Por qué y cómo hemos de analizar los cálculos urinarios / Why and how we must analyse urinary calculi

Contexto: Existe una heterogeneidad de criterio sobre la utilidad del análisis del cálculo urinario, así como de cuál es la metodología más adecuada. En esta revisión se presenta el análisis de la litiasis mediante la técnica del estudio morfoconstitucional basada en la combinación de la microscopía estereoscópica (MEST) con el estudio de infrarrojos (EIR). Resumen de evidencia: Existen múltiples técnicas de análisis del cálculo: análisis químico, microscopía electrónica, difracción por rayos X, MEST y EIR. Mediante la revisión de cada una de estas técnicas y el estudio de varios casos clínicos, el presente trabajo muestra la utilidad clínica del análisis del cálculo, así como las ventajas e inconvenientes de cada uno de los citados métodos. Por otro lado, se evidencia cómo el análisis mediante el estudio morfoconstitucionales el que más información clínica de utilidad ofrece al urólogo. Asimismo, se presenta la clasificación de las litiasis basadas en este método y su correlación clínica con el paciente. Conclusiones: El análisis del cálculo mediante la técnica del estudio morfoconstitucional aporta más información que el resto de técnicas y permite establecer una clasificación del cálculo de gran utilidad clínica y diagnóstica (AU)

Context: There is heterogeneity of criteria on the utility of urinary stone analysis as well as on which is the most suitable methodology. This review presents the analysis of the lithiasis using the morphoconstitutional analysis technique based on the combination of the stereoscopic microscopy (SM) with infrared study (IRS). Summary of the evidence: There are many techniques to analyze the stone: chemical analysis, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, SM and IRS. Reviewing each one of these techniques and through the study of several clinical cases, this review shows the usefulness of stone analysis and the pros and cons of each one of the mentioned techniques. Furthermore, it can be clearly seen how the morphoconstitutional analysis is the one that offers the most useful clinical information to the urologist. In addition, classification of the lithiasis based on this method and its clinical correlation with patients is presented. Conclusions: Using the morphoconstitutional study to analyze the stone offers more information than the other techniques and it makes it possible to establish a stone classification of important clinical and diagnostic utility (AU)

[Why and how we must analyse urinary calculi]. / Por qué y cómo hemos de analizar los cálculos urinarios.

CONTEXT: There is heterogeneity of criteria on the utility of urinary stone analysis as well as on which is the most suitable methodology. This review presents the analysis of the lithiasis using the morphoconstitutional analysis technique based on the combination of the stereoscopic microscopy (SM) with infrared study (IRS). SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE: There are many techniques to analyze the stone: chemical analysis, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, SM and IRS. Reviewing each one of these techniques and through the study of several clinical cases, this review shows the usefulness of stone analysis and the pros and cons of each one of the mentioned techniques. Furthermore, it can be clearly seen how the morphoconstitutional analysis is the one that offers the most useful clinical information to the urologist. In addition, classification of the lithiasis based on this method and its clinical correlation with patients is presented. CONCLUSIONS: Using the morphoconstitutional study to analyze the stone offers more information than the other techniques and it makes it possible to establish a stone classification of important clinical and diagnostic utility.

[Incidence and prevalence of published studies about urolithiasis in Spain. A review]. / Incidencia y prevalencia de la urolitiasis en España: Revisión de los datos originales disponibles hasta la actualidad.

INTRODUCTION: San Antonio, Somacarrera (1977) and Rousaud-Inmark (1984) studies established the first data of incidence and prevalence about urolithiasis in Spain. Other regional or national epidemiologic details were given for several authors from 1977 to 2002. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sixteen papers with original data about incidence or prevalence have been selected, 5 of them are about incidence, 8 about prevalence and 3 include both. Ten papers are based on poblational research (San Antonio, Martin, Pedrajas, Rousaud-Inmark, Torres, Ripa, Romero, Grases, Alapont, Aíbar), 5 on subjective estimations (Solé-Balcells, Cifuentes, Puigvert, Serrallach, Conte) and one include both (Somacarrera). Seven papers are nationwide and 9 are about local areas. A map with different location studies is presented and a data register show incidence and prevalence medians. RESULTS: The Spanish median urolithiasis incidence is 0.73%, corresponding to 325,079 new cases per year; and the prevalence is 5.06%, corresponding to 2,233,214 cases. DISCUSSION: Methodologically the best epidemiologic studies about lithiasis are based on general population survey. The commonest slant is extract data from retrospective clinical registers. Most studies have significant methodological difficulties, but they reflected interest about epidemiology of stone disease in Spain. There is a concordance between Spanish results and international published data.

Incidencia y prevalencia de la urolitiasis en España: revisión de los datos originales disponibles hasta la actualidad / Incidence and prevalence of published studies about urolithiasis in Spain. A review

Introducción: Los estudios de San Antonio y Somacarrera en 1977, y de Rousaud-Inmark en 1984, establecen las primeras cifras de incidencia y prevalencia de la urolitiasis en España, seguidas de otras apreciaciones epidemiológicas regionales o nacionales realizadas por otros autores. Material y métodos: Se han seleccionado los trabajos con datos originales sobre incidencia o prevalencia, de ellos 5 son incidencia, 8 prevalencia y 3 contienen ambos. Diez grupos se basan en estudios poblacionales (SanAntonio, Martín, Pedrajas, Rousaud-Inmark, Torres, Ripa, Romero, Grases, Alapont, Aíbar), 5 en estimaciones subjetivas (Solé-Balcells, Cifuentes, Puigvert, Serrallach, Conte) y uno es mixto (Somacarrera). Siete trabajos son de ámbito nacional y 9 son sobre zonas concretas. Se presenta un mapa con los enclaves de los diferentes estudios. Se ha realizado un registro de datos para proceder al cálculo de la media nacional de incidencia y prevalencia. Resultados: La media de incidencia de la urolitiasis en España es del 0,73%, correspondiente a 325.079 nuevos casos por año; y la de prevalencia es del 5,06%, correspondiente a 2.233.214 casos totales. Discusión: Los estudios más válidos desde el punto de vista metodológico se han basado en las encuestas a la población general. Un sesgo común en la mayoría de estudios es extraer el dato epidemiológico de los registros asistenciales retrospectivos. Aunque la mayoría de trabajos reflejan dificultades metodológicas, sus datos coinciden con los datos publicados internacionalmente, y muestran el interés por la epidemiología en el ámbito de laurolitiasis

Introduction: San Antonio, Somacarrera (1977) and Rousaud-Inmark (1984) studies established the first data of incidence and prevalence about urolithiasis in Spain. Other regional or national epidemiologic details were given for several authors from 1977 to 2002. Material and Method: Sixteen papers with original data about incidence or prevalence have been selected, 5 ofthem are about incidence, 8 about prevalence and 3 include both. Ten papers are based on poblational research (San Antonio, Martín, Pedrajas, Rousaud-Inmark, Torres, Ripa, Romero, Grases, Alapont, Aíbar), 5 on subjective estimations (Solé-Balcells, Cifuentes, Puigvert, Serrallach, Conte) and one include both (Somacarrera). Seven papers are nationwide and 9 are about local areas. A map with different location studies is presented and a data register show incidence and prevalence medians.Results: The Spanish median urolithiasis incidence is 0’73%, corresponding to 325,079 new cases per year; and the prevalence is 5’06%, corresponding to 2,233,214 cases. Discussion: Methodologically the best epidemiologic studies about lithiasis are based on general population survey. The commonest slant is extract data from retrospective clinical registers. Most studies have significant methodological difficulties, but they reflected interest about epidemiology of stone disease in Spain. There is a concordance between Spanish results and international published data

[Renal colic: revision of literature and scientific evidence]. / Cólico renal: revisión de la literatura y evidencia científica.

In recent years diagnosis and treatment of acute renal colic have changed thanks to the introduction of new radiological procedures that allow with high reliability to establish obstructive cause and a better treatment. In the other hand, there are multiple clinical studies that show the most effective treatments for acute crisis. The aim of this revision is to update the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of renal colic which were modified recently, and allowed to break some classic concepts without scientific evidence.

Cólico renal: revisión de la literatura y evidencia científica / Renal colic: revision of literature and scientific evidence

En los últimos años el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del cólico renal agudo han cambiado con la introducción de nuevos métodos diagnósticos que permiten determinar con muy alta fiabilidad la causa obstructiva, pudiendo establecer la estrategia terapéutica más adecuada. Por otro lado, la aparición de múltiples estudios dirigidos al tratamiento ha permitido clasificar los fármacos más efectivos para tratar la crisis aguda. El objetivo de esta revisión es la puesta al día del cólico renal haciendo énfasis en aquellos aspectos diagnóstico-terapéuticos que se han modificado con los estudios recientes, y que han permitido romper clásicos conceptos que se ha demostrado que carecían de evidencia científica

In recent years diagnosis and treatment of acute renal colic have changed thanks to the introduction of new radiological procedures that allow with high reliability to establish obstructive cause and a better treatment. In the other hand, there are multiple clinical studies that show the most effective treatments for acute crisis. The aim of this revision is to update the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of renal colic which were modified recently, and allowed to break some classic concepts without scientific evidence

Treatment of bladder stones without associated prostate surgery: results of a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of noninvasive bladder lithiasis treatment without associated prostate surgery to know whether bladder lithiasis is an absolute indication for prostate surgery. METHODS: Fifty patients with bladder lithiasis were entered in a prospective trial and were treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy if lithiasis was smaller than 4 cm2. Independent of the presence or absence of bladder outlet obstruction, in no case was prostate surgery associated. The variables studied were the effectiveness of the treatment, changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the subsequent need for desobstructive prostate surgery. The statistical study was performed using Student's t test and the proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Bladder lithiasis was successfully eliminated in 93% of the cases (in 77% of them with a single extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy session). The mean IPSS decreased from 17.7 to 9.7 points (P = 0.0001) after lithiasis elimination. After a mean follow-up of 22 months, a mere 8% of the patients needed subsequent prostate surgery because their IPSS had increased to 20 points or more. The sole prognostic factor for the need for ensuing prostate surgery was the pretreatment IPSS score (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive management of bladder lithiasis with no associated prostate surgery is highly efficient and results in marked symptomatic improvement. Furthermore, the number of patients needing subsequent prostate surgery was very low at mid-term follow-up. Because of all of the above, the existence of bladder lithiasis is not an absolute indication for prostate surgery.

Urodynamic findings before and after noninvasive management of bladder calculi.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the most frequent urodynamic observations associated with bladder calculi, and to assess whether the presence of calculi alters these observations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with bladder stones were included in a prospective study in which two urodynamic tests were used, one at inclusion and another once the patient was stone- free after treatment by noninvasive methods (mainly extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy). RESULTS: The results from the urodynamic evaluation with the stone in the bladder were: bladder outlet obstruction in 51%, detrusor overactivity in 68%, detrusor under-activity in 10%, and a normal study in 18%. There were no significant differences between the urodynamic study before or after treatment in maximum flow rate and postvoid residual volume, detrusor overactivity and detrusor pressure at maximum flow. CONCLUSIONS: Conversely to what has been accepted for years, bladder calculi are not always associated with bladder outlet obstruction and the urodynamic results are not influenced by the presence of bladder stones during the urodynamic testing.

[Assisted extraction using extracorporeal lithotripsy of the calcified ureteral catheter overlooked for 2 years]. / Extracción asistida mediante litotricia extracorpórea de un catéter ureteral calcificado olvidado 2 años.

A 45 year old man with a 2 year forgotten left double-pigtail ureteric stent was referred to our hospital. Because of distal calcifications, the stent could not be removed by means of a cystoscopy. So, extracorporeal wave lithotripsies were performed and then the stent were easily removed in two fragments by cystoscopy and ureteroscopy.

[Pilot study of coadjuvant treatment of recurrent cystitis in women by means of AM3 (Immnoferon)]. / Estudio piloto del tratamiento coadyuvante de la cistitis recidivante de la mujer mediante AM3 (Inmunoferon).

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of AM3 (Inmunoferon) in the treatment of the recurrent cystitis in women in order to know the rate of good results, previously to design a clinical trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four women who had been diagnosed of two cystitis episodes in the previous 6 months without cure by antibiotic treatment were admitted to the study. Standard antibiotic treatment and 3 daily grammes of AM3 was given for 9 months. Infection and irritative symptoms during micturition rate were evaluated at the inclusion date and afterwards, at the first, third, sixth and nineth month. RESULTS: Nineteen patients finished the study. The infection rate decreased from 100% at the inclusion date to 26% in the first month and then it became stable about 50%. Irritative symptoms during micturition decreased from 46% at the inclusion date to a rate lower than 10% in the 4 controls running. CONCLUSION: AM3 reduced evident urinary infection in a 50% and irritative symptoms during micturition in a 90%. Control clinical trials are needed to confirm the AM3 effects on this pathology.

Extracción asistida mediante litotricia extracorpórea de un catéter ureteral calcificado olvidado 2 años / Extracorporeal wave lithotripsy assisted drawing of a calcified ureteral stent left out for two years

Se presenta el caso de un varón de 45 años que llevaba olvidado durante 2 años un catéter ureteral doble J izquierdo. El catéter presentaba ambos extremos calcificados no pudiéndose extraer mediante cistoscopia y pinzas. Se realizaron sesiones de litotricia extracorpórea en ambos extremos consiguiéndose la fragmentación de la litiasis y posteriormente pudo ser extraído en dos trozos mediante cistoscopia y ureteroscopia (AU)

A 45 year old man with a 2 year forgotten left double-pigtail ureteric stent was referred to our hospital. Because of distal calcifications, the stent could not be removed by means of a cystoscopy. So, extracorporeal wave lithotripsies were performed and then the stent were easily removed in two fragments by cystoscopy and ureteroscopy (AU)

Estudio piloto del tratamiento coadyuvante de la cistitis recidivante de la mujer mediante AM3(Inmunoferon®) / Model study of the treatment of recurrent cystitis in women by means of AM3 (Inmunoferon®)

OBJETIVOS: Evaluar la eficacia del AM3 (Inmunoferon®) como coadyuvante del tratamiento antibiótico en la cistitis recidivante de la mujer (CRM) para conocer la proporción de respuesta al mismo con la intención de diseñar posteriormente un ensayo clínico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron consecutivamente 24 mujeres que presentaron en los seis últimos meses dos episodios documentados de cistitis no asociada a otra patología y que no respondieron al tratamiento antibiótico. Se les pautó tratamiento antibiótico y 3 g diarios de AM3 durante 9 meses. Se evaluó la presencia de infección y de sintomatología miccional irritativa en la visita inicial, y al primer, tercer, sexto y noveno mes. RESULTADOS: Completaron el estudio 19 pacientes. La proporción de infección disminuyó del 100 por ciento en la visita inicial al 26 por ciento al primer mes para estabilizarse en torno al 50 por ciento en los meses sucesivos. La sintomatología miccional irritativa disminuyó del 46 por ciento en la visita inicial a proporciones inferiores al 10 por ciento en los meses sucesivos. CONCLUSIÓN: El AM3 redujo la presencia de infección urinaria manifiesta en un 50 por ciento y la sintomatología miccional irritativa característica de CRM en un 90 por ciento. Estos hechos sugieren la necesidad de realizar estudios controlados para confirmar el efecto de AM3 en esta patología (AU)

[Treatment of bladder lithiasis with shock-wave extracorporeal lithotripsy]. / Tratamiento de la litiasis vesical mediante litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and the prognostic factors of the bladder stones (BS) treatment by means of extracorporeal shock wave lythotripsy (ESWL). METHODS: 183 patients with BS treated using ESWL were retrospectively analysed. Independent variables were: gender, age, obstruction, BS size, BS number and amount of waves. Dependent variable was total BS resolution. Statistical analysis was provided by Cox's regression multivariate analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis and the t Student test. RESULTS: Total effectiveness of the treatment was 73%. Initial BS size was the only prognostic factor on multivariate analysis (p = 0.0035) with smaller stones obtaining the best results (log rank p = 0.00001): 92% of effectiveness in BS smaller than 1 cm2, 73% in 1-2 cm2, 57% in 2-3 cm2 and 42% in larger than 3 cm2. BS mean size decreased 2 cm2 after the first ESWL (p = 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Initial BS size was the only prognostic factor of resolution. Total effectiveness was 73% and it highly increased in BS smaller than 2 cm2.

Tratamiento de la litiasis vesical mediante litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque / Bladder stone treatment with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

FUNDAMENTO: Valorar la eficacia y los factores pronósticos de éxito del tratamiento de la litiasis vesical (LV), mediante litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque (LEOC). MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de 183 pacientes afectos de LV tratados mediante LEOC. Las variables independientes estudiadas fueron sexo, edad, obstrucción, tamaño de la LV, número de LV y número de ondas. La variable dependiente fue la desaparición total de la LV. Estudio de los factores pronósticos mediante análisis multivariante por regresión de Cox, y análisis de Kaplan-Meier. Variación del tamaño de la LV estudiada mediante la prueba t de Student. RESULTADOS: Eficacia global del 73 por ciento. El análisis multivariante mostró que el único factor pronóstico fue el tamaño inicial de la litiasis (p = 0,0035). A menor tamaño de la LV mejor resultado (log rank p = 0,00001): eficacia del 92 por ciento en las LV menores de 1 cm 2 , 73 por ciento entre 1-2 cm 2 , 57 por ciento de 2-3 cm 2 y 42 por ciento en mayores de 3 cm 2 . Disminución media del tamaño de la LV tras la primera sesión de LEOC de 2 cm 2 (p = 0,0001). CONCLUSIONES: El único factor pronóstico fue el tamaño inicial de la LV. La eficacia global de la técnica es del 73 por ciento, aumentando considerablemente en LV menores a 2 cm 2 (AU)

Current management of calculi in horseshoe kidneys.

OBJECTIVES: To assess treatment options for calculi in horseshoe kidneys and the impact of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) on the management of renal stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From June 1971 to January 1998, 52 patients with horseshoe kidneys and calculi received treatment at our Urologic Stone Unit. There were 40 men (77%) and 12 women (23%). Average patient age was 41 years (range: 10-70 years). Clinical onset, treatment received and outcome were evaluated retrospectively. A successful outcome was defined as a patient without residual calculi or with fragments <0.4 cm in size. RESULTS: Clinical onset was mainly low back pain in 37 patients (71%). Eighty-nine stones were treated, i.e. an average of 1.7 treatments per patient. Before the ESWL era (May 1987), we performed two heminephrectomies, 16 pyelolithotomies, 12 pyelolithotomies combined with ureteropyeloplasty and one percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Since the advent of ESWL, seven pyelolithotomies and three pyelolithotomies combined with ureteropyloplasty have been done. ESWL was used to treat 48 calculi. In three cases the patient was placed in the prone position due to difficulties in stone focusing. In 37 cases (77%) patients were either rendered stone-free or had residual fragments <0.4 cm in size. Urinary diversion for obstruction was carried out in two cases (4%). CONCLUSIONS: At present ESWL is the first-choice treatment for calculi in horseshoe kidneys. It involves no significant focusing difficulties and is associated with a low incidence of obstructive complications. Open surgery is indicated in cases of stone-related pyeloureteral stenosis and in the presence of calculi >2-2.5 cm in size.