[The gender- and age-specific differences in the structure of the styloid processes of the temporal bone].

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the significance of the gender- and age-related alterations in the styloid processes of the temporal bone and their gender specific structural changes in the subjects aged above 35 years as the risk factors of the development of stylohyoid syndrome. A total of 72 styloid processes were harvested from the corpses during post-mortem autopsy. Their fixed preparations were used to determine by means of digital radiovisiography specific structural features of the bone tissue, the thickness of the cortical layer, diameter of osteons and Haversian canals, the number of osteons per unit area. The data obtained from the subjects below and above 35 years of age were compared. A distinctive morphological feature of styloid processes taken from adult people was the presence of residual embryonic cartilaginous tissue (in 40% of the observations) in which the processes of endo- and perihondral oteogenesis continued (15% of the cases). The elder subjects were characterized by the significantly decreased bone tissue density, reduced number of osteons and osteocytes whereas the diameters of Haversian canals increased. These changes were more pronounced in the women than in the men. It is concluded that the continued growth of styloid processes and the development of bone tissue osteopenia in the subjects older than 35 years may serve as the risk factors of stylohyoid syndrome.

[Association of 2B-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism with disturbances of cardiac conduction].

In this work we for the first time revealed on clinical - genetic material association between hereditary disturbances of cardiac conduction and polymorphism of 2-adrenergic receptor gene.

[Biodegradable ureteral stents in treating patients with infravesical obstruction]. / Biorastvorimye uretral'nye stenty v lechenii bol'nykh s infravezikal'noi obstruktsiei.

Biodegradable endoprostheses SR-PLGA and SR-PLLA were used in combined treatment of 39 patients with urethral stricture (n = 24), neurogenic urinary bladder (n = 9), benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 4), prostatic cancer (n = 2). In definition of indications for stent implantation the leading role was assigned to preoperative diagnosis of the state of the urinary bladder, urethra and sphincters using urodynamic tests and dynamic Doppler and three-dimensional echourethrography. Introduction of biodegradable urethral stents provides adequate spontaneous urination and allows avoiding external drainage. This prevents nosocomial infection and lowers the number of inflammatory complications. Palliative usage of stents in inoperable and neurological patients is effective in their medical and social rehabilitation. Analysis of errors and complications in 8 patients demonstrates that implantation of biodegradable stents is not absolute safe and requires some caution.

[Use of biodegradable stents in treating complex urethral strictures]. / Ispol'zovanie biorastvorimykh stentov v lechenii slozhnykh striktur uretry.

Seven men with complex urethral strictures after examination using three-dimentional and echocontrast sonourethrography were subjected to transurethral laser vaporation of the scar tissue in the region of the narrowing, implantation of the biodegradable urethral SR PLGA stents at contra cystourethroscopy. Internal drainage of the urinary bladder with the use of SR-PLGA stents provides protection against exogenous infection and complications of epicystostomic or urethral cathetarization. High informative value, low invasiveness and relative safety of sonourethrography allows one to revise the role of ultrasound investigation in the algorithm of diagnosis and choice of treatment for patients with strictures and obliterations of the urethra.

[Temporary ureteral stents in patients with neuorgenic dysfunction of the urinary bladder]. / Vremennye uretral'nye stenty u bol'nykh s neirogennoi disfunktsiei mochevogo puzyria.

Biodegradable spiral stents were used in the treatment of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (4 patients) and detrusor areflexia with external sphincter spasticity (3 patients). All these patients had spinal injuries. After the stent placement all the patients could urinate almost without residual urine. In patients with detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia mean voiding pressure was 79 cm water before treatment and 37 cm 10 weeks after the stent introduction. Biodegradable spiral stents are a promising treatment for patients with neurogenic bladder.