Efficacy of allogeneic platelet growth factors in actinic cystitis: The resolution of trouble?

BACKGROUND: Actinic cystitis is a severe complication after radiotherapy for prostate cancer. It is a chronic inflammatory process that leads to an alteration of bladder mucosa with formation of petechiae and subsequently hematuria. Actinic cystitis responds poorly to medical treatment, with a heavy burden on patients' quality of life. Patients with refractory hematuria may undergo cystectomy in the attempt to control bleeding. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of the allogeneic platelet growth factors for actinic cystitis. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Nine patients with actinic cystitis were enrolled in this study. The primary outcome measures were the effects of the platelet growth factors on the injury of the bladder mucosa. The secondary outcome was the change in quality of life RESULTS: A total of 9 patients, mean age 68 (range 59-81) underwent a therapeutic program of bladder instillation with allogeneic platelets growth factors for 3 months. Of the 9 patients, all (100 %) had complete resolution of hematuria and urinary symptoms. After three months cystoscopy showed regeneration of the normal bladder mucosa. Biopsies allowed histological confirmation of the finding. DISCUSSION: The instillation of allogeneic platelet growth factors in actinic cystitis is a new treatment that in this setting of patients appears promising in promoting a resolution of urinary symptoms, hematuria and avoiding a disabling surgery such as cystectomy.

[Horseshoe kidney: not a simple fusion anomaly]. / Rene a ferro di cavallo: non è una semplice anomalia di fusione. Analisi di due casi clinici e revisione della letteratura.

The horseshoe kidney is a congenital anatomical defect of the kidney that occurs in 0,25% of the population and is generally characterized by the fusion of the lower poles of the two kidneys through an isthmus and to which may be associated with urogenital and renal vascular anomalies. Asymptomatic in 1/3 of the cases and, most of time, accidentally discovered during a radiological examination, promotes nephrolithiasis, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux and pyelonephritis. We report two cases of patients with kidney horseshoe, characterized by the abrupt onset of a septic state with oligo-anuric acute renal failure, electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities, rapid decay of the general conditions, with detection of nephrolithiasis, hydronephrosis and acute pyelonephritis and whose clinical management resulted in a significant and synergistic nefro-urology involvment. The kidney horseshoe not represent so only a simple fusion anomaly but rather an important anatomical condition that, once diagnosed, it would be worthy of a careful clinical, radiological and laboratory surveillance, in order to prevent the potential complications that may be also particularly severe.

Bladder neck disease and kidney damage.

Primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) was first described in men by Marion in 1933. The precise cause of PBNO has not been clearly elucidated. This paper review the theories on etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and treatments for PBNO. Also this paper focuses on management of patients with complications like acute urine retention, hydroureteronephrosis and severe renal failure. The treatment options for men and women with PBNO include careful clinical evaluation, pharmacotherapy with alpha-blockers and surgical intervention.