Bladder neck dysfunction: the effect of the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent phentolamine on bladder neck dysfunction and a fluorescent histochemical study of bladder neck smooth muscle

Urodynamic examinations and fluorescent histochemical studies suggest that patients with bladder neck obstruction can be divided into two main groups (responders and nonresponders) based on the response of their urinary flow rate to phentolamine and that the adrenergic nervous system of the bladder neck has an important effect on the response in responders.

Retrovesical chondrosarcoma

Retrovesical sarcoma is rare. We report the first documented case of retrovesical chondrosarcoma. The patient underwent pelvic evisceration with creation of anileocecal conduit and colostomy. There have been no signs of local recurrence or metastasis.

Serum-ionized calcium as a diagnostic tool in hypercalciuria

Serum-ionized calcium (Ca++) was measured in 65 patients with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis. The patients were then divided into hypercalciuric and normocalciuric groups based on the mean + SD of the control group, with greater than 180 mg/24 h in males and greater than 176 mg/24 h in females defined as hypercalciuria. The results showed a decrease in the tubular reabsorption of calcium in the hypercalciuric group, but not in the normocalciuric group. The hypercalciuric group was then further divided into group I with increased filtered load and group II with with normal filtered load. It was suggested that the group I hypercalciurics had absorptive hypercalciuria and group II renal hypercalciuria.

Bilateral trifid ureters associated with fused kidney, ureterovesical stenosis, left cryptorchidism and angioma of the bladder

The first case of bilateral trifid ureters associated with fused kidney, ureterovesical stenosis, a left undescended testicle and angioma of the bladder is reported. Bilateral ureteroneocystostomy and left orchiopexy were done. The patient is well 3 months postoperatively with no urinary tract infection and stable renal function.

Down syndrome and maternal age in Japan, 1950-1973

The mean maternal age and the percentage age distribution of 2,650 mothers of children with Down syndrome were calculated for 1950-1973, from hospital records. Mean maternal age had dropped both for controls (28.55 leads to 27.37) and Down syndrome (31.26 leads to 29.59). The observed maternal age distributions were very similar to those expected in corresponding periods, from the age specific incidences of Collmann & Stoller (1962). It is conceivable that the fall in maternal age in Down syndrome in recent years has resulted from the general trend to decreasing maternal age. There has been no change in the age-specific incidences of Down syndrome. The incidence of Down syndrome seems to be falling in Japan.