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H∞ control theory has achieved a very high level, which is not followed by appropriate applications in industry. Some reasons are: synthesis of H∞ controllers is complex and based on the numerical Nevanlinna-Pick procedure, high order of controllers (higher than the order of the process) and sensitivity to deviation of controller coefficients (fragile controller). On the other hand, PI (PID) controllers are still dominant in industry, which places the problem of design of fixed structure controllers at the forefront. The mentioned problem is very difficult. This paper proposes a simple interactive procedure for design of H PI controllers with the presence of constraints (given the relative stability) based on D-decomposition. The catalogue of responses to references, suppression of disturbances and minimum of H criteria of control is created. Selection of controllers, based on the catalogue, is left to the user. The application of H PI controllers to a CSTR (continuous stirred-tank reactor) is demonstrated.

This paper contains methodology research for forming the control algorithm for a distillation column, modeled as TITO (two-input two-output) process. Its modified form was obtained by connecting the two parts, and this combination hasn't been applied for such a industrial plant, until now. These parts include: a simplified decoupler which was first designed and decentralized PID controller obtained using D-decomposition method for such decoupled process. The decoupler was designed in order to make process become diagonal, and parameters of PID controllers are defined for the two SISO (single-input single-output) processes starting from relation between IE (integral error) criterion and integrator gain, taking into account desired response characteristics deriving from technological requirements of controlled plant. Their connecting provides centralized control. Analysis of the processes responses, obtained by the proposed algorithm and their comparison with the results from the literature, were performed after the completion of the simulations. The proposed approach to the centralized controller design, beside its simplicity of usage and flexibility in achieving diversity of process dynamic behavior, gives better response characteristics, in comparison with existing control algorithms for distillation column in the literature.

Background/aim: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues with consequential is bone loss as a result of host immunological reactions caused by periopathogens. The aim of the study was to investigate if there is a correlation between clinical parameters and the presence of two most aggressive periopathogens (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans--Aa and Porphyromonas gingivalis--Pg) in patients with progressive periodontal lesions., Methods: A total of 34 systemic healthy people, 23 to 70 years old, were included in the study. The patients were clinically and radiologically examined, and after that, the representative pocket with greatest pocket depth was chosen and the sample was collected from that place. The measured clinic parameters were: gingival index, index of gingival bleeding, pocket depth and plaque indices. The multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used for detection of periopathogens. After obtaining results, appropriate statistical tests were used to correlate the clinical and microbiological results., Results: Aa and Pg were detected in the same percentage of samples. Aa and Pg were detected in 35.29% samples alone, and in 29.41% both were detected. The values of measured clinical parameters did not show a statistical significance between the groups. In analysis of correlations among clinical parameters inside the groups, a statistical significance was found only between gingival and plaque index in the group with Aa., Conclusion: Clinical course of periodontitis in the developed stage does not differ in relation to the presence of different periopathogens as the major inductors of immunologically guided destructive processes.

Background/aim: Ever since the time when the first orthotopic urinary diversion (pouch) was performed there has been a constant improvement and modification of surgical techniques. The aim has been to create a urinary reservoir similar to normal bladder, to decrease incidence of postoperative complications and provide an improved life quality. The aim of this study was to compare post-voiding residual urine (PVR) and capacity of the pouch constructed by standard or modified technique., Methods: In this prospective and partially retrospective clinical study we included 79 patients. In the group of 41 patients (group ST) pouch was constructed using 50-70 cm of the ileum (standard technique). In the group of 38 patients (group MT) pouch was constructed using 25-35 cm of the ileum (modified technique). Postoperatively, PVR and pouch capacity were measured using ultrasound in a 3-, 6- and 12-month period., Results: Postoperatively, an increase in PVR and pouch capacity was noticed in both groups. Twelve months postoperatively, PVR was significantly smaller in the group MT than in the group ST [23 (0-90) mL vs. 109 (0-570) mL, p < 0.001]. In the same period the pouch capacity was significantly smaller in the MT group than in the ST group [460 (290-710) mL vs. 892 (480-2 050) mL, p < 0.001]., Conclusion: Postoperatively, an increase in PVR and pouch capacity was noticed during a 12-month period. A year following the operation the pouch created from a shorter ileal segment reached capacity of the "normal" bladder with small PVR. The pouch created by standard technique developed an unnecessary large PVR and capacity.

Background/aim: Filling a bone defect with bone substitution materials is a therapy of choice, but the infiltration of connective tissue from the mucoperiostal flap may compromise a healing of bone substitutions with bony wall defects. Application of membrane as a barrier is indicated as a solution to this problem. The aim of this study was to show a pathohistological view of bone regeneration and the significance of human resorbable demineralized membrane (HRDM), 200 microns thick in bone regeneration regarding mandibular defects in an experiment on dogs., Methods: The experiment was performed on six dogs. Bone defects were created in all six dogs on the right side of the mandible after the elevation of the mucoperiostal flap. One defect was filled with human deproteinised bone (HDB), and in between HDB and soft tissue RHDM of 200 microns thick was placed. In the second defect, used as a control one, only HDB without RHDM was placed. Two dogs were sacrificed two months after the surgery, another two dogs four months after the surgery and the last two dogs six months after the surgery. After that, samples of bone tissue were taken for histopathological analysis., Results: In all the six dogs with defects treated with HDB and RHDM the level of bone regeneration was much higher in comparison with the control defects without RHDM., Conclusion: Membrane, as a cover of bony defect, is useful and benefits bone regeneration. Bony de fects covered with RHDM show better bony healing despite the fact that bone regeneration was not fully complete for as long as six months after the RHDM implantation.

Background/aim: There is a controversial opinion among implantologists on the method of dental implantation that provides more favourable response of soft and bone tissues. The aim of this study was to pathohistologicaly compare the influences of one- and two-phase implant surgical methods on the periimplant epithelial tissues., Methods: The experiment was performed on 10 dogs. Eight weeks following tooth extractions implants were inserted using one phase method on the right side of the mandible, and two-phase method on the left one. Three months after implantation the animals were sacrificed. Contact regions of epithelial and subepithelial tissues and implants were pathohistologicaly examined, the elements of analysis were scored and compared., Results: Epithelial tissue was not found in the two samples of one-phase implants, while in the remainder of samples the structure of basal membrane was preserved, massive inflammatory infiltrate was found in one, and partial necrosis was found in three samples. Epithelial tissue was not found in the three samples of two-phase implants, in three samples the structure of basal membrane was intact, while in three remained samples the membrane could not be detected; moderate inflammatory infiltrate was found in four samples and massive inflammatory infiltrate in both two remained samples; tissue necrosis, which was observed in the half of the samples, was complete. In subepithelial gingival tissues around one-phase implants the number of blood vessels was increased in three samples, accompanied by the thickening and dilatation of vascular walls, proliferation of blood elements, altered vascular walls and inflammatory cell infiltrate was found in four samples., Conclusion: On the base of the analized characteristics of epithelial and subepithelial tissues in contact with dental implants, one-phase method of implantation showed a more favorable tissue response.

Background: Stenosis of brain vessels in 5-10% of cases causes ischemic disesase of the brain. Atherosclerosis is a cause of stenosis in 95% of cases. Patients with basilar artery stenosis and recurrent ischemic attacks are candidate for stroke in 50% of cases in the first two years., Case Report: A 48-year old man presented with a 12-month history of transitory ischemic attacks, periodical loss of vision and balance disorder. Diagnostic cerebral angiography performed by MSCT revealed annular stenosis of basilar artery (85%). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed dimensions, grade and localisation of stenosis. Endovascular stenting was performed in general anesthesia. The first step of procedure was preliminary balloon angioplasty and after that self-expandable stent (diameter of 3.0 mm, length of 12 mm) was placed. Check angiogram after stenting confirmed complete dilatation of basilar artery stenosis., Conclusion: Combination of balloon angioplasty and self-expandable stenting made possible non-surgical treatment of simptomatic basilar artery stenosis.

Background/aim: Today, radical cystectomy is the method of choice in treatment of muscle invasive bladder carcinoma in stage T2-T4a, No-Nx, Mo, and orthotopic derivation is for patients the most comfortable derivation of urin. From 1888 when Tizzoni and Foggi performed the first orthotopic derivation on animals, and 1913 when Lemoin declared the first orthotopic derivation in humans there has been a constant improvement and modification of orthotopic urinary diversion after radical cystectomy which significantly decrease the number and severity of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to compare complications regarding the direct and antireflux ureter-neobladder anastomosis., Methods: This retrospective study included 79 selected patients operated over the last ten years having medical records available. Previously, we excluded the patients with prior radiation therapy, systemic illness, diabetes mellitus, previous history of calculosis and metabolic disorders etc. Hautmann orthotopic technique was used in almost 70% of the patients. We analyzed complications regarding direct and antireflux ureter-neobladder anastomosis with a median follow-up period of 4.72 years. We followed-up the appearance of unilateral and bilateral hydronephrosis, forming of renal stones in the patients without previous history of renal calculosis, and renal insuficiency caused by stenosis on the site of anastomosis. We used the Kolmogorov Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U test, Student's ttest i chi2 test for statistic analysis., Results: The median age of the patients was 68.2 years. Totally 88.61% of the patients were male and 11.39% were female. The direct anastomotic technique secundum Wallace was used in 43.03% of the operated patients and antireflux technique secundum Le Duc in 56.97%s. Renal deterioration caused by stenosis on the site of the ureter-neobladder anastomosis was statistically significantly higher in the antireflux anastomosis compared to direct anastomosis (chi2= 4.71, p = 0.0299). No one of the patients with direct anastomosis had poucho-ureteral reflux higher grade than gr III., Conclusion: In our study, complication as renal deterioration as a result of stenosis on the site of the ureter anastomosis was significantly more common in the group of patients exposed to antireflux technique.

Background/aim: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most frequent tumor of the bladder and represents 95-98% of blader neoplasams and 2-3% of all carcinomas in the body. In urogenital oncology more frequent is only prostatic cancer. Evaluation of the depth of infiltration of urothelial carcinoma in the vesical wall represents the clinical base in treatment planning and prognosis. Clinical investigation and convential radiological procedures have a low level of accuracy in estimating the local growth of the tumor. The aims of our investigation were to determine the depth of infiltration of urothelial carcinoma in the vesical wall in the investigated group of patients by transurethral intravesical echotomography (TIE) and computerised tomography (CT scan) and to compare results obtained by both methods with pathohistological (PH) results, and, based on the difference of the results determine which method was more accurate in the evaluation of the depth of infiltration of urothelial carcinoma in the vesical wall., Methods: Thirty patients with TCC of the bladder both genders, aged 51-81 years were involved in our investigation. In all of these patients, radical cystectomy (RC) was performed. This was neccessary to provide the defintive PH result. Transurethral intravesical echotomography was performed by ultrasound scanner type 1846 Bruel and Kjaer, sond type 1850, and the CT scan was perfomed by Pace plus, General Electric, U.S.A. The specimen for the definitive PH result obtained by RC includes all standards of the TNM classification., Results: Using CT scan, the most frequent was T1 stage (17 patients or 56.68%). Using TIE, the most frequent was T2 stage (22 patients or 73.33%). After RC the most frequent was T2 stage (21 patients or 70%). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, showed a high significant difference between the results obtained using CT and definitive PH results after RC. The same test showed no statistically significant difference between the results obtained using TIE and definitive PH results. The sensitivity and accurance of TIE compared to definitive PH results was 93.3%, but using CT it was only 33.3%., Conclusion: There was a significant difference between the results obtained using CT and TIE. The results obtained by TIE were in closer relation with the definitive PH results than the results obtained by CT scan. TIE provides more precise evaluation of the depth of infiltration of urothelial carcinoma in the vesical wall than CT scan. We conclude that the use of this procedure in local staging in TCC is justified and represents the clinical basis in the treatment planning and disease outcome prognosis.

Background/aim: Feasibility of radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with locally invasive prostate cancer (PC) is assessed by the standard parameters such as the stage of the disease, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and bioptic Gleason grade (GG). Intermediate values of PSA are important in predicting the local confines of the tumor, but can also be detected in more than 30% of patients with locally advanced PC. The aim of this study was to find out the incidence of locally advanced PC in the patients with intermediate serum PSA in whom RP had been performed., Methods: We used the biopsy cores and the tissue obtained after RP from 46 patients who had intermidiate PSA values which were defined as PSA from 2.6-10 ng/ml. In all the patients classical regional lymphadenectomy was performed. In all the patients, preoperative stage was determined according to the Partin tables (PT) from 2001., Results: In 52, 17% of the patients biopsy GG was < or = 6, while it was 7 in 47.83% of the patients. Clinically localized disease (cT2b) was found in 86.96% of patients; other 13.04% of the patients had locally advanced PC. After RP, the incidence of localized PC was 47.83%, while the advanced disease was found in 52.17%. Metastasis in one or two regional lymph nodes (N1) was found in 10.87% of the patients with the advanced PC. According to PT, the expected incidence of positive lymph nodes should have been 8% for pT3 stage. Positive correlation between the assumed N1 stage according to PT and N1 stage in our radical prostatectomies was statistically significant (p = 0.012)., Conclusion: In more than 50% of patients with intermediate values of PSA locally advanced disease can be expected after RP. The use of the Partin tables have an important predictive value in assessing the local confines of the cancer and metastasis in regional lymph nodes.

Background: Bladder diverticulum may be congenital and acquired. Iatrogenic bladder diverticulum is classified in a special group. Indications for surgery are: persistant or recurrent urinary infection, the presence of a stone in a diverticulum, development of tumor in a diverticulum cavity, the lower urinary tract symptoms and voiding symptoms and vesicoureteral reflux due to diverticulum or ureteral obstruction., Case Report: We presented a patient with a giant bladder diverticulum. Transurethral bladder catheterisation was performed because of urine retention. Secondly, transurethral prostate resection solved subvesical obstruction. The third step was open, extravesical diverticulectomy. Post-operative course was without complications. Three months after the surgery, control intravenous urography revealed normal findings., Conclusion: We believe that the three-steps treatment of a giant bladder diverticulum significatntly contributed to the decreasing of postoperative complications.

Background: Multiple myeloma is a plasmaproliferative disease characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of a pathogenic plasma cell clone engaged in the production of monoclonal immunoglobulin. This condition affects the bone marrow, but it can be manifested in any other organ or tissue. The urinary bladder involvement is extremely rare., Case Report: We reported a 70-year-old male with the history of multiple myeloma, receiving chemotherapy containing melphalan and prednisone (MP). Two years after the treatment, there was a renal failure associated with oligoanuria, hematuria and bilateral hydronephrosis. The urine cytology tests revealed the atypical cells, so was suspected obstructive uropathy to be caused by urothelium cancer. However, only upon the cystoscopy and biopsy performed on the urinary bladder mass, plasmacytoid infiltration diagnosis was confirmed. This extremely rare variant was presented throughout the illness period and proved to be resistant to the administered chemotherapy., Conclusion: When renal failure associated with hematuria and bilateral hydronephrosis is presented in a patient with multiple myeloma, this unusual and rare extramedular localization should be also considered.

Background/aim: Achievement of the osseointegration of dental implants is of crucial importance for their long-term survival. One of the factors that influence the osseointegration is a surgical method of implantation. The outcome of osseointegration can be evaluated on the basis of implant mobility in bone. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the mobility of B.C.T. dental titanium implants inserted to experimental animals using an one- and two-phase method., Methods: The investigation was performed using a split-mouth design on nine dogs, male german shephards, average age of 3.5 years and average weight of 32 kg. Extractions of the third and fourth lower premolars were performed under intravenous (i.v.) anaesthesia with 5% ketamine chloride. Eight weeks after the extractions, the implants, diameter of 4.5 mm each, with four threads 13.7 mm long, were inserted. Eighteen implants were inserted one side of the jaw using a one-phase method, and another 18 implants were inserted contralaterally using a two-phase method. Three months after the implantation, the implant mobility was evaluated. Three measurements were performed with a Periotest device, and average values were calculated. The implant mobility was classified according to the Periotest scale in four groups of Periotest values (PTV) and compared. A total of 36 implants were inserted in 9 experimental dogs. The PTV ranged from -7.666 to + 50., Results: According to the Periotest scale, 14 one-phase implants (78%) were classified into the 0 group of PTV, and 4 one-phase implants (22%) in the 3rd group. Thirteen two-phase implants (72%) were classified in the 0 group, and 5 implants in the 3rd group of Periotest scale. The difference in the average values of PTV between the two methods was 0.879 which was not statistically significant., Conclusion: This study showed that the method of implant insertion had no influence on the implant mobility, i.e. satisfactory osseointegration could be achieved by both methods. Further clinical parameters, as well as pathohistological and histomorphometric ones, have to be evaluated in order to assess better outcome of a particular method.

Background: Renal injuries are most often caused by traumatic injuries, but they can also be induced iatrogenically, during renal biopsy, percutaneous nephrostomy or lithotripsy. Vascular renal injuries may be treated by embolization, non-surgical or surgical methods., Case Report: In this paper we presented a high-risk patient with poor outcome of an open surgery threatment and a prior attempt of embolization, with gross haematuria caused by traumatic renal arterio-venous (AV) fistula and pyelocalical injury who was managed by supraselective embolization of the irrigating arterial vessel., Conclusion: Supraselective embolization is a first choice method for the treatment of low grade renal vessel injuries. Even patients with the most severe renovascular lesions and major renal destruction (a grade IV injury) can be treated nonsurgically with supraselective embolization, with an excellent chance to preserve the maximal amount of functional renal parenchyma. This method is rapid, effective, tissue preserving, and likely to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Background/aim: In order to achieve better, and, thus an increased bone-implant interface, growth factors have been used over the past few years. All growth factors considered have fundamental role in the growth and development of cells and tissues. Concentrated trombocytes from platelet-rich plasma (CT-PRP) are fraction of the blood. Thrombocytes contain a number of growth factors namely PDGF, TGF-beta, IGF, VEGF and many others, which contribute to the achievement of the increased bone-implant interface, the increased stability of implants and the faster functional loading of implants. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of CT-PRP on bone-implant interface., Methods: This experimental study included six dogs in which 24 BCT implants were inserted (4 implants per dog). On the left side of the lower jaw 2 implants were placed with CT-PRP, while on the right side the implants were placed without CT-PRP. The animals were sacrificed after 42, 70, and 98 days. The specimens were examined histomorphometrically, and analyzed 42, 70 and 98 days after the implant insertion. The contacts bone to implant in 16 zones for each analyzed implant were measured according to the established protocol., Results: Results obtained with histomorphometrical analysis imply the increased bone-to-implant contact by use CT-PRP. The difference of the bone-to-implant contacts between these two groups of inserted implants has been particularly pronounced at six weeks after the implant insertion., Conclusion: According to the obtained results in the measurement of the level of osseointegration of the inserted implants, it should be advisable to use the CT-PRP method because it provides the higher level of osseointegration.

Introduction: Radical cystectomy is the method of treatment of muscle invasive tumor of the urinary bladder, T2-T4a, N0-Nx, M0, which is also performed in patients at high risk of superficial tumors G3, CIS (carcinoma in situ), which are resistant to BCG and diffuse papillary tumors which can not be controlled by conservative treatment. After radical cystectomy, an adequate derivation of the urine is needed, and in the best interest for patient's comfort, is to make a new bladder from the parts of gastrointestinal tract and suture it to the rest of the urethra. In 1988, German surgeon Richard Hautmann published his method of creating a new bladder, for what he used 60cm of ileum. This method is in use at Department of Urology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, but, we introduced our modification of original operation because of early and late postoperative complications., Objective: The analysis of early and late complications after derivative surgery of orthotopic ileal bladder according to Hautmann. The patients operated according to original and modified method were analyzed., Method: From 2000-2004, 117 radical cystectomies were performed due to malignant urinary bladder tumors as well as the same number of derivative surgeries at the Clinic for Urology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade. During this five-year period, the orthotopic ileal neobladder surgery according to Hautmann was performed in 41 patients after radical cystectomy. Twenty three patients were operated on using the original method and 18 patients by our modification., Results: Metabolic disorders and problems of high capacity of neobladder were manifested in all patients operated on by original method, while the stenosis of the ureteroileal anastomosis was present in most of these patients. Metabolic disorders were less frequent and of lower degree in patients operated by our modification and there was no stenosis of the ureteroileal anastomosis. The problems with urination were not reported., Conclusion: In our opinion and on the basis of our experience, Hautmann method is the method with fewer complications. However, our modifications are also acceptable because the number of complications is smaller and the value of operation is being kept.

Background: Any large missing part of the ureter may be replaced by transureteroureterostomy, psoas hitch, Boari flap, nephrectomy, renal autotransplanation or by the implementation of an intestinal graft., Case Report: A patient with a defect of the lumbal-pelvic portion of the right ureter, after the managemenet of a penetrating and perforating gun shot wound was presented. The missing part of the ureter was seccessfully replaced with an appendix. The technique of uretero-transappendix-cystoneostomy complete with a Boari flap and a psoas hitch was used., Conclusion: By the use of an original combination of surgical techniques, a large defect of the ureter and the defect of the bladder, as well as the preservation of the renal function was achieved in a more successful manner.

Background: Traumatic delayed epidural hematoma (DEH) can be defined as insignificant or not seen on the initial CT scan performed after a trauma but seen on the subsequent CT scan as a "massive" epidural bleeding., Case Report: We presented two cases of traumatic DEH after mild head injury. Both patients were conscious and without neurological deficit on the admission. Initial CT scan did not reveal intracranial hematoma. Repeated CT scan, that was performed after neurological deterioration, revealed epidural hematoma in both cases. The patients were operated with a favorable surgical outcome., Conclusion: Traumatic DEH could occur in the patients with head injuries who were conscious on the admission with a normal initial CT scan finding. Early detection of DEH and an urgent surgical evacuation were essential for a good outcome.

Unlabelled: The first description of the adrenal gland dates since 1563 by Eustachius in a study "Opscula anatomica". Despite earlier recognition of the presence of adrenals and division into cortex and medulla, the precise observations of Addison appeared in 1855 that the essential role of these glands was recognized in patients who died with adrenal destruction secondary to tuberculosis. Frankel first described a medulary adrenal tumour in 1886. In 1912 the pathologist Pick formulated the descriptive term pheochromocytoma. The first surgical removal of pheochromocytoma in Europe was performed by Rouks in 1926 and by Mayo in USA in 1927. The work of the later had greater impact. For a long period of time the Military Medical Academy is involved in clinical diagnosis and management of adrenal tumours. The first description of diagnosed pheochromocytoma was by Professor Ratibor Mitshitsh. The first surgical removal of pheochromocytoma in the Military Medical academy and in Yugoslavia was performed by Professor Isidor Papo. Over the period January 1974-December 2001, 268 patients with tumours of adrenal origin(93 patients/34.7%/had pheochromocytoma) underwent surgical treatment in the Military Medical Academy. Of our particular interest was the relation between the surgical approach to pheochromocytoma and the incidence and severe intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications. Although numerous studies favorise transabdominal and thoracic approach, our experience in flank approach is very favorable. By the lateral high intercostal approach above the eleventh costae we operated on 67 (72%) patients with only one (1.5%) major complication--cardiac arrest. With successful reanimation the patient survived. The transperitoneal approach was performed in 21 (22%) cases and we had 7 (33.1%) severe complications: one lethal outcome, cardiac arrest, injury of the aorta, injury of the VCI, postoperative bleeding that required relaparatomy and two splenectomies. The lethal outcome was the result of nonidentified ectopic retropancreatic pheochromocytoma that was not identified preoperatively and intraoperatively. At that time ultrasound, CT and MRI were not available. By transthoracic and posterior approach we operated on a small number of pheochromocytomas. DISSCUSSION: We analysed the advantages and disadvantages of some surgical approaches and our experience in these methods of management of pheochromocytoma and other adrenal tumours; we confirmed multiple advantages of flank intercostal approach above the eleventh costae compared to other approaches. This approach is simple, extrapleural and extraperitoneal. It offers a broad surgical field with the adrenal in its centre which permits an atraumatic operation with little risk of complications., Conclusions: The flank intercostal approach above the eleventh costae is indicated(option of choice) in unilateral pheochromocytoma and other unilateral adrenal tumours. The transabdominal approach is indicated in cases of bilateral pheochromocytomas, in cases of abdominal localization of ectopic pheochromocytomas, in tumours which involve the VCl and most of the left renal vein, and in patients with extremely large adrenal tumours. The thoracic approach is indicated in intrathoracic ectopic pheochromocytomas.

Adrenal incidentalomas are a heterogeneous group of pathological entities, including benign or malignant adrenocortical or medullary tumors, hormonally active or inactive lesions, which are identified incidentally during the examination of nonadrenal-related abdominal complaints. About 1.5% to 23% of adrenal incidentalomas are pheochromocytomas. Composite pheochromocytoma is a rare tumour of adrenal medulla with divergente clinical course. This type of pheochromocytoma is designated "composite" or "mixed," depending on whether pheochromocytoma and nonpheochromocytoma components show the same embryologic origin. Nonpheochromocytoma components found in the composite pheochromocytoma include ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuroblastoma, neuroblastoma, and malignant schwannoma. The biologic behavior of composite pheochromocytomas may be as difficult to predict as more traditional pheochromocytomas; based on the number of cases reported to date the presence of areas resembling ganglioneuroblastoma or neuroblastoma does not necessary indicate a poor prognosis. Some may behave in a malignant fashion with metastasis by a component of the tumour which has neural features. Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are well-defined entities. Some of their nonsporadic associations and unusual morphological appearances are not universally appreciated. We report on a rare association of left adrenal CP, with typical right adrenal phochromocytoma and retroperitoneal paraganglioma, and a review of literature. We analyzed the clinical and immunohistochemical features in a 24-year-old woman with composite pheochromocytoma localized in the left adrenal gland and associated with blood pressure of 200/140 mmHg. Abdominal computed tomography and 131-J MIBG revealed a 65 x 60 mm mass in the right adrenal gland, but no revealed 45 x 40 mm retroperitoneal mass and 20 x 20 mm mass in the left adrenal region. Serum and urinary adrenaline levels were high, and catecholamine levels in the blood sample of the selective adrenal vein, were also high. Bilateral adrenalectomy and retroperitoneal mass were surgically removed without complications. Clinical symptoms were absent 6 years after surgery. After surgery the patient gave birth to two healthy babies. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that tumour cells of right adrenal pheochromocytoma and retroperitoneal paraganglioma were strongly positive for neurone specific enolase, synaptophisin and chromogranin A. The left adrenal tumour showed pheochromocytoma, ganglioneuroma and neuroblastoma components. Immunoreactivity of this tumour added several features to the wide immunohistochemical spectrum. This case demonstrates the indolent behavior of sporadic-type CP and retroperitoneal paraganglioma in an adult patient. Unusual morphological features of CP occur in a substantial number of cases and may cause diagnostic problems.

The serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) represent a significant diagnostic and monitoring parameter of prostatic carcinoma (PC). The aim of the study was to establish correlation of serum PSA level in addition to grade, histological type, and clinical stage of PC in patients with normal or intermediary PSA serum level. In 37 untreated PC patients with preoperative serum PSA levels ranging between 0.1 and 9.6 ng/ml, paraffin-embedded tissue and serum samples were immunohistologically studied and immunoassay for PSA was done. The most representative was poorly differentiated PC with D stage. In serum samples from PC patients 27 (73.7%) normal (< or = 4.0 ng/ml), and 10 (27.3%) intermediate (4.1-10 ng/ml) PSA levels were found. Immunohistochemistry, in 36 PC (97.3%) had demonstrated the expression of PSA. Our study results had shown low serum PSA levels in some patients with advanced poorly differentiated PC.