“Close-loop” urethral obstruction: Clinico-radiological features and management consideration in a resource-constraint environment

ObjectiveTo document our observation of “close-loop” obstruction among patients with dual urethral obstruction from BPH and urethral stricture disease.Materials and MethodsThe hospital records of all patients that presented to our centres with evidences of urethral stricture co-existing with BPH were retrospectively reviewed from January 2007 to December 2011. Among other things, the salient features in the contrast radiograph of those with “close-loop” obstruction and their treatment were documented and analysed.ResultsForty three patients were managed for radiological evidence of urethral stricture and elevated bladder base (dual obstruction). Thirty (69.7%) of these patients had open prostatectomy with easy dilatation of the urethral stricture. Twelve (27.9%) of the patients had urethroplasty for urethral stricture diseases; of these twelve, five patients presented with persistent LUTS (“close loop” obstruction). These five (11.6%) patients were aged between 50 to 80 years; they all had suprapubic cystostomy. In addition to delineating the anatomy of the urethral stricture and elevated bladder base, other salient features on the contrast radiographies included dilated prostatic urethral, visualization of the seminal vesicles and closed bladder neck on voiding cystogram. The initial treatment was urethroplasty but two each had combination therapy (with alpha adrenergic blocker and 5-alpha reductase inhibitor) and open prostatectomy respectively as further treatment while the last patient had perineal urethrostomy as first-stage redo-urethroplasty.Conclusion“Close-loop” urethral obstruction appears to be an entity that needs further evaluation.     

Laparoscopic-Assisted Vesicocalicostomy for Severe Pelvi-Ureteral Stricture Disease

A 39-year-old female previously treated with shock wave lithotripsy developed extensive ureteral stricture disease. After 2 unsuccessful attempts at retrograde balloon dilatation, she was evaluated at our center for further management. Successful reconstruction was performed with laparoscopic-assisted vesicocalicostomy.     

球囊扩张治疗肾移植术后移植肾输尿管狭窄12例体会

目的探讨球囊扩张治疗肾移植术后移植肾输尿管狭窄的临床疗效。方法回顾分析我院于2009~2012年收治的12例肾移植术后移植肾输尿管狭窄患者的临床资料,根据狭窄情况采用球囊扩张法治疗,术后留置2根双J管6月。结果 12例患者肾积水均明显减轻,肾功恢复正常。结论球囊扩张治疗肾移植术后移植肾输尿管狭窄疗效确切,安全可靠。     

Holmium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser Endoureterotomy for Benign Ureteral Strictures: a Single-Centre Experience

Purpose: This study aimed to report the results of endoureterotomy for benign ureteral strictures using the holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser.

Material and methods: Nineteen patients (8 men and 11 women, mean age 51.47 years) underwent holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser endoureterotomy for benign ureteral strictures (8 proximal, 3 middle, and 8 distal) using semirigid ureteroscopy and 360-μm fibre at 1.2 J/pulse and 10 Hz. After completion of the incision, a 7-Fr double-J ureteral stent was left for 6 weeks. Thereafter, the patients were followed-up by ultrasound and/or intravenous urography at 36 monthly intervals.

Results: Success was defined as the absence of symptoms plus radiographic resolution of obstructions as assessed by diuretic renography and/or intravenous urography. With a mean follow-up of 40.2 months, success was achieved in 10 (52.6%) of the 19 patients. Nine patients developed recurrent strictures and were considered treatment failures. The stricture length and severity of hydronephrosis correlated with successful outcome, but gender, aetiology, side and location of strictures did not predict outcome.

Conclusions: Although endoureterotomy using a holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser has an equivocal outcome, the procedure is recommended as a safe, less invasive therapeutic option for the initial management of benign ureteral strictures.     

Safety and curative ability of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal cancers at least 50 mm in diameter

Background and Aim: Limited data are available regarding the use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal cancers ≥50 mm in diameter. The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and success of ESD for superficial esophageal cancers ≥50 mm. Methods: A total of 39 patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ≥50 mm were treated with ESD at Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases between January 2004 and April 2011, and were analyzed in a retrospective study. Results: En bloc resection was achieved in all patients. One mediastinal emphysema without perforation occurred during the procedure. Stricture developed in 11 of 39 patients, requiring a median of five endoscopic balloon dilatation procedures. Thirty‐three clinical epithelial or lamina propria mucosal cancers were treated by ESD with curative intent, of which invasion into the muscularis mucosa or deeper was detected in seven and lymphovascular involvement in three. The en bloc resection rate was 100% with a tumor‐free margin achieved in 92% of lesions. The curative resection and complication rates during ESD were 70% and 2.5%, respectively. Conclusion: ESD achieved a high en bloc resection rate of 92% with a tumor‐free margin. Curative resection rate of ESD in patients with clinical epithelial or lamina propria mucosal cancers was not low at 70%. However, the risk of stricture must be taken into account when considering the use of ESD in lesions ≥50 mm.     

Treatment of Urethral Stricture Disease by Internal Urethrotomy,Dilation, or Stenting

Management of urethral strictures depends on the characteristics of each individual case and remains a great challenge in reconstructive urology. Treatment of anterior urethral strictures usually starts with minimally invasive procedures, such as urethral dilatation or internal urethrotomy. The popularity of these methods is based on the simple application, the low complication rate, and the fact that most general urologists do not perform open urethroplasty. These methods offer faster recovery, minimal scarring, and fewer infections, although recurrence is always possible. Success depends on adequate vascularity within the underlying spongiosal tissue, which may substantially increase the failure rate. Because the recurrence rate has remained higher than it was in past decades, various modifications of urethral stricture treatment have been suggested, including laser urethrotomy and urethral stents. Since the late 1980s, two different approaches have been studied to prevent scaring contraction: permanent stent versus temporary stents left indwelling for a limited time and then removed. Although the first reports seemed to promise excellent outcomes, longer follow-up began to cast doubt on the usefulness of urethral stenting as a primary treatment modality for urethral stricture disease. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the published literature with respect to any new information on minimally invasive procedures in the treatment of urethral strictures.Patient summaryThe optimal indications for dilatation or internal urethrotomy are simple bulbar strictures <2 cm without spongiofibrosis or history of previous treatment. Recurrent urethral strictures after repeated interventions are usually more complex and can render the definite open urethral surgery more difficult.     

输尿管结石行体外冲击波碎石治疗后发生输尿管狭窄的危险因素分析

目的探讨输尿管结石经体外冲击波碎石治疗后发生狭窄的危险因素。方法收集2006年7月至2011年7月就诊于我院首次行体外冲击波碎石治疗的输尿管结石患者的临床资料,先对所取临床指标进行单因素分析,然后进行Logistic多因素回归分析。结果共收集行体外冲击波碎石的输尿管结石患者174例,其中发生术后输尿管狭窄的患者15例,狭窄发生率为8.62%,单因素分析显示:结石长径、肾积水程度、结石嵌顿时间以及碎石次数与术后输尿管狭窄发生相关,多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示:结石长径、肾积水程度以及碎石次数是患者发生输尿管狭窄的独立危险因素。结论对于肾积水程度较重、结石长径较大、预期碎石次数较多的输尿管结石患者,行体外冲击波碎石后发生狭窄的可能性相对较高,在治疗选择上应更加慎重,提倡选择体外冲击波碎石之外更加安全有效的治疗方式。