Haematuria in the diagnosis of urinary calculi

The aims of this study were to compare the sensitivity of urine dipstix (Combur 9 test) versus urine microscopy in detecting haematuria and to determine the proportion of patients with renal or ureteric colic due to urinary calculi who have haematuria. This is a prospective study of 122 patients presenting to an emergency department in a tertiary teaching hospital with symptoms suggestive of renal or ureteric colic. The same urine specimen tested using dipstix was sent for urine microscopic examination for haematuria, after which a plain radiograph of the kidneys, ureter and bladder was done. An early intravenous urogram was done (delay of an average of 4 days). Telephone interviews were done to determine whether any calculi had been passed. Urine dipstix detected haematuria in 95.4% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 87.1% to 100.0%] of patients with urinary calculi, whilst urine microscopy detected haematuria in 70.8% (95% CI 58.2% to 92.6%). This study showed that urine Combur 9 is more sensitive than urine microscopy in detecting haematuria. The combined use of urine Combur 9 and microscopy does not increase the sensitivity of detecting haematuria. In the absence of haematuria on urine Combur 9 for suspected ureteric colic, alternative diagnoses should be considered.

Microchip implants on the anterior sacral roots in patients with spinal trauma: does it improve bowel function?

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the effect of anterior sacral roots stimulator implants on bowel function of patients with spinal cord trauma.

METHOD

Eight patients with spinal cord injury and constipation had anterior sacral roots stimulator implants inserted for concomitant bladder dysfunction. Questionnaires on bowel function and anorectal manometry tests were given before and after insertion of the implants.

RESULTS

Six patients achieved improvement in bowel function. Four of these patients could defecate spontaneously following stimulation. Two patients had no improvement in bowel function. Anorectal manometry studies showed a negative rectoanal pressure difference at the time of stimulation. All patients were unable to defecate during stimulation. Positive rectoanal pressure difference was recorded in the six patients who had improved bowel function. This may be attributable to the slower relaxation of the smooth rectal muscle compared with the easily fatigable striated external anal sphincter.

CONCLUSION

Anterior sacral roots stimulator implants can improve bowel function in patients with spinal cord trauma.

Minimally invasive surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia--a review

A whole range of new therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is now being developed and evaluated. The traditional treatments for the benign enlarge and obstructing prostate, including open prostatectomy and more recently, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), are discussed, laying the groundwork for a detailed discussion of the different new minimally invasive modalities. These new modalities are discussed in three sections: modifications of TURP, non-ablative minimally invasive procedures and ablative minimally invasive procedures. Medications are not discussed. TURP remains predominant in the treatment of the obstructing benign prostate, but modalities like stents, microwave or radiofrequency or focused ultrasound-induced prostate thermotherapy as well as laser prostatectomy in its various forms and modifications may provide a wide selection for the urologist today. Although none of these have improved the effectiveness of TURP, the rates of morbidity in some are better, extending the limits of treatment. Costs too are a concern with some of these modalities being prohibitively expensive, whilst in others, savings in hospital stay and lesser morbidity may outweigh an expensive initial outlay. Many of these treatments are still evolving and well-constructed, prospective, randomised and long-term trials are required. Until one or more of these new treatments improve much further, TURP will remain the mainstay of BPH treatment.

Regeneration of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerves after cavernous nerve neurotomy in the rat

In patients who recover erectile function after radical prostatectomy (with preservation of at least 1 neurovascular bundle), a recovery time of 6 to 18 months is not uncommon. As this is also the usual time required for regeneration of spinal nerves, we believe that regeneration of cavernous nerves, partially damaged inadvertently, may be responsible. In a rat model, we examined the long-term effect of unilateral and bilateral cavernous nerve transection on the nonadrenergic/noncholinergic (NANC) nervous system and erectile function. In 31 rats, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme that catalyzes nitric oxide production, was identified in penile nerve fibers from a mid-shaft segment with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase staining and antibody to neuronal NOS. Animals were divided into three groups: 5 rats underwent pelvic exploration without transection of cavernous nerves (sham group); 13 rats underwent unilateral neurotomy of a 5-mm. segment of the cavernous nerve; and 13 rats underwent bilateral neurotomy. After bilateral ablation, the NOS-positive nerve fibers were significantly decreased at 3 weeks and remained so at 6 months; no erectile response could be elicited by pelvic nerve stimulation. After unilateral ablation, the NOS-positive nerve fibers were similarly decreased on the side of the neurotomy at 3 weeks, but by 6 months the number had increased significantly and approximated the level on the contralateral side. Furthermore, electrostimulation of the intact side induced a greater intracavernous pressure response at 6 months than at 3 weeks (N.B. the rat has an incomplete septum). Fibers positive for NOS were also identified in the dorsal nerve. The staining pattern diminished as rapidly and significantly on the side of neurotomy as in tissue from the corpus cavernosum. However, regeneration was not seen. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of regeneration of NOS-containing nerves after cavernous nerve neurotomy. Our findings support the reports by others that unilateral nerve-sparing is sufficient to preserve erectile function.

The detailed neuroanatomy of the human striated urethral sphincter

OBJECTIVE

To study the nerve supply of the striated urethral sphincter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The pelvis from six formalin-fixed male cadavers was dissected.

RESULTS

Cadaveric dissection revealed that both the intrinsic and extrinsic segments of the urethral rhabdosphincter receive their innervation from sacral roots S2-S4. The nerve fibres travel to their final destination via both the pudendal nerves and the nerve branches of the sacral roots. The terminal branches of the pudendal nerve enter the sphincteric area from the perineum. They separate shortly after they cross the ischial spine and run further ventromedially. Small branches approach the sphincter after their division from the dorsal nerve of the penis. The course of the pudendal nerve and its branching on the perineum are quite consistent. The pelvic branches travel inside the pelvis above the levator ani muscle. Among the cadavers the number of branches varied markedly, as did their site of termination (2.3 to 3.9 cm from the striated urethral sphincter). A substantial nerve approaching the sphincter from inside the pelvis was found. After it divided from the S2, S3 sacral roots it ran separately, initially just lateral to the fibres of the pelvic plexus and then on the dorsolateral surface of the rectum. In its terminal segment it dived into the levator ani muscle and terminated in the striated urethral sphincter.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that the nerve supply to the striated urethral sphincter consists of branches from both the pudendal nerve and the 'extrapudendal' nerves that run above the levator ani muscle inside the pelvis. The variations in the course of the latter are remarkable.

Pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction

During the past decade, our knowledge of the hemodynamics, functional anatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropharmacology of erectile function has evolved substantially. The change of smooth muscle tone has emerged as a key factor in erection and detumescence. However, future studies are needed to elucidate the cellular and molecular basis of erectile physiology. With insight into normal physiology we will understand the pathologic process and be able to treat it.

Informed patient consent--historical perspective and a clinician's view

Informed patient consent, in this day and age, is usually taken for granted, poorly understood, and inadequately practised. Historically, informed patient consent is relatively new to medical practice, as there was no such consent during the times of the ancient Egyptians, the ancient Greeks or Romans. The culture of individual rights as part of a social trend and evolution of human civilisation with landmarks such as the American Revolution two centuries ago also brought along greater patient awareness of their health and persons as well as their rights in the investigations, treatment and research of their illnesses. The rationale and elements in the practice of informed patient consent is part of this trend. However, there are moral and legal dilemmas involved. Discussion is needed, and though the practice of such consent may sometimes be difficult, the spirit of its application should never be compromised.