Infliximab treatment of Crohn disease ileovesical fistula.

Ileovesical fistula is a rare inaugural complication of Crohn disease. Current approaches associate antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition and various combinations of immunomodulatory agents. However, only a minority of fistulas subside under conventional treatment, as most of them ultimately require complex surgery to excise and close the structures involved. We report the case of a 31-year-old patient successfully treated by targeting the local production of tumour necrosis factor alpha with infliximab.

[Acute epididymitis disclosing tertiary tuberculosis]. / Epididymite aiguë révélatrice d'une tuberculose tertiaire.

The authors report the case of a 50-year-old drinker and smoker presenting with isolated acute on chronic epididymitis, leading to the diagnosis of tertiary tuberculosis. This now exceptional case emphasizes the value of scrotal ultrasound and complementary investigations looking for other sites of tuberculosis.

Evaluation of male sexual function by the International Index of Erectile Function after deep dorsal vein arterialization of the penis.

PURPOSE: The objective of vascular surgery for erectile dysfunction is to provide long-term improvement of erectile function. We evaluated that claim after deep dorsal vein arterialization by a cross-sectional study of multifaceted male sexual function with the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a mail survey of male sexual function after deep dorsal vein arterialization in 68 consecutive literate men who underwent surgery between 1984 and 1998 for severe erectile dysfunction. The IIEF questionnaire and a questionnaire on patient characteristics were answered in a self-administered and nominative manner. Scores of the responders pertaining to the 5 domains of male sexuality were compared with those of the control groups used for the psychometric validation of the IIEF. RESULTS: Of the patients 38 (55.9%) with a mean age plus or minus standard deviation of 46.5 +/- 11.9 years responded. Mean followup was 61.2 +/- 34.7 months. Compared to controls with erectile dysfunction controls men who underwent deep dorsal vein penile arterialization had significantly higher scores for erectile function, sexual desire, orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction. Conversely compared with normal controls these patients reported significantly lower erectile function, orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction scores, whereas sexual desire scores were similar in the 2 groups. No correlations were noted of the 5 IIEF domains with the duration of followup after arterialization. When erectile function scores were graded, 25.0% and 28.1% of patients reported no and or mild dysfunction, respectively, while 15.6% still complained of severe erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term improvement in the various aspects of male sexual function was observed after deep dorsal vein penile arterialization in a significant proportion of patients.

[Secondary biological recurrence after radical prostatectomy: multivariate analysis of prognostic clinical, biological, and histologic factors]. / Récidive biologique secondaire après prostatectomie radicale: analyse multivariée des facteurs pronostiques cliniques, biologiques et histologiques.

OBJECTIVES: To define the clinical, laboratory and histological variables associated with secondary elevation, after an undetectable phase, of PSA after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of 83 consecutive patients undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy with an undetectable postoperative PSA at 3 months. The predictive value of five preoperative criteria (age, total PSA, Gleason score on biopsies, positive apical biopsies, clinical stage) and four postoperative criteria (pathological stage, Gleason score on the operative specimen, positive margins, follow-up) for secondary laboratory progression was studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 36 months, the laboratory recurrence rate was 19%. Laboratory recurrence was associated with a biopsy Gleason score greater than or equal to 7 (p = 0.04), a high pathological stage (p = 0.03), a high histological score (Gleason > or = 7) (p < 0.01) and positive margins (p = 0.04). Logistic regression identified a Gleason score on the operative specimen greater than or equal to 7 to be the only element predictive of secondary laboratory progression. CONCLUSION: The concept of positive margins or high pathological stage is insufficient to identify the risk of laboratory progression after radical prostatectomy. The Gleason score, which evaluates tumour aggressiveness, the risk of micrometastases or periprostatic extension, therefore appears to be more useful.

[Periurethral collagen injections: results after 2 years in 25 patients with severe urinary incontinence]. / Injections périuréthrales de collagène: résultats à 2 ans chez 25 patientes avec incontinence urinaire sévère.

OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy and safety of periurethral collagen injection in the treatment of severe urinary incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1994 to 1998, 25 periurethral collagen injections were performed in 25 women with a mean age of 65 years presenting with urinary incontinence classified as grade III in 17 cases and grade II in 9 cases, under local anaesthesia in 5 cases, spinal anaesthesia in 10 cases and general anaesthesia in 10 cases. Twenty patients were treated for recurrent incontinence. One injection was performed in 20 cases and two injections were performed in 5 cases. None of the patients presented disorders of pelvic muscles. The preoperative urodynamic assessment did not reveal any cases of detrusor instability, and showed a mean urethral closure pressure of 35 cm H2O. A skin test was performed in each case at least 30 days before the injection. RESULTS: The mean hospital stay was 2.75 days. The mean quantity of collagen injected was 5.7 ml. With a mean follow-up of 24 months, 33% of patients were continent, 39% were improved and 28% were considered to be failures. No complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Due to its safety, this method can be proposed in outpatients with good results, in patients of all ages, either as first-line treatment or for recurrent incontinence, as, in the case of failure, this technique does not comprise subsequent treatment by another operation.

[Kidney transplantation. Results and indications]. / Transplantation rénale. Résultats et indications.

Results of renal transplantation are better than those of dialysis. The indications of transplantation are constantly increasing and comprise more and more populations at risk, notably older patients and diabetics. Specific evaluation of such potential recipients can lead to indication for transplantation and registry on the waiting list. The insufficient number of available cadaver kidneys leads to harvesting borderline organs particularly from the elderly or patients with vascular disease. Before definite decision for transplantation is made, case-by-case evaluation has to be made of the potential risks of donor-recipient matching regarding the risk/benefit for the recipient. Only a significant increase in the number of available organs will relieve the constraints of the problem.

[Treatment of chronic urinary retention after surgical treatment of urinary incontinence with bladder neck transurethral resection]. / Traitement des rétentions chroniques d'urine après cure chirurgicale d'incontinence urinaire par résection transuréthrale du col vésical.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transurethral resection of the overcorrected posterior lip of the bladder neck in patients with chronic urinary retention after repair of incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transurethral bladder neck resection was performed in 26 women with a median age of 59 years. Incontinence repair consisted of a Burch procedure in eight cases, a Raz procedure in eight cases, a Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure in five cases, an aponeurotic sling in three cases and a synthetic sling in two cases. The median preoperative maximum urine flow rate was 11.5 ml/s and the median residual urine was 150 ml. Preoperative cystourethrography and cystoscopy revealed overcorrection of the bladder neck in each case. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 39 months, 65.5% of patients were cured (resolution of symptoms, maximum urine flow rate greater than 15 ml/s and residual urine less than 50 ml), 23% were improved and 11.5% were considered to be failures. No complications or secondary urinary incontinence were observed. Patients not cured by this technique were treated by urethrolysis in three cases, Uroflow stent in one case and section of a Raz cervicocystopexy suture in one case. CONCLUSION: Transurethral bladder neck resection can be used as first-line treatment for chronic urinary retention after repair of incontinence, as it is an effective, rapid, minimally invasive technique not associated with any morbidity. Urethrolysis can always be performed in the case of failure.

Evaluation of male sexual function after pelvic trauma by the International Index of Erectile Function.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the multifaceted male sexual function after pelvic ring fracture. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of male sexual function after pelvic ring fractures was conducted, using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The department of traumatology database was scanned (June 1996 to April 1999) for 30 to 70-year-old male patients with pelvic fracture. Seventy-six consecutive, literate patients were then contacted by mail. IIEF domain scores were calculated for all responders. Cappelleri's method for identification and grading of erectile dysfunction was applied for patients sexually active within the past 4 weeks. Student's t test was used to compare the domain scorings of patients with those of the control population used for the IIEF psychometric validation. Relationships between IIEF results and patient characteristics were sought by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for quantitative variables and Student's t test for classes. RESULTS: Forty-six patients answered (60.1% response rate). Thirty-seven patients had experienced sexual intercourse in the past 4 weeks during which 11 patients (29.7%) had exhibited various degrees of impaired erection. As a whole, compared with the published controls a significant decrease in overall satisfaction (P <0.05) was demonstrated. Pubic diastasis was further related to impaired erectile function and overall satisfaction; we suggest that cavernosal nerves might be damaged at the time of diastasis. CONCLUSIONS: This study evidenced the impairment of sexual overall satisfaction after pelvic trauma and the specific decrease in erectile function and erection firmness and confidence associated with pubic diastasis. The IIEF questionnaire might be considered at the time of rehabilitation to identify those patients that could benefit from supportive treatments.

High prevalence of erectile dysfunction after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of multifaceted male sexual function in 323 consecutive kidney transplant recipients was conducted by mail by means of the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). All five IIEF domains (IIEF-5), i.e., erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction, were scored for each responder. IIEF-5 scoring that conformed to the National Institutes of Health definition of erectile dysfunction (ED) was computed for all patients sexually active within the past 4 weeks. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-one patients replied. Compared to the controls used for IIEF psychometric validation, kidney transplant recipients gave lower erectile function (P<0.01) and intercourse satisfaction (P<0.05) scores, despite their being younger. ED, according to the IIEF-5 method, was demonstrated in 55.7% of the sexually active patients (n=212). Age, time on dialysis, and iterative transplants were significantly and negatively related to erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION: IIEF proved to be a valuable means of unveiling highly prevalent erectile dysfunction in male kidney transplant recipients. The negative impact of the time on dialysis was emphasized in the results.

Role of preoperative positive apical biopsies in the prediction of specimen-confined prostate cancer after radical retropubic prostatectomy: a multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVES: A multi-institutional study of 280 radical prostatectomy specimens obtained from three independent academic hospitals was undertaken to validate a nomogram developed for the prediction of specimenconfined protstate cancer after prostatectomy. METHODS: Three preoperative factors - the Gleason score, prostatespecific antigen (PSA) and apical location of positive biopsies - that were identified with a previous logistic regression formula were collected. Links between margin status and preoperative criteria were confirmed by univariate methods. Subsequently, the predictive indexes of positive margins were calculated and compared to the actual margin status in terms of predictive characteristics. RESULTS: This control series, independent of the initial series that was used to identify the relevant preoperative factors, confirmed that positive apical biopsies(p<0.001), PSA (p<0.005) and the Gleason score (p<0.005) were strongly linked to the occurrence of positive margins. Different cutoff values for the predictive index were compared in a receiver operating characteristic curve. A value of 0.5, similar to the one described in the original series, gave an adequate compromise between sensitivity and specificity with respective values of 68 and 73% and a test accuracy of 72%. In practical terms, it was possible to predict 85% of negative margins, and to delineate two groups with different rates of positive margins (14.5 vs. 50%). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that PSA, the Gleason score and apical biopsy status are cumulative risk factors for positive margins. Risk of positive margins increases when it is not possible to obtain a wide excision of periprostatic fascia, as at the apex. This study substantiates the independent prognostic value of positive preoperative apical biopsies for predicting positive surgical margins.

[Changing indications and histological and biological results of radical prostatectomy]. / Evolution des indications et des résultats histologiques et biologiques de la prostatectomie radicale.

OBJECTIVES: To compare: 1) the incidence of positive resection margins after radical prostatectomy, 2) the incidence of secondary elevation of PSA, in two groups of patients operated before and after May 1994. METHODS: We collected and compared preoperative (PSA, Gleason score on biopsies, positive apical biopsies) and postoperative variables (number and site of positive margins, secondary elevation of PSA) in two historical cohorts of 115 and 67 patients undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: We currently operate on tumours characterized by lower PSA values with a smaller proportion of positive apical biopsies. Inversely, the proportion of high Gleason scores appears to be greater, although the difference is not statistically significant. The decreased incidence of positive resection margins and PSA failure rate compared to our initial series reflects the improvement of the oncological results. The respective place of improvement of techniques and changing indications has yet to be defined. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the changing operative indications and histological and laboratory results over time. The documented improvement of oncological results is partly related to the progress in surgical indications.

[Vascular microsurgery in the treatment of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: clinical experience apropos of 115 operations performed according to 2 different surgical techniques]. / La microchirurgie vasculaire dans le traitement de l'insuffisance érectile d'étiologie vasculaire: expérience clinique à propos de 115 interventions effectuées selon deux techniques chirurgicales différentes.

OBJECTIVES: The treatment of vascular erectile insufficiency may require surgery because of the high failure rate of intracavernous injections. Implantation of penile prostheses is a last resort which can be avoided in certain selected patients in whom vascular surgery can be proposed. However, the modalities and results of this type of treatment remain controversial. We therefore evaluated the results of two different techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1st January, 1985 to 31st December, 1995, 114 patients were operated for impotence due to pure veno-cavernous incompetence in 23 cases (20%), associated with arterial disease in 38 cases (46%) or purely arterial insufficiency in 39 cases (34%). The mean age was 47.5 +/- 11 years (range: 20 to 74). These patients had suffered from erectile insufficiency for an average of 33.3 +/- 3 years. Pharmacological erection tests achieved rigid erection in only 6 cases. Two surgical techniques were used: end-to-end bypass graft between the epigastric artery and the dorsal artery of the penis (DAP) in 44 cases and arterialisation of the deep dorsal vein of the penis (DVP) in 71 cases. RESULTS: Overall, there were 54 good results (48%), defined by return of normal erections allowing satisfactory sexual intercourse without any complementary treatment, 15 improvements (14%) and 45 failures (38%) with a mean follow-up of 18 months (range: 3 to 120). These results were equivalent in the case of pure veno-cavernous incompetence (65%) of good results) or associated arterial disease (52%) of good results), but poorer results (31% of good results) were obtained in the case of pure arterial disease. The results were not statistically influenced by age or the presence of graft in all 3 types of erectile insufficiency, arterial, veno-cavernous or mixed. However, this difference was only statistically significant for pure veno-cavernous incompetence. The morbidity of arterialisation of the DVP was marked by high-flow syndrome in 21% of cases (n = 15), requiring surgical revision in 77% of cases (n = 11). Interestingly, 85% of good results on erectile function were obtained in this subgroup. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this series of vascular erectile impotence, regardless of the aetiology of erectile insufficiency, are in favour of the better efficacy of arterialisation of the DVP compared to arterial bypass graft. The biological mechanisms underlying this better result need to be elucidated.

Prostate-specific antigen in acute hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most important tumor marker in prostate cancer diagnosis and follow-up. Its catabolism by the liver has not influenced its use as a prostate marker until the recent report of a significant increase in a man and a woman with acute hepatitis. In addition, PSA was detected in liver tumor extracts, which warranted its evaluation in liver cytolysis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, PSA was evaluated in a cohort of both sexes presenting either acute hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoima. METHODS: Forty-two patients with acute hepatitis (21 male patients, 21 female patients) and 54 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (31 male patients, 23 female patients) were tested for PSA by equimolar immunoassay (Abbott AxSYM Total PSA, Abbott Diagnostics, Rungis, France) and for relevant liver biological parameters (alpha-fetoprotein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and prothrombin rate). RESULTS: PSA was undetectable in all the female patients and was consistent with age in the males (PSA median and range in acute hepatitis, 0.36 microg/l (range, 0.05-1.3); in hepatocellular carcinoma, 0.36 microg/l (range, 0.02-3.9)). It did not correlate with alpha-fetoprotein and aminotransferases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the well-established reliability of PSA, and show that PSA remains a valid prostate marker in patients with acute hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Influence of digital rectal massage on urinary prostate-specific antigen: interest for the detection of local recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Following radical prostatectomy, urinary prostate-specific antigen (uPSA) may originate from periurethral glands or from recurrent carcinomatous prostatic cells. We evaluated massage of the urethro-vesical anastomosis as a uPSA-releasing method for the detection of local recurrence. METHODS: PSA was assessed (PSA IMx, Abbott Diagnostic, Rungis, France) in serum and in the first voided urine before and after massage in 59 patients: 7 after cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer, 22 with prostate in situ, and 30 after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. RESULTS: No significant changes of uPSA were induced by the massage in cystoprostatectomy patients and in 4 radical prostatectomy patients with a negative biopsy of the anastomosis. In contrast, a significant increase of uPSA was observed after massage in the patients with prostate in situ and in 6 radical prostatectomy patients with biopsy-proven local relapse. CONCLUSIONS: uPSA before and after massage of the prostatic fossa may constitute a new and efficient tool for the detection of local recurrence, if these preliminary results are confirmed on a larger scale.

Microrevascularisation of the penis in vascular impotence.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the results of microvascular penile revascularization in impotent men and carefully selected those whose vasculogenic impotence was defined as arteriogenic impotence, veno-cavernous leakage or mixed vasculogenic impotence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a period of 11 y, 114 patients were treated for vasculogenic impotence with two surgical procedures: Michal II arterial bypass (44 patients) and modified Furlow-Fisher technique of deep dorsal vein arterialization (DDVA) (70 patients). Initial evaluation included history, physical and neurological examination, hormonal level determination, pharmacological erection test, Rigiscan, duplex ultrasonography, selective pudendal arteriograpy, dynamic cavernosometry and cavernosography. The patients were followed up for a mean period of 17 months and the results were clinically evaluated. RESULTS: The results at the end of one month were considered as good in 69.5% and improved in 12.2% and failed in 18.3%. Follow-up results are good in 47.8%, improved in 14.6% and failed in 37.4%. The best success rate was obtained with patients with pure venogenic impotence treated with DDVA, whereas the worst was observed in patients with pure arteriogenic impotence treated with the Michal II procedure. DDVA seems to provide better results than arterial bypass regardless of the etiology of impotence. CONCLUSIONS: Penile microvascular revascularization is not the best cure for all impotent men but appears to have a place in the treatment for selected patients with vasculogenic impotence. Further studies will be necessary to define parameters able to permit a better understanding and selection of candidates. DDVA is the most effective procedure to treat surgically vasculogenic impotence although the hemodynamic and biologic consequences of this operation are unknown.

[Examination of the female perineum]. / Examen du périnée féminin.

Examination of the female perineum consists of evaluation of the constituent musculo-aponeurotic and sphincteric structures and global assessment of any abnormalities of pelvic and perineal tone. This examination is primarily clinical, starting with guided clinical interview designed to investigate urinary, genital and rectal disorders, based on precise signs followed by detailed examination evaluating trophicity, sensitivity, mobility and tone of support structures and pelvic organs. Complementary investigations (radiological, urodynamic, electrophysiological) are not performed routinely. They should be performed selectively to support or confirm a difficult diagnosis and to objectively assess the results of treatment.

[Surgical treatments of erectile impotence]. / Les traitements chirurgicaux de l'impuissance érectile.

Impotence affects 10 to 15% of the male population. Organic factors are recognized in 80% of cases. Intracavernosal injections of vasoactive agents (Virag) have provided advances in the physiopathologic understanding of impotence and provide new ways of treating this incapacity. However this option is inaffective in most organic cases: arteriogenic, venogenic or disorders of smooth cavernous muscle. Vasoactive injections for many reasons are abandoned in about 40% of the cases. Two kinds of surgical management can be performed: microrevascularization in order to restore the arterial penile flow or to reduce penile venous flow during erection; implantation of penile prosthesis when other therapeutic possibilities are exhausted. Arterialization of the deep dorsal vein (DDV) appears to be the best procedure in arteriogenic and principally venous impotence. Erectile function in theses case is restored in 60% of our patients. Two types of prostheses can be implanted: semi-rigid with an axial permanent rigidity and inflatable or hydraulic devices with a flaccid aspect after intercourse. These prostheses are technically successful in 75 to 90% of cases, but partner satisfaction does not match surgical success rates.

A modified prostatic UroLume Wallstent for healthy patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: a European Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVES: This European multicenter study was aimed to assess the clinical reliability of a modified prostatic UroLume Wallstent (American Medical System, Minnetonka, MN) in the treatment of 135 healthy patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: Ninety-one patients who were obstructed but still voiding spontaneously and 44 patients who had an indwelling catheter were treated by placement of a modified stent. RESULTS: A significant improvement in mean peak flow rates and residual urine volumes was maintained throughout follow-up. Both obstructive and irritative voiding symptoms were significantly improved after placement of the stent, although a greater amelioration was seen in obstructive symptoms. The rate of patients reporting erections increased after stent insertion. Eighty percent of sexually active patients reported the maintenance of antegrade ejaculation postoperatively. A greater than 80% epithelialization of the stent was seen in 28 patients (100%) examined at the 18-month follow-up. Long-term complications were seen in 51 patients (38%). Twenty-one of these patients had the stent removed due to intractable detrusor instability, stent encrustation, stent migration, or persistence of obstruction due to prominent median lobe, understenting, or severe hyperplasia of the epithelium of the prostatic urethra. In 6 of them another stent was reimplanted while the others were treated surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Although this modified stent was abandoned due to an unacceptable rate of complications, this study demonstrates that bladder outlet obstruction in healthy patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia can be successfully relieved by the placement of a UroLume Wallstent.

[Stenosis of the renal artery of the transplant: comparison between interventional and medical treatment]. / Sténose de l'artère rénale du transplant: comparaison du traitement correcteur et du traitement médical.

In a retrospective analysis of 542 renal transplantations performed over a 10 years period, we diagnosed 25 cases of renal allograft artery stenosis that is a prevalence of 4.6%. The reason for angiography was persistent hypertension and/or renal insufficiency. An interventional procedure was performed in 16 patients (group 1): surgery in 5 and transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in 11. Nine other patients were medically treated (group 2). PTA or surgery was undertaken when a significant stenosis (> 70%) was found and when hypertension was severe (mean PAM = 123 +/- 11 mmHg). PTA was primarily performed when the anatomical situation of the stenosis was judged suitable. Medical treatment was chosen because the stenosis was assesses as not being severe enough or because was considered unsuitable for correction. Interventional treatment was successful in 77%. Long term results are shown in the table: in both 2 groups blood pressure decreased significantly at mean follow-up; the number of antihypertensive drugs decreased non significantly but are still necessary in the group 1. Mean serum creatinine is not significantly modified after treatment, there is no degradation of renal function in group 2 and no amelioration in group 1.