[Polypharmacy and medication review in the context of prehabilitation]. / Polypharmazie und Medikamentencheck im Kontext der Prähabilitation.

Against the background of typical geriatric multimorbidity and with the particular vulnerability of geriatric patients, polypharmacy deserves special attention. In accordance with the guidelines, medication should not only be reviewed regularly, but also on an ad hoc basis and with each hospital stay-and also in the context of prehabilitation. Thus, not only substances that interfere with the currently planned intervention, anesthesia, or risk of bleeding should be considered, but any medication that increases common risks for geriatric patients. These include drugs that cause or increase a tendency to fall, induce delirium, or alter the comedication through potential drug-drug interactions. Measures to minimize the risk include the following: exact documentation of medications, structured and complete transfer of information, patient and family training about any side effects that may occur, a recall system for possible laboratory checks, and compliance with the instructions for taking the medication.

[Are there benefits for catheter valves for catheter-associated quality of life? : Results of an investigation in 427 catheter wearers with life-long indication]. / Hat eine Ventilversorgung Vorteile bei der katheterassoziierten Lebensqualität? : Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung an 427 Katheterträgern in lebenslanger Indikation.

BACKGROUND: In urology, a subset of patients with lifelong urine drainage are fitted with a catheter valve. Data on catheter-related quality of life (crqol) in this subset of patients are missing. AIM: Clarification of the whether there are advantages for valve-aided catheters in comparison with continuous urine drainage in catheter wearers with a lifelong indication. METHODS: In all, 357 patients with a catheter with lifelong indication of continuous urine drainage from a previous study were compared with 70 valve-aided patients. The crqol was evaluated by a validated assessment with 25 items and five domains. RESULTS: There were statistically more patients with a suprapubic catheter than with a transurethral indwelling catheter (73.4 vs. 54.4%, p = 0.005), significantly more patients with bladder voiding dysfunction (73.5 vs. 52.6%, p = 0.003) and significantly more patients with small catheter sizes (p = 0.001). Crqol was altogether slightly impaired with a median score of 4.2 (no impairment indicated by 5 points) in valve-aided patients, but crqol was more impaired in valve-aided patients compared to patients with continuous drainage (4.4 points, n. s.). Some items demonstrated more problems dealing with urinary urge in valve-aided patients, but catheter-related pain was more often worse in patients with continuous drainage. CONCLUSION: There is no clear evidence for an advantage of a catheter valve over a continuous urine drainage system. Thus, the decision regarding a catheter-valve system must be made individually according to the indication and the preferences of the patient.

[Comparison of catheter-associated quality of life in external urinary diversion: nephrostomy vs. suprapubic catheter]. / Vergleich der katheterassoziierten Lebensqualität bei externen Harnableitungen: Nephrostomie vs. suprapubischer Katheter.

INTRODUCTION: A percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) affects the integrity of the patient due to the requirement of an external drainage bag and regular changes. The catheter-associated quality of life (QOL) was evaluated using a validated assessment and compared to similar patients with suprapubic bladder drainage. METHODS: A validated assessment analyzing catheter-related QOL for 5 domains and 25 individual items (first published by Mary Wilde) was completed during a catheter change appointment by patients who had their unilateral or bilateral PCN for a minimum of 3 months in life-long indication. RESULTS: In 66 patients (unilateral PCN: 42 patients), a moderate impairment of their catheter-related QOL was shown. The overall QOL score was median 4.0 on a scale of 0-5. This was rated lower-indicating a stronger impairment of QOL-than in patients with a suprapubic bladder catheter, who had a median score of 4.3. Significant differences were found related to the catheter type in the items "feeling of humiliation due to the PCN", "conflicts with the medical or nursing staff", "fear of painful catheter changes", "feeling ill", "being handicapped in activities of daily living" and "concern of not being able to do what one wants to do" and "fear of catheter leakages". The indication for the PCN due to a malignant or benign underlying disease was not associated with the catheter-related QOL. CONCLUSION: For the first time, the catheter-related QOL was found to be moderately impaired in patients with a PCN using a validated assessment. Affected individuals report feeling "ill" and "limited/disabled" in activities of daily living; thus, the surgical indication should be strict. Fear of painful catheter changes and of catheter leakages indicates the need of technically correct catheter changes.

[Quality of life for wearers of a suprapubic or transurethral bladder catheter as lifelong permanent care]. / Lebensqualität bei Trägern eines suprapubischen oder transurethralen Harnblasenkatheters als lebenslange Dauerversorgung.

BACKGROUND: The insertion of a Foley catheter (FC) or a suprapubic catheter (SPC) in lifelong intent is an intervention with significant complications, comorbidities and impact on the further life that has not yet been analyzed. METHODOLOGY: The analysis was based on a validated assessment of catheter-related QoL with 25 items in 5 domains and applied to patients with a Foley or suprapubic catheter in lifelong indication and with the catheter in place for at least 3 months. Assessment data were enriched with information on the type and diameter of the catheter as well as demographic data. RESULTS: Questionnaires from 357 patients (260 male, 97 female, 193 with suprapubic catheter, 162 with Foley catheter, 2 no information) were included in the study. Patients with a Foley catheter were significantly older than patients with a suprapubic catheter (78.9 ± 11.1 years vs. 74.4. ± 12.6 years, p < 0.001). The average QoL score was 4.1 points on a scale from 1 (maximum impairment of QoL) to 5 (no impairment of QoL) indicating a moderately negative impact on QoL. Scores below the average were mainly driven and accompanied by a fear of urine leakage, urine odor, painful catheter changes and urinary infections increasing with age. Additionally, patients were worried about negative effects on their daily life activities due to the catheter. These worries seemed to be more pronounced in females with urinary incontinence, patients with a catheter size ≥ 18 Ch. and with an age of < 70 years. The type of catheter showed a greater impact on the QoL in females with suprapubic catheters when compared with males in contrast to patients with transurethral catheters. CONCLUSION: The results of the study provide further information for the medical clarification for patients and caregivers, having to decide between a lifelong catheter drainage or alternatives, such as provision of an aid or surgical recanalization.

STIMULATION OF THE CYCLIC AMP/GMP SIGNALLING ENHANCES THE RELAXATION OF ISOLATED HUMAN DETRUSOR SMOOTH MUSCLE ACHIEVED BY PHOSPHODIESTERASE INHIBITORS.

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes are considered being key proteins in controlling the function of smooth musculature in the human urinary tract. The use of PDE inhibitors (PDE-Is) to treat erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptomatology (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is well established. It has been shown that PDE-Is can reverse the tension induced by means of muscarinergic agents of detrusor smooth muscle and enhance the production of cyclic nucleotides. In clinical settings, the PDE1 inhibitor vinpocetine had beneficial effects in patients presenting with voiding dysfunctions. This prompted us to evaluate further the mechanism of action of PDE-Is on bladder smooth musculature. Using the tissue bath technique, relaxant responses of human detrusor smooth muscle, challenged by acetylcholine (1 µM), to vinpocetine (PDE1-I), rolipram (PDE4-I), MY 5445 and sildenafil (PDE5-Is) (0.1 µM, 1 µM, and 10 µM) were investigated with and without pre-exposure of the tissue to threshold concentrations of the NO donor drug sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin (0.02 µM). The non-specific PDE-I papaverine was used as a reference compound. The cumulative addition of forskolin or SNP exerted a pronounced reversion of the tension induced by means of ACh, starting at a concentration of 1 µM (forskolin, -25,6%) and 0.1 µM (SNP, -20%), respectively. There were marginal responses of the detrusor smooth musculature to the PDE-Is, the relaxation measured ranged from -12% (vinpocetine/sildenafil) to -19% (rolipram, MY 5445). Exposure of the tissue to a threshold concentration of SNP increased the reversion of tension induced by vinpocetine (-40%), rolipram (-50%) and MY 5445 (-45%). An enhancement in the potency of the drugs was also registered. A threshold concentration of SNP did not significantly affect the maximum reversion of tension brought about by sildenafil but added positively to the in vitro potency of the PDE5-I. PDE inhibitors may tend to be more effective in systems characterized by an enhanced production of cyclic AMP/GMP (such as urogenital tissues in vivo). Our findings may explain how PDE inhibitors can affect symptoms of the overactive bladder.

Endopeptidase inhibition attenuates the contraction induced by big endothelin-1 of isolated human penile erectile tissue.

Peptides, such as C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and endothelin 1 (ET-1), are involved in the control of penile erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum = CC). Inhibiting the degradation of CNP and VIP or conversion of Big ET-1 into ET-1 by endopeptidase enzymes should result in an enhancement of CC smooth muscle relaxation. Using the tissue bath technique, responses of isolated CC, challenged by noradrenaline (NA, 1 µm), to increasing concentrations of the endopeptidase inhibitor KC 12615 (1 nm - 10 µm), CNP and VIP (0.1 nm - 1 µm), were investigated. Effects of CNP, VIP and Big ET-1 (0.1 nm - 100 nm) on the tissue tension were also evaluated following pre-exposure to 10 µm of KC 12615. Big ET-1 induced contraction of the CC amounting to a force generation of 1,200 mg. The contraction was attenuated in the presence of KC 12615 by 35% and 50%, respectively. The tension induced by NA was reversed by VIP and CNP to 38.7% ± 15.8% and 61% ± 13%, respectively, of the initial force. The findings might be of significance with regard to future pharmacological treatment options for male ED, where an endothelial dysfunction exists.

Expression and distribution of the transient receptor potential cationic channel A1 (TRPA1) in the human clitoris-comparison to male penile erectile tissue.

The transient receptor potential cationic channel ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a channel protein assumed to act in various human tissues as mechano- and pain sensor and play a role in neurotransmission. The expression of TRPA has already been investigated in the human prostate and urethra, however, only very few studies have addressed the expression and distribution in the male and female genital tract. The present study aimed to investigate by means of immunohistochemistry (double-labeling technique, laser fluorescence microscopy) in the human clitoris and penile erectile tissue the localization of TRPA1 in relation to nNOS, the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). In the clitoral tissue, TRPA1 was observed in basal epithelial cells and slender nNOS-positive nerve fibers transversing the subepithelial space. To a certain degree, in the clitoral epithelial cells, TRPA1 was found co-localized with vimentin. In human corpus cavernosum, immunoreactivity for TRPA1 was seen in nerves transversing the cavernous sinusoidal space and running alongside small arteries, these nerves also displayed expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter protein (VAChT). Varicose nerves containing nNOS or VIP were not immunoreactive for TRPA1. It seems likely that TRPA1 is involved in nitric oxide-mediated afferent sensory transmission in the clitoris while, in penile erectile tissue, a role for TRPA1 in cholinergic signaling might be assumed.

[The retropubic ganglion as a rare tumour entity in the lesser pelvis: case report and literature survey]. / Das retrosymphysäre Ganglion als ungewöhnliches Tumorgeschehen im kleinen Becken: Ein Fallbericht und Literaturübersicht.

Retropubic tumours without contact to bones or surrounding tissues are extremely rare with only 22 cases being reported in the literature. The majority of tumours described within these reports are osteochondromas in 17 cases, 2 cases of leiomyoma and one case of each fibroma, fibrosarcoma and nodular fasciitis. We now report the case of a 52-year-old-man with a retropubic ganglion cyst, which was resected "in toto" by laparoscopy.

[Rehabilitation of erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy: therapeutic concepts in Germany]. / Rehabilitation der erektilen Funktion nach nervenschonender radikaler Prostatektomie : Therapiekonzepte in Deutschland.

OBJECTIVE: Despite objective published data regarding rehabilitation of erectile function (EF) after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (nsRP) the gold-standard treatment is still under debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of the different treatment options in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 2010 and May 2012 a questionnaire was sent to urologists in outpatient, general and university hospitals and rehabilitation hospitals in Germany. The survey consisted of various questions concerning, e.g. if and what kind of therapy urologists choose to support rehabilitation of EF after nsRP. Further questions dealt with the frequency, duration and optimal start of the chosen therapy. RESULTS: Currently 188 urologists have completed and returned the questionnaire. The distribution was urologists in hospitals n=79 and outpatient/ambulatory n=106, with 24 % performing surgical treatment and urologists in rehabilitation hospitals n=3. The question about the rehabilitation concept showed 39 different forms of treatment within this group. To increase EF after nsRP PDE5 inhibitors were mostly administered (88 %) with 45 % on request compared to 55 %on a daily or regular basis ≥ 3 times/week. The use of penile injection therapy, medicated urethral system for erection (MUSE) and vacuum constriction devices (VCD) was prescribed by 32 %, 6 % and 30 % of urologists, respectively. Only 14 % of the urologists did not choose any active kind of rehabilitation treatment for EF recovery after nsRP. CONCLUSION: Many different therapeutic concepts are currently performed in Germany to increase EF recovery after nsRP. The use of PDE5 inhibitors is the most commonly chosen treatment option. Despite published data regarding effectiveness, the optimal treatment seems to be still unknown.

[The chronological process of erectile function after low-dose rate prostate brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer]. / Die chronologische Entwicklung der erektilen Funktion nach LDR-Brachytherapie beim lokal begrenzten Prostatakarzinom.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose rate prostate (LDR) brachytherapy on erectile function in correlation to the time intervals after seed implantation. DESIGN AND METHODS: 32 patients with localised prostate cancer and a median age of 74 years (range 65-83) were treated with permanent seed implantation. Erectile function was assessed by means of a validated questionnaire (IIEF-5) before and at 12, 24 and 36 months after treatment. No patient received supplemental external beam -radiation therapy or antiandrogen therapy. Of the 32 patients, 26 (81%) completed and returned the questionnaire. None of the patients used PDE-5 inhibitors or intracavernousal injection therapy. RESULTS: Before treatment, 15 patients (58%) had no erectile dysfunction (ED) (score 22-25) or mild ED (score 17-21), 11 (42%) moderate or -severe ED (score 0-16). Overall, before seed implantation the mean IIEF score was 14.4. The mean IIEF score decreased by 4.4 points 12 months after treatment, 3.1 points 24 months after treatment and 9.8 points 36 months after treatment (p < 0.05). In the group of no or mild ED, the mean IIEF score dropped by 9.7 points compared to a decrease of 1.4 points in the group of mod-erate or severe ED. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients treated with LDR brachytherapy suffered an ED in correlation to the time interval with a significant loss in the third year after treatment. In this study, the most significant loss occured in the groups that had no or only mild erectile dysfunction before treatment.

[Nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy with nightly low-dose sildenafil : rehabilitation of erectile function]. / Nervenerhaltende radikale Prostatektomie mit niedrig dosiertem Sildenafil : Rehabilitation der erektilen Funktion.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose sildenafil (25 mg) for rehabilitation of erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 43 sexually active patients underwent nerve-sparing retropubic radical prostatectomy. Rigiscan® measurement of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) was carried out 7-14 days after surgery. A group of 23 patients with preserved nocturnal erections received sildenafil 25 mg/day at night to support recovery of erectile function. A control group of 18 patients underwent follow-up without PDE-5 inhibitors. Evaluation using the IIEF-5 questionnaire was performed 6, 12, 24, 36, 52 and 78 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: Of 43 patients, 41 (95%) showed 1-5 erections during the first night after catheter removal. In the group receiving daily sildenafil, the mean IIEF-5 score decreased or increased from 20.8 preoperatively to 3.6 at 6 weeks, 3.8 at 12 weeks, 5.9 at 24 weeks, 9.6 at 36 weeks, 14.1 at 52 weeks and 19.3 at 78 weeks after prostatectomy. In the control group, the mean preoperative IIEF-5 score of 21.2 decreased or increased to 2.4 at 6 weeks, 3.8 at 12 weeks, 5.3 at 24 weeks, 6.4 at 36 weeks, 9.3 at 52 weeks and 13.2 at 78 weeks. Statistical evaluation showed significant differences regarding the IIEF-5 score and recovery period of erectile function between the groups (p<0.001), with potency rates of 92 vs 68%. CONCLUSION: The measurement of NPTR after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy showed erectile function as early as the first night after catheter removal. In cases of early penile erections, daily low-dose PDE-5 inhibitors lead to a significant improvement/acceleration of erectile function recovery.

[Mesonephroid carcinoma of the urinary bladder (clear cell carcinoma). Two case reports and review of the literature in a rare variation of the primary adenocarcinoma]. / Das mesonephroide Karzinom der Harnblase (Klarzellkarzinom). Zwei Kasuistiken und Literaturübersicht über eine seltene Variante des primären Adenokarzinoms.

Mesonephroid adenocarcinoma of the bladder may be a malignant form of nephrogenic adenoma or nephroid metaplasia. The lesion is extremely rare in the urinary bladder, and to our knowledge 19 cases have been reported in the literature. We report two cases of mesonephroid adenocarcinoma of the bladder which were treated by radical cystectomy.

[Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. A rare and aggressive variation of primary renal cell carcinoma]. / Das sarkomatoide Nierenzellkarzinom. Eine seltene und aggressive Variante des primären Nierenzellkarzinoms.

Every year, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is responsible for the highest proportion of cancer-associated deaths in relation to all other malignant urological diseases. Initially called carcinosarcoma, the sarcomatoid differentiation confers higher aggressiveness on any of the different subtypes of RCC, with a frequency of ca. 1%. The presence of a sarcomatoid component makes the disease locally aggressive, which typically presents an advanced grade that is associated with fast progression and fatal outcome in a vast proportion of cases, with median survival lower than 1 year. This is important for predicting the outcome for patients undergoing nephrectomy due to RCC, since chemotherapy in a certain group of patients with progressive disease can be a reasonable alternative to the failure of immunotherapy in sarcomatoid renal carcinoma. We report our experience with sarcomatoid RCC in four patients with extensive tumor progression in comparison to the literature.

[Use of permanent electrodes in the peripheral nerve evaluation test (PNE-Test) in comparison to conventional wire electrodes]. / Einsatz permanenter Elektroden beim peripheren Nervenevaluation-Test (PNE-Test) im Vergleich zur herkömmlichen Drahtelektrode.

PURPOSE: Prior to implantation of a chronic sacral neurostimulator, it is important to establish which patients might profit from this kind of therapy in order to ensure, by means of a PNE (peripheral nerve evaluation) test, that the implantation of a permanent stimulating device is effective. In this study we compared the two different techniques used in our department (implantation of the permanent neurostimulation electrodes, the so-called "two-stage-implantation" vs. conventional PNE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a sacral nerve stimulation in 53 patients (mean age: 49.7 years, range: 14 - 75 years) over a minimum of 5 days. In 42 patients we performed a conventional PNE, 11 patients underwent "two-stage implantation" with implantation of the permanent electrodes. RESULTS: 52 of 53 patients received bilateral test stimulation (9 % at S2, 91 % at S3). One patient underwent unilateral PNE (S3) because of an anatomic deformity of the os sacrum. In 20 cases the conventional PNE-test (cPNE) was successful according to standard criteria (47.6 % of all cPNE). The response rate of "two-stage implantation" with implantation of the permanent electrodes was 81.8 % (9 of 11 patients). CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of implantation of permanent neurostimulation electrodes in selecting patients for the permanent implant is significantly higher than the conventional PNE. In this group patients with neurogenic and overactive bladder dysfunctions showed the highest response rates to sacral nerve stimulation and are the most likely to benefit from sacral neuromodulation.

["Second line" polychemotherapy in metastatic urothelial cancer of the renal pelvis. Persisting partial remission by 18 treatment cycles of gemcitabine/paclitaxel after 24 treatment cycles gemcitabine/cisplatin "stable disease"]. / "Second-line-Polychemotherapie" beim metastasierten Urothelkarzinom des Nierenbeckens. Andauernde partielle Remission nach 18 Kursen Gemcitabin/Paclitaxel trotz 24 Kursen Gemcitabin/Cisplatin im "stable disease".

Moderate activity of systemic chemotherapy for advanced urothelial cancer has been reported for more than 30 years. Only with the advent of potent combination therapy in the mid-1980s have clinically significant response rates and prolonged survival been documented. Due to the small number of cases and poor prognosis, knowledge is scant about the therapeutic effect of "second-line" polychemotherapy in metastatic upper tract urothelial cancer. We report an interesting case of a 59-year-old man suffering from urothelial cancer of the renal pelvis with pulmonary, lymphogenous, and bone metastases who had an unexpected response to "second-line" chemotherapy with only 2 treatment cycles of gemcitabine/paclitaxel (partial remission) after 24 treatment cycles of gemcitabine/cisplatin in "stable disease" with progression between the therapeutic intervals.

[Erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. Nocturnal early erection as a parameter of postoperative organic erectile integrity]. / Erektionsstatus nach nervenerhaltender radikaler Prostatektomie. Nächtliche Früherektion als Parameter der postoperativen organisch-erektilen Integrität.

The time lapse before recovery of erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy is still under debate. Several pathophysiologies are postulated for postoperative erectile function rehabilitation. In prospective studies we measured nocturnal penile tumescence (NPTR) in the acute phase during the first night after catheter removal subsequent to nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy to assess the neuronal organic erectile integrity. Eighteen sexually active patients suffering from local prostate cancer underwent bilateral and unilateral nerve-sparing retropubic radical prostatectomy. All patients completed an IIEF-5 questionnaire concerning erectile function preoperatively. The transurethral catheter was removed 14 days after surgery, and nocturnal penile tumescence was measured with an erectometer (Rigi-Scan) in each patient during the following night. None of these patients received any comedication interacting with erectile function. The preoperative IIEF score was >18 in all patients. After catheter removal, 17 of 18 patients (95%) had nocturnal penile radial rigidity >70% that persisted for >10 min during one night. In a control of four patients without a nerve-sparing procedure, no nocturnal erections were recorded. The measurement of NPTR in the acute phase after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy showed retained erectile function even during the "first" night after catheter removal. Our findings are important for an appropriate choice of pharmacotherapy for optimal recovery of erectile function. In cases of early penile erections, the cavernous nerve had been well preserved during surgery providing good neuronal integrity, and PDE-5 inhibitors can support organic rehabilitation of the corpus cavernosum. In the absence of early penile erections, the neuronal integrity of the cavernous nerve is presumed to be impaired. In this case, additional injection therapy should be chosen to support recovery of spontaneous erectile function.

[Micturition dysfunction triggered by spinal intramedullary neurocysticercosis]. / Blasenentleerungsstörungen ausgelöst durch die spinale intramedulläre Neurozystizerkose.

INTRODUCTION: Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease of the human nervous system. This case report describes the rare intramedullary form of spinal neurocysticercosis. CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old male patient demonstrated sinistral brachialgia, arm paralysis and progressive disturbance of micturition with a weak urine stream and persisting residual urine. The cervical MRI revealed a large intramedullary space-occupying lesion in the spinal cord, which was excised. Histologically, parasitic structures were detected and the lesion classified as neurocysticercosis. Retrospectively, more detailed evaluation of the patient's medical history disclosed a number of subtle early neurological symptoms of the disease. The infection was probably acquired during a stay in South America 20 years earlier. The MRI revealed additional multiple small intramedullary lesions and a large lesion in the area of the conus medullaris, which could not be excised. The clinical course was partially dramatic and eventually resulted--apart from small neurological deficits--in complete failure of micturition due to a hyposensible, hypercontractile and instable detrusor muscle. In order for the patient to empty his bladder, sterile single catheterization under anticholinergic medication became necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis on clinical grounds is difficult, especially in regions like Europe, where the disease is very rare. In patients with non-specific neurological symptoms, and radiological indication of an intraspinal tumor, a history of stays in endemic regions even a long time ago, neurocysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis as a possible cause.

[Tunica plication with horizontal incisions of the tunica albuginea in the treatment of congenital penile deviations]. / Tunikaplikatur mit horizontalen Inzisionen der Tunica albuginea in der Behandlung kongenitaler Penisdeviationen.

PURPOSE: The Schroeder-Essed plication procedure is a standard technique for the correction of penile curvature. In a retrospective analysis we compared functional results and quality of life of the original technique with inverted sutures as described by Schroeder-Essed and our slight modification consisting of horizontal incisions into the tunica albuginea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 26 patients with congenital penile deviation were treated, 11 by the original Schroeder-Essed plication with inverted sutures and 15 using the described modification. In the modified technique, horizontal and parallel incisions 4 mm - 6 mm apart and about 8 mm - 10 mm long were made through the tunica albuginea. The outer edges of the incisions were then approximated with permanent inverted sutures (Gore-Tex(R) 3-0). Mean age was 21.6 years in the first group and 23.2 years in the second group. The preoperative penile deviation angle was > 25 degrees in all patients without differention between the two groups. RESULTS: All patients in both groups reported improvement in their quality of life and full ability to engage in sexual intercourse. A total of 9 patients (88 %) in the first group and 14 patients (93 %) in the second group were satisfied with the cosmetic result, although 10 patients (91 %) in the first and 13 patients (87 %) in the second group complained of penile shortening. Recurrence of deviation was only observed in 2-males in the first group (18 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that this simple modification of the Schroeder-Essed plication offers good functional and cosmetic results. Most patients were satisfied with the penile angle correction results.

[The iatrogenic fornix rupture after endoscopic extraction of an ureteral stone via ureterorenoscopy]. / Die iatrogene Fornix-Ruptur nach endoskopischer Steinextraktion mittels Ureterorenoskopie.

Iatrogenic fornix rupture caused during retrograde manipulation of the ureter is a rather rare or rarely diagnosed phenomenon. A 22 year-old female patient presented with fornix rupture following endoscopic ureteral stone extraction under ureterorenoscopy, the rupture having become symptomatic 2 days later. Diagnostics were done by means of sonography and radiography and confirmed by CT-scan performed to rule out abscess formation which may have occurred in this case of delayed symptoms. Conservative antibiotic therapy was sufficient in this case. Ca. 10 % of all perirenal abscesses are attributed to urinary extravasation due to fornix ruptures, requiring surgical intervention. Regular sonographic control is therefore strongly recommended when fornix rupture is suspected to ensure appropriate counter measures.

[Sacral neuromodulation in treatment of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract. An overview of basic principles, indications, outcomes]. / Sakrale Neuromodulation in der Behandlung von Funktionsstörungen des unteren Harntrakts. Ein Uberblick über Prinzip, Indikationen und Ergebnisse.

Over the last few years, sacral neuromodulation has become an established treatment option for dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract. It fills the gap that used to exist between conservative therapy and costly invasive methods such as urinary drainage via a deactivated bowel segment. Initially, the clinical value of sacral neuromodulation was controversial even among neurourologists. This was mainly due to a lack of understanding of the physiological processes, uncertain diagnostics, the design of the hardware, and a surgical topography relatively unknown to the urologist. In the meantime, however, sacral neuromodulation has become a standard part of clinical routine with respect to the treatment of dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract, and it is regularly employed in various urological institutions across Europe and the USA. This form of treatment, which is the final straw for patients who believed themselves-after many frustrated therapy attempts-to be "hopeless cases," can now also successfully be employed as an ambulatory measure. The latest data from our hospital, as well as contributions presented at the last DGU Congress in Wiesbaden, indicate that patients with neurogenic urinary retention are the most likely to profit from this treatment option.