Structural differences and architectural features of two different polypropylene slings (TVT-O and I-STOP) have no impact on biocompatibility and tissue reactions.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the impact of design features of the synthetic mid-urethral slings on tissue integrity and inflammatory responses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with type I monofilamentous, macroporous polypropylene meshes: Gynecare TVT-Obturator tape® (Ethicon Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Somerville, NJ, USA) and I-STOP® (CL Medical Inc., Lyon, France). All animal groups were sacrificed at set time intervals - 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months - and the abdominal wall was harvested with mesh strips for histological evaluation. RESULTS: All mesh strips appeared to be well incorporated into the abdominal wall, and no signs of shrinkage was noticed. All specimens showed a thin/delicate, loose, fibrous interface between the synthetic graft plate and abdominal wall, along with mild inflammatory reactions from 6 weeks to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Both mesh brands induced comparable, minimal foreign body reactions and integrated well into the host tissues despite differences in architectural features. TVT-O® and I-STOP® evoked similar low-grade inflammatory responses up to 12 months in this animal model. Structural differences and architectural features of polypropylene slings used in this study have had no impact on tissue integrity and inflammatory responses.

Botulinum neurotoxin-A treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system and a leading cause of disability in young adults. Symptoms related to vesicourethral dysfunction are very prevalent, but not specific to underlying urodynamic abnormalities. Detrusor overactivity and detrusor external sphincter dysynergia are the most frequent findings and are usually linked. Botulinum neurotoxin-A injection represents a significant advance in the management of voiding dysfunction among MS patients failing first-line therapy. It significantly improves patients' urodynamic parameters and quality of life, with efficacy sustained by repeated injections and minimal risk of adverse events.

Unilateral exophthalmos revealing metastatic prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer, when metastatic, typically involves the axial skeleton. Sphenoidal metastasis is uncommon. We report a rare case of a 75-year-old man who presented with isolated unilateral exophthalmos. Digital rectal examination and serum prostate-specific antigen level were suggestive of metastatic prostate cancer. The prostate biopsy and imaging findings confirmed the source of the exophthalmos as a sphenoidal metastasis of an aggressive prostate adenocarcinoma.