Shu-Mien Chuang

Management of Symptomatic Urolithiasis during Pregnancy

Urinary calculi during pregnancy present not only a diagnostic challenge but also a management dilemma. In this retrospective study, we describe our experience with diagnosis and management of symptomatic urolithiasis in pregnant women. A total of 18 pregnant women were treated for urolithiasis at the Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao‐Kang Hospital, between 1999 and 2004. The incidence of symptomatic urolithiasis during pregnancy was 0.35%. Of the 20 stones found, nine were on the right side and 11 were on the left, and two patients had bilateral urinary stones. Most urolithiasis cases during pregnancy (55.5%) occurred in the third trimester. Flank pain (94.4%) was the most common clinical presentation. Conservative management was successful in 10 patients until the end of pregnancy and then definite treatment was performed. In four patients, a double‐J stent was inserted successfully for persistent pain. In three cases with persistent pain, failure of double‐J stent placement was treated with ureteroscopic lithotripsy under epidural anesthesia. One patient received percutaneous nephrostomy for persistent renal colic and pyonephrosis. Ultrasonographic evaluation of pregnant women with suspected renal colic is a reasonable diagnostic procedure. Ureteroscopy is another choice when conservative treatment fails.

COLON PERFORATION: A RARE COMPLICATION DURING PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROLITHOTOMY

Only a few cases of colon perforation during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) have been reported. We present here a case of colon perforation during PCNL that was managed conservatively by stenting the urinary tract, using the percutaneous catheter as the colostomy tube, and giving broad‐spectrum antibiotics. This report also reviews the anatomic and technical access to the kidney and reminds the urologist about this rare but serious complication of PCNL.

Ketamine-induced ulcerative cystitis and bladder apoptosis involve oxidative stress mediated by mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum

Ketamine abusers develop severe lower urinary tract symptoms. The major aims of the present study were to elucidate ketamine-induced ulcerative cystitis and bladder apoptosis in association with oxidative stress mediated by mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed into three different groups, which received normal saline or ketamine for a period of 14 or 28 days, respectively. Double-labeled immunofluorescence experiments were performed to investigate tight junction proteins for urothelial barrier functions. A TUNEL assay was performed to evaluate the distribution of apoptotic cells. Western blot analysis was carried out to examine the expressions of urothelial tight junction proteins, ER stress markers, and apoptosis-associated proteins. Antioxidant enzymes, including SOD and catalase, were investigated by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence experiments. Ketamine-treated rats were found to display bladder hyperactivity. This bladder dysfunction was accompanied by disruptions of epithelial cadherin- and tight junction-associated proteins as well as increases in the expressions of apoptosis-associated proteins, which displayed features of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signals and ER stress markers. Meanwhile, expressions of mitochondria respiratory subunit enzymes were significantly increased in ketamine-treated bladders. Conversely, mRNA expressions of the antioxidant enzymes Mn-SOD (SOD2), Cu/Zn-SOD (SOD1), and catalase were decreased after 28 days of ketamine treatment. These results demonstrate that ketamine enhanced the generation of oxidative stress mediated by mitochondria- and ER-dependent pathways and consequently contributed to bladder apoptosis and urothelial lining defects. Such oxidative stress-enhanced bladder cell apoptosis and urothelial barrier defects are potential factors that may play a crucial role in bladder overactivity and ulceration.

Comparison of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy in the Management of Impacted, Large, Proximal Ureteral Stones

The optimal treatment for large, impacted, proximal ureteral stones remains controversial. We report our experience and compare treatment outcomes in patients with single, impacted, proximal ureteral stones undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL). Between January 2005 and January 2006, a total of 53 consecutive patients with solitary, impacted, proximal ureteral stones > 15 mm in diameter who had undergone PCNL or URSL treatments were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 48.5 ± 11.8 years. PCNL and URSL were performed in 22 and 31 patients. Stone burdens in the PCNL and URSL groups were 232.8 ± 113.2 mm2 and 150.3 ± 70.3 mm2, respectively. The efficiency quotient (EQ) for the PCNL and URSL groups was 0.95 and 0.67, respectively. The stone‐free rate at the 1 month follow‐up was 95.4% in the PCNL group and 58% in the URSL group (p < 0.001). Two patients in the PCNL group had blood loss requiring transfusion. Eight patients had stones showing upward migration during the URSL procedure, and these stones were subsequently treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and PCNL. For an impacted, proximal ureteral stone > 15 mm in diameter, PCNL had better stone‐free rates and could simultaneously treat coexisting renal stones. However, URSL had the advantages of shorter operative times, shorter postoperative hospital stays, and fewer postoperative complications.

Neuroprotection of green tea catechins on surgical menopause-induced overactive bladder in a rat model.

ObjectiveA rat model of ovariectomy-induced voiding dysfunction has been established, which mimicked the urge incontinence in postmenopausal women. Previous studies have identified strong anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties of green tea and its associated polyphenols. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the green tea extract, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), could prevent an ovariectomy-induced overactive bladder. MethodsThe study included 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into four groups. After bilateral ovariectomy during the following 6-month period, 12 rats received an intraperitoneal injection of saline, 24 rats received either a low-dose (1 &mgr;M kg−1 d−1) or a high-dose (10 &mgr;M kg−1 d−1) EGCG intraperitoneal injection. The sham group consisted of twelve rats that were not ovariectomized. In vivo isovolumetric cystometrograms were performed in all groups before the animals were euthanized. The immunofluorescence study used neurofilament stains to evaluate intramural nerve damage. Western immunoblots and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine M2 and M3 muscarinic cholinergic receptors (MChRs) at both protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions. ResultsLong-term ovariectomy significantly increased non–voiding contractions, whereas treatment with EGCG significantly attenuated the frequency of non–voiding contractions. Ovariectomy significantly decreased the numbers of neurofilament and increased M2 and M3 MChR protein and mRNA expressions. Treatment with EGCG restored the amount of neurofilament staining and decreased M2 and M3 MChR protein and mRNA overexpressions. ConclusionsThis study confirmed that ovary hormone deficiency induced overactive bladder dysfunction via intramural nerve damage and muscarinic receptor overexpression. EGCG prevented ovariectomy-induced bladder dysfunction through neuroprotective effects in a dose-dependent fashion.

Impact of Lower Pole Anatomy on Stone Clearance After Shock Wave Lithotripsy

This study retrospectively analyzed patients treated with shock wave ithotripsy (SWL) for lower calyceal stones, to determine the influence of the lower pole anatomy and stone size in predicting the clearance of fragments. Between June 2000 and March 2002, we reviewed excretory urography (IVU) of 59 patients with isolated lower pole stones treated with SWL. A total of 44 men and 15 women, with an age ranging between 23 and 78 years (mean, 55 years), were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, either a stone‐free group or residual‐stone group. After SWL, overall stone rate was 57.6%, and clearance for stones less than 10 mm in diameter was 64.5%, whereas clearance was 50% for stones between 10 and 20 mm in diameter. Intrarenal anatomy on IVU, such as infundibular width and infundibulopelvi‐ureteric angle showed no significant difference between the stone‐free and residual‐stone groups. Our analysis showed that three significant variables were relevant to stone clearance: infundibular length, stone size and stone burden. We conclude that SWL is the best treatment for lower pole kidney stones 10 mm or less in diameter, showing lower complication and acceptable stone‐free rates.

Predictive role of renal resistance indices in the extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy outcome of ureteral stones.

Objective. Doppler ultrasonography (US) can be used to measure renal blood flow and calculate resistance indices. Increased renal resistance indices have been suggested to be associated with upper urinary tract obstruction and may help clinical physicians to differentiate physiological hydronephrosis from urinary tract obstruction. The aims of this study were to investigate the value of renal resistance indices before extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and to determine whether they were predictive of the ESWL outcome. Material and methods. Between May 2005 and May 2006, a total of 84 patients who suffered from ureteral stones with renal colic and were treated with ESWL in the emergency department were enrolled in this study. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were determined and urinalysis, abdominal plain film X-ray and color Doppler US were performed. The resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the three different measurements of renal upper, middle and lower poles were calculated for both the affected and contralateral kidneys. Results. Sixty of the 84 patients were found to be stone-free after follow-up, and the total stone-free rate was 71%. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean RI of the affected and contralateral kidneys in all patients: 0.672±0.046 vs 0.616±0.054 (p<0.001). Moreover, there were statistically significant differences between the stone-free group and the residual stone group regarding the RI (0.651±0.046 vs 0.723±0.029, respectively; p=0.003) and PI (1.143±0.162 vs 1.262±0.145, respectively; p=0.03) of the affected kidney. Conclusions. Intrarenal resistance indices represent the integration of arterial compliance, pulsatility, and peripheral resistance. Higher pre-ESWL resistance indices correlate with lower ESWL treatment success rates. Doppler US performed before ESWL treatment can therefore aid in making a correct clinical decision.

UNUSUAL GAS PATTERN IN EMPHYSEMATOUS CYSTITIS: A CASE REPORT

We present a case of emphysematous cystitis in a 43‐year‐old female. The gas pattern was unusual because there was only gas accumulation in the urinary bladder without bladder wall thickening or intramural gas formation. The differential diagnosis included postoperative states, enterovesical fistula, and iatrogenic instrumentation. The prognosis of emphysematous cystitis is good after early diagnosis and prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics, blood glucose control, and adequate urinary drainage. The patient was discharged on hospital day 5 with one additional week of oral antibiotic therapy. She was quite well at the time of writing and her diabetes was controlled with an oral hypoglycemic agent.

Evaluation of Intrarenal Blood Flow by Doppler Ultrasonography Immediately after Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy on Hydronephrotic Kidney

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is an effective and relatively noninvasive mode of treatment for urinary calculi. The aim of this study was to test whether therapeutic ESWL induces changes in renal parenchymatous blood flow and to evaluate shock wave side effects on the renal parenchyma. A total of 45 patients who underwent ESWL for ureteropelvic stone between January 2002 and July 2003 were included in this prospective study. Color Doppler sonography before and 30 minutes after ESWL showed no significant morphologic change. Resistive index (RI) was used to estimate renovascular resistance. The RI significantly increased in obstructed hydronephrotic kidneys. However, no significant change was observed in both treated and untreated kidneys before and after treatment. Hydronephrotic kidneys do not have a higher risk of post‐ESWL renovascular resistance interference. The measurement of changes in RI with Doppler ultrasonography may provide useful information for clinical diagnosis of renal tubulointerstitial and vascular damage.

PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROSTOMY FOR REMOVAL OF LARGE IMPACTED UPPER URETERAL STONES

The treatment for patients with large impacted proximal ureteral stone remains controversial. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopic lithotripsy are the most popular treatment options due to their minimal invasive nature. However, percutaneous nephroscopic ureterolithotripsy is still important. Between June 2004 and March 2006, a total of 24 patients underwent percutaneous antegrade nephrostomy for the removal of large impacted proximal ureteral stones of size > 15 mm. Combined ultrasonic and pneumatic lithotripters were used for the stone fragmentation. Twenty‐three (95.8%) of the 24 patients were stone‐free after one session of surgery. The mean operation time was 125.4 ± 49.5 minutes (range, 45–170 minutes) and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.7 ± 2.0 days (range, 4–12 days). Among the 24 patients, six experienced transient postoperative fever that could be controlled with appropriate antibiotics and supportive treatment, and two had blood loss requiring blood transfusion. We suggest that percutaneous nephroscopic ureterolithotripsy is a safe and efficient treatment option for the removal of large impacted proximal ureteral stones.