Multiple metastases of prostatic adenocarcinoma to the urethra after radical prostatectomy.

We present a rare case of multiple metastases of a prostatic adenocarcinoma to the urethra. Radical prostatectomy had been performed 13 years before, and during this time he had been frequently treated with transurethral resections of the bladder neck for obstructive urinary symptoms.

Local anesthesia during transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy: does it have any effect on sexual function?

INTRODUCTION: TRUS (Trans Rectal Ultra Sonographic)-guided biopsy of the prostate is the procedure of choice for prostate cancer diagnosis in urological clinical practice. TRUS-guided biopsies are associated with pain and anxiety and may interfere with sexual function and potency. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether local anesthesia during TRUS-guided prostate biopsies has any effect on the sexual behavior of patients and to compare the periprostatic infiltration with lidocaine to simple sonographic gel application in a randomized prospective trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 62 consecutive patients were included in the study randomized in two groups; Group A (n = 30, control group) and Group B (n = 32, lidocaine infiltration group). Interviews regarding their sexual status were conducted at the time they were informed of the need for biopsy, at the time of biopsy and at two scheduled interviews following the biopsy. RESULTS: Similar results of sexual dysfunction were observed between the two groups. About 6% of patients experienced some degree of dysfunction in anticipation of biopsy (P > 0.02 between the two groups) that was resolved by the end of the follow-up period. In total, only one Group B patient continued to show sexual dysfunction at the time of the last interview compared to two patients in Group A. CONCLUSIONS: Local infiltration with lidocaine does not seem to play a role in sexual dysfunction following prostate biopsies. Psychological factors influence patients and the urologist should be ready to inform and reassure both the patient and his family.

Pain during transrectal ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy: a randomized prospective trial comparing periprostatic infiltration with lidocaine with the intrarectal instillation of lidocaine-prilocain cream.

Prostate biopsy is usually performed without anesthesia. We evaluated the patient's perception of pain/discomfort experienced during the procedure in terms of the type of anesthesia used: periprostatic infiltration with 2% lidocaine, or intrarectal instillation of lidocaine-prilocain cream. A total of 198 patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (control group, n=40) received sonographic gel intrarectally prior to biopsy, group 2 (n=75) were given intrarectal instillation of lidocaine-prilocain cream, and group 3 (n=80) received periprostatic anesthesia by injecting 10 ml of 2% lidocaine. Pain after each biopsy was assessed using an 11-point linear visual analog pain scale. The mean pain scores were 5.1 in group 1, 4.8 in group 2, and 2.5 in group 3, resulting in a significant difference between group 3 and both groups 1 and 2, but not between groups 1 and 2. The incidence of biopsy-related adverse events did not differ among groups. Transrectal ultrasonographic guided periprostatic anesthesia is superior to intarectal instillation of lidocaine-prilocain cream.

Transitional cell carcinoma of ureteral stump after radical nephrectomy in a patient with a history of bladder carcinoma.

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of ureteral stump after radical nephrectomy is rare. Following nephrectomy patients with a prior history of bladder cancer must have their ureteral stumps evaluated. Furthermore, the presence of hematuria should alert the urologist to a possible TCC in the ureteral stump. We present a patient who developed TCC of the ureteral stump after radical nephrectomy.

Immunohistochemical detection of gastrin releasing peptide in patients with prostate cancer.

Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) is a neuropeptide that has been suggested to play a role in the development of some malignancies. Our aim was: (1) to identify the expression of GRP in cancerous prostate glands, and (2) to correlate its expression to various pathological parameters and to the patient's clinical outcome. Using standard immunohistochemistry, we evaluated GRP expression in both biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimens from 30 patients with prostatic adenocarcinomas. GRP was expressed in 18 radical prostatectomy specimens (60%) and in 15 biopsies (50%). There was an association between positive immunoexpression of GRP, relapse ( P=0.029) and advanced tumor stages (i.e. pT3, pT4) ( P=0.049). In the respective biopsies, GRP immunostatus was similar to that observed in the subsequent radical prostatectomy specimens. GRP immunoexpression may be of some value as a diagnostic and prognostic marker. Patients whose pathology specimens demonstrate GRP immunopositivity should be closely monitored, since they appear to be at higher risk of disease progression and relapse.

Renal artery aneurysm: ex vivo repair and autotransplantation: case report and review of the literature.

The incidence of renal artery aneurysm is unknown, its natural history is unclear and unpredictable, and the clinical symptoms are of little or no value in diagnosis. The risk of rupture is high in pregnant women, as in splenic artery aneurysms and in aneurysms greater than 2 cm in size. Digital subtraction angiography is the best diagnostic test. When an aneurysm is identified, surgery is the best treatment option to avoid hypertension or rupture of the aneurysm. Because of advances in organ preservation, nephrectomy, ex vivo repair, and autotransplantation is a safe and successful procedure. We report the case of a 2-cm-wide neck aneurysm that was treated by nephrectomy, ex vivo repair, and auto-transplantation.

ICAM-1 and beta(3) integrin immunoexpression in malignant melanoma cells: can they be used as additional predictors?

Malignant melanoma usually progresses from the intraepidermal microenvironment through a distinct radial growth phase, in which malignant potential cannot always be accurately evaluated, to invasion of the dermis (vertical growth phase) and metastasis. During these stages malignant cells interact with each other and with the extracellular matrix. This interaction is mediated by cell surface adhesion molecules such as the beta(3) integrin subunit and ICAM-1. Our aim was to investigate whether the expression of these two molecules is associated with the various histopathologic prognosticators commonly evaluated in malignant melanoma. Using a standard three-step immunoperoxidase technique we evaluated the above molecules' expression in a documented series of 66 cutaneous malignant melanomas. Forty-five were superficial spreading melanomas, including 18 in mixed growth phase. Positive immunoreaction was estimated by image analysis. ICAM-1 immunopositivity status was significantly more frequent among malignant melanomas of the nodular type (p=0.0001), and was associated with the vertical growth phase, Breslow thickness of >0.77 mm, and with evident lymphocytic infiltration. beta(3) integrin immunopositivity showed similar results in certain respects; it was more frequently detected in superficial spreading melanomas in which vertical growth had developed (p=0.002) and in cases with regression. There appears to be an association of these molecules with histopathologic features that predict increased tumorigenicity of malignant melanocytes.

Successful reversal of steal syndrome following creation of arteriovenous fistula by banding with a ringed Gore-Tex cuff: a new technique.

Steal syndrome, especially in elderly patients with peripheral vascular disease, is a serious complication following creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) that, if neglected, can lead to amputation. The classic maneuver to deal with the steal syndrome is ligating the AVF and performing another procedure to gain dialysis access. We describe a simple technique of effectively reversing the steal syndrome by banding the vein of the AVF with a ringed Gore-Tex cuff that salvages the AVF and allows its immediate use for dialysis.

Posttraumatic cyst of the spleen: a case report and review of the literature.

Splenic cysts are rare lesions. They are mainly divided into primary or genuine cysts and secondary or false cysts according to their etiology and pathophysiology. Primary cysts have a cellular lining that can be caused by either congenital events or parasitic infestations (Echinococcus). Secondary cysts have no cellular lining and may be of hemorrhagic, serous, inflammatory, or degenerative origin. It is important for surgeons to assess each individual case and decide on the most suitable treatment, taking into account the features of the cyst, the time of onset, and the age of the patient, to avoid possible complications. We report a case of posttraumatic pseudocyst treated successfully by splenectomy and we review the literature.

Mirizzi syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

The Mirizzi syndrome is a rare benign cause of obstructive jaundice. The syndrome is a result of the impaction of a large stone, or several smaller ones, in either the Hartmann's pouch or the cystic duct, causing obstruction to the common hepatic duct. It is particularly interesting to surgeons because the surgery has to be carefully planned to avoid unnecessary damage to the common bile duct. Furthermore, it poses a differential diagnosis dilemma for surgeons as well as radiologists because there are no diagnostic procedures or clinical features that have a 100% specificity and sensitivity. As a result, the Mirizzi syndrome often has been mistaken for carcinoma of the gallbladder. We report one case of Mirizzi syndrome to draw attention to the importance of this syndrome and to describe the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of the disease.

Abdominoplasty in a patient with severe obesity.

Abdominoplasty and dermolipectomy are, in some cases, the only tools that a surgeon has to treat patients with severe obesity. Although liposuction is useful in removing fatty deposits without traditional surgical incisions, its application is limited in extremely obese patients. In response to current esthetic expectations, reconstructive surgeons have to deal effectively both with the actual complaint and with the desire of the patient to have an incision as small as possible. We present a case of severe obesity with large amounts of redundant skin and fat extending to below the knees. At the time of surgery, a large area of the patient's lower abdomen had become ischemic, thus making abdominoplasty the only option for treatment. We believe it is important for the surgeon be familiar with this approach because it can occur in general practice and he should be prepared to deal with it both as a relative emergency and as an elective procedure.

Perisplenitis as a cause of acute abdomen: a case report.

Splenitis can complicate blood-borne sepsis in hemodialysis patients. Symptoms include left upper quadrant pain and tenderness in addition to generalized systemic manifestation of infection. Clinical diagnosis is difficult and there is no specific investigation to confirm it. Computed tomography scan of the spleen can help in identifying a splenic abscess, rupture, or infarction. A splenectomy is the treatment of choice in splenic abscess, in splenitis to avoid spontaneous rupture, and in recurrent perisplenitis.