[Piezoelectric ESWL for ureteral calculi. Impact of topography and lithiasis measurements on therapeutic approaches and performance]. / LEC piézoélectrique des calculs de l'uretère. Influence de la topographie et des mensurations lithiasiques sur les modalités et performances thérapeutiques.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the site and dimensions of ureteric stones on the modalities and performances of in situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population of 385 patients with solitary radiopaque ureteric stones was analysed. The long axis of these stones (211 (55%) lumbar, 38 (10%) iliac and 136 (35%) pelvic stones) ranged from 5 to 21 mm (mean = 8.2 mm). The initial shock wave frequency was 4/s. Lumbar stones were treated in the dorsal supine position under diaz-analgesia and pelvic stones were treated in the ventral supine position without systematic sedation. The influence of wave frequency (1 versus 4/s) on the level of sedation and therapeutic performances was studied on 146 patients with lumbar (n = 92) or pelvic stones (n = 54). The results were evaluated after only one ESWL session and were analysed statistically by Student's test and Fisher test. RESULTS: The overall complete success rate was 74%. Iliac stones were characterized by significantly (p < 0.05) lower (61%) performances. The results were inversely proportional to the size of the stones, as the complete success rate was only 25% for stones > 12 mm. For lumbar stones, a lower frequency allowed a very significant reduction (p < 0.0001) of the level of sedation required without affecting the performance. For pelvic stones, a low frequency significantly (p < 0.05) limited the efficacy of ESWL, especially for stones > 8 mm (27% of complete successes). CONCLUSION: In situ piezoelectric ESWL allows effective management of most ureteric stones with of long axis between 5 and 10 mm. In the context of outpatient treatment, however, this approach requires modulation of the shock wave frequency according to the site of the stone. Another therapeutic approach, particularly endoscopy, should be considered for very large stones.

Analgesia in piezoelectric SWL: comparative study of kidney and upper ureter treatments.

BACKGROUND: The development of newer-generation lithotripters has reduced the pain associated with SWL, but many patients still require some form of sedation. We prospectively compared the analgesic requirements for kidney and upper ureteral treatments. Predictive factors for pain during piezoelectric SWL were also studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 102 consecutive patients without any previous experience of SWL were treated for renal (N = 70) or upper ureteral (N = 32) calculi using the EDAP LT02 lithotripter. The stones' largest diameter ranged from 4 to 30 mm (mean 9 mm). Patients were given an oral dose of 60 mg of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride and 800 mg of paracetamol associated with 100 mg of ketoprofene per rectum 30 minutes before treatment. The SWL session was begun at low intensity and increased to the maximal range of energy as rapidly as could be tolerated by the patient. The amount of pain during treatment was recorded according to a visual analogue scale (VAS). Further analgesia using intravenous alfentanil was given as required by the severity of the pain. Visual analog pain scores, additional sedation requirements, and success rates after one session were analyzed. RESULTS: The VAS scores and intravenous sedation requirements were significantly lower for patients with upper ureteral stones than for those with renal calculi (P < 0.01). The stone-free rates after one session were, respectively, 90% and 73% (P < 0.05). On the other hand, SWL tolerance was significantly lower for women presenting with renal stones (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Piezoelectric SWL without intravenous sedation is suitable for the treatment of upper ureteral calculi. However, such an approach is less efficient in the management of kidney stones, especially for female patients.

Piezoelectric shockwave lithotripsy of urinary calculi: comparative study of stone depth in kidney and ureter treatments.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the relation between stone depth and the efficiency of piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 150 patients presenting with 25 pelvic, 75 caliceal, and 25 upper and 25 lower ureteral calculi were treated using the EDAP LT02 lithotripter. All of the stones were easy to localize with sonographic and radiographic systems, and their largest diameter ranged from 4 to 25 mm (mean 8.5 mm). Renal and upper ureteral calculi were treated with the patient in the supine position and lower ureteral stones in prone position. On the basis of a meticulous stone localization and focusing, depth measurements were carried out under real-time ultrasonic guidance, the minimal distance between the cutaneous plane and the focal point being recorded only for definitely localized calculi. RESULTS: Ureteral calculi were significantly deeper than renal stones (p < 0.0001), but the distance from the cutaneous plane was statistically similar for upper and lower ureteral calculi. Stone depth was statistically affected by body mass index (BMI), patients with a BMI >25 having significantly deeper renal and ureteral calculi than subjects with a BMI < or =25 (p < 0.00001 and 0.01, respectively). Renal stones resisting SWL were significantly deeper than successfully treated calculi (p < 0.03). At the level of the ureter, the success rate after one SWL session was 85% for stones with a depth < or =110 mm and 57% for deeper stones, the difference being significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Stone depth has a significant influence on treatment outcome after piezoelectric SWL for both renal and ureteral calculi. We recommend particular attention be given to corpulent patients presenting with ureteral stones.

[Role of testicular biopsy in the investigation of a carcinoma in situ]. / Place de la biopsie testiculaire dans la recherche d'un carcinome in situ.

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the testis is recognized to be a precursor of cancer. Radiological examinations are not sufficient to improve the diagnosis. So the diagnosis is made by testicular biopsy. The indications are controlateral testis biopsy in man with testicular cancer and risk factors (cryptorchidism, dysgenetic gonads...) and extragonadic germ cell tumors. The authors review the risk factors. Chemotherapy is not sufficient to eradicate the CIS. A dose of 16 Gy of localized radiation is curative, excludes bilateral orchidectomy and preserves androgen function and azoospermic patient.

[Hot flashes and hormonal treatment of prostate cancer]. / Bouffées de chaleur et traitement hormonal des cancers de la prostate.

Androgen suppression in the context of the treatment of prostatic cancer is responsible for hot flashes in 75% of patients, which alter the quality of life to varying degrees depending on the patient. They constitute a source of major discomfort in 30 to 40% of patients. The pathophysiology of this effect is now known and involves: sex steroids, central opiates and intrahypothalamic catecholamines. The incidence of hot flashes appears to vary according to the type of hormonal treatment administered. The various treatments available are not equally effective. Non-hormonal treatments are of little value. Hormonal treatments: oestrogens and steroidal antiandrogens are the most effective. Progestogens also appear to be just as effective or even more effective than these other agents, with negligible adverse effects at the doses used in this indication.

[Acute pyelo-ureteral obstruction by an intrasinusal intra- and para-pyelic cyst. Apropos of 3 cases]. / Obstruction pyélo-urétérale aiguë par kyste intra-sinusal intra- et para-pyélique. A propos de 3 cas.

Parapyelic cysts are not uncommon. There is usually no clinical expression of these cysts although development within the sinus can cause obstruction leading to acute nephretic colic. We observed two cases of intrasinus parapyelic cysts and another case of obstructive intrapyelic cyst. At ultrasonography, the only sign was hydronephrosis and a junction syndrome could not be eliminated. Intravenous pyelography demonstrated hydronephrosis and in one case a round intrapyelic mass. Computed tomography was required for diagnosis. Surgical exeresis was required due to the pain and compression damage to the parenchyma. This is a rare indication for surgical treatment of simple cysts of the kidney.

[Orchidectomy in testicular cancer. Variant techniques and tactics]. / Les orchidectomies dans le cancer du testicule. Variantes techniques et tactiques.

Exploratory orchidotomy, generally leading to orchidectomy, is the first procedure performed whenever testicular cancer is suspected. The techniques and indications for wide orchidectomy have advanced since the time of Chevassu: radical orchidectomy with lymph node dissection via an inguinoiliolumbar incision is no longer performed, value of wide orchidectomy associated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, place of enucleations in the case of solitary testis or synchronous bilateral lesions, and deferred orchidectomy after chemotherapy. The various techniques are reviewed and their indications are discussed.

[Diagnostic difficulties and value of partial surgery in multiple tumors of the kidney. Apropos of 4 cases]. / Difficultés diagnostiques et intérêt de la chirurgie partielle dans les tumeurs multiples du rein. A propos de 4 cas.

Multiple renal tumors are rare. Ultrasonic and CT scan examinations will suspect the diagnosis in the majority of cases. With the histological diagnosis and its prognosis, the treatment may be watchful waiting, partial nephrectomy or radical nephrectomy. Partial nephrectomy is indicated in case of multiple tumor in a patient with solitary kidney or for bilateral tumors. Urinary fistulas or renal insufficiency are potential complications, but they are exceptional. Four cases are reported (oncocytoma, angiomyolipoma, papillary tumor and adenocarcinoma) to illustrate the difficulty of diagnosis with imaging and the surgical options.

[Acute obstructive renal failure and scrotal complete hernia of the bladder. Apropos of a case, review of the literature]. / Insuffisance rénale aiguë obstructive et hernie scrotale complète de la vessie. A propos d'une observation, revue de la littérature.

Massive herniation of the bladder into the scrotum is uncommon and can have a deleterious effect on the upper urinary tract. We report a case where complete scrotal hernia of the bladder lead to obstructive renal failure due to torsion of the trigone. Most simple bladder hernias can be explained by a prostate or uretral obstacle. The mechanism in our patient with no known prostate or uretral disease was the passage of the bladder via a defective inguinal canal caused by excessive obesity. This type of massive hernia has been reported in Sumo boxers. The effect on the upper urinary tract may be related to a fold in the terminal ureter or more exceptionally in the trigone. Immediate treatment requires urine drainage above the obstacle and intensive care. After stabilization, the anatomic position of the excluded bladder is re-established with reconstruction of the inguinal area, usually with a prosthesis. Any obstacle below the bladder must be removed.