[Interstitial cystitis in urology clinic: current status and problems].

PURPOSE: We examined the complications in the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis in daily clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 82 patients who were suspected of having interstitial cystitis at our hospital from March 2002 to April 2013. All hydrodistention procedures were performed with the aid of an anesthesiologist, as recommended by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare since April 2010. RESULTS: Of the 82, 20 patients were male and 62 were female, (mean age at diagnosis 53 years.) Six of the suspected cases did not have interstitial cystitis. Of the 67 patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis during hydrodistention, 29 (43%) did not experience pain. The time taken to diagnose these asymptomatic patients was longer than that taken for those who experienced pain. Twenty-eight patients (42%) discontinued treatment because it was ineffective. CONCLUSION: Interstitial cystitis has been widely recognized, but general physicians are unable to provide a diagnosis and suggest aggressive treatment because of difficulty associated in the treatment and diagnosis. To resolve these issues, physicians should be keep in mind that interstitial cystitis involves a hypersensitive bladder, and that some patients may not experience pain. Further, knowledge about Hunner's ulcer is essential. We believe that the most important points are improving health insurance about facility criteria of hydrodistention, and evaluating behavioral modification and dietary manipulation.

Microwave tissue coagulator induces renal apoptotic damage to preserved normal renal tissue following partial nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the extent of apoptotic damage induced by the microwave tissue coagulator (MTC) in the preserved normal renal tissue following partial nephrectomy. METHODS: Eleven patients who underwent nonischemic partial nephrectomy with MTC (group M) were enrolled in this study. The other 11 patients who underwent cold-ischemic partial nephrectomy without the use of MTC were enrolled as controls (group C). There were no significant differences in tumor size or age between the two groups. Renal damage was evaluated by counting apoptotic cells in the normal renal tissue surrounding the tumor tissue. Immunohistochemical staining with single-stranded DNA was carried out to investigate the apoptotic cells. RESULTS: The number of apoptotic cells in group M ranged from 275 to 508 per 1,000 cells, with a median value of 421. The number in group C ranged from 122 to 466 per 1,000 cells with a median value of 286. The number of apoptotic cells in group M was significantly greater than that in group C (p = 0.006). Blood loss in group C was significantly greater than that in group M (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study points out that renal damage induced by the use of MTC comprises not only necrosis but also apoptotic change. Although MTC is useful for controlling renal parenchymal bleeding during partial nephrectomy, we must consider that renal apoptotic damage caused by the MTC may spread beyond the coagulated necrosis area.

A case of leiomyosarcoma of the penis.

A case of leiomyosarcoma of the penis is reported. A 27-year-old-man presented to our department with a mass at the root of the penis. Biopsy of the tumor showed that the tumor was leiomyosarcoma. The tumor was clinically and pathologically categorized into the deep type. Despite total penectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient died from disseminated disease 14 months after surgery. This is the 45th case of penile leiomyosarcoma.

[Clinico-pathological investigation of upper urinary tract tumors in patients with normal renal function and in patients with end stage renal disease].

AIMS: To clinically investigate upper urinary tract tumors in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 2003, a study was made of 153 patients who underwent surgical treatment for upper urinary tract tumors in the Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University. Of these, 10 had ESRD while 143 had normal renal function. Comparisons were made of the following variables between the two groups: patient's background, clinical findings, surgical procedures, pathological findings, prognosis, depth of tumor cell invasion, tumor grades, postoperative survival rates, cancer-specific survival rates, and complications. RESULTS: Ten ESRD patients with upper urinary tract tumors were comprised of 5 males and 5 females with a median age of 59 (40-71) years and an average hemodialysis period of 71 (0-279) months. Macroscopic hematuria appeared in seven cases (70%) at the onset, and tumors occurred at the renal pelvis in nine cases (90%). As to the T stage, seven cases (70%) were pT2 or more and all 10 cases (100%) exhibited grade 2 or higher in ESRD patients, yielding no significant differences with the cases of normal renal function. In addition, there was no significant difference in both groups with respect to postoperative survival rates and cancer-specific survival rates in cases with curative resection. CONCLUSION: Although upper urinary tract tumors had been considered to exhibit higher grades and stages of malignancy in ESRD cases than in those with normal renal function, the present results showed that the clinico-pathological features are similar in both patients groups. Given that there was no significant difference in postoperative survival rates and cancer-specific survival rates, radical surgery should be also indicated, if possible, for the ESRD patients with upper urinary tract tumors as well as the patients with normal renal function.

[A case of focal xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis difficult to differentiate from renal cell carcinoma].

A 34-year-old female with left flank pain persisting for 3 months consulted us on 19 Feb, 2001. Ultrasonography (US), computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and renal angiography revealed a cystic renal tumor in the upper pole of the left kidney invading the spleen, and paraaortic lymph node swelling. Left radical nephrectomy combined with splenectomy and partial diaphragmectomy was performed under a tentative diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. However, histopathological findings revealed xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP). XGP is a rare, severe, chronic inflammatory disease characterized by accumulation of lipid laden macrophages. XGP is classified as diffuse or focal type. Preoperative diagnosis of focal XGP is difficult because of radiological similarities to renal cell carcinoma. Our case was more difficult to diagnose because she showed few signs of inflammation and had no history of urinary tract infection or stones.

Factors associated with failure of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones using Dornier lithotripter U/50.

BACKGROUND: In the present series of 170 patients who underwent extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) treatment for ureteral stones, the authors determine which patients with ureteral stones had an unsuccessful outcome. METHODS: The records of 170 patients with ureteral stones who were treated with SWL using the Dornier lithotriptor U/50 (EMSE 140) between January 1998 and December 1999 were retrospectively investigated. One hundred and thirty-one patients were treated with SWL alone (single session, n = 98; multiple session, n = 33) and 39 patients required auxiliary treatment due to failure of SWL (33 with transurethral ureterolithotripsy (TUL), one with open lithotomy, and five with residual fragments who were followed up). These two groups were compared using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Lower ureteral stones and stones more than 12 mm in diameter were associated with a poor outcome of SWL. There were no significant differences in age, gender, number of stones, JJ stent placement, and degree of ureteral obstruction due to the stone between the two groups. The odds ratios of lower ureteral stones and stones > or = 12 mm were 4.18 and 2.57, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with distal ureteral stones and/or stones more than 12 mm in diameter were difficult to treat successfully with SWL. Alternatives such as TUL should possibly be considered as a first-line therapy for these stones.