Pretreatment regimen for high-risk patients receiving urographic contrast media

Retrospective analysis of 85 high-risk patients, pretreated with prednisone who received urographic contrast media, was associated with no adverse effects in 76 (89.6%) procedures. Serious reactions were recorded only in 1 patient (1.1%). Based on the results, our regimen is an appropriate prophylaxis.

Effect of diclofenac sodium (Voltaren) on spermatogenesis of infertile oligospermic patients

The effect of the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor diclofenac sodium (Voltaren) on spermatogenesis in infertile oligospermic patients has been studied. Diclofenac sodium was given orally at a daily dose of 100 mg for 30 days. Seminal fluid parameters were evaluated. Group II with high levels of seminal prostaglandin showed a statistically significant increase in the number and motility of spermatozoa (p less than 0.01), whilst no significant variations were observed in patients of group I with normal values of seminal prostaglandin.

Multifocal bleeding due to anticoagulant therapy

A 62-year-old patient on anticoagulant therapy presented with hemothorax, pulmonary hemorrhages and a high retroperitoneal hematoma with obstruction-infarction of the right kidney. Following plasma infusion and pleural drainage, the clinical condition stabilized and kidney function improved.

Ureterocele containing calcified stone

We describe here an uncommon case of simple ureterocele containing calcified stone, that was successfully treated.

Cancer of the prostate: is there a need for aggressive treatment?

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate constitutes 18% of all cancers in men, and is a major cause of neoplastic death second only to carcinoma of lungs and large bowel. In spite of the high incidence of the disease, there is still disagreement as to the right treatment. In our study we reviewed 101 patients in stages T0b, T1 + T2, T3 (N0M0) who were treated by nonradical prostatectomy and no other treatment. The follow-up of these patients was 58 months. The actuarial 5- and 10-year survival according to stage was respectively: 91.30 and 64.62% in stage T0b; 60.61 and 34.11% in stage T1 + T2, and 41.67% in stage T3. Survival rates resembled those quoted in the literature. Our results justify a less aggressive approach to carcinoma of the prostate.

Pitfalls in the treatment of urological injuries

'Pitfall' is a trap made by digging a hole in the ground and concealing its opening, and any danger or difficulty that is not easily anticipated or avoided. It is our intention in this article to point out the traps, dangers and difficulties involved in our treatment of three urological injuries. It is clear that the pitfalls are due to the inexact interpretation of parameters used.

Quantitative renal blood flow in urinary tract obstruction

Technetium-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy using a bolus injection was used to obtain a noninvasive quantitative measurement of renal blood flow. The method used is an adaptation of the one used for calculating cerebral blood flow which involves deconvolution of the first pass of the isotope through the kidneys. The relative renal blood flow of 18 normal patients and 18 patients with unilateral urinary tract obstruction was performed. All patients with obstruction, but one, were reexamined after surgery. There was a significant difference between the normal and partially obstructed patients (p less than 0.001) and between those with partial and complete obstruction (p less than 0.01). After surgery a statistically observable improvement in the relative renal blood flow was obtained.

Effect of diclofenac sodium (Voltaren) and prostaglandin E2 on spermatogenesis in mature dogs

The effect of the prostaglandin-synthesis inhibitor, diclofenac sodium (Voltaren), and of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on spermatogenesis in mature dogs has been studied. Diclofenac sodium at 2.0 mg/kg was given subcutaneously once a day for 42 days. The testes were biopsied every 7 days, and spermatogenesis was quantified showing a marked and statistically significant increase (p less than 0.001). Administration of PGE2 in doses of 2.0 mg/kg subcutaneously, once a day for 15 days, produced a marked and statistically significant decrease in spermatogenesis (p less than 0.001), and an increase in the numbers of exfoliated immature germ cells in the seminiferous tubule lumens.

Testicular metastasis from carcinoma of the prostate

In 1 out of 56 patients, orchiectomized in the course of treatment for prostatic carcinoma, metastatic growth in the testis was found. This uncommon metastatic spread is a sign of advanced disease.

Intravesical irrigation with distilled water during and immediately after transurethral resection and later for superficial bladder cancer

In a retrospective study, the influence of distilled water, used as the irrigation fluid during and immediately after the complete removal of superficial bladder cancer, on the recurrences of bladder cancer was evaluated. Thirty-two percent recurrence developed in the first year (25 patients) and 50% in the second year (39 patients). The 3-month and 1-year recurrence-free rates were 87.2 and 68% respectively. The results support the concept that recurrences may arise from tumor cell implantation at the time of transurethral management of bladder tumors and may be reduced effectively by using distilled water.

Idiopathic calcinosis of scrotum

A case of idiopathic calcinosis of the scrotum is presented. This term has been applied to an uncommon disorder characterized by solitary or multiple, firm painless papules or nodules of the scrotum that usually appear during childhood or early adult life. The lesions are skin colored to white-yellow, increase in size and number, may itch or drain a chalky white material. X-ray film reveals calcified shadows. Biopsy specimens of the lesions show masses of calcium deposits in the dermis without evidence of an epithelial lining.

Acute urinary retention secondary to uterus didelphys with imperforate vagina

Cyclic dysmenorrhea, unilateral abdominopelvic mass, acute urinary retention and renal agenesis ipsilateral to the pelvic mass in a young woman suggest uterus didelphys with unilaterally imperforate vagina.

Distilled water versus chemotherapeutic agents for transitional bladder carcinoma

The effect of distilled water on exfoliated tumor cells from transitional bladder carcinoma was compared to the effect of chemotherapeutic agents dissolved in saline and in distilled water. The experiment was controlled by comparison to the effect of saline on cells under the same conditions. Distilled water proved as effective as chemotherapeutic agents in distilled water and more destructive than chemotherapeutic agents in saline within the 2-hour time limit of the experiment.

Epidural morphine: a new approach to combined anesthesia and analgesia in urological patients

The effect of combined epidural anesthesia and epidural morphine injection is discussed. A group of 98 patients (group A), chosen at random, was operated on under such combined anesthesia and compared to a similar group of 98 patients (group B), equally chosen at random, operated on under either spinal or general anesthesia with no epidural morphine added. Over 87% of group A needed no narcotic drugs for postoperative pain. All patients in the group B needed 60-80 mg of morphine during the first 48 postoperative hours. The quantity of morphine required was the main parameter for comparison. The postoperative course in group A was considerably easier while the operative results were equal in both groups.

Urethro-thigh fistula. Report of 2 cases

Two rare cases of urethro-thigh fistula are described. Both of them occurred following pelvic trauma. We suggest that trauma, hematoma and infection, suppuration, are the etiology for the development of fistula from a torn urethra to the thigh. A review of the English literature failed to reveal other cases of such an unusual complication.

Recurrent transitional cell carcinoma in an ileal conduit

We report a new case of recurrent transitional cell carcinoma developing in an ileal conduit. Only 7 cases have been reported thus far. These have occurred within 15 months of urinary diversion. Although this is an uncommon urologic lesion, awareness of the possibility requires continued surveillance of patients with an ileal conduit.

Carcinosarcoma of the prostate

Carcinosarcoma of the prostate is a very rare malignant tumor in men. Only 4 cases have been reported in the English literature. We give herein the 5th case report of carcinosarcoma of the prostate.