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Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is associated with an increased risk of urothelial carcinoma (UC). FGFR3 is found mutated in about 70% of Ta tumors, which represent the major group at diagnosis. The influence of PAH on FGFR3 mutations and whether it is related to the emergence or shaping of these mutations is not yet known. We investigated the influence of occupational PAH on the frequency and spectrum of FGFR3 mutations. We included on 170 primary urothelial tumors from five hospitals from France. Patients (median age, 64 yr) were interviewed to gather data on occupational exposure to PAH, revealing 104 non- and possibly PAH exposed patients, 66 probably and definitely exposed patients. Tumors were classified as follows: 75 pTa, 52 pT1, and 43 > or =pT2. Tumor grades were as follows: 6 low malignant potential neoplasms (LMPN) and 41 low-grade and 123 high-grade carcinomas. The SnaPshot method was used to screen for the following FGFR3 mutations: R248C, S249C, G372C, Y375C, A393E, K652E, K652Q, K652M, and K652T. Occupational PAH exposure was not associated with a particular stage or grade of tumors. Thirty-nine percent of the tumors harbored FGFR3 mutations. After adjustment for smoking, occupational exposure to PAH did not influence the frequency [OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.78-1.52], or spectrum of FGFR3 mutations. Occupational exposure to PAH influenced neither the frequency nor the spectrum of FGFR3 mutations and there was no direct relationship between these mutations and this occupational hazard.

Resume Objectif Etudier l’interet d’une stimulation visuelle sexuelle combinee aux injections intra-caverneuses (IIC) chez les patients traites pour une dysfonction erectile severe. Materiels et methodes Entre 2005 et 2006, tous les patients ayant une dysfonction erectile severe ont ete inclus prospectivement. Le protocole en consultation consistait a comparer l’efficacite d’une IIC seule d’alprostadil a J0, puis d’une IIC combinee a une stimulation erotique a J8. Les criteres de jugement etaient : le delai d’apparition et la rigidite de l’erection. Une echelle de cotation subjective (1 a 5) a permis de quantifier l’erection. Resultats Quarante patients ont ete inclus. L’âge moyen etait de 64,5 ans (52-70). Tous les patients avaient un score IIEF5 inferieur a 15. Un acte de chirurgie urologique etait a l’origine de la dysfonction erectile dans 35% des cas. A JO et a J8, le delai moyen d’obtention de l’erection a ete respectivement de 10 mn 18 s (2-20) et de 10 mn 50 s (2-20). Concernant la rigidite et la qualite de l’erection, aucune difference significative n’a ete constatee entre J0 et J8 et les erections ont ete evalues respectivement a 5 dans 30 cas (75%), a 4 dans 8 cas (20%) et a 3 dans 2 cas (5%), lors de chaque consultation. Conclusion La stimulation visuelle sexuelle n’a pas fait la preuve de son efficacite reelle en milieu hospitalier en association avec les injections intra-caverneuses. Pour augmenter le taux de satisfaction des patients, l’urologue doit veiller avant tout a eduquer le patient aux injections intra-caverneuses dans un environnement adapte. Objective To assess the value of visual sexual stimulation combined with intracavernous injections (ICI) in patients treated for severe erectile dysfunction. Materials and methods Al1 patients with severe erectile dysfunction were prospectively included in this study between 2005 and 2006. The outpatient protocol consisted of comparing the efficacy of alprostadil ICI alone on DO and ICI combined with erotic stimulation on D8. Endpoints were: time to onset and rigidity of erection. A subjective score (1 to 5) was used to quantify erection. Results Forty patients with a mean age of 64.5 years (range: 52-70 years) were included in the study. Allpatients had an IIEF5 score less than 15. Erectile dysfunction was secondary to uroiogical surgery in 35% of cases. The mean time to onset of erection was I0 min 18 s (range: 2-20 min) on D0 and 10 min 50 s (range: 2-20 min) on D8. No signifcant difference for rigidity and quality of erection was observed between D0 and D8 and erections were scored as 5 in 30 cases (75%), 4 in 8 cases (20%) and 3 in 2 cases (5%) at each visit. Conclusion Visual sexual stimulation has not been demonstrated to be truly effective in the hospital setting in combination with intracavernous injections. In order to increase the patient satisfaction rate, the urologist must above al1 educate the patient in the intracavernous injection technique in an appropriate environment.

Objectives To determine the deterioration in the maximal active deflection and flow capabilities of a new-generation flexible ureteroscope (URS). Methods We performed 50 ureterorenoscopies using the same URS: a Karl Storz 11278 AU1 Flex-X, which is capable of a 270° active deflection in the ventral and dorsal directions. Postoperatively, we evaluated the maximal active ventral and dorsal deflection, irrigation flow at 100 cm H 2 O, and the number of broken optical fibers. Results The URS was used for a total of 76 hours, 15 minutes (average 95 minutes per procedure). The maximal ventral deflection had deteriorated from 270° to 208° at the last procedure. The maximal dorsal deflection had decreased from 270° to 133°. The irrigation flow at 100 cm H 2 O had decreased from 50 mL/min initially to 40 mL/min at the last procedure. The number of broken image fibers had reached six at the 50th procedure. One repair was necessary at the 50th procedure because of a laser perforation of the working channel. Conclusions The need for repair occurs less frequently with the new-generation of URSs, especially when they are used by an experienced endourologist. In the future, improvements in the durability of the flexible URS will still be key for widespread use of the technique and especially to limit damage by the laser to the working channel.

To establish the cancer control afforded by radical prostatectomy in patients aged 50 years or younger with sporadic, familial, or hereditary prostate cancer.We collected data on all patients 50 years old or younger among 5880 patients treated for prostate cancer between 1994 and 2004. We recorded age, ethnic origin, clinical presentation, family history of prostate cancer, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, treatment, Gleason score, 2002 TNM stage, surgical margin status, and disease progression. Radical prostatectomy was offered as first-line treatment to all patients with localized prostate cancer (T1-T2N0M0) and negative lymph nodes. PSA-free survival was calculated.We analyzed the data from 110 patients (1.9%), of whom 37 had familial cancer (33.6%) and 15 hereditary cancer (13.6%). A total of 85 patients (77.3%) had undergone radical prostatectomy, 39 (45.9%) by open retropubic surgery and 46 (54.1%) laparoscopically. The surgical margins were positive in 11 patients (12.9%). The mean follow-up after prostatectomy was 39.1 +/- 36.8 months (range 4 to 125). Nine patients (10.6%) experienced biochemical recurrence (PSA level greater than 0.2 ng/mL). Longer PSA-free survival after surgery was significantly associated with high-risk and intermediate-risk patients (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively) but not with the surgical procedure (P = 0.6) or family history of cancer (P = 0.46).Radical prostatectomy is an effective treatment of localized cancer in patients younger than 50 years old. Nearly one half of our cases of prostate cancer in younger men were forms of familial cancer. Detecting familial forms is a key objective in early screening and in the timely identification of candidates for prostatectomy.

Primary diseases of the seminal vesicle are rare. Most seminal vesicle cysts are congenital, and two-thirds are associated with renal dysplasia or agenesis and ectopic ureter opening into the seminal vesicle. Acquired cysts may be due to genitourinary infections, surgical prostate resection or ejaculatory duct lithiasis. We report a case of video laparoscopic ablation of seminal vesicle cysts.

Objectives: This phase 3a study assessed the efficacy and safety of two different doses of a new formulation of tamsulosin (the oral controlled absorption system: OCAS) in comparison with placebo and the old modified release (MR) formulation of tamsulosin. Methods: After a two-week single-blind, placebo run-in period, older men (≥45 years) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS: total International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) ≥13) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH: maximum flow rate 4–12ml/s) were randomised to 12 weeks of treatment with placebo, tamsulosin OCAS 0.4mg, tamsulosin OCAS 0.8mg or tamsulosin MR 0.4mg once daily in a 1:1:2:2 ratio. The primary efficacy variable was the mean change from baseline to endpoint in total I-PSS. Tolerability was mainly assessed by documenting adverse events (AEs) reported by the patient and vital signs. Results: A total of 2152 patients were randomised to placebo ( N =357), tamsulosin OCAS 0.4mg ( N =361), tamsulosin MR 0.4mg ( N =710) or tamsulosin OCAS 0.8mg ( N =724). For the mean reduction in total I-PSS from baseline to endpoint, there was no statistically significant difference between tamsulosin OCAS 0.8mg (8.0 points or 42.4%) and tamsulosin MR 0.4mg (8.0 points or 43.2%; p =0.9909). Both tamsulosin OCAS 0.4mg (7.7 points or 41.7%) and tamsulosin MR 0.4mg were similarly superior to placebo (5.8 points or 32.0%; p 1 -adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists: dizziness and abnormal ejaculation. The incidence of dizziness was comparable for the 0.4mg dose (1.4%) and placebo (1.4%) and increased slightly with tamsulosin MR 0.4mg (1.7%) and tamsulosin OCAS 0.8mg (2.4%) although none of the comparisons was statistically significant. However, the incidence of abnormal ejaculation more clearly increased from tamsulosin OCAS 0.4mg (1.9%) to tamsulosin MR (3.1%) and tamsulosin OCAS 0.8mg (5.3%). Furthermore, whereas the incidence of abnormal ejaculation for tamsulosin MR 0.4mg and tamsulosin OCAS 0.8mg was statistically significantly higher than with placebo (0.3%), the difference between tamsulosin OCAS 0.4mg and placebo was not statistically significant. Tamsulosin OCAS 0.4mg had the lowest incidence of those AEs attributable to α 1 -AR antagonists and was also associated with the smallest reduction in blood pressure. Conclusions: Tamsulosin OCAS 0.8mg is not superior to tamsulosin MR 0.4mg and is associated with a higher incidence of AEs. Therefore, 0.4mg is the recommended dose of tamsulosin OCAS in the treatment of patients with LUTS/BPH. The efficacy of tamsulosin OCAS 0.4mg is superior to placebo and comparable to tamsulosin MR 0.4mg with a tendency towards a better efficacy/tolerability ratio than with tamsulosin MR 0.4mg.

Objective: Flexible ureteroscopy is nowadays an alternative effective option for treatment of upper urinary tract stones, especially in the lower renal pole. Access in this case is often limited by active deflection capabilities of the instrument which is always deteriorated by the passage of different tools through the working channel. Insertion of them limits also the irrigation flow and so that the visibility. These deteriorations vary largely following the tool inserted. We performed an in vitro evaluation of deterioration of active deflection, possibility of tool insertion in maximal active deflection and irrigation flow in 6 different flexible ureteroscopes with almost all of tools available. Methods: A total of 546 measures of maximal deflection, test of passage of tools in maximal deflection and measures of irrigation flow passage through the working channel were made on 6 different ureteroscopes, the ACMI DUR-8, the ACMI DUR-8 "Elite", the Karl Storz 11274 AA, the Karl Storz 11278 AU1 "Flex-X", the Wolf 7325.172 and the Olympus URF/P-3 without any tool inserted and with 22 different tools (14 extraction devices and 8 lithotripsy probes). Results: Larger caliber tools resulted in more deflection degradation than smaller ones but it is more evident in case of use of non-nitinol tools instead of the nitinol ones. Generally lithotripsy probes affected active deflection more than nitinol extractions tools but different brand laser fibres present different results. Usually 1.6 and 1.9F electro hydraulic probes offer a slightly better deflection than does the 200μ laser fibre. Ballistic shock probes are so stiff that can not be used for treating lower renal pole stones. Conclusions: An array of different instruments are nowadays available for upper renal endoscopic treatment but they differ largely on stiffness and on obstruction to irrigation flow. Laser probes are very problematic to insert in the already deflected instruments, something that is less evident with the EHL probes and the smaller nitinol extraction tools. Irrigation flow is inversely proportional to the diameter of the tool inserted. Tools with a diameter of 3 French or more block totally the flow.

This article is a summary of the 2001 French Urological Association (AFU) report on superficial bladder cancer. Major topics include histopathological classification, risk categories, natural history of the disease, standard treatments, the impact of molecular biology on clinical practice, the place of cystectomy, and modalities of intravesical instillations.

Background. Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a common complication following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). In rare cases, it can be severe, inducing kidney failure and sepsis, and become life-threatening. Methods. We report three cases of severe HC in stem cell transplant recipients. Risk factors and the management of these patients were studied, as well as severe HC cases reported in the literature. Results. All three patients received high-dose cyclophosphamide in addition to total body irradiation or busulfan in their preparative regimen. They underwent allogeneic SCT, one of them from unrelated cord blood. BK viruria was detected in two cases at the onset of hematuria. HC lasted for more than 3 months, resulting in urinary tract obstruction and sepsis. Ultimately, cystectomy was the last therapeutic procedure available to treat this life-threatening complication. Conclusion. We describe three patients, among a total of more than 1300 patients treated in our unit by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, in whom HC was severe and long lasting enough to require cystectomy as a life-saving procedure.

Purpose: We assessed the value of breath-hold, gadolinium (Gd) enhanced magnetic resonance urography for diagnosing urinary tract disease. Materials and Methods: Dynamic magnetic resonance urography was performed in 38 consecutive patients presenting with urological disease in whom excretory urography was contraindicated. Renal function was impaired in 18 cases with a serum creatinine of 140 to 400 μmol./l. Fast spoiled, gradient echo sequences were acquired during breath-holding 5, 10 and 15 minutes after intravenous injection of 10 ml. of a Gd chelate. Opacification of the collecting system was evaluated using a scale of 0 to 3. Diagnostic value of the examinations was also analyzed. Results: Dynamic magnetic resonance urography was sufficient for making the diagnosis in 95% of cases. We identified 71 pathological findings and the surgical anastomosis was always well visualized. Mean image quality score was 2.34 points for renal calices, 2.86 for renal pelves and 2.48 for ureters. Image quality significantly improved after injecting a diuretic. Conclusions: Gd enhanced magnetic resonance urography provides quality dynamic imaging of the urinary tract. It is a new approach for diagnosing urinary tract disorders in patients in whom excretory urography should be avoided.

Summary Introduction Infertility in men may be associated with an elevated risk of testicular cancer. The authors report a case of testicular seminoma discovered fortuitously during a workup for infertility. Case A 30 year-old male was seen for infertility. Physical examination and testicular ultrasonography were normal. The sperm count found oligoasthenospermia related to the excretory ducts. The patient underwent testicular biopsies for infertility, which showed an intratubular germ cell tumor. Tumor markers (beta HCG, alpha FP, LDH) were normal. Computed tomography was normal for the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. We performed an inguinal orchiectomy. The pathology examination found seminoma, at a pT1 stage. One course of chemotherapy followed. Discussion The incidence of testicular cancer is increasing throughout the world. Recent studies show a strong relation between infertility and an increased risk of testicular cancer, and some authors even suggest a causal relation.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumour is a common procedure (10,711 new cases of bladder tumour diagnosed in France in 2000), associated with a certain morbidity. Intra- or extraperitoneal perforation of the bladder wall is a possible complication. The diagnosis is generally established intraoperatively and cystography can be performed in the operating room to demonstrate the diameter of the perforation. Most cases of extraperitoneal perforation can be treated conservatively by simple bladder drainage. Intraperitoneal perforations may require surgical repair Laparoscopy is currently tending to replace open surgery for this repair. One of the risks of perforation is also tumour seeding outside of the bladder However metastases related to perforation appear to be rare and occur rapidly requiring close surveillance.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of 3D helical CT and its value in surgical planning for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Method: CT scans and 3D reconstruction of renal vessels and the renal pelvis were performed in 20 cases of UPJO treated by open surgery. We analyzed scans in search of a vessel at the junction and its position relative to the UPJ. Helical CT scans and 3D reconstructions were correlated with macroscopic surgical findings. Results: CT scans demonstrated the presence of a UPJO in all cases. Crossing vessels were present at the junction in 13 of 20 cases. The vessel crossed the junction posteriorly in six cases and anteriorly in seven cases. Macroscopic surgical findings were in agreement with helical CT reconstructions in 100% of the cases. Conclusion: Axial scans together with 3D reconstruction are an accurate way of detecting crossing vessels when UPJO occurs. and the choice of the most adequate surgical technique is facilitated.

Renal cell carcinomas account for 4.6% of post-transplant cancers, 10% of which occur in allograft kidneys. We report three such cases among kidney grafts that were performed or followed from 1970 to 2004. In all patients, we performed a partial allograft nephrectomy after consideration of the tumor size, location, and absence of metastases and local extension. Renal function has remained stable, and there has been no sign of graft rejection, tumor recurrence or metastases. The surgery was technically feasible without exposing the patients to increased postoperative risks. The lateral, peripherally located tumor allowed excision without renal hilar dissection or entry into the collecting system. In agreement with data emerging from the literature, the present cases confirm that even in the setting of long-standing immunosuppression, de novo RCC of the kidney graft warrants a minimally invasive approach to spare patients graft loss and return to hemodialysis.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (RLN) is a relatively recent technique whose performance needs to be firmly established. The aim of this study was to compare the results of RLNs in 19 patients with retrospective results for 10 cases of open surgery. Ten of the RLN patients had transplanted kidneys. We used a slightly modified, already published technique with only three trocars that did not require balloon dilatation of the retroperitoneal space. It was successful in patients with and without transplants. The average operative times of RLN and open surgery were 115 and 110 minutes, respectively. In no instance did the laparoscopic procedure need to be converted to open surgery. There were no peri- or postoperative complications that could be related to the RLN technique. The average length of hospitalization after RLN was considerably shorter (3.8 days) than after open surgery (7.9 days). In conclusion, our experience shows that RLN is a safe, reproducible technique that reduces recovery time. It has become our first-line approach for simple nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy for ureteral tumors, and removal of the native kidney in transplant recipients.

De novo tumors in renal allografts are rare and their prevalence is underestimated. We therefore analyzed renal cell carcinomas arising in renal allografts through a retrospective French renal transplant cohort. We performed a retrospective, multicentric survey by sending questionnaires to all French kidney transplantation centers. All graft tumors diagnosed after transplantation were considered as de novo tumors. Thirty-two centers participated in this study. Seventy-nine tumors were identified among 41 806 recipients (Incidence 0.19%). Patients were 54 men and 25 women with a mean age of 47 years old at the time of diagnosis. Mean tumor size was 27.8 mm. Seventy-four (93.6%), 53 (67%) and 44 tumors (55.6%) were organ confined (T1-2), low grade (G1-2) and papillary carcinomas, respectively. Four patients died of renal cell carcinomas (5%). The mean time lapse between transplantation and RCC diagnosis was 131.7 months. Thirty-five patients underwent conservative surgery by partial nephrectomy (n = 35, 44.3%) or radiofrequency (n = 5; 6.3%). The estimated 5 years cancer specific survival rate was 94%. Most of these tumors were small and incidental. Most tumors were papillary carcinoma, low stage and low grade carcinomas. Conservative treatment has been preferred each time it was feasible in order to avoid a return to dialysis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence, prognosis and possible risk factors of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of the native kidney in renal transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively re-examined the follow-up data of 373 consecutive renal transplant recipients at our institution between August 1993 and September 2004. We collected the data of all de novo RCC of the native kidney in the current analysis. RESULTS Of the 373 patients examined, 12 tumours of the native kidney were diagnosed in 10 individuals. The mean ages at transplantation and diagnosis were 33 and 45.8 years, respectively. Thirteen malignancies were discovered fortuitously. Among the renal ultrasonograms there were two false-negative results. The mean tumour size was 21 mm. Nephrectomy was performed in all cases. Among the 12 kidney malignancies, there were five conventional RCCs and seven papillary RCCs. Half of all tumours were Furhman Grade 3 lesions, and pT1aN0M0 tumours also accounted for all malignancies in the current cohort. One of the 10 patients died, from progression of metastases 6 years after diagnosis. One patient had a local recurrence 2 years after diagnosis. The other eight patients were alive with no evidence of disease at the time of the current report. No significant relationship was detected between RCC occurrence and clinical patient characteristics. CONCLUSIONS There appears to be a greater risk of RCC of the native kidney in patients with end-stage renal disease. The present results suggest that an annual examination of the native kidney before and after renal transplantation is essential.

Renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the submaxillary gland after tumor nephrectomy has not been previously recorded in the literature. Most reported cases have involved the parotid gland. We report in this article the first case of solitary submaxillary gland metastasis from clear cell renal cell carcinoma in an 83-year-old man who presented 10 years after primary treatment. The submaxillary gland was excised with preservation of the facial nerve.

Primary diseases of the seminal vesicle are rare. Most seminal vesicle cysts are congenital, and two-thirds are associated with renal dysplasia or agenesis and ectopic ureter opening into the seminal vesicle. Acquired cysts may be due to genitourinary infections, surgical prostate resection or ejaculatory duct lithiasis. We report a case of video laparoscopic ablation of seminal vesicle cysts.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for the treatment of obstructing ureteral stones causing acute renal colic. In situ ESWL with an EDAP LT-02 piezo-electric lithotriptor was used in a prospective study to treat 67 patients with obstructing ureteral stones causing acute renal colic. Patients were treated without anesthesia on an out-patient basis or during a one-day hospital stay. The overall one month stone-free rate was 94% (94% for proximal stones and 95% for distal stones). The overall success rate after a single ESWL session was 81%. Treatment was well tolerated in 90% (60/67) of patients. There was one case of non-obstructive pyelonephritis and one of ureteral edema. These rates compare well with published reports for delayed treatment in patients without renal colic. Immediate ESWL for cases of acute renal colic due to obstructing ureteral stones is an effective treatment strategy that warrants wider consideration.

To compare the outcomes in patients who had undergone either open nephroureterectomy or conservative endoscopic surgery (ureteroscopic or percutaneous management) for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma.We performed a retrospective review of the data for patients treated surgically for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma from 1990 to 2004. The data included patient sex, age at diagnosis, mode of diagnosis, smoking history, history of bladder cancer, type of surgery, complications, and tumor site, size, stage, grade, recurrence, and progression. We also evaluated the recurrence and survival rates.Data were analyzed for 97 patients. The median patient age was 68 years. Sixteen patients had a history of bladder tumor. The surgical procedure was open nephroureterectomy in 54 patients, ureteroscopy in 27, and percutaneous endoscopic ablation in 16. The tumor stage, grade, and site were independent prognostic factors for survival in a multivariate analysis (P0.05). The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 81.9% for low-grade tumors and 47.3% for high-grade tumors (P = 0.0001). A correlation (P = 0.002) was found between low-grade tumors and superficial tumors. In patients with low-grade tumors (n = 46), the 5-year disease-specific survival rate after nephroureterectomy, ureteroscopy, and percutaneous endoscopy was 84%, 80.7%, and 80%, respectively (P = 0.89); the corresponding 5-year tumor-free survival rates were 75.3%, 71.5%, and 72% (P = 0.78).Conservative surgery can be recommended as an alternative to nephroureterectomy for low-grade or superficial upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. For patients with high-grade or invasive tumors to be candidates for conservative surgery will require the development of additional prognostic factors (eg, molecular markers). These patients require long-term postoperative surveillance.

To determine the value of mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) of ureteral stent encrustations in predicting urinary stone composition.A retrospective study analyzed the composition of stent encrustations and urinary stones by MIRS in patients who had had a stent for ureteral obstruction between 2001 and 2003. The overall correlation was evaluated. The correlation coefficient kappa for agreement between the proportions of each component was calculated.A total of 72 stents and 72 stones from 72 patients were analyzed. The mean stent indwelling time was 55.5 days (range 14 to 102). The stents had been placed for fever (52 cases, 72%), pain refractory to analgesics (15 cases, 21%), and impairment of kidney function (5 cases, 7%). The overall correlation between stone composition and stent encrustation was 71.4%, excluding biofilm analysis. The kappa value was 0.78 for the main component (n = 72; P0.0005), 0.61 for the secondary component (n = 72; P0.0005), and 0.91 for the agreement between the composition of encrustations at each end of a stent (n = 30; P0.0005).MIRS analysis of stent encrustations is a reliable method of predicting stone composition when the stone cannot be retrieved. Systematic MIRS analysis of stent encrustations is not recommended but can be very useful in clinical situations in which no stone is available.

Objective: To evaluate emergency treatment of obstructing ureteral stones by in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) during acute renal colic. Patients and Methods: From January 1994 to February 2000, 200 patients (mean age: 42 years) were treated by ESWL (EDAP LT-02) for obstructing ureteral stones causing acute renal colic refractory to medical treatment or recurring within 24hours of such treatment. Stones were visualised by fluoroscopic imaging and/or ultrasound. Follow-up included radiological and/or ultrasound examinations and lasted three months. Results: Mean stone size was 7mm (3–20mm). At three months, 164/200 (82%) patients were stone-free. This rate ranged from 79% to 83% according to the location of the stone, and from 75% to 86% according to the size of the stone. These differences in rate were not significant. Two or three ESWL sessions were required in 79 patients. ESWL was well tolerated in 90% of patients. The only complication was a case of pyelonephritis requiring the placement of a JJ stent, administration of antibiotics, and distant ureteroscopy. The 36 patients, in whom ESWL failed, underwent ureteroscopy ( n =23) or lithotripsy with a Dornier ® machine ( n =13). Conclusion: Non-deferred ESWL for acute renal colic secondary to obstructing ureteral stones has a satisfactory success rate and very low morbidity.

About 40% of patients with nephrolithiasis have idiopathic hypercalciuria, sometimes associated with a family history of kidney stones. In these families, little is known about the frequency of, and risk factors for, stone formation among hypercalciuric patients. We therefore conducted a prospective study of 216 subjects from 33 families with idiopathic hypercalciuria.We recorded the age, weight, and history of calcium stones in all subjects, and measured 24-hour urine volume and excretion of calcium, uric acid, sodium, magnesium, urea, citrate, phosphate, and sulfate on a nonrestricted diet. We performed a more complete metabolic evaluation in many of the hypercalciuric subjects (calciuria/weight0.1 mmol/kg/d). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for stone formation.The prevalence of self-reported nephrolithiasis was 46% (61/132) in hypercalciuric subjects and 11% (7/63) in normocalciuric subjects (P0.0001). In multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] per 10 years of age = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1 to 1.6), urine calcium excretion (OR = 1.3 per mmol/d increase; 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.5), and uric acid excretion (OR = 3.3 per mmol/d increase; 95% CI: 1.4 to 7.5) were independent risk factors for nephrolithiasis. The risk of nephrolithiasis increased progressively with greater levels of hypercalciuria.We found a significant dose-effect association between calciuria and stone disease in patients with familial hypercalciuria. Other factors associated with stone formation included higher uric acid excretion, probably reflecting higher food intake, and age, probably reflecting the length of exposure to hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria.

Background. Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) is frequently associated with nephrolithiasis. As 40% of patients have a positive familial history of IH, an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance has been suggested. Numerous genes have been studied in this regard but none have been found to be linked to IH. Mutation of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) has never been studied. Therefore, we conducted a study to detect such mutations. Methods. Seven families with IH and nephrolithiasis were recruited in a prospective study. Forty-two family members underwent 24-h urine calcium measurement. Twenty-five of them with 24-h hypercalciuria also underwent extensive metabolic evaluation. Blood samples were collected in one or two affected family members in each family and exons 2–7 of the CaR gene were sequenced. Results. In the seven families, at least one parent and more than half of the children had hypercalciuria (21u30), consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. Among the nine affected family members whose CaR gene has been studied, all nine had absorptive hypercalciuria, three also had fasting hypercalciuria, and one had renal phosphorous leak. No mutation of the CaR gene was detected in these seven families. Two previously reported polymorphisms were detected, each of them in five families: A986S and C-to-T change at 60 in intron 5. Conclusion. In these seven families, IH is not related to the CaR gene mutation. Although we cannot exclude that point mutations can be found in other families, familial IH does not seem to be generally associated with CaR mutation.

In a retrospective analysis of hemorrhagic cystitis subsequent to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, we focused on patients who underwent subtotal cystectomy with ileocystoplasty because stepwise use of conservative treatments had failed. Severe lasting hemorrhagic cystitis (more than 40 days) led to urinary tract obstruction and sepsis that required subtotal cystectomy in 3 of 1300 bone graft patients. Hematuria did not recur after surgery with a satisfactory functional result (follow-up 10 months to 17 years). Subtotal cystectomy with detubularized ileocystoplasty can be used to control life-threatening hemorrhagic cystitis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of single-dose oral lomefloxacin and single-dose parenteral cefuroxime for the prevention of urinary tract infection following transurethral surgery. A total of 63 patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized open-label study, which was conducted at two medical centers in France. Patients were randomized to receive either 400 mg of oral lomefloxacin 2-6 hours before surgery or 1.5 g parenteral cefuroxime 30-90 minutes before surgery. Postoperative clinical evaluation was performed daily, and bacteriologic evaluation included urine cultures performed 24 hours after surgery, just before and 1 day after removal of the indwelling catheter, and 3-5 days after surgery. Another urine culture was optionally performed 1-3 months after surgery. Infection was defined as a urinary bacteria count greater than or equal to 10(5) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL of urine. Of the 63 patients enrolled, 54 were evaluable for efficacy, 27 in each group. The success rate of prophylaxis was 88.9% in the lomefloxacin group and 88.5% in the cefuroxime group (p = nonsignificant). None of the 16 lomefloxacin-treated patients who were re-cultured at 1-3 months was found to be infected. Adverse events were minor in both groups. A single oral dose of lomefloxacin was as efficacious and as safe as a single intravenous dose of cefuroxime for prevention of postoperative urinary tract infection in patients undergoing transurethral surgery.

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure for treating type II stress urinary incontinence in females.Between April 1998 and April 1999, 62 women 28 to 86 years old (mean age 62.8) were treated consecutively for stress urinary incontinence with the tension-free vaginal tape procedure. Preoperative evaluation included history, physical examination and multichannel video urodynamics. All patients had type II stress urinary incontinence, none had preoperative detrusor instability or significant pelvic prolapse and in 16 previous surgery for stress incontinence had failed.All patients were followed at least 12 months after the procedure (median 16.2). A total of 42 and 20 women received spinal and local anesthesia, respectively. We noted 6 bladder perforations, including 5 in patients with a history of surgery for stress urinary incontinence. Blood loss was less than 200 cc in all cases. We observed no prolonged postoperative pain, infection or sling rejection. Post-void residual urine was less than 100 cc the day after surgery in 59 cases. Only 3 patients self-catheterized a maximum of 4 days. At followup 54 women (87.1%) were cured of stress urinary incontinence, 6 were improved (9.6%) and 2 had failure (3. 3%), while 4 (6.4%) had new onset detrusor instability without evidence of bladder outlet obstruction.The tension-free vaginal tape procedure appears to be a minimally invasive, safe and effective treatment for type II stress urinary incontinence. A history of surgery for stress incontinence seems to be a risk factor for bladder perforation.

Renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the submaxillary gland after tumor nephrectomy has not been previously recorded in the literature. Most reported cases have involved the parotid gland. We report in this article the first case of solitary submaxillary gland metastasis from clear cell renal cell carcinoma in an 83-year-old man who presented 10 years after primary treatment. The submaxillary gland was excised with preservation of the facial nerve.

We evaluated the prevalence of renal cell carcinoma of the native kidneys in renal transplant recipients as well as possible risk factors.A total of 129 consecutive renal transplant recipients underwent ultrasound examination of the native kidneys as part of a routine evaluation. A record was made of acquired cystic kidney disease, defined as 3 cysts or more, and of suspicious masses. When a malignancy was suspected radical nephrectomy was performed.The overall prevalence of renal cell carcinoma of the native kidney was 5 in 129 recipients (3.9%). All cancers were limited to the kidney. No significant relationship was detected between renal cell carcinoma occurrence and patient age, dialysis (when initiated, type and duration), transplantation, drug regimen or incidence of acquired cystic kidney disease.The risk of renal cell carcinoma, a clinically significant cancer, was approximately 100 times greater in our renal transplant patients than in the general population but no significant risk factor could be identified. Routine ultrasonography for early diagnosis in asymptomatic patients on immunosuppressive therapy is strongly recommended to improve prognosis.

Assessment of the pelvic lymph node status is a major concern in prostatic cancer staging. In spite of a normal abdominopelvic CT scan examination in patients with organ-confined disease, 7-30% will have lymph node metastases at pathological examination and will not benefit from radical prostatectomy. Laparoscopy enables pelvic lymph node dissection via a minimally invasive approach. Twenty-nine patients underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) for prostatic cancer staging. The average duration of the bilateral dissection was 90 +/- 40 min (range 35-180 min). One patient died of a stroke on postoperative day 1, without local complication. The peroperative complications were 1 injury of the external iliac vein, 1 ileal injury, 1 ureteral injury, all 3 (11%) requiring immediate or delayed laparotomy. One patient had a self-resolving bilateral obturator nerve paresis. A previously irradiated patient had perineal lymphedema for 4 weeks. The average number of lymph nodes removed was 8.4 +/- 3.4 (range 4-17) for bilateral LPLND. Five patients had lymph node metastases. The median length of stay for patients undergoing LPLND as a single procedure was 2 days (range 2-11 days). After an operational period, during which the complication rate was relatively high, we now consider LPLND as a safe and effective procedure for the staging of patients with organ-confined prostatic cancer, but considering the increased risk of complications during the application period, we do not encourage the generalization of this technique which should remain restricted to some particular strategies, as in combination with perineal radical prostatectomy.