The efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for isolated lower pole calculi compared with isolated middle and upper caliceal calculi.

PURPOSE: We assess the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy for isolated lower pole nephrolithiasis, and compare it to that for isolated middle and upper caliceal calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 714 renal units in 687 patients with isolated caliceal stones using a Lithostar lithotriptor (Siemens Medical Systems, Erlangen, Germany). The stones were localized in the lower, mid and upper calices in 455, 104 and 128 patients, respectively. Stone load was recorded in cm.2. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on stone burden. The energy and shock waves, use of anesthesia, number of treatment sessions, auxiliary measures and complications were noted. Patients were evaluated with intravenous urogram or plain film of kidneys, ureters and bladder, and ultrasonography when stone-free, or clinically significant residual fragment status, including nonobstructive and noninfectious insignificant fragments 4 mm. or less, was noted at the fluoroscopic control 2 to 4 weeks after the last session. Final clinically significant residual fragment decision was made 10 to 12 weeks after the last session. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was considered a failure if no fragmentation was noted after session 3 and continued if fragmentation was noted. Results regarding caliceal localization were compared. RESULTS: Complete data were available on 591 renal units. Auxiliary procedures were used in 81 (14%) units before treatment. Anesthesia was given to 101 (17%) patients. The mean number of shock waves and energy used were 2,022 and 17.4 kV., respectively. The difference in shock wave, energy and treatment rate among 3 caliceal locations reached statistical significance only for energy delivered to the lower and upper calices. The effectiveness quotient of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was 36%, 46% and 41% for lower, middle and upper pole stone disease, respectively (p = 0.4). There was a highly significant correlation between stone-free and re-treatment rates, and stone burden. The overall stone-free rate was 66%, and 63%, 73% and 71% for lower, middle and upper caliceal stones, respectively (p = 0.1). For the group with stones greater than 2 cm.2 overall stone-free rate decreased to 49%, and 53%, 60% and 23% in lower, middle and upper caliceal locations, respectively. Overall, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy failed in 46 (7.7%) renal units. Steinstrasse developed in 39 (6.5%) patients who were then treated with repeat lithotripsy. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy appears to be successful for management of isolated caliceal stone disease. Treatment efficacy was not significantly different among stones localized in lower, middle and upper poles. We recommend it as the primary treatment of choice for stones less than 2.0 cm.2 in all caliceal locations. Treatment should be individualized for management of caliceal stones greater than 2.0 cm.2 until large prospective randomized trials comparing shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy are available.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for stones in abnormal urinary tracts: analysis of results and comparison with normal urinary tracts.

PURPOSE: We reviewed our experience with SWL for stones in abnormal urinary tracts and compared the results with those in normal urinary tracts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group was composed of 2566 renal units (RU) treated on the Siemens Lithostar lithotripter at our SWL unit whose treatment and follow-up at 10 to 12 weeks were completed. Sixty-eight RUs (2.7%) belonged to 52 patients who had congenital upper urinary tract abnormalities. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the impact of age, stone size, location, and the type of abnormality on the outcome of the SWL in the abnormal RU. The student t-, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were used for the comparison of stone load, number of treatment sessions, catheter placement, and success rates of the patients with normal and abnormal RU. Results of long-term follow-up for available patients (38 RU; 56%) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Age, stone load, stone location, and the type of abnormality did not have a statistically significant impact on the outcome of SWL for abnormal RU. The average stone load was 2.1 +/- 2.8 cm2 in the abnormal and 1.4 +/- 1.3 cm2 in the normal RU. Thus, the stone load was significantly higher in the abnormal RU (P < 0.05). In the abnormal group, 56% of the RU became stone free, 37% had nonobstructive and noninfectious clinically insignificant residual fragments < or = 4 mm (CIRF), and SWL failed in 7%. In the normal group, 78% of the RU became stone-free, 18.5% had CIRF, and SWL failed in 4%. There was no significant difference in the success rates in the groups if success was defined as stone free and CIRF together (P > 0.05). However, there was significant a difference when stone-free, CIRF, and failure rates were evaluated separately (P < 0.05). Recurrence, regrowth, and retreatment rates in abnormal RU were 50%, 37%, and 34%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the fragmentation rates were similar, clearance of the fragments was hampered in abnormal urinary tracts. Thus, especially for large stones, other endourologic treatment options should be considered. High recurrence and regrowth rates warrant careful monitoring and consideration for medical treatment during follow-up.

A case of metastatic malignant melanoma presenting with hematuria.

We report a case of metastatic malignant melanoma that presented with macroscopic hematuria and lower urinary tract symptoms. Effective palliation of urinary tract symptoms was achieved with transurethral resection of metastatic lesions in the bladder. However, the patient was lost due to widespread disease despite systemic therapy. Solitary or multiple dark blue-black nodular or vegetating lesions encountered during cystoscopy should raise the suspicion of metastasis of malignant melanoma and be investigated accordingly.

Retrovesical leiomyosarcoma.

A case of retrovesical leiomyosarcoma in a male patient is described. The preoperative radiological and laboratory studies were inconclusive in determining the primary origin of the tumor. Diagnosis of a malignant tumor with smooth muscle origin was suggested by needle biopsy. However, the definitive diagnosis and the primary site of origin could only be determined by surgical exploration and subsequent histopathologic examination after excision. No sign of recurrence or metastasis was present 12 months after complete surgical resection.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in the pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is being used increasingly as a therapeutic modality for childhood urolithiasis. We reported our experience and results of SWL in the pediatric population. METHODS: The 59 renal units (RU) of 54 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The mean patient age was 10+/-3.5 years. All patients were treated with the Lithostar lithotripter in outpatient settings. Those with positive culture results were treated under appropriate antibiotic coverage. Seven patients were treated under general anesthesia and the rest under sedoanalgesia. Shielding of the lung fields or gonads was not used. For the upper pole stones, protection of the lungs was accomplished by elevating the upper half of the body with supportive pillows, thus moving the kidney away from the lung fields. Six RUs were catheterized via double-pigtail ureteral catheters or by percutaneous nephrostomy tube prior to treatment. The average stone load was 1.8+/-2.5 cm2. RESULTS: Patients were treated with an average of 2.5 sessions. A total of 1000 to 2500 shockwaves were delivered between 14.5 and 17.8 kV. Routine spasmolytic treatment was not initiated. The stone-free rate was 64%, and clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF) were present in 29% of RUs; thus, the success rate was 93%. Fever that necessitated hospitalization occurred in one patient. No other complications were seen except skin bruising and early hematuria. CONCLUSION: Shockwave lithotripsy is a safe and effective treatment modality for childhood stones of appropriate size and radiologic characteristics.

Impact of transition zone biopsies in detection and evaluation of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of 2 systematic transition zone (TZ) biopsies in addition to systematic sextant biopsies in an effort to establish the importance of cancer detected in the transition zone. METHODS: Between November 1995 and October 1996, TRUS-guided systematic sextant peripheral zone (PZ) and two additional TZ biopsies were performed on 189 consecutive men. Radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) was performed to 13 patients with organ-confined prostate cancer. The biopsy results of the 52 patients with cancer and the pathological specimens of the patients who underwent surgery were compared. RESULTS: Of the 189 patients, 52 (27.5%) had prostate cancer of whom 20 (38.5%) both in the PZ and TZ, 31 (59.6%) only in the PZ, and 1 (1.9%) in the TZ only. Of the 96 patients with high serum PSA levels despite normal DRE, 14 had prostate cancer. TZ cancer only rate was 7.1% (1 in 14 patients) in this group. RRP was performed to 8 patients who had cancer only in the PZ and 5 patients in both TZ and PZ. The pathological stages of the postoperative specimens and extracapsular extension rates of those with cancer in the PZ and TZ were significantly higher (p = 0.029 and p = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Routine TZ biopsy does not substantially increase the prostate cancer detection rate, however it can be useful in selected patient groups. If further studies reveal the relationship of cancer in the transition zone, higher capsular extension rate (pT3 cancer) and higher pathological stage after radical surgery, then TZ biopsies may yield additional information that might influence the therapeutic approach.

An unusual presentation of a foreign body in the urinary bladder: A migrant intrauterine device.

A 35-year-old woman, who had had an intrauterine device inserted 7 years earlier, presented with dysuria, pollakiuria, suprapubic pain and urethral irritation. The intrauterine device was found in the bladder with stone formation and was removed by endoscopy.

Modified "pluck" nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract disorders: combined endourologic and open approach.

Nephroureterectomy is the standard surgical approach for upper urinary tract transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) and many other conditions. In 1952, a modification of the conventional method was described in which a transurethral resection of the ureteral meatus and intramural ureter is undertaken until the remaining ureter has no attachment to the bladder. The resected area and the distal tip of the ureter are coagulated, and the ureter is removed in continuity with the kidney through a single flank incision. Since January 1990, we have performed 12 nephroureterectomies with this technique (9 men and 3 women with an average age of 61.8 years, ranging from 35 to 73). Six of them were operated on for a TCC of the upper urinary tract, and the postoperative follow-up of these patients was from 6 to 54 months (mean 18.6). Within the follow-up period, tumor has not recurred either at the resected trigonal area or in the retroperitoneum, and only one patient has had a tumor distant from the site of ureteric resection. One patient with bladder TCC, who had a suspect kidney mass on the left side detected by CT, underwent nephroureterectomy with this technique. Five patients had primary renal disorders and upper tract calculous problems, in which nephroureterectomy was required. After the transurethral resection, an indwelling catheter was left in the bladder for 4 days. We believe that our experience confirms the feasibility of this technique in order to improve and simplify nephroureterectomy. Therefore, we recommend the modified "pluck" technique in all patients who are candidates for an operation requiring nephroureterectomy, as it gives considerable benefit to the patient.

Update evaluation of benign prostatic hyperplasia: when should we offer prostatectomy?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate correlations between traditional and urodynamic criteria in the evaluation of prostatism and to try to establish an update evaluation of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with the aim of preventing unnecessary prostatectomies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The series constituted 96 patients aged 43-86 years (mean 63.41 +/- 9.25) with prostatism and BPH. All were assessed by symptom analysis, digital rectal examination, residual urine determination, uroflowmetry and further multichannel urodynamic testing (medium fill cystometry, pressure flow study). RESULTS: Residual urine determination was not a reliable criterion for selection of patients for surgery. A striking statistically significant correlation was evident when symptomatology and the results from multichannel urodynamic study were compared. No correlation was found between irritative symptoms and detrusor instability. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion (23%) of the whole patient population was classified as a urodynamically unobstructed group to which we think prostatectomy should not be offered. We recommend that a pressure-flow study is performed in all patients with BPH with dominant irritative symptoms to identify those who are unobstructed.