Priapism in sickle-cell disease; incidence, risk factors and complications - an international multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To define the incidence, risk factors and complications of priapism in a large population of patients with sickle-cell anaemia in five centres in the UK and Nigeria, as priapism is common among these patients, but the precise characteristics of the condition in this population are poorly documented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was developed and administered to patients with sickle-cell disease. Questions were designed to define the incidence, nature, precipitants, duration, treatment and complications of priapism. A distinction was made between acute (severe) priapism and the recurrent, 'stuttering' type. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 130 patients (mean age 25 years, sd 11, range 4-66) from the five centres; 102 (78%) were homozygous Hb SS genotype, 19 (15%) were Hb SC genotype and two (1.5%) were Hb Salpha-thalassaemia. Of the patients, 46 (35%) reported a history of priapism, and of these, 33 (72%) had a history of stuttering priapism, while 24 (52%) had had an acute episode of priapism. The mean age of onset of priapism was 15 years, with 75% of patients having the first episode before their 20th birthday. Sexual activity was the most frequent precipitating factor, with fever and/or dehydration being the next most common. Of the 46 patients, 10 (21%) with a history of priapism reported having erectile dysfunction. A similar proportion reported dissatisfaction with sexual intercourse, including a fear of engaging in sexual activity. CONCLUSION: The incidence of priapism among patients with sickle-cell anaemia is high (35%). The implications of priapism for erectile and sexual function are significant and documented in this large series. The treatment of this condition in these patients remains unstandardised. This study highlights the need for an increased awareness of the problems associated with priapism among patients, families and medical professionals.

A prospective evaluation of scrotal ultrasonography in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate scrotal ultrasonography (SUS) in patients presenting with scrotal symptoms and to make recommendations about use of SUS in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight men with scrotal symptoms were examined by a urologist and independently underwent SUS by one radiologist with no knowledge of the clinical diagnosis. The clinical and SUS diagnoses were compared and the effect on subsequent management recorded. RESULTS: The clinical and SUS diagnoses agreed in 35 men (73%) although SUS provided an additional diagnosis in half of these men. The SUS diagnosis differed in 13 men (27%) although the management was altered in only four patients. CONCLUSION: The clinical diagnosis is correct in most men with scrotal symptoms; the routine use of SUS is inappropriate and should be reserved for specific indications.

Outpatient flexible cystoscope-assisted insertion of ureteric catheters and ureteric stents.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of inserting ureteric catheters (before retrograde ureterography) and JJ ureteric stents (both traditionally performed under general anaesthesia on inpatients) using local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting and with no patient selection bias, thus providing procedures to ease the demand on inpatient lists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients presenting with an appropriate clinical indication for either of the procedures underwent insertion during a scheduled flexible cystoscopy session in the outpatient department; information was collected on a standard proforma. Antibiotic prophylaxis and a nonsteroidal analgesic were administered 30 min before the procedure. RESULTS: To date, 20 patients (seven men, age range 32-74 years, and 13 women, age range 23-86 years) have undergone one of the two procedures. Fourteen patients had attempted retrograde catheter insertion, with success in 12, and six other patients underwent attempted JJ ureteric stent insertion, with success in five. The three failures were caused by an inability to see the relevant ureteric orifice. The mean duration of each procedure was 11 min; 14 of the 17 patients who had a successful procedure had no significant pain or discomfort, while the remaining three experienced significant pain and discomfort. There were no infective complications. CONCLUSION: These two procedures are suitable for the outpatient/day-case situation, and are well tolerated and accepted by most patients.

The defunctionalized bladder.

Supravesical urinary diversion without cystectomy is a common procedure performed to manage a variety of lower urinary tract pathologies. The purpose of this article is to review the complications associated with the bladder left in situ and to relate this to the female patient. Complications related to the defunctionalized bladder include pyocystis, hemorrhage, pain/spasm and neoplastic transformation. The defunctionalized bladder also has implications for sexual function, pregnancy and undiversion. The risk factors for complications are chronic infection, inadequate drainage, interstitial cystitis and previous irradiation. The incidence of neoplastic change in the defunctionalized bladder is low, but long-term follow-up is advised, as carcinoma could develop many decades after diversion. Sexual function following urinary diversion is better preserved when the bladder is retained.

Prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and implications for management.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and pathological features, methods and outcome of management in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out of 42 patients (mean age 63 years, range 28-86) with a histological diagnosis of SCCP. The disease stage, grade, treatment of primary tumour, lymph node disease and survival were recorded; the mean follow-up was 4 years (range 1.5-25). RESULTS: The disease stage was T1 in 24 patients (57%), T2 in 14 (33%), T3 in three (7%) and T4 in one (2%); the tumour grade was well differentiated in 20 (47%), moderately differentiated in 14 (33%) and poorly differentiated in three (7%). Eight patients had histologically confirmed inguinal node disease at presentation, six of whom underwent lymph node dissection, while two underwent radiotherapy. Five patients developed inguinal node disease during follow-up (mean 10 months, range 4-21). Three of these patients were irradiated and two underwent lymph node dissection. Six patients (14%) had local recurrence, five of whom were managed surgically. One patient developed a local recurrence 11 years after initial surgery. Seven patients died from their disease (17%); four died within 2 years, being patients with high-stage and/or high-grade disease. CONCLUSIONS: Modern management should include a standard staging classification and treatment protocols to maximize survival.

The fate of the defunctioned bladder following supravesical urinary diversion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the nature, incidence and severity of bladder complications after supravesical urinary diversion without cystectomy and to identify preventative risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the last 25 years identified 35 patients who had supravesical urinary diversion without concomitant cystectomy (33 ileal loop diversions and two cutaneous ureterostomies). Urinary diversion was performed for a variety of lower urinary tract pathologies. Patients with urinary tract neoplasia were excluded. There were 15 males (mean age 41 years, range 13-72) and 20 females (mean age 49 years, range 15-81) with a mean follow-up of 5.2 years (range 1-25). RESULTS: There were bladder complications in 10 patients (28%) including pyocystis (one mild and two severe), haemorrhage (two mild and one severe) and pain/spasm (four mild and three severe). Patients with interstitial cystitis, bladder outflow obstruction and/or a vesical fistula appeared to have a higher risk of complications. Four patients required cystectomy to treat severe symptoms while the remaining six achieved control of symptoms with no surgery. No patient developed carcinoma during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: We recommend that cystectomy is considered at the time of supravesical urinary diversion, particularly in patients with interstitial cystitis, bladder outflow obstruction or a chronically infected bladder and especially in those with a vesical fistula.