Randomized, placebo controlled study of electrical stimulation with pelvic floor muscle training for severe urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluated electrical stimulation combined with pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy in a randomized controlled study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 56 men with severe urinary incontinence (more than 200 gm daily), mean ± SD age 66.6 ± 6.2 years, were randomized to an active treatment group (26) or a sham group (30). All patients performed pelvic floor muscle training preoperatively and continued throughout the study. For active stimulation 50 Hz square waves of 300 µs pulse duration and a 5 seconds on, 5 seconds off duty cycle were applied for 15 minutes twice daily with an anal electrode. Sham stimulation was limited to 3 mA with a 2 seconds on, 13 seconds off duty cycle. RESULTS: In the active group 8 (36%), 14 (63%), 18 (81%) and 19 (86%) patients were continent (22) vs 1 (4%), 4 (16%), 11 (44%) and 17 (86%) in the sham group (25) (leakage less than 8 gm daily) after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. There was a significant difference in the number of continent patients between the groups at 1, 3 and 6 months (p = 0.0161, p = 0.0021 and p = 0.0156, respectively). The time to achieve continence was significantly shorter in the active group (2.71 ± 2.6 months) than in the sham group (6.82 ± 3.9 months, p = 0.0006). Changes in the amount of leakage, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score and the King's Health Questionnaire score were significantly larger in the active group at 1 month but there was no difference at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Electrical stimulation resulted in earlier recovery of continence in patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

Single minimum incision endoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal tumors with preoperative virtual navigation using 3D-CT volume-rendering.

BACKGROUND: Single minimum incision endoscopic surgery (MIES) involves the use of a flexible high-definition laparoscope to facilitate open surgery. We reviewed our method of radical nephrectomy for renal tumors, which is single MIES combined with preoperative virtual surgery employing three-dimensional CT images reconstructed by the volume rendering method (3D-CT images) in order to safely and appropriately approach the renal hilar vessels. We also assessed the usefulness of 3D-CT images. METHODS: Radical nephrectomy was done by single MIES via the translumbar approach in 80 consecutive patients. We performed the initial 20 MIES nephrectomies without preoperative 3D-CT images and the subsequent 60 MIES nephrectomies with preoperative 3D-CT images for evaluation of the renal hilar vessels and the relation of each tumor to the surrounding structures. On the basis of the 3D information, preoperative virtual surgery was performed with a computer. RESULTS: Single MIES nephrectomy was successful in all patients. In the 60 patients who underwent 3D-CT, the number of renal arteries and veins corresponded exactly with the preoperative 3D-CT data (100% sensitivity and 100% specificity). These 60 nephrectomies were completed with a shorter operating time and smaller blood loss than the initial 20 nephrectomies. CONCLUSIONS: Single MIES radical nephrectomy combined with 3D-CT and virtual surgery achieved a shorter operating time and less blood loss, possibly due to safer and easier handling of the renal hilar vessels.

Efficacy of extended-release tolterodine for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity and/or low-compliance bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of extended-release (ER) tolterodine 4mg/day for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and/or low-compliance bladder by assessing urodynamic parameters. METHODS: Forty-six patients (25 male, 21 female; mean age 57.6±20.7years) with NDO (n=39) and/or low-compliance bladder (n=7) were included in this 12-week single-arm study. Twenty-one patients (46%) were on clean intermittent catheterization and other patients could void on their own. A video urodynamic study was performed before and at 3 months after treatment. Changes in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) as well as changes in number of voids, amount of each void, and number of leaks in 24h according to the 3-day voiding diary were also evaluated before treatment and at weeks 4 and 12 after treatment. RESULTS: Bladder capacity at first sensation and maximum cystometric capacity increased significantly, by an average of 36.8mL (P=0.0402) and 82.3mL (P<0.0001), respectively. Maximum cystometric capacity increased by more than 50mL in 19 patients (49%) following treatment. Detrusor overactivity disappeared in three of 32 patients (9%), bladder capacity at first involuntary contraction increased significantly (P=0.0009), and amplitude of detrusor overactivity decreased significantly (P=0.0025). In patients with low-compliance bladder, bladder compliance increased significantly (P=0.0156). Overactive bladder symptom score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score, number of voids (per 24h and night-time), number of urgency episodes in 24h, number and amount of leaks in 24h, and amount of mean and maximum voided volumes all decreased significantly after treatment. CONCLUSION: Tolterodine is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of NDO and/or low-compliance bladder in patients with neurogenic bladder.

Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma arising from the male urethra. A case report and review of the literature.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas rarely arise from the lower urinary tract, the urethra being the most uncommon site of origin. Herein, we report the immunohistochemical findings of a case of primary marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) arising from the male urethra. To clarify the clinicopathological findings of primary urethral lymphoma, we reviewed 14 previously reported cases. A 56-year-old man presented with gross hematuria. Cystourethroscopy demonstrated a nodular bulge of the urethral wall. Histologically, a transurethral biopsy specimen showed a dense lymphoplasmacytoid infiltrate in the urethral mucosa. The tumor cells were composed of centrocyte-like cells, plasma cells and plasmacytoid cells. A few plasma cells contained intracytoplasmic pseudoinclusions (Dutcher bodies). Immunohistochemical study revealed monotypic intracytoplasmic kappa-light chain in the plasma cells and plasmacytoid cells. The patient received a total of 50 Gy extrabeam irradiation. Follow-up 21 months later did not disclose any sign of local or other recurrences.

[Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma: a case report].

A 67-year-old male presented for examination of a retroperitoneal tumor, incidentally found by abdominal computed tomography (CT). CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a round heterogeneous tumor, 10 cm in diameter, at the left renal hilus and involving the left renal vein. The tumor was low-intensity on T1-weighted MRI imaging, and high-intensity on T2-weight MRI imaging. The tumor was easily resected via a transabdominal approach. The pathological diagnosis was ganglioneuroma.

Effects of Silodosin on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Evaluation by Frequency/Volume Chart.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of silodosin, a new α1A -adrenoceptor selective antagonist, for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) on the basis of a frequency/volume chart. METHODS: Forty male patients (71.1 ± 6.6 years old) with LUTS/BPH were treated with silodosin (4 mg twice daily). The effects of the drug were assessed by changes in International Prostate Symptom Score, uroflowmetry, and frequency/volume chart at 1 and 3 months after therapy. RESULTS: The mean total International Prostate Symptom Score, the mean total storage and voiding scores and the mean quality of life score decreased significantly at 1 and 3 months after therapy (all P < 0.01). Average and maximum flow rates increased significantly, and postvoid residual volume decreased significantly after 1 and 3 months (all P < 0.05). The frequency/volume chart showed that daytime frequency in those who initially voided over eight times/day (n = 12) decreased significantly (P = 0.0391) after 1 month, and nighttime frequency in those who initially voided over two times (n = 16) tended to decrease (P = 0.0833) after 3 months. Mean voided volume in those who initially voided less than 250 mL (n = 31) increased significantly after 1 and 3 months (P = 0.0446 and P = 0.0138, respectively), and maximum voided volume in those who initially voided less than 300 mL (n = 18) tended to increase (P = 0.0833) after 1 month. CONCLUSION: Silodosin appears to be effective for both storage and voiding symptoms by increasing bladder capacity in patients with LUTS/BPH.