Role of angiogenesis in bladder response to partial outlet obstruction

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a disease that has its etiology in the abnormal growth of the adult human prostate gland that accompanies the aging process in men. The symptomatic presentation of this disease, however, is related largely to degenerative changes in the bladder that occur as a result of the increasing urethral resistance and partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) caused by the growing prostate gland. BPH is characterized by bladder hypertrophy, significant decreases in urinary flow and compliance, presence of residual urine after voiding, voiding urgency and incontinence (). Obstructed bladder dysfunction secondary to BPH is a slow, progressive disease that is so strongly associated with human aging that it is an expected occurrence of the male aging process. Although the symptoms of BPH are usually not life threatening, they effect an extremely negative quality of life for men who suffer from them. However, many men delay seeking medical treatment for early BPH since bladder function can remain relatively normal as the hypertrophying bladder initially compensates for the progressive increase in urethral resistance caused by prostatic obstruction. The limited changes in micturition pressure and flow characteristics that occur during compensated function are not usually disabling enough to motivate seeking medical attention, which, often, is not sought until the symptoms become typical of advanced disease. Recent advances in detection methods enable identification of patients with significant BPH during compensation before the bladder becomes dysfunctional (decompensated). A more complete understanding of the disease processes that underlie the loss of bladder function associated with BPH might enable the development of treatments that better protect these early-stage BPH patients from the more debilitating aspects of the disease. This review updates the understanding of obstructive bladder dysfunction via the use of animal models.     

Fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents in the treatment of prostatitis and recurrent urinary tract infections in men

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most frequent cause for recurrent urinary tract infection in young and middle-aged men. The selection of an appropriate antimicrobial agent that has optimal pharmacokinetics for urine and prostatic secretion and tissue is important in both entities. Fluoroquinolones possess several pharmacologic characteristics that favor them for treatment of urinary tract infection and prostatitis. The pharmacokinetics of fluoroquinolones and the theoretical background of drug penetration into the prostate are outlined. Analyzing the concentrations of various fluoroquinolones in urine, prostatic and seminal fluid, and in prostatic tissue, it becomes obvious that the fluoroquinolones differ in plasma concentrations and in their concentrations at these sites. Nevertheless, overall, the concentrations at the site of infection of most of the fluoroquinolones should be sufficient for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis and vesiculitis and recurrent urinary tract infection in men caused by susceptible pathogens.     

Fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents in the treatment of prostatitis and recurrent urinary tract infections in men

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most frequent cause for recurrent urinary tract infection in young and middle-aged men. The selection of an appropriate antimicrobial agent that has optimal pharmacokinetics for urine and prostatic secretion and tissue is important in both entities. Fluoroquinolones possess several pharmacologic characteristics that favor them for treatment of urinary tract infection and prostatitis. The pharmacokinetics of fluoroquinolones and the theoretical background of drug penetration into the prostate is outlined. Analyzing the concentrations of various fluoroquinolones in urine, prostatic and seminal fluid, and in prostatic tissue, it becomes obvious that the fluoroquinolones differ in plasma concentrations and in their concentrations at these sites. Nevertheless, overall, the concentrations at the site of infection of most of the fluoroquinolones should be sufficient for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis and vesiculitis and recurrent urinary tract infection in men caused by susceptible pathogens.     

Benign prostatic hyperplasia as a frequent senile disease of the male

An adenofibromyomatous proliferation starting from the region of the periurethral glands is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is the result of a senile endocrinopathy, which leads to a disbalance of the peripheral hormonal milieu, and of an intraglandular disturbance of the utilization of the hormone. It becomes a disease when it is followed by an increase of the vesical outlet resistance and thus by an obstructive disturbance of the voiding of the urinary bladder. The indication for operation is determined by the degree of the obstruction and its pathophysiological sequelae as well as the complaints of the patients. The conservative therapy is above all symptomatic and indicated only at the initial stage of the disease. The transurethral resection is the operative therapy of choice. In very large hyperplasias the open surgical intervention may be necessary. In inoperable patients a urethral catheter should be renounced for a suprapubic puncture cystostomy. Also after operative ectomy of a benign prostatic hyperplasia the patients may fall ill with a carcinoma of the prostatic gland. Therefore, the duty for undergoing an annual preventive medical examination remains.     

Update on the use of dutasteride in the management of benign prostatic hypertrophy

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a frequent cause of lower urinary symptoms, with a prevalence of 50% by the sixth decade of life. Hyperplasia of stromal and epithelial prostatic elements that surround the urethra cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), urinary tract infection, and acute urinary retention. Medical treatments of symptomatic BPH include; 1) the 5α-reductase inhibitors, 2) the α1-adrenergic antagonists, and 3) the combination of a 5α-reductase inhibitor and a α1-adrenergic antagonist. Selective α1-adrenergic antagonists relax the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck without affecting the detrussor muscle of the bladder wall, thus decreasing the resistance to urine flow without compromising bladder contractility. Clinical trials have shown that α1-adrenergic antagonists decrease LUTS and increase urinary flow rates in men with symptomatic BPH, but do not reduce the long-term risk of urinary retention or need for surgical intervention. Inhibitors of 5α-reductase decrease production of dihydrotestosterone within the prostate resulting in decreased prostate volumes, increased peak urinary flow rates, improvement of symptoms, and decreased risk of acute urinary retention and need for surgical intervention. The combination of a 5α-reductase inhibitor and a α1-adrenergic antagonist reduces the clinical progression of BPH over either class of drug alone.     

Urinary disease in 2 Dogon populations with different exposure to Schistosoma haematobium infection: progression of bladder and kidney diseases in children and adults

BACKGROUND: Schistosoma haematobium infection causes severe urinary disease and considerable mortality. The factors that determine disease progression from mild to severe stages are not fully understood. METHODS: Here we describe a cross-sectional epidemiological study of kidney and bladder diseases in 2 Dogon populations with different exposure to S. haematobium infection. RESULTS: Early and high exposure resulted in more-severe disease, especially among young subjects, without clear evidence of a more-rapid development of immunity. Nevertheless, 50%-60% of subjects of all age classes in both villages showed no evidence of disease. Kidney and bladder disease peaked biphasically among young subjects and adults >25 years old. The first peak corresponded with infections of maximum intensity, whereas the second peak occurred among adults with infections of very low intensity. Kidney disease was correlated with circulating anodic antigen concentration in serum, whereas bladder disease was correlated with egg count and eosinophil cationic protein concentration in urine. Kidney and bladder disease did not correlate. Severe kidney disease was more frequent in certain families. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of urinary disease is increased by infections acquired early during life, is regulated by strong clinical immunity in certain subjects, and may be dependent on hereditary factors. Kidney and bladder disease may involve different mechanisms of pathogenesis, which may differ between children and adults.     

Auscultatory percussion of the urinary bladder

A volumetric study of the bladder was done in 170 adult male patients examined by auscultatory percussion. The upper border of the urinary bladder was defined and measured in reference to the symphysis pubis to gauge urinary volume. The findings were correlated with the urinary volumes obtained after the bladder had been emptied by voiding in 90 patients without urinary tract disease and in 42 patients who required catheterization. With a bladder level less than 2 cm, none of the patients had a full bladder or a urinary volume of 250 mL. Of the 55 patients with bladder levels of 3 cm or more, 53 patients had full bladders. Catheterizations were timely and avoided frequent and unnecessary catheterization. Residual urinary volumes estimated by auscultatory percussion in 12 patients with obstructive uropathy and 26 patients studied with indwelling catheters correlated closely with the catheterized urinary volumes. Full bladders, obstructive uropathy, and malfunctioning indwelling catheters were readily detected.     

Asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy with special reference to group B streptococci

The relationship between significant bacteriuria (SB), i.e. 2 subsequent voided urine specimens with greater than or equal to 10(5) colony forming units (CFU)/ml, and the occurrence of bacteria in the urinary bladder detected by bladder punction, was investigated in asymptomatic pregnant women. From 30 (70%) of the 43 women with SB studied, bacteria were isolated from the urinary bladder. The same bacteria were found in the bladders of all 21 women with Escherichia coli, the one with Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the one with Staphylococcus saprophyticus in midstream urine. Six of 10 patients with group B streptococci (GBS), 1 of 4 patients with Streptococcus faecalis, and none of 5 patients with Staphylococcus epidermidis in voided specimens had bacteria in the aspirated urine. Serotype III was isolated from 8/10 patients with SB caused by GBS. One child born to a woman with GBS SB but no bacteria in the urinary bladder, got early onset septicaemia. The poor predictive value of SB with GBS, S. faecalis and S. epidermidis necessitates the increased use of bladder puncture for diagnosis of true asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB), i.e. AB with bacteria in the urinary bladder. SB with GBS even without bacteria in the urinary bladder, may constitute a threat to the baby's health.     

Patterns of Schistosoma haematobium egg distribution in the human lower urinary tract. II. Obstructive uropathy

In a series of 32 unselected consecutive autopsies of Egyptian male adults, we found a significant prevalence of schistosomal obstructive uropathy (SOU) and of precursor lesions of stenosis, fibrosis and induration of the ureters (62.5%). Lower urinary tracts with obstructive uropathy had a significantly higher total egg burden (TEB) than did lower urinary tracts with any other type of gross lesion (i.e., benign prostatic hypertrophy, other urethral outlet obstruction, or SOU precursor lesions). In turn, lower urinary tracts with any type of gross change had higher egg burdens than did tracts which appeared grossly normal. Lower urinary tracts with any type of gross lesion had significantly larger seminal vesicles than did tracts which were grossly normal. Moreover, relative weight of seminal vesicles could be correlated with the S. haematobium egg burdens in the seminal vesicles. In a series of lower urinary tracts taken from unselected consecutive American autopsies, seminal vesicle weight could be correlated with increase in prostatic weight in those tracts with prostatic hypertrophy; the same correlation could not be found in tracts without prostatic hypertrophy. Thus, seminal vesicle hypertrophy appears to correlate with obstructive uropathy in general, not solely obstructive uropathy of schistosomal origin. Digital evaluation of seminal vesicle size may be useful in the clinical evaluation of such patients.     

经尿道电切术治疗老年女性膀胱颈梗阻

目的　临床观察经尿道电切术（ＴＵＲ）治疗老年女性膀胱颈梗阻的效果。方法　采用ＴＵＲ方法,以手术前后残余尿、尿流率等为评价指标。结果　２１ 例术后均自主排尿通畅。１８ 例无残余尿,余３ 例最多者仅１５．０ ｍ ｌ,术后３ ｗ 复查尿流率平均达２１．５ ｍ ｌ／ｓ,效果满意。结论　ＴＵＲ完全可代替开放性手术。强调在行６ 点处切割时勿切过深,以免造成膀胱阴道瘘。对后唇隆起者要铲平至与膀胱三角区成一水平;对膀胱颈各点均隆起者采用３、９ 点处切割时要将颈部纤维、肌肉完全切开至见到周围脂肪组织,才能收到良好的治疗效果。     

Differential diagnosis of urinary incontinence

Some degree of bladder instability is common in elderly people because aging changes in the portion of the frontal cortex concerned with micturition allow uninhibited bladder contractions. Although this in itself is not a cause of urinary incontinence, it may be an important predisposing factor and must be differentiated from all other causes. Stress incontinence occurs when the bladder outlet becomes incompetent because of weakness of the supporting pelvic muscles. Incontinence also can be a symptom of atrophic urethritis, acute cystitis, chronic bacteriuria, or bladder carcinoma. Overflow incontinence results from retention of urine, which can be caused by impacted feces, prostatic enlargement, autonomic neuropathy, or anticholinergic drugs. A complete history and thorough physical examination, with special attention to neurologic signs, vulval appearance, and rectal examination often will reveal the cause of urinary incontinence. If the cause is not readily apparent, cystometrography is indicated, and if the bladder is normal, cystoscopy should be done immediately. A more limited examination is acceptable only in demented patients who may not be able to cooperate in the examination and subsequent treatment.     

Sleep-disordered breathing as a mechanism for nocturia: preliminary findings

Nocturia is commonly associated with prostate or bladder problems but is also an important symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially lethal condition. The primary purpose of this study was to test the relationship between symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing and increased nocturnal urine production as described by the Sleep-Disordered Breathing--Nocturia Model. The purpose of the first phase of this three-phase study was to survey community-dwelling older adults (> 55 years) about nocturia and sleep-disturbance symptoms. A random sample of 1,000 older adults, balanced by ethnicity and gender, were surveyed via a mailed questionnaire. The brief questionnaire included characterizing poor sleep quality, obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, nocturia, lower urinary tract symptoms, naps, and self-rated health. The return rate was low (18%, n = 176), but respondents were equally represented by gender and ethnicity across the targeted age groups. Half of the respondents (n = 87) reported > or = 2 voids per night, two-thirds of whom reported nocturia as bothersome. The data showed that African-American women had significant associations between episodes of nocturia and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, poor sleep quality, naps, and lower urinary tract symptoms, thus failing to support the notion that nocturia or sleep-disordered breathing are prostate or gender related. As expected, subjects (n = 80) who volunteered for the later phases of the study, had significantly more problems. These preliminary data suggest that the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and nocturia is important because older adults are at higher risk of injury due to falls that may occur while attempting to toilet in the dark. Also, older adults may also be at higher risk of receiving inappropriate urologic treatment if they are not screened for sleep disorders when reporting nocturia along with symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep-disordered breathing. Phases II and III of the parent study will include a detailed examination of hormonal, biochemical, and physical variables to further test the proposed Sleep-Disordered Breathing--Nocturia Model.     

Hypercalciuria associated with pediatric prostatic calculi

Prostatic calculi, though common in adult men, are rare in children. We report three cases of pediatric prostatic calculi seen at our clinic that were associated with hypercalciuria and elevated urinary calcium/creatinine ratios. The patients had no symptoms from their prostatic calcification, but one patient had recurrent symptomatic renal calculi. In patients with prostatic calculi, determination of spot urine calcium/creatinine ratios is recommended. If significant hypercalciuria is found, treatment to prevent upper urinary tract calculi may be considered.     

Schistosomiasis, metaplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate: histogenesis of the squamous cancer cells determined by localization of specific markers

Histogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma in two prostates heavily affected by schistosomiasis was determined immunohistochemically by localization of two prostatic specific markers and keratin. The demonstration of prostatic specific antigen and keratin served to differentiate between metaplasia and squamous cell carcinoma associated with prostatic schistosomiasis from other prostatic and urinary bladder neoplasms.     

Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is commonly associated with bladder dysfunction, which is frequently reported to be the worst aspect of the disease. Patients may experience bothersome bladder symptoms early in the course, and this should be explored. If necessary, a formal evaluation of the lower urinary tract should be offered. The type of bladder dysfunction may also change with time, which highlights the need for continual follow-up assessments. Anticipated problems are incomplete bladder emptying and disorders with urine storage, which may occur simultaneously. This may lead to symptoms of overactive bladder and recurrent urinary tract infections. Conservative measures for management should be used initially while other sinister pathology is excluded. Newer treatments such as botulinum toxin A and neural stimulation techniques are replacing more invasive surgical procedures. Treatment approaches have been described and should be offered by teams who are familiar with patients having uro-neurological complaints.     

Kombinierte Stuhl- und Harninkontinenz

Background: Double (urinary and fecal) incontinence is relatively common in the elderly. 6% of men and 9.5% of women over 50 years suffer from combined urinary and fecal incontinence. 50% of males and 60% of females with fecal incontinence have concurrent urinary incontinence. The high rate of concurrence of urinary and fecal incontinence is due to an almost identical innervation of the urinary bladder and the rectum and the close vicinity and partial identity of the muscular sphincter mechanisms. Classification: There are two causal entities of double incontinence: 1. neurogenic disorders, 2. pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurogenic disorders can be classified in central and peripheral nervous lesions. Pelvic floor dysfunction can be due to nerve injury or direct muscular lesions. According to the International Continence Society, urinary incontinence is classified into five categories: 1. stress incontinence, 2. urge incontinence, 3. reflex incontinence, 4. overflow incontinence, 5. extraurethral incontinence. With respect to anal incontinence, the first four groups are important. Diagnosis: The diagnostic evaluation comprises meticulous history, physical examination including neuro-urological status, rectal and in females standardized pelvic examination, urinalysis, sonography of the kidneys and bladder after voiding (postvoid residual urine). In women, a transrectal ultrasound of the bladder, urethra and the pelvic floor is important and can replace lateral cystourethrography. In complex cases, dynamic NMR imaging is helpful. Functional investigations include urodynamic studies with uroflowmetry, filling and voiding cystometry and urethral pressure profiles and rectomanometry. Conclusion: For optimal therapy of double incontinence, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary.     

Staphylococcus saprophyticus as a common cause of urinary tract infections

Until the last decade, coagulase-negative staphylococci occurring in urine specimens were usually regarded as a contaminant. In the early 1970s, i.e., more than ten years after the original demonstration of Staphylococcus saprophyticus in urine specimens, this species became recognized as a frequent cause of urinary tract infections (UTI). In young women, S. saprophyticus is, after Escherichia coli, the second-most-frequent causative agent of acute UTI. Patients with UTI caused by S. saprophyticus usually present with symptomatic cystitis. Signs and symptoms of renal involvement are also often registered. The urine sediment of a patient with UTI caused by S. saprophyticus has a characteristic appearance microscopically. Chemical screening methods for bacteriuria do not always succeed in diagnosing UTI caused by S. saprophyticus. Even when such an infection occurs above the neck of the bladder, low numbers of colony-forming units (less than 10(5) cfu/ml) of S. saprophyticus are comparatively often found in the bladder and voided urine. S. saprophyticus is usually susceptible to antibiotics commonly prescribed for patients with UTI, with the exception of nalidixic acid. The bacterium has a capacity for selective adherence to human urothelium. It causes direct hemagglutination. The adhesin for S. saprophyticus is a lactosamine structure. This staphylococcal species produces an extracellular enzyme complex that can inhibit growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.     

超选择前列腺动脉栓塞联合经尿道前列腺切除术治疗体积>80 mL良性前列腺增生的临床疗效

目的比较超选择前列腺动脉栓塞(PAE)+经尿道前列腺切除术(TURP)与单纯TURP方案治疗前列腺体积>80 mL良性前列腺增生的疗效及安全性。方法回顾性分析我院2016年1月至2019年1月收治的84例体积>80 mL良性前列腺增生病人的临床资料,其中行单纯TURP治疗者44例为对照组,行超选择PAE+TURP治疗者40例为观察组。比较2组手术时间、切除病变组织重量和速率、膀胱持续冲洗时间、尿管留置时间、手术前后国际前列腺症状评分(IPSS)、生活质量(QOL)评分、最大尿流率(Qmax)、残余尿量(PVR)及术后并发症发生率。结果观察组手术时间、膀胱持续冲洗时间及尿管留置时间均显著少于对照组(P<0.05),切除病变组织重量和速率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。2组术后IPSS评分、QOL评分、Qmax及PVR水平差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组术后并发症发生率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论对于体积>80 mL良性前列腺增生病人,超选择PAE+TURP方案较单纯TURP方案能够有效缩短手术时间,提高组织切除效率,加快术后康复进程,缓解临床症状,改善膀胱功能和生活质量,并有助于降低术后并发症发生风险。     

兔不全梗阻性膀胱一氧化氮合酶神经和内皮素-1含量的改变及意义

目的　研究一氧化氮合酶 (NOS)神经、内皮素 (ET) - 1在兔不全梗阻性膀胱中的改变和意义。方法　运用 NADPH组织化学及放射免疫分析技术对 1 0只成年雄性新西兰白兔不全梗阻性膀胱及 1 0只同龄雄性新西兰白兔无梗阻性膀胱的兔血浆、尿液及膀胱平滑肌组织中 ET- 1和膀胱平滑肌中 NOS神经进行研究。结果　实验组兔膀胱体、膀胱颈部粘膜及膀胱体平滑肌 NOS神经均明显减少 (膀胱体粘膜为 P<0 .0 5,膀胱颈粘膜为 P<0 .0 1 ,膀胱体平滑肌为 P<0 .0 5) ;实验组较对照组血浆与尿液中 ET- 1含量均明显增高 (血浆 3 w组与血浆 6 w组均为 P<0 .0 5;尿液 3 w组与 6 w组均为 P<0 .0 0 1 ) ;实验组较对照组膀胱体部平滑肌组织 ET- 1含量明显升高 (P<0 .0 5)。结论　 NOS神经的减少和 ET- 1的上调对兔不全梗阻性膀胱的功能和结构变化具有一定作用 ,为梗阻性膀胱的病理生理变化提供了一个较为合理的解释。血浆、尿液中 ET- 1在兔不全梗阻性膀胱中的含量上调 ,并可作为膀胱出口梗阻诊断的重要参数。     

Critical review of the uroflowmetry

Uroflowmetry is the measurement of a urinary flow rate by using the flow meter. A urine flow rate is the volume of urine (millilitres) expelled from the bladder via the urethra per unit of time (second). It is expressed in ml/s.(1) Urine flow curve is the plot of velocity of the voided urine against time. The urine stream is affected by voiding pressure (detrusor power) and bladder outlet resistance. Therefore, uroflowmetry evaluates the interaction of the urinary bladder expelling strength and bladder outlet resistance. This is the initial, non-invasive urodynamic investigation for evaluation of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Although, it is very simple and widely used urodynamic test, the results are nonspecific and required caution interpretations. In the next few pages we will review some aspects of this test, i.e. brief history, equipment, indications, procedure itself and interpretation of the results.