Retroaortic renal vein with tumor thrombus: MR findings.

The magnetic resonance (MR) findings in a case of tumor extension into a retroaortic renal vein from a renal cell carcinoma are reported. The signal characteristics of the tumor thrombus paralleled those of the renal mass, and the preoperative recognition of the anomalous vessel lead to an altered surgical approach.

Carbon dioxide milliwatt laser in the vasovasostomy of vas deferens in dogs: Part I.

This is the first arm of a two prong study conducted to learn two different aspects of vasovasostomy in dog vas deferens using the milliwatt carbon dioxide laser. The first study involved the evaluation of patency without collection of sperm. Six dogs were evaluated and all underwent vasectomy and subsequently had vasovasostomies performed between 4 and 12 weeks utilizing two approximating sutures and welding with the milliwatt carbon dioxide laser. Metal clips were used for both X-ray analysis and localization of the vasovasostomy site. In this investigation a vasogram was performed. Dogs were sacrificed at 4, 6, and 8 weeks postvasovasostomy. The vasovasostomy specimens were studied with electron microscopy and histological evaluation. The vasovasostomy was completed in under 120 minutes using this laser-assisted technique and was found to be a viable and promising technique for vasovasostomy.

The pH analysis of papaverine-phentolamine and prostaglandin E1 for pharmacologic erection.

Although papaverine-phentolamine preparations are being employed for pharmacologic erection programs across the nation, their chemical properties have not been described in the literature. We found that the pH of papaverine-phentolamine solution in all concentrations tested remained less than 4.0. Attempts to buffer the solution resulted in a precipitate at a pH greater than or equal to 5.0. The pH of prostaglandin E1 was less than 5.0 but could be easily buffered to pH 7.4 or even 10.75 and remained stable. The effect of an acidic solution on corporal connective tissue and smooth muscle meshwork is unknown. We believe that buffering by blood will lead to the precipitation of papaverine-phentolamine and may cause primary intracorporal scarring. Extravasation or improper injection into the subcutaneous tissue exposes the mixture to blood and may secondarily result in additional scarring for the same reason. Therefore, prostaglandin E1 may be a more appropriate agent for penile injection.

Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation with massive prostatic hemorrhage: a case report.

Congenital arteriovenous malformations in the true pelvis are extremely rare: only 7 cases have been described in male patients. We report on a patient who presented with massive hemorrhage after transrectal prostatic biopsy and transurethral resection of the prostate. Diagnosis was established by means of magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by arteriography. Our attempt at management by embolization and subsequent surgical ligation is described. A literature review and discussion of arteriovenous anomalies are presented.