Application of image overlapping in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of ultrasound and CT image overlap in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: A total of 140 patients with complicated kidney stones requiring PCNL were prospectively enrolled, from January 2020 to December 2022. These patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 70 patients each in the research group and the control group. All participants underwent dual-source, non-contrast CT scan of both kidneys and pelvis before surgery. Preoperative three-dimensional CT reconstruction and simulated puncture were performed in patients from the research group. The best puncture path was determined through ultrasound and CT image overlap. Puncture guided by regular CT and ultrasound was conducted in patients from the control group. Differences in the surgical outcomes between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the research group had higher stone clearance rate in stage I PCNL, success rate of one-time puncture, less percutaneous channels, less reduction of hemoglobin and shorter procedure time. Complications in stage I PCNL were comparable in the two groups, and there was no significant change in the final stone clearance rates between the two groups. CONCLUSION: An optimal puncture channel can be chosen using ultrasound and CT image overlap. PCNL can be achieved with precise puncturing, thus achieving coincidence between imaging and anatomy and reducing the amount of blood loss during stage I of PCNL. It also shortens the procedure time and improves stone clearance rate of PCNL.

[The effect of nitric oxide and total antioxide capacity on the germ cell apoptosis in the rat cryptorchid].

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxide capacity (T-AOC) on the germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchidism rat. METHODS: Immature rats (22 day-olds Sprague Dawley) were selected to make the model of unilateral cryptorchid. Germ cell apoptosis was examined by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Biochemical parameters (NO, T-AOC) were evaluated with spectrophotometric determination. RESULTS: At the seventh day after the operation, as compared to the normal side testis, the number of apoptotic germ cells increased significantly in the undescended testis (P < 0.01), but the testes weight decreased predominantly; the NO level in the undescended testis was significantly higher than that in the normal side testis, and the T-AOC level was predominantly lower (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Experimentally-induced cryptorchidism can lead to the increase of grem cell apoptosis in rat. The results is closely related to the increase of No level and the decrease of T-AOC.

[Investigation of the mechanism of genitofemoral nerve in the contralateral testes damage of unilateral cryptorchid rats].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism of genitofemoral nerve in the contralateral testes damage of unilateral cryptorchid rats. METHODS: After unilateral cryptorchid rat model (21-day) was made and the ipsilateral genitofemoral nerve was divided, the germ cells apoptosis and the concentrations of lactate of contralateral testes were detected and compared after 120 days. RESULTS: After the ipsilateral genitofemoral nerve was divided, the germ cells apoptosis and the lactate levels of the contralateral testes were all decreased from (17.28 +/- 1.36)% to (5.76 +/- 0.76)% and (2.19 +/- 0.24) mmol/L to (1.70 +/- 0.31) mmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The damage pathway of the contralateral testes of unilateral cryptorchidism probably related to the apoptosis of the germ cells which caused by the reflex decrease of the contralateral testicular blood flow via the transmissions of genitofemoral nerve.