Can Öbek

THE EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE LITHOTRIPSY FOR ISOLATED LOWER POLE CALCULI COMPARED WITH ISOLATED MIDDLE AND UPPER CALICEAL CALCULI

PURPOSE We assess the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy for isolated lower pole nephrolithiasis, and compare it to that for isolated middle and upper caliceal calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS We treated 714 renal units in 687 patients with isolated caliceal stones using a Lithostar lithotriptor (Siemens Medical Systems, Erlangen, Germany). The stones were localized in the lower, mid and upper calices in 455, 104 and 128 patients, respectively. Stone load was recorded in cm.2. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on stone burden. The energy and shock waves, use of anesthesia, number of treatment sessions, auxiliary measures and complications were noted. Patients were evaluated with intravenous urogram or plain film of kidneys, ureters and bladder, and ultrasonography when stone-free, or clinically significant residual fragment status, including nonobstructive and noninfectious insignificant fragments 4 mm. or less, was noted at the fluoroscopic control 2 to 4 weeks after the last session. Final clinically significant residual fragment decision was made 10 to 12 weeks after the last session. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was considered a failure if no fragmentation was noted after session 3 and continued if fragmentation was noted. Results regarding caliceal localization were compared. RESULTS Complete data were available on 591 renal units. Auxiliary procedures were used in 81 (14%) units before treatment. Anesthesia was given to 101 (17%) patients. The mean number of shock waves and energy used were 2,022 and 17.4 kV., respectively. The difference in shock wave, energy and treatment rate among 3 caliceal locations reached statistical significance only for energy delivered to the lower and upper calices. The effectiveness quotient of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was 36%, 46% and 41% for lower, middle and upper pole stone disease, respectively (p = 0.4). There was a highly significant correlation between stone-free and re-treatment rates, and stone burden. The overall stone-free rate was 66%, and 63%, 73% and 71% for lower, middle and upper caliceal stones, respectively (p = 0.1). For the group with stones greater than 2 cm.2 overall stone-free rate decreased to 49%, and 53%, 60% and 23% in lower, middle and upper caliceal locations, respectively. Overall, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy failed in 46 (7.7%) renal units. Steinstrasse developed in 39 (6.5%) patients who were then treated with repeat lithotripsy. CONCLUSIONS Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy appears to be successful for management of isolated caliceal stone disease. Treatment efficacy was not significantly different among stones localized in lower, middle and upper poles. We recommend it as the primary treatment of choice for stones less than 2.0 cm.2 in all caliceal locations. Treatment should be individualized for management of caliceal stones greater than 2.0 cm.2 until large prospective randomized trials comparing shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy are available.

Is Periprostatic Local Anesthesia For Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy Associated With Increased Infectious Or Hemorrhagic Complications? A Prospective Randomized Trial

PURPOSE Periprostatic local anesthesia for prostate biopsy requires 2 or more extra needle punctures and injection of the local anesthetic through the highly colonized rectum. To our knowledge we report the first prospective randomized trial to assess the infectious or hemorrhagic complications associated with this method. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 100 consecutive patients with sterile urine cultures underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. They were randomized to receive a periprostatic nerve block or no anesthesia. Patients were evaluated for the amount of rectal and urethral bleeding, and symptoms and signs of infection after biopsy. RESULTS The amount of urethral bleeding was slight and similar in the 2 groups. Rectal bleeding was significantly less in the patients who received anesthesia. High fever (greater than 37.8C) was more frequent in the nerve block group and 2 patients in this group required rehospitalization. Bacteriuria in post-biopsy urine cultures was significantly more common in the anesthesia group. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that periprostatic local anesthesia for prostate biopsy does not increase the risk of urethral bleeding. It is associated with a decreased incidence of rectal bleeding, presumably due to decreased patient discomfort. The incidence of bacteriuria was significantly higher in the anesthesia group. High fever and hospitalization due to infectious complications were also more common in the local anesthesia group, although not statistically significant. Prospective randomized trials seem warranted to determine the optimum antibiotic prophylaxis regimen in patients undergoing biopsy with a periprostatic nerve block.

Core Length in Prostate Biopsy: Size Matters

PURPOSE The diagnostic yield of prostate biopsy is limited. Increasing the number of cores enhances the cancer detection rate by sampling additional sites and obtaining more tissue. An alternative way to inspect more tissue would be to obtain longer cores. However, the impact of biopsy core length on cancer detection rate is an undervalued topic. We assessed the role of biopsy core length in prostate biopsy and determined the minimal tissue length to serve as quality assurance. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the records of 331 patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided initial prostate biopsy with 12 to 18 cores. The biopsy procedure and pathological evaluation were standardized. Core length was compared in patients with vs without cancer. Statistical analysis was done to determine a minimally acceptable cutoff for biopsy length. RESULTS We analyzed data on 245 patients. The overall cancer detection rate was 30.2%. Mean core length in patients with vs without cancer was 12.3±2.6 vs 11.4±2.4 mm (p=0.015). Thus, core length was significantly longer in patients with cancer. Core length greater than 11.9 mm was associated with an increased prostate cancer detection rate (OR 2.57, 95% 1.46-4.52). The cancer detection rate for cores less vs greater than 11.9 mm was 23% vs 39%. CONCLUSIONS Needle core length is an important morphometric parameter of transrectal prostate biopsy that directly influences the cancer detection rate. Results suggest a core length of greater than 11.9 mm as a cutoff for quality assurance.

Outcome of Nephron-Sparing Surgery: Elective versus Imperative Indications

Introduction: The increase in the detection of renal tumors incidentally in earlier stages has enhanced the enthusiasm for nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). Patients and Methods: We performed NSS in 76 patients (53 male, 23 female) with a mean age 52.3 between December 1988 and September 2001. Patients were sub-classified into 2 groups as elective or imperative indication group. They were compared regarding surgical technique, time of surgery, pathological analysis, complications, and disease free status. Results: Elective indication group (group I) with a normal contralateral kidney consisted of 50 patients, whereas there were 26 patients in the imperative indication group (group II). Tumors were incidentally detected in 63%; 74% in group I and 42% in group II. Although the mean diameter of the tumor was slightly higher in group II (39.1 vs. 36.3 mm), this difference did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). The partial nephrectomy was performed more frequently compared to enucleation in group I (90 vs. 69%, p = 0.050). However, the mean operation time as well as the mean clamping time did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). In the histological evaluation tumors were benign in 16 (21%) and malignant in 60 patients. All of the patients but one with renal cell carcinoma had stage T1-T2 disease. Major complications were observed in 14 (18%) and 12 were from group II. Complication rate was significantly higher in group II (p = 0.000). Of 60 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 2 died of unrelated causes. One patient died with multiple visceral metastases. One patient was lost to follow-up. In the remaining 56 patients with a mean follow-up of 37.1 months (1–152), local recurrence or distant metastases were not detected. Serum creatinine levels have remained almost the same compared to preoperative levels (1.2 ± 0.6 vs. 1.5 ± 0.9). Overall and cancer-specific survivals were 100 and 100% in group I, 85 and 95% in group II, and 94 and 98% for the entire patient population, respectively. Conclusion: NSS is an effective and reliable treatment in low stage renal tumors. It prevents unnecessary nephrectomy in benign lesions that could not be diagnosed preoperatively. However, the patients who underwent NSS with elective indication outcome with better results, compared to those with imperative indication.

Clinical Aspects of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents a heterogeneous group of tumors, the most common of which is clear cell adenocarcinoma. RCC accounts for 3% of adult tumors. The incidence has increased more than 30% over the past two decades. It is generally postulated that the increased incidence rates reflect earlier diagnosis at an earlier stage, largely due to more liberal use of radiological imaging techniques. However, advanced disease has also been diagnosed more frequently and the mortality rate has increased as well. Prevention of RCC should focus on smoking cessation and maintaining ideal body mass index. Familial forms of kidney cancer have been described on four distinct histological patterns: clear cell, papillary, chromophobe, and oncocytoma. Genetic forms afflict individuals at an earlier age with a multifocal and recurrent pattern; therefore, nephron-sparing procedures should be the treatment of choice for these patients. The yield of screening the general population for RCC is still relatively low and hence not cost-effective. Screening should be reserved for individuals who carry high risk for RCC. The classic triad of flank pain, macroscopic hematuria, and palpable abdominal mass is now detected in fewer than 10% of patients, and is a late sign. Today, most tumors are diagnosed incidentally. Paraneoplastic syndromes have been reported in 10–40% of patients and can be seen at any stage of disease. The indications and application of percutaneous biopsy for renal masses are limited and mainly used to make differential diagnosis with an infectious process, lymphoma and metastases to the kidney.

Urologic screening for men with Behçet’s syndrome

OBJECTIVES To establish the urologic status of men with Behcets syndrome, because studies assessing the urologic aspect of Behçets syndrome are rare. METHODS During a 2.5-year period, we evaluated 104 male patients with Behçets syndrome, 16 to 50 years old (mean 31+/-7), using a urologic questionnaire and modified Boyarsky symptom score; 44 healthy men, 20 to 46 years old (mean 29+/-7), were used as control subjects. RESULTS The frequency of epididymitis in patients with Behçets syndrome was 19.2% in this study. The mean irritative symptom score was 1.22+/-1.37 (significantly higher than the control group). The frequency of lower urinary tract symptoms (eg, dysuria, urgency, nocturia, terminal dribbling, and intermittency) was significantly higher in patients with Behcets syndrome. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the frequency of epididymitis in men with Behcets syndrome was much higher than previously reported. Because some lower urinary tract symptoms were significantly more frequent in these patients, we conclude that screening of such patients with urologic questionnaire and symptom scoring is essential to identify those who need further urologic evaluation.

Radiation therapy in non-surgically-treated nonmetastatic prostate cancer: geographic and demographic variation

OBJECTIVES To examine the geographic variation in the use of radiation to treat nonmetastatic prostate cancer and to identify factors that explain the variation in the United States. METHODS This study was based on data from the nine geographic regions of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program for 1983 through 1996. Patients with localized or regional prostate cancer who did not undergo surgical treatment were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of geographic and demographic factors on the use of radiation. The squared multiple correlation coefficient R(2) was used to measure the proportion of variation in the selection of radiation explained by each factor of interest. RESULTS Compared with San Francisco, the adjusted odds ratios for 6 of the 8 geographic areas had highly significant P values, suggesting the use of radiation therapy varies from region to region. However, geographic location only explained less than 3% of the total variation in the use of radiation. The geographic location explained a much higher proportion of variation in the youngest (younger than 55 years) and the oldest (80 years old or older) groups. Overall, age was the most important factor that influenced the use of radiation. CONCLUSIONS The finding that geographic location explains a significant proportion of the variation in the use of radiation in the youngest and oldest age groups demonstrates the outcome of longstanding controversies in the nonsurgical treatment of prostate cancer. Documenting the impact of the interaction of age and geographic location on the treatment approaches provides for better understanding of the impact of patients and physicians making clinical decisions in the management of nonmetastatic prostate cancer.

Multilocular cystic nephroma: an unusual localization

We present a case of multilocular cystic nephroma with an unusual localization treated by a nephron-sparing procedure. A 21-year-old white woman presented with a history of hematuria and right lumbar pain. Imaging techniques revealed a multilocular cystic mass originating from the renal parenchyma but mainly involving the renal pelvis. The lesion was localized almost entirely within the renal pelvis at surgery and was treated by excision. Pathologic analysis was consistent with multilocular cystic nephroma. The patient remains free of recurrence with 10 years of follow-up. We conclude that multilocular cystic nephroma may present as a cystic lesion localized within the renal pelvis, and we advocate simple excision of these lesions.

Complications of the Mainz Pouch II (Sigma Rectum Pouch)

Objective: The complications of the sigma rectum pouch were analyzed. Methods: A total of 60 patients who underwent a construction of the Mainz pouch II was analyzed retrospectively. Data on early complications was available for all patients, while long–term follow–up data was available for 50 patients. Results: Perioperative mortality was nil. Early complications were encountered in 2 (3.3%) patients. Oral alkalizing supplementation therapy was required in 30 (60%) of the patients; 3 (6%) patients needed hospitalization for severe acidosis and hypokalemia. Hydronephrosis developed in 5 (5%) of 98 renoureteral units anastomosed. Acute pyelonephritis was observed in 3 (8%) patients. All of the patients were continent except for 1 female patient who had had previous radiotherapy to the pelvis. The mean voiding frequency during the day and night was 5.1±1.1 and 1.9±0.7, respectively. The psychological state and general health of 2 patients became progressively worse until they died of probable malnutrition and metabolic abnormalities. Mechanical bowel obstruction developed in 1 patient 2 years after surgery. Conclusion: The complication rate of the Mainz pouch II appears to be acceptable with a median follow–up of 31 months. Patient selection and cooperation are of paramount importance for a successful outcome.

Predictive factors and management of steinstrasse after shock wave lithotripsy in pediatric urolithiasis--a multivariate analysis study.

OBJECTIVE To define the predictive factors for the formation of steinstrasse (SS) after shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and determine the treatment strategies for this complication in pediatric urolithiasis. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the data of 341 renal units (RUs) treated with SWL for urolithiasis. The stone location, stone burden, auxiliary procedures, energy level, and number of shock waves were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to detect the predictive factors for the formation of SS. In addition, the treatment of children with SS was evaluated. RESULTS The mean age of the children was 8.31 years (range 1-17). Episodes of SS developed in 26 RUs (7.6%). Of the 26 RUs, 20 (77%) were localized in the lower, 5 (19%) in the upper, and 1 (4%) in multiple locations in the ureter. The stone burden was the only statistically significant factor predicting the formation of SS on logistic regression analysis (P = .001). Of the 26 RUs, 17 (65.4%) were successfully managed by repeat SWL monotherapy, 4 (15.4%) were managed with ureteroscopy after failure of SWL, 1 (3.8%) was managed by ureteroscopy monotherapy, and 4 (15.4%) were monitored with conservative management with antispasmodic drug plus hydration therapy. The mean number of SWL sessions was 1.72. CONCLUSION The incidence of SS development in children after SWL treatment was similar to that in adult series. Our results suggest that the stone burden is a significant predictive factor for the development of SS after SWL in pediatric urolithiasis. Most children with SS could be easily and safely treated by repeat SWL.