Are urodynamic studies really needed during bladder augmentation follow-up?

OBJECTIVE: We assessed clinical and urodynamic outcomes, over a minimum 10-year follow-up period, of neuropathic bladder patients treated with a bladder augmentation (BA) to determine if periodic urodynamic studies are needed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with poorly compliant bladders underwent BA at a mean age of 11 years (2.5-18). Mean follow-up was 12 years (10-14.5) and mean patient age at the end of the study was 22 years (12.2-33). During follow-up all patients were controlled at regular intervals with urinary tract imaging, serum electrolyte and creatinine levels, cystoscopy and urodynamic studies. Preoperative, 1-year post-BA and latest urodynamic studies results were compared. RESULTS: Urodynamic studies at 1-year post-BA showed a significant increase in bladder capacity and a decrease in end-filling detrusor pressure compared with preoperative values (396 vs 106 ml; 10 vs 50 cm H(2)O, P<0.0001). The increase in bladder capacity was more significant at the end of the study than after 1 year (507.8 vs 396 ml, P<0.002). Thirteen patients had phasic contractions after 1 year and 11 at the end (not significant, NS), and these contractions were more frequent with colon than with ileum (NS). At the end of follow-up, phasic contraction pressure had decreased while trigger volume had increased (35 vs 28 cm H(2)O; 247 vs 353 ml, NS). All patients are dry and have normal renal function, except one who had mild renal insufficiency before BA. CONCLUSION: BA improves bladder capacity and pressure, and these changes are maintained over time (although phasic contractions do not disappear). Repeated urodynamic studies are only necessary when upper urinary tract dilatation or incontinence does not improve.

Enterocystoplasty in children with neuropathic bladders: long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses clinical outcome, after at least 8 years, of augmentation done before or at puberty in neuropathic bladders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 29 children with neuropathic bladders who did not respond satisfactorily to clean intermittent catheterisation and anti-cholinergic therapy underwent enterocystoplasty at a mean age of 11.8 years (range 3-18). Twenty-one children (72.4%) had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and/or ureterohydronephrosis and 22 (75.8%) had dimercapto-succinic acid scars, but all had normal renal function. All patients were followed at regular intervals with urinary tract imaging, serum electrolytes, creatinine, urodynamic evaluation and 24-h urine collection. Urine cytology, cystoscopy and biopsy were performed at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 11 years (range 8-14.5) and mean age at the end of follow-up was 22.2 years (range 13.2-31). Urodynamic studies showed a significant improvement in bladder compliance in all patients. Upper urinary tract dilatation disappeared in all, VUR in 13/17 (76.4%), and no new renal scarring occurred in any patient. At the end of follow-up, renal function was normal in all according to serum creatinine, but cystatin C levels were normal in 27 and elevated in two. Significant proteinuria and low concentrations of renin and aldosterone were present in 80% and 82%, respectively. Only one patient had urinary tract infection, three had bladder stones, and in another a catheterisable channel was made. All patients were dry with normal urine cytology and cystoscopy, and no malignant lesions have been found in the biopsy specimens. CONCLUSION: Enterocystoplasty has preserved renal function and resolved VUR and/or hydronephrosis in most patients. The future implications of proteinuria and the low serum levels of renin and aldosterone, as well as the best indicator for measuring renal function, have yet to be determined. Close, life-long follow-up, including cystoscopy, is necessary to prevent complications.

Creciendo con una ampliación vesical / Growing up with a bladder augmentation

Las estenosis esofágicas son una de las complicaciones más frecuentes de la corrección quirúrgica de las atresias de esófago. Su tratamiento consiste en la dilatación de la estenosis, precisando en la mayoría de los casos más de 1 procedimiento para su corrección. Introducción: Analizamos la evolución a largo plazo de nuestros pacientes con vejiga neuropática a los que se realizó una ampliación vesicalantes de la pubertad. Pacientes y métodos: A 21 pacientes con vejigas neuropáticas de baja acomodación y mala respuesta al sondaje intermitente y/o anticolinérgicos se les realizó una ampliación vesical (edad media 8.3 años, rango;2,5-12). Dieciocho de ellos (86%) tenían RVU y/o ureterohidronefrosis y 17 (81%) cicatrices renales sin afectación de la función renal salvo en un caso. Todos los pacientes fueron seguidos regularmente con estudios de función renal, pruebas de imagen, análisis de orina de 24horas y estudios urodinámicos. A los 18 pacientes ampliados con intestino se les realizó citología urinaria, cistoscopia y biopsia. Resultados: El seguimiento medio fue de 11 años (8-14,5) y la media de edad al final del estudio fue de 19 años (13,2-26,8). Los estudios urodinámicos demostraron una mejoría significativa de la acomodación vesical. La ureterohidronefrosis desapareció en todos los pacientes, el RVU en13 de 15 (86%) y ninguno presentó nuevas cicatrices renales. Al final del estudio, la función renal era normal en 20 de ellos. Un paciente tuvo una ITU y otro un cálculo vesical. Todos están secos y 2 de ellos no necesitan sondaje intermitente. La citología y la cistoscopia fueron normales y no se encontraron lesiones malignas en las biopsias. Conclusión: La ampliación vesical antes de la pubertad preserva la función renal y corrige el RVU y/o la ureterohidronefrosis en la mayoría de los pacientes, sin reimplantar los uréteres. Un seguimiento de por vida, incluyendo la realización de cistoscopias periódicas, es necesario para mejorar los resultados y prevenir las complicaciones (AU)

Introduction: This study assesses long-term outcome of patients with neuropatic bladders who underwent a bladder augmentation before puberty. Patients and methods: A total of 21 patients with low compliant neuropathic bladders who did not respond satisfactory to clean intermittent catheterization and/or anticholinergic therapy underwent bladder augmentation(mean age 8.3 yr, range; 2.5-12). Eighteen patients (86%)had VUR and/or ureterohydronephrosis and 17 (81%) had DMSA renal scars. Renal function was normal in all cases except one. All patients were followed at regular intervals with serum electrolyte and creatinine determination, urinary tract imaging, urodynamic evaluation and 24-hour urine collection. In the 18 cases augmented with intestine, urinecytology, cystoscopy and biopsy were also performed. Results: Mean follow-up was 11 yr (8-14.5) and mean age at the end of follow-up was 19 yr (13.3-26.8). Urodynamic studies showed a significant improvement in bladder compliance. Upper urinary tract dilatation disappeared in all patients, VUR in 13/15p (86%) and no new renal scarring occurred. Renal function was normal at the end of followupin 20. Only 1 patient had UTI and another had a bladder stone. All patients are dry and 2 of them do not need clean intermittent catheterization. Urine cytology and cystoscopy were normal and no malignant lessions have been found in the biopsy specimens. Conclusions: Bladder augmentation done pre-puberty preserves renal function and resolves VUR and/or hydronephrosis in most cases without reimplanting the ureters. Close lifelong follow-up, including a cystoscopy, improves the results and prevents complications (AU)

[Growing up with a bladder augmentation]. / Creciendo con una ampliación vesical.

INTRODUCTION: This study assesses long-term outcome of patients with neuropatic bladders who underwent a bladder augmentation before puberty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients with low compliant neuropathic bladders who did not respond satisfactory to clean intermittent catheterization and/or anticholinergic therapy underwent bladder augmentation (mean age 8.3 yr, range; 2.5-12). Eighteen patients (86%) had VUR and/or ureterohydronephrosis and 17 (81%) had DMSA renal scars. Renal function was normal in all cases except one. All patients were followed at regular intervals with serum electrolyte and creatinine determination, urinary tract imaging, urodynamic evaluation and 24-hour urine collection. In the 18 cases augmented with intestine, urine cytology, cystoscopy and biopsy were also performed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 11 yr (8-14.5) and mean age at the end of follow-up was 19 yr (13.3-26.8). Urodynamic studies showed a significant improvement in bladder compliance. Upper urinary tract dilatation disappeared in all patients, VUR in 13/15p (86%) and no new renal scarring occurred. Renal function was normal at the end of follow-up in 20. Only 1 patient had UTI and another had a bladder stone. All patients are dry and 2 of them do not need clean intermittent catheterization. Urine cytology and cystoscopy were normal and no malignat lessions have been found in the biopsy specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder augmentation done pre-puberty preserves renal function and resolves VUR and/or hydronephrosis in most cases without reimplanting the ureters. Close lifelong follow-up, including a cystoscopy, improves the results and prevents complications.

[Screening of cancer of the prostate: study in a Spanish population]. / Screening del cáncer de próstata: estudio en una población española.

OBJECTIVES: A population of Spanish men aged over 49 years were screened for prostate cancer. The detection rate and the clinical features of the tumors found are analyzed. METHODS: The study comprised two phases: Phase I: Subjects were evaluated by digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was determined. Phase II: Subjects with a positive DRE or PSA > 4 ng/ml were evaluated by transrectal US. If PSA was > 10 ng/ml or DRE or transrectal US were abnormal, a transrectal biopsy was performed; most of these were sextant. PSA density was used as a criterion for biopsy in subjects with PSA 4-10 ng/ml and normal DRE and transrectal US. From June, 1993 to August 1994, 1091 subjects have been evaluated. RESULTS: 1) The mean age was 59.32 years; 379 (34.7%) had low voiding symptoms. 2) 5.07% and 9.07% had abnormal DRE and PSA, respectively; 135 subjects (12.4%) with a questionable DRE and/or PSA were evaluated by transrectal US. 3) Of the 97 biopsies (8.8%) performed, prostate cancer was detected in only 11 (1%); 8.8 biopsies were required to detect one case of prostate cancer. 4) Clinically, 7 tumors (63.6%) were localized and 4 (36.3%) were in the advanced stages. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The participation rate was low (21%). 2) The PSA mean increased with age. Prostate volume was the factor that most influenced PSA changes. 3) PSA detected more tumors (10 cases; 90.9%) than DRE (8 cases; 72.7%). Approximately 27.27% of the lesions were detected by PSA and not by DRE, while 9.09% were detected by DRE alone. 4) The detection rate was low (1.008%); 0.91% for PSA, 0.73% for DRE and 51% (n = 135) for transrectal US. 5) We have detected more tumors in the clinically advanced stages (36.6%) than other series, perhaps because this is the first time this type of study has been performed in this population. In view of the foregoing results, we do not advocate performing these studies routinely. Perhaps in subsequent studies with a longer follow up, a higher detection rate can be achieved for localized tumors that are potentially curable.

[Multilocular cystic renal adenocarcinoma]. / Adenocarcinoma renal quístico multilocular.

On detecting a complex cystic renal mass, we are faced with the problem of making the differential diagnosis from a variety of diseases, some of very distinct nature and prognosis. Surgical exploration may occasionally be warranted to make the diagnosis since no radiological or analytical method, including cytological analysis of its content, is absolutely reliable. A 46-year-old male patient with multicystic renal adenocarcinoma is described. We discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas that arise on detecting a multilocular renal mass in an adult patient.