Ketamine uropathy: Clinical experience in a high prevalence center.

OBJECTIVES: Ketamine uropathy causes inflammatory changes to the urothelium, manifesting as significant lower urinary tract symptoms, small bladder capacity, and pelvic pain. Upper tract involvement and hydronephrosis can occur. Data from UK centers are limited, and no formal treatment guidelines exist. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with ketamine uropathy presenting to our unit over an 11-year period were identified through operative and clinic lists, emergency presentations, and a prospectively collected local database. Demographic data, biochemical findings, imaging techniques, and both medical and surgical management were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients with ketamine uropathy were identified from 2011 to 2022; however, a large proportion presented from 2018 onwards. The average age at presentation was 26 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 27-34), 72.8% were male, and average follow-up time was 34 months (IQR: 8-46). Therapeutic interventions included anticholinergic medication, cystodistension, and intravesical sodium hyaluronate. Hydronephrosis was present in 20 (24.7%) patients and nephrostomy insertion was required in six. One patient underwent bladder augmentation surgery. Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and length of follow-up were significantly higher in patients with hydronephrosis. Adherence to follow-up was poor. CONCLUSIONS: We present a large cohort of patients with ketamine uropathy from a small town in the UK which is unusual. The incidence appears to be rising, in-keeping with increasing recreational ketamine use and should be of concern to urologists. Abstinence is a key aspect of management, and a multi-disciplinary approach works best particularly as many patients are lost to follow-up. The development of formal guidance would be helpful.

Polyomavirus BK--a potential new therapeutic target for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis?

AIMS: To investigate the role of urinary BK polyoma virus (BKPyV) in the pathophysiology and prognosis of patients with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC). METHODS: Urine samples were collected from 15 patients with PBS/IC and 8 control patients (with urolithiasis, overactive bladder and benign prostatic hyperplasia). BKPyV titres were quantitatively determined using real time PCR. Fisher's exact test was used to compare virus titre levels between the two groups. The PBS/IC patients subsequently underwent cystoscopy, hydrodistension and bladder biopsy. Finally, a chart review was performed in order to correlate PBS/IC subtype and treatment outcomes with BKPyV status. RESULTS: Positive BKPyV titres were found in 11 out of 15 PBS/IC patients but none of the controls. Cystoscopy was performed in 13 of the 15 PBS/IC patients (in 2 BKPyV positive patients, cystoscopy was not performed). Bladder ulceration and glomerulations were observed in all 9 BKPyV positive PBS/IC patients but only 1 out of 4 BKPyV negative patients. None of the non-ulcerative PBS/IC patients had BKPyV positive urine. Viral titres were not predictive of the clinical course however, 3 patients with the highest viral titres eventually underwent cystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We identified BKPyV in the urine of virtually all our patients with ulcerative PBS/IC. This finding suggests there may be a pathophysiological association between the virus and the haemorrhagic manifestations of PBS/IC. Classifying PBS/IC patients into BKPyV positive or negative groups may prove useful in future research on markers of disease prognosis and the subtypes of PBS/IC. We believe that BKPyV may therefore have a role as a potential therapeutic target in PBS/IC.

Laparoscopic repair of massive inguinal hernia containing the urinary bladder.

Inguinal herniation of the urinary bladder is an extremely rare occurrence involving less than 5% of inguinal hernias reported in literature. These hernias require a high index of suspicion for their diagnosis and pose significant challenges to the operating surgeon. The majority of these hernias have been repaired by an open technique. We report two cases managed laparoscopically.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the renal pelvis: Pathological and therapeutic implications.

A 75-year-old woman presented with a presumed urothelial carcinoma of the right renal pelvis. A radical nephroureterectomy was carried out and histological analysis of the specimen revealed lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma. This is the seventh reported case of this normally nasopharyngeal tumour found in the renal pelvis. These tumours have a distinct histological appearance comprising sheets of undifferentiated syncytial cells on a background of lymphoid stroma. We review the pathological features of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma and make arguments for managing these tumours in a similar way to urothelial carcinoma.

Clinical management of cocaine body packers: the Hillingdon experience.

BACKGROUND: International smuggling of cocaine by internal concealment is a serious and growing problem. People who engage in this practice are commonly referred to as body packers or mules. The most serious risks associated with body packing include intestinal obstruction and death from cocaine intoxication. These patients were previously managed primarily by surgical retrieval. This was associated with significant mortality due to rupture of poorly constructed cocaine packages. More recently, conservative management using whole bowel irrigation with polyethylene-glycol (Klean-prep Norgine) has been shown to be safe for most patients. To date, however, a consistent approach for the management of these patients has not been established. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the case notes, prescription charts and radiological investigations of all body packers admitted to our unit between 2000 and 2005, concentrating on initial management, complications and outcome. RESULTS: We identified 61 patients for inclusion. Of these, 56 were managed conservatively with a selection of aperients and laxatives. Six patients were treated successfully for cocaine toxicity and 5 required surgical retrieval of cocaine packets. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the safety of a conservative approach. Based on our experience and a review of the literature, we have devised a treatment protocol to reduce the risk of complications and the length of stay in hospital.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the urinary bladder--diagnostic and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: A 57-year-old man presented with a 4-week history of intermittent, painless frank hematuria. There were no other symptoms. He had no previous urologic history, is a nonsmoker, and works as a manual laborer. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, ultrasound of the urinary tract, and intravenous urography were all unremarkable. Urine microscopy confirmed more than 5 red blood cells per high-power field, but no malignant cells were seen on cytologic assessment. Flexible cystoscopy revealed a 3 cm, partially solid, solitary lesion on the right lateral wall of the bladder. The tumor was completely resected under general anesthesia. DIAGNOSIS: Histologically, the tumor was described as a G3 pT1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. MANAGEMENT: Following the resection of a solitary recurrence 6 weeks after the initial tumor resection, the patient underwent a standard course of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy. Despite this, another tumor was identified 3 months later. Histologically, this tumor was described as a lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, of at least grade G3pT1. The patient underwent radical cystoprostatectomy with ileal conduit formation; no adjuvant systemic chemotherapy was given in light of complete tumor resection. The patient is under continuing, close clinical and radiologic observation and remains free of disease recurrence, 36 months postoperatively.