 13 (2.6%) patients older than 40 years and 8 (61.5%) of these had torsion. CONCLUSION: The most commonest diagnosis for patients presenting with acute scrotal pain was torsion of the testis followed by torsion of appendix testis. Testicular salvage was inversely related to the duration of symptoms. Patient's age did not predict the need for orchidectomy. This data supports the practice of urgent scrotal exploration for acute scrotal pain with a clinical suspicion of torsion regardless of age and duration of symptoms.

Orally-disintegrating Tablets in Fixed-dose Combination Containing Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Salbutamol Sulphate Prepared by Direct Compression: Formulation Design, Development and In Vitro Evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To design a formulation and develop ODTs of AMB hydrochloride and salbutamol sulphate in combination for the treatment of respiratory disorders and perform an in vitro evaluation using superdisintegrants in combination with a suitable binder and excipients. Direct compression was used to prepare the tablets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present research work, different concentrations of SSG as a superdisintegrant were used to optimize the concentration of SSG in the formulation of ODTs. Different concentrations of MCC and PVP K-30 were also studied along with the optimized SSG concentration. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, wetting time, in vitro DT, and percentage drug content uniformity. The optimized formulation was further evaluated in an in vitro release study, and drug-excipient compatibility and accelerated stability study. RESULTS: The optimized concentration of SSG was found as 4% on the basis of the lowest DT. The 1% concentration of MCC was selected as the optimum binder concentration on the basis of the lowest DT. ODTs passed all the quality control tests viz., weight variation, hardness, friability, in vitro DT, drug content (%) and wetting time. The formulation satisfied the requirements of the FDA for rapid-dissolving tablets and allowed more than 85% drug to be released within 30 min. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study revealed that there was no interaction between the drug and excipients. The accelerated stability study shows that formulation is quite stable at normal temperature and humidity conditions as well as at extreme temperature conditions. CONCLUSION: By adopting a systematic formulation approach, ODTs of AMB hydrochloride and salbutamol sulphate in fixed-dose combination can be formulated using superdisintegrants in combination with appropriate binder and excipients; this was found to be economical and industrially feasible.

Urinary tract dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: a review.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease is an extrapyramidal neurological disorder. Although motor symptoms are a predominant feature of the condition, non-motor symptoms have also been recognized. Urinary symptoms are frequently present in patients affected with Parkinson's disease (PD). Symptoms such as urgency, frequency, nocturia and urge incontinence significantly impact the patient's quality of life. We discuss the urinary dysfunction seen in patients with Parkinson's disease and consider the pathophysiology, important differentials, the investigations and management options for such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive search was performed using the PubMed(®)/EMBASE(®) databases to identify the available literature on urinary disturbances and Parkinson's disease. Reference was also made to current national guidelines on Parkinson's disease. RESULTS: Urinary disturbances are frequently observed in sufferers of Parkinson's disease resulting in significant impact to the individual's quality of life. Studies report that storage symptoms are present in 57-83% of patients, whereas voiding symptoms are seen in 17-27% patients. Out of all the urinary symptoms, nocturia is the most common complaint in >60% patients with PD. Urgency occurs in 33-54% of patients, whilst frequency is experienced by 16-36% of patients. Detrusor overactivity (DO) is the commonest cystometric abnormality in patients with PD. The rate of neurogenic DO in patients with PD is 45-93%. The main differential to consider is Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) in which all patients are ultimately afflicted with urinary disturbance. It is well recognized that patients initially diagnosed with PD may in fact have MSA, and it is important to distinguish the two as their urological management is different. Patients presenting with refractory LUTS with concurrent PD should undergo full urodynamic investigation including cystometry, flowmetry and ultrasonography before treatment is initiated. DISCUSSION: Referral to a urologist is advised in those with persistent or refractory urinary complaints. Urodynamic evaluation allows determination of the underlying bladder disorder; however, post-void residuals suffice in the uncomplicated patient. The pathophysiology of urinary dysfunction and current investigation and treatment modalities are discussed.

Transpupillary thermotherapy for idiopathic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the management of idiopathic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: This was a prospective, non-controlled, clinical case trial involving 21 eyes of 21 patients with a mean age of 36 years. All 21 eyes had idiopathic subfoveal CNV and were subjected to diode laser TTT. Laser beam size ranged from 1.2 mm to 3.0 mm and power settings ranged between 300 mW and 600 mW. The end-point was an area of no visible colour change. Pre- and post-laser evaluations of ETDRS visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography were carried out. RESULTS: The nine predominantly occult and 12 predominantly classic subfoveal membranes were followed-up for a mean of 5.1 months after TTT. Overall, 17 eyes (81%) showed improvement or stabilization in ETDRS visual acuity. Contrast sensitivity improved in 17 eyes (81%). Reading speed improved in 15 eyes (71%). Retreatment was needed in three eyes (14%). CONCLUSION: Transpupillary thermotherapy treatment is a potential strategy for treating idiopathic subfoveal CNV in both its classic and occult forms.