Nihat Arikan

Hydrodilation of the ureteral orifice in children renders ureteroscopic access possible without any further active dilation.

PURPOSE We review our experience with hydrodilation of the ureteral orifice for ureteroscopic access in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the results of 30 ureteroscopic procedures performed in 26 children who were followed for 6 months. Ureteral access was obtained with the assistance of a hand irrigation pump without any further active dilation in all cases. RESULTS A total of 26 patients (86.7%) were completely stone-free after 1 procedure. There was no major complication such as ureteral perforation or avulsion. Mild flank pain was observed in 8 cases (26.7%). Predominant symptoms of bladder spasm were observed in 6 cases (20%). At 6-month followup no patient had pyelonephritis or demonstrated hydronephrosis related to ureteral stricture. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that hydrodilation of the ureteral orifice in children renders ureteroscopic access possible with no additional active dilation and no associated complications.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in children with voiding dysfunction: retrospective analysis of 81 patients

OBJECTIVES To investigate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with voiding dysfunction and a normal neuro-orthopedic assessment. The differential diagnosis of neurogenic and non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction, particularly in children with occult neurogenic pathologic findings without a clinically demonstrable neurologic defect, is a commonly encountered problem. METHODS Eighty-one children with voiding dysfunction, including a history of diurnal incontinence, frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, incomplete bladder emptying, recurrent urinary tract infection, and persistent vesicoureteral reflux, constituted our study group. A detailed neuro-orthopedic evaluation was performed in all patients. The urologic evaluation consisted of a detailed history (including bowel function disturbances), renal sonography or excretory urography, spinal x-ray, urinalysis and culture, voiding cystourethrography, and multichannel water cystometry. In all cases, lumbosacral spinal axial and sagittal T1- and T2-weighted MRI performed with a 1.5-Tesla surface coil was reviewed by one neuroradiologist. RESULTS MRI revealed pathologic findings in 17 (38.6%) of 44 patients who had voiding dysfunction and a normal neuro-orthopedic assessment. All these patients underwent early surgical intervention in our pediatric neurosurgery department. In the postoperative period, objective and/or subjective improvement in voiding symptoms within short (6 months) and long (14 months) periods was observed in 8 (47.0%) and 5 (29.4%) patients, respectively. Ten (58.8%) of those 17 patients had a history of voiding dysfunction refractory to conservative management. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed that MRI of the lower spinal cord is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of occult spinal cord disorders, especially in patients with voiding dysfunction refractory to conservative management strategies and normal neurologic and orthopedic assessments.

Outcome of Augmentation Sigmoidocystoplasty in Children with Neurogenic Bladder

Purpose: The role of augmentation cystoplasty in the neuropathic bladder has been well determined since clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) has been accepted as a treatment modality in voiding dysfunction. We present our clinical experience with sigmoid augmentation cystoplasty in children with neurogenic bladder disorder. Material and Methods: From 1991 to 1997 sigmoid augmentation cystoplasty with modified clam technique was performed in 18 cases with neuropathic bladder pathologies. In 4 cases, ureteroneocystostomy was performed, 2 of whom were bilateral. Age range of these patients was 5–17 years (mean 10.3 years) and follow-up period was from 16 to 70 months (mean 41 months). Results: Pyuria was detected in 10 cases and 2 of them were symptomatic. Clinical acidosis was detected in only 1 case. Fifteen cases (83%) were continent by using CISC with 4–6 hourly and detrusor pressure lower than 30 cm water at maximal bladder capacity. Conclusion: In children with neurogenic bladder pathologies refractory to conservative management, augmentation cystoplasty with CISC is an effective treatment modality in protecting the upper urinary tract and preventing incontinence.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children: Evaluation of the results considering the need for auxiliary procedures

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in children with renal stones, with regard to ability of ureters to transport the fragments, and need for adjunctive procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2000 and November 2004, 60 children (24 girls and 36 boys) with a total of 72 stones of the upper urinary tract were treated by ESWL using a PCK V5 lithotriptor. Patients with anatomical abnormalities and staghorn stones were excluded from the study. Stone size ranged from 4 to 28 mm. Mean number of shock waves was 1430 (range 600-2000) per ESWL session and mean energy used for stone disintegration was 12 kV (range 6-18). At 24-48 h after ESWL, a plain film or renal ultrasound was obtained to evaluate stone fragmentation. RESULTS Our stone-free rate after one session of ESWL was 92.8% and 81.2% for patients with stones smaller than 10mm and stones between 10 and 28 mm, respectively. Seven (11.6%) patients developed distal ureteral steinstrasse, and the stone size was 15-20 mm and 20-28 mm in two and five patients, respectively. The steinstrasse completely cleared under meticulous follow-up. No patient needed an adjunctive procedure, such as a double-J stent or nephrostomy tube placement, or ureteroscopic stone manipulation. CONCLUSION A childs ureter is capable of transporting the fragments after lithotripsy. Interventional procedures should be a last resort. Expectant management is usually adequate even in patients who develop steinstrasse after ESWL.

Clinical comparision of intravesical hyaluronic acid and hyaluronic acid-chondroitin sulphate therapy for patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitital cystitis.

INTRODUCTION Patients with a history of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and who responded poorly or unsatisfactorily with previous treatment were compared taking intravesical hyaluronic acid (HA) or hyaluronic acid-chondroitin sulphate (HA-CS). METHODS Patients were treated with intravesical instillation with 50 mL sterile sodium hyalurinic acid (Hyacyst, Syner-Med, Surrey, UK) (n = 32) and sodium hyaluronate 1.6% sodium chondroitin sulphate 2% (Ialuril, Aspire Pharma, UK) (n = 33). Intravesical instillations were performed weekly in first month, every 15 days in the second month and monthly in third and fourth months, for a total of 8 doses. Patients were evaluated using a visual analog pain scale (VAS), interstitial cystitis symptom index (ICSI), interstitial cystitis problem index (ICPI), voiding diary for frequency/nocturia, cystometric bladder capacity and voided volume at the beginning and at 6 months. All patients had a potassium sensitivity test (PST) initially. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS In total, 53 patients met the study criteria. There were 30 patients in the HA-CS group (mean age: 48.47) and 23 patients in the HA group (mean age: 49.61) (p > 0.05). The initial PST was positive in 71.7% patients (38/53) overall with no difference between groups (p > 0.05). Responses for VAS, ICCS, ICPS, 24-hour frequency/nocturia statistically improved in both groups at 6 months. There was no significant difference in symptomatic improvement (p > 0.05). Eight patients had mild adverse events. CONCLUSION HA and HA/CS instillation can be effective in BPS/IC patients who do not respond to conservative treatment. An important limitation of our study is that the HA dosage of the 2 treatment arms were different. It would be more appropriate with same HA dosage in both groups; however, there was no commercially available glycosaminoglycan (GAG) substance with same HA dosage for single and combination therapy. Large, long-term randomized studies are required to determine if there is a difference between these treatments.

Diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: comparison of near infrared spectroscopy algorithm and pressure flow study in a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and an algorithm on the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS Male patients with LUTS were recruited and underwent uroflowmetry and urodynamic pressure flow study (PFS) with simultaneous transcutaneous NIRS monitoring. Next, the postvoid residual urine volume was measured using ultrasonography. Data analysis first classified each subject as obstructed or unobstructed using the standard pressure flow data and nomogram and compared these results with the NIRS algorithm, which analyzed the pattern of change of the NIRS data plus the measurements of the postvoid residual urine volume and peak flow rate on uroflowmetry. RESULTS A total of 65 patients were enrolled in the present study. Of these patients, 10 with equivocal PFS findings and 2 with concurrent urinary tract infection were excluded. Of the 53 patients, 29 and 24 were classified as obstructed and unobstructed according to the PFS outcomes, respectively. The International Prostate Symptom Score and uroflowmetry peak flow rate demonstrated significant differences between the obstructed and unobstructed patients. The NIRS algorithm correctly identified 25 patients diagnosed as obstructed (86.2%) and 21 diagnosed as unobstructed (87.5%) according to the PFS findings. CONCLUSION The NIRS algorithm could be a noninvasive option for the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction in men with LUTS, with 86.2% and 87.5% sensitivity and specificity, respectively.

Augmentation duracystoplasty in neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Background

Functional Outcomes and Long-term Durability of Artificial Urinary Sphincter Application: Review of 56 Patients With Long-term Follow-up

Purpose To evaluate the long-term outcomes of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation and to report the complication rates, including mechanical failure, erosion, and infection. Materials and Methods From June 1990 to May 2011, AUS (AMS 800) implantations were performed in 56 adult males by one surgeon. Various demographic and preoperative variables, surgical variables, and postoperative outcomes, including success and complication rates with a median follow-up of 96 months, were recorded retrospectively. Results The mean age of the patients at the time of AUS implantation was 61.8 (±14.2) years. During the follow-up period, the total complication rate was 41.1% (23 patients). The incidence of complications was significantly lower during the follow-up period after 48 months (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that 5- and 10-year failure-free rates were 50.3% and 45.2%, respectively. Conclusions Long-term durability and functional outcomes are achievable for the AMS 800, but there are appreciable complication rates for erosion, mechanical failure, and infection of up to 30%.

Instillation of Hyaluronic Acid via Electromotive Drug Administration Can Improve the Efficacy of Treatment in Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome: A Randomized Prospective Study

Purpose In the treatment of interstitial cystitis, intravesical hyaluronic acid application may be suggested as a treatment option. In this randomized prospective study, the authors aimed to identify whether instilling the hyaluronic acid with electromotive drug administration (EMDA) would increase the tissue uptake and improve the efficacy. Materials and Methods The data of 31 patients who had been diagnosed with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) between 2004 and 2005 were examined. The patients were randomized to two groups: patients in group A received hyaluronic acid directly with a catheter and patients in group B received hyaluronic acid with EMDA. The patients were followed for 24 months and the two groups were compared at certain time intervals. The primary end points of the study were visual analogue scale (VAS) score, global response assessment, and micturition frequency in 24 hours. Results There were 6 males and 25 females. The two groups were similar in baseline parameters. The decrease in VAS score and the micturition frequency in 24 hours were significantly lower with EMDA at months 6 and 12. The difference between the two groups was not significant at months 1 and 24. Also, treatment with EMDA, positive KCl test, and pretreatment voiding frequency >17 were associated with higher response rates. Conclusions Hyaluronic acid installation is an effective glycosaminoglycan substitution therapy in patients with BPS/IC. Instillation of hyaluronic acid via EMDA can improve the efficacy of the treatment; however, lack of long-term efficacy is the major problem with this glycosaminoglycan substitution therapy.

Diagnosis modelling of urethral obstructions using fuzzy expert system

The aim of this study is to help the doctors for diagnosis process of urinary system illnesses that causes obstruction in the urethra and the bladder. There are several reasons that cause obstructions in the urinary system. The common causes of these obstructions are prostate cancers, verimontanum hypertrophies, detrusor instabilities, urinary incontinence, the bladder cancer and malfunctions. This study is to help the specialist doctors about the evaluation process of the uroflowmetric measurements that are made to determine the intensity of the urinary obstructions. The average flowrate (ml) and the residual urine volume measured in the bladder are accepted as the input variables of the fuzzy logic system. The output variable is the urinary obstruction rate of the urethra. When the obstruction reaches the dangerous levels, it means that the severity of the obstruction in the urethra is high and this obstruction can easily give harm to the kidneys and at the advanced stages of the illness it can cause real failure. Matlab 7 Fuzzy Logic Toolbox is used for the simulation of the fuzzy logic urinary obstruction diagnosis system.