Distant heterotopic callosal connections to premotor cortex in non-human primates.

Cortico-cortical connectivity has become a major focus of neuroscience in the last decade but most of the connectivity studies focused on intrahemispheric circuits. Little has been reported about information acquired and processed in the premotor cortex and its functional connection with its homotopic counterpart in the opposite hemisphere via the corpus callosum. In non-human primates (macaques) lateralization is not well documented and its exact role is still unknown. The present study confirms in two macaques the existence of homotopic contralateral projections and completes the picture by further exploring heterotopic (non-motor) callosal projections. This was tested by injecting retrograde tracers in the premotor cortical areas PMv and PMd (targets). Our method consisted of identifying the connections with all the homo- and heterotopic cortical areas located in the contralateral hemisphere. The results showed that PMd and PMv receive multiple low-density labeled inputs from the opposite heterotopic prefrontal, parietal, motor, insular and temporal regions. Such unexpected collection of transcallosal inputs from heterotopic areas suggests that the premotor areas communicate with other modalities through long distance low-density networks which could have important implications in the understanding of sensorimotor and multimodal integration.

Refined methodology for implantation of a head fixation device and chronic recording chambers in non-human primates.

The present study was aimed at developing a new strategy to design and anchor custom-fitted implants, consisting of a head fixation device and a chronic recording chamber, on the skull of adult macaque monkeys. This was done without the use of dental resin or orthopedic cement, as these modes of fixation exert a detrimental effect on the bone. The implants were made of titanium or tekapeek and anchored to the skull with titanium screws. Two adult macaque monkeys were initially implanted with the head fixation device several months previous to electrophysiological investigation, to allow optimal osseous-integration, including growth of the bone above the implant's footplate. In a second step, the chronic recording chamber was implanted above the brain region of interest. The present study proposes two original approaches for both implants. First, based on a CT scan of the monkey, a plastic replicate of the skull was obtained in the form of a 3D print, used to accurately shape and position the two implants. This would ensure a perfect match with the skull surface. Second, the part of the implants in contact with the bone was coated with hydroxyapatite, presenting chemical similarity to natural bone, thus promoting excellent osseous-integration. The longevity of the implants used here was 4 years for the head fixation device and 1.5 years for the chronic chamber. There were no adverse events and daily care was easy. This is clear evidence that the present implanting strategy was successful and provokes less discomfort to the animals.

[Hyena disease in a Brown Swiss heifer]. / Hyänenkrankheit bei einem Braunviehrind.

A heifer with developmental skeletal disorder was presented to the ruminant clinic of the University of Berne. Abnormal long bone growth and a wobbling gait were the main clinical signs. All long bones were examined radiologically, several parameters of body size were measured and the results were compared to the measurements of a healthy control animal. Haematology and blood chemistry were normal. Based on the poor prognosis the animal was slaughtered. The final diagnosis of hyena disease was based on the characteristic growth disturbances in the caudal parts of the body, giving the animal a hyena-like appearance. For the first time a case of hyena disease is reported in Switzerland.

[Development of formerly preterm infants with a birth weight of below 1500 grams: concept and results of a follow-up program in up to school-aged children in central Switzerland]. / Entwicklung ehemaliger Frühgeborener mit einem Geburtsgewicht unter 1500 Gramm: Konzept und Resultate von Nachkontrollen bis zum Schulalter in der Zentralschweiz.

AIM: To document the psychomotor development and general health of former very low birthweight infants born between 1980 and 1986 from birth up to school age. We wished to evaluate the quality of neonatal intensive care in Central Switzerland over this time period and test the reliability of a patient-oriented follow-up programme. If successful, the latter could perhaps serve as a model for a national follow-up programme in Switzerland. METHODS: Information regarding three different developmental periods was collected. The medical records of the perinatal period were used to abstract details of labour and delivery and the neonatal period. The records of the infant follow-up programme were used to describe psychomotor development between 0 and 24 months of age. The current health status and school performance were evaluated using a questionnaire sent to parents and teachers. RESULTS: Of 139 infants born with a birthweight of < or = 1500 g, 102 were discharged home (mortality rate 26.6%). One third was not screened for hearing deficits or retinopathy of prematurity. Eighty-two were seen in the infant follow-up programme between 0 and 24 months of age. Seventy-seven percent of these infants were judged to be normal and discharged from the infant follow-up programme; 1/5 of these infants had had transient motor problems treated by physical therapy. Twenty-three percent of the infants seen in infant follow-up had persistent but mainly minor motor handicaps, and only two infants (2%) had multiple handicaps. At school age, data from 99 of the 102 surviving infants was collected. Ninety-six percent attended regular school, but almost half of them had significant school problems and required professional help. These problems correlated poorly with the results of examinations during early childhood (positive predictive value 67%). CONCLUSIONS: These long-term results of a population of preterm infants born in Central Switzerland in the 1980s are encouraging. To ensure completeness of early ophthalmological and audiological examinations of all former small preterm infants, neonatal follow-up programmes should adhere to uniform guidelines.

[Inflammatory bladder pseudotumor]. / Pseudotumor inflamatorio de vejiga.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the urinary bladder, with special reference to the differential diagnosis. METHODS/RESULTS: A 26-year-old patient with a history of gross hematuria and voiding syndrome underwent partial cystectomy for a bladder tumor. Pathological analysis disclosed an inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder. The patient's postoperative course has been satisfactory.

[Seminal vesicle cyst with renal agenesis]. / Quiste de vesículas seminales con agenesia renal.

OBJECTIVES: To describe 8 additional cases of seminal vesicle cyst associated with renal agenesis, an uncommon condition arising from anomalies occurring during embryonal development of the genitourinary system, and to analyze the utility of the different diagnostic imaging techniques. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 8 patients to determine the diagnostic possibilities of US (abdominal/transrectal), CT, MRI, urography, cystourethrography and cystoscopy. Transvesical percutaneous punction and deferentography, which permit diagnosis of blind-ending ureter, were utilized in two patients. RESULTS: 75% were left-sided and the age at presentation was generally between 25 to 45 years. The clinical features were related with irritative voiding symptoms, perineal discomfort and ejaculatory disorders. Treatment was based on the clinical features; 3 patients underwent resection via the abdominal retrovesical approach and 5 patients were treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital seminal vesicle cyst may not be as uncommon as it is presumed to be and should be suspected in patients with solitary kidney and voiding disorders. The findings on pelvioabdominal US may suffice to suspect this condition. Although many diagnostic imaging techniques are available, blind-ending ureter can only be diagnosed by transvesical or transrectal percutaneous punction and deferentography. Treatment of symptomatic cases is by surgery, although conservative treatment is utilized more frequently.

[Urethral stenosis: optical internal urethrotomy versus termino-terminal urethroplasty]. / Estenosis de uretra: uretrotomía interna óptica versus uretroplastia término terminal.

Presentation of our statistics of 70 cases of Internal Optical Urethrotomy with a follow-up greater than twenty months. Also, review of forty-four End Terminal Urethroplasties. When compared, the best results were obtained with Urethroplasties, 90%, versus only 49% satisfactory results with cold cut Optical Urethrotomy.

[Ureteral endometriosis. Role of endourology and treatment]. / Endometriosis ureteral. Papel de la endourología y tratamiento.

Ureteral endometriosis is remarkable not for its frequency, but for the renal compromise it may cause. Because it is silent, diagnosis is established late. An abdominal ultrasound scan permits early diagnosis of the obstructive uropathy. Currently, ureteral stricture can be treated conservatively. In well selected cases, endourological techniques combined with hormone therapy can be an alternative to open surgery.

[Fournier's gangrene. Presentation of 5 cases and review of the literature]. / Gangrena de Fournier. Presentación de cinco casos y revisión de la literatura.

Five cases of Fournier's gangrene that had been treated at our department over the last five years are described. The literature is reviewed with special reference to the pathogenic, microbiological and therapeutic aspects of this disease entity. Similarly, we underscore the significant drop in mortality with the availability of antibiotics.

[Inguino-scrotal bladder hernia]. / Hernia vesical inguinoescrotal.

We report on a 61-year-old patient with massive scrotal herniation of the bladder and non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma. We briefly describe this disease entity and its form of presentation, and discuss its diagnosis and treatment.

[Carcinosarcoma with chondromatous differentiation of the bladder]. / Carcinosarcoma con diferenciación condromatoide de vejiga.

We report a case of carcinosarcoma whose most striking feature was its markedly chondroid elements that initially prompted us to suspect a chondrosarcoma. The clinical features and treatment of this rare tumor type are briefly discussed.

[Hypernephroma and bladder leiomyosarcoma. Report of a case]. / Hipernefroma y leiomiosarcoma vesical. A propósito de un caso.

We report on a patient with two primary and synchronous urological tumors (hypernephroma and leiomyosarcoma of the bladder). Patient follow-up of 14 months revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence. The clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this rare tumor of the bladder are highlighted. We consider surgical treatment mandatory and radio- and chemotherapy adjunctive treatment modalities.

[Cystic renal adenocarcinoma]. / Adenocarcinoma renal quístico.

Renal adenocarcinoma presenting as a cystic mass is uncommon and causes difficulty in making the differential diagnosis. Ultrasound and particularly CT are considered to be the most useful diagnostic methods. The usefulness of ultrasound or CT-guided punction-aspiration has yet to be established since the aspirate is often non-specific. The major difficulty encountered when making the differential diagnosis is that of distinguishing cystic renal adenocarcinoma from multilocular cystic nephroma. Multilocular renal carcinoma and multilocular cystic nephroma are the most common adult multilocular renal cystic masses. The latter is more common in the female, whereas cystic renal adenocarcinoma is more common in the male patient.

[Inverted papilloma of the bladder. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Papiloma invertido de vejiga. A propósito de dos casos.

Two cases of transitional cell inverted papilloma are described. The first case was a 44-year-old male patient who presented with hematuria. The second case was an incidental finding during a retropubic adenomectomy procedure. We describe the clinical features of this condition and discuss its histogenesis and treatment. Because of the possibility, although very small, of its evolving to malignancy, these patients must be followed carefully.

[Lymphoma and the urogenital system: apropos of a case]. / Linfoma y aparato genitourinario: a propósito de un caso.

Lymphomas constitute a group of malignant lymphoreticular diseases that may affect the adrenal glands and the GU system as a primary condition or, more frequently, as distant invasion. We report on a case of diffuse, histiocytic non-Hodgkin lymphoma that had been in hematologic clinical remission but had recurred with invasion of the right renal parenchyma. Initially, it could not be determined whether it was a primary neoplasm or the result of primary lymphatic spread. The reports published in the literature relative to this condition are reviewed.

[Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the testicular tunica vaginalis. Report of a new case]. / Mesotelioma maligno difuso de la túnica vaginal testicular. Presentación de un nuevo caso.

We present a case of diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis, a very uncommon tumor site, in a patient who also had a tumor localized to the chest. We could not determine however, whether the testicular neoplasm was a primary tumor or a distant metastasis. We describe this tumor type, its mode of presentation, diagnosis and treatment.

[Female urethral diverticulum with lithiasis]. / Litiasis en divertículo uretral femenino. A propósito de un caso.

A case of diverticulum of the female urethra complicated by lithiasis is described. The etiopathogenic aspects, clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment of this rare condition are discussed.

[Urethral diverticulum in the male]. / Divertículos de uretra en el varón.

We report on a 50-year-old male patient with acquired urethral diverticulum complicated by calculus in the anterior urethra. The etiologic factors, the hypotheses put forward relative to the pathogenesis of urethral diverticulum, its diagnosis and forms of treatment are discussed.