Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis: Are they related?

Interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome are clinical syndromes characterized by pelvic pain with or without voiding symptoms such as urgency and frequency. There are many similarities in their epidemiology, adverse effect on quality of life, etiology/pathophysiology, natural history, and response to similar treatments. However, overlapping clinical definitions and similar entrance criteria for large-scale cohort studies make comparisons problematic. Newer efforts to classify pelvic pain syndromes should help in our recognition that interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome likely are not organ-specific syndromes but urogenital manifestations of regional or systemic abnormalities.     

Combination of intermittent haemodialysis and high-volume continuous haemofiltration for the treatment of severe metformin-induced lactic acidosis.

Sir, Metformin has been used for many decades as an effective glucose-loweringmedication in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recentstudies clearly demonstrated that metformin reduced secondarycomplications of diabetes mellitus type 2 without promotingweight gain, which is in contrast to treatment with insulinand/or sulphonylurea [1]. Lactic acidosis is a serious sideeffect observed with metformin treatment and     

Clinical efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic properties of the factor VIII concentrate Haemoctin® SDH in previously treated patients with severe haemophilia A

Clinical efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic properties of the high-purity double-virus inactivated plasma-derived factor VIII concentrate Haemoctin SDH (pdFVIII) were evaluated in three prospective open-label uncontrolled studies in previously treated patients (PTPs) with severe haemophilia A. The pharmacokinetic properties assessed at baseline and after 3 months of treatment are in accurate accordance with published data and remain unchanged over time (study A, n = 12). Mean terminal elimination half-life was 11.8 and 11.9 h, mean incremental recovery (IU dL(-1)/IU kg(-1)) was 2.3 and 2.0, respectively. Long-term efficacy and safety, in particular the potential immunogenicity, were investigated in a total of 53 PTPs (studies A and B) treated prophylactically and on-demand, as required. PdFVIII has shown to be effective in preventing and controlling bleeding episodes; 23.5% of patients were free of bleeding events. A total of 177 haemorrhages occurred with 74.0% resolving after a single infusion, 87.6% within two infusions. 98.3% of responses reported on haemorrhages were rated as 'excellent' or 'good'. Moreover, 'excellent' haemostatic efficacy has been demonstrated in 10 surgical procedures including general and severe orthopaedic interventions (study C). No complication occurred in any surgery. Few adverse events were reported, one patient developed a high-titre FVIII inhibitor without clinical relevance. In all three studies, over 6 million units were administered in nearly 4300 infusions, approximately 94% units or infusions were given for prophylaxis and only 6% for treatment on-demand. In conclusion, pdFVIII has shown to be effective, safe and well tolerated in long-term prophylaxis and treatment on-demand as well as after minor and major surgical procedures.     

Image fusion of bone SPECT and CT - a specific diagnostic method in oral and maxillofacial surgery]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of image fusion of CT (computertomography) and bone SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) in diagnosis of head and neck cancer. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Computer based image fusion has been applied in 39 patients with suspected cancer in the oromaxillofacial region following CT and SPECT without any further hazard for the patients. Afterwards image fusion was set in comparision to simultaneously evaluation of CT and SPECT and histological findings. RESULTS: In 5 out of 39 patients SPECT/CT image fusion obtained more precise anatomical findings in tumour expansion than simultaneously evaluation of CT and SPECT. CONCLUSION: For planning of surgical and radiation therapy of oral and maxillofacial cancer, image fusion of CT/SPECT provides efficient and plastical diagnostic imaging. Particularly in complex anatomical regions like maxilla or base of the skull image fusion could be an additional device, if simultaneous evaluation of CT and SPECT is not clear.     

Indoor radon measurement with The Lucas cell technique

Rn-222 is the most important source of natural radiation and is responsible for approximately half of the received dose from all sources. Most of this dose is from inhalation of the Rn-222 progeny, especially in closed atmospheres. A Lucas cell technique, using a portable device, “PRASSI” (SILENA mod. 5S), for Rn-222 measurements inside the Centre for Radiation Protection and Radioecology (ZSR), Hannover University was used. The portable radon monitor PRASSI is suitable for radon gas continuous or grab sampling measurements with the scintillation cell technique. In recognition of the wide periodic variations in concentration, measurements were made daily for extended periods. At the same time, meteorological variables, such as temperature and humidity were observed so that their influence on radon levels could be evaluated. The radon average concentration during the year was about 55.9 Bq/m³ which gives rise to an annual effective dose 2.2 mSv y⁻¹. The radon concentration is within the limits prescribed by the International Commission for Radiation Protection. A detailed analysis of radon distribution with seasonal variation is presented.     

Coronary stenting for coronary artery narrowing in a heart transplant recipient

Transplant atherosclerotic coronary disease remains the leading cause of death in heart transplant recipients. We report the first case of coronary stent implantation in a heart graft for epicardial focal stenosis. Due to the lower rate of restenosis after stenting in the native coronary artery, we suggest that coronary stenting be considered an acceptable, first intention therapeutic option instead of angioplasty alone whenever possible.