Nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis.

Nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis (NSGP) is a relatively uncommon type of chronic inflammation of the prostate, frequently mistaken for carcinoma on digital rectal examination, trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) and serum PSA test. It is presently the most frequent variety of granulomatous prostatitis observed at histological examination. The present study reviews the trans-rectal US results and serum PSA levels of 20 patients with biopsy-proven NSGP. Physical findings, laboratory data and US indicated malignancy in all cases. Sonographically (TRUS), the lesions appeared as single or multiple hypoechoic nodules, mainly localised in the peripheral zone of the gland, mimicking carcinoma. Mean serum PSA values were 13.3 ng/ml (range from 3.5 to 34 ng/ml), and only one patient had a value lower than 4 ng/ml. A sufficiently long period of follow-up (mean 19 months; range from 7 to 48 months) with TRUS and PSA was only possible in 11/20 patients. In 8/11 cases, serum PSA returned within normal range, and in 5/11 patients the US features slowly resolved, the hypoechoic nodules disappearing. Final diagnosis can only be obtained by prostatic biopsy. Several questions remain unanswered regarding the relationship between chronic prostatitis and prostatic carcinoma, natural history, the need for specific therapy and also the follow-up of this disease.

Proctossigmoidectomia via perineal no tratamento do prolapso retal

The most used surgical technic for treatment of rectal prolapse is the rectal promontofixation by laparotomy. In the last years, the perineal rectossigmoidectomy has been widely performed again, as alternative for old pacients, particulary for these who have other severe diseases. We've studied 14 pacients operated on perineal rectosigmoidectomy (Altemeier procedure ), 13 women and only 01 man. There were 50% constipated ,also 14,2% had chronic diarrhoea and 64,2% were incontinent. The medium age was of 72,2 years, 64,2% had manual anastomosis and 35,8% mechanic and 42,9% had posterior anal repair (Parks) at the same surgical time. The pacients were hospitalized for 3,8 days (mean time), there were no imediate or recent complications and just 01 recurrence (7,1%). As wehad good results, low morbimortality and acceptable recurrence, we have performed that technique more usually, specially for old patients.

A técnica cirúrgica mais utilizada no tratamento do prolapso retal é a sacropromontofixação do reto por via abdominal, porém nos últimos anos a proctossigmoidectomia via perineal tem sido retomada como alternativa para pacientes idosos com comorbidades. Revisamos 14 casos operados pela proctossigmoidectomia via perineal (cirurgia de Altemeier), sendo 13 mulheres e 1 homem. Destes pacientes havia 50% de obstipados, 14,2% tinham diarréia crônica e 64,2% eram previamente incontinentes. Idade média de 72,2 anos, 64,2 % com anastomose manual e 35,8% mecânica, além de 42,9% com reparo anal posterior no mesmo tempo operatório. O tempo médio de internação foi de 3,8 dias, não houve complicações imediatas ou precoces e apenas ocorreu recidiva em 01 paciente, 7,1%. Pelos bons resultados, baixa morbi-mortalidade e recidiva aceitável e de acordo com a literatura nos encorajamos à utilização desta técnica para correção do prolapso retal .

Proctossigmoidectomia via perineal no tratamento do prolapso retal / Perineal proctosigmoidectomy in treatment of rectal prolapse

A técnica cirúrgica mais utilizada no tratamento do prolapso retal é a sacropromontofixaçäo do reto por via abdominal, porém nos últimos anos a proctossigmoidectomia via perineal tem sido retomada como alternativa para pacientes idosos com comorbidades. Revisamos 14 casos operados pela proctossigmoidectomia via perineal (cirurgia de Altemeier), sendo 13 mulheres e 1 homem. Destes pacientes havia 50 por cento de obstipados, 14,2 por cento tinham diarréia crônica e 64,2 por cento eram previamente incontinentes. Idade média de 72,2 anos, 64,2 por cento com anastomose manual e 35,8 por cento mecânica, além de 42,9 por cento com reparo anal posterior no mesmo tempo operatório. O tempo médio de internaçäo foi de 3,8 dias, näo houve complicaçöes imediatas ou precoces e apenas ocorreu recidiva em 01 paciente, 7,1 por cento. Pelos bons resultados, baixa morbi-mortalidade e recidiva aceitável e de acordo com a literatura nos encorajamos à utilizaçäo desta técnica para correçäo do prolapso retal.

Color Doppler ultrasonographic scanning in prostatitis: clinical correlation.

Color Doppler and endorectal ultrasonography were performed in 25 patients with acute prostatic syndromes (APS; 13 acute and 12 chronic recurrent forms). In addition, 7 patients with asymptomatic chronic prostatitis, 13 men with prostatic carcinoma and 6 healthy young volunteers were studied. In the 25 APS, a marked increase in color was observed in the cervicourethral site and/or around the ejaculatory ducts and close to the seminal vesicles. The observed pattern is probably explained by vessel dilatation due to acute inflammation. The color increase in these 25 patients was greater than in the 6 normal prostates and 8/9 prostate carcinomas. Moreover, we observed that color intensity matched the severity of symptoms in APS.

[Bone cysts and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis]. / Cisti ossee e dialisi peritoneale ambulatoriale continua.

The clinical and radiologic patterns of amyloid osteoarthropathy in long-term hemodialysis patients are well known. However, few studies about the incidence of dialysis-associated amyloidosis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients have been published to date. In a series of 27 CAPD patients, the authors found bone cysts in 63.6% of cases, at the beginning of their dialysis treatment. After a mean follow-up period of 20.9 +/- 13.8 months, carpal bone cysts were seen in 70.4% of cases and clinical patterns worsened in 26.3% of patients. Therefore, CAPD does not prevent the development of dialysis-associated amyloidosis; prolonged uremic state and decreased diuresis seem to be the main pathogenetic factors of osteoarthropathy. The incidence and the evolution of bone lesions were related to the clinical data of this series and then compared with those of a group of hemodialysis patients. This study confirms that plain wrist films are a simple and useful method in the early detection and in the follow-up of amyloidosis-related disease.

[Endometriosis of the large intestine. A report of 2 clinical cases]. / Endometriosi del grosso intestino. Descrizione di due casi clinici.

Intestinal involvement of endometriosis requiring treatment is 5%, but only 0.7% needs intestinal resection. The authors report two cases of colic endometriosis and illustrate problems in diagnosis and management of this disease. Usually intestinal endometriosis takes the form of asymptomatic superficial serosal implants, encountered incidentally at laparotomy for other diseases, but it can also result in obstruction and occasionally bleeding. Any premenopausal woman with episodic bowel symptoms associated with gynecologic complaints should be suspected of endometriosis of the colon. Diagnosis can be suspected by double-contrast enema examination and colonoscopy with biopsy, although neither is likely to establish the diagnosis with certainty. In fact there are no radiologic or diagnostic imaging findings that are specific for endometriosis and unequivocal diagnosis requires microscopic examination. Differential diagnosis includes primary carcinoma of the colon and other benign diseases (pelvic inflammatory disease, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, pelvic abscess, polyps, etc.). The treatment of patients with uncomplicated, but symptomatic gastrointestinal endometriosis depends on the age of the patient and her childbearing attitude. Resection of the affected bowel should be done in patient with pain, bleeding, changes in bowel habits and intestinal obstruction and it is necessary to avoid neglecting a malignant tumor. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy is the treatment of choice in the perimenopausal and menopausal women. In symptomatic women desiring children the only resection of involved colon may be appropriate treatment. In these subjects hormonal therapy can be useful.

[Urography: problems and errors in the diagnosis of renal masses]. / Urografia: problemi ed errori nella diagnostica delle masse renali.

New imaging modalities have gained a prominent role in both detection and diagnosis of kidney disorders. However, excretory urography (IVU) remains the screening examination of choice in everyday diagnostic routine, even though its value in characterising renal masses is poor. The search for more sensitive and less invasive diagnostic modalities has brought about some new dilemmas--e.g., which modality should be performed first when the clinical picture is suggestive of renal tumor, the presence of a malignancy with a negative IVU, small renal tumors as occasional findings--, and has enhanced previous problems,--e.g., technique, administration of i.v. contrast media. After defining the above problems, the authors discuss mistakes in the evaluation and interpretation of urograms. The problems are operator-dependent, or else they may be related to examination technique--e.g., inadequate preparation of the patient, poor image quality--, to the method of examination--e.g., inadequate injection of contrast agents (i.e., type, amount, method of injection)--, to kidney function and, finally, to lesion type. As for lesion type, errors can be related to the detection of the lesion itself--e.g., small renal masses (less than 3 cm phi)--and to lesion definition, due to atypical patterns or to difficult differentiation of tumors from normal findings, from anatomical variants or extrarenal structures.

[Importance of specific prostatic antigen to prostatic volume ratio in the selection of patients for ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the prostate]. / Importanza del rapporto tra antigene prostatico specifico e volume prostatico nella selezione dei pazienti da sottoporre a biopsia ecoguidata della prostata.

US-guided biopsy was performed in 94 patients with suspected lesions at transrectal US. Histology demonstrated carcinoma in 43 cases, benign hyperplasia in 44, and prostatitis in 7. In all cases the prostate specific antigen (PSA) was calculated, by means of US, together with prostatic volume (V). PSA was related to the corresponding gland volume, which resulted in PSA/V index. Subsequently, histology was correlated with both PSA value and PSA/V ratio. Our study showed PSA/V ratio to have higher sensitivity and specificity than absolute PSA value in the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma. The authors believe prostate US-guided biopsy to be: a) necessary when the suspected area has PSA/V ratio greater than 0.15, and especially when PSA/V greater than 0.30; b) not indicated when echostructural alterations are associated with PSA/V less than 0.15, because they are most frequently due to benign lesions. The combined use of PSA/V ratio and US is therefore suggested to select the patients in whom biopsy is to be performed.

Correlation between prostate-specific antigen and prostate volume, evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography: usefulness in diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The authors calculated the volume of the prostate by transrectal ultrasonography and evaluated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in 108 patients with benign prostatic disease or with clinically suspected carcinoma and in 35 normal subjects. In each case the PSA value was related to the corresponding gland volume (V), which gives a PSA/V index. 32 patients underwent transurethral resection, 23 underwent open prostatectomy and biopsy was performed in 53. Histological examination revealed benign prostatic hyperplasia in 63, prostatitis in 12 and carcinoma in 33. In normal subjects and in those with benign prostatic diseases, the mean PSA/V index was 0.090 and 0.099, respectively. In patients with prostatic carcinoma the ratio was 1.73. The authors propose that this ratio be used, as an alternative to the absolute value of PSA, to differentiate patients with benign and malignant diseases of the prostate.

[Sarcomatoid nephrocarcinoma. Correlation of radiological, histopathological and prognostic features]. / Il nefrocarcinoma sarcomatoide. Correlazione tra il quadro radiologico, istopatologico e prognostico.

Fifteen patients with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma were studied from 1975 through 1987. For each case the radiological, sonographic (US), and histopathological features were reviewed. Neither ivp nor US detected any specific patterns, though demonstrating frequently-necrotic and infiltrating masses. Angiography and/or CT were more useful because they allowed the staging of the tumors and the evaluation of their vascularity. In particular, a frequent correlation was observed between the degree of vascularity and the percentage of sarcomatoid component at histopathology. Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma were hypo-avascular in 7 cases and hypervascular in 8. Six of the 7 hypo-avascular cases had a high percentage of sarcomatoid tissue (greater than 50%) and were highly malignant. Seven of the 8 hypervascular neoplasms had a low percentage of sarcomatoid component and presented radiological features similar to clear/granular cell tumors. The survival of the patients with sarcomatoid tumors was much shorter than that of the patients with other kidney carcinomas. Among sarcomatoid tumors, prognosis was worst for the patients with hypo-avascular neoplasms.

[Surgical ultrasonography of the seminal vesicles in andrologic pathology. Research in progress]. / L'ecografia operativa delle vescicole seminali nella patologia andrologica. Ricerca in "itinere".

The authors describe their experience with percutaneous transperineal puncture (PTP) of the seminal vesicles in andrologic pathologic conditions, using transrectal US guidance. Three cases are reported: 2 anomalies of the genital ducts and one prostatic-vesicular abscess. In the first two cases PTP allowed a diagnosis to be reached on the basis of the analysis of vesicular fluid. Moreover, the examination allowed the selection of the patients to be submitted to surgery for seminal duct anomaly (endoscopic resection of the colliculus seminalis). In cases 1 and 3 PTP allowed the aspiration of the fluid from a cyst in the left ejaculatory duct and from a prostatic-vesicular abscess, respectively. These procedures were facilitated using US guidance. The clinical possibilities and utility of PTP have not yet been completely defined. The authors suggest a diagnostic protocol to be used in the presence of azoocytospermia, where US must be performed only in patients with excretory infertility. The present paper must be considered a work in progress. Further study is required to identify the clinical indications of interventional US of the seminal vesicles in patients with andrologic pathologic conditions.

[Course of acquired renal cystic disease. An ultrasonic follow-up study]. / Evoluzione della malattia cistica renale acquisita (MCRA). Studio mediante follow-up ecografico.

The authors evaluated the evolution of acquired renal cystic disease with a 40-month US follow-up. Eighty-one patients were examined by US: 66 of them were hemodialysis patients, and 15 transplant recipients. Cystic kidney disease had progressed in 52/66 hemodialysis patients, whereas the picture was unmodified in 14/15 transplant recipients. As an explanation to the different evolution possibilities, the authors hypothesize that disease etiopathogenesis is to be sought in uremic toxic elements together with constitutional factors. Hemodialysis, prolonging the life of these patients, appears to facilitate the onset and/or evolution of the disease. On the contrary, kidney transplantation stops disease evolution, because it removes biologically active substances associated to uremia. In no cases new kidney tumors were found.

US-guided prostatic biopsy in 63 cases.

Over a 20-months period, 63 patients with prostatic lesions less than or equal to 2 cm in size, detected at palpation or at ultrasonography (US), were followed-up with US-guided transperineal biopsy. Within the nodules located in the peripheral parts of the gland, and still confined within the capsule, focal cancer, chronic prostatitis and benign atypical hyperplasia were detected, but typical echo patterns were not seen. All nodules located in the periurethral gland were benign hyperplasia. US-guided biopsy in all patients presenting with small, suspicious nodules or focal echo pattern changes, localized within the peripheral gland, is recommended.

[Papillary nephrocarcinoma: radiographic and echographic aspects]. / Nefrocarcinoma papillifero. Aspetti radiografici ed ecografici.

Between 1976 and 1987, 395 patients with kidney tumors were studied with radiological techniques and sonography. In 37 cases (9.4%) histopathology diagnosed pure papillary renal cell carcinoma. Analyzing the radiographic patterns of these neoplasms, the authors observed constantly diminished vascularity (100%), frequent calcifications (35.1%) and necrotic areas (51.3%). Such X-ray features are not specific: nevertheless, their coexistence is strongly suggestive of papillary renal cell cancer. No consistent US pattern was found; however, necrotic areas were easily demonstrated in most cases. It must be stressed how patients with papillary carcinoma experienced a longer postoperative survival; it has not yet been established whether such favorable behavior is due to low biological aggressiveness or to earlier diagnosis.

[Diverticula of the female urethra. A radiological and ultrasound study]. / I diverticoli dell'uretra femminile. Studio radiologico ed ecografico.

The authors analyzed the clinical, radiographic and sonographic findings of diverticulum of the female urethra, reporting on 47 cases. Lower urinary tract infections, urgency and post-urinary dribbling were the most common symptoms. Either voiding cystourethrography or positive pressure urethrography was carried out in all patients, while US was performed in 18 cases only. Radiographs showed diverticula to be usually solitary (87%); their size ranged from 1 to 3 cm (72%). They were most commonly found in the mid-third of the urethra (83%), and stones were present in 12.7% of patients. Suprapubic and transrectal US demonstrated cystic lesions, usually dyshomogeneous, located under the bladder base and the uterine cervix. The authors believe that both examinations should be performed, as they provide with complementary information. X-ray study allows the evaluation of the exact number and position of diverticula, while US demonstrates both the extension of inflammatory changes and the size of diverticula not completely filled during voiding cystourethrography.

[Has echography modified the occurrence of kidney carcinoma? Considerations on 316 cases]. / L'ecografia ha modificato l'incidenza del carcinoma renale? Considerazioni su 316 casi.

An analysis of 316 renal carcinomas over an 11-year period has shown an increase in the incidence of tumors per year, together with a progressive decrease in the size of the lesions at the time of diagnosis. This effect occurred especially after the introduction of renal ultrasonography in diagnostic practice. The tumor size is an important prognostic factor, because the 5-year survival rate was 80% for tumors less than 5 cm and 30% for tumors greater than 10 cm. Ultrasonography might thus represent a screening method for renal carcinoma in patients over 50 years of age, if it were possible to define risk groups.

[Syringocele or cystic diagnosis of Cowper's gland ducts]. / Siringocele o dilatazione cistica dei dotti ghiandolari di Cowper.

Cystic dilatation of bulbo-urethral gland ducts (Cowper's syringocele) is an uncommon abnormality, frequently asymptomatic, showing various radiographic patterns. The lesion is more commonly seen in children, but it may be found in adults too, and may cause dysuria, pollakiuria, stranguria and posturinary dribbling. Fourteen patients with syringocele were observed: 6 of them were asymptomatic, while in 8 the most common symptoms were posturinary dribbling and stranguria. X-ray examination showed 7 cases of perforated syringocele, 4 cases of ruptured syringocele, 2 cases of simple syringocele and 1 case of imperforate syringocele. Various theories are reported to explain how the lesion forms and the differences are analyzed which characterize different kinds of urethral lesions.

[Echostructural polymorphism of prostatic carcinoma. Anatomo-pathologic correlations in various developmental stages]. / Polimorfismo ecostrutturale del carcinoma prostatico. Correlazioni anatomo-patologiche nelle diverse fasi evolutive.

The sonographic appearance of prostatic carcinoma was correlated with the corresponding histopathologic studies in 57 patients after transperineal biopsy. In 21 cases the lesions observed were less than or equal to 2 cm (circumscribed) and in 36 were greater than 2 cm (diffuse). Within the first group there was a prevalence of hypoechoic forms (61,9%). While isoechoic and hyperechoic foci were observed in 14.3% and 23.8%. In diffuse prostatic carcinoma, mixed echogenicity was observed in 50% of patients, hypoechoic in 27.8% and isoechoic in 22.2%. The variations in the appearance of prostatic cancer indicate that sonographic texture is related to the size and histopathologic features of the neoplastic growth.