Yukihiko Ohishi

Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma using [123I]- compared with [131I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy

Background: Patient with pheochromocytoma (PCT) cannot be cured without operation, therefore, preoperative determination of the localization of PCT should be performed accurately. [131I]‐Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy is a gold standard for the diagnosis of PCT. However, [123I]‐MIBG is also found to accumulate in PCT. In order to clarify the usefulness of [123I]‐MIBG scintigraphy for the local detection of PCT, we compared the distribution of [123I]‐ and [131I]‐MIBG in patients with or without PCT.

Percutaneous cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma guided by horizontal open magnetic resonance imaging

Background:  Cryoablation is a treatment option for some patients with small exophytic lesions of the kidney. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility, safety, and intermediate‐term treatment outcome of percutaneous cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma guided by horizontal open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Usefulness of tamsulosin hydrochloride and naftopidil in patients with urinary disturbances caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia: A comparative, randomized, two-drug crossover study

Background:  The aim of the study presented here was to stratify drug therapy for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) displaying various voiding symptoms.

Flutamide-induced hepatic dysfunction in relation to steady-state plasma concentrations of flutamide and its metabolites

The frequency, severity, and outcome of flutamide-induced hepatic injury were prospectively evaluated in 55 patients with prostate cancer who received 125 mg of flutamide 3 times a day (daily dose: 375 mg) combined with an agonistic analogue of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. In addition, we examined plasma and urine concentrations of flutamide and its major metabolites 4 weeks after the beginning of flutamide therapy, and evaluated their significance in predicting flutamide-induced hepatic dysfunction. Hepatic function could be assessed in 50 patients and hepatic dysfunction during therapy was observed in 9 patients (18%); 3 patients (6%) were classified as having moderate liver dysfunction and 6 (12%) were classified as having mild liver dysfunction. The steady-state plasma levels of flutamide and its biologic active metabolite, hydroxyflutamide (OH-Flu), were not related to hepatic dysfunction. However, the concentration of another major metabolite, 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamine (FLU-1) was considerably higher in 2 patients who developed clinically significant hepatic dysfunction. These findings suggest that clinically significant hepatic dysfunction could be induced in patients with compromised flutamide metabolism, which leads to a high concentration of FLU-1. Based on results of this study, we propose that plasma FLU-1 levels are one of the predictive factors for flutamide-induced hepatic dysfunction. This hypothesis will be confirmed in a large-scale study.

Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy for impacted ureteral stone

Abstract Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy was successfully performed in two patients with impacted upper ureteral stone. The retroperitoneal space was extended using a balloon dissector and four ports were established into the retroperitoneal space according to Gaurs procedure (1993). The impacted ureteral stone was removed after the ureter was incised using a hook electrode. An indwelling splint or stent was placed in the ureter. The incised ureter was not sutured and an indwelling drain was placed in the retroperitoneal space. Urine leakage ceased within 3 days postoperatively. With regard to complications, the first patient developed wound infection caused by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the second patient had abscess formation in the psoas muscle. Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy should be useful as an alternative treatment for impacted ureteral stones because it involves minimal postoperative pain.

Questionnaire survey of Japanese urologists concerning the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Objectives:  We performed a questionnaire survey to investigate various issues in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome by Japanese urologists and to clarify the circumstances surrounding prostatitis in Japan.

An assessment of the immunological status of patients with renal cell carcinoma based on the relative abundance of T-helper 1- and -2 cytokine-producing CD4+ cells in peripheral blood

Objective To assess the immunological status of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), by analysing the proportion of cluster‐of‐differentiation 4‐positive (CD4+) cells showing intracellular cytokine production, i.e. interferon‐γ derived from T‐helper (Th) 1 and interleukin‐4 derived from Th2 cells, among peripheral blood lymphocytes from these patients

Antitumor immunity against bladder cancer induced by ex vivo expression of CD40 ligand gene using retrovirus vector

The interaction between CD40 ligand (CD40L) and CD40 on antigen-presenting cells is essential for the initiation of antigen-specific T-cell responses. In order to clarify whether the expression of CD40L in tumor cells might be useful as a systemic therapy against bladder cancer, we investigated the antitumor immunity induced by CD40L in the mouse bladder cancer cell line MBT2. MBT2 was transduced by the retroviral vector expressing CD40L (MBT2–CD40L). Mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells cocultured with MBT2–CD40L cells produced eight times more IL-12 than those cocultured with parental MBT2 cells. In animal studies, subcutaneously inoculated MBT2–CD40L cells were rejected promptly. The vaccination of MBT2–CD40L cells induced antitumor immunity against parental tumors at a distant site. However, the antitumor effect of MBT2–CD40L inoculation was insufficient against pre-existing tumors. In the vaccination model, antibody ablation studies revealed that CD4+ T cells were required for antitumor immunity, and tumor-specific cytotoxicity of sera was demonstrated. These data demonstrated that the antitumor immunity induced by CD40L was effective in the vaccination model and suggested that immunogene therapy using CD40L may be a new strategy of systemic therapy against bladder cancer.

Extracorporeal shock wave treatment for Peyronie's disease using EDAP LT-02 ; preliminary results

Abstract Background : Peyronie’s disease is an idiopathic fibrosis of the tunica albuginea of the penis, which often causes erectile dysfunction. No effective therapy except surgery has been available for Peyronie’s disease. We investigated the clinical efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) using EDAP LT‐02 as an alternative method of treatment for Peyronie’s disease.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis with inferior vena caval extension

Background : We report here on a third case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the renal pelvis extending to the inferior vena cava.