Extensive emphysematous pyelonephritis in a renal allograft treated conservatively: case report and review of the literature.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare occurrence in renal allografts. An aggressive approach resulting in transplant nephrectomy is viewed as the standard of care. Over the recent years, treatment with percutaneous drainage (PCD) of the renal and perinephric collections and appropriate antibiotics has been reported with good success in lesser grades of this infection. Only 4 cases of extensive EPN disease with Escherichia coli, treated with conservative management, are reported in the English-language literature. We present a case of severe EPN caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, successfully managed with early PCD, and propose a step-up strategy aimed toward graft preservation.

Prevalence and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in women attending a medical clinic in south India.

BACKGROUND: Reports from India on the prevalence and determinants of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) are scant. AIMS: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for FSD. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey in a medical outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We administered a Tamil version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to 149 married women. We evaluated putative risk factors for FSD. We elicited participant's attributions for their sexual difficulties. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We estimated the prevalence of possible FSD and sexual difficulties from published FSFI total and domain cut-off scores. We used logistic regression to identify risk factors for possible FSD. RESULTS: FSFI total scores suggested FSD in two-thirds of the 149 women (73.2%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 65.5% to 79.6%). FSFI domain scores suggested difficulties with desire in 77.2%; arousal in 91.3%; lubrication in 96.6%; orgasm in 86.6%, satisfaction in 81.2%, and pain in 64.4%. Age above 40 years (odds ratios [OR] 11.7; 95% CI 3.4 to 40.1) and fewer years of education (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.3) were identified by logistic regression as contributory. Women attributed FSD to physical illness in participant or partner, relationship problems, and cultural taboos but none had sought professional help. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual problems suggestive of dysfunction, as suggested by FSFI total and domain scores, are highly prevalent in the clinic setting, particularly among women above 40 and those less educated, but confirmation using locally validated cut-off scores of the FSFI is needed.

Tubercular ureteric strictures.

OBJECTIVE: To review the presentation of tubercular ureteric strictures and assesses the role of balloon dilatation and open surgical repair in their management. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of tubercular ureteric strictures managed between January 1993 and December 2002. The records were analyzed to assess clinical presentation and compare the results of balloon dilatation with open surgical repair. Success was defined as adequate drainage on imaging, no worsening of renal function, no recurrence of symptoms and no requirement of intervention on further follow up. The long term success rates were compared using the t-test for proportion. RESULTS: Of 73 strictures, 88% had lower urinary tract symptoms. Genital abnormalities suggestive of tuberculosis was observed in 40% male patients. Urine examination yielded aseptic pyuria in 85%, positive AFB smears in 36% and positive AFB cultures in 32%. A small capacity bladder and non-functioning renal units were the only consistent findings on intravenous urogram. Nephrectomy was performed in 37% cases due to non salvageable kidneys at presentation. The success rate of stenting fell from 93% on immediate follow up to 59% on a follow-up of 12 months. At 90% success rates on a follow-up of 7 months open surgical repair was superior (p 0.03). Long term success following balloon dilatation in renal units with good function was 78% compared to 25% for poorly functioning units. (p= 0.01) CONCLUSION: Open surgical repair is superior to balloon dilatation in the management of tubercular ureteric strictures. Renal function may predict the success of balloon dilatation.

Supracostal approach in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: experience with 102 cases.

PURPOSE: To assess retrospectively the safety and efficacy of the supracostal approach in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 862 patients who underwent PCNL between April 1986 and December 1999, supracostal puncture was performed in 102. Their stones were either solitary (66.5%), multiple (15.7%), or staghorn (19.6%). Upper ureteral calculi were the commonest indication (32.4%). The interspace between the 11th and 12th ribs was used in all cases. After tract dilatation with telescopic metal dilators, pneumatic or ultrasound lithotripsy was used for fragmentation. RESULTS: Complete clearance was achieved in 79.5%. Ten patients (9.8%) had pleural violation in the form of hydrothorax, pneumothorax, or hydropneumothorax. All of these patients were managed successfully by intercostal chest tube drainage. CONCLUSION: Supracostal puncture in a safe and effective approach with acceptable morbidity in selected cases of staghorn, upper ureteral, and upper caliceal calculi.

Does failure to visualize the ureter distal to an impacted calculus constitute an impediment to successful lithotripsy?

BACKGROUND: A severe degree of ureteral obstruction is viewed as a predictor of poor outcome in shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). Impacted stones are often considered a contraindication to in-situ SWL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Impaction in our study was defined as failure to visualize the ureter distal to the calculus with proximal hold-up of contrast for as long as 3 hours on an intravenous urogram (IVU). We evaluated 30 patients with impacted ureteral calculi, who were compared with a second unimpacted group matched for stone size and stone location. The calculi were reorganized into < or =10-mm and >10-mm groups. The results were compared in terms of clearance rates, number of shockwaves, number of sessions, and number of days between the start of SWL and clearance. RESULTS: Between January 1998 and December 2001, 30 impacted stones were treated with lithotripsy. Complete clearance rates in the impacted as well as the non-impacted group were 76.7%. There was no statistical difference in the number of shockwaves, sessions, or time to clearance. The results were poorer in lower-ureteral than upper-ureteral calculi, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. However, the differences between the < or =10-mm and >10-mm stones were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Impaction on an IVU does not affect the results of lithotripsy.

Lower urinary tract symptoms and prostatic calculi: A rare presentation of alkaptonuria.

Alkaptonuria is a rare tyrosine metabolic disorder. A deficiency of homogentisic acid oxidase leads to accumulation of homogentisic acid in the body. Dark-colored urine, cutaneous pigmentations and musculoskeletal deformities are characteristic features. Storage and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms due to prostatic calculi is a rare presentation.

Maximal androgen blockade for advanced prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer has now become one of the leading types of cancer in urban India. It is now the third most common cancer in Delhi. As we advance in health care with the resultant increase in longevity, we will be seeing more of advanced carcinoma prostate. Since the early 1980.s, there have been many trials on MAB. However, the question remains whether these agents actually make a difference? The role of MAB is probably limited to the prevention of the beta are reaction in patients on LHRH agonists. The non steroidal antiandrogens have a marginal benefit of increased overall survival by approximately 3% to 5% at 5 ve years. There may be a role for MAB in patients with metastatic carcinoma of prostate, low volume metastases, patients with M 1 disease with absence of metastases in the skull, ribs, long bones, and soft tissues excluding lymph nodes.

Melioidosis presenting as genitourinary infection in two men with diabetes.

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. It occurs predominantly in tropical regions. The manifestations are protean which include pneumonia, visceral abscesses, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, acute suppurative and chronic granulomatous lesions with involvement of almost all organ systems. Fulminant sepsis is much more common and is associated with high mortality. Hence prompt recognition and early treatment is warranted. We report unusual presentations of urinary tract melioidosis in two diabetic men.

Shock wave lithotripsy in solitary functioning kidneys: is prophylactic stenting necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) without prophylactic stents in solitary functioning kidneys. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen solitary functioning kidneys with 23 renal stones with a size of <15 mm were treated with SWL as the primary modality. All patients were counseled about the possibility of obstruction, and treatment was offered to those who consented. The safety of SWL was assessed by the need for interventions and the posttreatment renal function. RESULTS: In 14 patients lithotripsy was uneventful. The duration of treatment ranged from 5 to 35 days. One patient with a 15-mm pelvic calculus presented with anuria which resolved before intervention. In 1 patient fragmentation failed, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed. CONCLUSIONS: In solitary functioning kidneys, SWL is safe without prophylactic stents in properly selected and closely monitored patients. Avoiding stents decreases costs, duration of treatment, and stent-related morbidity without unduly compromising safety.

Bladder-sparing surgery in locally advanced nonurological pelvic malignancy.

INTRODUCTION: The urinary bladder is commonly involved in pelvic malignancy. The incidence of apparent extension into adjacent organs in locally advanced colorectal malignancy is 5-12%. It is not known with other pelvic malignancy. No guidelines are available for its management. Often a dilemma exists between cystectomy and a bladder-sparing procedure. We studied the validity of bladder-sparing surgery (BSS) in locally advanced nonurological pelvic malignancy. METHODS: Hospital records of patients who underwent BSS along with other surgeries (abdomino-perineal resection, anterior resection, anterior exenteration, debulking surgery and total pelvic exenteration) from January 1992 to May 2003 were reviewed. RESULTS: BSS was done in 15 patients. 10 had locally advanced colorectal malignancy, 3 with soft tissue masses of the lateral pelvic wall, 1 had ovarian malignancy and the other had residual mass following radiotherapy and chemotherapy of cancer cervix. In those with locally advanced colorectal malignancy, symptoms suggestive of lower urinary tract involvement were present in 8 (80%). Urine examination and ultrasonography was not helpful in suggesting bladder involvement, unlike CT scan of abdomen and pelvis. Preoperative cystoscopy showed endoscopic evidence of bladder involvement in 7 (87.5%). Bladder was involved supratrigonally in 7. Partial cystectomy was done in 9 patients. The left ureter was involved in 6 patients, and they required ureteric reimplantation. Palliative transurethral resection was done in 1 patient with tumor infiltration at the bladder neck and prostate. 50% patients had bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms at 1 year. One patient died in the immediate postoperative period due to a nonurological cause. Overall 3-year survival rate was 40%. CONCLUSION: Unlike primary bladder cancers these lesions are not multifocal and hence en block conservative bladder-sparing surgery can be offered. Preoperative CT scan or MRI can predict lower urinary tract involvement and help in decision-making by both surgeon and patient. The ultimate decision for bladder sparing is based on intraoperative findings. Sparing the bladder might provide better quality of life by avoiding urinary diversion without altering survival.

Is open pyeloplasty still justified?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the success rate, complications and morbidity from open pyeloplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 63 patients with confirmed pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction who underwent 66 pyeloplasties. Their records were analysed retrospectively for age, clinical presentation, serum creatinine level, presence of infection, surgical technique, and pre- and post-operative isotopic renography. The mean (range) follow-up was 15.5 (3-60) months. RESULTS: Pain was the most common presenting symptom; most pyeloplasties were dismembered and 77% of the procedures were performed by urological trainees. Retrograde pyelography did not alter the management in any patient. The complications were persisting PUJ obstruction in four, urinary leakage in two, transient vesico-ureteric obstruction in two and meatal stenosis in one. There were no complications in non-intubated pyeloplasties. Pain was successfully relieved in 98% of patients, renal function improved or remained stable in 92% and deteriorated in 7.7%. One patient underwent a revision pyeloplasty and another required nephrectomy. A younger patient, absence of urinary tract infection and absence of palpable mass were favourable factors. CONCLUSION: Pyeloplasty is the most effective and permanent treatment for PUJ obstruction. Newer endoscopic procedures currently used must be carefully assessed against this 'gold standard' before becoming widespread.

Eosinophilic cystitis--not that uncommon!

The clinical presentation, radiological manifestations and response to therapy of seven cases of biopsy-proven eosinophilic cystitis seen over an 8-year period were evaluated retrospectively. All of the five men and two women had symptoms of dysuria and frequency, with haematuria in two cases. One developed acute painful retention. The urine was sterile in all. Radiological findings included bladder mass lesions and upper tract dilatation. Cystoscopy showed papillary, erythematous and ulcerative mucosal lesions, and in one instance a large mass lesion. The various procedures carried out were cold cup biopsies, transurethral resections, or fulgration of lesions and partial cystectomy. Medical therapy included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prophylactic antibiotics to cover the procedures carried out. There was excellent symptomatic improvement in all patients. This is the largest single-centre experience reported, and is unusual as the majority of the patients in this series were men.