Pneumatic Lithotriptor - A Useful Tool for Challenging Renal Stone Surgery

Open surgical measures may be undertaken in the treatment of some complex calculi and manoeuvres such as extended pyelolithotomy or nephrolithotomy may be necessary. In an attempt to improve surgical results with less morbidity and maximum ease, we used the Swiss Lithoclast to disintegrate large stones presenting as hard cases.Five patients with renal pelvic stones associated with calyceal stones in two and two further cases with staghorn stones were treated surgically using the pneumatic lithotriptor probe with less dissection and without nephrotomy. Only one of the patients with staghorn stones had residual fragments which were then treated with ESWL.We believe that when open surgical treatment is considered in hard cases, especially in those with small renal pelvises, the best results may be achieved with minimum surgical intervention if it is combined with pneumatic lithotripsy.     

Granulomatous interstitial nephritis in extrapulmonary sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder in which the lungs or intrathoracic lymph nodes are involved in more than 90% of patients with the disease. It occasionally involves kidneys most commonly due to disordered calcium metabolism. Granulomatous interstitial nephritis is a distinct renal pathology in sarcoidosis. Renal dysfunction due to granulomatous interstitial nephritis is rare. We recently encountered a sarcoidosis patient without hypercalcemia and any evidence of pulmonary involvement which is distinctly unusual.     

Renal cell carcinoma with solitary synchronous pancreaticoduodenal and metachronous periprostatic metastases: Report of a case

(Received for publication on Jan. 19, 1998; accepted on July 7, 1998)     

Biochemical analysis of total collagen content and collagen types I,III, IV,V and VI in gingiva of various periodontitis categories

Collagen is one of the chief components of the extracellular matrix of gingival connective tissue, where five different types have been identified to date. The molecular mechanism of collagen loss in periodontitis still needs to be explored. In the present study total collagen content was investigated in gingival connective tissue of adult periodontitis (AP) as well as early onset periodontitis patients (EOP) and clinically healthy subjects. Furthermore, collagen type I, III, IV, V andVI content was evaluated in gingival biopsies obtained from periodontitis patients. There was a statistically significant difference between AP (25.1 +/- 8.1 microg/mg) and EOP (15.6 +/- 4.0microg/mg) groups with regard to the total collagen content (P < 0.05). In the clinically healthy control group the total collagen content was 20.7 +/- 4.6microg/mg. Moreover, the distribution of collagen types exhibited variations in pooled homogenates of each periodontitis group. The total collagen loss seemed to be greater in the EOP patients than in the AP patients. When the ratio of fibril forming collagens to nonfibrillar collagens was evaluated, it seems to be decreased in AP patients in comparison to EOP patients. The findings of the present study suggest that different collagen types present in various periodontitis categories may be related with diverse pathogenic mechanisms acting in these diseases.     

Effects of a magnetic appliance in functional Class III patients

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a magnetic appliance in functional Class III patients. Standardized lateral head cephalograms and hand-wrist films of 10 subjects (mean age nine years seven months) were taken. These records were repeated after a period of one year, and the serial films were compared to determine the direction of facial growth as the control group. After this observation period, the magnetic appliance was placed in the 10 patients for approximately 9.4 months. The significant findings showed a posterior rotation of the mandible (x = 2.1 +/- 0.7 degrees), increased overjet (x = 4.8 +/- 0.3 mm), decreased overbite (x = -3.7 +/- 0.7 mm), protrusion of the upper incisors (x = 6.2 +/- 1.2 degrees), retrusion in the lower incisors (x = -0.6 +/- 0.3 degrees), reduced SNB angle (x = -1.8 +/- 0.8 degrees), increased ANB angle (x = 1.9 +/- 0.3 degrees), and an increased mandibular plane angle (x = 2.1 +/- 0.7 degrees). The results of this study indicate that the primary effect of magnetic appliance was the increase in the posterior rotation of the mandible.     

Using a modified nutrition plate for early intervention in a newborn infant with Pierre Robin sequence: A case report.

Pierre Robin sequence is a triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate that results in upper airway obstruction and feeding problems. It is a serious condition with potentially severe, life-threatening airway obstruction. Approaches for treatment of airway obstruction among neonates with Pierre Robin sequence include prone positioning of the infant, tongue-lip adhesion, mandibular distraction, and tracheostomy. This case report describes a modified nutrition plate and a baby treated using this appliance.     

Evaluation of the causes affecting the development of pruritus in patients with peritoneal dialysis

International Urology and Nephrology - Several factors play a role in the pathogenesis of pruritus in uremic patients. The pathophysiology is complex and many factors have been identified in these...     

Is Ischemia-Modified Albumin a Reliable Marker in Accurate Diagnosis of Appendicitis in Children?

World Journal of Surgery - Acute appendicitis is one of the most common abdominal emergencies. Despite all improvements in diagnostic techniques, there are still ongoing problems as proper...