Terpene compound drug as medical expulsive therapy for ureterolithiasis: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of terpene compound drug (pinene, camphene, borneol, anethole, fenchone and cineol in olive oil) in facilitating spontaneous passage of ureteral calculiMETHODS: Systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, Science Direct, Proquest, Google scholar, Cochrane Library databases and rference lists of related literature was done without language restriction. Trials on ureterolithiasis medical expulsive therapy (MET) that compare terpene compound drug versus placebo/control group or alpha-blockers were identified. Articles retrieved were critically appraised by two independent reviewers according to Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. Data from included studies were extracted for calculation of risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Effect estimates were pooled using Mantel-Haenszel method with random effect model. Inter-study heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed. The PRISMA guidelines for meta-analysis reporting were followed.RESULTS: Five trials (total of 344 subjects) of adequate methodological quality were included. Pooled effect estimates from homogenous studies showed that compared to placebo/ control group, patients treated with terpene compound drug had significantly higher ureteral calculi expulsion rate (pooled RR: 1.34; 95% CI 1.12, 1.61). Analysis of studies that compare terpene compound drug with alpha-blockers showed no significant difference (pooled RR: 0.79; 95% CI 0.59, 1.06), although significant inter-study heterogeneity was noted. Only minor gastrointestinal adverse effect was reported on terpene compound drug use.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that terpene compound drug as MET is effective in promoting passage of ureterolithiasis. High quality large-scale RCTs comparing alpha-blockers and terpene compound drug are warranted to make a more definitive conclusion.

Feminizing genitoplasty for a 3-year old female with ambiguous genitalia and congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

A case of a 3 year old female from Guam, USA with ambiguous genitalia is presented. She was previously diagnosed at early neonatal period with salt wasting variant of Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. She was maintained on fluodrocortisone and hydrocortisone since then. Referral to a Urologist was made only at this time for genitoplasty. The pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of her condition are discussed here with emphasis on the surgical reconstruction with reduction clitoroplasty and flap vaginoplasty. (Author)

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the contralateral adrenal gland of a 65 year old male 10 years after radical nephrectomy

A case of a 65 year old male from Tondo, Manila with metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) in the contralateral adrenal gland is presented. He underwent a left radical nephrectomy back in May 1992 after which he remained asymptomatic. Only the finding of a right adrenal mass 10 years later would stand to challenge his "cured" state. The steps that lead to the diagnosis and the subsequent management of his case are discussed here. (Author)