G Virgili

INTERMITTENT CATHETERIZATION WITH A PRELUBRICATED CATHETER IN SPINAL CORD INJURED PATIENTS: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER STUDY

PURPOSE We compared the safety and patient acceptance of a conventional Nélaton and a prelubricated nonhydrophilic catheter in 18 spinal cord injured patients on intermittent catheterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a prospective crossover study each catheter was used for 7 weeks and the initial course was randomized. Urinalysis and urine culture were performed at 2, 4 and 7 weeks. Urethral trauma was evaluated by urethral cell count on the surface of each catheter used on the last day of each study period. Patient satisfaction was assessed at the end of the study by a questionnaire using multiple visual analog scales. RESULTS Urinary tract infection was identified in 12 and 4 patients on a Nélaton and a prelubricated nonhydrophilic catheter (p = 0.03), while asymptomatic bacteruria was identified in 18 and 8 (p = 0.0244), respectively. The mean urethral cell count plus or minus standard deviation on the catheter surface was 6.7 +/- 2.8 x 10(4) and 15.1 +/- 8.9 x 10(4) for the prelubricated nonhydrophilic and the Néelaton catheter, respectively (p = 0.01). The prelubricated nonhydrophilic catheter resulted in a better mean satisfaction score than the Nélaton catheter (2.33 +/- 1.06 versus 4.72 +/- 2.13, p = 0.022). Urethral bleeding was reported in 2 patients during the study period while using the Nélaton catheter. CONCLUSIONS The prelubricated nonhydrophilic catheter is a safe, effective and comfortable option in spinal cord injured patients on intermittent self-catheterization.

Transdermal electromotive administration of verapamil and dexamethasone for Peyronie's disease

Peyronies disease continues to be a fascinating topic for urologists, and two papers in this section, one from Rome and one from Los Angeles, describe new insights into this disease.

RETROPERITONEAL LAPAROSCOPIC ACCESS IN CHILDREN USING A DIRECT VISION TECHNIQUE

PURPOSE Retroperitoneal procedures were initiated in 1992 by balloon dissection of the retroperitoneum. More recently a new type of retroperitoneal access has been obtained by directly entering the retroperitoneum using the Visiport visual trocar. We present our initial experience with direct visual access to the retroperitoneum in the pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 31 children underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopy, including renal biopsy in 22, varicocelectomy in 5, renal cyst ablation in 3 and pyelolithotomy for a staghorn stone in 1. Patients were placed in the full flank position. A maximum of 3 ports was used and the initial trocar was placed under direct vision. The laparoscope was then used to dissect bluntly a working space in the retroperitoneum. RESULTS All procedures were successful. Blood loss was minimal. Operative time was 4 hours for pyelolithotomy and less than 1 for the other procedures. Mean hospital stay was 1.5 days and all patients returned to normal activity at a mean of 6 days. Two minor complications developed. The peritoneum was inadvertently entered in 1 case, in which no further treatment was necessary and convalescence was uneventful and short. In another case severe arrhythmia developed, resulting in an aborted procedure. CONCLUSIONS This technique is simple, safe and does not require extensive laparoscopic experience.

HIFU as salvage first-line treatment for palpable, TRUS-evidenced, biopsy-proven locally recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE To test high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as salvage first-line treatment for palpable, TRUS-evidenced, biopsy-proven locally recurrent prostate cancer (CaP) after radical prostatectomy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Nineteen patients with palpable, TRUS-evidenced, biopsy-proven local recurrence of CaP after RP, unwilling to undergo salvage radiotherapy (SRT), underwent HIFU as a single-session procedure. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative data including early and late complications, and oncologic outcomes (PSA nadir, biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival, and need of secondary adjuvant treatment) were prospectively evaluated. Success was defined as PSA nadir ≤0.1 ng/ml obtained within 3 months from HIFU. In case of PSA nadir >0.1 ng/ml or PSA increase ≥1 ng/ml above the PSA nadir, a biopsy of the treated lesion was performed, and if negative, maximum androgen blockade (MAB) was adopted. In case of positive biopsy, RT was performed. Failure was defined as use of secondary adjuvant treatment (MAB or RT). RESULTS Median follow-up was 48 months. All cases were performed as overnight procedure. No case of urethrorectal fistula or anastomotic stricture was observed. Two cases of acute urinary retention were resolved with prolonged urethral catheterization. Four cases of stress urinary incontinence were observed; 2 (mild incontinence) were resolved after pelvic floor exercises within 6 months, while 2 cases of severe incontinence required surgical minimally invasive treatment;17/19 patients (89,5%) were classified as success. Two patients failed to show a PSA nadir <0.1 ng/ml. During follow-up, 8/17 patients (47%) were classified as failure, with consequent total rate of failures 10/19 (52.6%). A statistically significant difference was observed in pre-HIFU median PSA (2 vs. 5.45 ng/ml, respectively, P = 0.013) and Gleason score of the RP specimen (P = 0.01) between the success and failure group. CONCLUSIONS Salvage first-line HIFU for palpable, TRUS-evidenced, biopsy-proven local recurrence of CaP is a feasible, minimally invasive day-case procedure, with an acceptable morbidity profile. It seems to have a good cancer control in the short- and mid-term. Patients with lower pre-HIFU PSA level and favorable pathologic Gleason score presented better oncologic outcomes. A prospective randomized trial with an adequate recruitment and follow-up is necessary to confirm our preliminary oncologic results.

Real-time transrectal sonographic voiding cystourethrography

Transrectal linear array transducer makes possible a sagittal view of the bladder base-plate, prostatic urethra, and membranous urethra yielding an image similar to that obtained with voiding cystourethrogram. This permits lack of time limitation, such as imposed by the use of fluoroscopy, and the possibility of visualizing not only the lumen of the bladder neck and urethra but also the surrounding soft tissue. Using ultrasonographic urodynamics in neuromuscular dysfunctions of the bladder and urinary voiding obstructions we obtained excellent results in patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and in those with posterior ledge at the bladder neck. Both conditions are clearly visualized, particularly the existence of the posterior ledge which is responsible for the failure of the sphincterotomy in patients with periurethral striated sphincter spasm.

Significance of focal proliferative atrophy lesions in prostate biopsy cores that test negative for prostate carcinoma

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the prevalence and short-term follow-up of focal proliferative atrophy lesions, either with or without the presence of inflammation (PIA/PA), and its correlation with the PSA levels, focusing on the prostate biopsy cores that test negative for prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa). METHODS Five hundred fifty consecutive patients who had undergone a transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy were evaluated retrospectively for the presence and follow-up of focal proliferative atrophy lesions. PIA/PA were defined according to De Marzo. The prevalence of atrophy in PCa and negative biopsy cores was compared by means of χ(2). After logarithmic transformations of the PSA values, t-test and ANOVA were applied for the comparison of the means. Incidence of newly diagnosed PCa during follow-up (mean 33.7 months) in patients with or without focal proliferative atrophy was compared by means of χ(2). RESULTS A focal atrophic lesion resulted in 161/339 negative biopsies. PIA was observed in 93/161 patients (57.8%), while PA was observed in the remaining 68/161 (42.2%). Among the negative biopsy cases, the difference in PSA values were not statistically significant according to the presence or absence of atrophy (P = 0.120). The group of negative biopsies with PIA was similar in terms of PSA characteristics with the benign (PA P = 0.738; non-atrophy P = 0.342), and cancer subgroups (P = 0.094); 245/339 (72.3%) patients were successfully followed-up. Biopsy was repeated in 24/71 (33.8%) patients with PIA, in 14/50 (28%) with PA and in 27/124 (21.7%) with no atrophy lesions at initial biopsy. The incidence of newly diagnosed PCa in the 3 groups was not statistically different (χ(2), P = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS Focal proliferative atrophy lesions are a common finding in biopsy specimens negative for PCa. Patients with negative biopsy associated with PIA presented similar PSA characteristics as patients with biopsy-proven PCa. However, the incidence of PCa at short-term follow-up did not differ significantly between patients with PIA, PA, or no atrophic lesions at initial biopsy. Based on our findings, early repeat biopsy does not seem to be necessary after an initial diagnosis of PIA/PA, although a longer follow-up is mandatory for definitive conclusions.

Successful management of retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma involving both kidneys.

We report a rare case of a retroperitoneal inflammatory variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) involving both kidneys. The best treatment for MFHs is surgery with radical excision of the tumor. In this case the need to save at least one kidney meant tumorectomy was incomplete. The patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and 4 years later survives in a fairly good condition.

Efficacy of epidural anesthesia for retroperitoneoscopic renal biopsy

Laparoscopic procedures are performed using general anesthesia due to the perceived limitations of regional anesthesia in the upper abdomen and retroperitoneum. We present our initial experience with epidural anesthesia for retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal biopsy.

Ureteral endometriosis: An endoscopic diagnosis

A case of ureteral endometriosis is reported. This is the first case diagnosed during a ureteropyeloscopic examination.

Acute Lumbago and Sciatica as First Symptoms of Focal Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare inflammatory disease of the kidney, presenting in a diffuse or focal form. The preoperative diagnosis of XGP is made only in 10% of the cases because neither the clinical nor the radiological presentation are specific and could be confused with renal tumors, thus deserving the name of ‘great imitator’. We report a case of focal XGP in a middle-aged man presenting with acute lumbago and sciatica, an unusual clinical presentation.