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Cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide are widely used drugs for malignancies and rheumatologic conditions. One of the most significant adverse reactions to these drugs is hemorrhagic cystitis. Mesna is the most widely used uroprotective agent that acts to neutralize the caustic metabolite, acrolein, responsible for induction of hemorrhagic cystitis. However, mesna is not a perfect alternative, and studies since its discovery have investigated the use of alternative drugs and adjuncts to increase mesna's efficacy. This review details some of the recent work into novel uroprotective agents for drug-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Objectives Endoscopic injection of non–animal-stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel is an increasingly recognized treatment option for vesicoureteral reflux. The procedure is minor compared with open surgery and, when successful, avoids the need for long-term antibiotic prophylaxis. We present data from 3 years of using non–animal-stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel to treat children with vesicoureteral reflux. Methods Pediatric patients aged 16 years with uncomplicated primary vesicoureteral reflux were recruited for endoscopic treatment with non–animal-stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel. A follow-up voiding cystourethrogram was scheduled at 2 weeks after treatment, and vesicoureteral reflux resolution was defined as grade 0. Repeat non–animal-stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel treatment was offered to patients with persistent vesicoureteral reflux. Results Of 178 patients treated, 12 were lost to follow-up or yet to undergo post-treatment voiding cystourethrogram. The 166 remaining patients (efficacy population) had a mean age of 4.21 years (range: 0-16), and the median reflux grade was 3 (range: 1-5). Vesicoureteral reflux was resolved in 81.9% of patients and 86.4% of ureters after initial endoscopic treatment with non–animal-stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel. The overall reflux resolution rate for patients increased to 89.6% after a second treatment in 19 patients, and 90.2% after a third treatment in 1 patient. No adverse events were reported. Five patients underwent open ureteral reimplantation after failed endoscopic injections. Conclusions Endoscopic treatment with non–animal-stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel is effective in a high proportion of children with vesicoureteral reflux and, in our opinion, should be considered as a first-line treatment option.

To determine the prevalence of urologic disease among infants hospitalized for urinary tract infections (UTIs) at our institution. The prevalence of urologic anomalies among infants (400 days old) hospitalized for UTIs has not been previously reported.We retrospectively examined the records of all infants hospitalized for UTI at our institution, a free-standing children's hospital in the United States, for a 10-year period. Race, sex, and subsequent urologic diagnosis (using codes from the 9(th) edition of the International Classification of Diseases [ICD-9] were tabulated. Individual charts were reviewed to confirm documentation and workup of UTI.We identified 914 infants hospitalized at our institution from January 1996 to December 2007, with an ICD-9-coded diagnosis of UTI. Of these 914 infants, 258 were subsequently given a urologic diagnosis. However, only 130 of these patients had well-documented UTI (14.2% of 914 children). Of this cohort, 55.4% were boys. The most common diagnoses were hydronephrosis (37.7%), vesicoureteral reflux (69.2%), and obstructive uropathy (23.1%).Our data have indicated thator =14% of all infants hospitalized for UTI have urologic anomalies. Vesicoureteral reflux, obstructive uropathy, and hydronephrosis are common diagnoses. We therefore conclude that infants admitted with a diagnosis of UTI should undergo screening for anatomic abnormalities.

Objectives To use decision analysis to determine the economic benefits of early vs late orchiopexy, specifically with respect to testicular cancer development and management. Studies have suggested that prepubertal orchiopexy might confer additional protection from the development of testicular cancer compared with postpubertal orchiopexy. Infant surgery is often performed by pediatric subspecialists and hence might be more costly. Although rare, testicular cancer can require significant medical expenditures. Methods We examined the resource index (RI) (physician charges and hospital costs) from the medical establishment's perspective. Economic modeling was performed to determine whether early or late orchiopexy minimized the RI. The stage- and histologic-specific costs of subsequent testicular cancer were incorporated into our models. The variables were tested over realistic ranges in the sensitivity analysis to determine the threshold values. Results In the base case analysis, the RI for infant and postpubertal orchiopexy was $7500 and $10 928 per patient, respectively. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the costs for operating room time, physicians' fees, operative times, and baseline cancer risk were important parameters. However, only the surgeons' fees demonstrated threshold values. The RI for treating cancer and the cancer risk reduction after early orchiopexy did not significantly affect our models. Conclusions Our models of orchiopexy for prevention of testicular cancer showed that infant orchiopexy is less costly than later surgery, provided that the surgeons' fees are not excessive. It appears that early surgery might significantly reduce the treatment costs of testicular cancer for cryptorchid boys and supports the current standard of care in the United States.

OBJECTIVES The optimal timing of pyeloplasty for children diagnosed with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) after workup for antenatal hydronephrosis is disputed. We sought to examine the potential costs and clinical outcomes of treatment protocols featuring different indications for pediatric pyeloplasty using Markov models. METHODS Cost and outcomes analysis using Markov modeling was performed for three treatment algorithms: medical management, immediate pyeloplasty (during the first year of life), and pyeloplasty after no improvement on imaging. The costs were determined from the perspective of the medical institution. The variables tracked during Markov model simulation included age at resolution of UPJO, the proportion of patients with worsened hydronephrosis, the number of pyeloplasties, the number of pyelonephritis episodes, and costs. Sensitivity analyses were performed to determine which elements affected the model and to determine threshold values. RESULTS Immediate pyeloplasty and pyeloplasty after no improvement on imaging resulted in rapid resolution of UPJO (mean age at resolution younger than 2 years) with lower rates of worsened hydronephrosis and pyelonephritis compared with observation alone. For the surgical protocols, the costs per resolved case of UPJO were greater than those for medical management alone at the probability values tested in the Markov models. The sensitivity analysis of all variables over realistic ranges demonstrated that the costs of surgery, annual antibiotics and imaging, and the rate of pyelonephritis were critical in determining the costs. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric urologists should include practice-specific features such as the costs of surgery, annual antibiotics and imaging, and pyelonephritis rates when considering efficacious, yet less costly, treatment protocols for UPJO.

Scrotal swelling in young boys is a common problem. The differential diagnosis includes testicular torsion, epididymoorchitis, and idiopathic scrotal edema. We report the unusual case of a 17-year-old boy who presented with recurrent episodes of penile and scrotal edema as extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease. Genitourinary complications of Crohn's disease are not uncommon; however, they more typically present in the form of nephrolithiasis, obstructive uropathy, and enterovesical fistulization. Few reports have described Crohn's disease presenting with isolated genital edema in the absence of associated intestinal or systemic symptoms.

An infant born with hypospadias and no palpable gonads was diagnosed with persistent mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS) based on history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and radiologic imaging. A robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy, right gonadal biopsy, and bilateral orchiopexies were performed without incident. Final pathology confirmed the diagnosis of PMDS. To our knowledge, this is only the second report of PMDS managed through a robot-assisted laparoscopic approach.

Of infertile couples, approximately one-third feature male factor issues. A subset of male factor infertility is attributable to congenital or acquired pediatric urologic conditions, and patients with these disorders are often challenging to treat. Prior to the development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the 1970s and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in 1992 [1], many forms of infertility due to pediatric urologic conditions were untreatable. These technologies have enabled many previously infertile men to father children, but the effectiveness of these techniques in men with pediatric urologic disorders has never been systematically examined. In this review we provide a contemporary survey of the fertility status of men with pediatric urologic disorders in light of advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART). We examine currently available treatments as well as developing technologies and discoveries that may apply to pediatric urologic disorders.

The sex-determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY) gene guides male sexual development. However, individuals with sex reversal syndrome (46,XX males and 46,XX true hermaphrodites) lack the SRY gene and yet can still develop testes. We present 2 siblings with XX true hermaphroditism. Most cases of sex reversal syndrome are sporadic; however, reports have been published of familial occurrence, suggesting that 46,XX maleness and 46,XX true hermaphroditism are actually different manifestations of the same disorder of gonadal development, likely an autosomal dominant mutation with variable penetrance or an X-linked mutation.

Objectives. To present our experience using balloon dilation and discuss secondary techniques to establish a percutaneous tract when balloon dilation fails. Balloon dilation is a safe and effective method to achieve percutaneous renal access, but it is not uniformly successful. Also, the failure rate and risk factors have not been well documented. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed our last 99 consecutive percutaneous renal procedures using a balloon system as our initial dilation modality. In all cases, the urologist achieved needle access. We determined the balloon failure rate, relationship to prior renal surgery and other patient-related factors, and success rate using secondary techniques of tract dilation. Results. The balloon did not adequately dilate a tract in 17 (17% failure rate) of 99 cases. The risk factors for failure included a history of prior ipsilateral renal surgery (25% failure rate versus 8% without surgery) and subcostal compared with supracostal puncture (18% versus 9% failure rate). The failure rate was not increased when stratified by laterality, stone composition, stone size and location, or history of ipsilateral renal infection. Amplatz dilators were used in 16 refractory cases and were successful in 15. Metal Alken dilators were successfully used in 2 patients. Conclusions. The balloon dilation system is commonly used as the primary modality to establish percutaneous renal access. Although safe and effective (83%), the success rate drops dramatically in patients with prior ipsilateral renal surgery. Knowledge and skill with alternative dilation systems, such as Amplatz or metal Alken dilators, are necessary to successfully gain entry into all renal collecting systems. UROLOGY 66: 29‐32, 2005. © 2005 Elsevier Inc.