Risk of bacteraemia during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Genitourinary Procedures as Risk Factors for Prosthetic Hip or Knee Infection: A Hospital-Based Prospective Case-Control Study

Antibiotic prophylaxis during genitourinary procedures was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in risk for prosthetic joint infection in our study. Current policies for administering antibiotic prophylaxis to patients with prosthetic hip or knee arthroplasty undergoing genitourinary procedures should be reconsidered.

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) as a complication of routine genitourinary (GU) procedures in patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to study the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis administered prior to these procedures.

Methods. We conducted a prospective, single-center, case-control study between December 1, 2001 and May 31, 2006. Case patients were hospitalized with total hip or knee PJI. Control subjects underwent a THA or TKA and were hospitalized during the same period on the same orthopedic floor without a PJI. Data regarding demographic features and potential risk factors were collected. The outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) of PJI after GU procedures performed within 2 years of admission.

Results. A total of 339 case patients and 339 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Of these, 52 cases (15%) and 55 controls (16%) had undergone a GU procedure in the preceding 2 years. There was no increased risk of PJI for patients undergoing a GU procedure with or without antibiotic prophylaxis (adjusted OR [aOR] = 1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.2–4.5, P = .95 and aOR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6–1.7, P = .99, respectively). Results were similar in a subset of patients with a joint age less than 6 months, less than 1 year, or greater than 1 year.

Conclusions. Genitourinary procedures were not risk factors for subsequent PJI. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis before GU procedures did not decrease the risk of subsequent PJI in our study.

Japanese guidelines for prevention of perioperative infections in urological field

For urologists, it is very important to master surgical indications and surgical techniques. On the other hand, the knowledge of the prevention of perioperative infections and the improvement of surgical techniques should always be considered. Although the prevention of perioperative infections in each surgical field is a very important issue, the evidence and the number of guidelines are limited. Among them, the preparation of guidelines has progressed, especially in gastrointestinal surgery. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infections, which have been used worldwide. In urology, the original guidelines were different from those of general surgery, due to many endourological procedures and urine exposure in the surgical field. The Japanese Society of UTI Cooperative Study Group has thus framed these guidelines supported by The Japanese Urological Association. The guidelines consist of the following nine techniques: open surgeries, laparoscopic surgeries, transurethral resection of bladder tumor, ureterorenoscope and transurethral lithotripsy, transurethral resection of the prostate, prostate biopsy, cystourethroscope, pediatric surgeries in the urological field, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and febrile neutropenia. These are the first guidelines for the prevention of perioperative infections in the urological field in Japan. Although most of these guidelines were made using reliable evidence, there are parts without enough evidence. Therefore, if new reliable data is reported, it will be necessary for these guidelines to be revised in the future.

Minimally invasive management of urolithiasis

The management of urolithiasis has radically changed over the last two decades. Open surgery has been almost completely replaced by minimally invasive procedures, mainly extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS). Although these treatment modalities have been proven to be very safe and effective, serious complications can occur. Prompt diagnosis is often essential and may even be lifesaving. Radiologists play an important role in this setting, since many of these complications can be readily diagnosed by imaging. Awareness of the wide spectrum of complications may be crucial in interpreting imaging studies of patients who have undergone one of these procedures. This article reviews the contemporary management of ureteric stones with ESWL and URS and illustrates the radiological findings of complications of these procedures.

Giant abdominal wall abscess dissecting into thorax as a complication of ESWL

Abscess as a complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a rare condition. We present the computed tomography findings of an abdominal wall abscess that occurred after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for which prophylactic antibiotics had not been given. The abscess destroyed the posterior abdominal wall muscles and dissected into the thorax. The muscles were thickened and showed enhancement. A parenchymal defect in the right kidney adjacent to a caliceal stone, with strands extending from this defective region to the abscess, was observed, and was thought to be the result of parenchymal destruction caused by the shock waves. Other parts of the kidney and psoas muscle were normal. Microbiologic examination revealed Escherichia coli.

[Metastatic cerebral abscess from Klebsiella pneumoniae after extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy for kidney stone (a case report)]

Extra-corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is widely used to treat urinary calculi. With increasing numbers of ESWL, more patients prone to infectious complications. A 62-year-old man presented with cerebral abscess following ESWL. The authors discuss presenting conditions, risk factors and preventive measures.

Incidence of urinary tract infection in patients without bacteriuria undergoing SWL: comparison of stone types

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) currently is accepted as the preferred treatment for most renal and upper ureteral calculi. However, little is known about the infection risks of SWL. In this study, the incidence and severity of urinary tract infection in 117 patients with renal calculi undergoing SWL were evaluated and the stone characteristics of those with and without infection were compared. The patients were followed clinically and bacteriologically 1 and 14 days after the procedure. Bacteriuria was noted in six patients within 24 hours after SWL. No bacteriuria was noted 2 weeks later. Of these patients, three were symptomatic (including dysuria, burning, and fever >38 degrees C). No patient was hospitalized. We found no significant correlation between the occurrence of bacteriuria and the number or size of the stones (P > 0.05), nor was there any correlation between bacteriuria and the stone-free rate or the location of the calculi (P > 0.05). However, there was a significantly higher risk of urinary tract infection in patients with struvite stones than in those with other types of stones (17.3% v 2.1%). In patients with infection stones, prophylactic antimicrobial chemotherapy is necessary even if bacteriuria is not present before SWL.

Antibodies to Tamm-Horsfall protein in patients treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

The aim of this study was to determine antibodies to Tamm-Horsfall protein in patients with nephrolithiasis treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The values of antibodies to Tamm-Horsfall protein were determined by direct enzyme immunoassay. No statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed for the IgG and IgM classes of antibodies between the groups of healthy subjects and patients with nephrolithiasis before, and 30 and 60 days after ESWL. The values of IgA class determined 30 days after treatment were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in patients, which could be due to the stimulation of the immune system. The highest values of antibodies to Tamm-Horsfall protein were obtained in both groups in the test with secondary antibodies directed toward IgM class, implicated at the presence of cross-reactive antibodies. Determination of antibodies to THP subunits isolated form urine of patients with nephrolithiasis should be performed.

Enterococcal endocarditis after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for nephrolithiasis

We report a case of enterococcal endocarditis following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for ureteral stone. Although endocarditis following ESWL is very rare, transient bacteraemia occurs during ESWL. This case is a reminder that enterococcal endocarditis may follow innovative genitourinary procedures without appropriate prophylaxis.