Eosinophilic cystitis in a case presenting with an initial diagnosis of invasive bladder tumor

Eosinophilic cystitis is a rare condition of the bladder that presents with hematuria, dysuria and suprapubic tenderness. A case of eosinophilic cystitis presenting as an invasive bladder tumor is reported.     

Outcome of augmentation sigmoidocystoplasty in children with neurogenic bladder

PURPOSE: The role of augmentation cystoplasty in the neuropathic bladder has been well determined since clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) has been accepted as a treatment modality in voiding dysfunction. We present our clinical experience with sigmoid augmentation cystoplasty in children with neurogenic bladder disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1991 to 1997 sigmoid augmentation cystoplasty with modified clam technique was performed in 18 cases with neuropathic bladder pathologies. In 4 cases, ureteroneocystostomy was performed, 2 of whom were bilateral. Age range of these patients was 5-17 years (mean 10.3 years) and follow-up period was from 16 to 70 months (mean 41 months). RESULTS: Pyuria was detected in 10 cases and 2 of them were symptomatic. Clinical acidosis was detected in only 1 case. Fifteen cases (83%) were continent by using CISC with 4-6 hourly and detrusor pressure lower than 30 cm water at maximal bladder capacity. CONCLUSION: In children with neurogenic bladder pathologies refractory to conservative management, augmentation cystoplasty with CISC is an effective treatment modality in protecting the upper urinary tract and preventing incontinence.     

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic bladder neck suspension using hernia mesh and tacker

OBJECTIVES: To report our initial experience with extraperitoneal bladder neck suspension for female stress incontinence due to urethral hypermobility. METHODS: Between September 1996 and September 1999, 35 patients (mean age 49.5 years) underwent extraperitoneal bladder neck suspension at our institution. An extraperitoneal space was created by a trocar-mounted balloon device, and suspension was created using a 5-mm endoscopic hernia stapler and polypropylene mesh. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 39.5 minutes. In 2 patients, the bladder was inadvertently perforated during the bladder neck dissection. The perforation was repaired by laparoscopic suture ligation. The mean urethral catheterization and hospitalization time was 2.1 and 2.3 days, respectively. Urethral recatheterization because of temporary urinary retention was required in 11.4% of the patients. Symptoms of bladder instability were experienced by 13.5% of the patients in the early postoperative period. A total of 28 patients (80.0%) reported that they were totally dry after a mean of 23.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Extraperitoneal bladder neck suspension using hernia mesh and a stapler seems to be an effective and safe procedure, with a shorter operative time, in selected patient groups.     

Hemorrhagic risk factors during beta-lactam antibiotics therapy

Any type hemorrhagic manifestation may occur 12 hours to 5 weeks after the administration of beta-lactam antibiotics. The mechanisms of blood losses proved to be by: 1) immunologic thrombocytopenia (penicillins); 2) alteration of platelet functions (semisynthetic penicillins); 3) hypoprothrombinemia (cephalosporins). The risk factors for the occurrence of hemorrhage under beta-lactam antibiotics therapy are: concomitant administration of cytostatics for a neoplastic malignancy; b) acute or chronic renal failure; c) concomitant treatment for duodenal and gastric ulcer; d) malnutrition; e) dosage and duration of antibiotic administration. The frequency of bleeding under beta-lactams is not determined as yet. A severe case diagnosed at the IIIrd Medical Clinic of Iasi presenting spontaneous daily nasal bleedings that occurred 24 hours after the initiation of the treatment with cephalosporins (Kefurox) is presented. In this patient the risk factor was chronic renal failure.     

Phase angle from bioelectrical impedance analysis remains an independent predictive marker in HIV-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral treatment

BACKGROUND: Highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) reduces the risk of wasting in HIV infection and may alter the prognostic weight of wasting. The phase angle from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can be interpreted as a surrogate marker for the catabolic reaction to chronic HIV infection and opportunistic disease. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the prognostic ability of the phase angle in HIV-infected patients in the era of HAART. DESIGN: Two cross-sectional observation studies were conducted in 1996 and 1997 at a German university outpatient HIV clinic. In the 1996 and 1997 cohorts, HAART was prescribed to 17 of 212 and 168 of 257 patients at baseline and to 179 of 212 and 234 of 257 patients during observation, respectively. Whole-body BIA was assessed at 50 KHz. Time to clinical progression and survival were calculated by using Cox proportional hazard models with time-dependent covariates. Median observation times were 1000 and 515 d for the 1996 and 1997 cohorts, respectively. RESULTS: Higher phase angle was associated with a lower relative mortality risk, adjusted for viral load and CD4(+) cell count, of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.81) per degree in 1996 and of 0.33 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.61) in 1997. The influence of phase angle on time to clinical progression, adjusted for viral load and CD4(+) cell count, was not significant in 1996 but the relative risk was 0.58 (0.36, 0.83) in 1997. CONCLUSION: Despite the favorable effects of HAART on the nutritional status of HIV-infected persons, low phase angle remains an independent adverse prognostic marker of clinical progression and survival.     

Datenschutz innerhalb des länderübergreifenden Deutschen Zentralregisters für kindliche Hörstörungen

Zusammenfassung Das Deutsche Zentralregister für kindliche H?rst?rungen (DZH) verarbeitet bundesweit Daten von verschiedenen audiologischen Einrichtungen. Die Bew?ltigung der anfallenden Datenmengen, die nachfolgende Datenverwaltung und -analyse erfordern neben einer differenzierten und kontrollierbaren Verarbeitung ein H?chstma? an Datensicherheit. Vor allem die l?nderübergreifende Struktur eines Registers erfordert schon bei der Planung engste Zusammenarbeit mit dem zust?ndigen Landesdatenschutzbeauftragten und auch mit den Landesdatenschutzbeauftragten anderer beteiligter Bundesl?nder. Am Beispiel des DZH wird demonstriert, wie eine kooperative Zusammenarbeit pragmatisch realisiert werden kann. Besonderheiten bei der Datenerhebung, Datentransfer, Speicherung und L?schung von Daten, technische Datenschutzma?nahmen, Sicherstellung von Anonymit?t durch Codierungsstrategien, Duplikatsprüfung, Datentrennung und automatisierte Datenauswertung werden an Beispielen erl?utert. Eingegangen am 13. August 1997 Angenommen am 18. Dezember 1997