Jan-Gunnar Sjödin

Treatment of Ureteral Colic with Intravenous Indomethacin

A randomized prospective double-blind study of the analgesic effect of 50 mg. intravenous indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, was done on 47 consecutive patients with acute ureteral colic. The placebo used was 5 mg. intravenous riboflavin because of the same color as indomethacin. Indomethacin provided complete relief in 78 per cent of the cases, while riboflavin provided relief in 30 per cent. The difference is statistically significant. No side effects were observed with indomethacin.

Lymph Leakage After Staging Pelvic Lymphadenectomy for Prostatic Carcinoma with and Without Heparin Prophylaxis

The effect of heparin prophylaxis on lymph leakage and lymphocele formation was observed in a randomized, prospective, consecutive study of 48 patients undergoing lymph node dissection for staging carcinoma of the prostate. Subcutaneous low-dose heparin was given to 24 patients, and 24 without heparin prophylaxis constituted the control group. Lymph leakage per day was significantly greater and the leakage period longer in the heparin group than in the controls. The total of leaked lymph was notably greater and the incidence of lymphocele seven times higher in the heparin group than in the controls. All lymphoceles disappeared spontaneously in the first postoperative year. The results suggest high risk of prolonged lymph leakage and of lymphocele formation when low-dose heparin prophylaxis is given to patients undergoing a staging operation for prostatic carcinoma.

The national penile cancer register in Sweden 2000-2003

Objective. This article reviews the first 4 years of operation of the National Penile Cancer Register (NPECR) in Sweden. The register was set up to gain knowledge about the incidence and primary treatment of penile cancer, including the use of and the frequency of lymph node dissection. The register elicits treatment disparities between regions, and aims to determine the impact of clinical practice guidelines introduced in Sweden. Material and methods. All patients newly diagnosed with penile cancer after the year 2000 have been registered in the NPECR. A total of 454 patients were registered in the period 2000–2003. Results. Registrations in the NPECR were almost complete, with 98.7% of cases registered in the National Cancer Register also being registered in the NPECR. At least 145 clinicians reported to the register. The annual incidence of penile cancer is 2.2/100 000 men. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 95% of the cases. The mean age at diagnosis was 65.5 years. Most tumours were classified as Tis, T1 or T2, each class representing 25–30% of the total number of diagnosed cases. Penis-preserving treatment was performed in 58% of the patients (Table I). The number of patients classified as ≥T1/G2–G3 was 206, and 101 of these patients (49%) underwent inguinal lymphadenectomy. Conclusions. We have introduced a population-based register in Sweden with almost complete registration, and this offers unique possibilities for further studies of both epidemiological and clinical aspects of penile cancer. The results obtained to date indicate that the primary treatment is done in many settings and that guidelines, e.g. to dissect lymph nodes, are not always followed. Table I. Primary treatment of 454 patients with penile cancer in the NPECR in Sweden 2000–2003.Primary treatmentn (%)Local excision161 (35)Local excision and laser therapy28 (6)Laser therapy40 (9)Partial amputation106 (23)Total amputation38 (8)Radio- or chemotherapy7 (2)Other28 (6)No therapy5 (1)No data41 (9)Total454 (100)

The continuous thermodilution method for measuring high blood flows

The continuous thermodilution method for the measurement of blood flow from 300 to 1500 ml/min was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro experiments indicated that thermotransport within the catheter, causing a temperature measurement error, can occur. Flow model measurements were used for consequent modification of the original thermodilution formula for calculation of flow. In the in vivo investigations the thermodilution and electromagnetic methods were compared for measurement of pig portal blood flow. Using the modified formula for the flow calculations, good agreement was found between the two methods (r = 0.958). For the continuous thermodilution method in vivo the standard deviation of a single measurement was 19 ml/min and the coefficient of variation 1.6%.

Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Renal Cyst: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We report a case of renal cell carcinoma within a simple renal cyst in the lower pole of the right kidney. Excretory urography showed a mass and ultrasonography revealed multiple renal cysts with a solid component arising from the wall in 1. This finding also was visualized by computerized tomography. Analysis of the cystic fluid showed a high cholesterol level but negative cytological results. At operation a 7 mm. tumor arose from the wall of the cyst. Histopathological examination showed grade 3 renal cell carcinoma with an aneuploid deoxyribonucleic acid content.

Sexual function in men after radical cystectomy with or without urethrectomy

Sexual function was evaluated in 21 patients with bladder carcinoma who had undergone radical cystectomy either with (n = 9) or without (n = 12) excision of the urethra. All patients received preoperative radiotherapy, and the cystectomy was done by a nerve-sparing surgical technique. At follow-up all patients reported normal sexual desire and tactile sexual activity. Eight of the 12 patients in whom the urethra was preserved could achieve penile erection and orgasm to tactile stimulation, and five of them had sufficient strength and duration of erection for sexual intercourse. Two of the nine patients in whom the urethra was removed-had weak erections insufficient for intercourse; three could experience orgasm. These results show that when cystectomy is done by a nerve-sparing technique and without urethrectomy there is more chance of preserving sexual function than when simultaneous urethrectomy is done.

Computer analysis of hyperthermia treatment of the prostate

Abstract A numerical method for analysis of temperature and heat transfer in patients undergoing hyperthermia treatment of the prostate is presented. The domain to be analysed is irregular in shape and consists of several materials and tissues with different thermal properties and complex boundary conditions. The blood vessels have temperature-dependent flow and the physical properties also depend on the temperature. The finite element formulation of the problem makes it possible to analyse different types of hyperthermia treatments, e.g. treatment of an enlarged prostate. The application shown here is a simulation performed in order to evaluate a thermal injury in a patient undergoing hyperthermia treatment because of symptomatic prostatic enlargement.

Monitoring of renal pelvic pressure in patients with hydronephrosis

A diagnostic method for the determination of obstructions in the pelvoureteral junction in patients with suspected idiopathic hydronephrosis is described and discussed. Two microtransducer catheters (MTCs) with infusion lumens are inserted under fluoroscopic control, one into the renal pelvis and the other in the perirenal space as a reference. The pressure values obtained are stored on a portable microcomputer system, carried by the ambulatory patients. Renal pelvic pressure, intra-abdominal pressure and differential pressure are calculated and displayed as time-pressure diagrams on a plotter. The pressures can be measured for long periods (3-24 h). Furthermore, steady state conditions can be evaluated during pelvic infusion of saline. The results from the pressure measurements are compared with clinical and radiological evaluations. Our results show that this method of long-term monitoring of intrapelvic pressure together with intra-abdominal pressure contributes to the evaluation of patients with suspected pelvoureteral obstructions and complements other methods in the preoperative investigation. However, this study reveals difficulties with measurements of intra-abdominal pressure. Carrying the equipment was not inconvenient for the patients.

Effects of indomethacin on central, renal and coronary hemodynamics. An experimental study in swine with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

The circulatory effects of intravenously administered indomethacin, a potent prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor (0.8 mg/kg bw) were investigated in pigs with unilateral ureteral obstruction. The drug induced a marked but transient increase in systemic arterial pressure (+53%, p less than 0.02) and pulmonary arterial (+81%, p less than 0.02) pressure without any changes in left or right sided filling pressures, cardiac output or heart rate. Coronary blood flow remained unchanged and renal venous blood flow decreased (-26%, p less than 0.02). Renal pelvic pressure decreased (-20%, p less than 0.02). Thus systemic (SVR), pulmonary (PVR) and coronary vascular resistance (CVR) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) on the obstructed side increased (SVR + 73%, p less than 0.02; PVR + 140%, p less than 0.02; CVR + 53%, p less than 0.02 and RVR + 107%, p less than 0.02 respectively). Even if one takes into consideration other factors than ureteral obstruction contributing to these reactions, e.g. low volume load, anaesthesia, surgical trauma and species differences, care is advised in treating patients with coronary artery disease or obstructive lung disease with indomethacin.

Thermal Injury During TUMT

A 71-year-old man was treated with transurethral microwave thermotherapy because of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The treatment session was performed without any abnormal complaints from the patient. Two hours post-treatment the patient felt pain in his penile shaft and noticed a wound. A thorough investigation revealed that the only possible explanation for the injury was a dislocation of the catheter.