Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic radical cystectomy for male octogenarians with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

This study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) for male octogenarian patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Briefly, a total of 57 male octogenarian patients (A group) with bladder carcinoma were enrolled and underwent LRC and intracorporeal pelvic lymph node dissection with bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy from May 2016 to December 2022. Besides, 63 male patients (age < 80 years old) with bladder carcinoma undergoing LRC and 17 octogenarian male patients with bladder carcinoma undergoing open radical cystectomy (ORC) were enrolled in B and C groups as control. All perioperative clinical materials and outcomes of long-term follow-up, and complication were collected. The specific results were shown as follows. Compared with C group, the operation time and resected lymph node in A group was increased, and the estimated blood loss, the number of transfusion needed, duration of pelvic drainage and hospital stay after surgery was decreased. The death rate and ileus complication rate were higher in A group (12 cases) than in C group (15 cases). The cases of ureteral stricture in A group (13 cases) was decreased compared with that in C group. Overall, LRC and bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy are safe, feasible and better choices for the treatment of male octogenarian patients with MIBC. The octogenarian receiving cutaneous ureterostomy heals slowly and exists certain incomplete intestinal obstruction after surgery.

[An efficient method for isolation of mitochondrial DNA in wheat].

An efficient method for isolation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from etiolated tissues of wheat was developed. The protocol consists of mitochondria isolation with differential centrifugation, Dnase I treatment, lysis with SDS and proteinase K, removing protein by TE-saturated phenol/chloroform extraction and a final RNase A treatment for obtaining mtDNA. The mtDNA samples were tested using spectrophotometry and agarose gel electrophoresis. It was proved that the mtDNA isolated by this method not only have the high yield but also structural complete, and contains no impurities, such as nuclear DNA, RNA and protein. The result showed that this high quality mtDNA can be successfully used in PCR and other genetic studies. In addition, it was found that adjusting the lysis temperature has a noticeable effect on the mtDNA yield.

[Causes of delaying diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism with adrenal adenoma and strategy therefore].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes of delaying diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism with adrenal adenoma and discuss corrective strategies. METHODS: The clinical data of 267 patients of primary hyperaldosteronism with adrenal adenoma confirmed by operation 1995 - 2005 were analyzed. RESULTS: Confirmed diagnosis was made after a duration of (92 +/- 64) months (3 - 40 years) after the first visit. 78.3% of the hospitals where the patients with hypertension made their first visits were grade II hospitals, and 21.3% of them were grade III hospitals. 95.9% of the patients were diagnosed as with primary hypertension at the first visit without receiving relevant imaging examination of adrenal and endocrine examination. 87.3% of the patients with extremity weakness numbness of finger tips were diagnosed as with hypokalemia and more than 10% of them failed to receive examination of blood potassium. Adrenal adenoma was discovered by computed tomography with thin coat screening in 267 patients and by ultrasonography in 151 patients. CONCLUSION: Primary hyperaldosteronism should be considered and screened in all young patients with hypertension. Plasma aldosterone/rennin ratio is an effective mark in screening. The first choice diagnostic means for primary hyperaldosteronism should be computed tomography with screening by coat 2 - 4 mm thin.

A Large Bladder Tumor Covered With a Thick "Shell" of Necrotic Material: Misdiagnosis of a Patient With Spina Bifida.

Bladder tumor arising in a spina bifida patient is rare and may be clinically latent. We report the case of a 61-year-old female patient with spina bifida, neurogenic bladder, and a history of recurrent urinary tract infections. A B-ultrasound and non-contrast computed tomography scan did not reveal any bladder mass, but an unexplained "well-filled" bladder was observed, which was confusing as the catheter was present and open. However, a subsequent cystoscopic evaluation revealed a large bladder mass measuring 9.5 × 9.0 × 6.5 cm³, which almost filled the entire bladder. The mass had coarse and flocculent surface and seemed to be free from each observed wall of the urinary bladder. It was diagnosed as an infectious necrotic mass based on its appearance. During transurethral resection of the mass, a bladder tumor was suspected as small blood vessels and bleeding appeared within the inner layer of the mass. Pathological examination revealed necrotic material, inflammatory cells, and urothelial carcinoma cells. Then, a radical cystectomy was performed, and the pathological results indicated stage pT3bN0M0 transitional cell carcinoma. In the gross specimen, the base of the tumor measured 3 × 3 cm² on the top of the back wall of the bladder. Bladder tumors may have atypical presentations in patients with spina bifida. Regular screening is helpful for earlier detection and improving outcomes of bladder tumors in such patients.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of nonfunctioning pheochromocytomas in 14 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of nonfunctioning pheochromocytoma, and to evaluate the efficacy of 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan in the diagnosis and perioperative treatment of nonfunctioning pheochromocytoma. METHODS: The clinical data of 14 patients with nonfunctioning pheochromocytoma were analyzed retrospectively. Plasma free corticoid, renin, aldosterone, and urine catecholamines levels were estimated. B-mode ultrasonography, computed tomography scan, thoracic X-ray and 131I-MIBG were used. RESULTS: All patients with nonfunctioning pheochromocytoma had no hypertension and the tumors were found incidentally. The 24 hours urine catecholamines levels in 80% (8/10) patients were normal. The positive rate of 131-MIBG was 80% (8/10) and the specificity was 100%. All patients underwent surgical operation of tumor resection. No preoperative volume expansion was given to all patients. All tumors were resected completely, and no death accident happened. There was no recurrence and metastasis after operation by long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: 131I-MIBG scan is the first choice technique for the diagnosis of nonfunctioning pheochromocytoma. Blood volume expansion is unnecessary before resection of pheochromocytoma.

[Effects of doxazosin mosylate and phenoxybenzamine in preoperative volume expansion of pheochromocytoma: a comparative study in 38 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of doxazosin mosylate and phenoxybenzamine in preoperative volume expansion of pheochromocytoma. METHODS: Phenoxybenzamine 30-240 mg/d was given orally to 38 patients of pheochromcytoma for 3 weeks. After the blood pressure was restored to the primary level before taking phenoxybenzamine, doxazosin mosylate 2-8 mg/d was given orally for three weeks. If the maximum dose of doxazosin mosylate (16 mg/d) still failed to achieve efficient blood volume expansion then phenoxybenzamine was added till completely efficient blood volume expansion was achieved. The effect in volume expansion and side effects were observed with the criteria including decrease of blood pressure to less than 120/80 mm Hg and restoration of the microcirculation imaging to normal. RESULTS: All the patients got complete volume expansion after taking phenoxybenzamine with tachycardia occurring in 23 of them and postural hypotension in 13 patients. In the 25 cases mainly with increase of norepinephrine before medical treatment doxazosin mosylate was completely effective in 18 cases with their blood pressure < 180/140 mm Hg; and was partially effective in the other 7 cases with their blood pressure > 180/140 mm Hg of which 2 suffered from postural hypotension. Doxazosin mosylate was partially effective in the other 13 cases mainly with increase of both norepinephrine and epinephrine. The total efficiency rate of these two medicines was not significantly different (chi(2) = 18.05, P > 0.05). The side-effect rate of doxazosin mosylate was significantly lower than that of phenoxybenzamine (chi(2) = 324, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Doxazosin mosylate has a lower complete volume expansion rate and side-effect rate as well for patients of pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytomas with mild or moderate level of blood pressure are indicative of the use of doxazosin mosylate.

[The discussion of standards for clinical functional gradation and preoperative preparation of pheochromocytoma].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the standards for clinical functional gradation and preoperative preparation of pheochromocytoma. METHODS: According to the preoperative clinical manifestations and 24 hr urine catecholamine, 172 cases of pheochromocytomas were divided into 4 grades. Functionary grade 0 including 22 patients was given no volume expansion. Functionary Grade 1 consisted of 17 cases, 10 of which were given phenoxybenzamine orally 5 - 10 mg/d for 1 week (therapeutic group), the rest were control group; the results were analyzed by the chi(2) test. Functionary Grade 2 including 120 patients had phenoxybenzamine orally 30 - 240 mg/d for 4 weeks, hemodynamics and microcirculation image were standards for evaluating volume expansion. Functionary Grade 3 consisted of 13 patients including 1 with acute heart failure, 2 and 10 patients with past history of cerebral hemorrhage and hypertensive crisis respectively, they were treated with enough phenoxybenzamine and other emergent measures. RESULTS: The perioperative blood pressure of Functionary Grade 0 had no fluctuation. The blood pressure of therapeutic group of Functionary Grade 1 had small range fluctuation (< 20 mm Hg), that of the control group was large (> 40 mm Hg). Chi(2) = 13.12, P < 0.01. The hemodynamics of Functionary Grade 2 and Grade 3 recovered within 24 hours postoperatively and no complications occurred. CONCLUSION: According to the function of pheochromocytoma, it is safe and efficient to use different preoperative preparations. Hemodynamics and microcirculation image are golden standards for evaluating preoperative preparations.