Low-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Low- and Intermediate-Risk Groups of Localized Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: We applied low-dose-rate brachytherapy for low- and intermediate-risk groups of prostate cancer patients. Our initial experiences were analyzed to assess the result of low-dose-rate brachytherapy for low- and intermediate-risk groups of patients with localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 consecutive patients have been treated with brachytherapy for 1 year since April 2007. Among them, a total of 24 patients in the low- or intermediate-risk groups were enrolled: 10 of the 24 patients were in the low-risk group (clinical T1a-T2b, Gleason score [GS] of 2-6, PSA<10 ng/ml), and 14 patients were in the intermediate-risk group (clinical T2b-T2c, Gleason score of 7, or PSA 10-20 ng/ml). Implantations were performed by practicing a real-time ultrasound-guided placement including prostatic capsular placement in the intermediate-risk group. All 24 patients were treated with 1 to 3 months of androgen-deprivation therapy. RESULTS: In the low- and intermediate-risk groups, the median patients' ages were 64 and 70 years, respectively. The numbers of patients in the low-risk group according to clinical T stage were 4 cases of T1c and 6 cases of T2a. The intermediate-risk group included 4 patients of stage T2a, 3 patients of stage T2b, and 7 patients of T2c. Five patients with a GS< or =6 and 9 patients with a GS of 7 were classified as being in the intermediate-risk group. Serum PSA levels in the intermediate-risk group were less than 10 ng/ml in 11 patients and 10-20 ng/ml in 3 patients. The median radiation doses delivered to 90% of the prostate in the low-risk and intermediate-risk groups were 257.5 Gy (range, 142.5-357.5 Gy) and 260.0 Gy (range, 147.5-357.5 Gy), respectively. Biochemical failure was not revealed in any case during follow-up. No patients experienced major complications. CONCLUSIONS: We can expect outstanding local control effect with low-dose-rate brachytherapy in low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Our technique of modifying the insertion field in the intermediate-risk group is feasible and tolerable. However, long-term follow-up data are needed for this strategy.

The Efficacy of Furosemide-based Medical Expulsive Therapy with Tamsulosin and Deflazacort for Symptomatic Distal Ureter Stones / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We prospectively evaluated the efficacy of administering tamsulosin with or without deflazacort, combined with furosemide, for treating distal ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 241 patients with symptomatic distal ureteral stones were enrolled in this study between January 2004 and September 2007. They were divided into three treatment groups: group A(n=42) who received furosemide(40mg/day), group B(n=66) who received furosemide and tamsulosin(0.4mg/day) and group C(n=72) who received furosemide and tamsulosin plus deflazacort(24mg/day) for a maximum of 2 weeks. Follow-up visits were made at the 1st and the 2nd week after all the medication had been administered. The efficacy was evaluated in terms of the success rate and the time for achieving expulsion after administering the medication, according to the stone size. RESULTS: The three groups were comparable in terms of age, gender and stone size. The stone diameter was 4.90+/-0.47mm for group A, 5.08+/-0.30mm for group B and 5.04+/-0.36mm for group C. The overall success rate was 64.3%, 80.3% and 91.7%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant(p=0.001). The mean expulsion time for the smaller stones (or=5mm) was 10.25 days, 8.93 days and 7.32 days, respectively, and the values for both sized stones showed statistically significant differences(p=0.027 for the smaller stones, 0.018 for the larger stones). There was no serious adverse event associated with the medication. CONCLUSIONS: Medical expulsive therapy with tamsulosin and deflazacort combined with furosemide is a time saving, safe and effective method for treating distal ureter stone.

Duplicated Ureter with an Ectopic Ureteral Orifice in a Middle Aged Female Who Complained of Vaginal Discharge / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Duplication is the most common type of congenital anomaly of the ureter. It occurs more frequently in females and it is often accompanied by an ectopic orifice. Ectopic ureter is usually derived from the upper pole of the ipsilateral kidney and its orifice is attached medial & inferior from the normal opening according to Weigert-Meyer's law. Thus, sometimes the ectopic ureteral opening is made at a distal part of the external sphincter or even out of the urinary system. These conditions may result in urinary incontinence in female patients, so they can be treated early at the mean age of 5 and it's not common that ectopic ureter accompanying complete duplication of the ureter is presented in adults. We report here on a case of ectopic ureter accompanying complete duplication of the ureter in a 44 year old female who presented with leukorrhea.

Evaluation of Short Term Clinical Effects and Presumptive Mechanism of Botulinum Toxin Type A as a Treatment Modality of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and investigate the putative mechanism of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) applied to the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 52 patients with symptomatic BPH were evaluated. Transperineal intraprostatic injection under transrectal ultrasonography was carried out. BTA dissolved in 4 to 9 mL of saline was used from 100 U to 300 U, according to prostate volume. Twenty-six patients received only BTA (BT group), and 26 received both BTA and one month of an alpha-adrenergic antagonist (BTalpha group). The therapeutic outcomes were evaluated by comparing parameters such as international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life, prostate specific antigen, prostate volume, post-void residual urine, and peak urinary flow rate. At the one month follow- up, 18 patients in the BT group and 21 in the BTalpha group had subjective symptomatic relief (p = 0.337). Only IPSS5 (weak stream) was significantly different between the BT group and BTalpha groups (p = 0.034). At the three month follow-up, 39 patients had subjective symptomatic relief. The storage symptoms were improved more than the voiding symptoms. Additionally, about 50 percent of the patients whose voiding symptom improved expressed improved erectile function. BTA injection seems to be an alternative treatment for BPH. The differences after the one month evaluation between the BT and the BTalpha groups might suggest that the adrenergic influence could be relatively reinforced by the anticholinergic effect of BTA. Nitric oxide would thus be involved in a BTA action mechanism in BPH.

Prospective Study for the Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients with Gastric Ulcer and Duodenal Ulcer among Korean population / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVES: Peptic ulcer is the major condition that affect numerous individuals every year. In 1983, Warren and Marshall presented the evidence that H. pylori was associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer. Thereafter, K. pylori infection is thought to be a important factor in the pathogenesis of gastric and duodenal ulcer. In western studies, about 58% to 100% of patients with peptic ulcer disease were infected with H. pylori. But in Korea, there is no study about the prevalence of H. pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease despite of its high prevalence and importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in case of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease in Korea. METHODS: We surveyed the prevalence of H. pylori infection of 1031 patients, who were diagnosed as gastric or duodenal ulcer by gastrofiberoscopy. H. pylori infection was evaluated with Rapid Urease Test(CLO test) and/or histology by Wright-Giemsa staining. RESULTS: 1) Peptic ulcer was more frequently developed in males than females, as the frequency of peptic ulcer was 77% in males, and 23% in females. But in view of the prevalence of H. pylori infection, there was no significant difference between males and females, 73% in males and 71% in females. 2) Gastric ulcer was most common in sixth decade(29.8%), but the prevalence of H. pylori infection was peak in fourth(76%), and fifth decade (73%). 3) Duodenal ulcer was most common in fourth decade(26.3%), but the prevalence of H. pylori infection was peak in teenagers(93%) and third decade(87%). 4) The patients who had both gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer concurrently were most common in sixth decade(27.9%), but the prevalence of H, pylori infection was peak in third decade(100%). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the majority of peptic ulcer patients in Korea had H. pylori infection. Particularly, young aged patients had higher H. pylori infection rate than old aged.