Dorsal free graft urethroplasty for urethral stricture by ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach.

PubMed

Asopa, H S; Garg, M; Singhal, G G; Singh, L; Asopa, J; Nischal, A

2001-11-01

To explore the feasibility of applying a dorsal free graft to treat urethral stricture by the ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach without mobilizing the urethra. Twelve patients with long or multiple strictures of the anterior urethra were treated by a dorsal free full-thickness preputial or buccal mucosa graft. The urethra was not separated from the corporal bodies and was opened in the midline over the stricture. The floor of the urethra was incised, and an elliptical raw area was created over the tunica on which a free full-thickness graft of preputial or buccal mucosa was secured. The urethra was retubularized in one stage. After a follow-up of 8 to 40 months, one recurrence developed and required dilation. The ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach for dorsal free graft urethroplasty is not only feasible and successful, but is easy to perform.

Pelvic fracture injuries of the female urethra.

PubMed

Venn, S N; Greenwell, T J; Mundy, A R

1999-04-01

To review pelvic fracture urethral injuries in women, generally regarded as rare and thus discussed infrequently. Twelve patients (age range 7-51 years) with such injuries were reviewed; most had associated injuries, generally more severe than seen in males with urethral injuries. Patients with milder injuries, perhaps damaging just the innervation of the urethra, presented with incontinence; more severe injuries seemed to cause a longitudinal tear in the urethra but again patients presented mainly with incontinence problems. The most severe injuries were associated with complete rupture of the urethra and a distraction defect suggesting an avulsion injury. These problems were difficult to treat both reconstructively and in providing continence. Pelvic fracture urethral injuries occur in females, but less often than in males. The female urethra seems relatively resistant to injury; differing degrees of severity of pelvic trauma cause different types of urethral injury but in general, a more severe injury is needed to damage it than is necessary in males.

Primary carcinoma of the distal male urethra: a case treated with lymphadenectomy and interstitial radiation therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ticho, B.H.; Perez-Tamayo, C.; Konnak, J.W.

1988-06-01

We report a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the distal male urethra with a single inguinal node metastasis. Treatment consisted of unilateral pelvic and inguinal lymphadenectomy, and a combined course of external beam and interstitial radiation therapy to the distal urethra and penis by the Henschke modification of the Paris technique.

Two-layer tissue engineered urethra using oral epithelial and muscle derived cells.

PubMed

Mikami, Hiroshi; Kuwahara, Go; Nakamura, Nobuyuki; Yamato, Masayuki; Tanaka, Masatoshi; Kodama, Shohta

2012-05-01

We fabricated novel tissue engineered urethral grafts using autologously harvested oral cells. We report their viability in a canine model. Oral tissues were harvested by punch biopsy and divided into mucosal and muscle sections. Epithelial cells from mucosal sections were cultured as epithelial cell sheets. Simultaneously muscle derived cells were seeded on collagen mesh matrices to form muscle cell sheets. At 2 weeks the sheets were joined and tubularized to form 2-layer tissue engineered urethras, which were autologously grafted to surgically induced urethral defects in 10 dogs in the experimental group. Tissue engineered grafts were not applied to the induced urethral defect in control dogs. The dogs were followed 12 weeks postoperatively. Urethrogram and histological examination were done to evaluate the grafting outcome. We successfully fabricated 2-layer tissue engineered urethras in vitro and transplanted them in dogs in the experimental group. The 12-week complication-free rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than in controls. Urethrogram confirmed urethral patency without stricture in the complication-free group at 12 weeks. Histologically urethras in the transplant group showed a stratified epithelial layer overlying well differentiated submucosa. In contrast, urethras in controls showed severe fibrosis without epithelial layer formation. Two-layer tissue engineered urethras were engineered using cells harvested by minimally invasive oral punch biopsy. Results suggest that this technique can encourage regeneration of a functional urethra. Copyright © 2012 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Variation of distances from mid-urethra to the obturator foramen: an MRI study

PubMed Central

Doumouchtsis, Stergios K.; Berger, Mitchell B.; DeLancey, John O.

2013-01-01

Introduction and hypothesis To estimate distances from the mid-urethra to the obturator foramina and to explore correlations between pelvic dimensions and body height. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a parent case–control study on the mechanisms of stress urinary incontinence. We measured pelvic dimensions on magnetic resonance images of women with (cases, n=50) and without (controls, n=50) stress urinary incontinence. Results The mean distance from mid-urethra to the obturator membrane among cases is 31.8 mm (left) and 32.1 mm (right), with a range from 25.9 to 42.0 mm. There were no significant differences in these distances when comparing left with right, or cases with controls. Weak correlation was found between the urethra-to-obturator foramina distances and heights only in the case subjects. Conclusion There is high variability in the distance from mid-urethra to the obturator foramina. Height should not be used as a predictor of dimensions in the lesser pelvis. PMID:22543545

Dorsolateral onlay urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures by a unilateral urethral mobilization approach.

PubMed

Singh, Bhupendra P; Pathak, Hemant R; Andankar, Mukund G

2009-04-01

For management of long segment anterior urethral stricture, dorsal onlay urethroplasty is currently the most favored single-stage procedure. Conventional dorsal onlay urethroplasty requires circumferential mobilization of the urethra, which might cause ischemia of the urethra in addition to chordee. To determine the feasibility and short-term outcomes of applying a dorsolateral free graft to treat anterior urethral stricture by unilateral urethral mobilization through a perineal approach. A prospective study from September 2005 to March 2008 in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Seventeen patients with long or multiple strictures of the anterior urethra were treated by a dorsolateral free buccal mucosa graft. The pendulous urethra was accessed by penile eversion through the perineal wound. The urethra was not separated from the corporal bodies on one side and was only mobilized from the midline on the ventral aspect to beyond the midline on the dorsal aspect. The urethra was opened in the dorsal midline over the stricture. The buccal mucosa graft was secured on the ventral tunica of the corporal bodies. Mean and median. After a follow-up of 12-30 months, one recurrence developed and 1 patient needed an internal urethrotomy. A unilateral urethral mobilization approach for dorsolateral free graft urethroplasty is feasible for panurethral strictures of any length with good short-term success.

Instrumented urethral catheter and its ex vivo validation in a sheep urethra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmadi, Mahdi; Rajamani, Rajesh; Timm, Gerald; Sezen, Serdar

2017-03-01

This paper designs and fabricates an instrumented catheter for instantaneous measurement of distributed urethral pressure profiles. Since the catheter enables a new type of urological measurement, a process for accurate ex vivo validation of the catheter is developed. A flexible sensor strip is first fabricated with nine pressure sensors and integrated electronic pads for an associated sensor IC chip. The flexible sensor strip and associated IC chip are assembled on a 7 Fr Foley catheter. A sheep bladder and urethra are extracted and used in an ex vivo set up for verification of the developed instrumented catheter. The bladder-urethra are suspended in a test rig and pressure cuffs placed to apply known static and dynamic pressures around the urethra. A significant challenge in the performance of the sensor system is the presence of parasitics that introduce large bias and drift errors in the capacitive sensor signals. An algorithm based on use of reference parasitic transducers is used to compensate for the parasitics. Extensive experimental results verify that the developed compensation method works effectively. Results on pressure variation profiles circumferentially around the urethra and longitudinally along the urethra are presented. The developed instrumented catheter will be useful in improved urodynamics to more accurately diagnose the source of urinary incontinence in patients.

Pubovaginal sling procedure for the management of urinary incontinence after urethral trauma in women.

PubMed

Woodside, J R

1987-09-01

Traumatic urethral injury in women occurs less frequently than in men and urinary incontinence is a serious potential complication in women. Two female patients are described in whom post-traumatic urinary incontinence resulted from either direct trauma to the urethra or from injury to the innervation of the urethra. Both patients were treated successfully with the pubovaginal sling procedure that directly compresses an incompetent proximal urethra.

Sensory feedback from the urethra evokes state-dependent lower urinary tract reflexes in rat.

PubMed

Danziger, Zachary C; Grill, Warren M

2017-08-15

The lower urinary tract is regulated by reflexes responsible for maintaining continence and producing efficient voiding. It is unclear how sensory information from the bladder and urethra engages differential, state-dependent reflexes to either maintain continence or promote voiding. Using a new in vivo experimental approach, we quantified how sensory information from the bladder and urethra are integrated to switch reflex responses to urethral sensory feedback from maintaining continence to producing voiding. The results demonstrate how sensory information regulates state-dependent reflexes in the lower urinary tract and contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiology of urinary retention and incontinence where sensory feedback may engage these reflexes inappropriately. Lower urinary tract reflexes are mediated by peripheral afferents from the bladder (primarily in the pelvic nerve) and the urethra (in the pudendal and pelvic nerves) to maintain continence or initiate micturition. If fluid enters the urethra at low bladder volumes, reflexes relax the bladder and evoke external urethral sphincter (EUS) contraction (guarding reflex) to maintain continence. Conversely, urethral flow at high bladder volumes, excites the bladder (micturition reflex) and relaxes the EUS (augmenting reflex). We conducted measurements in a urethane-anaesthetized in vivo rat preparation to characterize systematically the reflexes evoked by fluid flow through the urethra. We used a novel preparation to manipulate sensory feedback from the bladder and urethra independently by controlling bladder volume and urethral flow. We found a distinct bladder volume threshold (74% of bladder capacity) above which flow-evoked bladder contractions were 252% larger and evoked phasic EUS activation 2.6 times as often as responses below threshold, clearly demonstrating a discrete transition between continence (guarding) and micturition (augmenting) reflexes. Below this threshold urethral flow evoked tonic EUS activity, indicative of the guarding reflex, that was proportional to the urethral flow rate. These results demonstrate the complementary roles of sensory feedback from the bladder and urethra in regulating reflexes in the lower urinary tract that depend on the state of the bladder. Understanding the neural control of functional reflexes and how they are mediated by sensory information in the bladder and urethra will open new opportunities, especially in neuromodulation, to treat pathologies of the lower urinary tract. © 2017 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2017 The Physiological Society.

[Early operative treatment of pelvic fractures associated with urethral disruption].

PubMed

Jia, Jian; Guo, Lu-Zeng; Wu, Chang-Lin; Chen, Jia-Geng; Zhang, Tie-Liang; Pei, Fu-Xing

2007-02-15

To evaluate the early operative treatment and clinical results of pelvic fractures associated with urethra disruption. From January 1995 to January 2005, 25 patients suffered from pelvic fractures combined urethra disruption treated by operation were retrospectively analyzed. According to Tile's classification, 1 case was stable pelvic fracture, 17 rotational unstable fractures, and 7 rotational combined vertical unstable fractures. The complete urethra rupture were in 23 cases and incomplete in 2 cases. The operative methods included: (1) emergency open reduction and internal fixation of the pelvis combined primary urethra suturing in 2 cases, partial suturing after realignment in 4 cases, realignment in 2 cases, and urethrovaginal penetrating wound repairing in 1 case; (2) primary urethra realignment only and delayed (range, 7 to 21 days) pelvic internal fixation in 10 cases; (3) early cystostomy and delayed (range, 3 to 21 days) urethra realignment and pelvic internal fixation in 6 cases. The mean follow-up time of all patients was 34 months (range from 6 to 120 months). According to Majeed's evaluation, 17 cases of pelvic injury showed excellent results, 5 good, and 3 fare. After urinary catheter removed, the mean maximal urine flow rate of 19 (76%) patients was 18.6 ml/s and the mean scar length between both disrupted ends on the film of excretion urethrography was 0.51 cm. Five (20%) cases suffered in dysuria needed urethral dilatation or further surgery. One (4%) female could not control urination who need a second-look operation. The primary suprapubic soft tissue avulsion wound infection secondary to retropubic abscess was found in 1 case, posterior urethra-stenosis in 5 cases, sexual impotence in 3 cases, and incontinence in 1 case. The satisfactory reduction and effective fixation of the pelvic fractures is an anatomical basis for receiving "tension-free urethral anastomosis".

External Genital Development, Urethra Formation, and Hypospadias Induction in Guinea Pig: A Double Zipper Model for Human Urethral Development.

PubMed

Wang, Shanshan; Shi, Mingxin; Zhu, Dongqing; Mathews, Ranjiv; Zheng, Zhengui

2018-03-01

To determine whether the guinea pig phallus would be an appropriate model of human penile development, we characterized the embryology and sexual differentiation of guinea pig external genitalia and attended to induce hypospadias in males and tubular urethra formation in females pharmacologically. The external genitalia of guinea pig were collected from genital swelling initiation to newborn stages, and scanning electronic microscopy and histology were performed to visualize the morphology and structure. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the androgen receptor localization. Bicalutamide and methyltestosterone were given to pregnant dams to reveal the role and timing of androgen in guinea pig penile masculinization. Canalization and dorsal-to-ventral movement of the urethral canal develops the urethral groove in both sexes, and then the males perform distal-opening-proximal-closing to form tubular urethra. More nuclear-localized androgen receptor is found in proximal genital tubercles of males than in females at (E) 29. Antiandrogen treatment at E26-E30 can cause hypospadias, and methyltestosterone administration at E27-E31 can induce tubular urethra formation in females. Fetal development of the guinea pig phallus is homologous to that of humans. Although guinea pig has structures similar to mouse, the urethral groove and the tubular urethra formation are more similar to humans. Antiandrogen treatment causes hypospadias in males and additional androgen induces tubular urethra formation in females. Thus, guinea pig is an appropriate model for further study of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in distal-opening-proximal-closing in tubular urethra formation and the evaluation of the pathophysiological processes of hypospadias. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Transversal incision of the vagina favors the remaining of the tape in the middle-third urethra compared to longitudinal incision during transobturator sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Pirtea, L; Sas, I; Ilina, Razvan; Grigoraș, D; Mazilu, O

2015-07-17

To describe a new type of incision of the vagina during transobturator sling procedure and to evaluate by ultrasound the tape position at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. We conducted a prospective study including 51 patients with urinary stress incontinence who underwent sling procedure using the transversal vaginal incision. Tape position was evaluated by ultrasound at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and expressed as a percentage of the urethral length (the proximal third of the urethral length 0-39 %, the middle third 40-60 %, and the distal third 60-100 %). Informed consent was obtained from all patients prior to their inclusion in the study. All procedures have been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments and were approved by the Institutional Review Board and Ethical Committee of "Victor Babeş" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara before the beginning of the study (no 7/17.04.2012). At 3 months after surgery, 3.92 % of the slings were located in the proximal third of the urethra, 88.23 % in the middle third of the urethra and 7.84 % in the distal third. At 6 and 12 months after surgery we obtained similar results: 9.81 % of the slings were located in the proximal third of the urethra, 82.35 % in the middle third and 7.84 % in the distal third of the urethra. The transversal incision of the vagina offers a minimal dissection along the long axis of the urethra favoring the remaining of the tape in the middle third of the urethra.

Laboratory practical to study the differential innervation pathways of urinary tract smooth muscle.

PubMed

Rembetski, Benjamin E; Cobine, Caroline A; Drumm, Bernard T

2018-06-01

In the mammalian lower urinary tract, there is a reciprocal relationship between the contractile state of the bladder and urethra. As the bladder fills with urine, it remains relaxed to accommodate increases in volume, while the urethra remains contracted to prevent leakage of urine from the bladder to the exterior. Disruptions to the normal contractile state of the bladder and urethra can lead to abnormal micturition patterns and urinary incontinence. While both the bladder and urethra are smooth-muscle organs, they are differentially contracted by input from cholinergic and sympathetic nerves, respectively. The laboratory practical described here provides an experiential approach to understanding the anatomy of the lower urinary tract. Several key factors in urinary tract physiology are outlined, e.g., the bladder is contracted by activation of the parasympathetic pathway via cholinergic stimulation on muscarinic receptors, whereas the urethra is contracted by activation of the sympathetic pathway via adrenergic stimulation on α 1 -adrenoceptors. This is achieved by measuring the force generated by bladder and urethra smooth muscle to demonstrate that acetylcholine contracts the smooth muscle of the bladder, whereas adrenergic agonists contract the urethral smooth muscle. An inhibition of these effects is also demonstrated by application of the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine and the α 1 -adrenergic receptor blocker phentolamine. A list of suggested techniques and exam questions to evaluate student understanding on this topic is also provided.

A rubber tube in the bladder as a complication of autoerotic stimulation of the urethra.

PubMed

Stamatiou, Konstantinos; Moschouris, Hippocrates

2016-10-05

Self-insertion of foreign bodies in the urethra is most commonly associated with sexual or erotic arousal of adolescents with mental health disorders. Rarely it may practiced by healthy adults for masturbation. Migration of foreign bodies used for the abovementioned purpose from the urethra to adjacent organs is a relatively uncommon urologic problem that may cause serious complications which arose tardive. Presentation includes a variety of acute or chronic symptoms that depend of the underlying complications. The method of extraction depends on the shape, size and nature of the object and should be tailored according to the condition of the patient. In the present article we present a case of a rubber tube inserted to the urethra for erotic arousal purposes which migrated to the bladder during masturbation.

Sperm release pathway

MedlinePlus Videos and Cool Tools

... organs include the testes, epididymis, urethra, vas deferens, prostate gland, seminal vesicle, and penis. The testes are ... ducts toward the urethra, passing first by the prostate gland, where a milky fluid is added to ...

A transpubic approach for reconstructive surgery of genitourinary injuries and congenital malformations.

PubMed

Kaliciński, Z H; Bokwa, T; Perdzyński, W; Zarzycka-Szcerbowska, E; Harnik, M; Rybałko, W

1997-09-01

Four children were operated on by the transpubic approach for injury to the vagina or urethra and to correct malformations within the pelvis minor. One boy had posttraumatic stricture of the urethra, and a girl presented with disruption of the urethra and vagina. One of two boys who had congenital malformations was treated for epispadias and incontinence; the other for a large urethral diverticulum caused by anal atresia. Total reconstruction was achieved, and no complications of symphysis restoration were observed.

Dosimetric evaluation of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy boost treatments for localized prostate cancer.

PubMed

Fröhlich, Georgina; Agoston, Péter; Lövey, József; Somogyi, András; Fodor, János; Polgár, Csaba; Major, Tibor

2010-07-01

To quantitatively evaluate the dose distributions of high-dose-rate (HDR) prostate implants regarding target coverage, dose homogeneity, and dose to organs at risk. Treatment plans of 174 implants were evaluated using cumulative dose-volume histograms (DVHs). The planning was based on transrectal ultrasound (US) imaging, and the prescribed dose (100%) was 10 Gy. The tolerance doses to rectum and urethra were 80% and 120%, respectively. Dose-volume parameters for target (V90, V100, V150, V200, D90, D(min)) and quality indices (DNR [dose nonuniformity ratio], DHI [dose homogeneity index], CI [coverage index], COIN [conformal index]) were calculated. Maximum dose in reference points of rectum (D(r)) and urethra (D(u)), dose to volume of 2 cm(3) of the rectum (D(2ccm)), and 0.1 cm(3) and 1% of the urethra (D(0.1ccm) and D1) were determined. Nonparametric correlation analysis was performed between these parameters. The median number of needles was 16, the mean prostate volume (V(p)) was 27.1 cm(3). The mean V90, V100, V150, and V200 were 99%, 97%, 39%, and 13%, respectively. The mean D90 was 109%, and the D(min) was 87%. The mean doses in rectum and urethra reference points were 75% and 119%, respectively. The mean volumetric doses were D(2ccm) = 49% for the rectum, D(0.1ccm) = 126%, and D1 = 140% for the urethra. The mean DNR was 0.37, while the DHI was 0.60. The mean COIN was 0.66. The Spearman rank order correlation coefficients for volume doses to rectum and urethra were R(D(r),D(2ccm)) = 0.69, R(D(u),D0.(1ccm)) = 0.64, R(D(u),D1) = 0.23. US-based treatment plans for HDR prostate implants based on the real positions of catheters provided acceptable dose distributions. In the majority of the cases, the doses to urethra and rectum were kept below the defined tolerance levels. For rectum, the dose in reference points correlated well with dose-volume parameters. For urethra dose characterization, the use of D1 volumetric parameter is recommended.

MRI micturating urethrography for improved urethral delineation in prostate radiotherapy planning: a case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rai, Robba; Sidhom, Mark; Lim, Karen; Ohanessian, Lucy; Liney, Gary P.

2017-04-01

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy is used in prostate cancer to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumour over a small number of treatments. This involves the simulation of the patient using both CT and MRI. Current practice is to insert an indwelling catheter (IDC) during CT to assist with visualisation of the urethra and subsequently minimise dose to this highly critical structure. However, this procedure is invasive and has an associated risk of infection. This is a case study, which demonstrates our initial experience of using a real-time non-invasive MRI technique to replace the use of IDC for prostate cancer patients. The patient was scanned on a dedicated 3T MRI and was instructed to micturate in their own time whereupon a sagittal T2 weighted HASTE sequence was acquired every 5 s. This was subsequently followed by T2 weighted axial imaging at the level of mid prostate to provide improved urethral definition. Acquired images showed bladder voidance in real-time and an increase in signal intensity in the proximal urethra post voiding allowing for delineation of the urethra. The dimension and shape of the proximal urethra was well visualised and accumulation time of urine in the urethra was sufficient to enable optimum timing of the scanning technique. We have presented for the first time a micturating urethography technique using MRI, which has allowed us to visualise the urethra without contrast and with minimal invasiveness to the patient.

Tape functionality: sonographic tape characteristics and outcome after TVT incontinence surgery.

PubMed

Kociszewski, Jacek; Rautenberg, Oliver; Perucchini, Daniele; Eberhard, Jakob; Geissbühler, Verena; Hilgers, Reinhard; Viereck, Volker

2008-01-01

To investigate tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) position and shape using ultrasound (US) and correlate the findings to outcome. The results of TVT surgery were investigated in 72 women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence. The main outcome parameters were US tape position in relation to the urethra and dynamic changes in TVT shape at rest and during straining. Sixty-two patients (86%) were continent, 6 (8%) significantly improved, and the operation failed in four cases (6%). The median tape position was at 66% of the urethral length measured by US. The median tape-urethra-lumen distance was 3.8 mm at rest. Tape placement in the upper or lower quarter of the urethra was associated with a higher failure rate. Tapes positioned less than 3 mm from the urethra significantly increased postoperative complications (P < 0.0001). The tape was flat at rest and curved during straining in 44 (61%) patients; 98% (43/44) of these women were continent after surgery. An unchanged tape shape was associated with a poorer outcome (P = 0.00038). Patients with a flat tape at rest and during straining failed in 25% and patients with a permanent curved shape in 10%. TVT position relative to the patient's urethra seems to play a role in treatment outcome. Outcome was best in patients with dynamic change in tape shape during straining and location of the tape at the junction between the lower and middle urethra and at least 3 mm from the urethral lumen. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of androgen signaling underlie sexual differentiation and congenital malformations of the urethra and vagina

PubMed Central

Larkins, Christine E.; Enriquez, Ana B.; Cohn, Martin J.

2016-01-01

Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are congenital anomalies that affect sexual differentiation of genitourinary organs and secondary sex characters. A common cause of female genital virilization is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), in which excess androgen production during development of 46XX females can result in vaginal atresia, masculinization of the urethra, a single urogenital sinus, and clitoral hypertrophy or ambiguous external genitalia. Development of the vagina depends on sexual differentiation of the urogenital sinus ridge, an epithelial thickening that forms where the sex ducts attach to the anterior urethra. In females, the sinus ridge descends posteriorly to allow the vaginal opening to form in the vulva, whereas in males and in females with CAH, androgens inhibit descent of the sinus ridge. The mechanisms that regulate development of the female urethra and vagina are largely unknown. Here we show that the timing and duration of, and the cell population targeted by, androgen signaling determine the position of vaginal attachment to the urethra. Manipulations of androgen signaling in utero reveal a temporal window of development when sinus ridge fate is determined. Cell type-specific genetic deletions of androgen receptor (Ar) identify a subpopulation of mesenchymal cells that regulate sinus ridge morphogenesis. These results reveal a common mechanism that coordinates development of the vagina and feminization of the urethra, which may account for development of a single urogenital sinus in females exposed to excessive androgen during a critical period of prenatal development. PMID:27821748

Spatiotemporal dynamics of androgen signaling underlie sexual differentiation and congenital malformations of the urethra and vagina.

PubMed

Larkins, Christine E; Enriquez, Ana B; Cohn, Martin J

2016-11-22

Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are congenital anomalies that affect sexual differentiation of genitourinary organs and secondary sex characters. A common cause of female genital virilization is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), in which excess androgen production during development of 46XX females can result in vaginal atresia, masculinization of the urethra, a single urogenital sinus, and clitoral hypertrophy or ambiguous external genitalia. Development of the vagina depends on sexual differentiation of the urogenital sinus ridge, an epithelial thickening that forms where the sex ducts attach to the anterior urethra. In females, the sinus ridge descends posteriorly to allow the vaginal opening to form in the vulva, whereas in males and in females with CAH, androgens inhibit descent of the sinus ridge. The mechanisms that regulate development of the female urethra and vagina are largely unknown. Here we show that the timing and duration of, and the cell population targeted by, androgen signaling determine the position of vaginal attachment to the urethra. Manipulations of androgen signaling in utero reveal a temporal window of development when sinus ridge fate is determined. Cell type-specific genetic deletions of androgen receptor (Ar) identify a subpopulation of mesenchymal cells that regulate sinus ridge morphogenesis. These results reveal a common mechanism that coordinates development of the vagina and feminization of the urethra, which may account for development of a single urogenital sinus in females exposed to excessive androgen during a critical period of prenatal development.

Autonomic innervation of the muscles in the wall of the bladder and proximal urethra of male rats.

PubMed Central

Watanabe, H; Yamamoto, T Y

1979-01-01

The muscular coat of the body of the rat bladder is innervated almost exclusively by cholinergic endings:adrenergic endings are rare. In the inner longitudinal muscle layer of the proximal urethra, 53% of 310 autonomic nerve endings observed in close relation to the smooth muscle cells were adrenergic and the remaining 47% cholinergic. The middle circular muscle layer of the proximal urethra was innervated predominantly by adrenergic endings: in this layer 86% of the total of 335 endings examined wre regarded as adrenergic. A similar predominantly adrenergic innervation was noted in the outer longitudinal layer of the proximal urethra. A number of striated muscle fibres arose from the outermost striated muscle layer of the proximal urethra and intruded deeply into the outer and middle smooth muscle layers. These intruding striated muscle fibres also received direct autonomic (mostly adrenergic) innervation. The significance of these findings in relation to the physiology of the lower urinary tracts is discussed. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Fig. 13 Fig. 14 Fig. 15 Fig. 16 PMID:489473

Elastic fibres in the vesicourethral junction and urethra of the guinea pig: quantification with computerised image analysis

PubMed Central

DASS, NARINDER; McMURRAY, GORDON; BRADING, ALISON F.

1999-01-01

Elastic fibres, which are intimately associated with collagen, a major component of the urethra, have been assumed to contribute to the resting urethral closure pressure. The Miller stain for elastin was used to demonstrate elastic fibres in cryostat sections of guinea pig bladder base, vesicourethral junction (VUJ) and urethra. Computerised image analysis was employed to objectively quantify these fibres. Both male and female guinea pigs showed significantly greater amounts of circularly disposed elastic fibres in the VUJ than in the other 2 regions examined. This particular disposition of fibres may be responsible for imparting resiliency and plasticity to the VUJ, allowing it to distend and recoil repeatedly in response to urine outflow. Furthermore, the elastic fibres may be partly responsible for the passive occlusive force in this region. Elastic fibres in the distal urethra were not quantified because of their relative paucity. Sagittal sections of the urethra revealed a mass of longitudinally arranged elastic fibres localised almost exclusively within the mucosa, submucosa and longitudinal smooth muscle layer. Functionally, this arrangement may exist to facilitate urethral length changes that occur in micturition. PMID:10580860

Re-epithelialization resulted from prostate basal cells in canine prostatic urethra may represent the ideal healing method after two-micron laser resection of the prostate

PubMed Central

Cao, Ying; Luo, Guang-Heng; Luo, Lei; Yang, Xiu-Shu; Hu, Jian-Xin; Shi, Hua; Huang, Ping; Sun, Zhao-Lin; Xia, Shu-Jie

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study is to characterize the re-epithelialization of wound healing in canine prostatic urethra and to evaluate the effect of this re-epithelialization way after two-micron laser resection of the prostate (TmLRP). TmLRP and partial bladder neck mucosa were performed in 15 healthy adult male crossbred canines. Wound specimens were harvested at 3 days, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after operation, respectively. The histopathologic characteristics were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression of cytokeratin 14 (CK14), CK5, CK18, synaptophysin (Syn), chromogranin A (CgA), uroplakin, transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), and TGF-β type II receptor in prostatic urethra wound were examined by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Van Gieson staining was performed to determine the expression of collagen fibers in prostatic urethra and bladder neck would. The results showed that the re-epithelialization of the prostatic urethra resulted from the mobilization of proliferating epithelial cells from residual prostate tissue under the wound. The proliferating cells expressed CK14, CK5, but not CK18, Syn, and CgA and re-epithelialize expressed uroplakin since 3 weeks. There were enhanced TGF-β1 and TGF-β type II receptor expression in proliferating cells and regenerated cells, which correlated with specific phases of re-epithelialization. Compared with the re-epithelialization of the bladder neck, re-epithelialization of canine prostatic urethra was faster, and the expression of collagen fibers was relatively low. In conclusion, re-epithelialization in canine prostatic urethra resulted from prostate basal cells after TmLRP and this re-epithelialization way may represent the ideal healing method from anatomic repair to functional recovery after injury. PMID:25652631

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - Series (image)

MedlinePlus

The prostate gland is an organ that surrounds the urinary urethra in men. It secretes fluid that mixes with ... An enlarged prostate gland compresses the urethra, causing problems with ... is caused by prostate gland overgrowth (benign prostatic ...

Uro-words making history: ureter and urethra.

PubMed

Marx, Franz Josef; Karenberg, Axel

2010-06-15

We comprehensively review the history of the terms "ureter" and "urethra" from 700 BC to the present. Using a case study approach, ancient medical texts were analyzed to clarify the etymology and use of both terms. In addition, selected anatomy textbooks from the 15th to 17th centuries were searched to identify and compare descriptions, illustrations, and various expressions used by contemporary authors to designate the upper and lower parts of the urinary tract. The Ancient Greek words "ureter" and "urethra" appear early in Hippocratic and Aristotelian writings. However, both terms designated what we today call the urethra. It was only with increasing anatomical knowledge in Greek medical texts after the 1st century AD that definitions of these words evolved similar to those we employ today. Numerous synonyms were used which served as a basis for translation into Arabic and later Latin during the transfer of ancient knowledge to the cultures of the medieval period. When Greek original texts and their Arabic-Latin version were compared during the Renaissance, this led to terminological confusion which could only be gradually overcome. Around the year 1600, the use of the latinized terms "ureter" and "urethra" became generally accepted. The dissemination of these terms in modern national languages and the emergence of clinical derivatives complete this historical development. The history of the terms "ureter" and "urethra" is exemplary of the difficulties with which the development of a precise urologic terminology had to struggle. The story behind the words also clarifies why even today we still have imprecise or misleading terms.

SU-E-T-12: A Comparative Dosimetric Study of Pre and Post Prostate Iodine-125 Permanent Seed Implants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, X; Rahimian, J; Goy, B

Purpose: Post-implant dosimetry has become the gold standard for prostate implant evaluation. The goal of this research is to compare the dosimetry between pre-plan and post-plan in permanent prostate seed implant brachytherapy. Methods: A retrospective study of 91 patients treated with Iodine-125 prostate seed implant between year 2012∼2014 were performed. All plans were created using a VariSeed 8.0 planning system. Pre-plan ultrasound images were acquired using 0.5 cm slice thickness. Post-plan CT images acquired about 1–4 weeks after implant, fused with the preplan ultrasound images. The prostate and urethra contours were generated using the fusion of ultrasound and CT images.more » Iodine-125 seed source activities varied between 0.382 to 0.414 mCi per seed. The loading patterns varied slightly between patients depending on the prostate size. Statistical analysis of pre and post plans for prostate and urethra volumes, V100%, V150% and D90, and urethra D10 were performed and reported. Results: The pre and post implant average prostate size was 36.90cc vs. 38.58cc; V100% was 98.33% vs. 96.89%; V150% was 47.09% vs. 56.95%; D90 was 116.35Gy vs. 116.12Gy, urethra volume was 1.72cc vs. 1.85cc, urethra D10% was 122.0% vs. 135.35%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the pre and post-plan values for D90(p-value=0.43). However, there are significant differences between other parameters most likely due to post surgical edema; prostate size (p-value= 0.00015); V100% (p-value=3.7803E-07); V150% (p-value=1.49E-09); urethra volume (p-value= 2.77E-06); Urethra D10 (p-value=7.37E-11). Conclusion: The post-plan dosimetry using CT image set showed similar D90 dose coverage to the pre-plan using the ultrasound image dataset. The study showed that our prostate seed implants have consistently delivered adequate therapeutic dose to the prostate while sparing urethra. Future studies to correlate dose versus biochemical response using patients’ PSA values as well as patients’ survival are warranted.« less

3D bioprinting of urethra with PCL/PLCL blend and dual autologous cells in fibrin hydrogel: An in vitro evaluation of biomimetic mechanical property and cell growth environment.

PubMed

Zhang, Kaile; Fu, Qiang; Yoo, James; Chen, Xiangxian; Chandra, Prafulla; Mo, Xiumei; Song, Lujie; Atala, Anthony; Zhao, Weixin

2017-03-01

Urethral stricture is a common condition seen after urethral injury. The currently available treatments are inadequate and there is a scarcity of substitute materials used for treatment of urethral stricture. The traditional tissue engineering of urethra involves scaffold design, fabrication and processing of multiple cell types. In this study, we have used 3D bioprinting technology to fabricate cell-laden urethra in vitro with different polymer types and structural characteristics. We hypothesized that use of PCL and PLCL polymers with a spiral scaffold design could mimic the structure and mechanical properties of natural urethra of rabbits, and cell-laden fibrin hydrogel could give a better microenvironment for cell growth. With using an integrated bioprinting system, tubular scaffold was formed with the biomaterials; meanwhile, urothelial cells (UCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were delivered evenly into inner and outer layers of the scaffold separately within the cell-laden hydrogel. The PCL/PLCL (50:50) spiral scaffold demonstrated mechanical properties equivalent to the native urethra in rabbit. Evaluation of the cell bioactivity in the bioprinted urethra revealed that UCs and SMCs maintained more than 80% viability even at 7days after printing. Both cell types also showed active proliferation and maintained the specific biomarkers in the cell-laden hydrogel. These results provided a foundation for further studies in 3D bioprinting of urethral constructs that mimic the natural urethral tissue in mechanical properties and cell bioactivity, as well a possibility of using the bioprinted construct for in vivo study of urethral implantation in animal model. The 3D bioprinting is a new technique to replace traditional tissue engineering. The present study is the first demonstration that it is feasible to create a urethral construct. Two kinds of biomaterials were used and achieved mechanical properties equivalent to that of native rabbit urethra. Bladder epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells were loaded in hydrogel and maintained sufficient viability and proliferation in the hydrogel. The highly porous scaffold could mimic a natural urethral base-membrane, and facilitate contacts between the printed epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells on both sides of the scaffold. These results provided a strong foundation for future studies on 3D bioprinted urethra. Copyright © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inadvertent positioning of suprapubic catheter in urethra: a serious complication during change of suprapubic cystostomy in a spina bifida patient - a case report

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Introduction Spinal cord injury patients are at risk for developing unusual complications such as autonomic dysreflexia while changing suprapubic cystostomy. We report a male patient with spina bifida in whom the Foley catheter was placed in the urethra during change of suprapubic cystostomy with serious consequences. Case presentation A male patient, born in 1972 with spina bifida and paraplaegia, underwent suprapubic cystostomy in 2003 because of increasing problems with urethral catheter. The patient would come to spinal unit for change of suprapubic catheter every four to six weeks. Two days after a routine catheter change in November 2009, this patient woke up in the morning and noticed that the suprapubic catheter had come out. He went straight to Accident and Emergency. The suprapubic catheter was changed by a health professional and this patient was sent home. But the suprapubic catheter did not drain urine. This patient developed increasing degree of pain and swelling in suprapubic region. He did not pass any urine per urethra. He felt sick and came to spinal unit five hours later. About twenty ml of contrast was injected through suprapubic catheter and X-rays were taken. The suprapubic catheter was patent; the catheter was not blocked. The Foley catheter could be seen going around in a circular manner through the urinary bladder into the urethra. The contrast did not opacify urinary bladder; but proximal urethra was seen. The tip of Foley catheter was lying in proximal urethra. The balloon of Foley catheter had been inflated in urethra. When the balloon of Foley catheter was deflated, this patient developed massive bleeding per urethra. A sterile 22 French Foley catheter was inserted through suprapubic track. The catheter drained bloody urine. He was admitted to spinal unit and received intravenous fluids and meropenem. Haematuria subsided after 48 hours. The patient was discharged home a week later in a stable condition. Conclusion This case shows that serious complications can occur during change of suprapubic catheter in patients with neuropathic bladder. After inserting a new catheter, health professionals should observe spinal cord injury patients for at least thirty minutes and ensure that (1) suprapubic catheter drains clear urine; (2) patients do not develop abdominal spasm or discomfort; (3) symptoms and signs of sepsis or autonomic dysreflexia are absent. PMID:20062546

Inadvertent positioning of suprapubic catheter in urethra: a serious complication during change of suprapubic cystostomy in a spina bifida patient - a case report.

PubMed

Vaidyanathan, Subramanian; Hughes, Peter L; Soni, Bakul M; Oo, Tun; Singh, Gurpreet

2009-12-22

Spinal cord injury patients are at risk for developing unusual complications such as autonomic dysreflexia while changing suprapubic cystostomy. We report a male patient with spina bifida in whom the Foley catheter was placed in the urethra during change of suprapubic cystostomy with serious consequences. A male patient, born in 1972 with spina bifida and paraplaegia, underwent suprapubic cystostomy in 2003 because of increasing problems with urethral catheter. The patient would come to spinal unit for change of suprapubic catheter every four to six weeks. Two days after a routine catheter change in November 2009, this patient woke up in the morning and noticed that the suprapubic catheter had come out. He went straight to Accident and Emergency. The suprapubic catheter was changed by a health professional and this patient was sent home. But the suprapubic catheter did not drain urine. This patient developed increasing degree of pain and swelling in suprapubic region. He did not pass any urine per urethra. He felt sick and came to spinal unit five hours later. About twenty ml of contrast was injected through suprapubic catheter and X-rays were taken. The suprapubic catheter was patent; the catheter was not blocked. The Foley catheter could be seen going around in a circular manner through the urinary bladder into the urethra. The contrast did not opacify urinary bladder; but proximal urethra was seen. The tip of Foley catheter was lying in proximal urethra. The balloon of Foley catheter had been inflated in urethra. When the balloon of Foley catheter was deflated, this patient developed massive bleeding per urethra. A sterile 22 French Foley catheter was inserted through suprapubic track. The catheter drained bloody urine. He was admitted to spinal unit and received intravenous fluids and meropenem. Haematuria subsided after 48 hours. The patient was discharged home a week later in a stable condition. This case shows that serious complications can occur during change of suprapubic catheter in patients with neuropathic bladder. After inserting a new catheter, health professionals should observe spinal cord injury patients for at least thirty minutes and ensure that (1) suprapubic catheter drains clear urine; (2) patients do not develop abdominal spasm or discomfort; (3) symptoms and signs of sepsis or autonomic dysreflexia are absent.

[Ultrasonography of the lower urethra in male sheep lambs].

PubMed

AlLugami, Ammar; von Pückler, Kerstin; Sickinger, Marlene

2018-06-01

In male small ruminants, voiding disturbances are not uncommon. A precise knowledge of the underlying disease is essential for prognostic evaluation as well as for a decision concerning the therapeutic approach. Common reasons for voiding disturbances in the male small ruminant are obstructive urolithiasis, traumata of the penis or inflammatory processes within the urethra or urinary bladder. The diagnostic method of choice - in addition to clinical examination - is diagnostic imaging. Because radiology is not always possible under field conditions, the aim of this article is a detailed presentation of ultrasonography of the distal urethra of the male lamb. Schattauer GmbH.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the urethra/Cowper's gland with concurrent high-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma: a detailed clinicopathologic case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Zhang, Miao; Pettaway, Curtis; Vikram, Raghu; Tamboli, Pheroze

2016-12-01

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the urethra is uncommon with only 9 cases reported in the medical literature; all tumors arose from Cowper's glands. Herein, we report the histological features and immunohistochemical characteristics of 1 patient with primary adenoid cystic carcinoma involving the entire posterior urethra, prostate gland, corpus spongiosum, corpora cavernosa, urogenital diaphragm, perianal soft tissue, and muscularis propria layer of rectum. We also review other published cases to evaluate the prognosis and treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Primary malignant melanoma of the female urethra: Report of a rare neoplasm of the urinary tract.

PubMed

Bhutani, Namita; Kajal, Pradeep; Pawar, Devendra

2017-01-01

Melanoma is a malignant tumor that can affect any area of the anatomical economy. Its occurance in the female urethra is extremely rare. We report a case of primary malignant urethral melanoma developed in an elderly female patient. A 70 years old female presented with dysuria, poor stream, gross haematuria, intermittent blood spots, and a painful mass. On physical examination, there were no suspicious lesions on the skin. On external genital examination, a lesion at the level of the urethral meatus was observed. The mass was removed by wide local excision under spinal anaesthesia. The pathological diagnosis was malignant melanoma of the urethra. The common presentations include bleeding and/or discharge per urethra, voiding dysfunction and the presence of tumor mass. Survival depends on the stage, location and size of the neoplasm at the time of diagnosis. Despite major surgery, radiotherapy or immunotherapy; malignant melanoma usually has a poor prognosis. Melanoma of the female urethra is an extremely uncommon pathology leading to paucity of literature and any definite recommendations regarding management. The histological and immunohistochemical findings can be helpful in making an early and accurate diagnosis of malignant melanoma in the urogenital region. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Pelvic fracture-related injuries of the bladder neck and prostate: their nature, cause and management.

PubMed

Mundy, Anthony R; Andrich, Daniela E

2010-05-01

To report our experience of bladder neck injuries, which are a well recognized but rare consequence of pelvic fracture-related trauma to the lower urinary tract, as we have been unable to find any reference in the English literature to their specific nature, cause and management in adults. In the last 10 years we have treated 15 men with bladder neck injuries after pelvic fracture. Two were treated at our centre by delayed primary repair. Thirteen were initially treated elsewhere and presented to us 3 months to 5 years after their injury with intractable incontinence and various other symptoms most notably recurrent urinary infection and gross haematuria. Twelve of the injuries were at or close to the anterior midline and associated with lateral compression fractures or 'open-book' injuries. Five of them were confined to the bladder neck and prostatic urethra; the other seven extended into the subprostatic urethra. Four of these were associated with a coincidental typical rupture of the posterior urethra. All had an associated cavity involving the anterior disruption of the pelvic ring. Two of the injuries, following particularly severe trauma, were a simultaneous complete transection of the bladder neck and of the bulbo-membranous urethra with a sequestered prostate between. We have seen this in children before but not in adults. Another injury, also after particularly severe trauma, was an avulsion of the anterior aspect of the prostate. We have not seen this described before. Fourteen patients underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction and one underwent a Mitrofanoff procedure. All of the 14 had a layered reconstruction of the prostate and bladder neck and in 13, this was supplemented with an omental wrap. In all patients with an anterior midline rupture, the primary injury appeared to be to the prostate and prostatic urethra with secondary involvement of the bladder neck and the subprostatic urethra. The Mitrofanoff procedure was successful. Of the 14 patients with a layered reconstruction one, without an omental wrap, broke down but was successfully repaired on a subsequent occasion. The four patients who also had a ruptured urethra had a simultaneous bulbo-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty, two of which required further attention. Eight of the 14 reconstructed patients underwent implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) for sphincter weakness incontinence, in seven of whom this was successful. Two of these had previously undergone implantation of an AUS with an unsatisfactory outcome and were made continent by bladder neck reconstruction. The other six patients had acceptable urinary incontinence by reconstruction of the bladder neck and urethra alone. The primary injury is to the prostate and prostatic urethra. The bladder neck and subprostatic urethra are involved secondarily by extension. These injuries have a particular cause and a particular location with a predictable outcome. They need to be identified and treated promptly as they do not heal spontaneously and otherwise cause considerable morbidity. We also describe two particular types of bladder neck injury that we have not seen described before in adults.

Urethral Cancer—Health Professional Version

Cancer.gov

Urethral cancer is a rare cancer. There are three types of urethral cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type. Transitional cell carcinoma of the urethra, and adenocarcinoma in the glands around the urethra are less common. Find evidence-based information on urethral cancer treatment.

An evaluation of the sling surgical method of the bulbar urethra in the treatment of men's stress urinary incontinence at Shohadaye Ashayer Teaching Hospital in 2008.

PubMed

Heidari, Mohammad; Khorramabadi, Manoochehr Shams

2012-11-01

To evaluate the utility and efficacy of bulbar urethera sling in the management of sphincter insufficiency that usually occurs after prostate surgery or posterior urethral injuries and may lead to moderate to severe stress incontinence. A total of 30 patients underwent sling surgery with rectus fascia in a four-year period at the Shohadaye Ashayer Teaching Hospital in Iran. Urinary incontinence occurred in 8 patients after open prostatectomy, in 12 patients after prostatectomy through urethra, in 8 patients after radical prostatectomy. For the purpose of the study, 2 patients in whom incontinence occurred after pelvic fracture were excluded. The 28 patients were followed up for a one-year period after the operation. All patients had incontinence from one to six years. After hospitalisation, an 18 gauge Foley's catheter was introduced in the urethra in every patient. The perineum was incised longitudinally, and the bulbar urethra was freed and a 2x7 cm span of rectus fascia was separated and placed under the bulbar urethra. Treatment was defined as use of one or no pad per day and recovery, as a reduction of at least 50% in the number of the used pads after sling operation. After operation, all patients suffering from moderate to severe stress incontinence were treated with 0-1 pad per day. Four patients were unable to urinate; in 2 patients the sling was modified and loosened, and in two others dilatation resolved their problems. Bulbar urethra sling can be carried out in moderate to severe urinary incontinence treatment in any hospital at a modest cost with satisfactory results.

Mechanisms of Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and the Effect on the Urethra during a Cough

PubMed Central

Lovegrove Jones, Ruth C.; Peng, Qiyu; Stokes, Maria; Humphrey, Victor F.; Payne, Christopher; Constantinou, Christos E.

2009-01-01

Background Current measurement tools have difficulty identifying the automatic physiologic processes maintaining continence, and many questions still remain about pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function during automatic events. Objective To perform a feasibility study to characterise the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the PFM and the urethra during a cough. Design, setting, and participants A volunteer convenience sample of 23 continent women and 9 women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) from the general community of San Francisco Bay Area was studied. Measurements Methods included perineal ultrasound imaging, motion tracking of the urogenital structures, and digital vaginal examination. Statistical analysis used one-tailedunpaired student t tests, and Welch’s correction was applied when variances were unequal. Results and limitations The cough reflex activated the PFM of continent women to compress the urogenital structures towards the pubic symphysis, which was absent in women with SUI. The maximum accelerations that acted on the PFM during a cough were generally more similar than the velocities and displacements. The urethras of women with SUI were exposed to uncontrolled transverse acceleration and were displaced more than twice as far (p = 0.0002), with almost twice the velocity (p = 0.0015) of the urethras of continent women. Caution regarding the generalisability of this study is warranted due to the small number of women in the SUI group and the significant difference in parity between groups. Conclusions During a cough, normal PFM function produces timely compression of the pelvic floor and additional external support to the urethra, reducing displacement, velocity, and acceleration. In women with SUI, who have weaker urethral attachments, this shortening contraction does not occur; consequently, the urethras of women with SUI move further and faster for a longer duration. PMID:19560261

Inflammation and Tissue Remodeling in the Bladder and Urethra in Feline Interstitial Cystitis

PubMed Central

Kullmann, F. Aura; McDonnell, Bronagh M.; Wolf-Johnston, Amanda S.; Lynn, Andrew M.; Getchell, Samuel E.; Ruiz, Wily G.; Zabbarova, Irina V.; Ikeda, Youko; Kanai, Anthony J.; Roppolo, James R.; Bastacky, Sheldon I.; Apodaca, Gerard; Buffington, C. A. Tony; Birder, Lori A.

2018-01-01

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating chronic disease of unknown etiology. A naturally occurring disease termed feline interstitial cystitis (FIC) reproduces many features of IC/BPS patients. To gain insights into mechanisms underlying IC/BPS, we investigated pathological changes in the lamina propria (LP) of the bladder and proximal urethra in cats with FIC, using histological and molecular methods. Compared to control cat tissue, we found an increased number of de-granulated mast cells, accumulation of leukocytes, increased cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 expression in the bladder LP, and increased COX-2 expression in the urethra LP from cats with FIC. We also found increased suburothelial proliferation, evidenced by mucosal von Brunn’s nests, neovascularization and alterations in elastin content. Scanning electron microscopy revealed normal appearance of the superficial urethral epithelium, including the neuroendocrine cells (termed paraneurons), in FIC urethrae. Together, these histological findings suggest the presence of chronic inflammation of unknown origin leading to tissue remodeling. Since the mucosa functions as part of a “sensory network” and urothelial cells, nerves and other cells in the LP are influenced by the composition of the underlying tissues including the vasculature, the changes observed in the present study may alter the communication of sensory information between different cellular components. This type of mucosal signaling can also extend to the urethra, where recent evidence has revealed that the urethral epithelium is likely to be part of a signaling system involving paraneurons and sensory nerves. Taken together, our data suggest a more prominent role for chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling than previously thought, which may result in alterations in mucosal signaling within the urinary bladder and proximal urethra that may contribute to altered sensations and pain in cats and humans with this syndrome. PMID:29706873

Androgen Deprivation Accelerates the Prostatic Urethra Wound Healing After Thulium Laser Resection of the Prostate by Promoting Re-Epithelialization and Regulating the Macrophage Polarization.

PubMed

Wang, Xing-Jie; Zhuo, Jian; Luo, Guang-Heng; Zhu, Yi-Ping; Yu, Dian-Jun; Zhao, Rui-Zhe; Jiang, Chen-Yi; Shi, Yun-Feng; Li, Hao; Chen, Lei; Hao, Kui-Yuan; Han, Xia; Zhao, Sheng; Bei, Xiao-Yu; Jing, Yi-Feng; Xia, Shu-Jie

2017-05-01

Complications after a thulium laser resection of the prostate (TmLRP) are related to re-epithelialization of the prostatic urethra. Since prostate growth and development are induced by androgen, the aim of this study was to determine the role and explore the mechanism of androgen in wound healing of the prostatic urethra. Beagles that received TmLRPs were randomly distributed into a castration group, a testosterone undecanoate (TU) group, and a control group. The prostate wound was assessed once a week using a cystoscope. Histological analysis was then carried out to study the re-epithelialization of the prostatic urethra in each group. The inflammatory response in the wound tissue and urine was also investigated. The healing of the prostatic urethra after a TmLRP was more rapid in the castration group and slower in the TU group than that in the control group. Castration accelerated re-epithelialization by promoting basal cell proliferation in the wound surface and beneath the wound and by accelerating the differentiation of basal cells into urothelial cells. Castration reduced the duration of the inflammatory phase and induced the conversion of M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages, thus accelerating the maturation of the wound. By contrast, androgen supplementation enhanced the inflammatory response and prolonged the inflammatory phase. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory phase was delayed and weakened. Androgen deprivation promotes re-epithelialization of the wound, regulates the inflammatory response, and accelerates wound healing of the prostatic urethra after a TmLRP. Prostate 77:708-717, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A giant dumbbell shaped vesico-prostatic urethral calculus: a case report and review of literature.

PubMed

Prabhuswamy, Vinod Kumar; Tiwari, Rahul; Krishnamoorthy, Ramakrishnan

2013-01-01

Calculi in the urethra are an uncommon entity. Giant calculi in prostatic urethra are extremely rare. The decision about treatment strategy of calculi depends upon the size, shape, and position of the calculus and the status of the urethra. If the stone is large and immovable, it may be extracted via the perineal or the suprapubic approach. In most of the previous reported cases, giant calculi were extracted via the transvesical approach and external urethrotomy. A 38-year-old male patient presented with complaints of lower urinary tract symptoms. Further investigations showed a giant urethral calculus secondary to stricture of bulbo-membranous part of the urethra. Surgical removal of calculus was done via transvesical approach. Two calculi were found and extracted. One was a huge dumbbell calculus and the other was a smaller round calculus. This case was reported because of the rare size and the dumbbell nature of the stone. Giant urethral calculi are better managed by open surgery.

A Giant Dumbbell Shaped Vesico-Prostatic Urethral Calculus: A Case Report and Review of Literature

PubMed Central

Prabhuswamy, Vinod Kumar; Tiwari, Rahul; Krishnamoorthy, Ramakrishnan

2013-01-01

Calculi in the urethra are an uncommon entity. Giant calculi in prostatic urethra are extremely rare. The decision about treatment strategy of calculi depends upon the size, shape, and position of the calculus and the status of the urethra. If the stone is large and immovable, it may be extracted via the perineal or the suprapubic approach. In most of the previous reported cases, giant calculi were extracted via the transvesical approach and external urethrotomy. A 38-year-old male patient presented with complaints of lower urinary tract symptoms. Further investigations showed a giant urethral calculus secondary to stricture of bulbo-membranous part of the urethra. Surgical removal of calculus was done via transvesical approach. Two calculi were found and extracted. One was a huge dumbbell calculus and the other was a smaller round calculus. This case was reported because of the rare size and the dumbbell nature of the stone. Giant urethral calculi are better managed by open surgery. PMID:23762742

Non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty

PubMed Central

Andrich, Daniela E.; Mundy, Anthony R.

2015-01-01

Excision and end-to-end anastomosis (EPA) has been the preferred urethroplasty technique for short bulbar strictures and is associated with an excellent functional outcome. Driven by concerns over the potential morbidity associated with dividing the urethra, therefore compromising spongiosal blood flow, as well as spongiofibrosis being superficial in the majority of non-traumatic bulbar strictures, the non-transecting technique for bulbar urethroplasty has been developed with the aim of achieving the same success as EPA without the morbidity associated with transection. This manuscript highlights the fundamental principles underlying the ongoing debate—transection or non-transection of the strictured bulbar urethra? The potential advantages of avoiding dividing the corpus spongiosum of the urethra are discussed. The non-transecting anastomotic procedure together with its various modifications are decribed in detail. Our experience with this technique is presented. Non-transecting excision of spongiofibrosis with preservation of well vascularised underlying spongiosum provides an excellent alternative to dividing the urethra during urethroplasty for short non-traumatic proximal bulbar strictures. PMID:26816808

Modulation of smooth muscle tonus in the lower urinary tract: interplay of myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) and MLC phosphatase (MLCP).

PubMed

Lin, Guiting; Fandel, Thomas M; Shindel, Alan W; Wang, Guifang; Banie, Lia; Ning, Hongxiu; Lue, Tom F; Lin, Ching-Shwun

2011-07-01

To assess and compare the expression and activity of myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) and MLC phosphatase (MLCP) in rat bladder and urethra. Bladder and urethral smooth muscles were obtained from 2-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats. They were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the mRNA expression of MLCK and myosin phosphatase-targeting subunit of protein phosphatase type 1 (MYPT1, a subunit of MLCP). Levels of MLCK and MYPT1 mRNA expression were determined as a ratio to the expression of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The tissues were also analysed by Western blotting for MLCK and MYPT1 protein expression as a ratio to the expression of β-actin. A two-step enzymatic activity assay using phosphorylated and dephosphorylated smooth muscle myosin was used to assess MLCK and MLCP activity. MLCK mRNA expression was higher in the bladder than in the urethra [mean (sd) ratio to GAPDH: 0.26 (0.17) vs 0.14 (0.12); P = 0.09]. MYPT1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the bladder than in the urethra [mean (sd) ratio to GAPDH: 2.31 (1.04) vs 0.56 (0.36); P = 0.001]. Expression of both MLCK and MYPT1 protein was significantly higher in the bladder compared with the urethra [mean (sd) ratio to β-actin: 1.63 (0.25) vs 0.91 (0.29) and 0.97 (0.10) vs 0.37 (0.29), respectively; both P < 0.001]. Enzymatic assay identified significantly greater MLCK activity in the bladder than in the urethra. While, MLCP activity was lower in the bladder than in the urethra. In healthy young female rats, MLCK activity is higher and MLCP activity is lower in the bladder relative to the urethra. These differences probably play a role in modulating the functional differences between bladder and urethral smooth muscle tone. © 2010 THE AUTHORS. BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2010 BJU INTERNATIONAL.

Reconstruction of Urethra Totally Destroyed in Labour

PubMed Central

Hamlin, Reginald H. J.; Nicholson, E. Catherine

1969-01-01

Of 50 women who underwent a reconstruction procedure for a totally destroyed urethra, caused by obstructed labour, 35 were clinically cured, eight had serious stress incontinence, and six developed urethral stricture; one operation failed completely, but a repeat reconstruction was completely successful. The procedure consists of repair of the bladder fistula, followed by the construction of a new urethra; the latter is then reinforced by one gracilis muscle detached from its insertion and brought through a tunnel in the fascia of the upper thigh and the labium to be attached to the anterior lip of the cervix. Hence this method combines procedures originally suggested for other purposes by Ingelman-Sundberg and Martius. PMID:5813551

Micturating cystography and "double urethral catheter technique" to define the anatomy of anorectal malformations.

PubMed

Soccorso, G; Thyagarajan, M S; Murthi, G V; Sprigg, A

2008-02-01

Ano-rectal malformations (ARM) in the male patient may be associated with a fistulous communication between the rectum and urethra. Pre-operative radiological assessment is important to delineate (a) the presence and level of the fistula, (b) the anatomy of the posterior urethra and (c) any anomalies in adjacent structures. Bladder catheterisation can be technically difficult when performing an MCUG and distal loopogram in such patients. This can be due to urethral stricture, tortuous or kinked urethra or preferential passage of catheter into a large fistula and leads to an inadequate study. We describe a "double urethral catheter technique" to enable urethral catheterisation when the fistula is large.

Penile reconstruction with bilateral superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flaps.

PubMed

Koshima, Isao; Nanba, Yuzaburo; Nagai, Atsushi; Nakatsuka, Mikiya; Sato, Toshiki; Kuroda, Shigetosi

2006-04-01

The free radial forearm flap is a very common material for penile reconstruction. Its major problems are donor-site morbidity with large depressive scar after skin grafting, urethral fistula due to insufficiency of suture line for the urethra, and need for microvascular anastomosis. A new method using combined bilateral island SCIP flaps for the urethra and penis is developed for gender identity disorder (GID) patients. The advantages of this method are minimal donor-site morbidity with a concealed donor scar, and possible one-stage reconstruction for a longer urethra of 22 cm in length without insufficiency, even for GID female-to-male patients. A disadvantage is poor sensory recovery.

Complete Penile Duplication with Structurally Normal Penises: A Case Report.

PubMed

Karagözlü Akgül, Ahsen; Uçar, Murat; Çelik, Fatih; Kırıştıoğlu, İrfan; Kılıç, Nizamettin

2018-03-28

Diphallia is a very rare anomaly and seen once in every 5.5 million live births. True diphallia with normal penile structures is extremely rare (1,2,3,4,5,6,7). We present the surgical management of a 4-year-old patient with complete penile duplication without any penile or urethral pathology. The patient's first physical examination revealed complete penile duplication, urine flow from both penises, meconium flow from right urethra, and anal atresia. Further evaluations showed double colon and rectum, double bladder, and large recto-vesical fistula. Two cavernous bodies and one spongious body were detected in each penile body. Surgical treatment plan consisted of right total penectomy and end-to-side urethra-urethrostomy. No postoperative complications and no voiding dysfunction were detected during the 18 months follow-up. Penile duplication is a rare anomaly, which presents differently in each patient. Because of this, the treatment should be individualized and end-to-side urethra-urethrostomy may be an alternative to removing posterior urethra. This approach eliminates the risk of damaging prostate gland and sphincter.

Experience of a Tertiary-Level Urology Center in the Clinical Urological Events of Rare and Very Rare Incidence. VI. Unusual Events in Urolithiasis: 1. Long-Standing Urethral Stones without Underlying Anatomical Abnormalities in Male Children.

PubMed

Gadelkareem, Rabea A; Shahat, Ahmed A; Abdelhafez, Mohamed F; Moeen, Ahmed M; Ibrahim, Abdelrady S; Safwat, Ahmed S

2018-06-06

The study aimed to present our center's experience with long-standing urethral stones in male children with normal urethra. Retrospective search of our center data was done for the cases of long-standing urethral stones with normal urethra in male children during the period July 2001 - June 2016. Demographic and clinical data were studied. Of more than 54,000 urolithiasis procedures, 17 male children (0.031%) were operated for long-standing urethral stones with normal urethra. In 14 cases (82.4%), residence was rural and parental education levels were low or none. All children were regularly prompted voiding with a history of difficulty or dysuria. All the stones lodged in the posterior urethra with an approximate mean duration of 2 months. The mean stone size of 11.29 ± 3.88 mm and rough surfaces in 88.2% of cases represented the main predisposing factors. Major complications included rectal prolapse in 1 case and vesicoureteral reflux in 3 cases. Endoscopic push-back was followed by disintegration in 76.5% or cystolithotomy in 17.7%, while it failed in 1 case that was treated by cystolithotomy. Long-standing urethral stones in male children with normal urethra are very rare misdiagnoses. Stone topography and sociocultural factors predisposed to their lodgments and negligence. Endoscopic treatment is the best approach. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Sperm evaluation of Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) obtained by urethral catheterization (CT) after medetomidine administration.

PubMed

Kheirkhah, M S; Mollapour Sisakht, M; Mohammadsadegh, M; Moslemi, H R

2017-03-15

This study aimed to evaluate semen from Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) by urethral catheterization (CT) after medetomidine administration that offers feasible and different approaches to obtaining good quality sperm, especially in wild felids. Accordingly, this method was tested in five Jungle Cats. After general anesthesia with the α2-agonist medetomidine (which also stimulates semen release into the urethra) and ketamine, an abdomen ultrasound was performed to locate dilation of the first segment of the urethra (prostatic urethra). A commercial Tom cat urinary catheter 3-5 (depending on the size of the animal) was advanced into the urethra to reach the semen full dilated primary region of the urethra, so as to allow semen collection into the lumen of the catheter by capillary forces. After retraction, sperm volumes between 69 ± 27.92 yielded motility of 77.13 ± 14.15 (mean ± SD) with a mean sperm concentration of 75.13 ± 17.05 million/ml. The results of this study showed that semen collection in jungle cat is feasible, using this method. This study describes a simple, useful in field, inexpensive method which does not require the training of the animal and is better than other methods. Samples have normal pH, suitable color and consolidation, high concentration and lower contamination with excellent motility in Jungle Cat and potentially, other wild felid species, as an alternative to electro-ejaculation. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Signal processing in urodynamics: towards high definition urethral pressure profilometry.

PubMed

Klünder, Mario; Sawodny, Oliver; Amend, Bastian; Ederer, Michael; Kelp, Alexandra; Sievert, Karl-Dietrich; Stenzl, Arnulf; Feuer, Ronny

2016-03-22

Urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) is used in the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) which is a significant medical, social, and economic problem. Low spatial pressure resolution, common occurrence of artifacts, and uncertainties in data location limit the diagnostic value of UPP. To overcome these limitations, high definition urethral pressure profilometry (HD-UPP) combining enhanced UPP hardware and signal processing algorithms has been developed. In this work, we present the different signal processing steps in HD-UPP and show experimental results from female minipigs. We use a special microtip catheter with high angular pressure resolution and an integrated inclination sensor. Signals from the catheter are filtered and time-correlated artifacts removed. A signal reconstruction algorithm processes pressure data into a detailed pressure image on the urethra's inside. Finally, the pressure distribution on the urethra's outside is calculated through deconvolution. A mathematical model of the urethra is contained in a point-spread-function (PSF) which is identified depending on geometric and material properties of the urethra. We additionally investigate the PSF's frequency response to determine the relevant frequency band for pressure information on the urinary sphincter. Experimental pressure data are spatially located and processed into high resolution pressure images. Artifacts are successfully removed from data without blurring other details. The pressure distribution on the urethra's outside is reconstructed and compared to the one on the inside. Finally, the pressure images are mapped onto the urethral geometry calculated from inclination and position data to provide an integrated image of pressure distribution, anatomical shape, and location. With its advanced sensing capabilities, the novel microtip catheter collects an unprecedented amount of urethral pressure data. Through sequential signal processing steps, physicians are provided with detailed information on the pressure distribution in and around the urethra. Therefore, HD-UPP overcomes many current limitations of conventional UPP and offers the opportunity to evaluate urethral structures, especially the sphincter, in context of the correct anatomical location. This could enable the development of focal therapy approaches in the treatment of SUI.

Management for the anterior combined with posterior urethral stricture: a 9-year single centre experience

PubMed Central

Deng, Tuo; Liao, Banghua; Luo, Deyi; Liu, Bing; Wang, Kunjie; Liu, Jiaming; Jin, Tao

2015-01-01

Objective: Therapy for anterior combined with posterior urethral stricture is difficult and controversial. This study aims to introduce a standard process for managing anterior combined with posterior urethral stricture. Patients and methods: 19 patients with anterior combined with posterior urethral stricture were treated following our standard process. Average (range) age was 52 (21-72) years old. In this standard process, anterior urethral stricture should be treated first. Endoscopic surgery is applied for anterior urethra stricture as a priority as long as obliteration does not occur, and operation for posterior urethral stricture can be conducted in the same stage. Otherwise, an open reconstructive urethroplasty for anterior urethral is needed; while in this condition, the unobliterated posterior urethra can also be treated with endoscopic surgery in the same stage; however, if posterior urethra obliteration exists, then open reconstructive urethroplasty for posterior urethral stricture should be applied 2-3 months later. Results: The median (range) follow-up time was 25.8 (3-56) months. All 19 patients were normal in urethrography after 1 month of the surgery. 4 patients (21.1%) recurred urethral stricture during follow-up, and the locations of recurred stricture were bulbomembranous urethra (2 cases), bulbar urethra (1 case) and bladder neck (1 case). 3 of them restored to health through urethral dilation, yet 1 underwent a second operation. 2 patients (10.5%) complaint of dripping urination. No one had painful erection, stress urinary incontinence or other complications. Conclusions: The management for anterior combined with posterior urethral stricture following our standard process is effective and safe. PMID:26064293

[Comparative analysis of one- and two-stage augmentation urethroplasty with dorsal INLAY buccal graft for extended stricturesof spongious urethra].

PubMed

Kogan, M I; Glukhov, V P; Mitusov, V V; Krasulin, V V; Ilyash, A V

2018-03-01

Urethral reconstructive surgery is in constant development. At present, reconstructive urethroplasty with buccal mucosa is increasingly being used. The study aimed to compare the results of a one- and two-stage augmentation urethroplasty with dorsal inlay buccal graft for strictures of the spongious urethra. The study comprised 72 patients aged 19-64 with urethral strictures 3-18 cm long. In 34 (47.2%) patients, the stricture was localized in the penile urethra, in 30 patients (41.6%) in the penile-bulbous urethra and in 8 patients (11%) in the bulbous urethra. All patients underwent augmentation urethroplasty with dorsal inlay buccal graft. The results were evaluated separately in 55 (76.4%, group 1) and 17 (23.6%, group 2) patients who underwent one-stage and two-stage surgery, respectively. The incidence rate of early postoperative complications was higher after one-stage (23.6%) compared two-stage surgery (11.8%) (p<0.05). Hematomas, wound dehiscence and urethrocutaneous fistulas were observed only after single-stage surgery. Primary healing of extensive strictures following augmentation urethroplasty with dorsal inlay buccal graft was achieved in 88.9% of patients; treatment effectiveness in the group 1 was 89.1%, in the group 2 - 88.2% (p>0.05). The final effectiveness of the operation, achieved with the use of additional surgical interventions, is estimated at 98.6%. The results of augmentation urethroplasty with dorsal inlay buccal graft do not depend on the number of stages, but fewer complications accompany two-stage surgery.

Pedicled rectus abdominis muscle and fascia flap sling the bulbar urethra for treatment for male-acquired urinary incontinence: report of ten cases.

PubMed

Xu, Yue-Min; Zhang, Xin-Ru; Xie, Hong; Song, Lu-Jie; Feng, Chao; Fei, Xiao-Fang

2014-03-01

Male urinary incontinence is relatively common complication of radical prostatectomy and of posterior urethroplasty following traumatic pelvic fracture. Here, we investigate the use of pedicled rectus abdominis muscle and fascia flap sling of the bulbar urethra for treatment for male-acquired urinary incontinence. Ten patients with acquired urinary incontinence were included in the study. Urinary incontinence was secondary to TURP in three patients and was secondary to posterior urethroplasty performed following traumatic pelvic fracture in seven patients. Pedicled rectus abdominalis muscle and fascial flaps, approximately 2.5 cm wide and 15 cm long, were isolated. The flaps were inserted into a perineal incision through a subcutaneous tunnel. The free end of the flap was sectioned to form two muscle strips, each 3 cm in length, and inserted into the space between bulbar urethra and corpus cavernosa. After adequate sling tension had been achieved, the two strips of muscle were anastomosed around the bulbar urethra using a 2-zero polyglactin suture. The patients were followed up for between 12 and 82 months (mean 42.8 months). Complete continence was achieved with good voiding in seven of the 10 patients. In other three patients achieved good voiding following catheter removal, but incontinence was only moderately improved. A pedicled rectus muscle fascial sling of the bulbar urethra is an effective and safe treatment for male patients with mild to moderate acquired urinary incontinence, but it may not be suitable for severe incontinence or for patients with weak rectus abdominalis muscles.

Prominent expression of phosphodiesterase 5 in striated muscle of the rat urethra and levator ani.

PubMed

Lin, Guiting; Huang, Yun-Ching; Wang, Guifang; Lue, Tom F; Lin, Ching-Shwun

2010-08-01

We investigated phosphodiesterase 5 distribution and activity in the urethra. Rat tissues were examined for phosphodiesterase 5 and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression. Urethral phosphodiesterase 5 activity was examined by tissue bath in the presence of sildenafil (Pfizer, New York, New York). Anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody (Abcam) stained all known smooth muscles in all tested tissues and revealed a few smooth muscle fibers in the levator ani muscle. Anti-phosphodiesterase 5 antibody (Abcam) stained smooth muscle in the penis and bladder but not striated leg muscle. However, it stained predominantly striated muscle in the urethra and the levator ani muscle. In the urethra the amount of phosphodiesterase 5 in striated muscle was 6 times that in smooth muscle. In urethral striated muscle phosphodiesterase 5 expression was localized to Z-band striations. Smooth and striated muscle intermingling was clearly visible on the inner and outer rims of the circularly arranged striated muscle layer. Relaxation of precontracted urethral tissues by sodium nitroprusside (Sigma-Aldrich) was enhanced by sildenafil, indicating phosphodiesterase 5 activity, which was primarily located in the striated muscle according to phosphodiesterase 5 staining. Despite its presumed smooth muscle specificity phosphodiesterase 5 was predominantly expressed in the striated muscle of the urethra and in the levator ani muscle. Results are consistent with earlier studies in which these striated muscles were developmentally related to smooth muscle. They also suggest that these striated muscles are possibly regulated by phosphodiesterase 5. Copyright (c) 2010 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dorsal buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for female urethral strictures.

PubMed

Migliari, Roberto; Leone, Pierluigi; Berdondini, Elisa; De Angelis, M; Barbagli, Guido; Palminteri, Enzo

2006-10-01

We describe the feasibility and complications of dorsal buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty in female patients with urethral stenosis. From April 2005 to July 2005, 3 women 45 to 65 years old (average age 53.7) with urethral stricture disease underwent urethral reconstruction using a dorsal buccal mucosa graft. Stricture etiology was unknown in 1 patient, ischemic in 1 and iatrogenic in 1. Buccal mucosa graft length was 5 to 6 cm and width was 2 to 3 cm. The urethra was freed dorsally until the bladder neck and then opened on the roof. The buccal mucosa patch was sutured to the margins of the opened urethra and the new roof of the augmented urethra was quilted to the clitoris corpora. In all cases voiding urethrogram after catheter removal showed a good urethral shape with absent urinary leakage. No urinary incontinence was evident postoperatively. On urodynamic investigation all patients showed an unobstructed Blaivas-Groutz nomogram. Two patients complained about irritative voiding symptoms at catheter removal, which subsided completely and spontaneously after a week. The dorsal approach with buccal mucosa graft allowed us to reconstruct an adequate urethra in females, decreasing the risks of incontinence and fistula.

[Ehler-Danlos syndrome (type V) with urethra bifida and polydactyly: an unusual combination].

PubMed

Manna, R; Modugno, I; Pala, M A; Caputo, S; Caradonna, E; Greco, A V

1981-06-30

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is currently regarded as a connective tissue dysplasia. Its genetic, biochemical, histological and clinical features are described, together with a personal case in a patient who presented the fundamental symptoms, plus polydactyly and bifid urethra. This association had not been hitherto reported in the literature. The case itself is classed as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type V.

The Megameatus, Intact Prepuce Variant of Hypospadias: Use of the Inframeatal Vascularized Flap for Surgical Correction.

PubMed

Cendron, Marc

2018-01-01

The megameatus intact prepuce (MIP) variant of hypospadias is a rare variant of hypospadias that is diagnosed either early at the time of circumcision or later as the foreskin is retracted. The true incidence of the anomaly is difficult to determine precisely as some patient never come to medical attention but is felt to under 5% of all cases of hypospadias. The purposes of this study are to review the embryology and clinical findings of MIP and then, in light of a personal experience, present a series of patients evaluated for MIP who were treated with a modification of the Mathieu technique. A PubMed search of all articles in the MIP variant of hypospadias was carried out followed by an exhaustive review of the literature. The charts of all patients evaluated and treated at Boston Children's Hospital by MC between 2007 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent the standard procedure and those who underwent a repair using a modification of the Mathieu procedure using an inframeatal flap. The embryologic explanation of the MIP variant is not clear but failure of the distal, glanular portion of the urethra to tubularize results in spectrum of abnormality characterized by a deep glanular groove and an abnormal opening of the urethra anywhere from the mid-glans to a subcoronal location. Surgical repair is complicated by a wide distal urethra which may be injured if not properly identified. Overall good outcomes were noted with one patient experiencing a urethra cutaneous fistula in the first group and one patient having a mild glans dehiscence in the second. The MIP variant of hypospadias is a rare variant of hypospadias that presents as a spectrum of urethral anomaly. Surgical repair may not always be necessary but if surgical repair is carried out, the Mathieu technique modification may offer better anatomic delineation of the urethra and will provide an extra layer of tissue to cover the reconstructed urethra. Low complication rates should be expected with adequate functional outcome such as a normal urinary stream. In addition, criteria for selecting patients for surgical repair are provided.

Evaluation of the Anti-migration Effect of Barbed Prostatic Stents: In Vitro Study in Urethra-mimicking Bovine Pericardium Phantoms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Na, Han Kyu, E-mail: hankyu1324@empas.com; Song, Ho-Young, E-mail: hysong@amc.seoul.kr; Kim, Jin Hyoung, E-mail: m1fenew@hanmail.net

2013-02-15

This study was designed to compare the migration rates of covered stents with eight, four, and zero barbs in urethra-mimicking bovine pericardium models. Three types of polytetrafluoroethylene-covered retrievable self-expandable prostatic stents, with eight, four, and zero barbs, were tested in bovine pericardium models, consisting of normal saline-filled acrylic containers with tubes at both ends and a replica of the human urethra. The barbs were 2 mm in length and projected 60 Degree-Sign toward the urinary bladder. The anti-migration force (AMF) and resistance force against stent removal (RFSR) were measured by an automatic push-pull gauge system at a fixed rate (2more » mm/s). Significant differences in AMF among the three stent types were detected (P < 0.001). Median AMF was far greater for eight-barbed than for four-barbed stents (11.96 vs. 7.55 N, P = 0.003). For stent removal, the difference between 4- and 8-barbed stents were not significant in median static (5.54 vs. 6.08 N, P = 0.15) or sliding (prostatic urethra, 5.32 vs. 5.59 N, P = 0.65; membranous urethra, 7.78 vs. 8.57 N, P = 0.364) RFSR. No perforations or scratched traces were observed during removal of these stents. The inclusion of eight barbs projecting 60 Degree-Sign toward the urinary bladder were not only effective against stent migration in this model but suggests that these stents may be suitable for the treatment of prostatic urethral strictures without severely irritating the tissue. However, whether these results translate into living urethral tissue is unclear, necessitating further studies.« less

Factors associated with the failure of obstetric fistula repair in Guinea: implications for practice.

PubMed

Delamou, Alexandre; Delvaux, Therese; Beavogui, Abdoul Habib; Toure, Abdoulaye; Kolié, Delphin; Sidibé, Sidikiba; Camara, Mandian; Diallo, Kindy; Barry, Thierno Hamidou; Diallo, Moustapha; Leveque, Alain; Zhang, Wei-Hong; De Brouwere, Vincent

2016-11-08

The prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula still remains a concern and a challenge in low income countries. The objective of this study was to estimate the overall proportions of failure of fistula closure and incontinence among women undergoing repair for obstetric fistula in Guinea and identify its associated factors. This was a retrospective cohort study using data extracted from medical records of fistula repairs between 1 January 2012 and 30 September 2013. The outcome was the failure of fistula closure and incontinence at hospital discharge evaluated by a dye test. A sub-sample of women with vesicovaginal fistula was used to identify the factors associated with these outcomes. Overall, 109 women out of 754 (14.5 %; 95 % CI:11.9-17.0) unsuccessful repaired fistula at discharge and 132 (17.5 %; 95 % CI:14.8-20.2) were not continent. Failure of fistula closure was associated with vaginal delivery (AOR: 1.9; 95 % CI: 1.0-3.6), partially (AOR: 2.0; 95 % CI: 1.1-5.6) or totally damaged urethra (AOR: 5.9; 95 % CI: 2.9-12.3) and surgical repair at Jean Paul II Hospital (AOR: 2.5; 95 % CI: 1.2-4.9). Women who had a partially damaged urethra (AOR: 2.5; 95 % CI: 1.5-4.4) or a totally damaged urethra (AOR: 6.3; 95 % CI: 3.0-13.0) were more likely to experience post-repair urinary incontinence than women who had their urethra intact. At programmatic level in Guinea, caution should be paid to the repair of women who present with a damaged urethra and those who delivered vaginally as they carry greater risks of experiencing a failure of fistula closure and incontinence.

Structural Variation of Prostate Urethra Reflected by the Ratio Between Prostate Volume and Prostatic Urethral Length is Associated with the Degrees of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

PubMed

Ko, Young Hwii; Song, Phil Hyun

2016-05-01

Because it is well known that the prostate volume is not directly associated with the degrees of lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS), we hypothesized that change of the prostatic urethra led by prostatic enlargement as missing links between them. To provide an integral description, we determined the ratio between prostate volume and prostatic urethral length (RPVL), and investigated its clinical implication. Prostate volume, prostatic urethral length, RPVL was measured from transrectal ultrasonography for 213 consecutive patients. The degree of LUTS was investigated using the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry, then the correlations were analyzed. While no variables were significantly linked with total IPSS, obstructive symptoms (IPSS Q247) showed a negative association (r = -0.3, P < 0.001) and irritative symptoms (IPSS Q1356) showed a positive association solely with RPVL (r = 0.186, P = 0.007). These relevancies were enhanced (r = -0.471 [P = <0.001] and 0.3 [P = 0.004], respectively) in patients with a larger prostate (over 30 g, n = 93), but disappeared in their smaller counterparts (below 30 g, n = 120), (r = -0.133 [P = 0.143] and 0.75 [P = 0.410], respectively). In uroflowmetry, prostate urethral length showed positive correlation (r = 0.319 [P < 0.001]), and RPVL showed negative correlation (r = -0.195 [P = 0.004]) with post voiding residual amount, but these relationships similarly vanished in men with a smaller prostate. The structural variation of the prostatic urethra within the prostate reflected by RPVL showed correlation with the degree of LUTS, with a tendency toward increasing prostatic urethra in obstructive and decreasing prostatic urethra in irritative symptoms, in men with a relatively large prostate. © 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Improved sphincter contractility after allogenic muscle-derived progenitor cell injection into the denervated rat urethra.

PubMed

Cannon, Tracy W; Lee, Ji Youl; Somogyi, George; Pruchnic, Ryan; Smith, Christopher P; Huard, Johnny; Chancellor, Michael B

2003-11-01

To study the physiologic outcome of allogenic transplant of muscle-derived progenitor cells (MDPCs) in the denervated female rat urethra. MDPCs were isolated from muscle biopsies of normal 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats and purified using the preplate technique. Sciatic nerve-transected rats were used as a model of stress urinary incontinence. The experimental group was divided into three subgroups: control, denervated plus 20 microL saline injection, and denervated plus allogenic MDPCs (1 to 1.5 x 10(6) cells) injection. Two weeks after injection, urethral muscle strips were prepared and underwent electrical field stimulation. The pharmacologic effects of d-tubocurare, phentolamine, and tetrodotoxin on the urethral strips were assessed by contractions induced by electrical field stimulation. The urethral tissues also underwent immunohistochemical staining for fast myosin heavy chain and CD4-activated lymphocytes. Urethral denervation resulted in a significant decrease of the maximal fast-twitch muscle contraction amplitude to only 8.77% of the normal urethra and partial impairment of smooth muscle contractility. Injection of MDPCs into the denervated sphincter significantly improved the fast-twitch muscle contraction amplitude to 87.02% of normal animals. Immunohistochemistry revealed a large amount of new skeletal muscle fiber formation at the injection site of the urethra with minimal inflammation. CD4 staining showed minimal lymphocyte infiltration around the MDPC injection sites. Urethral denervation resulted in near-total abolishment of the skeletal muscle and partial impairment of smooth muscle contractility. Allogenic MDPCs survived 2 weeks in sciatic nerve-transected urethra with minimal inflammation. This is the first report of the restoration of deficient urethral sphincter function through muscle-derived progenitor cell tissue engineering. MDPC-mediated cellular urethral myoplasty warrants additional investigation as a new method to treat stress urinary incontinence.

[The value of mobilization of the prostatic region via perineal approach in the treatment of ruptures and stenoses of the posterior urethra].

PubMed

L'Hermite, J; Chopin, G; Hubert, J; Six, A; Guillemin, P

1990-01-01

11 cases of end to end anastomosis associated with the mobilization of the prostate is reported. The authors use only the perineal access. The operation is utilised in two circumstances: injuries or traumatic strictures to the membranous urethra. 4 ruptured prostato-membranous urethras with 4 good results. 7 stenosis with 5 good results. 2 recurrences which one of them had a good result with a simple urethrotomy. Complication: no incontinence. 2 cases of impotence are noted. One of them had recovered, the other is secondary of the pelvic fracture. Follow up: mean 3 years (6 months-5 years). our experience suggest that the mobilization of the prostate is an excellent aid to end to end anastomosis. This technique permits the only perineal access.

Dynamic MRI confirms support of the mid-urethra by TVT and TVT-O surgery for stress incontinence.

PubMed

Rinne, Kirsi; Kainulainen, Sakari; Aukee, Sinikka; Heinonen, Seppo; Nilsson, Carl G

2011-06-01

To study changes in mid-urethral function with dynamic MRI in stress urinary incontinent women undergoing either tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) or TVT-obturator sling operations. Prospective clinical study. University hospital. Forty-two parous women with stress urinary incontinence recruited to dynamic magnetic resonance imaging before and after mid-urethral sling surgery. Control group of 16 healthy women. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging at rest, during pelvic floor muscle contraction, coughing and voiding with a bladder volume of 200-300 ml. X- and Y- coordinates were used to determine the location of the mid-urethra during these activities. Changes in mid-urethral position after TVT and TVT-obturator operations during the different activities. Postoperatively the women could elevate their mid-urethra by pelvic floor muscle contraction significantly higher than before the operation (p<0.05). Despite a different support angle between the TVT and the TVT-O mid-urethral slings, we could not see any differences in the movement patterns. Mid-urethral slings support the mid-urethra and restrict downward movement during different activities. Movement patterns are similar after TVT and TVT-O operations. © 2011 The Authors Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica© 2011 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Lower urinary tract development and disease

PubMed Central

Rasouly, Hila Milo; Lu, Weining

2013-01-01

Congenital Anomalies of the Lower Urinary Tract (CALUT) are a family of birth defects of the ureter, the bladder and the urethra. CALUT includes ureteral anomalies such as congenital abnormalities of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) and ureterovesical junction (UVJ), and birth defects of the bladder and the urethra such as bladder-exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC), prune belly syndrome (PBS), and posterior urethral valves (PUV). CALUT is one of the most common birth defects and is often associated with antenatal hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), urinary tract obstruction, urinary tract infections (UTI), chronic kidney disease and renal failure in children. Here, we discuss the current genetic and molecular knowledge about lower urinary tract development and genetic basis of CALUT in both human and mouse models. We provide an overview of the developmental processes leading to the formation of the ureter, bladder, and urethra, and different genes and signaling pathways controlling these developmental processes. Human genetic disorders that affect the ureter, bladder and urethra and associated gene mutations are also presented. As we are entering the post-genomic era of personalized medicine, information in this article may provide useful interpretation for the genetic and genomic test results collected from patients with lower urinary tract birth defects. With evidence-based interpretations, clinicians may provide more effective personalized therapies to patients and genetic counseling for their families. PMID:23408557

Urethral reconstruction in patients suffering from aphallia: a reconstructive challenge.

PubMed

Bhandari, Mahendra; Sinha, Rahul Janak; Singh, Vishwajeet

2011-01-01

To document our experience (at a tertiary health care center) of reconstruction of the urethra in 3 male patients suffering from aphallia and congenital urethrorectal fistula as well as their long-term follow-up. Extensive single-stage urethroplasty in 3 patients suffering from aphallia was performed. Prior to that, neophallus reconstruction was done in all 3 patients after puberty. In a single stage, we used oral mucosa and pedicled penile skin onlay for anterior urethra reconstruction and groin-based pedicle (Singapore) flap for posterior urethra substitution surgery. The current follow-up is between 2 and 5 years. During the last follow-up, the patients also answered questions from a validated patient-reported outcome measure and quality of life questionnaire. All the 3 patients are voiding well in the standing position with a mean Q(max) of 14 ml/s. None of them has any problems related to the neourethra as per their last follow-up. All 3 patients were satisfied with the surgical procedures related to the aphallia correction and stated that the surgery did not interfere with the quality of their lives. Reconstruction of the urethra from pedicled skin flap combined with buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty gives durable and satisfactory long-term results. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

[Microbiota of lower urine tract and genital organs of healthy men and in infertility].

PubMed

Naboka, Iu L; Kogan, M I; Gudima, I A; Ibishev, Kh S; Pasechnik, D G; Logvinov, A K; Ilmdarov, Sh B

2015-01-01

Study microflora of urine, ejaculate, urethra scrape in normal state and infertility. 2 groups of men were examined: I (28)--control, conditionally healthy men (20 - 25 years of age), II (26)--infertile patients (25 - 35 years of age). Middle portion of morning urine, ejaculate, urethra scrape were studied in group I, in II--ejaculate. Bacteriologic study of urine and ejaculate was carried out in an extended kit of nutrient media (HiMedia) for facultative- anaerobic (FAB) and non-clostridia anaerobic bacteria (NAB). Urethra scrape and ejaculate were studied by PCR in group I. In urethra scrape and ejaculate a wide spectrum of FAB and NAB was detected in group I. Corynebacterium spp. and coagulase-negative staphylococci (67.9% each) were the dominant cluster of FAB. Eubacterium spp.--in NAB. Bacteriologic study of ejaculate corresponded in PCR with similar results of dominating bacteria. Among FAB the same clusters dominated during bacteriologic study of ejaculate from group II patients, among NAB--Propionibacterium spp., Peptococcus spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp. Quantitative characteristics of ejaculate of group I and II differed insignificantly. The frequency of detection of certain genera of FAB and NAB was significantly higher in patients with infertility than in conditionally healthy men, however quantitative parameters of the isolated microorganisms practically did not differ between groups.

Study of urological devices coated with fullerene-like nanoparticles.

PubMed

Goldbart, Ohad; Elianov, Olga; Shumalinsky, Dmitry; Lobik, Leonid; Cytron, Shmuel; Rosentsveig, Rita; Wagner, H Daniel; Tenne, Reshef

2013-09-21

Insertion of endoscopes and other medical devices into the human body are ubiquitous, especially among aged males. The applied force for the insertion/extraction of the device from the urethra must overcome endoscope-surface-human-tissue interactions. In daily practice a gel is applied on the endoscope surface, in order to facilitate its entry into the urethra, providing also for local anesthesia. In the present work, a new solid-state lubricant has been added to the gel, in order to reduce the metal-urethra interaction and alleviate the potential damage to the epithelial tissue. For that purpose, a urethra model was designed and fabricated, which allowed a quantitative assessment of the applied force for extraction of the endoscope from a soft polymer-based ring. It is shown that the addition of MoS2 nanoparticles with fullerene-like structure (IF-MoS2) and in particular rhenium-doped nanoparticles (Re:IF-MoS2) to Esracain gel applied on the metal-lead reduced the friction substantially. The Re:IF-MoS2 showed better results than the undoped fullerene-like nanoparticles and both performed better than the gel alone. The mechanism of friction reduction is attributed to fullerenes' ability to roll and act as a separator between the active parts of the model.

Study of urological devices coated with fullerene-like nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldbart, Ohad; Elianov, Olga; Shumalinsky, Dmitry; Lobik, Leonid; Cytron, Shmuel; Rosentsveig, Rita; Wagner, H. Daniel; Tenne, Reshef

2013-08-01

Insertion of endoscopes and other medical devices into the human body are ubiquitous, especially among aged males. The applied force for the insertion/extraction of the device from the urethra must overcome endoscope-surface-human-tissue interactions. In daily practice a gel is applied on the endoscope surface, in order to facilitate its entry into the urethra, providing also for local anesthesia. In the present work, a new solid-state lubricant has been added to the gel, in order to reduce the metal-urethra interaction and alleviate the potential damage to the epithelial tissue. For that purpose, a urethra model was designed and fabricated, which allowed a quantitative assessment of the applied force for extraction of the endoscope from a soft polymer-based ring. It is shown that the addition of MoS2 nanoparticles with fullerene-like structure (IF-MoS2) and in particular rhenium-doped nanoparticles (Re:IF-MoS2) to Esracain gel applied on the metal-lead reduced the friction substantially. The Re:IF-MoS2 showed better results than the undoped fullerene-like nanoparticles and both performed better than the gel alone. The mechanism of friction reduction is attributed to fullerenes' ability to roll and act as a separator between the active parts of the model.

Tissue Engineering of Urinary Bladder and Urethra: Advances from Bench to Patients

PubMed Central

Bouhout, Sara; Chabaud, Stéphane; Bolduc, Stéphane

2013-01-01

Urinary tract is subjected to many varieties of pathologies since birth including congenital anomalies, trauma, inflammatory lesions, and malignancy. These diseases necessitate the replacement of involved organs and tissues. Shortage of organ donation, problems of immunosuppression, and complications associated with the use of nonnative tissues have urged clinicians and scientists to investigate new therapies, namely, tissue engineering. Tissue engineering follows principles of cell transplantation, materials science, and engineering. Epithelial and muscle cells can be harvested and used for reconstruction of the engineered grafts. These cells must be delivered in a well-organized and differentiated condition because water-seal epithelium and well-oriented muscle layer are needed for proper function of the substitute tissues. Synthetic or natural scaffolds have been used for engineering lower urinary tract. Harnessing autologous cells to produce their own matrix and form scaffolds is a new strategy for engineering bladder and urethra. This self-assembly technique avoids the biosafety and immunological reactions related to the use of biodegradable scaffolds. Autologous equivalents have already been produced for pigs (bladder) and human (urethra and bladder). The purpose of this paper is to present a review for the existing methods of engineering bladder and urethra and to point toward perspectives for their replacement. PMID:24453796

Anterior Urethral Valve: Uncommon Association with Renal Duplicity.

PubMed

Salem, Amina Ben; Mazhoud, Ines; Laamiri, Rachida; Salem, Randa; Laajili, Hayet; Sahnoun, Lassaad; Hafsa, Chiraz

2017-01-01

Anterior urethral valves (AUVs) is an unusual cause of congenital obstruction of the male urethra, being 15-30 times less common than posterior urethral valves. We present a case of AUV diagnosed at 24th gestational week. Ultrasonography and fetal MRI revealed hydronephrotic kidneys with ureteral duplicity, a distended bladder and perineal cystic mass which confirmed dilated anterior urethra in a male fetus. Diagnosis was confirmed postnatally by voiding cystourethrogram and surgery.

Complete duplication of bladder and urethra in a sagittal plane in a male infant: case report and literature review.

PubMed

Coker, Alisa M; Allshouse, Michael J; Koyle, Martin A

2008-08-01

Complete duplication of the bladder and urethra is a rare entity. It may occur in the coronal and sagittal planes, and is often associated with other organ system anomalies, in particular of the gastrointestinal tract. We report an unusual variant of sagittal duplication of the bladder, in a male, associated with rudimentary hindgut duplication, and review the literature pertaining to this unusual anomaly.

[Penile fracture with associated urethra lesion: case report and bibliographic review].

PubMed

García Marchiñena, Patricio; Capiel, Leandro; Juarez, Diego; Liyo, Juan; Giudice, Carlos; Gueglio, Guillermo; Damia, Oscar

2008-10-01

Penile fracture is a rare lesion that occurs almost exclusively during erection. This lesion may be associated with rupture of the urethra in 20-30% of the cases. We describe a case that has been treated at our institution and review the literature. A-42-year-old patient suffered fracture of penis, with urethral section, during sexual intercourse. The patient underwent surgical exploration, the lesions of the corporal bodies and urethra were identified. Both lesions were repaired. patient's recovery was satisfactory without complications or esthetical or functional sequelae. Penile fracture with urethral section is an exceptional disease, the most frequent cause of which in occident is violent sexual activity. For diagnosis it is necessary in most cases a correct anamnesis and physical examination. Early surgical approach and closure of the albuginea's lesion and repair of the urethral lesion is the best way of treatment.

Overcoming scarring in the urethra: Challenges for tissue engineering.

PubMed

Simsek, Abdulmuttalip; Aldamanhori, Reem; Chapple, Christopher R; MacNeil, Sheila

2018-04-01

Urethral stricture disease is increasingly common occurring in about 1% of males over the age of 55. The stricture tissue is rich in myofibroblasts and multi-nucleated giant cells which are thought to be related to stricture formation and collagen synthesis. An increase in collagen is associated with the loss of the normal vasculature of the normal urethra. The actual incidence differs based on worldwide populations, geography, and income. The stricture aetiology, location, length and patient's age and comorbidity are important in deciding the course of treatment. In this review we aim to summarise the existing knowledge of the aetiology of urethral strictures, review current treatment regimens, and present the challenges of using tissue-engineered buccal mucosa (TEBM) to repair scarring of the urethra. In asking this question we are also mindful that recurrent fibrosis occurs in other tissues-how can we learn from these other pathologies?

SU-F-J-131: Reproducibility of Positioning Error Due to Temporarily Indwelled Urethral Catheter for Urethra-Sparing Prostate IMRT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hirose, K; Takai, Y; Southern Tohoku BNCT Research Center, Koriyama

2016-06-15

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the reproducibility of positioning errors due to temporarily indwelled catheter in urethra-sparing image-guided (IG) IMRT. Methods: Ten patients received urethra-sparing prostate IG-IMRT with implanted fiducials. After the first CT scan was performed in supine position, 6-Fr catheter was indwelled into urethra, and the second CT images were taken for planning. While the PTV received 80 Gy, 5% dose reduction was applied for the urethral PRV along the catheter. Additional CT scans were also performed at 5th and 30th fraction. Positions of interests (POIs) were set on posterior edge of prostatemore » at beam isocenter level (POI1) and cranial and caudal edge of prostatic urethra on the post-indwelled CT images. POIs were copied into the pre-indwelled, 5th and 30th fraction’s CT images after fiducial matching on these CT images. The deviation of each POI between pre- and post-indwelled CT and the reproducibility of prostate displacement due to catheter were evaluated. Results: The deviation of POI1 caused by the indwelled catheter to the directions of RL/AP/SI (mm) was 0.20±0.27/−0.64±2.43/1.02±2.31, respectively, and the absolute distances (mm) were 3.15±1.41. The deviation tends to be larger if closer to the caudal edge of prostate. Compared with the pre-indwelled CT scan, a median displacement of all POIs (mm) were 0.3±0.2/2.2±1.1/2.0±2.6 in the post-indwelled, 0.4±0.4/3.4±2.1/2.3±2.6 in 5th, and 0.5±0.5/1.7±2.2/1.9±3.1 in 30th fraction’s CT scan with a similar data distribution. There were 6 patients with 5-mm-over displacement in AP and/or CC directions. Conclusion: Reproducibility of positioning errors due to temporarily indwelling catheter was observed. Especially in case of patients with unusually large shifts by indwelling catheter at the planning process, treatment planning should be performed by using the pre-indwelled CT images with transferred contour of the urethra identified by post-indwelled CT images.« less

Primary prostatic haemangiosarcoma causing severe haematuria in a dog.

PubMed

Della Santa, D; Dandrieux, J; Psalla, D; Gorgas, D; Lang, J; Geissbuehler, U; Howard, J

2008-05-01

A 10-year-old, entire, male, mixed-breed dog was presented for severe haematuria and stranguria. Ultrasound revealed a large intraluminal urinary bladder blood clot and a prostatic space-occupying lesion. Invasion of the lesion into the prostatic urethra was detected ultrasonographically during compression of the urinary bladder. Post-mortem examination revealed primary prostatic haemangiosarcoma infiltrating the urethra. Haemangiosarcoma should be considered as a rare cause of prostatic mass lesions, haematuria or lower urinary tract signs in dogs.

Comparison of Gram stain with DNA probe for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in urethras of symptomatic males.

PubMed Central

Juchau, S V; Nackman, R; Ruppart, D

1995-01-01

The comparison of Gram-stained urethral smears with Gen-Probe for the detection of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in the urethras of males with symptomatic urethritis revealed a 99.6% correlation between the two methods. A simple Gram stain would appear to be the method of choice for the detection of gonorrhea in symptomatic males, because it is much less expensive and much more rapid than the Gen-Probe method. PMID:8576380

Tissue-specific Requirements of β-Catenin in External Genitalia Development

PubMed Central

Lin, Congxing; Yin, Yan; Long, Fanxin; Ma, Liang

2008-01-01

SUMMARY External genitalia are body appendages specialized for internal fertilization. Its development can be divided into two phases, an early androgen-independent phase and a late androgen-dependant sexual differentiation phase. In the early phase, the embryonic anlage of external genitalia, the genital tubercle (GT), are morphologically identical in both sexes. Although congenital external genitalia malformations represent the second most common birth defect in humans, the genetic pathways governing early external genitalia development and urethra formation are poorly understood. Proper development of the GT requires coordinated outgrowth of the mesodermally-derived mesenchyme and extension of the endodermal urethra within an ectodermal epithelial capsule. Here we demonstrate that β-Catenin plays indispensable and distinct roles in each of the aforementioned three tissue layers in early androgen-independent GT development. WNT-β-Catenin signaling is required in the endodermal urethra to activate and maintain Fgf8 expression and direct GT outgrowth, as well as to maintain homeostasis of the urethra. Moreover, β-Catenin is required in the mesenchyme to promote cell proliferation. In contrast, β-Catenin is required in the ectoderm to maintain tissue integrity possibly through cell-cell adhesion during GT outgrowth. The fact that both endodermal and ectodermal β-Catenin knockout animals develop severe hypospadias in both sexes raises the possibility that deregulation of any of these functions can contribute to the etiology of congenital external genital defects in humans. PMID:18635608

Glans wings are separated ventrally by the septum glandis and frenulum penis: MRI documentation and surgical implications

PubMed Central

Özbey, Hüseyin; Kumbasar, Ali

2017-01-01

Objective In the normal human penis, the glans wings are in apposition in the midline ventrally, and are separated by the “septum glandis” and “frenulum” of the prepuce. However, most of the hypospadias repair techniques include dissection of the glans wings and their approximation enclosing the neourethra within the glans. Material and methods In order to obtain detailed information about the normal anatomy of glans penis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the penis were studied in three adults. Transverse, and sagittal sections of the penis were performed with a 1.5-T MRI scanner. Results The present MRI study has confirmed that the glans wings do not fuse at the ventral midline and they are seperated by a fibrous tissue (septum glandis). This fibrous tissue is connected to the frenulum, traversing the wings of the glans penis. The glanular urethra forming the fossa navicularis has a wider caliber than the proximal urethra, and its walls are radiologically seen as the extension of that fibrous tissue. Conclusion The male urethra is not a uniform tubular structure and has distinct attachments in glans penis. The glans wings are separated ventrally by the septum glandis and frenulum. In hypospadias, the septum glandis and frenulum are entirely missing structures. Therefore, in hypospadias surgery, the anatomical features of the glanular urethra must be taken into consideration. PMID:29201519

Detailed Surgical Anatomy of Prostate: Relationship between Urethra and Dorsal Vein Complex with Apex.

PubMed

Tunc, Lutfi; Akin, Yigit; Gumustas, Huseyin; Ak, Esat; Peker, Tuncay; Veneziano, Domenico; Guneri, Cagri

2016-01-01

To describe our surgical technique for dissecting the apex of prostate during robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and detailed surgical anatomy of prostate including relationship between urethra and dorsal vein complex with apex. In retrospective view of prospective collected data, 73 patients underwent RALP between December 2012 and September 2014. Surgical anatomy of prostate was revealed in all procedures. Quality of life (QoL) scores were assessed before, immediately after catheter removal, and 1 month after surgery. We divided urinary continence into 3 groups, as very early continence; continence at time of urethral catheter removal, early continent; and continence 1 month after surgery. The rest of the patients were accepted as continence. The mean follow-up was 10.2 ± 5.4 months and mean age was 61.5 ± 6.6. Maximum protection of urethra could be provided in all. Mean catheter removal was 8.9 ± 1.7 days, and all patients were continent at the time of catheter removal. QoL scores before RALP could be protected after surgery (p = 0.2). Neither conversion to open/conventional laparoscopic surgery nor complications related with bladder neck were detected. Our surgical technique can be a strong candidate for being a surgical technique for preserving urethra and very early continence could be provided after surgery. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Complex epithelial remodeling underlie the fusion event in early fetal development of the human penile urethra.

PubMed

Shen, Joel; Overland, Maya; Sinclair, Adriane; Cao, Mei; Yue, Xuan; Cunha, Gerald; Baskin, Laurence

We recently described a two-step process of urethral plate canalization and urethral fold fusion to form the human penile urethra. Canalization ("opening zipper") opens the solid urethral plate into a groove, and fusion ("closing zipper") closes the urethral groove to form the penile urethra. We hypothesize that failure of canalization and/or fusion during human urethral formation can lead to hypospadias. Herein, we use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analysis of transverse serial sections to better characterize development of the human fetal penile urethra as contrasted to the development of the human fetal clitoris. Eighteen 7-13 week human fetal external genitalia specimens were analyzed by SEM, and fifteen additional human fetal specimens were sectioned for histologic analysis. SEM images demonstrate canalization of the urethral/vestibular plate in the developing male and female external genitalia, respectively, followed by proximal to distal fusion of the urethral folds in males only. The fusion process during penile development occurs sequentially in multiple layers and through the interlacing of epidermal "cords". Complex epithelial organization is also noted at the site of active canalization. The demarcation between the epidermis of the shaft and the glans becomes distinct during development, and the epithelial tag at the distal tip of the penile and clitoral glans regresses as development progresses. In summary, SEM analysis of human fetal specimens supports the two-zipper hypothesis of formation of the penile urethra. The opening zipper progresses from proximal to distal along the shaft of the penis and clitoris into the glans in identical fashion in both sexes. The closing zipper mechanism is active only in males and is not a single process but rather a series of layered fusion events, uniquely different from the simple fusion of two epithelial surfaces as occurs in formation of the palate and neural tube. Copyright © 2016 International Society of Differentiation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reduced dose to urethra and rectum with the use of variable needle spacing in prostate brachytherapy: a potential role for robotic technology

PubMed Central

Vyas, Shilpa; Le, Yi; Zhang, Zhe; Armour, Woody

2015-01-01

Purpose Several robotic delivery systems for prostate brachytherapy are under development or in pre-clinical testing. One of the features of robotic brachytherapy is the ability to vary spacing of needles at non-fixed intervals. This feature may play an important role in prostate brachytherapy, which is traditionally template-based with fixed needle spacing of 0.5 cm. We sought to quantify potential reductions in the dose to urethra and rectum by utilizing variable needle spacing, as compared to fixed needle spacing. Material and methods Transrectal ultrasound images from 10 patients were used by 3 experienced planners to create 120 treatment plans. Each planner created 4 plan variations per patient with respect to needle positions: 125I fixed spacing, 125I variable spacing, 103Pd fixed spacing, and 103Pd variable spacing. The primary planning objective was to achieve a prostate V100 of 100% while minimizing dose to urethra and rectum. Results All plans met the objective of achieving prostate V100 of 100%. Combined results for all plans show statistically significant improvements in all assessed dosimetric variables for urethra (Umax, Umean, D30, D5) and rectum (Rmax, Rmean, RV100) when using variable spacing. The dose reductions for mean and maximum urethra dose using variable spacing had p values of 0.011 and 0.024 with 103Pd, and 0.007 and 0.029 with 125I plans. Similarly dose reductions for mean and maximum rectal dose using variable spacing had p values of 0.007 and 0.052 with 103Pd, and 0.012 and 0.037 with 125I plans. Conclusions The variable needle spacing achievable by the use of robotics in prostate brachytherapy allows for reductions in both urethral and rectal planned doses while maintaining prostate dose coverage. Such dosimetric advantages have the potential in translating to significant clinical benefits with the use of robotic brachytherapy. PMID:26622227

Acute Urinary Obstruction in a Tetraplegic Patient from Misplacement of Catheter in Urethra.

PubMed

Vaidyanathan, Subramanian; Singh, Gurpreet; Hughes, Peter L; Soni, Bakul M

2016-01-01

A male tetraplegic patient attended accident and emergency with a blocked catheter; on removing the catheter, he passed bloody urine. After three unsuccessful attempts were made to insert a catheter by nursing staff, a junior doctor inserted a three-way Foley catheter with a 30-mL balloon but inflated the balloon with 10 mL of water to commence the bladder irrigation. The creatinine level was mostly 19 µmol/L (range: 0-135 µmol/L) but increased to 46 µmol/L on day 7. Computerized tomography urogram revealed that the bilateral hydronephrosis with hydroureter was extended down to urinary bladder, the bladder was distended, prostatic urethra was dilated and filled with urine, and although the balloon of Foley catheter was not seen in the bladder, the tip of the catheter was seen lying in the urethra. Following the re-catheterization, the creatinine level decreased to 21 µmol/L. A follow-up ultrasound scan revealed no evidence of hydronephrosis in both kidneys. Flexible cystoscopy revealed inflamed bladder mucosa, catheter reaction, and tiny stones. There was no bladder tumor. This case report concludes that the cause of bilateral hydronephrosis, hydroureter, and distended bladder was inadequate drainage of urinary bladder as the Foley balloon that was under-filled slipped into the urethra resulting in an obstruction to urine flow. Urethral catheterization in tetraplegic patients should be performed by senior, experienced staff in order to avoid trauma and incorrect positioning. Tetraplegic subjects with decreased muscle mass have low creatinine level. Increase in creatinine level (>1.5 times the basal level) indicates acute kidney injury, although peak creatinine level may still be within laboratory reference range. While scanning the urinary tract of spinal cord injury patients with indwelling urinary catheter, if Foley balloon is not seen within the bladder, urethra should be scanned to locate the Foley balloon.

Assessment of normal tissue complications following prostate cancer irradiation: Comparison of radiation treatment modalities using NTCP models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takam, Rungdham; Bezak, Eva; Yeoh, Eric E.

2010-09-15

Purpose: Normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of the rectum, bladder, urethra, and femoral heads following several techniques for radiation treatment of prostate cancer were evaluated applying the relative seriality and Lyman models. Methods: Model parameters from literature were used in this evaluation. The treatment techniques included external (standard fractionated, hypofractionated, and dose-escalated) three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy (I-125 seeds), and high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (Ir-192 source). Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of the rectum, bladder, and urethra retrieved from corresponding treatment planning systems were converted to biological effective dose-based and equivalent dose-based DVHs, respectively, in order to account for differences inmore » radiation treatment modality and fractionation schedule. Results: Results indicated that with hypofractionated 3D-CRT (20 fractions of 2.75 Gy/fraction delivered five times/week to total dose of 55 Gy), NTCP of the rectum, bladder, and urethra were less than those for standard fractionated 3D-CRT using a four-field technique (32 fractions of 2 Gy/fraction delivered five times/week to total dose of 64 Gy) and dose-escalated 3D-CRT. Rectal and bladder NTCPs (5.2% and 6.6%, respectively) following the dose-escalated four-field 3D-CRT (2 Gy/fraction to total dose of 74 Gy) were the highest among analyzed treatment techniques. The average NTCP for the rectum and urethra were 0.6% and 24.7% for LDR-BT and 0.5% and 11.2% for HDR-BT. Conclusions: Although brachytherapy techniques resulted in delivering larger equivalent doses to normal tissues, the corresponding NTCPs were lower than those of external beam techniques other than the urethra because of much smaller volumes irradiated to higher doses. Among analyzed normal tissues, the femoral heads were found to have the lowest probability of complications as most of their volume was irradiated to lower equivalent doses compared to other tissues.« less

Reduced dose to urethra and rectum with the use of variable needle spacing in prostate brachytherapy: a potential role for robotic technology.

PubMed

Vyas, Shilpa; Le, Yi; Zhang, Zhe; Armour, Woody; Song, Daniel Y

2015-08-01

Several robotic delivery systems for prostate brachytherapy are under development or in pre-clinical testing. One of the features of robotic brachytherapy is the ability to vary spacing of needles at non-fixed intervals. This feature may play an important role in prostate brachytherapy, which is traditionally template-based with fixed needle spacing of 0.5 cm. We sought to quantify potential reductions in the dose to urethra and rectum by utilizing variable needle spacing, as compared to fixed needle spacing. Transrectal ultrasound images from 10 patients were used by 3 experienced planners to create 120 treatment plans. Each planner created 4 plan variations per patient with respect to needle positions: (125)I fixed spacing, (125)I variable spacing, (103)Pd fixed spacing, and (103)Pd variable spacing. The primary planning objective was to achieve a prostate V100 of 100% while minimizing dose to urethra and rectum. All plans met the objective of achieving prostate V100 of 100%. Combined results for all plans show statistically significant improvements in all assessed dosimetric variables for urethra (Umax, Umean, D30, D5) and rectum (Rmax, Rmean, RV100) when using variable spacing. The dose reductions for mean and maximum urethra dose using variable spacing had p values of 0.011 and 0.024 with (103)Pd, and 0.007 and 0.029 with (125)I plans. Similarly dose reductions for mean and maximum rectal dose using variable spacing had p values of 0.007 and 0.052 with (103)Pd, and 0.012 and 0.037 with (125)I plans. The variable needle spacing achievable by the use of robotics in prostate brachytherapy allows for reductions in both urethral and rectal planned doses while maintaining prostate dose coverage. Such dosimetric advantages have the potential in translating to significant clinical benefits with the use of robotic brachytherapy.

Prostate seed implant quality assessment using MR and CT image fusion.

PubMed

Amdur, R J; Gladstone, D; Leopold, K A; Harris, R D

1999-01-01

After a seed implant of the prostate, computerized tomography (CT) is ideal for determining seed distribution but soft tissue anatomy is frequently not well visualized. Magnetic resonance (MR) images soft tissue anatomy well but seed visualization is problematic. We describe a method of fusing CT and MR images to exploit the advantages of both of these modalities when assessing the quality of a prostate seed implant. Eleven consecutive prostate seed implant patients were imaged with axial MR and CT scans. MR and CT images were fused in three dimensions using the Pinnacle 3.0 version of the ADAC treatment planning system. The urethra and bladder base were used to "line up" MR and CT image sets during image fusion. Alignment was accomplished using translation and rotation in the three ortho-normal planes. Accuracy of image fusion was evaluated by calculating the maximum deviation in millimeters between the center of the urethra on axial MR versus CT images. Implant quality was determined by comparing dosimetric results to previously set parameters. Image fusion was performed with a high degree of accuracy. When lining up the urethra and base of bladder, the maximum difference in axial position of the urethra between MR and CT averaged 2.5 mm (range 1.3-4.0 mm, SD 0.9 mm). By projecting CT-derived dose distributions over MR images of soft tissue structures, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of implant quality is straightforward. The image-fusion process we describe provides a sophisticated way of assessing the quality of a prostate seed implant. Commercial software makes the process time-efficient and available to any clinical practice with a high-quality treatment planning system. While we use MR to image soft tissue structures, the process could be used with any imaging modality that is able to visualize the prostatic urethra (e.g., ultrasound).

Role of positive urethrovesical feedback in vesical evacuation. The concept of a second micturition reflex: the urethrovesical reflex.

PubMed

Shafik, Ahmed; Shafik, Ali A; El-Sibai, Olfat; Ahmed, Ismail

2003-08-01

Upon feeling the urge to urinate, the urinary bladder contracts, the urethral sphincters relax and urine flows through the urethra. These actions are mediated by the micturition reflex. We investigated the hypothesis that vesical contraction is maintained by positive feedback through continuous flow of urine through the urethra, and that the cessation of urine flow aborts detrusor contraction. Normal saline was infused into the urinary bladders of 17 healthy volunteers (age 35.2 years+/-4.2(SD); ten women and seven men) at a rate of 100 ml/min. On urge, which occurred at a mean volume of 408.6 ml+/-28.7 of saline, the subject micturated while the vesical and urethral pressures during voiding were being recorded; residual urine was measured. The test was repeated after anesthetizing the urethra with xylocaine gel or, on another occasion, after applying a bland gel. On micturition, the urine was evacuated as a continuous stream without straining; no residual fluid was collected. After urethral anesthetization, the fluid came out of the urethra in multiple intermittent spurts and only with excessive straining. There was a large amount of residual fluid (184.6 ml+/-28.4). The results of bland gel application showed no significant difference ( P>0.05) from those without gel. Detrusor contraction during micturition is suggested to be maintained by positive urethrovesical feedback elicited by the continued passage of urine through the urethra. This feedback seems to be effected through the urethrovesical reflex, which produces vesical contraction on stimulation of the urethral stretch receptors. Abortion of this reflex by urethral anesthetization resulted in failure of detrusor contraction and excessive straining was needed to achieve bladder evacuation in multiple spurts. The urethrovesical reflex is thus assumed to constitute a second micturition reflex responsible for the continuation of detrusor contraction and urination. The role of this reflex in the pathogenesis of micturition disorders needs to be studied.

Megalourethra: a case report managed with a single intrauterine bladder aspiration.

PubMed

Asma, Basha; Jumana, Baramki

2012-02-01

Congenital megalourethra is a rare mesenchymal anomaly of the male urethra, characterised by severe dilatation of the penile urethra due to congenital absence of the corpus spongiosum and/or corpus cavernosum. Postnatal complications include voiding and erectile dysfunction as well as renal insufficiency and pulmonary hypoplasia. We present a unique case of congenital megalourethra diagnosed prenatally in the early second trimester. The parents opted to continue pregnancy and vaginal delivery of a live neonate occurred with a favourable outcome.

Method of constructing a microwave antenna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ngo, Phong (Inventor); Arndt, G. Dickey (Inventor); Carl, James (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of the catheter and method of applying microwave energy a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

Method of Constructing a Microwave Antenna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arndt, G. Dickey (Inventor); Carl, James (Inventor); Ngo, Phong (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of the catheter and method of applying microwave energy a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

Method for selective thermal ablation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ngo, Phong (Inventor); Arndt, G. Dickey (Inventor); Raffoul, George W. (Inventor); Carl, James (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of the catheter and method of applying microwave energy a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

Method for Selective Thermal Ablation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arndt, G. Dickey (Inventor); Carl, James (Inventor); Ngo, Phong (Inventor); Raffoul, George W. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of the catheter and method of applying microwave energy a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

Transcatheter Microwave Antenna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arndt, Dickey G. (Inventor); Carl, James R. (Inventor); Ngo, Phong (Inventor); Raffoul, George W. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of the catheter and method of applying microwave energy a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

Ion channels of the mammalian urethra

PubMed Central

Kyle, Barry D

2014-01-01

The mammalian urethra is a muscular tube responsible for ensuring that urine remains in the urinary bladder until urination. In order to prevent involuntary urine leakage, the urethral musculature must be capable of constricting the urethral lumen to an extent that exceeds bladder intravesicular pressure during the urine-filling phase. The main challenge in anti-incontinence treatments involves selectively-controlling the excitability of the smooth muscles in the lower urinary tract. Almost all strategies to battle urinary incontinence involve targeting the bladder and as a result, this tissue has been the focus for the majority of research and development efforts. There is now increasing recognition of the value of targeting the urethral musculature in the treatment and management of urinary incontinence. Newly-identified and characterized ion channels and pathways in the smooth muscle of the urethra provides a range of potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of urinary incontinence. This review provides a summary of the current state of knowledge of the ion channels discovered in urethral smooth muscle cells that regulate their excitability. PMID:25483582

Bacterial loads of Ureaplasma parvum contribute to the development of inflammatory responses in the male urethra.

PubMed

Deguchi, Takashi; Shimada, Yasushi; Horie, Kengo; Mizutani, Kohsuke; Seike, Kensaku; Tsuchiya, Tomohiro; Yokoi, Shigeaki; Yasuda, Mitsuru; Ito, Shin

2015-12-01

Ureaplasma parvum, which has been recognised as a coloniser in the male urethra, is detected in some men with non-gonococcal urethritis. In this study, we quantified the 16 S rRNA genes of U. parvum by a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based assay in first-voided urine from 15 symptomatic and 38 asymptomatic men who were positive only for U. parvum. We also determined the leukocyte counts by automated quantitative urine particle analysis in their first-voided urine. Positive correlations were observed between copies of the 16 S rRNA genes of U. parvum/ml and the leukocyte counts/µl in first-voided urine (p = 0.0019). The loads of ≥10(4) copies of the 16 S rRNA gene/ml, corresponding to ≥5 × 10(3) cells of U. parvum/ml, were significantly associated with the presence of ≥12.5 leukocytes/µl in first-voided urine that might document the presence of inflammatory responses in the urethra. However, a large portion of the subjects (83.0%) had bacterial loads of <5 × 10(3) cells of U. parvum/ml, and 79.5% of them showed <12.5 leukocytes/µl. The ambiguity of the pathogenic role of U. parvum in non-gonococcal urethritis could, in part, be due to its low bacterial loads, which might not give rise to inflammatory responses in the male urethra. © The Author(s) 2015.

Dorsal inlay buccal mucosal graft (Asopa) urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture.

PubMed

Marshall, Stephen D; Raup, Valary T; Brandes, Steven B

2015-02-01

Asopa described the inlay of a graft into Snodgrass's longitudinal urethral plate incision using a ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach in 2001. He claimed that this technique was easier to perform and led to less tissue ischemia due to no need for mobilization of the urethra. This approach has subsequently been popularized among reconstructive urologists as the dorsal inlay urethroplasty or Asopa technique. Depending on the location of the stricture, either a subcoronal circumferential incision is made for penile strictures, or a midline perineal incision is made for bulbar strictures. Other approaches for penile urethral strictures include the non-circumferential penile incisional approach and a penoscrotal approach. We generally prefer the circumferential degloving approach for penile urethral strictures. The penis is de-gloved and the urethra is split ventrally to exposure the stricture. It is then deepened to include the full thickness of the dorsal urethra. The dorsal surface is made raw and grafts are fixed on the urethral surface. Quilting sutures are placed to further anchor the graft. A Foley catheter is placed and the urethra is retubularized in two layers with special attention to the staggering of suture lines. The skin incision is then closed in layers. We have found that it is best to perform an Asopa urethroplasty when the urethral plate is ≥1 cm in width. The key to when to use the dorsal inlay technique all depends on the width of the urethral plate once the urethrotomy is performed, stricture etiology, and stricture location (penile vs. bulb).

Urethrography and cavernosography imaging in a small series of penile fractures: a comparison with surgical findings.

PubMed

Mydlo, J H; Hayyeri, M; Macchia, R J

1998-04-01

To compare our results of preoperative corporal cavernosography and retrograde urethrography in penile fractures with the clinical and intraoperative findings. From January to October 1996, 7 cases of penile fracture were diagnosed at our inner city trauma center. All cases were associated with sexual activity and patients underwent preoperative retrograde urethrography and corpus cavernosography with immediate surgical intervention. We found that 2 patients who presented with blood at the meatus had intact urethras, whereas 2 of the 3 patients who had urethral lacerations did not have a bloody meatus. In 2 cases the urethrogram and cavernosogram revealed lacerations that were not initially detected surgically. However, in another 2 cases, the urethrogram and cavernosogram were falsely negative. Two of the seven corporal fractures were bilateral and five were unilateral. On the basis of this small sample, it appears that preoperative cavernosography and retrograde urethrography may show additional sites of tears in the corpora and urethra because hematoma formation may mask some ruptures. However, the presence or absence of a bloody meatus may not necessarily correlate with the status of the urethra, and the urologist also should be wary of a false-negative imaging study. We suggest that all cases of penile fracture be explored surgically, but preferably by a subcoronal degloving incision that allows careful examination of the urethra and corpora. Results of a larger series may determine if the routine use of these imaging modalities is justified intraoperatively.

SU-F-T-09: In Phantom Full-Implant Validation of Plastic Scintillation Detectors for in Vivo Dosimetry During Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Therriault-Proulx, F; Bruno, T; Beddar, S

Purpose: To validate in a water phantom the use of plastic scintillation detectors to measure dose to the urethra and the rectal wall during a clinically realistic low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy implant. Methods: A template was designed to replicate a clinically realistic LDR brachytherapy prostate implant inside a water phantom. Twenty-two catheters were inserted, including one mimicking the urethra and another the rectal wall. The needles inserted in the remaining 20 catheters were composed of thin-walled nylon tubes in which I-125 radioactive seeds (Air Kerma Strengths of (0.328±0.020)U) were abutted together with plastic spacers to replicate a typical loading.more » A plastic scintillation detector (PSD) with a 5-mm long × 1-mm diameter sensitive element was first placed inside the urethra and 1-second measurements were performed for 60s after each needle implant. Measurements were also performed at multiple positions along the urethra once all the needles were inserted. The procedure was then repeated with the PSD placed at the rectal wall. Results: Individual dose-rates ranging from 0.07µGy/s to 1.5µGy/s were measured after each needle implant. The average absolute relative differences were (6.2±3.6)% and (6.9±6.5)% to the values calculated with the TG-43 formalism, for the urethra and rectal wall respectively. These results are within expectations from the error uncertainty budget once accounting for uncertainties in seeds’ strength and positioning. Interestingly, the PSD allowed for unplanned error detection as the study was performed. Finally, the measured dose after the full implant at different positions along the mimicked organs at risk were in agreement with TG-43 values for all of the positions tested. Conclusion: Plastic scintillation detectors could be used as in vivo detectors for LDR brachytherapy as they would provide accurate dose information after each needle implant as well as along the organs at risk at the end of the implant.« less

[Combination of the ureteral dilation catheter and balloon catheter under the ureteroscope in the treatment of male urethral stricture].

PubMed

Zhou, Yi; Li, Gong-hui; Yan, Jia-jun; Shen, Cong; Tang, Gui-hang; Xu, Gang

2016-01-01

To investigate the clinical application of the ureteral dilation catheter combined with the balloon catheter under the ureteroscope in the treatment of urethral stricture in men. Under the ureteroscope, 45 male patients with urethral stricture received placement of a zebra guide wire through the strictured urethra into the bladder and then a ureteral dilation catheter along the guide wire, followed by dilation of the urethra from F8 initially to F14 and F16. Again, the ureteroscope was used to determine the length of the strictured urethra, its distance to the external urethral orifice, and whether it was normally located. An F24 balloon catheter and then a metal urethral calibrator was used for the dilation of the strictured urethra. After removal of the F18-F22 urethral catheter at 8 weeks, the urinary flow rate was measured immediately and again at 3 months. All the operations were successfully performed without serious complications. The maximum urinary flow rate was (13.3-29.9) ml/s (mean [17.7 ± 3.2] ml/s) at the removal of the catheter and (15.2-30.8) ml/s (mean [19.8 ± 3.9] ml/s) at 3 months after it. Smooth urination was found in all the patients during the 6-24 months follow-up. The application of the ureteral dilation catheter combined with, the balloon catheter under the ureteroscope is a good option for the treatment of male urethral stricture for its advantages of uncomplicatedness, safety, effectiveness, few complications, less pain, high success rate, and repeatable operation.

Cross-sectional study examining four types of male penile and urethral "play".

PubMed

Rinard, Katherine; Nelius, Thomas; Hogan, LaMicha; Young, Cathy; Roberts, Alden E; Armstrong, Myrna L

2010-12-01

To provide further quantitative and qualitative evidence about men who insert foreign liquids and objects into their penis and/or urethra. As part of a larger, cross-sectional study examining men (n = 445) with genital piercings (GP), 2 questions inquired whether the respondents had penile tattoos and/or inserted other materials, such as fluids and foreign objects, into their penis and urethra. Four different practices have been described in the literature: embedding (a) foreign objects and/or (b) liquids subcutaneously into penile tissue, as well as inserting (c) liquids and/or (d) foreign objects into the urethra. In our study, 354 (78%) men with GP responded to the 2 questions; 85 (24%) replied affirmatively and 68 (80%) provided comments. Respondents coined their practices penile and/or urethral "play." Two respondents embedded metal balls into their penis, 1 at age 13 injected water for penis enlargement; 11 inserted liquids into the urethra, and 63 reported insertion of 32 different objects, frequently urethral sounds or "sounding" (n = 33/52%) were mentioned. Major motivation themes focused on sexual stimulation and experimentation. Penile tattoos (n = 14) were also reported, mainly for esthetics. Few complications or STDs were reported. Basic demographic assumptions of those who participate in these actions were challenged, and this study provides evidence of a wider distribution of men using penile or urethral play, and "sounding." Clinician awareness of these practices are important to obtain accurate health histories, manage genitourinary tract complications, as well as provide applicable patient education. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Single stage circumferential lingual mucosal graft urethroplasty in near obliterative bulbar urethra stricture: A novel technique.

PubMed

Sharma, Umesh; Yadav, Sher Singh; Tomar, Vinay; Garg, Amit

2016-01-01

This is a prospective study of the use and efficacy of a novel technique of circumferential tubularised lingual mucosal graft (LMG) in obliterative and near obliterative bulbar urethral stricture of >2 cm where excisional and augmented anastomotic urethroplasty are not feasible. The stenotic urethral segment was opened dorsally in midline and fibrosed urethra was excised taking care to preserve the healthy spongiosum tissue. LMG (av. Length 3 cm) was placed from one end of corporal body towards spongy tissue in a circumferential manner. Another LMG was placed in similar manner to deal with longer stricture. The urethra was tubularised over 14 Fr silicone catheter. A total of 12 men, of mean age 47 years underwent this procedure. The mean follow up period was 11 months starting from July 2014 till manuscript submission. Follow up included voiding cystourethrogram at 3 weeks, cystoscopy at 3 months (one patient didn't turned up) and subsequent follow up. Mean stricture length was 4.66 cm (range, 3-8.5 cm) and mean operative time was 195 min. (range, 160 to 200 min.). The technique was successful (normal voiding with no need for any post-operative procedure) in 11(91.6%) patients. One patient developed early recurrence at 4 month of surgery and had anastomotic stricture which was successfully managed by direct visual internal urethrotomy. Single stage circumferential tubularised graft urethroplasty is an excellent technique for strictures that include segments of obliterative and near obliterative diseased urethra. It provide a wider neourethra than patch graft urethroplasty.

Preputial skin free graft as dorsal onlay urethroplasty: Our experience of 73 patients.

PubMed

Bapat, Shivadeo S; Padhye, Abhijit S; Yadav, Pushkaraj B; Bhave, Ashish A

2007-10-01

To present the outcome of dorsal onlay urethroplasty in 73 patients for stricture urethra over a period of eight years. Seventy-three patients of stricture urethra have undergone dorsal onlay urethroplasty from July 1998 to February 2006. Age distribution: 14-58 years. Trauma 20/73 (27.39%), Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans 2/73 (2.73%), Iatrogenic 26/73(35.61%), Infection 3/73 (4.10%), Idiopathic 22/73 (30.13%). Site: Penobulbar-25/73, bulbar-38/73, membranous-8/73 and long length-2/73. Suprapubic catheter was inserted preoperatively: 21/73 patients. Preputial / distal penile skin was used in all patients. Buccal mucosa was not used in any patient. Hospitalization was for four to five days. Catheter was removed after 21 days. All patients had their first endoscopic checkup after three months. Subsequently they were followed up by uroflometry. Routine imaging of urethra for follow-up was not carried out. 63/73 (86.30%) patients had satisfactory outcome not requiring any further treatment, 8/73 (10.95%) developed anastomotic stricture (3/8-optical internal urethrotomy, 5/8 dilatation alone). 2/73 (2.75%) developed external meatal stenosis. None had urinary fistula and required repeat urethroplasty. Follow-up ranged from three months to eight years. Dorsal onlay urethroplasty using preputial/distal penile skin is a satisfactory procedure. Preputial/distal penile skin is devoid of hair and fat and hence an ideal graft material. Even in circumscribed patients distal penile skin can be harvested. Long-term follow-up is required in judging results of patients with stricture urethra.

Dorsal inlay buccal mucosal graft (Asopa) urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture

PubMed Central

Marshall, Stephen D.; Raup, Valary T.

2015-01-01

Asopa described the inlay of a graft into Snodgrass’s longitudinal urethral plate incision using a ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach in 2001. He claimed that this technique was easier to perform and led to less tissue ischemia due to no need for mobilization of the urethra. This approach has subsequently been popularized among reconstructive urologists as the dorsal inlay urethroplasty or Asopa technique. Depending on the location of the stricture, either a subcoronal circumferential incision is made for penile strictures, or a midline perineal incision is made for bulbar strictures. Other approaches for penile urethral strictures include the non-circumferential penile incisional approach and a penoscrotal approach. We generally prefer the circumferential degloving approach for penile urethral strictures. The penis is de-gloved and the urethra is split ventrally to exposure the stricture. It is then deepened to include the full thickness of the dorsal urethra. The dorsal surface is made raw and grafts are fixed on the urethral surface. Quilting sutures are placed to further anchor the graft. A Foley catheter is placed and the urethra is retubularized in two layers with special attention to the staggering of suture lines. The skin incision is then closed in layers. We have found that it is best to perform an Asopa urethroplasty when the urethral plate is ≥1 cm in width. The key to when to use the dorsal inlay technique all depends on the width of the urethral plate once the urethrotomy is performed, stricture etiology, and stricture location (penile vs. bulb). PMID:26816804

Standardized pelvic floor exercises improve stress urinary incontinence in women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

PubMed

Lehmann, Corinne; Zipponi, Ingrid; Baumann, Marc U; Radlinger, Lorenz; Mueller, Michael D; Kuhn, Annette

2016-08-01

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is the conservative therapy of choice for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The success rate of surgical procedures in SUI patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) is low. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of a standardized physiotherapy on patients with SUI and normotonic urethra and ISD. In this study, 64 patients with ISD and 69 patients with normotonic urethra were enrolled. Maximum urethral pressure (MUCP) >20 cm H2 O was considered as normotonic urethral pressure. Before and after physiotherapy MUCP was measured and cough testing was performed. Additionally, patient reported outcome was assessed using the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ). For statistical analyses Excel 2010 (Microsoft Inc; Redmond, Washington) and SPSS 20 (SPSS Inc; Chicago, Illinois) for Windows were used. Power calculation was based on the primary endpoint incontinence impact and general health. For power calculation, GraphPad Statmate version 2.00 for Windows was used. Sixty-four patients with ISD and 69 patients with normotonic urethra were included in the study. In SUI patients with normotonic and hypotonic urethra KHQ-scores regarding the primary endpoins "general health" and "incontinence impact" significantly improved following standardized physiotherapy. In both groups MUCP increased after physiotherapy. In SUI patients with ISD standardized physiotherapy resulted in a decreased incidence of a positive cough test. Standardized physiotherapy should be offered to patients with SUI and ISD. Long-term results are subject to future studies. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:711-716, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Undetected penetrating bladder injuries presenting as a spontaneously expulsed bullet during voiding: a rare entity and review of the literature.

PubMed

Kuy, SreyRam; Somberg, Lewis B; Paul, Jasmeet; Brown, Nathaniel; Saving, Allegra; Codner, Panna A

2013-09-01

Patients presenting with a penetrating missile lodged in the pelvis are at risk for having a urinary tract injury. Once in the bladder, the missile can become impacted in the urethra, causing retention that requires extraction. Rarely, the missile can be expulsed spontaneously through the urethra. To describe the world literature regarding undetected penetrating bladder injuries presenting as spontaneously voided bullets and to contribute an additional case to the literature. We present a case report of a 37-year-old man who sustained a gunshot wound to the right buttock, with an undetected urinary system injury and subsequent spontaneous voiding of a bullet. There have been <10 cases reported in the literature of spontaneously expulsed bullets from the urethra, all of which were undetected injuries on initial presentation. Physicians should be aware of the potential for undetected urinary tract injuries in patients with penetrating missiles to the pelvis and understand the appropriate evaluation and management strategies for these injuries. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Muscular urinary sphincter: electrically stimulated myoplasty for functional sphincter reconstruction.

PubMed

Palacio, M M; Van Aalst, V C; Perez Abadia, G A; Stremel, R W; Werker, P M; Ren, X; Petty, G D; Heilman, S J; Van Savage, J G; Garcia Fernandez, A; Kon, M; Tobin, G R; Barker, J H

1998-11-01

To reconstruct an electrically stimulated muscular urinary sphincter (MUS) using a tailored gracilis muscle free flap with intact nerve. Unilateral surgically tailored gracilis muscle free flaps were transferred into the pelvis in eight dogs, leaving the obturator nerve intact. The muscle's pedicle vessels were anastomosed to the inferior epigastric artery and vein in the pelvis and the muscle was wrapped around the bladder neck. Electrodes were inserted into the MUS and connected to a programmable pulse generator. After 8 weeks of training the MUS, the pulse generator was programmed to be "on" for 4 hours and "off' for 15 minutes in a continuous cycle. Urodynamic studies were performed periodically, and at the end of the experiment the MUS and proximal urethra were harvested for histology. Three control dogs had sham operations. All MUS's functioned well following the procedure. Histology of the MUS/urethra complex showed no evidence of stricture. Except for one dog, all urethras were easily catheterized. This electrically stimulated innervated free-flap MUS technique effectively increases bladder outlet resistance without producing urethral obstruction.

Delayed retropubic urethroplasty of completely transected urethra associated with pelvic fracture in girls.

PubMed

Hosseini, Jalil; Tavakkoli Tabassi, Kamyar; Razi, Abdollah

2009-01-01

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the results and the complications of delayed retropubic urethroplasty of completely transected urethra associated with pelvic fracture in girls. From 2002 to 2008, a total of 7 girls with complete urethral disruption after pelvic fracture were referred to our center and all of them underwent delayed retropubic urethroplasty with end-to-end anastomosis of the urethra. Seven female patients with a median age of 6 years old underwent delayed end-to-end anastomosis. The median time to surgery was 6 months from the trauma. Voiding was normal after catheter removal in all of the patients. The median follow-up was 36 months. Three patients had mild stress urinary incontinence after catheter removal. There are some different strategies for management of complete urethral avulsion in females who have sustained pelvic fracture, including early realignment, bladder flaps, and end-to-end anastomosis. The strategy of delayed end-to-end anastomosis urethroplasty with retropubic approach is sound and produces acceptable results. The use of flexible cystoscope and omental flap is effective in achieving continence after urethroplasty in such cases.

[Nitric oxide pathway and female lower urinary tract. Physiological and pathophysiological role].

PubMed

Gamé, X; Rischmann, P; Arnal, J-F; Malavaud, B

2013-09-01

The aim was to review the literature on nitric oxide and female lower urinary tract. A literature review through the PubMed library until December, 31 2012 was carried out using the following keywords: lower urinary tract, bladder, urethra, nervous central system, innervation, female, women, nitric oxide, phosphodiesterase, bladder outlet obstruction, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, urinary tract infection. Two nitric oxide synthase isoforms, the neuronal (nNOS) and the endothelial (eNOS), are constitutively expressed in the lower urinary tract. Nevertheless, nNOS is mainly expressed in the bladder neck and the urethra. In the bladder, NO modulates the afferent neurons activity. In pathological condition, inducible NOS expression induces an increase in detrusor contractility and bladder wall thickness and eNOS facilitates Escherichia coli bladder wall invasion inducing recurrent urinary tract infections. In the urethra, NO play a major role in smooth muscle cells relaxation. The NO pathway plays a major role in the female lower urinary tract physiology and physiopathology. While it acts mainly on bladder outlet, in pathological condition, it is involved in bladder dysfunction occurrence. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

A very large leiomyoma of the urethra: a case report.

PubMed

Fedelini, Paolo; Chiancone, Francesco; Fedelini, Maurizio; Fabiano, Marco; Persico, Francesco; Di Lorenzo, Domenico; Meccariello, Clemente

2017-02-28

Leiomyomas are benign mesenchymal tumours of smooth muscle origin. They are the most common uterine masses in women of reproductive age group and may be related to the hormonal status. Urethral leiomyomas are very rare. According to the literature, the mean diameter of the urethral leiomyomas is 3.7 cm. We report a case of a very large leiomyoma of the urethra. A 40-year-old women woman was admitted to our department for a giant vaginal mass. She complained of haematuria, dysuria, recurrent urinary tract infections and dyspareunia. The physical evaluation demonstrated a 6 × 5.5 cm neoformation involving the distal tract of the urethra. The patient underwent an ultrasonography and then a magnetic resonance that suggested the diagnosis of leiomyoma. The neoformation was excised through a suburethral incision. The patient was discharged after 3 days and no intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred. The Foley catheter was removed after a week. The patient was continent to urine, and at 6 months follow-up, the patient was symptom free and no recurrences occurred.

[Personal experience with treatment of posttraumatic urethral distraction defects].

PubMed

Fiala, R; Zátura, F; Vrtal, R

2001-01-01

Authors present their experience in the treatment of posttraumatic distraction urethral defect resulting from traumatic rupture of posterior urethra. The group comprised 19 patients with posttraumatic urethral distraction defect (average age 41 year, range 27-65 years). In 16 of them (84%) resection urehtroplasty was performed and in three (16%) endoscopic internal urethrotomy was applied. The patients were evaluated of 19 to 48 months after surgery. Urethroplasty was performed at least three months after the trauma, always under general anesthaesia in lithotomic position, using perinal approach. Dissection of bulbar urethra was followed by dissection and resection of fibrous posttraumatic distraction defect (the original membranous urethra). Prostatic apex and proximal end of lumbar urethra were spatulated and bulboprostatic anastomosis was performed restoring urethral continuity. A catheter was left in urethra for three weeks. In 12 patients it was necessary to separe corpora cavernosa addition and 5 patients required a wedge resection of the lower arch of public bones to allow urethral bridge the defect. Endoscopic internal urehtrotomy was also performed minimally three months after trauma, always on position 12 of the clock face opposite to symphysis with a discision of the whole stenotic part. Subsequently, catheter was inserted in urethra and left in place for four days. Resection urethroplasty as primary surgery was successful in 15 (94%) patients and only 1 patients (6%) required another reconstruction surgery. Endoscopic management was not successful in any patients (100%). Two of them (66%) had to undergo repeatedly a reconstruction surgery, the third one (33%) is regularly dilated. All patients after urethroplasty are under regular circumstances continent, only in two of them (13%) there occurs of urine in case of an extreme increase of abdominal pressure. Erectile function already impaired by the trauma did not worsen by the surgery in 4 patients (25%), in 2 patients (13%) with preoperatively normal erections there developed erectile dysfunction after urethroplasty of which in 1 patient a permanent disorder. The quality of life was in general evaluated by patients as excellent. Epicystotomy is a simple procedure ensuring urinary diversion in patients with posterior urethral rupture. However, such management of urethral rupture almost always results in the development posttraumatic distraction defect. Incontinence occurs in our group only in 2 (12%) patients, mainly in non-standard situations (gym, urgency). Night incontinence does not occur in our patients at all. Continence is in our patients ensured by lissosfincter which is fully sufficient. Erectile dysfunction may result from a trauma or a treatment. In our group all patients have a preserved erection prior to trauma and trauma was evident cause of the loss of erection only in 2 (12%) patients who were primarily treated by epicystotomy. In another 2 patients (12%) who were primarily treated after trauma for coincidental urinary bladder rupture it is impossible to state what caused the erectile dysfunction whether a fracture or surgery. In the acute phase during the revision of the rupture of posterior urethra the peroperative risk of the impairment of neurovascular bundles responsible for erection is much higher than in planned surgery. Satisfaction of patients with the treatment is reflected in the evaluation of the postoperative results and the quality of life in general. None of our patients managed by delayed internal urethrotomy was cured. One is regularly dilated, another two underwent urethroplasty. The technique of resection of urethral distraction defects with bulboprostatic anastomosis is a suitable way of the treatment of the preceding rupture of posterior urethra without impairement of continence or erection. A prerequisite of good results is a simple urine diversion by epicystostomy during the primary management of the posterior urethral rupture. Delayed endoscopic therapy of the distraction defect will not probably cure the patients but will result in regular dilatations. It may be an alternative treatment in polymorbid or biologically older patients.

Urodynamic pressure sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Thomas

1991-01-01

A transducer system was developed for measuring the closing pressure profile along the female urethra, which provides up to five sensors within the functional length of the urethra. This new development is an improvement over an earlier measurement method that has a smaller sensor area and was unable to respond to transient events. Three sensors were constructed; one of them was subjected to approximately eight hours of use in a clinical setting during which 576 data points were obtained. The complete instrument system, including the signal conditioning electronics, data acquisition unit, and the computer with its display and printer is described and illustrated.

Double inlay plus ventral onlay buccal mucosa graft for simultaneous penile and bulbar urethral stricture.

PubMed

Favorito, Luciano A; Conte, Paulo P; Sobrinho, Ulisses G; Martins, Rodrigo G; Accioly, Tomas

2017-11-17

Buccal mucosa grafts and fascio-cutaneous flaps are frequently used in long anterior urethral strictures (1). The inlay and onlay buccal mucosa grafts are easier to perform, do not need urethral mobilization and generally have good long-term results (2-4). In the present video, we present a case where we used a double buccal mucosa graft technique in a simultaneous penile and bulbar urethral stricture. A 54 year-old male patient was submitted to appendectomy where a urethral catheter was used for two days in May 2015. Three months after surgery, the patient complained of acute urinary retention and a supra-pubic tube was indicated. Urethrocystography was performed two weeks later and showed strictures in penile and bulbar urethra with 3.5 cm and 3 cm in length respectively. Urethroplasty was proposed for the surgical treatment in this case. We used a perineal approach with a ventral sagittal urethrotomy in both strictures. Penile urethra stricture measuring 3.5 cm in length was observed and a free graft from the buccal mucosa was harvested and placed into the longitudinal incision in the dorsal urethra and fixed with interrupted suture as dorsal inlay. Bulbar urethra stricture measuring 3 cm was observed and a free graft from the buccal mucosa was harvested and placed into the longitudinal incision in the ventral urethra and fixed with interrupted suture as ventral onlay. The ventral urethrotomy was closed over a 16Fr Foley catheter and the skin incision was then closed in layers. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The patient could achieve satisfactory voiding and no complication was seen during the six-month follow-up. Postoperative imaging demonstrated a widely patent urethra, and the mean peak flow was 12 mL/s. The BMG placement can be ventral, dorsal, lateral or combined dorsal and ventral BMG in the meeting of stricture but the first two are most common (5, 6). Ventral location provides the advantages of ease of exposure and good vascular supply by avoiding circumferential rotation of the urethra (7). Early success rates of dorsal and ventral onlay with BMG were 96 and 85%, respectively. However, long-term follow-up revealed essentially no difference in success rates (8-11). Anterior urethral stricture treatments are various, and comprehensive consideration should be given in selecting individualized treatment programs, which must be combined with the patient's stricture, length, complexity, and other factors. Traditionally, anastomotic procedures with transection and urethral excision are suggested for short bulbar strictures, while longer strictures are treated by patch graft urethroplasty preferably using the buccal mucosa as gold-standard material due to its histological characteristics. The current management for complex urethral strictures commonly uses open reconstruction with buccal mucosa urethroplasty. However, there are multiple situations whereby buccal mucosa is inadequate (pan-urethral stricture or prior buccal harvest) or inappropriate for utilization (heavy tobacco use or oral radiation). Multiple options exist for use as alternatives or adjuncts to buccal mucosa in complex urethral strictures (injectable antifibrotic agents, augmentation urethroplasty with skin flaps, lingual mucosa, colonic mucosa, and new developments in tissue engineering for urethral graft material). In the present case, our patient had two strictures and we chose to correct the first stricture with a dorsal graft and the bulbar stricture with a ventral graft because of our personal expertise. We can conclude that the double buccal mucosa graft is easier to perform and can be an option to repair multiple urethral strictures. Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

Comparison of TVT and TOT on urethral mobility and surgical outcomes in stress urinary incontinence with hypermobile urethra.

PubMed

Cavkaytar, Sabri; Kokanalı, Mahmut Kuntay; Guzel, Ali Irfan; Ozer, Irfan; Aksakal, Orhan Seyfi; Doganay, Melike

2015-07-01

To compare the change of urethral mobility after midurethral sling procedures in stress urinary incontinence with hypermobile urethra and assess these findings with surgical outcomes. 141 women who agreed to undergo midurethral sling operations due to stress urinary incontinence with hypermobile urethra were enrolled in this non-randomized prospective observational study. Preoperatively, urethral mobility was measured by Q tip test. All women were asked to complete Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7) to assess the quality of life. Six months postoperatively, Q tip test and quality of life assessment were repeated. The primary surgical outcomes were classified as cure, improvement and failure. Transient urinary obstruction, de novo urgency, voiding dysfunction were secondary surgical outcomes. Of 141 women, 50 (35. 5%) women underwent TOT, 91 (64.5%) underwent TVT. In both TOT and TVT groups, postoperative Q tip test values, IIQ-7 and UDI-6 scores were statistically reduced when compared with preoperative values. Postoperative Q tip test value in TVT group was significantly smaller than in TOT group [25°(15-45°) and 20° (15-45°), respectively]. When we compared the Q-tip test value, IIQ-7 and UDI-6 scores changes, there were no statistically significant changes between the groups. Postoperative urethral mobility was more frequent in TOT group than in TVT group (40% vs 23.1%, respectively). Postoperative primary and secondary outcomes were similar in both groups. Although midurethral slings decrease the urethtal hypermobility, postoperative mobility status of urethra does not effect surgical outcomes of midurethral slings in women with preoperative urethral hypermobility. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abobotulinum - a toxin injection in patients with refractory idiopathic detrusor overactivity: injections in detrusor, trigone and bladder neck or prostatic urethra, versus detrusor - only injections

PubMed Central

Emami, Maryam; Shadpour, Pejman; Kashi, Amir H.; Choopani, Masoud; Zeighami, Mohammadreza

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate if the injections of abobotulinum-A toxin in trigone and bladder neck/prostatic urethra in addition to detrusor provides better symptoms relief and urodynamic findings in patients with idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) refractory to medical treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 74 patients with IDO refractory to anticholinergics received injections in detrusor, trigone and bladder neck/prostatic urethra (Group A, N=36) versus detrusor only injections (Group B, N=38) of abobotulinum-A toxin. All patients were evaluated by a standard overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) questionnaire and cystometrography before and 6 weeks after the operation. OABSS questionnaire was also completed 20 weeks after the operation. Results: The magnitude of OABSS reduction from baseline to 6 weeks after operation in groups A and B patients was 13.4±2.2 versus 11.7±2.1 (p=0.001). Cystometry results were similar in both groups except for higher volume at urgent desire to void in Group B patients (p <0.001). The mean±SD change in residual volume in Group A at 6 weeks after the operation was −4.8±28.6mL (p=0.33) compared to 21.3±16.9mL in Group B patients (p <0.001). Conclusions: In patients with IDO, adding trigone, and bladder neck/prostatic urethra as sites of abobotulinum- A toxin injection produces greater reductions in OABSS score and less residual urine volume but a lower volume at urgent desire to void in comparison with detrusor only injections. PMID:28727385

Distinct subclassification of DRG neurons innervating the distal colon and glans penis/distal urethra based on the electrophysiological current signature

PubMed Central

Petruska, Jeffrey C.; Cooper, Brian Y.; Johnson, Richard D.

2014-01-01

Spinal sensory neurons innervating visceral and mucocutaneous tissues have unique microanatomic distribution, peripheral modality, and physiological, pharmacological, and biophysical characteristics compared with those neurons that innervate muscle and cutaneous tissues. In previous patch-clamp electrophysiological studies, we have demonstrated that small- and medium-diameter dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons can be subclassified on the basis of their patterns of voltage-activated currents (VAC). These VAC-based subclasses were highly consistent in their action potential characteristics, responses to algesic compounds, immunocytochemical expression patterns, and responses to thermal stimuli. For this study, we examined the VAC of neurons retrogradely traced from the distal colon and the glans penis/distal urethra in the adult male rat. The afferent population from the distal colon contained at least two previously characterized cell types observed in somatic tissues (types 5 and 8), as well as four novel cell types (types 15, 16, 17, and 18). In the glans penis/distal urethra, two previously described cell types (types 6 and 8) and three novel cell types (types 7, 14, and 15) were identified. Other characteristics, including action potential profiles, responses to algesic compounds (acetylcholine, capsaicin, ATP, and pH 5.0 solution), and neurochemistry (expression of substance P, CGRP, neurofilament, TRPV1, TRPV2, and isolectin B4 binding) were consistent for each VAC-defined subgroup. With identification of distinct DRG cell types that innervate the distal colon and glans penis/distal urethra, future in vitro studies related to the gastrointestinal and urogenital sensory function in normal as well as abnormal/pathological conditions may be benefitted. PMID:24872531

Thermoluminescence dosimetry for in-vivo verification of high dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

PubMed

Das, R; Toye, W; Kron, T; Williams, S; Duchesne, G

2007-09-01

It was the aim of the study to verify dose delivered in urethra and rectum during High Dose Rate brachytherapy boost (HDRBB) of prostate cancer patients. During the first fraction of HDRBB measurement catheters were placed in the urethra and rectum of prostate cancer patients. These contained LiF:Mg,Ti Thermoluminescence Dosimetry (TLD) rods of 1 mm diameter, with up to 11 detectors positioned every 16 mm separated by radio-opaque markers. A Lorentzian peak function was used to fit the data. Measurements from 50 patients were evaluated and measured doses were compared with predictions from the treatment planning system (Plato Vs 13.5 to 14.1). Prospective urinary and rectal toxicity scores were collected following treatment. In more than 90% of cases, the Lorentzian peak function provided a good fit to both experimental and planning urethral data (r2 > 0.9). In general there was good agreement between measured and predicted doses with the average difference between measured and planned maximum dose being 0.1 Gy. No significant association between dose and any clinical endpoints was observed in 43 patients available for clinical evaluation. An average inferior shift of 2 mm between the plan and the measurement performed approximately 1 hour after the planning CT scan was found for the dose distribution in the cohort of patients for the urethra measurements. Rectal measurements proved to be more difficult to interpret as there is more variability of TLD position between planning and treatment. TLD in-vivo measurements are easily performed in urethra and rectum during HDR brachytherapy of prostate patients. They verify the delivery and provide information about the dose delivered to critical structures. The latter may be of particular interest if higher doses are to be given per fraction such as in HDR monotherapy.

Distinct subclassification of DRG neurons innervating the distal colon and glans penis/distal urethra based on the electrophysiological current signature.

PubMed

Rau, Kristofer K; Petruska, Jeffrey C; Cooper, Brian Y; Johnson, Richard D

2014-09-15

Spinal sensory neurons innervating visceral and mucocutaneous tissues have unique microanatomic distribution, peripheral modality, and physiological, pharmacological, and biophysical characteristics compared with those neurons that innervate muscle and cutaneous tissues. In previous patch-clamp electrophysiological studies, we have demonstrated that small- and medium-diameter dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons can be subclassified on the basis of their patterns of voltage-activated currents (VAC). These VAC-based subclasses were highly consistent in their action potential characteristics, responses to algesic compounds, immunocytochemical expression patterns, and responses to thermal stimuli. For this study, we examined the VAC of neurons retrogradely traced from the distal colon and the glans penis/distal urethra in the adult male rat. The afferent population from the distal colon contained at least two previously characterized cell types observed in somatic tissues (types 5 and 8), as well as four novel cell types (types 15, 16, 17, and 18). In the glans penis/distal urethra, two previously described cell types (types 6 and 8) and three novel cell types (types 7, 14, and 15) were identified. Other characteristics, including action potential profiles, responses to algesic compounds (acetylcholine, capsaicin, ATP, and pH 5.0 solution), and neurochemistry (expression of substance P, CGRP, neurofilament, TRPV1, TRPV2, and isolectin B4 binding) were consistent for each VAC-defined subgroup. With identification of distinct DRG cell types that innervate the distal colon and glans penis/distal urethra, future in vitro studies related to the gastrointestinal and urogenital sensory function in normal as well as abnormal/pathological conditions may be benefitted. Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.

Systematic Review to Compare Urothelium Differentiation with Urethral Epithelium Differentiation in Fetal Development, as a Basis for Tissue Engineering of the Male Urethra.

PubMed

de Graaf, Petra; van der Linde, E Martine; Rosier, Peter F W M; Izeta, Ander; Sievert, Karl-Dietrich; Bosch, J L H Ruud; de Kort, Laetitia M O

2017-06-01

Tissue-engineered (TE) urethra is desirable in men with urethral disease (stricture or hypospadias) and shortage of local tissue. Although ideally a TE graft would contain urethral epithelium cells, currently, bladder epithelium (urothelium) is widely used, but morphologically different. Understanding the differences and similarities of urothelium and urethral epithelium could help design a protocol for in vitro generation of urethral epithelium to be used in TE grafts for the urethra. To understand the development toward urethral epithelium or urothelium to improve TE of the urethra. A literature search was done following PRISMA guidelines. Articles describing urethral epithelium and bladder urothelium development in laboratory animals and humans were selected. Twenty-nine studies on development of urethral epithelium and 29 studies on development of urothelium were included. Both tissue linings derive from endoderm and although adult urothelium and urethral epithelium are characterized by different gene expression profiles, the signaling pathways underlying their development are similar, including Shh, BMP, Wnt, and FGF. The progenitor of the urothelium and the urethral epithelium is the early fetal urogenital sinus (UGS). The urethral plate and the urothelium are both formed from the p63+ cells of the UGS. Keratin 20 and uroplakins are exclusively expressed in urothelium, not in the urethral epithelium. Further research has to be done on unique markers for the urethral epithelium. This review has summarized the current knowledge about embryonic development of urothelium versus urethral epithelium and especially focuses on the influencing factors that are potentially specific for the eventual morphological differences of both cell linings, to be a basis for developmental or tissue engineering of urethral tissue.

Evaluation of the Effects of Temporary Covered Nitinol Stent Placement in the Prostatic Urethra: Short-Term Study in the Canine Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crisostomo, Veronica; Song, Ho Young; Maynar, Manuel

Purpose. To evaluate the effect of temporary stent placement on the canine prostatic urethra. Methods. Retrievable PTFE-covered nitinol stents were placed in the prostatic urethras of 8 beagle dogs under fluoroscopic guidance. Retrograde urethrography was obtained before and after stenting. Retrograde urethrography and endoscopy were performed 1 and 2 months after deployment. The endoscopic degree of hyperplasia was rated on a scale of 0 to 4 (0 absence, 4 = occlusion). On day 60, stents were removed and urethrography was performed immediately before euthanasia. Pathologic analysis was performed to determine the degree of glandular atrophy, periurethral fibrosis, and urethral dilation.more » Results. Stent deployment was technically successful in 7 animals, and failed in 1 dog due to a narrow urethral lumen. Complete migration was seen in 2 animals at 1 month, and an additional stent was deployed. On day 30, endoscopy showed slight hyperplasia (grade 1) in 3 animals. On day 60, moderate hyperplasia (grade 2) was evidenced in 4 cases. No impairment of urinary flow was seen during follow-up. Retrieval was technically easy to perform, and was successful in all dogs. The major histologic findings were chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates; prostate glandular atrophy, with a mean value of 1.86 (SD 0.90); periurethral fibrosis, with a mean ratio of 29.37 (SD 10.41); and dilatation of the prostatic urethra, with a mean ratio of 6.75 (SD 3.22). Conclusion. Temporary prostatic stent placement in dogs is safe and feasible, causing marked enlargement of the prostatic urethral lumen. Retrievable covered stents may therefore be an option for bladder outlet obstruction management in men.« less

Minimal percentage of dose received by 90% of the urethra (%UD90) is the most significant predictor of PSA bounce in patients who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-brachytherapy) for prostate cancer.

PubMed

Tanaka, Nobumichi; Asakawa, Isao; Fujimoto, Kiyohide; Anai, Satoshi; Hirayama, Akihide; Hasegawa, Masatoshi; Konishi, Noboru; Hirao, Yoshihiko

2012-09-14

To clarify the significant clinicopathological and postdosimetric parameters to predict PSA bounce in patients who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-brachytherapy) for prostate cancer. We studied 200 consecutive patients who received LDR-brachytherapy between July 2004 and November 2008. Of them, 137 patients did not receive neoadjuvant or adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. One hundred and forty-two patients were treated with LDR-brachytherapy alone, and 58 were treated with LDR-brachytherapy in combination with external beam radiation therapy. The cut-off value of PSA bounce was 0.1 ng/mL. The incidence, time, height, and duration of PSA bounce were investigated. Clinicopathological and postdosimetric parameters were evaluated to elucidate independent factors to predict PSA bounce in hormone-naïve patients who underwent LDR-brachytherapy alone. Fifty patients (25%) showed PSA bounce and 10 patients (5%) showed PSA failure. The median time, height, and duration of PSA bounce were 17 months, 0.29 ng/mL, and 7.0 months, respectively. In 103 hormone-naïve patients treated with LDR-brachytherapy alone, and univariate Cox proportional regression hazard model indicated that age and minimal percentage of the dose received by 30% and 90% of the urethra were independent predictors of PSA bounce. With a multivariate Cox proportional regression hazard model, minimal percentage of the dose received by 90% of the urethra was the most significant parameter of PSA bounce. Minimal percentage of the dose received by 90% of the urethra was the most significant predictor of PSA bounce in hormone-naïve patients treated with LDR-brachytherapy alone.

Electrically stimulated free-flap graciloplasty for urinary sphincter reconstruction: a new surgical procedure.

PubMed

van Aalst, V C; Werker, P M; Stremel, R W; Perez Abadia, G A; Petty, G D; Heilman, S J; Palacio, M M; Kon, M; Tobin, G R; Barker, J H

1998-07-01

In electrically stimulated (dynamic) graciloplasty for urinary incontinence, the gracilis muscle is transposed into the pelvis, and the distal part is used to reconstruct a neosphincter. Clinical outcomes using this technique have been disappointing due to stricture of the urethra caused by ischemia in the distal part of the gracilis and limited gracilis length available for neosphincter construction. Furthermore, the urethra is twisted by the contracting gracilis, rather than circumferentially squeezed. The purpose of the present study was to test the anatomical and functional feasibility of a new surgical approach to reconstruct a urinary sphincter, using the gracilis muscle as a free flap. In 12 human cadavers, the anatomical feasibility for creating a neosphincter by using the gracilis free flap was determined. In all cases, transfer of the gracilis muscle into the pelvis as a free flap (with the nerve intact) was feasible, and ample muscle was available to construct a neosphincter around the bladder neck. Gracilis neosphincter function was studied in seven dogs. The left gracilis muscle was subjected to transfer into the pelvis as an innervated free flap to create a neosphincter around the urethra. The right (control) gracilis muscle was lifted as a single pedicle flap, remained in situ, and was wrapped around a stent to mimic the urethra. Function (expressed as peak pressure generation and fatigue rate) and surface perfusion were determined for all gracilis muscles. In each dog, both sides were compared using the paired Student's t test for statistical analysis, and no significant difference was measured for the two groups. In conclusion, an innervated gracilis free flap can be used to create a neosphincter around the bladder neck. In an acute study in dogs, function and perfusion of the innervated gracilis free flap are not compromised.

[Oral mucosa graft urethroplasty for complicated urethral strictures].

PubMed

Horiguchi, Akio; Sumitomo, Makoto; Kanbara, Taiki; Tsujita, Yujiro; Yoshii, Takahiko; Yoshii, Hidehiko; Satoh, Akinori; Asakuma, Junichi; Ito, Keiichi; Hayakawa, Masamichi; Asano, Tomohiko

2010-03-01

We evaluated the efficacy and outcome of one-stage oral mucosa graft urethroplasty, which is currently the procedure of choice for treating lengthy and complicated urethral strictures not amenable to excision and primary end-to-end anastomosis. Seven patients 33 to 74 years old (mean age = 53.7) underwent one-stage oral mucosa graft urethroplasty for a stricture in either the bulbar urethra (four patients), penile urethra (two patients), or pan-anterior urethra (one patient). Three of the strictures were due to trauma, one was due to inflammation, and one was due to a failed hypospadia repair. The other two were iatrogenic. All patients had previously undergone either internal urethrotomy or repeated urethral dilation. Three patients received a tube graft, three received a ventral onlay, and one received a dorsal onlay. A free graft of oral mucosa was harvested from the inside of each patient's left cheek, and if necessary to obtain a sufficient length, the harvest was extended to include mucosa from the lower lip and the right cheek. The graft lengths ranged from 2.5 to 12 cm (mean = 4.6 cm). A urethral catheter was left in place for 3 weeks postoperatively. While no severe complications at the donor site were observed during follow-up periods ranging from 3 to 55 months (mean = 14 months), two patients who had received a tube graft developed distal anastomotic ring strictures that were managed by internal urethrotomy. The other five required no postoperative urological procedure even though one who had received a ventral onlay developed a penoscrotal fistula. Oral mucosa is an ideal urethral graft, and oral mucosa graft urethroplasty is an effective procedure for repairing complicated urethral strictures involving long portions of the urethra.

Clinical Evaluation of a Safety-device to Prevent Urinary Catheter Inflation Related Injuries.

PubMed

Davis, Niall F; Cunnane, Eoghan M; Mooney, Rory O'C; Forde, James C; Walsh, Michael T

2018-05-01

To evaluate the feasibility of a novel "safety-valve" device for preventing catheter related urethral trauma during urethral catheterization (UC). To assess the opinions of clinicians on the performance of the safety-valve device. A validated prototype "safety-valve" device for preventing catheter balloon inflation related urethral injuries was prospectively piloted in male patients requiring UC in a tertiary referral teaching hospital (n = 100). The device allows fluid in the catheter system to decant through an activated safety threshold pressure valve if the catheter anchoring balloon is misplaced. Users evaluated the "safety-valve" with an anonymous questionnaire. The primary outcome measurement was prevention of anchoring balloon inflation in the urethra. Secondary outcome measurement was successful inflation of urinary catheter anchoring balloon in the bladder. Patient age was 76 ± 12 years and American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade was 3 ± 1.4. The "safety-valve" was utilized by 34 clinicians and activated in 7% (n = 7/100) patients during attempted UC, indicating that the catheter anchoring balloon was incorrectly positioned in the patient's urethra. In these 7 cases, the catheter was successfully manipulated into the urinary bladder and inflated. 31 of 34 (91%) clinicians completed the questionnaire. Ten percent (n = 3/31) of respondents had previously inflated a urinary catheter anchoring balloon in the urethra and 100% (n = 31) felt that a safety mechanism for preventing balloon inflation in the urethra should be compulsory for all UCs. The safety-valve device piloted in this clinical study offers an effective solution for preventing catheter balloon inflation related urethral injuries. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Proximal Straining Mesh Location Is Associated With De Novo Stress Urinary Incontinence After Transobturator Mesh Procedures.

PubMed

Huang, Wen-Chen; Yang, Jenn-Ming

2017-03-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between mesh location and de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after transvaginal mesh procedures. We retrospectively analyzed a database of women who had received transvaginal mesh procedures for stage III or greater cystocele according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system. Only data for women who neither reported SUI preoperatively nor had received concomitant anti-incontinence surgery were included for analyses. The mesh location was investigated by sonography via the percentage of the urethra covered by mesh, defined as the number calculated by dividing the portion of the urethral length covered by mesh (the distance from the bladder neck to the point of the urethra, which was indicated by an imaginary line at the level of the lower [caudal] mesh end and perpendicular to the urethra) by the total urethral length (the distance from the bladder neck to the external urethral meatus) in the sagittal plane. The resting, straining, coughing, and squeezing mesh locations of women who did (n = 29) and did not (n = 54) report SUI at the 12-month follow-up were compared. At the 12-month follow-up, women who reported SUI had a significantly smaller straining percentage of the urethra covered by mesh (mean ± SD, 28.5% ± 9.6%) compared with continent women (35.2% ± 15.8%), indicating a more proximal straining mesh location. Sonography is useful in investigating the location of the transvaginal mesh. De novo SUI after transvaginal mesh procedures is associated with a more proximal straining mesh location. © 2017 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Endoscopic Assessment and Prediction of Prostate Urethral Disintegration After Histotripsy Treatment in a Canine Model*

PubMed Central

Schade, George R.; Styn, Nicholas R.; Hall, Timothy L.

2012-01-01

Abstract Background and Purpose Histotripsy is a nonthermal focused ultrasound technology that uses acoustic cavitation to homogenize tissue. Previous research has demonstrated that the prostatic urethra is more resistant to histotripsy effects than prostate parenchyma, a finding that may complicate the creation of transurethral resection of the prostate-like treatment cavities. The purpose of this study was to characterize the endoscopic appearance of the prostatic urethra during and after histotripsy treatment and to identify features that are predictive of urethral disintegration. Materials and Methods Thirty-five histotripsy treatments were delivered in a transverse plane traversing the prostatic urethra in 17 canine subjects (1–3/prostate ≥1 cm apart). Real-time endoscopy was performed in the first four subjects to characterize development of acute urethral treatment effect (UTE). Serial postprocedure endoscopy was performed in all subjects to assess subsequent evolution of UTE. Results Endoscopy during histotripsy was feasible with observation of intraurethral cavitation, allowing characterization of the real-time progression of UTE from normal to frank urethral disintegration. While acute urethral fragmentation occurred in 3/35 (8.6%) treatments, frank urethral disintegration developed in 24/35 (68.5%) within 14 days of treatment. Treating until the appearance of hemostatic pale gray shaggy urothelium was the best predictor of achieving urethral fragmentation within 14 days of treatment with positive and negative predictive values of 0.91 and 0.89, respectively. Conclusion Endoscopic assessment of the urethra may be a useful adjunct to prostatic histotripsy to help guide therapy to ensure urethral disintegration, allowing drainage of the homogenized adenoma and effective tissue debulking. PMID:22050511

Internet Impact on the Insertion of Genitourinary Tract Foreign Bodies in Childhood

PubMed Central

Sinopidis, Xenophon; Alexopoulos, Vasileios; Panagidis, Antonios; Ziova, Alexandra; Varvarigou, Anastasia; Georgiou, George

2012-01-01

Foreign body self-insertion into the urethra is an uncommon paraphilia. Variety in object form, motivation, clinical presentation, complications, and treatment options is a rule. In childhood it is very rare, and it is attributed to curiosity or mental disorders so far. However, the internet impact on daily life of all age groups has created a new category of sexual behavior in childhood and adolescence, the “internet induced paraphilia.” Such is the case of an electrical cable inserted in the urethra of a 12-year-old boy reported here, which is representative of this kind of impact. PMID:22997598

[Electronic urethro-cystometry before and after reconstructive surgery using the Zoedler method].

PubMed

Methfessel, H D; Röpke, F; Methfessel, G

1976-01-01

Electronical measurement of pressure in the bladder and urethra of 9 incontinent women treated by the Zoedler-plastic. A comparison of pre- and postoperative levels yielded the following results: 1. The functional length and the closing-pressure of the urethra show uncharacteristic changes of the levels only. The expected postoperative rise of the levels have not come true. 2. The vesico-urethral quotient at strain (pV max/pU max) is (with the exception of one case) corresponding to the result of the operation. 3. The clinical recovery from incontinence after the Zoedler-plastic is combined with small changes in the pressure-graphs only.

Y-type urethral duplication: an unusual variant of a rare anomaly.

PubMed

Kumaravel, S; Senthilnathan, R; Sankkarabarathi, C; Bagdi, R K; Soundararajan, S; Prasad, N

2004-12-01

Urethral duplications are rare anomalies. We present a 3-year-old continent boy passing urine since birth per anus while voiding from penis. Micturating cystourethrogram, retrograde urethrogram and cystoscopy revealed a Y connection between the posterior urethra and anal canal. The accessory channel was excised by a perineal approach. Histopathology revealed that the tract was lined by transitional epithelium, proving that it was indeed a case of urethral duplication; hence, we suggest that all urethroanal fistulas are not variants of anorectal malformations. Certain of these fistulas should be considered as variants of Y-type urethral duplication even if the orthotopic urethra is normal.

Female urethral diverticulum containing a giant calculus: a CARE-compliant case report.

PubMed

Dong, ZhiLong; Wang, Hanzhang; Zuo, LinJun; Hou, MingLi

2015-05-01

Urethral diverticula with calculi have a low incidence as reported in the literature. Diverticulum of female urethra is rare, often discovered due to associated complications. We report a case of diverticulum of the female urethra containing giant calculi in a 62-year-old multiparous woman. She consulted with our office due to dysuria and a hard, painful periurethral mass in the anterior vagina wall. The diverticulum was approached surgically by a vaginal route, and local extraction of the calculi and subsequent diverticulectomy successfully treated the condition.Diagnosis of a complicated diverticulum can be easily achieved if one possesses a high degree of clinical symptoms.

Five meters of H(2)O: the pressure at the urinary bladder neck during human ejaculation.

PubMed

Böhlen, D; Hugonnet, C L; Mills, R D; Weise, E S; Schmid, H P

2000-09-01

There are no data in the literature on pressure changes in the prostatic urethra during ejaculation. In healthy men, it has always been postulated that there must be a pressure gradient in order to prevent retrograde ejaculation, but scientific proof for that is pending. In five healthy male volunteers, the pressure profile in the prostatic urethra was registered during ejaculation, using a 10 French balloon catheter with 16 pressure channels. The channels were arranged in pairs at 5-mm intervals, beginning just below the balloon at the bladder neck and extending down to the external urethral sphincter. In the proximal part of the prostatic urethra, a pressure of up to 500 cm of H(2)O was measured in all subjects. Contrary to that, pressures did not exceed 400 cm of H(2)O distally to the verumontanum. A novel method to register the pressure profile in the lower urinary tract during ejaculation (ejaculomanometry) is presented. This study adds to the knowledge of the normal physiology of reproductive function and may be useful in the evaluation of male sexual and reproductive disorders. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Evaluation of two techniques of partial urethral obstruction in the male rat model of bladder outlet obstruction.

PubMed

Melman, Arnold; Tar, Moses; Boczko, Judd; Christ, George; Leung, Albert C; Zhao, Weixin; Russell, Robert G

2005-11-01

To perform a comparison to determine which of two methods of partial urethral ligation produces the most consistent outcome and fewest side effects. Such a study has not been previously reported. Partial urethral ligation is a means of causing reproducible bladder outlet obstruction. In the male rat model, partial urethral obstruction can be performed either by perineal incision and bulbous urethral ligation or retropubic incision and midprostatic obstruction. Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Five were selected for bulbous urethral obstruction through a perineal incision, five for midprostatic obstruction using a retropubic approach, and five for a sham operation through a perineal incision. The operative time was shorter and morbidity lower with the perineal approach compared with the retropubic approach. Inflammation or infection, or both, were seen in the prostate, bladder, proximal urethra, ureters, and kidneys in the rats in which a midprostatic obstruction was performed. The proximal urethra and prostate were mildly inflamed in those rats that underwent bulbous obstruction. Sham-operated rats exhibited mild prostatitis only. The perineal approach to the bulbous urethra is the method of choice for creating a partial urethral obstruction model of bladder outlet obstruction in the male rat.

Pelvic fracture-associated urethral injuries in girls: experience with primary repair.

PubMed

Dorairajan, Lalgudi N; Gupta, Harendra; Kumar, Santosh

2004-07-01

To present our experience with four urethral injuries in females accompanying a pelvic fracture, managed with primary repair or realignment of the urethra. There were three teenage girls and one adult (22 years old). All the patients had complete urethral injuries associated with a pelvic fracture from accidents. They were managed by immediate suprapubic cystostomy followed by repair or realignment of the urethra over a catheter on the same day. The catheter was removed after 3 weeks and a voiding cysto-urethrogram taken. Thereafter they were followed with regular urethral calibration. All patients voided satisfactorily with a good stream; three were fully continent and the fourth had transient stress urinary incontinence. One patient needed dilatation at 2 months and another visual internal urethrotomy at 5 months. At a mean (range) follow-up of 33 (9-60) months all the patients had a normal voiding pattern and were continent; none developed vaginal stenosis. Primary repair of the urethra, and if that is impossible, simple urethral realignment over a catheter, is the procedure of choice for managing female urethral injury associated with a pelvic fracture. The procedure has the additional advantage of reducing the risk of vaginal stenosis.

The "G-Spot" Is Not a Structure Evident on Macroscopic Anatomic Dissection of the Vaginal Wall.

PubMed

Hoag, Nathan; Keast, Janet R; O'Connell, Helen E

2017-12-01

Controversy exists in the literature regarding the presence or absence of an anatomic "G-spot." However, few studies have examined the detailed topographic or histologic anatomy of the putative G-spot location. To determine the anatomy of the anterior vaginal wall and present detailed, systematic, accessible findings from female cadaveric dissections to provide anatomic clarity with respect to this location. Systematic anatomic dissections were performed on 13 female cadavers (32-97 years old, 8 fixed and 5 fresh) to characterize the gross anatomy of the anterior vaginal wall. Digital photography was used to document dissections. Dissection preserved the anterior vaginal wall, urethra, and clitoris. In 9 cadavers, the vaginal epithelial layer was reflected to expose the underlying urethral wall and associated tissues. In 4 cadavers, the vaginal wall was left intact before preservation. Once photographed, 8 specimens were transversely sectioned for macroscopic inspection and histologic examination. The presence or absence of a macroscopic anatomic structure at detailed cadaveric pelvis dissection that corresponds to the previously described G-spot and gross anatomic description of the anterior vaginal wall. Deep to the lining epithelium of the anterior vaginal wall is the urethra. There is no macroscopic structure other than the urethra and vaginal wall lining in the location of the putative G-spot. Specifically, there is no apparent erectile or "spongy" tissue in the anterior vaginal wall, except where the urethra abuts the clitoris distally. The absence of an anatomic structure corresponding to the putative G-spot helps clarify the controversy on this subject. Limitations to this study include limited access to specimens immediately after death and potential for observational bias. In addition, age, medical history, and cause of death are not publishable for privacy reasons. However, it is one of the most thorough and complete anatomic evaluations documenting the anatomic detail of the anterior vaginal wall. The G-spot, in its current description, is not identified as a discrete anatomic entity at macroscopic dissection of the urethra or vaginal wall. Further insights could be provided by histologic study. Hoag N, Keast JR, O'Connell HE. The "G-Spot" Is Not a Structure Evident on Macroscopic Anatomic Dissection of the Vaginal Wall. J Sex Med 2017;14:1524-1532. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Penile fracture: a rare case of simultaneous rupture of the one corpus cavernosum and complete urethral rupture.

PubMed

Nale, Djordje; Bojanić, Nebojša; Nikić, Predrag

2015-01-01

Penile fracture is a traumatic rupture of tunica albuginea and the tumescent corpora cavernosa due to the nonphysiological bending of the penile shaft, presenting with or without rupture of corpus pongiosum and urethra. The incidence of concomitant injury of the urethra is 0-38%. Complete urethral rupture is rare, but it is almost always associated with bilateral corporeal injury. We presented a patient with complete urethral rupture, and rupture of the right cavernous body. According to the available literature, this case is extremely rare. Fracture of the penis is relatively uncommon and is considered a urologic emergency. Prompt surgical explo- ration and repair can preserve erectile and voiding function.

Urethral anatomy and semen flow during ejaculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelly, Diane

2016-11-01

Ejaculation is critical for reproductive success in many animals, but little is known about its hydrodynamics. In mammals, ejaculation pushes semen along the length of the penis through the urethra. Although the urethra also carries urine during micturition, the flow dynamics of micturition and ejaculation differ: semen is more viscous than urine, and the pressure that drives its flow is derived primarily from the rhythmic contractions of muscles at the base of the penis, which produce pulsatile rather than steady flow. In contrast, Johnston et al. (2014) describe a steady flow of semen through the crocodilian urethral groove during ejaculation. Anatomical differences of tissues associated with mammalian and crocodilian urethral structures may underlie these differences in flow behavior.

Transurethral removal of a cystic urolith in a mare using a laparoscopic specimen pouch.

PubMed

Williamson, A J; McKinnon, A O

2017-05-01

Cystic urolithiasis is the most common form of urolithiasis reported in horses. In contrast to the gelding or stallion, clinical disease is less common in the mare and manual removal techniques are possible because of their shorter, wider urethral anatomy. However, these manual removal techniques can be traumatic and are limited by the size of the urolith. This report describes the use of a commercial laparoscopic specimen pouch to remove a cystic urolith in a mare. This approach may allow the extraction of larger uroliths per urethra in the mare, while affording some protection to the mucosa of the bladder neck and urethra. © 2017 Australian Veterinary Association.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy – a novel treatment approach for primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of male urethra

PubMed Central

Lewis, Shirley; Pal, Mahendra; Bakshi, Ganesh; Ghadi, Yogesh G.; Menon, Santosh; Murthy, Vedang

2015-01-01

The incidence of male urethral cancer is rare with age preponderance of 50 to 60 years. The standard management approach is surgery. Here, we present a novel treatment approach for male urethral cancer. Thirty-six year old male, case of primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of urethra who refused surgery, underwent cystoscopic assisted intraluminal HDR brachytherapy. Patient received a dose of 36 Gy in 9 fractions (4 Gy per fraction) followed by a boost of 24 Gy in 6 fractions. At 11 months post treatment, disease is well controlled with no post treatment toxicity so far. Intraluminal brachytherapy seems to be an effective novel treatment for male urethral cancer. PMID:26207115

[Two cases of giant female urethral stone in long-term bedridden elderly].

PubMed

Kato, K; Murase, T; Kuromatsu, I; Hasegawa, M; Kawamura, J

2001-08-01

A 78-year-old female suffering from a cerebral infarction and subdural hematoma was referred to us due to a hard mass in the anterior vaginal wall which was disclosed during gynecological examination. An abdominal X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that a large spindle-shaped stone, 60 x 42 mm in size, was impacting the urethra. It was impossible to catheterize the urethra. The stone gradually projected through the external urethral meatus and was removed by grasping and drawing with forceps. Another 83-year-old female with senile dementia was referred to us because of macrohematuria. An abdominal X-ray and CT showed the presence of two oval bladder stones, 32 x 24 mm and 30 x 21 mm in size. During a follow-up, one of the stones projected partially through the external urethral meatus and was removed by drawing with forceps. After a week, the other stone impacted the urethra and was removed in the same way. Both women were frail, bedridden institutionalized elderly with severe dementia, and their urination had been managed with diapers for years. As the proportion of elderly people in Japan rapidly increases, female urethral stones migrating from the urinary bladder, once very rare, may increase in number, to which we must pay attention.

Neural Mechanisms Underlying Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction

PubMed Central

Ogawa, Teruyuki; Miyazato, Minoru; Kitta, Takeya; Furuta, Akira; Chancellor, Michael B.; Tyagi, Pradeep

2014-01-01

This article summarizes anatomical, neurophysiological, and pharmacological studies in humans and animals to provide insights into the neural circuitry and neurotransmitter mechanisms controlling the lower urinary tract and alterations in these mechanisms in lower urinary tract dysfunction. The functions of the lower urinary tract, to store and periodically release urine, are dependent on the activity of smooth and striated muscles in the bladder, urethra, and external urethral sphincter. During urine storage, the outlet is closed and the bladder smooth muscle is quiescent. When bladder volume reaches the micturition threshold, activation of a micturition center in the dorsolateral pons (the pontine micturition center) induces a bladder contraction and a reciprocal relaxation of the urethra, leading to bladder emptying. During voiding, sacral parasympathetic (pelvic) nerves provide an excitatory input (cholinergic and purinergic) to the bladder and inhibitory input (nitrergic) to the urethra. These peripheral systems are integrated by excitatory and inhibitory regulation at the levels of the spinal cord and the brain. Therefore, injury or diseases of the nervous system, as well as disorders of the peripheral organs, can produce lower urinary tract dysfunction, leading to lower urinary tract symptoms, including both storage and voiding symptoms, and pelvic pain. Neuroplasticity underlying pathological changes in lower urinary tract function is discussed. PMID:24578802

Response of the urethral and intracorporeal pressures to cavernosus muscle stimulation: role of the muscles in erection and ejaculation.

PubMed

Shafik, A

1995-07-01

The role of the bulbocavernosus (BC) and ischiocavernosus (IC) muscles in erection and ejaculation was studied. The response of the urethral and intracorporeal pressure to cavernosus muscle stimulation was evaluated in 18 male volunteers (mean age, 36.6 years). A two-channel microtip catheter was placed in the prostatic and bulbous urethra. Muscle stimulation was done by two needle electrodes inserted into the BC and IC muscles. BC muscle stimulation caused an increase in the pressure of the bulbous urethra (P < 0.001) and corpus spongiosum (P < 0.01) and an insignificant change in the prostatic and pendulous urethral and corpus cavernosal pressures (difference not significant). IC muscle stimulation effected an increase in the corpus cavernosal pressure (P < 0.001) without changing the urethral pressure (difference not significant). The BC muscle contracts rhythmically at orgasm and this might help to eject the semen from the posterior to the anterior urethra. It is apparent that the muscle has minimal or no role in erection. IC muscle may have a role in erection by increasing the intracavernosal pressure. It seems that it has no role in ejaculation. BC may be considered the "muscle of ejaculation," and IC the "muscle of erection."

Traumatic lesions of the posterior urethra.

PubMed

Velarde-Ramos, L; Gómez-Illanes, R; Campos-Juanatey, F; Portillo-Martín, J A

2016-11-01

The posterior urethral lesions are associated with pelvis fractures in 5-10% of cases. The posterior urethra is attached to the pelvis bone by puboprostatic ligaments and the perineal membrane, which explains why disruption of the pelvic ring can injure the urethra at this level. To identify suspected cases of posterior urethral trauma and to perform the diagnosis and its immediate or deferred management. Search in PubMed of articles related to traumatic posterior urethral lesions, written in English or Spanish. We reviewed the relevant publications including literature reviews and chapters from books related to the topic. With patients with pelvis fractures, we must always rule out posterior urethral lesions. The diagnostic examination of choice is retrograde urethrography, which, along with the severity of the condition, will determine the management in the acute phase and whether the treatment will be performed immediately or deferred. Early diagnosis and proper acute management decrease the associated complications, such as strictures, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Despite the classical association between posterior urethral lesions and pelvic fractures, the management of those lesions (whether immediate or deferred) remains controversial. Thanks to the growing interest in urethral disease, there are an increasing number of studies that help us achieve better management of these lesions. Copyright © 2016 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Finasteride accelerates prostate wound healing after thulium laser resection through DHT and AR signalling.

PubMed

Zhao, Ruizhe; Wang, Xingjie; Jiang, Chenyi; Shi, Fei; Zhu, Yiping; Yang, Boyu; Zhuo, Jian; Jing, Yifeng; Luo, Guangheng; Xia, Shujie; Han, Bangmin

2018-06-01

Urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, urgency, urodynia and haemorrhage are common post-operative complications of thulium laser resection of the prostate (TmLRP). Our study mainly focuses on the role of finasteride in prostate wound healing through AR signalling. TmLRP beagles were randomly distributed into different treatment groups. Serum and intra-prostatic testosterone and DHT level were determined. Histological analysis was conducted to study the re-epithelialization and inflammatory response of the prostatic urethra in each group. We investigated the role of androgen in proliferation and inflammatory response in prostate. In addition, the effects of TNF-α on prostate epithelium and stromal cells were also investigated. Testosterone and DHT level increased in testosterone group and DHT decreased in finasteride group. Accelerated wound healing of prostatic urethra was observed in the finasteride group. DHT suppressed proliferation of prostate epithelium and enhanced inflammatory response in prostate. We confirmed that DHT enhanced macrophages TNF-α secretion through AR signalling. TNF-α suppressed proliferation of prostate epithelial cells and retarded cell migration. TNF-α also played a pivotal role in suppressing fibroblasts activation and contraction. Testosterone treatment repressed re-epithelialization and wound healing of prostatic urethra. Finasteride treatment may be an effective way to promote prostate re-epithelialization. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Anatomy of Caprine Female Urethra and Characteristics of Muscle and Bone Marrow Derived Caprine Cells for Autologous Cell Therapy Testing.

PubMed

Burdzinska, Anna; Dybowski, Bartosz; Zarychta-Wisniewska, Weronika; Kulesza, Agnieszka; Zagozdzon, Radoslaw; Gajewski, Zdzislaw; Paczek, Leszek

2017-03-01

Cell therapy is emerging as an alternative treatment of stress urinary incontinence. However, many aspects of the procedure require further optimization. A large animal model is needed to reliably test cell delivery methods. In this study, we aim to determine suitability of the goat as an experimental animal for testing intraurethral autologous cell transplantation in terms of urethral anatomy and cell culture parameters. The experiments were performed in 12 mature/aged female goats. Isolated caprine muscle derived cells (MDC) were myogenic in vitro and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) population was able to differentiate into adipo-, osteo- and chondrogenic lineages. The median yield of cells after 3 weeks of culture amounted 47 × 10(6) for MDC and 37 × 10(6) for MSC. Urethral pressure profile measurements revealed the mean functional urethral length of 3.75 ± 0.7 cm. The mean maximal urethral closure pressure amounted 63.5 ± 5.9 cmH 2 O and the mean functional area was 123.3 ± 19.4 cm*cmH 2 O. The omega- shaped striated urethral sphincter was well developed in the middle and distal third of the urethra and its mean thickness on cross section was 2.3 mm. In the proximal part of the urethra only loosely arranged smooth muscle fibers were identified. To conclude, presented data demonstrate that caprine MDC and MSC can be expanded in vitro in a repeatable manner even when mature or aged animals are cell donors. Results suggest that female caprine urethra has similar parameters to those reported in human and therefore the goat can be an appropriate experimental animal for testing intraurethral cell transplantation. Anat Rec, 00:000-000, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 300:577-588, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tissue Engineering of the Urethra: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Preclinical and Clinical Studies.

PubMed

Versteegden, Luuk R M; de Jonge, Paul K J D; IntHout, Joanna; van Kuppevelt, Toin H; Oosterwijk, Egbert; Feitz, Wout F J; de Vries, Rob B M; Daamen, Willeke F

2017-10-01

Urethra repair by tissue engineering has been extensively studied in laboratory animals and patients, but is not routinely used in clinical practice. To systematically investigate preclinical and clinical evidence of the efficacy of tissue engineering for urethra repair in order to stimulate translation of preclinical studies to the clinic. A systematic search strategy was applied in PubMed and EMBASE. Studies were independently screened for relevance by two reviewers, resulting in 80 preclinical and 23 clinical studies of which 63 and 13 were selected for meta-analysis to assess side effects, functionality, and study completion. Analyses for preclinical and clinical studies were performed separately. Full circumferential and inlay procedures were assessed independently. Evaluated parameters included seeding of cells and type of biomaterial. Meta-analysis revealed that cell seeding significantly reduced the probability of encountering side effects in preclinical studies. Remarkably though, cells were only sparsely used in the clinic (4/23 studies) and showed no significant reduction of side effects. ln 21 out of 23 clinical studies, decellularized templates were used, while in preclinical studies other biomaterials showed promising outcomes as well. No direct comparison to current clinical practice could be made due to the limited number of randomized controlled studies. Due to a lack of controlled (pre)clinical studies, the efficacy of tissue engineering for urethra repair could not be determined. Meta-analysis outcome measures were similar to current treatment options described in literature. Surprisingly, it appeared that favorable preclinical results, that is inclusion of cells, were not translated to the clinic. Improved (pre)clinical study designs may enhance clinical translation. We reviewed all available literature on urethral tissue engineering to assess the efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies. We show that improvements to (pre)clinical study design is required to improve clinical translation of tissue engineering technologies. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of platelet rich fibrin on growth factor levels in urethral repair.

PubMed

Soyer, Tutku; Ayva, Şebnem; Boybeyi, Özlem; Aslan, Mustafa Kemal; Çakmak, Murat

2013-12-01

Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is an autologous source of growth factors and promotes wound healing. An experimental study was performed to evaluate the effect of PRF on growth factor levels in urethral repair. Eighteen Wistar albino rats were included in the study. Rats were allocated in three groups (n:6): control (CG), sham (SG), and PRF (PRFG). In SG, a 5 mm vertical incision was performed in the penile urethra and repaired with 10/0 Vicryl® under a microscope. In PRFG, during the urethral repair as described in SG, 1 cc of blood was sampled from each rat and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2400 rpm. PRF obtained from the centrifugation was placed on the repair site during closure. Penile urethras were sampled 24 hours after PRF application in PRFG and after urethral repair in SG. Transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGF-β-R-CD105), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGF-R), as well as endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), were evaluated in subepithelia of the penile skin and urethra. Groups were compared for growth factor levels and growth factor receptor expression with the Kruskal Wallis test. TGF-β-R levels were significantly decreased in SG when compared to CG (p<0.05). In PRFG, TGF-β-R was increased in both subepithelia of penile skin and urethra with respect to SG (p<0.05). When VEGF levels and its receptor expression were compared between SG and PRFG, VEGF levels were found to be increased in penile skin subepithelium, whereas VEGF-R expressions were decreased in urethral subepithelia in PRFG (p<0.05). There was no difference between groups for EGFR levels (p>0.05). Use of PRF after urethral repair increases TGF-β-R and VEGF expressions in urethral tissue. PRF can be considered as an alternative measure to improve the success of urethral repair. © 2013.

Preservation of the smooth muscular internal (vesical) sphincter and of the proximal urethra for the early recovery of urinary continence after retropubic radical prostatectomy: a prospective case-control study.

PubMed

Brunocilla, Eugenio; Schiavina, Riccardo; Pultrone, Cristian Vincenzo; Borghesi, Marco; Rossi, Martina; Cevenini, Matteo; Martorana, Giuseppe

2014-02-01

To evaluate the influence of preservation of the muscular internal sphincter and proximal urethra on continence recovery after radical prostatectomy. This was a prospective single-center, case-control study. A total of 40 consecutive patients with organ-confined prostate cancer were submitted to radical prostatectomy with the preservation of the muscular internal sphincter and the proximal urethra (group 1), and their outcomes were compared with those of 40 patients submitted to a standard procedure (group 2). Continence rates were assessed using a self-administrated questionnaire at 3, 7 and 30 days, and 3 and 12 months after removal of the catheter. Group 1 had a faster recovery of early continence than group 2 at day 3 (45% vs 22%; P = 0.029) and at day 7 (75% vs 50%; P = 0.018). Considering the number of pads, group 1 had a faster recovery of continence at 3, 7 and 30 days, and also had less incidence of severe incontinence. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of continence at 3 and 12 months among the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that surgical technique and young age were significantly associated with earlier time to continence at 3 and 7 days. The two groups had no significant differences in terms of surgical margins. Our modified technique of radical retropubic prostatectomy with preservation of the smooth muscular internal sphincter, as well as of the proximal urethra during bladder neck dissection, results in a significantly increased urinary continence at 3, 7 and 30 days after catheter removal, with a minor incidence of severe incontinence. The technique is also oncologically safe, and it does not increase the operative duration of the procedure. © 2013 The Japanese Urological Association.

Pelvic fracture urethral injuries: the unresolved controversy.

PubMed

Koraitim, M M

1999-05-01

The unresolved controversies about pelvic fracture urethral injuries and whether any conclusions can be reached to develop a treatment plan for this lesion are determined. All data on pelvic fracture urethral injuries in the English literature for the last 50 years were critically analyzed. Studies were eligible only if data were complete and conclusive. The risk of urethral injury is influenced by the number of broken pubic rami as well as involvement of the sacroiliac joint. Depending on the magnitude of trauma, the membranous urethra is first stretched and then partially or completely ruptured at the bulbomembranous junction. Injuries to the prostatic urethra and bladder neck occur only in children. Injury to the female urethra usually is a partial tear of the anterior wall and rarely complete disruption of the proximal or distal urethra. Diagnosis depends on urethrography in men and on a high index of suspicion and urethroscopy in women. Of the 3 conventional treatment methods primary suturing of the disrupted urethral ends has the greatest complication rates of incontinence and impotence (21 and 56%, respectively). Primary realignment has double the incidence of impotence and half that of stricture compared to suprapubic cystostomy and delayed repair (36 versus 19 and 53 versus 97%, respectively, p <0.0001). In men surgical and endoscopic procedures do not compete but rather complement each other for treatment of different injuries under different circumstances, including indwelling catheter for urethral stretch injury, endoscopic stenting or suprapubic cystostomy for partial rupture, endoscopic realignment or suprapubic cystostomy for complete rupture with a minimal distraction defect and surgical realignment if the distraction defect is wide. Associated injury to the bladder, bladder neck or rectum dictates immediate exploration for repair but does not necessarily indicate exploration of the urethral injury site. In women treatment modalities are dictated by the level of urethral injury, including immediate retropubic realignment or suturing for proximal and transvaginal urethral advancement for distal injury.

Dynamics of the sensory response to urethral flow over multiple time scales in rat

PubMed Central

Danziger, Zachary C; Grill, Warren M

2015-01-01

The pudendal nerve carries sensory information from the urethra that controls spinal reflexes necessary to maintain continence and achieve efficient micturition. Despite the key role urethral sensory feedback plays in regulation of the lower urinary tract, there is little information about the characteristics of urethral sensory responses to physiological stimuli, and the quantitative relationship between physiological stimuli and the evoked sensory activation is unknown. Such a relation is critical to understanding the neural control of the lower urinary tract and how dysfunction arises in disease states. We systematically quantified pudendal afferent responses to fluid flow in the urethra in vivo in the rat. We characterized the sensory response across a range of stimuli, and describe a previously unreported long-term neural accommodation phenomenon. We developed and validated a compact mechanistic mathematical model capable of reproducing the pudendal sensory activity in response to arbitrary profiles of urethral flows. These results describe the properties and function of urethral afferents that are necessary to understand how sensory disruption manifests in lower urinary tract pathophysiology. Key points Sensory information from the urethra is essential to maintain continence and to achieve efficient micturition and when compromised by disease or injury can lead to substantial loss of function. Despite the key role urethral sensory information plays in the lower urinary tract, the relationship between physiological urethral stimuli, such as fluid flow, and the neural sensory response is poorly understood. This work systematically quantifies pudendal afferent responses to a range of fluid flows in the urethra in vivo and describes a previously unknown long-term neural accommodation phenomenon in these afferents. We present a compact mechanistic mathematical model that reproduces the pudendal sensory activity in response to urethral flow. These results have implications for understanding urinary tract dysfunction caused by neuropathy or nerve damage, such as urinary retention or incontinence, as well as for the development of strategies to mitigate the symptoms of these conditions. PMID:26041695

Hypospadias repair with the glanular-frenular collar (GFC) technique.

PubMed

Özbey, Hüseyin; Etker, Şeref

2017-02-01

In the normal human penis, the glans wings merge in the midline ventrally, but are separated by the 'septum glandis' in conjunction with the frenulum. The frenulum is also included in the formation of the distal (glanular and subcoronal) urethra, which has a special part known as the 'fossa navicularis'. This has inspired a hypospadias repair technique that simulates the development of the glanular and subcoronal urethra, which can be incorporated into the repair of all cases of hypospadias. A total of 121 patients with varying degrees of hypospadias underwent surgery with the described technique: a Y-V plasty was used to dissect the inner foreskin, in a fashion that allowed for its ventral mobilization as a frenular mucosal collar. After tubularization of the proximal urethra, a partial spongioplasty was performed that extended up to the subcoronal level. The glans wings were approximated only at their outermost convexities, with a couple of subepithelial sutures, leaving a slit for the meatus. The cleft-like area between the split wings of the glans penis was filled with the terminal ends of the spongiosum and the dartos of the mucosal collar, which converged to form a septum and a neo-frenulum (glanular-frenular collar, GFC). The midline skin closure of the ventral collar and the circumferential foreskin closure was completed as usual. At a mean follow-up of 10 months, two patients developed urethral fistula (2%), six had meatal stenosis (5%), and two had glans dehiscence (2%) that resulted in meatal retraction. Overall, patients had a cosmetically satisfying appearance (Figure). Forty-one received secondary circumcision; the parents of 80 (66%) patients were satisfied with the final foreskin appearance obtained with this method. The split wings of the glans penis or so-called ventral cleft between the glans wings that accommodate the frenulum is part of normal anatomy. Hence, in hypospadias surgery, the approximated glans wings should allow for ventral support of the glanular and subcoronal urethra through a reconstructed neo-frenulum. Neither glanular surface enhancement nor extensive dissection of the glans wings and their full-length approximation are necessary, and may in fact be counter-productive. The employment of a GFC provided: 1) an anatomical restoration of the distal (glanular and subcoronal) urethra, supported by a frenulum; 2) a protective (undissected) dartos layer over the distal part of the tubularized neourethra; and 3) a space for the re-formation of the fossa navicularis. Copyright © 2016 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detection of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus in Semen, Urethra, and Male Reproductive Organs during Efficient Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

PubMed Central

Matusali, G.; Dereuddre-Bosquet, N.; Le Tortorec, A.; Moreau, M.; Satie, A.-P.; Mahé, D.; Roumaud, P.; Bourry, O.; Sylla, N.; Bernard-Stoecklin, S.; Pruvost, A.; Le Grand, R.

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT A number of men receiving prolonged suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) still shed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in semen. To investigate whether this seminal shedding may be due to poor drug penetration and/or viral production by long-lived cells within male genital tissues, we analyzed semen and reproductive tissues from macaques chronically infected with simian immunodeficiency virus mac251 (SIVmac251) who were treated for 4 months with HAART, which was intensified over the last 7 weeks with an integrase inhibitor. We showed that a subset of treated animals continued shedding SIV in semen despite efficient HAART. This shedding was not associated with low antiretroviral drug concentrations in semen or in testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. HAART had no significant impact on SIV RNA in the urethra, whereas it drastically reduced SIV RNA levels in the prostate and vas deferens and to a lesser extent in the epididymis and seminal vesicle. The only detectable SIV RNA-positive cells within the male genital tract after HAART were urethral macrophages. SIV DNA levels in genital tissues were not decreased by HAART, suggesting the presence throughout the male genital tract of nonproductively infected cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that 4 months of HAART induced variable and limited control of viral infection in the male reproductive organs, particularly in the urethra, and suggest that infected long-lived cells in the male genital tract may be involved in persistent seminal shedding during HAART. These results pave the way for further investigations of male genital organ infection in long-term-treated infected individuals. IMPORTANCE A substantial subset of men receiving prolonged HAART suppressing viral loads in the blood still harbor HIV in semen, and cases of sexual transmission have been reported. To understand the origin of this persistence, we analyzed the semen and male reproductive tissues from SIV-infected macaques treated with HAART. We demonstrated that persistent seminal shedding was not linked to poor drug penetration in semen or semen-producing prostate, seminal vesicle, epididymis, and testis. We revealed that HAART decreased SIV RNA to various extents in all male genital organs, with the exception of the urethra, in which SIV RNA+ macrophages were observed despite HAART. Importantly, HAART did not impact SIV DNA levels in the male genital organs. These results suggest that infection of male genital organs, and particularly the urethra, could be involved in the release of virus in semen during HAART. PMID:25833047

[Urethroplasty in hypoplastic-dysplastic corpus spongiosum and short urethra].

PubMed

Vitarelli, Antonio; Divenuto, Lucia; Altomare, Mauro; Masiello, Giuseppe; Pagliarulo, Arcangelo

2013-01-01

Congenital penile curvature and chordee are a rare malformative condition most frequently associated with hypospadias, but varying degrees of penile curvature are observed with an orthotopic meatus. Disease becomes evident after puberty, when curvature becomes more apparent with erection. We present a case of a young man (16 years old), with ventral congenital penile curvature without hypospadias and with hypoplastic-dysplastic corpus spongiosum and short urethra, who could not have normal sexual intercourses. The patient underwent first-stage urethroplasty with urethral opening and graft of buccal mucosa and creation of a temporary hypospadic meatus. No post-operative complications were observed. There were no residual penile curvatures. Results are promising and satisfactory after the first surgical stage and provide a solid ground for the final reconstruction.

The Efficacy of Bulbar Urethral Mobilization for Anastomotic Anterior Urethroplasty in a Case With Recurrent Anterior Urethral Stricture

PubMed Central

Fukui, Shinji; Aoki, Katsuya; Kaneko, Yoshiteru; Samma, Shoji; Fujimoto, Kiyohide

2014-01-01

A 2-month-old boy was diagnosed with febrile urinary tract infection. Voiding cystourethrography showed bulbar and anterior urethral strictures, and endoscopic internal urethrotomy was performed. He developed febrile urinary tract infection again and revealed the recurrence of the anterior urethral stricture. Consequently, endoscopic internal urethrotomy was performed 4 times. Because the anterior urethral stricture had not improved, he was referred to us. Anterior urethroplasty was performed when he was 5 years. After excision of the scarred portions of the urethra, the defect of the urethra was 20 mm. Transperineal bulbar urethral mobilization was performed, and a single-stage end-to-end anterior urethroplasty without tension could be performed simultaneously. PMID:26955558

The Efficacy of Bulbar Urethral Mobilization for Anastomotic Anterior Urethroplasty in a Case With Recurrent Anterior Urethral Stricture.

PubMed

Fukui, Shinji; Aoki, Katsuya; Kaneko, Yoshiteru; Samma, Shoji; Fujimoto, Kiyohide

2014-05-01

A 2-month-old boy was diagnosed with febrile urinary tract infection. Voiding cystourethrography showed bulbar and anterior urethral strictures, and endoscopic internal urethrotomy was performed. He developed febrile urinary tract infection again and revealed the recurrence of the anterior urethral stricture. Consequently, endoscopic internal urethrotomy was performed 4 times. Because the anterior urethral stricture had not improved, he was referred to us. Anterior urethroplasty was performed when he was 5 years. After excision of the scarred portions of the urethra, the defect of the urethra was 20 mm. Transperineal bulbar urethral mobilization was performed, and a single-stage end-to-end anterior urethroplasty without tension could be performed simultaneously.

Anatomy and histology of the lower urinary tract.

PubMed

Pradidarcheep, Wisuit; Wallner, Christian; Dabhoiwala, Noshir F; Lamers, Wouter H

2011-01-01

The function of the lower urinary tract is basically storage of urine in the bladder and the at-will periodic evacuation of the stored urine. Urinary incontinence is one of the most common lower urinary tract disorders in adults, but especially in the elderly female. The urethra, its sphincters, and the pelvic floor are key structures in the achievement of continence, but their basic anatomy is little known and, to some extent, still incompletely understood. Because questions with respect to continence arise from human morbidity, but are often investigated in rodent animal models, we present findings in human and rodent anatomy and histology. Differences between males and females in the role that the pelvic floor plays in the maintenance of continence are described. Furthermore, we briefly describe the embryologic origin of ureters, bladder, and urethra, because the developmental origin of structures such as the vesicoureteral junction, the bladder trigone, and the penile urethra are often invoked to explain (clinical) observations. As the human pelvic floor has acquired features in evolution that are typical for a species with bipedal movement, we also compare the pelvic floor of humans with that of rodents to better understand the rodent (or any other quadruped, for that matter) as an experimental model species. The general conclusion is that the "Bauplan" is well conserved, even though its common features are sometimes difficult to discern.

Tissue engineering of urethra: Systematic review of recent literature.

PubMed

Žiaran, Stanislav; Galambošová, Martina; Danišovič, L'uboš

2017-12-01

The purpose of this article was to perform a systematic review of the recent literature on urethral tissue engineering. A total of 31 articles describing the use of tissue engineering for urethra reconstruction were included. The obtained results were discussed in three groups: cells, scaffolds, and clinical results of urethral reconstructions using these components. Stem cells of different origin were used in many experimental studies, but only autologous urothelial cells, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes were applied in clinical trials. Natural and synthetic scaffolds were studied in the context of urethral tissue engineering. The main advantage of synthetic ones is the fact that they can be obtained in unlimited amount and modified by different techniques, but scaffolds of natural origin normally contain chemical groups and bioactive proteins which increase the cell attachment and may promote the cell proliferation and differentiation. The most promising are smart scaffolds delivering different bioactive molecules or those that can be tubularized. In two clinical trials, only onlay-fashioned transplants were used for urethral reconstruction. However, the very promising results were obtained from animal studies where tubularized scaffolds, both non-seeded and cell-seeded, were applied. Impact statement The main goal of this article was to perform a systematic review of the recent literature on urethral tissue engineering. It summarizes the most recent information about cells, seeded or non-seeded scaffolds and clinical application with respect to regeneration of urethra.

Endoscopy

MedlinePlus

... to view the inside of the bladder. The scope is passed through the opening of the urethra. ... the ovaries, appendix, or other abdominal organs. The scope is inserted through small surgical cuts in the ...

Kidney stones

MedlinePlus Videos and Cool Tools

... kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Within each kidney, urine flows from the outer cortex to the inner ... The renal pelvis is the funnel through which urine exits the kidney and enters the ureter. As ...

Meatal stenosis

MedlinePlus

... clean and dry. Avoid exposing the newly circumcised penis to any irritants. They may cause inflammation and ... Meatal stenosis References Elder JS. Anomalies of the penis and urethra. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. ...

Duplex System with Ectopic Ureter Opens into the Posterior Urethra: Case Report.

PubMed

Milicevic, Snjezana; Bijelic, Radojka; Krivokuca, Vladimir; Jakovljevic, Branislava

2018-04-01

Duplicated ureter or Duplex Collecting System is a congenital condition in which the ureteric bud, the embryological origin of the ureter, arises twice, resulting in two ureters draining a single kidney. This congenital anomaly is rare, and even rarer when the duplex system with ectopic ureter is present. This type of congenital anomaly is even more rarely diagnosed and surgically treated in adulthood. This case report presents a case of a 32-year-old male, who had a duplex collecting system with two ureters on the left side. Ectopic ureter, draining the upper pole of the left kidney, opened into the posterior urethra. In our patient, taking into account the clinical perspective, the renal tissue damaging of the upper pole which was not functional, partial nephrectomy and ureterectomy was successfully performed.

Perforation of the urinary bladder caused by transurethral insertion of a pencil for the purpose of masturbation in a 29-year-old female.

PubMed

Bantis, Athanasios; Sountoulides, Petros; Kalaitzis, Christos; Giannakopoulos, Stelios; Agelonidou, Eleni; Foutzitzi, Soultana; Touloupidis, Stavros

2010-01-01

The urethra is a usual site of introduction of foreign bodies for autoerotic stimulation. We present an unusual case of bladder perforation caused by foreign body that was self-inserted in the urethra and consequently slipped inside the bladder in a 29-year-old female patient with psychiatric disease. The patient was referred to our department for macroscopic hematuria and abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed the presence of a foreign body in the pelvic area which had perforated the left lateral wall of the bladder. The foreign body was removed via open cystotomy. In psychiatric patients hematuria and pelvic pain may result from insertion of a foreign body in the bladder usually during masturbation.

Perforation of the Urinary Bladder Caused by Transurethral Insertion of a Pencil for the Purpose of Masturbation in a 29-Year-Old Female

PubMed Central

Bantis, Athanasios; Sountoulides, Petros; Kalaitzis, Christos; Giannakopoulos, Stelios; Agelonidou, Eleni; Foutzitzi, Soultana; Touloupidis, Stavros

2010-01-01

The urethra is a usual site of introduction of foreign bodies for autoerotic stimulation. We present an unusual case of bladder perforation caused by foreign body that was self-inserted in the urethra and consequently slipped inside the bladder in a 29-year-old female patient with psychiatric disease. The patient was referred to our department for macroscopic hematuria and abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed the presence of a foreign body in the pelvic area which had perforated the left lateral wall of the bladder. The foreign body was removed via open cystotomy. In psychiatric patients hematuria and pelvic pain may result from insertion of a foreign body in the bladder usually during masturbation. PMID:20862362

Elimination patterns

MedlinePlus

... urethra. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... disorders. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

SU-E-T-202: Impact of Monte Carlo Dose Calculation Algorithm On Prostate SBRT Treatments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Venencia, C; Garrigo, E; Cardenas, J

2014-06-01

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to quantify the dosimetric impact of using Monte Carlo algorithm on pre calculated SBRT prostate treatment with pencil beam dose calculation algorithm. Methods: A 6MV photon beam produced by a Novalis TX (BrainLAB-Varian) linear accelerator equipped with HDMLC was used. Treatment plans were done using 9 fields with Iplanv4.5 (BrainLAB) and dynamic IMRT modality. Institutional SBRT protocol uses a total dose to the prostate of 40Gy in 5 fractions, every other day. Dose calculation is done by pencil beam (2mm dose resolution), heterogeneity correction and dose volume constraint (UCLA) for PTV D95%=40Gy andmore » D98%>39.2Gy, Rectum V20Gy<50%, V32Gy<20%, V36Gy<10% and V40Gy<5%, Bladder V20Gy<40% and V40Gy<10%, femoral heads V16Gy<5%, penile bulb V25Gy<3cc, urethra and overlap region between PTV and PRV Rectum Dmax<42Gy. 10 SBRT treatments plans were selected and recalculated using Monte Carlo with 2mm spatial resolution and mean variance of 2%. DVH comparisons between plans were done. Results: The average difference between PTV doses constraints were within 2%. However 3 plans have differences higher than 3% which does not meet the D98% criteria (>39.2Gy) and should have been renormalized. Dose volume constraint differences for rectum, bladder, femoral heads and penile bulb were les than 2% and within tolerances. Urethra region and overlapping between PTV and PRV Rectum shows increment of dose in all plans. The average difference for urethra region was 2.1% with a maximum of 7.8% and for the overlapping region 2.5% with a maximum of 8.7%. Conclusion: Monte Carlo dose calculation on dynamic IMRT treatments could affects on plan normalization. Dose increment in critical region of urethra and PTV overlapping region with PTV could have clinical consequences which need to be studied. The use of Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm is limited because inverse planning dose optimization use only pencil beam.« less

Heterogeneous CPA sensitivity of spontaneous excitation in smooth muscle of the rabbit urethra.

PubMed

Hashitani, Hikaru; Yanai, Yoshimasa; Kohri, Kenjiro; Suzuki, Hikaru

2006-06-01

1. To investigate the role of intracellular Ca stores in generating spontaneous excitation of the urethra, the effects of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) on spontaneous contractions, transient increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i; Ca transients) and depolarizations were examined in smooth muscles of the rabbit urethra. 2. In about 90% of circular smooth muscle (CSM) preparations, CPA (10 microM) increased the amplitude of spontaneous contractions by about 180% and reduced their frequency to some 25% of control values (CPA-resistant), while it readily abolished the contractions in the remaining preparations. 3. In about 70% of CSM preparations, CPA prevented the generation of spontaneous depolarizations termed slow waves, but increased their amplitude and duration in the remainder. CPA also prevented the generation of spontaneous Ca transients in about 40% of CSM preparations, while increasing their amplitude and duration in the remaining preparations. In CPA-resistant preparations that had been exposed to nicardipine (1 microM), subsequent CPA invariably abolished residual spontaneous depolarizations or Ca transients. CPA abolished caffeine-induced Ca transients in Ca-free solutions, suggesting that it effectively depleted intracellular Ca stores. 4. Longitudinal smooth muscles generated spontaneous action potentials, which had a shape distinct from that of slow waves in CSM. Spontaneous action potentials were abolished by nicardipine but not CPA. 5. Transmural nerve stimulation increased the frequency of Ca transients to give a sustained rise in [Ca2+]i, but inhibited their generation after blocking alpha-adrenoceptors with phentolamine (1 microM). These nerve-evoked responses were preserved in preparations that had been exposed to CPA. Similarly, both in control and CPA-treated CSM preparations, spontaneous Ca transients were accelerated by noradrenaline (NAd, 1 microM) and were suppressed by 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1, 10 microM), a nitric oxide (NO) donor. 6. In conclusion, CSM of the urethra generates spontaneous activity, which depends on Ca release from intracellular Ca stores. However, after blocking this primary pacemaking mechanism, L-type Ca channel-dependent action potentials may drive CSM. Irrespective of the origin of pacemaking, neurally-released NAd and NO are capable of modulating spontaneous excitation.

Dose to the Bladder Neck Is the Most Important Predictor for Acute and Late Toxicity After Low-Dose-Rate Prostate Brachytherapy: Implications for Establishing New Dose Constraints for Treatment Planning

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hathout, Lara; Folkert, Michael R.; Kollmeier, Marisa A.

2014-10-01

Purpose: To identify an anatomic structure predictive for acute (AUT) and late (LUT) urinary toxicity in patients with prostate cancer treated with low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR) with or without external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Methods and Materials: From July 2002 to January 2013, 927 patients with prostate cancer (median age, 66 years) underwent LDR brachytherapy with Iodine 125 (n=753) or Palladium 103 (n=174) as definitive treatment (n=478) and as a boost (n=449) followed by supplemental EBRT (median dose, 50.4 Gy). Structures contoured on the computed tomographic (CT) scan on day 0 after implantation included prostate, urethra, bladder, and the bladder neck, defined asmore » 5 mm around the urethra between the catheter balloon and the prostatic urethra. AUT and LUT were assessed with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version4. Clinical and dosimetric factors associated with AUT and LUT were analyzed with Cox regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis to calculate area under the receiver operator curve (ROC) (AUC). Results: Grade ≥2 AUT and grade ≥2 LUT occurred in 520 patients (56%) and 154 patients (20%), respectively. No grade 4 toxicities were observed. Bladder neck D2cc retained a significant association with AUT (hazard ratio [HR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.04; P<.0001) and LUT (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P=.014) on multivariable analysis. In a comparison of bladder neck with the standard dosimetric variables by use of ROC analysis (prostate V100 >90%, D90 >100%, V150 >60%, urethra D20 >130%), bladder neck D2cc >50% was shown to have the strongest prognostic power for AUT (AUC, 0.697; P<.0001) and LUT (AUC, 0.620; P<.001). Conclusions: Bladder neck D2cc >50% was the strongest predictor for grade ≥2 AUT and LUT in patients treated with LDR brachytherapy. These data support inclusion of bladder neck constraints into brachytherapy planning to decrease urinary toxicity.« less

Excision and anastomotic repair for urethral stricture disease: experience with 150 cases.

PubMed

Martínez-Piñeiro, J A; Cárcamo, P; García Matres, M J; Martínez-Piñeiro, L; Iglesias, J R; Rodríguez Ledesma, J M

1997-01-01

To analyze the results of a series of end-to-end urethroplasties performed in our service from 1968 to 1995 and of the factors contributing to failure. 150 men (mean age 35.9 years) with urethral stricture disease underwent excision of the stricture and end-to-end anastomosis; in 95 it was the first attempt at repair while in 55 it was a secondary attempt. Eighty-two patients (54.6%) had a trauma-related stricture; of them, 56 followed a pelvic ring fracture with posterior urethra distraction defect, 24 (16%) had inflammatory strictures, 26 (17.3%) iatrogenic, 9 (6%) congenital, and 9 (6%) of unknown etiology; 81 (54%) were located in the bulbous urethra, 9 (6%) in the penoscrotal junction and 2 (1.3%) in the penile urethra. Ninety-one (60.6%) of the strictures or obliterative defects measured between 1 and 3 cm, 42 (28%) less than 1 cm and only 16 (10.6%) more than 3 cm. A perineal approach was used in 138 of the cases, while combined abdominoperineal route was necessary in 12; of these, 5 were children. The follow-up has ranged from 6 to 168 months (mean 44.4). The results were classified as good, fair (some re-stricturing, not needing treatment) and poor (recurrence). One hundred and twenty-six (84%) good outcomes, 10 (6.6%) fair, 14 (9.3%) poor. The factors influencing success or failure were: (1) primary or secondary character of the operation; (2) etiology; (3) length, and (4) location. Postoperative early complications consisted of 2 wound infections and 2 hematomas; as late complications, 1 chordee, 2 incontinence, 7 erectile dysfunction (in previously potent patients). The 14 patients considered as failures were operated again, all successfully; in 4 of them, a repeat excision and end-to-end anastomosis was performed, elevating the final success rate of the series to 93.3%. Excision and anastomotic repair represent the optimal mode of stricture repair for single lesions located from the penoscrotal junction to the membranous part of the urethra.

Missed signs of autonomic dysreflexia in a tetraplegic patient after incorrect placement of urethral Foley catheter: a case report.

PubMed

Vaidyanathan, Subramanian; Soni, Bakul M; Oo, Tun; Hughes, Peter L; Singh, Gurpreet

2014-01-01

Autonomic dysreflexia is poorly recognised outside of spinal cord injury centres, and may result in adverse outcomes including mortality from delayed diagnosis and treatment. We present a spinal cord injury patient, who developed autonomic dysreflexia following incorrect placement of urethral Foley catheter. Health professionals failed to recognise signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia as well as its significance in this tetraplegic patient. A tetraplegic patient started sweating profusely following insertion of a Foley catheter per urethra. The catheter was draining urine; there was no bypassing, no bleeding per urethra, and no haematuria. Patient's wife, who had been looking after her tetraplegic husband for more than forty years, told the health professionals that the catheter might have been placed incorrectly but her concerns were ignored. Ultrasound scan of urinary tract revealed no urinary calculi, no hydronephrosis. The balloon of Foley catheter was not seen in urinary bladder but this finding was not recognised by radiologist and spinal cord physician. Patient continued to sweat profusely; therefore, CT of pelvis was performed, but there was a delay of ten days. CT revealed the balloon of Foley catheter in the over-stretched prostate-membranous urethra; the tip of catheter was not located within the urinary bladder but was lying distal to bladder neck. Flexible cystoscopy was performed and Foley catheter was inserted into the bladder over a guide wire. The intensity of sweating decreased; noxious stimuli arising from traumatised urethra might take a long while to settle. Inserting a catheter in a tetraplegic patient should be carried out by a senior health professional, who is familiar with spasm of bladder neck which occurs frequently in tetraplegic patients. Facilities for urgent CT scan should be available to check the position of Foley catheter in spinal cord injury patients when a patient manifests signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia following insertion of a urethral catheter. When an isolated symptom such as flushing or sweating is noticed in a tetraplegic patient, doctors should seek out other signs/symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia.

Does information provided to men before a urodynamic study affect their expectation of pain?

PubMed

Greenstein, Alexander; Bar-Yosef, Yuval; Chen, Juza; Matzkin, Haim

2005-12-01

To evaluate the effect of a routine explanation provided to men on their expectation of pain associated with a urodynamic study (UDS). The purpose of UDS is to reproduce patient's symptoms during the urine storage and voiding phases, and thus understand the causes of the patient's symptoms. UDS may cause discomfort and pain, mainly from the urethral instrumentation; the fear of pain related to UDS may affect the patients' behaviour and the information provided by them, and thus may alter the conclusions drawn from the study. Routinely as with any other invasive procedures, patients are provided with an explanation about the UDS. Sixty-three men referred for UDS in an outpatient clinic, who had not had previous UDS, were included (mean age 56.4 years, range 25-89). Of these patients, 15 had had previous instrumentation of the urethra (urethral catheterization, cystoscopy), and 14 had had a prostatectomy. One urologist provided a detailed explanation of the different stages of the UDS. Use of an anaesthetic gel, and instrumentation of the urethra and anus by an experienced urologist, were emphasized. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue pain scale three times, to provide an expected pain score (EPS) on entering the examination room, after the explanation, and the actual pain felt during the UDS. The mean EPS before the explanation was 4.2, significantly higher (5.17) after the explanation (P = 0.02) and the actual pain scored during the UDS was 3.76, lower than both the previous EPS. In patients who had had previous instrumentation of the urethra, the EPS after the explanation was significantly higher, at 6.06 (P < 0.05). Pain scores were not significantly different in patients after prostatectomy. The routine guidance provided to male patients undergoing UDS enhances their expectations of pain, especially in those who have had previous instrumentation of the urethra. As the fear of pain may alter the information provided by the patient, different strategies of providing patients with information about UDS should be devised.

The influence of prostatic anatomy and neurotrophins on basal prostate epithelial progenitor cells.

PubMed

Höfner, Thomas; Klein, Corinna; Eisen, Christian; Rigo-Watermeier, Teresa; Haferkamp, Axel; Trumpp, Andreas; Sprick, Martin R

2016-01-01

Based on findings of surface marker, protein screens as well as the postulated near-urethral location of the prostate stem cell niche, we were interested whether androgen ablation, distinct anatomic regions within the prostate or neurotrophins have an influence on basal prostate epithelial progenitor cells (PESCs). Microdissection of the prostate, enzymatic digestion, and preparation of single cells was performed from murine and human prostates. Adult PESC marker expressions were compared between a group of C57BL/6 mice and a separate group of castrated C57BL/6 mice. Surface markers CD13/CD271 on human prostate epithelial progenitor cells were evaluated by FACS analyses in cells cultured under novel stem cell conditions. The effect of neurotrophins NGF, NT3, and BDNF were evaluated with respect to their influence on proliferation and activation of human basal PESCs in vitro. We demonstrate the highest percentage of CD49f+ and Trop2+ expressing cells in the urethra near prostatic regions of WT mice (Trop2+ proximal: 10% vs. distal to the urethra: 3%, P < 0.001). While a marked increase of Trop2 expressing cells can be measured both in the proximal and distal prostatic regions after castration, the most prominent increase in Trop2+ cells can be measured in the prostatic tissue distant to the urethra. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the proportion of syndecan-1 expressing cells greatly increases in the regions proximal to the urethra after castration (WT: 5% vs. castrated: 40%). We identified heterogeneous CD13 and nerve growth factor receptor (p75(NGFR), CD271) expression on CD49f(+)/TROP2(high) human basal PESCs. Addition of the neurotrophins NT3, BDNF, and NGF to the stem cell media led to a marked temporary increase in the proliferation of human basal PESCs. Our results in mice support the model, in which the proximal urethral region contains the prostate stem cell niche while a stronger androgen-dependent regulation of adult prostate stem cells can be found in the peripheral prostatic tissue. Neutrophin signaling via nerve growth factor receptor is possibly involved in human prostate stem cell homeostasis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Urinary Tract Infections

MedlinePlus

... kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the body. You may have a UTI if you notice Pain or burning when you ...

21 CFR 876.5130 - Urological catheter and accessories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... device that is inserted through the urethra and used to pass fluids to or from the urinary tract. This..., coude catheters, balloon retention type catheters, straight catheters, upper urinary tract catheters...

Vagina

MedlinePlus

The vagina is the female body part that connects the womb (uterus) and cervix to the outside of the ... The vagina is a muscular tube lined with mucous membranes. Its opening is between the urethra (where urine leaves ...

Paraphimosis

MedlinePlus

... done correctly, prevents this condition. Images Male reproductive anatomy References Elder JS. Anomalies of the penis and urethra. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016: ...

Penis

MedlinePlus

... Ambiguous genitalia Penile prosthesis Priapism Images Male reproductive anatomy References Elder JS. Anomalies of the penis and urethra. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016: ...

Kidney Infection

MedlinePlus

... Overview Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or bladder ... symptoms. If you're being treated for a urinary tract infection but your signs and symptoms aren't improving, ...

Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

MedlinePlus

... such as ultrasound, a computerized tomography scan, or magnetic resonance imaging to guide the biopsy needle into ... heats and destroys selected portions of prostate tissue. Shields protect the urethra from heat damage. Transurethral microwave ...

Bladder catheterization, male (image)

MedlinePlus

... kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time. Catheterization in males is slightly more difficult and uncomfortable than in females because of the longer urethra.

Urethral Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)—Patient Version

Cancer.gov

Urethral cancer occurs in men and women and can spread quickly to lymph nodes near the urethra. Find out about risk factors, symptoms, tests to diagnose, prognosis, staging, and treatment for urethral cancer.

A case of female epispadias.

PubMed

Tantibhedhyangkul, Julierut; Copland, Susannah D; Haqq, Andrea M; Price, Thomas M

2008-11-01

To present a case of unrecognized female epispadias. Case report. University-based reproductive endocrinology and fertility clinic. A 16-year-old girl with epispadias, history of mild urinary incontinence, auditory neuropathy, and functional hyperandrogenism. None. Peripheral blood array-based comparative genomic hybridization. The patient was referred for evaluation of excessive weight gain, secondary amenorrhea, and abnormal external genitalia. Examination under anesthesia revealed bilateral labia minora hypertrophy, bifid clitoris, and a patulous urethra, consistent with female epispadias. Hormonal evaluation showed functional hyperandrogenism, and peripheral blood array-based comparative genomic hybridization showed no chromosomal deletions or duplications. Female epispadias is a rare abnormality, not commonly recognized by most practitioners. The diagnosis is supported by a history of urinary incontinence and physical findings of bifid clitoris and patulous urethra. The condition can have serious physical and psychological consequences leading to a gross disruption of social function.

Delayed vaginal and urethral mesh exposure: 10 years after TVT surgery.

PubMed

Khanuengkitkong, Siwatchaya; Lo, Tsia-Shu; Dass, Anil Krishna

2013-03-01

Delayed mesh exposure after tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure is rare. We report a case of mesh exposure into the vagina and urethra that developed 10 years after TVT surgery. A 58-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with mixed urinary incontinence. She was investigated, and her stress urinary incontinence was cured with a TVT procedure 10 years ago. She was then scheduled follow-up annually. Two years postsurgery, a granulation tissue was observed and excised at the vaginal incision site. Vaginal examination 10 years postsurgery showed vaginal mesh erosion 0.5 cm from urethral meatus. Cystoscopy revealed concomitant urethral erosion at the posterior urethral wall. Mesh excision was performed, and urethra and vagina were repaired in layers. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. This finding shows that, although rare, complications can occur even after 10 years of TVT surgery.

Laparoscopic implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter around the prostatic urethra

PubMed Central

Chłosta, Piotr; Aboumarzouk, Omar; Bondad, Jasper; Szopiński, Tomasz; Korzelik, Ignacy; Borówka, Andrzej

2015-01-01

Objective To report the first laparoscopic periprostatic implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) after a transurethral resection of the prostate. Background The implantation of an AUS is a standard procedure for severe urinary incontinence. In men it is usually implanted through a perineal approach, with the cuff placed around the bulbous urethra, bladder neck, or even around the prostate. Method We report a laparoscopic periprostatic implantation of an AUS after a transurethral resection of a prostate in a 72-year-old-man with incontinence. Results The operative duration was 180 min and the blood loss was 150 mL. There were no complications. After activating the AUS the patient was totally continent. Conclusion The laparoscopic periprostatic implantation of an AUS is a safe, effective and considerably less invasive procedure. PMID:26413345

Ciprofloxacin treatment of chlamydial infections of urogenital tracts of women.

PubMed

Ahmed-Jushuf, I H; Arya, O P; Hobson, D; Pratt, B C; Hart, C A; How, S J; Tait, I A; Rao, P M

1988-02-01

Ciprofloxacin was evaluated in chlamydial infections of the urogenital tracts of women treated with a dosage regimen of 500 mg orally twice a day for seven days. Of the 40 women evaluated, 30 were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis only, two were infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae only, and a further eight had combined gonococcal and chlamydial infections. Ten were found to be harbouring Chlamydia trachomatis in the urethra as well as the cervix. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was eradicated from all patients with or without concomitant chlamydial infection. The overall chlamydial reisolation rates were 14% (5/35) four weeks after treatment and 23% (6/26) 11 weeks after treatment. The organism was not reisolated from the urethra of any of the patients after treatment. Ciprofloxacin was effective against Mycoplasma hominis, but almost completely ineffective against Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Ciprofloxacin treatment of chlamydial infections of urogenital tracts of women.

PubMed Central

Ahmed-Jushuf, I H; Arya, O P; Hobson, D; Pratt, B C; Hart, C A; How, S J; Tait, I A; Rao, P M

1988-01-01

Ciprofloxacin was evaluated in chlamydial infections of the urogenital tracts of women treated with a dosage regimen of 500 mg orally twice a day for seven days. Of the 40 women evaluated, 30 were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis only, two were infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae only, and a further eight had combined gonococcal and chlamydial infections. Ten were found to be harbouring Chlamydia trachomatis in the urethra as well as the cervix. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was eradicated from all patients with or without concomitant chlamydial infection. The overall chlamydial reisolation rates were 14% (5/35) four weeks after treatment and 23% (6/26) 11 weeks after treatment. The organism was not reisolated from the urethra of any of the patients after treatment. Ciprofloxacin was effective against Mycoplasma hominis, but almost completely ineffective against Ureaplasma urealyticum. PMID:3278970

Anterior Urethral Valve: A Rare But an Important Cause of Infravesical Urinary Tract Obstruction.

PubMed

Parmar, Jitendra P; Mohan, Chander; Vora, Maulik P

2016-01-01

Urethral valves are infravesical congenital anomalies, with the posterior urethral valve (PUV) being the most prevalent one. Anterior urethral valve (AUV) is a rare but a well-known congenital anomaly. AUV and diverticula can cause severe obstruction, whose repercussions on the proximal urinary system can be important. Few cases have been described; both separately and in association with urethral diverticulum. The presentation of such a rare but important case led us to a report with highlighting its classic imaging features. We present a case report of AUV with lower urinary tract symptoms in a 6-year-old boy with complaints of a poor stream of urine and strain to void. Unique findings were seen on Retrograde Urethrography (RGU) and Voiding Cysto-Urethrography (VCUG), i.e. linear incomplete filling defect in the penile urethra and associated mild dilatation of the anterior urethra ending in a smooth bulge. On cysto-urethroscopy the anterior urethral valve was confirmed and fulguration was done. Congenital anterior urethral valve is an uncommon but important cause of infravesical lower urinary tract obstruction that is more common in male urethra. It can occur as an isolated AUV or in association with diverticulum and VATER anomalies. Early diagnosis and management of this rare condition is very important to prevent further damage, infection and vesicoureteral reflux. AUV may be associated with other congenital anomalies of the urinary system; therefore a full evaluation of the urinary system is essential.

Comparison of urethral diameters for calculating the urethral dose after permanent prostate brachytherapy.

PubMed

Tanaka, Osamu; Hayashi, Shinya; Matsuo, Masayuki; Nakano, Masahiro; Kubota, Yasuaki; Maeda, Sunaho; Ohtakara, Kazuhiro; Deguchi, Takashi; Hoshi, Hiroaki

2007-08-01

No studies have yet evaluated the effects of a dosimetric analysis for different urethral volumes. We therefore evaluated the effects of a dosimetric analysis to determine the different urethral volumes. This study was based on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) combined findings in 30 patients who had undergone prostate brachytherapy. Postimplant CT/MRI scans were performed 30 days after the implant. The urethra was contoured based on its diameter (8, 6, 4, 2, and 0 mm). The total urethral volume-in cubic centimeters [UrV150/200(cc)] and percent (UrV150%/200%), of the urethra receiving 150% or 200% of the prescribed dose-and the doses (UrD90/30/5) in Grays to 90%, 30%, and 5% of the urethral volume were measured based on the urethral diameters. The UrV150(cc) and UrD30 were statistically different between the of 8-, 6-, 4-, 2-, and 0-mm diameters, whereas the UrD5 was statistically different only between the 8-, 6-, and 4-mm diameters. Especially for UrD5, there was an approximately 40-Gy difference between the mean values for the 8- and 0-mm diameters. We recommend that the urethra should be contoured as a 4- to 6-mm diameter circle or one side of a triangle of 5-7 mm. By standardizing the urethral diameter, the urethral dose will be less affected by the total urethral volume.

Salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for prostate cancer local recurrence after external-beam radiation therapy: prognostic value of prostate MRI.

PubMed

Rouvière, O; Sbihi, L; Gelet, A; Chapelon, J-Y

2013-07-01

To assess the prognostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for locally recurrent prostate cancer after external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Forty-six patients who underwent prostate MRI before salvage HIFU for locally recurrent prostate cancer after EBRT were retrospectively studied. HIFU failure was defined as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value >nadir + 2 ng/ml (Phoenix criteria) or positive follow-up biopsy or initiation of any other salvage therapy. The following prognostic parameters were assessed: neoadjuvant hormone therapy, clinical stage and Gleason score of recurrence, PSA level and velocity at HIFU treatment, and six MRI-derived parameters (prostate volume, tumour volume, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, tumour extension into the apex or anterior to the urethra). Two factors were significant independent predictors of salvage HIFU failure: the PSA level at HIFU treatment (p < 0.012; risk ratio: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03-1.29) and the tumour extension anterior to the urethra, as assessed by MRI (p = 0.046, risk ratio: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.02-6.16). The location of cancer recurrence anterior to the urethra on MRI is an independent significant predictor of salvage HIFU failure for locally recurrent prostate cancer after EBRT. Therefore, MRI may be useful for patient selection before post-EBRT salvage HIFU ablation. Copyright © 2013 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Office dilation of the female urethra: a quality of care problem in the field of urology.

PubMed

Santucci, Richard A; Payne, Christopher K; Anger, Jennifer T; Saigal, Christopher S

2008-11-01

Historically dilation of the female urethra was thought to be of value in the treatment of a variety of lower urinary tract symptoms. Subsequent work has more accurately classified these complaints as parts of various diseases or syndromes in which scant data exist to support the use of dilation. Yet Medicare reimbursement for urethral dilation remains generous and we describe practice patterns regarding female urethral dilation to characterize a potential quality of care issue. Health care use by females treated with urethral dilation was compiled using a complementary set of databases. Data sets were examined for relevant inpatient, outpatient and emergency room services for women of all ages. Female urethral dilation is common (929 per 100,000 patients) and is performed almost as much as treatment for male urethral stricture disease. Approximately 12% of these patients are subjected to costly studies such as retrograde urethrography. The overall national costs for treatment exceed $61 million per year and have increased 10% to 17% a year since 1994. A diagnosis of female urethral stricture increases health care expenditures by more than $1,800 per individual per year in insured populations. Urethral dilation is still common despite the fact that true female urethral stricture is an uncommon entity. This scenario is likely secondary to the persistence of the mostly discarded practice of dilating the unstrictured female urethra for a wide variety of complaints despite the lack of data suggesting that it improves lower urinary tract symptoms.

[Penis-preserving surgery in patients with primary penile urethral cancer].

PubMed

Maek, M; Musch, M; Arnold, G; Kröpfl, D

2014-12-01

Primary urethral cancer in males is a rare entity with only approximately 800 cases described, which is why it is difficult to formulate evidence-based guidelines for treatment. For tumors in the pT2 stage with a localization distal to the membranous urethra, a penis-preserving operation can be carried out. In the period from November 2006 to February 2014 a total of 4 patients with primary urethral cancer underwent a penis-preserving urethral resection. The tumor characteristics and treatment results were collated retrospectively. Of the four patients one had a transitional cell carcinoma of the mid-penile urethra in stage pT2 G2. In two out of the four patients a squamous cell carcinoma (PEC) was present in the mid-penile urethra in stages pT2 G2 and pT2 G3, respectively, with concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS). The fourth patient had a PEC of the fossa terminalis in stage pT2 G2. Initially all patients underwent a penis-preserving resection. In one case, despite an initial R0 resection a local recurrence occurred and a complete penectomy was performed. Irradiation and lymphadenectomy were not carried out. At a mean follow-up of 37 months all patients are currently in complete remission. Primary penile urethral cancer can be treated by a penis-preserving operation. Close follow-up is essential because recurrence can arise despite an initial R0 resection.

Vaginal-sparing ventral buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for female urethral stricture: A novel modification of surgical technique.

PubMed

Hoag, Nathan; Gani, Johan; Chee, Justin

2016-07-01

To present a novel modification of surgical technique to treat female urethral stricture (FUS) by a vaginal-sparing ventral buccal mucosal urethroplasty. Recurrent FUS represents an uncommon, though difficult clinical scenario to manage definitively. A variety of surgical techniques have been described to date, yet a lack of consensus on the optimal procedure persists. We present a 51-year-old female with urethral stricture involving the entire urethra. Suspected etiology was iatrogenic from cystoscopy 17 years prior. Since then, the patient had undergone at least 25 formal urethral dilations and periods of self-dilation. In lithotomy position, the urethra was dilated to accommodate forceps, and ventral urethrotomy carried out sharply, exposing a bed of periurethral tissue. Buccal mucosa was harvested, and a ventral inlay technique facilitated by a nasal speculum, was used to place the graft from the proximal urethra/bladder neck to urethral meatus without a vaginal incision. Graft was sutured into place, and urethral Foley catheter inserted. The vaginal-sparing ventral buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty was deemed successful as of last follow-up. Flexible cystoscopy demonstrated patency of the repair at 6 months. At 10 months of follow-up, the patient was voiding well, with no urinary incontinence. No further interventions have been required. This case describes a novel modification of surgical technique for performing buccal mucosal urethroplasty for FUS. By avoiding incision of the vaginal mucosa, benefits may include reduced: morbidity, urinary incontinence, and wound complications including urethro-vaginal fistula.

Current management of urethral stricture disease

PubMed Central

Smith, Thomas G.

2016-01-01

Introduction: Broadly defined, urethral strictures are narrowing of the urethral lumen that is surrounded by corpus spongiosum, i.e., urethral meatus through the bulbar urethra. Urethral stenosis is narrowing of the posterior urethra, i.e., membranous urethra through bladder neck/prostate junction, which is not enveloped by corpus spongiosum. The disease has significant quality of life ramifications because many times younger patients are affected by this compared to many other urological diseases. Methods: A review of the scientific literature concerning urethral stricture, stenosis, treatment, and outcomes was performed using Medline and PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health). Abstracts from scientific meetings were included in this review. Results: There is level 3 evidence regarding the etiology and epidemiology of urethral strictures, stenoses, and pelvic fracture urethral injuries. Outcomes data from literature regarding intervention for urethral stricture are largely limited to level 3 evidence and expert opinion. There is a single level 1 study comparing urethral dilation and direct vision internal urethrotomy. Urethroplasty outcomes data are limited to level 3 case series. Conclusions: Progress is being made toward consistent terminology, and nomenclature which will, in turn, help to standardize treatment within the field of urology. Treatment for urethral stricture and stenosis remains inconsistent between reconstructive and nonreconstructive urologists due to varying treatment algorithms and approaches to disease management. Tissue engineering appears to be future for reconstructive urethral surgery with reports demonstrating feasibility in the use of different tissue substitutes and grafts. PMID:26941491

Rat animal model for preclinical testing of microparticle urethral bulking agents.

PubMed

Mann-Gow, Travis K; Blaivas, Jerry G; King, Benjamin J; El-Ghannam, Ahmed; Knabe, Christine; Lam, Michael K; Kida, Masatoshi; Sikavi, Cameron S; Plante, Mark K; Krhut, Jan; Zvara, Peter

2015-04-01

To develop an economic, practical and readily available animal model for preclinical testing of urethral bulking therapies, as well as to establish feasible experimental methods that allow for complete analysis of hard microparticle bulking agents. Alumina ceramic beads suspended in hyaluronic acid were injected into the proximal urethra of 15 female rats under an operating microscope. We assessed overall lower urinary tract function, bulking material intraurethral integrity and local host tissue response over time. Microphotographs were taken during injection and again 6 months postoperatively, before urethral harvest. Urinary flow rate and voiding frequency were assessed before and after injection. At 6 months, the urethra was removed and embedded in resin. Hard tissue sections were cut using a sawing microtome, and processed for histological analysis using scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Microphotographs of the urethra showed complete volume retention of the bulking agent at 6 months. There was no significant difference between average urinary frequency and mean urinary flow rate at 1 and 3 months postinjection as compared with baseline. Scanning electron microscopy proved suitable for evaluation of microparticle size and integrity, as well as local tissue remodeling. Light microscopy and immunohistochemistry allowed for evaluation of an inflammatory host tissue reaction to the bulking agent. The microsurgical injection technique, in vivo physiology and novel hard tissue processing for histology, described in the present study, will allow for future comprehensive preclinical testing of urethral bulking therapy agents containing microparticles made of a hard material. © 2015 The Japanese Urological Association.

Influence of estrogen replacement and aging on the expression of nerve growth factor in the urethra of female rats.

PubMed

Zucchi, Eliana V M; Jármy-Di Bella, Zsuzsanna I K; Castro, Rodrigo A; Takano, Claudia C; Simões, Manuel J; Girão, Manoel J B C; Sartori, Marair G F

2012-06-01

To evaluate the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the urethra of adult female rats in different hormonal status using immunohistochemical assay. Forty-eight rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia, Mammalia) from the CEDEME-UNIFESP laboratory animal facility were used in the study. Rats were divided into four groups: group A, 12 non-neutered rats; group B, 12 oophorectomized rats; group C, 12 castrated rats treated with 17β-estradiol for 30 days; and group D, 12 aging rats. Animals were killed by lethal injection and their urethra was removed. NGF expression was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry using mouse monoclonal primary IgG antibody anti-NGF diluted 1:600, and read under 400× magnification. Digital analysis of the images was done by Imagelab software. The intensity of the dark brown color was used as a measure of NGF cytoplasmatic expression, and was used to quantify the percentage of epithelial and muscular layer cells showing this neurotrophin. After oophorectomy, rats showed a significant increase in NGF expression in the periurethral muscular layer. Compared with oophorectomized rats, NGF expression increased in the epithelial layer and diminished in the periurethral smooth muscle following estrogen administration. In 18-month-old rats, NGF expression was diminished in both epithelial and muscular layers. Hormonal status led to significant differences in NGF protein expression in urethral epithelium and periurethral smooth muscle. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Early endoscopic realignment in posterior urethral injuries.

PubMed

Shrestha, B; Baidya, J L

2013-01-01

Posterior urethral injury requires meticulous tertiary care and optimum expertise to manage successfully. The aim of our study is to describe our experiences with pelvic injuries involving posterior urethra and their outcome after early endoscopic realignment. A prospective study was carried out in 20 patients with complete posterior urethral rupture, from November 2007 till October 2010. They presented with blunt traumatic pelvic fracture and underwent primary realignment of posterior urethra in our institute. The definitive diagnosis of urethral rupture was made after retrograde urethrography and antegrade urethrography where applicable. The initial management was suprapubic catheter insertion after primary trauma management in casualty. After a week of conservative management with intravenous antibiotics and pain management, patients were subjected to the endoscopic realignment. The follow up period was at least six months. The results were analyzed with SPSS software. After endoscopic realignment, all patients were advised CISC for the initial 3 months. All patients voided well after three months of CISC. However, 12 patients were lost to follow up by the end of 6 postoperative months. Out of eight remaining patients, two had features of restricture and were managed with DVU followed by CISC again. One patient with restricture had some degree of erectile dysfunction who improved significantly after phospodiesterase inhibitors. None of the patients had features of incontinence. Early endoscopic realignment of posterior urethra is a minimally invasive modality in the management of complete posterior urethral injury with low rates of incontinence and impotency.

Dynamic MRI evaluation of urethral hypermobility post-radical prostatectomy.

PubMed

Suskind, Anne M; DeLancey, John O L; Hussain, Hero K; Montgomery, Jeffrey S; Latini, Jerilyn M; Cameron, Anne P

2014-03-01

One postulated cause of post-prostatectomy incontinence is urethral and bladder neck hypermobility. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of anatomical differences of urethral and bladder neck position at rest and with valsalva in continent and incontinent men post-prostatectomy based on dynamic MRI. All subjects underwent a dynamic MRI protocol with valsalva and non-valsalva images and a standard urodynamic evaluation. MRI measurements were taken at rest and with valsalva, including (1) bladder neck to sacrococcygeal inferior pubic point line (SCIPP), (2) urethra to pubis, and (3) bulbar urethra to SCIPP. Data were analyzed in SAS using two-tailed t tests. A total of 21 subjects (13 incontinent and 8 continent) had complete data and were included in the final analysis. The two groups had similar demographic characteristics. On MRI, there were no statistically significant differences in anatomic position of the bladder neck or urethra either at rest or with valsalva. The amount of hypermobility ranged from 0.8 to 2 mm in all measures. There were also no differences in the amount of hypermobility (position at rest minus position at valsalva) between groups. We found no statistically significant differences in bladder neck and urethral position or mobility on dynamic MRI evaluation between continent and incontinent men status post-radical prostatectomy. A more complex mechanism for post-prostatectomy incontinence needs to be modeled in order to better understand the continence mechanism in this select group of men. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tape functionality: position, change in shape, and outcome after TVT procedure--mid-term results.

PubMed

Kociszewski, Jacek; Rautenberg, Oliver; Kolben, Sebastian; Eberhard, Jakob; Hilgers, Reinhard; Viereck, Volker

2010-07-01

This study evaluates the relevance of the tape position and change in shape (tape functionality) under in vivo conditions for mid-term outcome. Changes in the sonographic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) position relative to the percentage urethral length and the tape-urethra distance were determined after 6 and 48 months in 41 women with stress urinary incontinence. At 48 months, 76% (31/41) of women were cured, 17% (7/41) were improved, and 7% (3/41) were failures. Disturbed bladder voiding was present in 12% (5/41), de novo urge incontinence in 7% (3/41). The median TVT position was at 63% of urethral length. Median tape-urethra distance was 2.7 mm, ranging from 2.9 mm in continent patients without complications to 1.1 mm in those with obstructive complications. Patients with postoperative urine loss had a median distance of 3.9 mm. The tape was stretched at rest and C-shaped during straining in 15 of 41 women (37%) at 48 months (all continent). Patients with this tape functionality at 6 months were also cured at 48 months in 86% of cases (19/22), and only 14% (3/22) showed recurrent incontinence. Mid-term data suggest an optimal outcome if the tape is positioned at least 2 mm from the urethra at the junction of the middle and distal thirds. Patients with optimal tape functionality at 6 months are likely to show mid-term therapeutic success.

Ontogenetic anatomy of the distal vagina: relevance for local tumor spread and implications for cancer surgery.

PubMed

Höckel, Michael; Horn, Lars-Christian; Illig, Romana; Dornhöfer, Nadja; Fritsch, Helga

2011-08-01

We have suggested to base cancer surgery on ontogenetic anatomy and the compartment theory of tumor permeation in order to improve local tumor control and to lower treatment-related morbidity. Following the validation of this concept for the uterine cervix, proximal vagina and vulva, this study explores its applicability for the distal vagina. Serial transverse sections of female embryos and fetuses aged 8-17 weeks were assessed for the morphological changes in the region defined by the deep urogenital sinus-vaginal plate complex. Histopathological pattern analysis of local tumor spread was performed with carcinomas of the lower genital tract involving the distal vagina to test the compartment theory. Ontogenetically, the female urethra, urethrovaginal septum, distal vagina and rectovaginal septum represent a morphogenetic unit derived from the deep urogenital sinus-vaginal plate complex. Herein, the posterior urethra, the urethrovaginal septum and the distal vagina form a distinct subcompartment differentiated from the dorsal wall of the urogenital sinus. From 150 consecutive patients with distal vaginectomy as part of their surgical treatment 26 carcinomas of the lower genital tract had infiltrated the distal vagina. All 22 tumors involving the ventral wall invaded the urethra/periurethral tissue. Of the five carcinomas involving the dorsal wall none invaded the rectum/mesorectum. The pattern of local tumor permeation of lower genital tract cancer in the distal vagina can be consistently explained with ontogenetic anatomy and the compartment theory. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Treatment Option Overview (Urethral Cancer)

MedlinePlus

... in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). Urethrography : A series of x-rays of the urethra. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and ...

Stages of Urethral Cancer

MedlinePlus

... in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). Urethrography : A series of x-rays of the urethra. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and ...

Treatment Options for Urethral Cancer

MedlinePlus

... in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). Urethrography : A series of x-rays of the urethra. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and ...

Urethral stricture

MedlinePlus

... It can also occur after a disease or injury. Rarely, it may be caused by pressure from a growing tumor near the urethra. Other factors that increase the risk for this condition include: Sexually ... Injury to the pelvic area Repeated urethritis Strictures that ...

Interlabial masses in little girls: review and imaging recommendations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nussbaum, A.R.; Lebowitz, R.L.

1983-07-01

When an interlabial mass is seen on physical examination in a little girl, there is often confusion about its etiology, its implications, and what should be done next. Five common interlabial masses, which superficially are strikingly similar, include a prolapsed ectopic ureterocele, a prolapsed urethra, a paraurethral cyst, hydro(metro)colpos, and rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina (botryoid sarcoma). A prolapsed ectopic ureterocele occurs in white girls as a smooth mass which protrudes from the urethral meatus so that urine exits circumferentially. A prolapsed urethra occurs in black girls and resembles a donut with the urethral meatus in the center. A paraurethral cystmore » is smaller and displaces the meatus, so that the urinary stream is eccentric. Hydro(metro)colpos from hymenal imperforation presents as a smooth mass that fills the vaginal introitus, as opposed to the introital grapelike cluster of masses of botryoid sarcoma. Recommendations for efficient imaging are presented.« less

Ventral inlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty: a novel surgical technique for the management of urethral stricture disease.

PubMed

Kovell, Robert Caleb; Terlecki, Ryan Patrick

2015-02-01

To describe the novel technique of ventral inlay substitution urethroplasty for the management of male anterior urethral stricture disease. A 58-year-old gentleman with multifocal bulbar stricture disease measuring 7 cm in length was treated using a ventral inlay substitution urethroplasty. A dorsal urethrotomy was created, and the ventral urethral plated was incised. The edges of the urethral plate were mobilized without violation of the ventral corpus spongiosum. A buccal mucosa graft was harvested and affixed as a ventral inlay to augment the caliber of the urethra. The dorsal urethrotomy was closed over a foley catheter. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Postoperative imaging demonstrated a widely patent urethra. After three years of follow-up, the patient continues to do well with no voiding complaints and low postvoid residuals. Ventral inlay substitution urethroplasty appears to be a safe and feasible technique for the management of bulbar urethral strictures.

A randomized clinical trial of how to best position retropubic slings for stress urinary incontinence: Development of a study protocol for the mid-urethral sling tensioning (MUST) trial.

PubMed

Brennand, Erin A; Kim-Fine, Shunaha

2016-08-15

The goal of this trial is to compare two techniques for tensioning retropubic midurethral slings: a Mayo scissor between the tape and urethra vs. a Babcock clamp creating a measured loop underneath the urethra. The primary outcome is a composite of abnormal bladder function at 12 months post surgery. Abnormal bladder function is defined as bothersome stress incontinence or worsening over active bladder symptoms, a positive cough stress test, re-treatment of stress urinary incontinence, post-operative urinary retention requiring either catheterization beyond 6 weeks or surgical intervention. Secondary outcomes include the duration of post operative urinary retention, quality of life scores, and physical examination. This article describes the rationale and design of this clinical trial, which will be of interest to those who care for patient with pelvic floor disorders such as stress urinary incontinence.

Physiology of male sexual function.

PubMed

deGroat, W C; Booth, A M

1980-02-01

The male sexual response cycle consists of excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. The initial event, penile erection, is produced by arteriolar dilatation and increased blood flow to the erectile tissue of the penis. Erection is a reflex response initiated by visual, olfactory, or imaginative stimuli impinging upon supraspinal centers or by genital stimulation that in turn activates spinal reflex mechanisms. Sacral parasympathetic and thoracolumbar sympathetic nerves provide the efferent vasodilator input to the penis. Parasympathetic nerves also stimulate secretion from the seminal vesicles and prostate and Cowper's glands during the plateau phase. The orgasmic phase is characterized by seminal emission and ejaculation and the accompanying sensations. Emission of semen into the urethra depends on sympathetic nerves that elicit contractions of smooth muscles in the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and prostate. Rhythmic contractions of striated muscle (bulbocavernosus and ischiocavernosus) generated by efferent pathways in the pudendal nerve eject semen from the urethra.

Foreign body urethra misdiagnosed as stricture leading to inadequate management and prolonged treatment duration: a lesson to learn.

PubMed

Sharma, Deepanshu; Pandey, Siddharth; Garg, Gaurav; Sankhwar, Satyanarayan

2018-05-26

Misdiagnosis of a urethral foreign body (FB) as urethral stricture leads to inadequate management and prolonged treatment duration. A 55-year-old male patient was referred with complaints of difficulty in voiding and poor urinary stream for 2 months. He initially presented at a primary healthcare centre and was misdiagnosed as urethral stricture and was scheduled for urethroplasty. Surprisingly, intraoperative cystourethroscopy performed by us revealed that the urethra had been obstructed by an FB. The FB was gently pushed into the bladder and retrieved. The postoperative course was uneventful. The present case represents a rare occurrence of polyembolokoilamania or insertion of a FB into any bodily orifice for sexual gratification. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Pelvic fracture and injury to the lower urinary tract.

PubMed

Spirnak, J P

1988-10-01

The presence of a urologic injury must be considered in all patients with pelvic fracture. Uroradiographic evaluation starting with retrograde urethrography is indicated in all male patients with concomitant gross hematuria, bloody urethral discharge, scrotal or perineal ecchymosis, a nonpalpable prostate on rectal examination, or an inability to urinate. If the urethra is normal, a catheter may be passed, and in the presence of gross hematuria, a cystogram must be performed. Female patients rarely suffer urethral lacerations. The urethra is examined, and a Foley catheter may be passed without a urethrogram. The immediate management of associated urologic injuries continues to evolve and evoke controversy. Selected cases of extraperitoneal bladder perforation may be safely managed solely by catheter drainage. Intraperitoneal perforations require surgical exploration and repair. Urethral disruption (partial or complete) may be safely managed by primary cystostomy drainage with management of potential complications (stricture, impotence, incontinence) in 4 to 6 months.

Is the male dog comparable to human? A histological study of the muscle systems of the lower urinary tract.

PubMed

Stolzenburg, Jens-Uwe; Schwalenberg, Thilo; Do, Minh; Dorschner, Wolfgang; Salomon, Franz-Viktor; Jurina, Konrad; Neuhaus, Jochen

2002-08-01

Because of their superficial anatomical resemblance, the male dog seems to be suitable for studying the physiologic and pathological alterations of the bladder neck of human males. The present study was carried out to compare and contrast the muscular anatomy of the male dog lower urinary tract with that of humans. The complete lower urinary tract, including the surrounding organs (bulb of penis, prostate, rectum and musculature of the pelvic floor) were removed from adult and newborn male dogs and histologically processed using serial section technique. Based on our own histological investigations, three-dimensional (3D)-models of the anatomy of the lower urinary tract were constructed to depict the corresponding structures and the differences between the species. The results of this study confirm that the lower urinary tract of the male dog bears some anatomical resemblance (musculus detrusor vesicae, prostate, prostatic and membranous urethra) to man. As with human males, the two parts of the musculus sphincter urethrae (glaber and transversostriatus) are evident in the canine bladder neck. Nevertheless, considerable differences in formation of individual muscles should be noted. In male dogs, no separate anatomic entity can be identified as vesical or internal sphincter. The individual course of the ventral and lateral longitudinal musculature and of the circularly arranged smooth musculature of the urethra is different to that of humans. Differences in the anatomy of individual muscles of the bladder neck in the male dog and man suggest that physiological interpretations of urethral functions obtained in one species cannot be attributed without qualification to the other.

Vaginal-sparing ventral buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for female urethral stricture: A novel modification of surgical technique

PubMed Central

Gani, Johan; Chee, Justin

2016-01-01

Purpose To present a novel modification of surgical technique to treat female urethral stricture (FUS) by a vaginal-sparing ventral buccal mucosal urethroplasty. Recurrent FUS represents an uncommon, though difficult clinical scenario to manage definitively. A variety of surgical techniques have been described to date, yet a lack of consensus on the optimal procedure persists. Materials and Methods We present a 51-year-old female with urethral stricture involving the entire urethra. Suspected etiology was iatrogenic from cystoscopy 17 years prior. Since then, the patient had undergone at least 25 formal urethral dilations and periods of self-dilation. In lithotomy position, the urethra was dilated to accommodate forceps, and ventral urethrotomy carried out sharply, exposing a bed of periurethral tissue. Buccal mucosa was harvested, and a ventral inlay technique facilitated by a nasal speculum, was used to place the graft from the proximal urethra/bladder neck to urethral meatus without a vaginal incision. Graft was sutured into place, and urethral Foley catheter inserted. Results The vaginal-sparing ventral buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty was deemed successful as of last follow-up. Flexible cystoscopy demonstrated patency of the repair at 6 months. At 10 months of follow-up, the patient was voiding well, with no urinary incontinence. No further interventions have been required. Conclusions This case describes a novel modification of surgical technique for performing buccal mucosal urethroplasty for FUS. By avoiding incision of the vaginal mucosa, benefits may include reduced: morbidity, urinary incontinence, and wound complications including urethro-vaginal fistula. PMID:27437540

Office Dilation of the Female Urethra: A Quality of Care Problem in the Field of Urology

PubMed Central

Santucci, Richard A.; Payne, Christopher K.; Saigal, Christopher S.

2008-01-01

Purpose: Historically dilation of the female urethra was thought to be of value in the treatment of a variety of lower urinary tract symptoms. Subsequent work has more accurately classified these complaints as parts of various diseases or syndromes in which scant data exist to support the use of dilation. Yet Medicare reimbursement for urethral dilation remains generous and we describe practice patterns regarding female urethral dilation to characterize a potential quality of care issue. Materials and Methods: Health care use by females treated with urethral dilation was compiled using a complementary set of databases. Data sets were examined for relevant inpatient, outpatient and emergency room services for women of all ages. Results: Female urethral dilation is common (929 per 100,000 patients) and is performed almost as much as treatment for male urethral stricture disease. Approximately 12% of these patients are subjected to costly studies such as retrograde urethrography. The overall national costs for treatment exceed $61 million per year and have increased 10% to 17% a year since 1994. A diagnosis of female urethral stricture increases health care expenditures by more than $1,800 per individual per year in insured populations. Conclusions: Urethral dilation is still common despite the fact that true female urethral stricture is an uncommon entity. This scenario is likely secondary to the persistence of the mostly discarded practice of dilating the unstrictured female urethra for a wide variety of complaints despite the lack of data suggesting that it improves lower urinary tract symptoms. PMID:18804232

Genitourinary tract injuries in girls.

PubMed

Okur, H; Küçïkaydin, M; Kazez, A; Turan, C; Bozkurt, A

1996-09-01

To evaluate lower genitourinary tract injuries in girls and to propose guidelines for the investigation and initial management of this unusual injury. The hospital records of 38 girls (aged 2-13 years) treated in our institution because of lower genitourinary (LG) tract injury between 1988 and 1995 were reviewed retrospectively. Urethral ruptures were detected in six patients, but the most frequent injuries were to the vulva (63%) and vagina (53%). There were pelvic fractures in eight patients and femoral fractures in a further five. Eight patients had concomitant anorectal lacerations. Vaginal and perineal lacerations were repaired primarily and a temporary urethral catheter was placed for a mean of 3 days. Partial urethral disruptions were repaired primarily over a stenting catheter in three patients. In one case, vaginal laceration and proximal complete rupture of the urethra was managed through a transvaginal approach with end-to-end urethral anastomosis over a stenting catheter. There was a complete rupture of the distal urethra and avulsion of the external meatus in two cases and these patients were managed by urethral advancement and meatoplasty. Perineal physical signs did not reflect the severity of the lesions and cystovaginoscopy allowed localization of lacerations in some cases. Primary repair was possible in all cases. Three patients (8%) had wound infection after surgery. One patient had temporary urinary incontinence which was managed conservatively and one patient had faecal incontinence which needed secondary surgery. All female paediatric patients with suspected LG tract injury should undergo examination under anaesthesia to determine the degree of injury or possible concomitant injury to the urethra, bladder or rectum. Primary repair of these injuries is recommended.

Curvature of the penis

MedlinePlus

... penis. Alternative Names Peyronie disease Images Male reproductive anatomy Male reproductive system References Elder JS. Anomalies of the penis and urethra. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016: ...

Urinary incontinence - injectable implant

MedlinePlus

... injections of material into the urethra to help control urine leakage ( urinary incontinence ) caused by a weak urinary sphincter. ... choose to have implants. Women who have urine leakage and want a ... procedure to control the problem may choose to have an implant ...

Aging changes in the kidneys and bladder

MedlinePlus

... fluid from the body. The kidneys also help control the body's chemical balance. The kidneys are part of the urinary system, which also includes the ureters, bladder, and urethra. Muscle ... bladder control. AGING CHANGES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE KIDNEYS ...

Interstitial rotating shield brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

PubMed

Adams, Quentin E; Xu, Jinghzu; Breitbach, Elizabeth K; Li, Xing; Enger, Shirin A; Rockey, William R; Kim, Yusung; Wu, Xiaodong; Flynn, Ryan T

2014-05-01

To present a novel needle, catheter, and radiation source system for interstitial rotating shield brachytherapy (I-RSBT) of the prostate. I-RSBT is a promising technique for reducing urethra, rectum, and bladder dose relative to conventional interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT). A wire-mounted 62 GBq(153)Gd source is proposed with an encapsulated diameter of 0.59 mm, active diameter of 0.44 mm, and active length of 10 mm. A concept model I-RSBT needle/catheter pair was constructed using concentric 50 and 75 μm thick nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol) tubes. The needle is 16-gauge (1.651 mm) in outer diameter and the catheter contains a 535 μm thick platinum shield. I-RSBT and conventional HDR-BT treatment plans for a prostate cancer patient were generated based on Monte Carlo dose calculations. In order to minimize urethral dose, urethral dose gradient volumes within 0-5 mm of the urethra surface were allowed to receive doses less than the prescribed dose of 100%. The platinum shield reduced the dose rate on the shielded side of the source at 1 cm off-axis to 6.4% of the dose rate on the unshielded side. For the case considered, for the same minimum dose to the hottest 98% of the clinical target volume (D(98%)), I-RSBT reduced urethral D(0.1cc) below that of conventional HDR-BT by 29%, 33%, 38%, and 44% for urethral dose gradient volumes within 0, 1, 3, and 5 mm of the urethra surface, respectively. Percentages are expressed relative to the prescription dose of 100%. For the case considered, for the same urethral dose gradient volumes, rectum D(1cc) was reduced by 7%, 6%, 6%, and 6%, respectively, and bladder D(1cc) was reduced by 4%, 5%, 5%, and 6%, respectively. Treatment time to deliver 20 Gy with I-RSBT was 154 min with ten 62 GBq (153)Gd sources. For the case considered, the proposed(153)Gd-based I-RSBT system has the potential to lower the urethral dose relative to HDR-BT by 29%-44% if the clinician allows a urethral dose gradient volume of 0-5 mm around the urethra to receive a dose below the prescription. A multisource approach is necessary in order to deliver the proposed (153)Gd-based I-RSBT technique in reasonable treatment times.

Bladder Control Problems in Men

MedlinePlus

... professional’s office, or at a commercial facility. A health care professional tests the sample during an office visit or sends ... bladder and urethra store and release urine. A health care professional performs urodynamic tests during an office visit or in an outpatient ...

Urethral Cancer—Patient Version

Cancer.gov

Urethral cancer is rare and is more common in men than in women. Urethral cancer can metastasize (spread) quickly to tissues around the urethra and has often spread to nearby lymph nodes by the time it is diagnosed. Start here to find information on urethral cancer treatment.

Extraintestinal Complications: Kidney Disorders

MedlinePlus

... the ureters, bladder, and urethra for the passage, storage, and voiding of urine. Serious kidney complications associated with IBD are rare, ... Proteinuria, an elevated level of protein in the urine, is one sign of amyloidosis. A biopsy (tissue sample) of the kidney can confirm the diagnosis. Various ...

Use of cone-beam imaging to correct for catheter displacement in high dose-rate prostate brachytherapy.

PubMed

Holly, Rick; Morton, Gerard C; Sankreacha, Raxa; Law, Niki; Cisecki, Thomas; Loblaw, D Andrew; Chung, Hans T

2011-01-01

To determine the magnitude of catheter displacement between time of planning and time of treatment delivery for patients undergoing high dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, the dosimetric impact of catheter displacement, and the ability to improve dosimetry by catheter readjustment. Twenty consecutive patients receiving single fraction HDR brachytherapy underwent kilovoltage cone-beam CT in the treatment room before treatment. If catheter displacement was apparent, catheters were adjusted and imaging repeated. Both sets of kilovoltage cone-beam CT image sets were coregistered off-line with the CT data set used for planning with rigid fusion of anatomy based on implanted fiducials. Catheter displacement was measured on both sets of images and dosimetry calculated. Mean internal displacement of catheters was 11mm. This would have resulted in a decrease in mean volume receiving 100% of prescription dose (V(100)) from the planned 97.6% to 77.3% (p<0.001), a decrease of the mean dose to 90% of the prostate (D(90)) from 110.5% to 72.9% (p<0.001), and increase in dose to 10% of urethra (urethra D(10)) from 118% to 125% (p=0.0094). Each 1cm of catheter displacement resulted in a 20% decrease in V(100) and 36% decrease in D(90). Catheter readjustment resulted in a final treated mean V(100) of 90.2% and D(90) of 97.4%, both less than planned. Mean urethra D(10) remained higher at126% (p=0.0324). Significantly, internal displacement of HDR catheters commonly occurs between time of CT planning and treatment delivery, even when only a single fraction is used. The adverse effects on dosimetry can be partly corrected by readjustment of catheter position. Copyright © 2011 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The prevalence of lymphogranuloma venereum infection in men who have sex with men: results of a multicentre case finding study

PubMed Central

Ward, H; Alexander, S; Carder, C; Dean, G; French, P; Ivens, D; Ling, C; Paul, J; Tong, W; White, J; Ison, C A

2009-01-01

Objective: To determine the prevalence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and non-LGV associated serovars of urethral and rectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection in men who have sex with men (MSM). Design: Multicentre cross-sectional survey. Setting: Four genitourinary medicine clinics in the United Kingdom from 2006–7. Subjects: 4825 urethral and 6778 rectal samples from consecutive MSM attending for sexual health screening. Methods: Urethral swabs or urine and rectal swabs were tested for CT using standard nucleic acid amplification tests. Chlamydia-positive specimens were sent to the reference laboratory for serovar determination. Main outcome: Positivity for both LGV and non-LGV associated CT serovars; proportion of cases that were symptomatic. Results: The positivity (with 95% confidence intervals) in rectal samples was 6.06% (5.51% to 6.66%) for non-LGV CT and 0.90% (0.69% to 1.16%) for LGV; for urethral samples 3.21% (2.74% to 3.76%) for non-LGV CT and 0.04% (0.01% to 0.16%) for LGV. The majority of LGV was symptomatic (95% of rectal, one of two urethral cases); non-LGV chlamydia was mostly symptomatic in the urethra (68%) but not in the rectum (16%). Conclusions: Chlamydial infections are common in MSM attending for sexual health screening, and the majority are non-LGV associated serovars. We did not identify a large reservoir of asymptomatic LGV in the rectum or urethra. Testing for chlamydia from the rectum and urethra should be included for MSM requesting a sexual health screen, but serovar-typing is not indicated in the absence of symptoms. We have yet to identify the source of most cases of LGV in the UK. PMID:19221105

Description of the Baudet Surgical Technique and Introduction of a Systematic Method for Training Surgeons to Perform Male-to-Female Sex Reassignment Surgery.

PubMed

Leclère, Franck Marie; Casoli, Vincent; Baudet, Jacques; Weigert, Romain

2015-12-01

Male-to-female sex reassignment surgery involves three main procedures, namely, clitoroplasty, new urethral meatoplasty and vaginopoiesis. Herein we describe the key steps of our surgical technique. Male-to-female sex reassignment surgery includes the following 14 key steps which are documented in this article: (1) patient installation and draping, (2) urethral catheter placement, (3) scrotal incision and vaginal cavity formation, (4) bilateral orchidectomy, (5) penile skin inversion, (6) dismembering of the urethra from the corpora, (7) neoclitoris formation, (8) neoclitoris refinement, (9) neovaginalphallic cylinder formation, (10) fixation of the neoclitoris, (11) neovaginalphallic cylinder insertion, (12) contouring of the labia majora and positioning the neoclitoris and urethra, (13) tie-over dressing and (14) compression dressing. The size and position of the neoclitoris, position of the urethra, adequacy of the neovaginal cavity, position and tension on the triangular flap, size of the neo labia minora, size of the labia majora, symmetry and ease of intromission are important factors when considering the immediate results of the surgery. We present our learning process of graduated responsibility for optimisation of these results. We describe our postoperative care and the possible complications. Herein, we have described the 14 steps of the Baudet technique for male-to-female sex reassignment surgery which include clitoroplasty, new urethral meatoplasty and vaginopoiesis. The review of each key stage of the procedure represents the first step of our global teaching process. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

[Surgical approach of traumatic urethral injury in children. Experience at San Vicente of Paul Universitary Hospital. Medellín 1987-2007].

PubMed

Martínez Montoya, Jorge A; Tascón Acevedo, Natalia M

2009-04-01

In order to evaluate the efficacy of different surgical techniques for the correction of traumatic lesions of the urethra, we performed a retrospective study in those patients, and evaluated different complications such as postsurgical stenosis of the urethra, incontinence and impotence (erectile dysfunction). A retrospective study was conducted, reviewing the clinical charts of 43 patients admitted to the San Vicente of Paul Hospital, with diagnosis of traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra from 1987 to 2007. We analyzed different demographic data, type of surgical correction, early and late complications. The average age of the patients was 7.7 years, the average follow up was 30.6 months, and all the patients were male with a posterior urethral rupture. 27 Patients underwent a primary urethral repair (63%), 13 patients underwent a cistostomy with later urologic reconstruction (30%), in 3 patients (7%) other surgical procedures were made. Overall complication rate was 39.5%. These complications were: Urethral stenosis, 26 patients (60.5%), urinary retention secondary to obstruction, 10 patients (23.3%), incontinence 10 patients (23.3%) and impotence 7 patients (16.3%). Patients treated with a primary urethral repair presented a significantly less development of infection, obstruction and stenosis, (p<0.05). Patients with pelvis fracture associated to urethral trauma had a significant higher risk of developing stenosis and impotence. (p<0.05). Both different surgical techniques compared showed a similar complication and morbidity rates in middle follow up. Each procedure should be selected according to clinical condition of the patient, the extension of the urethral damage, the associated traumatic lesions and the surgeon's expertise. In our searched patients, treated with a primary urethral repair we found a significantly less development of infection, obstruction and stenosis.

In Vivo Dosimetry of High-Dose-Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy in the Pelvic Region: Use of a Radiophotoluminescence Glass Dosimeter for Measurement of 1004 Points in 66 Patients With Pelvic Malignancy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nose, Takayuki; Department of Physics, Cancer Institute of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo; Koizumi, Masahiko

2008-02-01

Purpose: To perform the largest in vivo dosimetry study for interstitial brachytherapy yet to be undertaken using a new radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeter (RPLGD) in patients with pelvic malignancy and to study the limits of contemporary planning software based on the results. Patients and Methods: Sixty-six patients with pelvic malignancy were treated with high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy, including prostate (n = 26), gynecological (n = 35), and miscellaneous (n = 5). Doses for a total of 1004 points were measured by RPLGDs and calculated with planning software in the following locations: rectum (n = 549), urethra (n = 415), vagina (n =more » 25), and perineum (n = 15). Compatibility (measured dose/calculated dose) was analyzed according to dosimeter location. Results: The compatibility for all dosimeters was 0.98 {+-} 0.23, stratified by location: rectum, 0.99 {+-} 0.20; urethra, 0.96 {+-} 0.26; vagina, 0.91 {+-} 0.08; and perineum, 1.25 {+-} 0.32. Conclusions: Deviations between measured and calculated doses for the rectum and urethra were greater than 20%, which is attributable to the independent movements of these organs and the applicators. Missing corrections for inhomogeneity are responsible for the 9% negative shift near the vaginal cylinder (specific gravity = 1.24), whereas neglect of transit dose contributes to the 25% positive shift in the perineal dose. Dose deviation of >20% for nontarget organs should be taken into account in the planning process. Further development of planning software and a real-time dosimetry system are necessary to use the current findings and to achieve adaptive dose delivery.« less

PubMed Central

Schick, Erik; Tessier, Jocelyne

1991-01-01

Urodynamics has profoundly changed our understanding of the physiopathology of urinary incontinence which is, first and foremost, a functional problem. The urodynamic study is the only diagnostic tool which makes it possible to explore the functioning of the urethra and bladder. As such, it constitutes the cornerstone of our therapeutic strategy. PMID:21229029

MÜNCHAUSEN SYNDROME BY PROXY: THE OVERLOOKED DIAGNOSIS.

PubMed

Ali, Sohrab Naushad; Ali, Aymon Naushad; Ali, Mian Naushad

2015-01-01

Münchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP) is a psychiatric disorder characterised by the adoption of bizarre behavioural-patterns by caregivers in which diseases or disorders are fabricated in individuals, usually children, for purposes which span feelings of superiority derived from deceit of persons deemed superior to the caregiver, or attention seeking. The patient under discussion was a 6 year old male brought to the hospital by his mother with complaints of repetitive and unceasing passing of stones per urethra. Upon inspection of stone specimens brought in by the parents and physical examination, the stones in question were observed to be common stones, with no reason to suggest a urolithiatic origin, leading to the suspicion of MSBP. Further questioning of both the mother and father revealed more information regarding the cause of her child's illness and strongly suggested that the stones were being physically inserted into the child's urethra by the mother--often in the father's absence--after administration of sedative-hynotic drugs.

[Ejaculatory profile: a pressure of 5 meters H2O at the level of the bladder neck during ejaculation].

PubMed

Hugonnet, Christophe L; Böhlen, Dominik; Schmid, Hans-Peter

2002-12-01

The existence of a pressure gradient in order to prevent retrograde ejaculation in men with no ejaculatory disorders has always been postulated, but without any scientific evidence. The profile of the prostatic urethra was recorded during ejaculation in 5 men with no ejaculatory disorders using a 10 F balloon catheter with 16 pressure channels, situated in pairs every 5 mm, starting just below the balloon in the bladder neck and extending as far as the external urethral sphincter. The pressure in the proximal part of the proximal urethra was 500 cm H2O in the five men, but this pressure did not exceed 400 cm H2O distally as far as the colliculus seminalis. The authors present a new method for recording the urethral pressure profile during ejaculation (ejaculatory profile). This study provides a better understanding of the mechanisms of normal ejaculation and could be useful for the evaluation of disorders of ejaculation.

Microwave Medical Treatment Apparatus and Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arndt, G. Dickey (Inventor); Ngo, Phong H. (Inventor); Carl, James R. (Inventor); George, W. Rflfoul (Inventor)

2005-01-01

Methods, simulations, and apparatus are provided that may be utilized for medical treatments which are especially suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of separate microwave antennas are utilized to heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. By utilizing constructive and destructive interference of the microwave transmission, the energy can be deposited on the tissues to be necrosed while protecting other tissues such as the urethra. Saline injections to alter the conductivity of the tissues may also be used to further focus the energy deposits. A computer simulation is Provided that can be used to Predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of one or more catheters and the methods of applying microwave energy, a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

Efficacy and local tolerability of povidone iodine and octenidine hydrochloride solution for the antiseptic preparation of the orificium urethrae.

PubMed

Rudolph, P; Fritze, F; Reimer, K; Klebingat, K J; Kramer, A

1999-01-01

In a randomized clinical study, 61 hospitalized men were examined to test the local tolerability and antimicrobial efficacy of antiseptic treatment of the genitals with povidone iodine versus octenidine hydrochloride solution. Antibacterial efficacy was established by comparing the total aerobic bacterial colony count from standardized swabs from the orificium urethrae externum before, immediately after, and 30 and 60 min after antisepsis. Tolerability was assessed by dermatoscopy, applying a scale to rate the criteria of reddening, erosions and microbleeding. pH-value was taken and the nitracin yellow test carried out at several intervals. Patients assessed sensations (itching, burning, warmth, cold tension) in visual analogue scales. The test for equivalence in efficacy of both antiseptic agents produced no significant result (P = 0.3). The sum score of tolerability produced a better result for povidone iodine. In addition, the drop in the pH value after observed antisepsis with povidone iodine provides an additional protective mechanism against bacterial colonization.

Obstructing urethral calculus in a woman revealed to be the cause of chronic pelvic pain.

PubMed

Thomas, J S; Crew, J

2012-10-01

Urethral calculi are extremely rarely reported in Caucasian females and are usually associated with an anatomical abnormality such as a diverticulum or a stricture. Ureteric calculi can move to become lodged in the urethra, although this is rare in women because of their short urethral length. We present a case of a 55-year-old woman presenting with urinary retention secondary to an obstructing upper tract calculus that had moved into the urethra. Four years previously, the patient had been diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain following a primary posterior vaginal wall repair. Following treatment of the obstructing calculus, her symptoms of pelvic pain completely resolved. We report a very unusual case that highlights the importance of investigating chronic pelvic pain. This patient's symptom of vaginal pain, though highly localized, was caused by pathology elsewhere in the pelvis. Alternative diagnoses should be sought for such patients and investigation performed to detect any nonvisible hematuria.

Bilateral epididymal sperm granulomas following urethrostomy in a German shepherd dog.

PubMed

Batista-Arteaga, M; Santana, M; Lozano, O; Niño, T; Alamo, D; Rodríguez, F

2011-08-01

Bilateral enlargement of both epididymes was observed in a 6-year-old German shepherd dog following a pre-scrotal urethrostomy. Testicular parenchyma showed regular structure, and the spermatogenesis and the steroidogenic functions were not modified. However, macroscopic examination of the tail and the body of both epididymes exhibited multiple white and well-delimited foci. Histopathological study of the epididymes confirmed the development of granulomas associated with extravasated spermatozoa. Urethrostomy caused a severe stenosis of the penile urethra, favouring the retention of urine at the urinary bladder. The retrograde pressure exerted by the distension of the urinary bladder could have allowed the urine to reach the prostatic urethra and the deferent ducts and, finally, the epididymes, causing irritation and rupture of the mucous layer of the epididymal duct, the consequent sperm extravasation and the development of sperm granulomas. We speculate that the inadequate surgical resolution of the urethral calculi caused the bladder distension, the subsequent retrograde flow of urine and the development of the lesions. © 2010 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Self-inflicted long complex urethro-vesical foreign body: is open surgery always needed?

PubMed Central

Garg, Manish; Kumar, Manoj; Sankhwar, Satyanarayan; Singh, Vishwajeet

2013-01-01

In this case report, we describe our experience of a self-inflicted long complex urethrovesical foreign body managed suprapubically through the minimally invasive technique. A 21-year-old man with antipsychotic treatment for the past 10 years presented with a long electric cable wire in his bladder with the distal end in the penile urethra. He presented with symptoms of voiding difficulty and gross haematuria. An attempt of gentle retrieval of wire through the cystoscopic forceps was not successful due to a very complex knot of cable in the bladder. To avoid open surgery such as suprapubic cystotomy, the percutaneous minimally invasive approach was planned. Access to the bladder was achieved by the suprapubic puncture of the bladder, placement of a guide-wire and serial dilation of supra-pubic tract. With the help of nephroscope, through suprapubic tract, the cable wire was retrieved antegradely without causing undue trauma to the bladder or urethra. PMID:23749820

Pyoderma Gangranosum of the Penis

PubMed Central

Kim, Tae Heung; Oh, Seung Young

2009-01-01

We report a patient who developed pyoderma gangrenosum in the penis with invasion of the distal urethra. The patient was treated with prednisolone and thalidomide, followed by a reconstructive surgical repair using a scrotal island flap. We report this case with a brief review of the literature. PMID:19949683

Eccentric circummeatal based flap with limited urethral mobilization: An easy technique for distal hypospadias repair.

PubMed

Ekinci, Saniye; Çiftçi, Arbay Özden; Karnak, İbrahim; Şenocak, Mehmet Emin

2016-04-01

Hypospadias is a common congenital anomaly. Over 300 techniques have been described for repairing hypospadias. Eccentric circummeatal based flap with combined limited urethral mobilization technique (ECMB-LUM) is a simple procedure to repair distal hypospadias with minimal complication rate. This study presents results of this technique, highlighting surgical pitfalls to achieve the best result. Medical records of patients with distal hypospadias operated on using the same technique between 1998 and 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Age at surgery, position of meatus preoperatively and postoperatively, duration of urethral catheterization and hospitalization, early and late complications, previous hypospadias repairs, and secondary surgical interventions were evaluated. In the surgical technique an eccentric circummeatal based flap is outlined. The proximal part of the flap is dissected from the underlying urethra and Buck's fascia. If the flap is not long enough, the distal urethra is mobilized a few millimeters (Figure). The eccentric flap is sutured to the tip of the glans. The glans wings are approximated in the midline. A urethral catheter of 6 Fr or 8 Fr is passed and left in the bulbous urethra or the urinary bladder. Diverged limbs of corpus spongiosum are approximated on the urethra, then, the glans and skin of the penile shaft are sutured. Of the 171 consecutive patients operated on using the ECMB-LUM technique; 115 had coronal, 47 had subcoronal, and nine had glanular meatus. The mean age at surgery was 4.5 (1-17) years. Patients were hospitalized for 2.2 ± 0.7 days. Mean duration of urethral catheterization was 2.3 ± 0.5 days. All but eight patients had ECBF-LUM as primary repair. There were no early complications such as bleeding, hematoma, and wound infection. All patients voided spontaneously after catheter removal. Late complications were meatal stenosis, urethrocutaneous fistula, meatal regression, and glandular dehiscence (Table). These patients were treated using dilatation, fistula repair, meatoplasty, and secondary repair with the same technique, respectively. Eventually all patients had a vertical slit-like meatus on the tip of a natural looking glans. The most commonly used distal hypospadias repair techniques are glanular approximation, meatal advancement and glanuloplasty, Koff, Mathieu, Thiersch-Duplay procedure, tubularized incised plate repairs, and modifications of these techniques. Cosmetic and functional results and complication rates of ECMB-LUM technique are comparable with those of the commonly used techniques. Copyright © 2015 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interstitial rotating shield brachytherapy for prostate cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adams, Quentin E., E-mail: quentin-adams@uiowa.edu; Xu, Jinghzu; Breitbach, Elizabeth K.

Purpose: To present a novel needle, catheter, and radiation source system for interstitial rotating shield brachytherapy (I-RSBT) of the prostate. I-RSBT is a promising technique for reducing urethra, rectum, and bladder dose relative to conventional interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT). Methods: A wire-mounted 62 GBq{sup 153}Gd source is proposed with an encapsulated diameter of 0.59 mm, active diameter of 0.44 mm, and active length of 10 mm. A concept model I-RSBT needle/catheter pair was constructed using concentric 50 and 75 μm thick nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol) tubes. The needle is 16-gauge (1.651 mm) in outer diameter and the catheter contains a 535more » μm thick platinum shield. I-RSBT and conventional HDR-BT treatment plans for a prostate cancer patient were generated based on Monte Carlo dose calculations. In order to minimize urethral dose, urethral dose gradient volumes within 0–5 mm of the urethra surface were allowed to receive doses less than the prescribed dose of 100%. Results: The platinum shield reduced the dose rate on the shielded side of the source at 1 cm off-axis to 6.4% of the dose rate on the unshielded side. For the case considered, for the same minimum dose to the hottest 98% of the clinical target volume (D{sub 98%}), I-RSBT reduced urethral D{sub 0.1cc} below that of conventional HDR-BT by 29%, 33%, 38%, and 44% for urethral dose gradient volumes within 0, 1, 3, and 5 mm of the urethra surface, respectively. Percentages are expressed relative to the prescription dose of 100%. For the case considered, for the same urethral dose gradient volumes, rectum D{sub 1cc} was reduced by 7%, 6%, 6%, and 6%, respectively, and bladder D{sub 1cc} was reduced by 4%, 5%, 5%, and 6%, respectively. Treatment time to deliver 20 Gy with I-RSBT was 154 min with ten 62 GBq {sup 153}Gd sources. Conclusions: For the case considered, the proposed{sup 153}Gd-based I-RSBT system has the potential to lower the urethral dose relative to HDR-BT by 29%–44% if the clinician allows a urethral dose gradient volume of 0–5 mm around the urethra to receive a dose below the prescription. A multisource approach is necessary in order to deliver the proposed {sup 153}Gd-based I-RSBT technique in reasonable treatment times.« less

Surgical tips and tricks during urethroplasty for bulbar urethral strictures focusing on accurate localisation of the stricture: results from a tertiary centre.

PubMed

Kuo, Tricia L C; Venugopal, Suresh; Inman, Richard D; Chapple, Christopher R

2015-04-01

There are several techniques for characterising and localising an anterior urethral stricture, such as preoperative retrograde urethrography, ultrasonography, and endoscopy. However, these techniques have some limitations. The final determinant is intraoperative assessment, as this yields the most information and defines what surgical procedure is undertaken. We present our intraoperative approach for localising and operating on a urethral stricture, with assessment of outcomes. A retrospective review of urethral strictures operated was carried out. All patients had a bulbar or bulbomembranous urethroplasty. All patients were referred to a tertiary centre and operated on by two urethral reconstructive surgeons. Intraoperative identification of the stricture was performed by cystoscopy. The location of the stricture is demonstrated externally on the urethra by external transillumination of the urethra and comparison with the endoscopic picture. This is combined with accurate placement of a suture through the urethra, at the distal extremity of the stricture, verified precisely by endoscopy. Clinical data were collected in a dedicated database. Intraoperative details and postoperative follow-up data for each patient were recorded and analysed. A descriptive data analysis was performed. A representative group of 35 male patients who had surgery for bulbar stricture was randomly selected from January 2010 to December 2013. Mean follow-up was 13.8 mo (range 2-43 mo). Mean age was 46.5 yr (range 17-70 yr). Three patients had undergone previous urethroplasty and 26 patients had previous urethrotomy or dilatation. All patients had preoperative retrograde urethrography and most (85.7%) had endoscopic assessment. The majority of patients (48.6%) had a stricture length of >2-7 cm and 45.7% of patients required a buccal mucosa graft. There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperatively, two patients had a urinary tract infection. All patients were assessed postoperatively via flexible cystoscopy. Only one patient required subsequent optical urethrotomy for recurrence. Our intraoperative strategy for anterior urethral stricture assessment provides a clear stepwise approach, regardless of the type of urethroplasty eventually chosen (anastomotic disconnected or Heineke-Mikulicz) or augmentation (dorsal, ventral, or augmented roof strip). It is useful in all cases by allowing precise localisation of the incision in the urethra, whether the stricture is simple or complex. We studied the treatment of bulbar urethral strictures with different types of urethroplasty, using a specific technique to identify and characterise the length of the stricture. This technique is effective, precise, and applicable to all patients undergoing urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Borot de Battisti, M; Maenhout, M; Lagendijk, J J W

Purpose: To develop adaptive planning with feedback for MRI-guided focal HDR prostate brachytherapy with a single divergent needle robotic implant device. After each needle insertion, the dwell positions for that needle are calculated and the positioning of remaining needles and dosimetry are both updated based on MR imaging. Methods: Errors in needle positioning may occur due to inaccurate needle insertion (caused by e.g. the needle’s bending) and unpredictable changes in patient anatomy. Consequently, the dose plan quality might dramatically decrease compared to the preplan. In this study, a procedure was developed to re-optimize, after each needle insertion, the remaining needlemore » angulations, source positions and dwell times in order to obtain an optimal coverage (D95% PTV>19 Gy) without exceeding the constraints of the organs at risk (OAR) (D10% urethra<21 Gy, D1cc bladder<12 Gy and D1cc rectum<12 Gy). Complete HDR procedures with 6 needle insertions were simulated for a patient MR-image set with PTV, prostate, urethra, bladder and rectum delineated. Random angulation errors, modeled by a Gaussian distribution (standard deviation of 3 mm at the needle’s tip), were generated for each needle insertion. We compared the final dose parameters for the situations (I) without re-optimization and (II) with the automatic feedback. Results: The computation time of replanning was below 100 seconds on a current desk computer. For the patient tested, a clinically acceptable dose plan was achieved while applying the automatic feedback (median(range) in Gy, D95% PTV: 19.9(19.3–20.3), D10% urethra: 13.4(11.9–18.0), D1cc rectum: 11.0(10.7–11.6), D1cc bladder: 4.9(3.6–6.8)). This was not the case without re-optimization (median(range) in Gy, D95% PTV: 19.4(14.9–21.3), D10% urethra: 12.6(11.0–15.7), D1cc rectum: 10.9(8.9–14.1), D1cc bladder: 4.8(4.4–5.2)). Conclusion: An automatic guidance strategy for HDR prostate brachytherapy was developed to compensate errors in needle positioning and improve the dose distribution. Without re-optimization, target coverage and OAR constraints may not be achieved. M. Borot de Battisti is funded by Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.; M. Moerland is principal investigator on a contract funded by Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.; G. Hautvast and D. Binnekamp are full-time employees of Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.« less

Lessons we learn from review of urological procedures performed during three decades in a spinal cord injury patient: a case report

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background We review urological procedures performed on a spinal cord injury patient during three decades. Case presentation A 23-year-old male patient sustained T-12 paraplegia in 1971. In 1972, intravenous urography showed both kidneys functioning well; division of external urethral sphincter was performed. In 1976, reimplantation of left ureter (Lich-Gregoir) was carried out for vesicoureteric reflux. As reflux persisted, left ureter was reimplanted by psoas hitch-Boari flap technique in 1978. This patient suffered from severe pain in legs; intrathecal injection of phenol was performed twice in 1979. The segment bearing the scarred spinal cord was removed in September 1982. This patient required continuous catheter drainage. Deep median sphincterotomy was performed in 1984. As the left kidney showed little function, left nephroureterectomy was performed in 1986. In an attempt to obviate the need for an indwelling catheter, bladder neck resection and tri-radiate sphincterotomy were carried out in 1989; but these procedures proved futile. UroLume prosthesis was inserted and splinted the urethra from prostatic apex to bulb in October 1990. As mucosa was apposing distal to stent, in November 1990, second UroLume stent was hitched inside distal end of first. In March 1991, urethroscopy showed the distal end of the distal stent had fragmented; loose wires were removed. In April 1991, this patient developed sweating, shivering and haematuria. Urine showed Pseudomonas. Suprapubic cystostomy was performed. Suprapubic cystostomy was done again the next day, as the catheter was pulled out accidentally during night. Subsequently, a 16 Fr Silastic catheter was passed per urethra and suprapubic catheter was removed. In July 1993, Urocoil stent was put inside UroLume stent with distal end of Urocoil stent lying free in urethra. In September 1993, this patient was struggling to pass urine. Urocoil stent had migrated to bladder; therefore, Urocoil stent was removed and a Memotherm stent was deployed. This patient continued to experience trouble with micturition; therefore, Memotherm stent was removed. Currently, wires of UroLume stent protrude in to urethra, which tend to puncture the balloon of urethral Foley catheter, especially when the patient performs manual evacuation of bowels. Conclusion We failed to implement intermittent catheterisation along with anti-cholinergic therapy. Instead, we performed several urological procedures with unsatisfactory outcome; the patient lost his left kidney. We believe that honest review of clinical practice will help towards learning from past mistakes. PMID:20062593

Lessons we learn from review of urological procedures performed during three decades in a spinal cord injury patient: a case report.

PubMed

Vaidyanathan, Subramanian; Soni, Bakul M; Hughes, Peter L; Singh, Gurpreet; Mansour, Paul; Oo, Tun

2009-12-16

We review urological procedures performed on a spinal cord injury patient during three decades. A 23-year-old male patient sustained T-12 paraplegia in 1971. In 1972, intravenous urography showed both kidneys functioning well; division of external urethral sphincter was performed. In 1976, reimplantation of left ureter (Lich-Gregoir) was carried out for vesicoureteric reflux. As reflux persisted, left ureter was reimplanted by psoas hitch-Boari flap technique in 1978. This patient suffered from severe pain in legs; intrathecal injection of phenol was performed twice in 1979. The segment bearing the scarred spinal cord was removed in September 1982. This patient required continuous catheter drainage. Deep median sphincterotomy was performed in 1984. As the left kidney showed little function, left nephroureterectomy was performed in 1986. In an attempt to obviate the need for an indwelling catheter, bladder neck resection and tri-radiate sphincterotomy were carried out in 1989; but these procedures proved futile. UroLume prosthesis was inserted and splinted the urethra from prostatic apex to bulb in October 1990. As mucosa was apposing distal to stent, in November 1990, second UroLume stent was hitched inside distal end of first. In March 1991, urethroscopy showed the distal end of the distal stent had fragmented; loose wires were removed. In April 1991, this patient developed sweating, shivering and haematuria. Urine showed Pseudomonas. Suprapubic cystostomy was performed. Suprapubic cystostomy was done again the next day, as the catheter was pulled out accidentally during night. Subsequently, a 16 Fr Silastic catheter was passed per urethra and suprapubic catheter was removed. In July 1993, Urocoil stent was put inside UroLume stent with distal end of Urocoil stent lying free in urethra. In September 1993, this patient was struggling to pass urine. Urocoil stent had migrated to bladder; therefore, Urocoil stent was removed and a Memotherm stent was deployed. This patient continued to experience trouble with micturition; therefore, Memotherm stent was removed. Currently, wires of UroLume stent protrude in to urethra, which tend to puncture the balloon of urethral Foley catheter, especially when the patient performs manual evacuation of bowels. We failed to implement intermittent catheterisation along with anti-cholinergic therapy. Instead, we performed several urological procedures with unsatisfactory outcome; the patient lost his left kidney. We believe that honest review of clinical practice will help towards learning from past mistakes.

Disruption of epithelial cell migration as a potential mechanism of cleft palate induction

EPA Science Inventory

Cleft palate occurs in about one in seven hundred births per year, making it the most prevalent craniofacial birth defect in the world. During embryonic development, tissue fusion is a critical step in the formation of the palate, cornea, urethra, and neural tube. Epithelial cell...

21 CFR 520.2280 - Sulfamethizole and methenamine mandelate tablets.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Sulfamethizole and methenamine mandelate tablets... Sulfamethizole and methenamine mandelate tablets. (a) Specifications. Each tablet contains 250 milligrams of... urethra and bladder. (2) It is administered at a dosage level of one tablet for each 20 pounds of body...

An Engineered Organoid Culture Model That Incorporates Human Mesenchymal and Epithelial Cells to Model Palatal Fusion.

EPA Science Inventory

During embryonic development, fusion events are critical to morphogenesis of organs and tissues, including the iris, urethra, heart, neural tube, and secondary palate. Modeling this process in vitro is challenging as the interactions of mesenchymal and epithelial cells can be cr...

21 CFR 876.5160 - Urological clamp for males.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Urological clamp for males. 876.5160 Section 876...) MEDICAL DEVICES GASTROENTEROLOGY-UROLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 876.5160 Urological clamp for males. (a) Identification. A urological clamp for males is a device used to close the urethra of a male to...

Treatment of clitoral hypertrophy containing an os clitoris and urethra in a young greyhound dog: a detailed surgical description.

PubMed

Smeak, Daniel D; Turner, Hannah

2014-09-01

This report provides a detailed description and images of a clitorectomy with a urethral transposition. As described, the clitorectomy is a straight-forward procedure, creating more normal female-like anatomy, and it resolves the clinical signs resulting from the exposed clitoris.

Treatment of clitoral hypertrophy containing an os clitoris and urethra in a young greyhound dog: A detailed surgical description

PubMed Central

Smeak, Daniel D.; Turner, Hannah

2014-01-01

This report provides a detailed description and images of a clitorectomy with a urethral transposition. As described, the clitorectomy is a straight-forward procedure, creating more normal female-like anatomy, and it resolves the clinical signs resulting from the exposed clitoris. PMID:25183889

[Crypto-hypospadias: a new therapeutic approach].

PubMed

Ottolenghi, A; Belligoli, A

1984-01-01

The AA present 26 cases of crypto-hypospadias traited by different methods. Particularly they describe a new technique, suitable to avoid urethroplasty; it consists in a wide mobilization of the urethra as Koff (modified) and a plasty of the tunica albuginea on the dorsal aspect of the shaft as Nesbit (modified). The first results are much satisfactories.

Effects of chemicals and pathway inhibitors on a human in vitro model of secondary palatal fusion.

EPA Science Inventory

The mechanisms of tissue and organ formation during embryonic development are unique, but many tissues like the iris, urethra, heart, neural tube, and palate rely upon common cellular and tissue events including tissue fusion. Few human in vitro assays exist to study human embryo...

Haemangiosarcoma of the os penis in a dog: The most common neoplasm of the canine penis.

PubMed

Burchell, Richard K; Kirberger, Robert M; Janse van Rensberg, Drienie D Didi

2014-08-21

A castrated 9-year-old intact male boerboel cross-breed dog was presented with a month-long history of stranguria. On physical examination, a mass was noted at the caudal extremity of the os penis. Haematology, serum chemistry and urinalysis were all unremarkable. Abdominal and urethral ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged bladder and a dilated urethra, which was followed to the caudal extremity of the os penis. A hyperechoic, roughly spherical,vascularised mass was noted at the caudal os penis, which resulted in obstruction of the penile urethra. Radiographs demonstrated a soft tissue mass with osteolysis of the os penis. Cytology suggested an osteosarcoma. Treatment included amputation of the penis and adjuvant doxorubicin with carboplatin. Histopathology of the penis confirmed a haemangiosarcoma. The patient survived for 20 months. This is only the second published case report describing a penile haemangiosarcoma, and the first published report demonstrating the treatment and outcome of a case of haemangiosarcoma of the os penis. Based on published and unpublished reports, haemangiosarcoma appears to be the most common neoplasm of the canine penis.

Minimally Invasive Repair of a Prostatorectal Fistula with an Over-the-Scope Rectal Clip

PubMed Central

Schmidt-Heikenfeld, Ekkehard; Degener, Stephan; Roosen, Alexander; Boy, Anselm

2017-01-01

Abstract Background: Fistulae between the prostatic urethra and the rectum are rare. They may result from prostatic or rectal surgery. Predisposing factors are previous radiation or immunosuppression. The repair of such fistulae usually involves major surgery. Recently, clips that can be deployed over an endoscope have been developed to close gastrointestinal fistulae or access points for natural orifice surgery. We report the first case of effective treatment of a prostatorectal fistula with a rectal “over-the-scope” clip. Case Presentation: A 64-year-old man under chronic immunosuppression presented with an iatrogenic fistula between the prostatic urethra and the rectum after transurethral resection of the prostate. A transverse colostomy was placed but the fistula failed to heal conservatively. The fistula was effectively closed with an endorectal clip. Six weeks after the procedure, spontaneous micturition was started. Two weeks further, the colostomy was reversed. At 32 months of follow-up, the remains closed, micturition is unimpaired. Conclusion: In select cases of prostatorectal fistula, an endorectal clip may be effectively used for closure. PMID:29098198

Penile fracture and associated urethral injury: Experience at a tertiary care hospital

PubMed Central

Amit, Attam; Arun, Kerketta; Bharat, Behera; Navin, Ram; Sameer, Trivedi; Shankar, Dwivedi Udai

2013-01-01

Introduction: Penile fracture may be associated with urethral trauma in 1% to 38% of cases. We present our experience in treating 8 such cases. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from hospital records and from out-patient department follow-up visits. Results: The mean age of the patients was 30.4 years; trauma during coitus was the most common cause of the penile fracture. One patient presented after 7 days. Two patients had normal examination of their penis despite typical history. All fractures were repaired on an emergency basis via subcoronal incision. In 2 patients with normal findings, the urethra had to be mobilized to locate the site of the injury. In 1 patient, the site of the urethral trauma was 1 cm away from the site of the corporal injury, which was localized by injecting sterile methylene blue per urethra. Postoperatively, all patients voided with good flow and had erections with adequate rigidity. Conclusion: A high level of suspicion for urethral injury during surgical exploration is warranted, especially in the presence of suggestive history and examination. PMID:23589751

Cranberry for Urinary Tract Infection: From Bench to Bedside.

PubMed

Nabavi, Seyed Fazel; Sureda, Antoni; Daglia, Maria; Izadi, Morteza; Nabavi, Seyed Mohammad

2017-01-01

Urinary tract infections are common infectious diseases which can occur in any part of the urinary tract such as bladder, kidney, ureters, and urethra. They are commonly caused by bacteria that enter through the urethra. Urinary tract infections commonly develop in the bladder and spread to renal tissues. Up to now, there are different antimicrobial agents which have beneficial role on urinary tract infections. However, most of them cause different adverse effects and therefore, much attention has been paid to the search for effective therapeutic agents with negligible adverse effects. Cranberry is known as one of the most important edible plants, which possesses potent antimicrobial effects against the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections. Growing evidence has shown that cranberry suppresses urinary tract infections and eradicates the bacteria. Therefore, the aim of this study is to critically review the available literature regarding the antimicrobial activities of cranberry against urinary tract infection microorganisms. In addition, we discuss etiology, epidemiology, risk factors, and current drugs of urinary tract infections to provide a more complete picture of this disease.

Histomorphology of canine urethral sphincter systems, including three-dimensional reconstruction and magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Stolzenburg, Jens-Uwe; Neuhaus, Jochen; Liatsikos, Evangelos N; Schwalenberg, Thilo; Ludewig, Eberhard; Ganzer, Roman

2006-03-01

To present a detailed anatomic description and comparison of the smooth and striated urethral sphincter in male and female dogs. We performed a thorough histologic evaluation, three-dimensional reconstruction, and magnetic resonance imaging of the lower urinary tract of male and female dogs. The lower urinary tract anatomy was investigated in 16 male and 18 female dogs by serial sectioning, including immunohistochemical staining and three-dimensional reconstruction. Magnetic resonance imaging performed in 5 male and 5 female dogs before histologic investigation helped to demonstrate the anatomy in vivo. A urethral sphincter muscle in both sexes existed without muscular connection to the pelvic floor. It ran circularly and consisted of an inner smooth and outer striated muscular part. In the female dog, the striated muscle encircled the urethra and vagina in the caudal third of the membranous urethra (musculus urethrovaginalis). A urinary diaphragm (diaphragma urogenitale) could not be found histologically or by magnetic resonance imaging. The dog is a suitable animal model for investigations of the urethral sphincter. In the female dog, attention should be given to the special topography of the musculus urethrovaginalis.

Genital herpes simplex virus infections: clinical manifestations, course, and complications.

PubMed

Corey, L; Adams, H G; Brown, Z A; Holmes, K K

1983-06-01

The clinical course and complications of 268 patients with first episodes and 362 with recurrent episodes of genital herpes infection were reviewed. Symptoms of genital herpes were more severe in women than in men. Primary first-episode genital herpes was accompanied by systemic symptoms (67%), local pain and itching (98%), dysuria (63%), and tender adenopathy (80%). Patients presented with several bilaterally distributed postular ulcerative lesions that lasted a mean of 19.0 days. Herpes simplex virus was isolated from the urethra, cervix, and pharynx of 82%, 88%, and 13% of women with first-episode primary genital herpes, and the urethra and pharynx of 28% and 7% of men. Complications included aseptic meningitis (8%), sacral autonomic nervous system dysfunction (2%), development of extragenital lesions (20%), and secondary yeast infections (11%). Recurrent episodes were characterized by small vesicular or ulcerative unilaterally distributed lesions that lasted a mean of 10.1 days. Systemic symptoms were uncommon and 25% of recurrent episodes were asymptomatic. The major concerns of patients were the frequency of recurrences and fear of transmitting infection to partners or infants.

Control device for prosthetic urinary sphincter cuff

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinicke, Robert H. (Inventor)

1983-01-01

A device for controlling flow of fluid to and from a resilient inflatable cuff implanted about the urethra to control flow of urine therethrough. The device comprises a flexible bulb reservoir and a control unit that includes a manually operated valve that opens automatically when the bulb is squeezed to force fluid into the cuff for closing the urethra. The control unit also includes a movable valve seat member having a relatively large area exposed to pressure of fluid in a chamber that is connected to the cuff and which moves to a position in which the valve member is unseated by an abutment when fluid pressure in the chamber exceeds a predetermined value to thereby relieve excess fluid pressure in the cuff. The arrangement is such that the valve element is held closed against the seat member by the full differential in fluid pressures acting on both sides of the valve element until the seat member is moved away from the valve element to thus insure positive closing of the valve element until the seat member is moved out of engagement with the valve element by excess pressure differential.

Voiding and erectile function after delayed one-stage repair of posterior urethral disruptions in 50 men with a fractured pelvis.

PubMed

Corriere, J N; Rudy, D C; Benson, G S

1994-10-01

We evaluated 50 men who suffered a total disruption of the posterior urethra in conjunction with a fractured pelvis. The urethral disruption was treated with immediate placement of a suprapubic cystostomy and delayed one-stage urethroplasty. Subsequently, 15 required at least one visual urethrotomy and three underwent one urethral dilatation. All 50 now have a patent urethra and 38 (76%) void normally and are continent. Five have an areflexic bladder secondary to the injury and intermittently catheterize themselves but are continent. Three patients have mild urge incontinence and three mild stress incontinence, not requiring treatment or protection. One patient with an open bladder neck has moderate stress incontinence which has responded to imipramine therapy. Impotence was present both preoperatively and postoperatively in 24 (48%) of the patients but by one year only 16 (32%) of them were still not having erections. Eighteen patients (36%) claim to have erections equal to their pre-injury quality. However, 16 (32%) of the patients, although potent and able to have intercourse, have less than optimal erections.

Urethral injury in the multiple-injured patient.

PubMed

Cass, A S

1984-10-01

A total of 74 patients with urethral injury due to external trauma consisted of 48 posterior urethral injuries (25 complete rupture, 23 partial rupture) and 26 anterior urethral injuries (two complete rupture, 16 partial rupture, and eight contusion). The diagnosis was made by retrograde urethrography. All 48 patients with posterior urethral injury had associated injuries, including a fractured pelvis in 46, and a mortality rate of 33%. Only seven of the 26 patients with anterior urethral injury had associated injuries and a mortality rate of 14%. The management of posterior urethral injury is changing from primary realignment of the ruptured urethra to suprapubic cystostomy alone and followed later by urethral surgery for the resulting stricture. The impotence rate is significantly lower with management with suprapubic cystostomy alone. However, the type of pelvic fracture, the urethral injury itself disrupting neurovascular structures, and the surgical dissection (initial primary realignment or delayed urethroplasty) must be investigated before it can be determined whether the impotence associated with pelvic trauma is caused by the injury itself or by the surgical dissection undertaken to reconstruct the urethra.

WE-DE-201-08: Multi-Source Rotating Shield Brachytherapy Apparatus for Prostate Cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dadkhah, H; Wu, X; Kim, Y

Purpose: To introduce a novel multi-source rotating shield brachytherapy (RSBT) apparatus for the precise simultaneous angular and linear positioning of all partially-shielded 153Gd radiation sources in interstitial needles for treating prostate cancer. The mechanism is designed to lower the detrimental dose to healthy tissues, the urethra in particular, relative to conventional high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) techniques. Methods: Following needle implantation, the delivery system is docked to the patient template. Each needle is coupled to a multi-source afterloader catheter by a connector passing through a shaft. The shafts are rotated by translating a moving template between two stationary templates. Shaft walls asmore » well as moving template holes are threaded such that the resistive friction produced between the two parts exerts enough force on the shafts to bring about the rotation. Rotation of the shaft is then transmitted to the shielded source via several keys. Thus, shaft angular position is fully correlated with the position of the moving template. The catheter angles are simultaneously incremented throughout treatment as needed, and only a single 360° rotation of all catheters is needed for a full treatment. For each rotation angle, source depth in each needle is controlled by a multi-source afterloader, which is proposed as an array of belt-driven linear actuators, each of which drives a source wire. Results: Optimized treatment plans based on Monte Carlo dose calculations demonstrated RSBT with the proposed apparatus reduced urethral D{sub 1cc} below that of conventional HDR-BT by 35% for urethral dose gradient volume within 3 mm of the urethra surface. Treatment time to deliver 20 Gy with multi-source RSBT apparatus using nineteen 62.4 GBq {sup 153}Gd sources is 117 min. Conclusions: The proposed RSBT delivery apparatus in conjunction with multiple nitinol catheter-mounted platinum-shielded {sup 153}Gd sources enables a mechanically feasible urethra-sparing treatment technique for prostate cancer in a clinically reasonable timeframe.« less

Mechanism of Action of the Transobturator Sling for Post-Radical Prostatectomy Incontinence: A Multi-institutional Prospective Study Using Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

PubMed

Kahokehr, Arman A; Selph, John P; Belsante, Michael J; Bashir, Mustafa; Sofue, Keitaro; Tausch, Timothy J; Brand, Timothy C; Lloyd, Jessica C; Goldsmith, Zachariah G; Walter, Jack R; Peterson, Andrew C

2018-06-01

To compare the length of the membranous (functional) urethra in male patients who underwent the male transobturator sling (TOS) for postradical prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI). The TOS is in established use for treatment of PPI; however, the precise mechanism of action is unknown. This is a prospective case-controlled study on men undergoing male TOS surgery from 2008 to 2014. The comparison arm included patients without incontinence after radical prostatectomy. All participants underwent dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and this was repeated after TOS placement for those who underwent the procedure. Three standardized points were measured using MRI and compared in both groups in addition to clinical measures. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled and 31 patients completed the protocols. The controls (N = 14) had a longer vesicourethral anastomosis to urethra measured at the penile bulb (functional urethral length) distance compared to the pre-TOS group at rest (1.92 cm controls vs 1.27 cm pre-TOS, P = .0018) and at Valsalva (2.13 cm controls vs 1.72 cm pre-TOS, P = .0371). Placement of the sling (N = 17) increased the functional urethral length distance at rest (1.92 cm control vs 1.53 cm post-TOS, P = .09) and at Valsalva (1.94 cm post-TOS vs 2.13 cm control, P = .61), so that the difference was no longer statistically significant. We identified that one possible mechanism in improvement in stress urinary incontinence post-TOS placement is the lengthening of the vesicourethral anastomosis to bulbar-urethra distance. This is the first such study utilizing dynamics MRI in post prostatectomy controls, incontinent pre-TOS, and post-TOS to assess and show these findings. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Inhibitory effect of the urothelium/lamina propria on female porcine urethral contractility & effect of age.

PubMed

Folasire, Oladayo S; Chess-Williams, Russ; Sellers, Donna J

2017-09-01

The urethral uroepithelium has been implicated in urethral sensation and maintenance of continence. However, relatively little is known about the function of the urethral urothelium compared with that of the bladder. The aim of the study was to examine the role of the urothelium/lamina propria on contractility of the porcine urethra, along with the influence of nitric oxide, prostaglandins and ageing. Porcine urethral tissues, intact and denuded of urothelium/lamina propria, were mounted in tissue baths and contractions to noradrenaline, phenylephrine and carbachol obtained. Contractions in the presence of Nώ-nitro-l-arginine (100 μmol/L) and indomethacin (10 μmol/L) were examined, along with contractions of tissues from young (6 months) and older (3 years) animals. The urothelium/lamina propria of the urethra significantly inhibited contractions to carbachol, noradrenaline and phenylephrine. This inhibitory effect was not significantly different for the three agonists (58.7±10.3%, 60.4±12.6% and 39.4±12.2% inhibition; n=4-7), and was also observed when denuded tissues were co-incubated with a second tissue with intact urothelium/lamina propria (40.6±7.5% inhibition; n=6). Inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandin production did not attenuate the inhibitory effect of the urothelium/lamina propria on noradrenaline contractions. In addition, ageing did not alter the inhibitory effect for either phenylephrine contractions (33.9±2.2% vs 41.0±9.7%, young vs older urethral tissues) or noradrenaline contractions (32.9±11.1% vs 53.7±11.0%). In conclusion the urothelium/lamina propria of the urethra has an inhibitory effect on receptor-mediated urethral contraction. This inhibition is due to the release of a diffusible factor, and the effect is not mediated by nitric oxide or prostaglandins, or affected by age. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Regional hyperthermia in conjunction with definitive radiotherapy against recurrent or locally advanced prostate cancer T3 pN0 M0.

PubMed

Tilly, Wolfgang; Gellermann, Johanna; Graf, Reinhold; Hildebrandt, Bert; Weissbach, Lothar; Budach, Volker; Felix, Roland; Wust, Peter

2005-01-01

Since long-term results of the standard treatment of locally advanced or recurrent prostatic carcinoma are unsatisfactory, the role for additional regional hyperthermia was evaluated in a phase I/II study. From 08/1996 to 03/2000, 22 patients were treated by a standard irradiation regimen (68.4 Gy) in combination with regional hyperthermia (weekly, five to six times), and five of 22 patients received short-term (neoadjuvant) hormonal treatment. Of these, 15 patients had primary prostatic carcinoma T3 pN0 M0 and seven a histologically confirmed local recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Feasibility of hyperthermia, and acute/late toxicity as well as long-term follow-up (prostate- specific antigen [PSA] control, overall survival) were analyzed. Clinical endpoints were correlated with thermal parameters. Mean maximum temperatures along the urethra of 41.4 degrees C (41.0 degrees C for the recurrences), and mean T(90) values of 40.7 degrees C could be achieved. Severe acute toxicity of grade 3 occurred at the rectum in three, at the urethra in four, at the intestine in one, and a burn induced by hyperthermia in one of 22 patients. Late toxicity was only observed rectally in one patient (grade 3) and at the urethra in two patients (grade 2). There was no correlation between thermal parameters and any toxicity. The survival curves showed a PSA control for primary prostatic carcinoma > 50% after 6 years, but no long-term PSA control for the recurrences. Overall survival after 6 years was 95% for primary carcinoma, and 60% for the recurrences. There was a clear correlation between higher temperatures or thermal doses with long-term PSA control. Regional hyperthermia might be a low-toxicity approach to increase PSA control of common treatment schedules. Further evaluation, in particular employing improved hyperthermia technology, is worthwhile.

Experimental and clinical trial of measuring urinary velocity with the pitot tube and a transrectal ultrasound guided video urodynamic system.

PubMed

Tsujimoto, Yukio; Nose, Yorihito; Ohba, Kenkichi

2003-01-01

The pitot tube is a common device to measure flow velocity. If the pitot tube is used as an urodynamic catheter, urinary velocity and urethral pressure may be measured simultaneously. However, to our knowledge, urodynamic studies with the pitot tube have not been reported. We experimentally and clinically evaluated the feasibility of the pitot tube to measure urinary velocity with a transrectal ultrasound guided video urodynamic system. We carried out a basal experiment measuring flow velocity in model urethras of 4.5-8.0 mm in inner diameter with a 12-Fr pitot tube. In a clinical trial, 79 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound guided video urodynamic studies with the 12-Fr pitot tube. Urinary velocity was calculated from dynamic pressure (Pd) with the pitot tube formula and the correcting equation according to the results of the basal experiment. Velocity measured by the pitot tube was proportional to the average velocity in model urethras and the coefficients were determined by diameters of model urethras. We obtained a formula to calculate urinary velocity from the basal experiment. The urinary velocity could be obtained in 32 of 79 patients. Qmax was 8.1 +/- 4.3 mL/s (mean +/- SD; range, 18.4-1.3 mL/s), urethral diameter was 7.3 +/- 3.0 mm (mean +/- SD; range, 18.7-4.3 mm) and urinary velocity was 69.4 +/- 43.6 (mean +/- SD; range, 181.3-0 cm/s) at maximum flow rate. The correlation coefficient of Qmax measured by a flowmeter versus Qdv flow rate calculated with urethral diameter and velocity was 0.41 without significant difference. The use of the pitot tube as an urodynamic catheter to a transrectal ultrasound-guided video urodynamic system can measure urethral pressure, diameter and urinary velocity simultaneously. However, a thinner pitot tube and further clinical trials are needed to obtain more accurate results.

Early effectiveness of endoscopic posterior urethra primary alignment.

PubMed

Kim, Fernando J; Pompeo, Alexandre; Sehrt, David; Molina, Wilson R; Mariano da Costa, Renato M; Juliano, Cesar; Moore, Ernest E; Stahel, Philip F

2013-08-01

Posterior urethra primary realignment (PUPR) after complete transection may decrease the gap between the ends of the transected urethra, tamponade the retropubic bleeding, and optimize urinary drainage without the need of suprapubic catheter facilitating concurrent pelvic orthopedic and trauma procedures. Historically, the distorted anatomy after pelvic trauma has been a major surgical challenge. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship of the severity of the pelvic fracture to the success of endoscopic and immediate PUPR following complete posterior urethral disruption using the Young-Burgess classification system. A review of our Level I trauma center database for patients diagnosed with pelvic fracture and complete posterior urethral disruption from January 2005 to April 2012 was performed. Pelvic fracture severity was categorized according to the Young-Burgees classification system. Management consisted of suprapubic catheter insertion at diagnosis followed by early urethral realignment when the patient was clinically stable. Failure of realignment was defined as inability to achieve urethral continuity with Foley catheterization. Clinical follow-up consisted of radiologic, pressure studies and cystoscopic evaluation. A total of 481 patients with pelvic trauma from our trauma registry were screened initially, and 18 (3.7%) were diagnosed with a complete posterior urethral disruption. A total of 15 primary realignments (83.3%) were performed all within 5 days of trauma. The success rate of early realignment was 100%. There was no correlation between the type of pelvic ring fracture and the success of PUPR. Postoperatively, 8 patients (53.3%) developed urethral strictures, 3 patients (20.0%) developed incontinence, and 7 patients (46.7%) reported erectile dysfunction after the trauma. The mean follow-up of these patients was 31.8 months. Endoscopic PUPR may be an effective option for the treatment of complete posterior urethral disruption and enables urinary drainage to best suit the multispecialty surgical team. The success rate of achieving primary realignment did not appear to be related to the complexity and type of pelvic ring fracture.

Isiris: A Novel Method of Removing Foreign Bodies from the Lower Urinary Tract to Avoid Unnecessary Hospitalization and Anesthesia.

PubMed

Smith, Peter Mark; Harbias, Aman; Robinson, Richard; Palmer, Anne; Grey, Benjamin Robin

2016-01-01

Polyembolokoilamania refers to the practice of inserting foreign bodies (FBs) into natural orifices. A FB within the urethra is a relatively rare phenomenon with 646 cases recorded last year in the United Kingdom. Management of these patients presents technical challenges and complexities because of underlying psychiatric disorders that are often associated. This case illustrates a novel way of removing FBs from the genitourinary tract, requiring less resources, preventing hospital admission, and attempts to break the cycle of behavior, leading to recurrent attendance with polyembolokoilamania. A 38-year-old Caucasian male prisoner, with psychiatric history presented to the emergency department (ED) with a history of inserting FBs into his urethra on 12 different occasions over a 6-week period. Of these 12 attendances, 3 resulted in admission and 2 required emergency intervention in theater under general anesthesia. After the third attendance in 5 days, it was decided to use Isiris™, a single-use flexible cystoscopy device with a built-in ureteral stent grasper, to remove the FBs and check the integrity of the urethra. The procedure was performed within the ED, without the need for admission to a ward bed or general anesthesia. Furthermore, only two members of staff were required to remove all of the urethral FBs. Isiris, although marketed as a stent removal device, enabled us to remove all the patient's FBs in one procedure. Isiris is an easy to use device, similar to a flexible cystoscope, that a specialist nurse or resident would be familiar using. It allows efficient and safe removal of lower urinary tract FBs, even out of hours. It requires minimal staffing support and can be done in the ED. It has the potential to reduce associated sequela of urethral polyembolokoilamania, saving resources while preserving the availability of the emergency theater.

[Prostatic abscess. Contribution of the x-ray computed tomography. Apropos of a case].

PubMed

Husain, A; Touzard, D

1988-01-01

We reported a case of prostatic abscess due to staphylococeus aureus developed in a chronic alcoholic patient. The clinical symptoms and signs were largely masked by prior antibiotic therapy. Computed axial tomographic scanning of the pelvis made the diagnosis and demonstrated the resolution of the prostatic abscess following antibiotic therapy and spontaneous rupture to the urethra.

Management of Long-Segment and Panurethral Stricture Disease.

PubMed

Martins, Francisco E; Kulkarni, Sanjay B; Joshi, Pankaj; Warner, Jonathan; Martins, Natalia

2015-01-01

Long-segment urethral stricture or panurethral stricture disease, involving the different anatomic segments of anterior urethra, is a relatively less common lesion of the anterior urethra compared to bulbar stricture. However, it is a particularly difficult surgical challenge for the reconstructive urologist. The etiology varies according to age and geographic location, lichen sclerosus being the most prevalent in some regions of the globe. Other common and significant causes are previous endoscopic urethral manipulations (urethral catheterization, cystourethroscopy, and transurethral resection), previous urethral surgery, trauma, inflammation, and idiopathic. The iatrogenic causes are the most predominant in the Western or industrialized countries, and lichen sclerosus is the most common in India. Several surgical procedures and their modifications, including those performed in one or more stages and with the use of adjunct tissue transfer maneuvers, have been developed and used worldwide, with varying long-term success. A one-stage, minimally invasive technique approached through a single perineal incision has gained widespread popularity for its effectiveness and reproducibility. Nonetheless, for a successful result, the reconstructive urologist should be experienced and familiar with the different treatment modalities currently available and select the best procedure for the individual patient.

Myriad presentations of penile fracture: report of three cases and review of literature

PubMed Central

Faridi, M. S.; Agarwal, Nitin; Saini, Pradeep; Kaur, Navneet; Gupta, Arun

2015-01-01

Penile fracture is an unusual though not a rare condition but underreported. It is defined classically as the disruption of the tunica albuginea with rupture of the corpus cavernosum. Penile fracture can be misdiagnosed with rupture of corpus spongiosum clinically. Therefore, we are presenting three cases due to its varied clinical presentation and management. In first patient, there was a tear in the corpus spongiosum and a partial tear in the ventral urethra. Both defects were repaired with interrupted sutures. In the second patient, there was a rupture of corpus cavernosum, which was primarily repaired. After 1-year of primary surgery, patient again came with similar complaints, and diagnosis of scar dehiscence was made. Patient was treated conservatively with satisfactory results on follow-up. Third patient came with a history of 1-week. Intra-operative findings revealed only hematoma without any defect in corpora cavernosum, corpus spongiosum, and urethra. Only evacuation of hematoma was done. Early surgical treatment of penile fracture is advantageous. In recurrent penile fracture, if no penile deformity or any reasonable clinical and radiological evidence, then conservative management is advocated. Even when presentation is delayed up to 1-week, operative management has shown good results. PMID:25949981

Modeling prostate anatomy from multiple view TRUS images for image-guided HIFU therapy.

PubMed

Penna, Michael A; Dines, Kris A; Seip, Ralf; Carlson, Roy F; Sanghvi, Narendra T

2007-01-01

Current planning methods for transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of prostate cancer rely on manually defining treatment regions in 15-20 sector transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) images of the prostate. Although effective, it is desirable to reduce user interaction time by identifying functionally related anatomic structures (segmenting), then automatically laying out treatment sites using these structures as a guide. Accordingly, a method has been developed to effectively generate solid three-dimensional (3-D) models of the prostate, urethra, and rectal wall from boundary trace data. Modeling the urethra and rectal wall are straightforward, but modeling the prostate is more difficult and has received much attention in the literature. New results presented here are aimed at overcoming many of the limitations of previous approaches to modeling the prostate while using boundary traces obtained via manual tracing in as few as 5 sector and 3 linear images. The results presented here are based on a new type of surface, the Fourier ellipsoid, and the use of sector and linear TRUS images. Tissue-specific 3-D models will ultimately permit finer control of energy deposition and more selective destruction of cancerous regions while sparing critical neighboring structures.

Urethral calculi in young-adult Nigerian males: a case series.

PubMed

Gali, B M; Ali, N; Agbese, G O; Garba, I I; Musa, K

2011-01-01

Urethral calculi are rare and usually encountered in males with urethral pathology. To present our experience managing urethral calculi in a resource limited centre and review the literature. We did a chart review of management of patients with urethral calculi between January and April 2009, at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare, Nigeria. We also reviewed the literature on this rare condition. Four young adult male Nigerians between the ages of 17 and 27 years presented with varying degrees of urethral pain and palpable calculi in the anterior urethra. Two presented with acute retention of urine, but none had haematuria. The calculi were radio-opaque, located in the anterior urethra with no associated urethral pathology. Three were solitary and one multiple. The composition of the urethral calculi was a mixture of calcium oxalate calcium carbonate, magnesium phosphate, one has additional cystine but none had struvite or uric acid. Their sizes ranged between 1cm ×1.5cm and 1.5cm × 5.5cm. External urethrotomy was the method of treatment. Urethral calculi are rare in our setting, with no clear identifiable aetiological factors which suggests urinary schistosomiasisbeing associsted. The occurrence of urethral calculi appears to have a relationship with childhood urinary schistosomasis.

An in vivo investigative protocol for HDR prostate brachytherapy using urethral and rectal thermoluminescence dosimetry.

PubMed

Toye, Warren; Das, Ram; Kron, Tomas; Franich, Rick; Johnston, Peter; Duchesne, Gillian

2009-05-01

To develop an in vivo dosimetry based investigative action level relevant for a corrective protocol for HDR brachytherapy boost treatment. The dose delivered to points within the urethra and rectum was measured using TLD in vivo dosimetry in 56 patients. Comparisons between the urethral and rectal measurements and TPS calculations showed differences, which are related to the relative position of the implant and TLD trains, and allowed shifts of implant position relative to the prostate to be estimated. Analysis of rectal dose measurements is consistent with implant movement, which was previously only identified with the urethral data. Shift corrected doses were compared with results from the TPS. Comparison of peak doses to the urethra and rectum has been assessed against the proposed corrective protocol to limit overdosing these critical structures. An initial investigative level of 20% difference between measured and TPS peak dose was established, which corresponds to 1/3 of patients which was practical for the caseload. These patients were assessed resulting in corrective action being applied for one patient. Multiple triggering for selective investigative action is outlined. The use of a single in vivo measurement in the first fraction optimizes patient benefit at acceptable cost.

Improved semen collection method for wild felids: urethral catheterization yields high sperm quality in African lions (Panthera leo).

PubMed

Lueders, I; Luther, I; Scheepers, G; van der Horst, G

2012-08-01

For wild and domestic felids, electroejaculation (EE) is the most common semen collection method. However, the equipment is expensive, there is a risk of urine contamination and animals usually show strong muscular contraction despite general anesthesia. Accordingly, we tested the feasibility of a different approach using urethral catheterization (UC) in seven African lions, previously described for domestic cats only. After general anesthesia with the α2-agonist medetomidine (which also stimulates semen release into the urethra) and ketamine, a transrectal ultrasound was performed to locate the prostate. A commercial dog urinary catheter (2.6 or 3.3 mm in diameter) was advanced approximately 30 cm into the urethra to allow semen collection into the lumen of the catheter by capillary forces. After retraction, sperm volumes between of 422.86 ± 296.07 μl yielded motility of 88.83 ± 13.27% (mean ± SD) with a mean sperm concentration of 1.94 × 10(9)/ml. Here we describe a simple, field friendly and effective method to attain highly concentrated semen samples with excellent motility in lions and potentially other wild felid species as an alternative to electroejaculation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty by a ventral sagittal urethrotomy and minimal-access perineal approach for anterior urethral stricture.

PubMed

Gupta, N P; Ansari, M S; Dogra, P N; Tandon, S

2004-06-01

To present the technique of dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty through a ventral sagittal urethrotomy and minimal access perineal approach for anterior urethral stricture. From July 2001 to December 2002, 12 patients with a long anterior urethral stricture had the anterior urethra reconstructed, using a one-stage urethroplasty with a dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft through a ventral sagittal urethrotomy. The urethra was approached via a small perineal incision irrespective of the site and length of the stricture. The penis was everted through the perineal wound. No urethral dissection was used on laterally or dorsally, so as not to jeopardize the blood supply. The mean (range) length of the stricture was 5 (3-16) cm and the follow-up 12 (10-16) months. The results were good in 11 of the 12 patients. One patient developed a stricture at the proximal anastomotic site and required optical internal urethrotomy. Dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty via a minimal access perineal approach is a simple technique with a good surgical outcome; it does not require urethral dissection and mobilization and hence preserves the blood supply.

Myriad presentations of penile fracture: report of three cases and review of literature.

PubMed

Faridi, M S; Agarwal, Nitin; Saini, Pradeep; Kaur, Navneet; Gupta, Arun

2015-01-01

Penile fracture is an unusual though not a rare condition but underreported. It is defined classically as the disruption of the tunica albuginea with rupture of the corpus cavernosum. Penile fracture can be misdiagnosed with rupture of corpus spongiosum clinically. Therefore, we are presenting three cases due to its varied clinical presentation and management. In first patient, there was a tear in the corpus spongiosum and a partial tear in the ventral urethra. Both defects were repaired with interrupted sutures. In the second patient, there was a rupture of corpus cavernosum, which was primarily repaired. After 1-year of primary surgery, patient again came with similar complaints, and diagnosis of scar dehiscence was made. Patient was treated conservatively with satisfactory results on follow-up. Third patient came with a history of 1-week. Intra-operative findings revealed only hematoma without any defect in corpora cavernosum, corpus spongiosum, and urethra. Only evacuation of hematoma was done. Early surgical treatment of penile fracture is advantageous. In recurrent penile fracture, if no penile deformity or any reasonable clinical and radiological evidence, then conservative management is advocated. Even when presentation is delayed up to 1-week, operative management has shown good results.

Mucin gene expression in human male urogenital tract epithelia

PubMed Central

Russo, Cindy Leigh; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra; Tisdale, Ann; Pudney, Jeffrey; Anderson, Deborah; Gipson, Ilene K.

2010-01-01

BACKGROUND Mucins are large, hydrophilic glycoproteins that protect wet-surfaced epithelia from pathogen invasion as well as provide lubrication. At least 17 mucin genes have been cloned to date. This study sought to determine the mucin gene expression profile of the human male urogenital tract epithelia, to determine if mucins are present in seminal fluid, and to assess the effect of androgens on mucin expression. METHODS AND RESULTS Testis, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate, bladder, urethra and foreskin were assessed for mucin expression by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Epithelia of the vas deferens, prostate and urethra expressed the greatest number of mucins, each expressing 5–8 mucins. Messenger RNA of MUC1 and MUC20, both membrane-associated mucins, were detected in most tissues analyzed. Conversely, MUC6 was predominantly detected in seminal vesicle. MUC1, MUC5B and MUC6 were detected in seminal fluid samples by immunoblot analysis. Androgens had no effect on mucin expression by cultured human prostatic epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Each region of urogenital tract epithelium expressed a unique mucin gene repertoire. Secretory mucins are present in seminal fluid, and androgens do not appear to regulate mucin gene expression. PMID:16997931

The urethral pressure profiles in continent and stress-incontinent women.

PubMed

Henriksson, L; Andersson, K E; Ulmsten, U

1979-01-01

Simultaneous urethrocystometry, including recording of the urethral pressure profile, was performed in 127 women aged 30 to 69 years; 42 of the women were free from urologic disorders and 85 had stress incontinence of urine. Both groups were subgrouped according to age. The results in the continent and the incontinent women were analyzed separately, in order to disclose any age-related changes. The data within each decade of age were also comparatively analyzed. In the bladder pressure at rest no age-related changes were found, and the readings were similar in the continent and the incontinent women. The maximum urethral pressure fell significantly with rising age in both groups and was significantly reduced in stress incontinence. The urethral closure pressure showed variations similar to those in the maximum urethral pressure. No lower limit of urethral closure pressure that definitely predisposed to stress incontinence could be established. The functional length of the urethra diminished significantly with rising age in the continent, but not in the incontinent women. The absolute length of the urethra did not show such diminution. Both the functional and the absolute urethral length were significantly less in the incontinent than in the continent women in the age groups between 30 and 49 years.

[Physics of materials and female stress urinary continence: New concepts: I) Elasticity under bladder].

PubMed

Guerquin, B

2015-09-01

Improving the understanding of the adaptation to stress of urinary continence. A transversal analysis between physics of materials and the female anatomy. Laws of physics of the materials and of their viscoelastic behavior are applied to the anatomy of the anterior vaginal wall. The anterior vaginal wall may be divided into two segments of different viscoelastic behavior, the vertical segment below the urethra and the horizontal segment below the bladder. If the urethra gets crushed on the first segment according to the hammock theory, the crushing of the bladder on the second segment is, on the other hand, damped by its important elasticity. The importance of this elasticity evokes an unknown function: damping under the bladder that moderates and delays the increase of intravesical pressure. This damping function below the bladder is increased in the cystocele, which is therefore a continence factor; on the other hand, it is impaired in obesity, which is therefore a factor of SUI. It is necessary to include in the theory of stress continence, the notion of a damping function below the bladder. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Leech in urinary bladder causing hematuria.

PubMed

Alam, Shadrul; Das Choudhary, Mrigen Kumar; Islam, Kabirul

2008-02-01

To estimate efficacy of normal saline in the management of hematuria caused by accidental entry of a leech per urethra into the urinary bladder. An intervention study was carried out in the Department of Pediatric Surgery of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College between January 1998 and December 2003. A total of 43 boys (mean age 8 years, SD+/-2.6) were enrolled. In all cases, a leech had entered the urinary bladder through the urethra causing hematuria. All patients were equipped with a self-retaining Foley catheter. They were managed by infusing 50ml of normal saline into the urinary bladder through the catheter that was then clamped for 3h. After removing the catheter, in all cases the whole leech was spontaneously expelled intact, dead or alive, within 2-24h during the subsequent act of micturition. Hematuria gradually diminished to a clear flow within the next 6h in 27 cases, 12h in 14 cases and 24h in two cases. All patients were followed up for 2 weeks, and none developed recurrent hematuria. Catheterization and irrigation of the urinary bladder with normal saline is a relatively simple, safe and inexpensive method of removing the leech and controlling hematuria.

Duplication of the glans penis manifested at puberty.

PubMed

Gentileschi, S; Bracaglia, R; Seccia, A; Farallo, E

2006-01-01

We report the case of a complete duplication of the glans, with prepuce and a blind end urethra just proximal to the dorsal aspect of the balanopreputial fold. The malformation was not evident at birth and during childhood, and became manifest only at puberty, with the growth of the external genitalia. It was not associated with other urinary malformations. Surgical excision was easy and uneventful.

Unusual Giant Prostatic Urethral Calculus

PubMed Central

Bello, A.; Maitama, H. Y.; Mbibu, N. H.; Kalayi, G. D.; Ahmed, A.

2010-01-01

Giant vesico-prostatic urethral calculus is uncommon. Urethral stones rarely form primarily in the urethra, and they are usually associated with urethral strictures, posterior urethral valve or diverticula. We report a case of a 32-year-old man with giant vesico-prostatic (collar-stud) urethral stone presenting with sepsis and bladder outlet obstruction. The clinical presentation, management, and outcome of the giant prostatic urethral calculus are reviewed. PMID:22091328

Functional anatomy and ultrasound examination of the canine penis.

PubMed

Goericke-Pesch, Sandra; Hölscher, Catharina; Failing, Klaus; Wehrend, Axel

2013-07-01

The aim of this study was to identify the functional-anatomical structures of the canine penis during and after erection to demonstrate the respective changes to provide a basis for further examinations of pathological conditions like priapism. Additionally, a gray-scale analysis was performed to quantify results from the ultrasound examination. In total, 80 dogs were examined. In group (Gr.) A, 44 intact or castrated dogs were examined, and in Gr. B, 36 dogs were examined during erection and after complete detumescence of the penis. The following parameters were assessed: (1) using physical measurements: length of the Pars longa glandis [Plg] and length of the Bulbus glandis [Bg]; and (2) using ultrasound: total penile diameter, width of the erectile tissue of the Plg, diameter of the Corpus spongiosum [Cs] including the penile bone and urethra, vertical diameter, circumference of the penis, cross-sectional area, and area of the Cs including the urethra. The mentioned parameters could be assessed in all dogs of Gr. A and Gr. B with the only exception being the urethra that could be visualized using ultrasound in some dogs only and predominantly in the erected penis (Gr. B). Concomitantly, the erectile tissue of the Plg and the Cs was more heterogenous and hypo- to anechoic during erection compared with dogs in Gr. A and Gr. B after detumescence. Comparing the results in Gr. B, the length of the Plg and the Bg were decreased approximately 40.6% and 38.0%, the total width of the penis 40.5%, the total width of the erectile tissue of the Plg 48.0%, and the width of the Cs 15.6% during detumescence compared with erection. Comparing the decrease in size at the different locations (apex penis, middle of Plg, middle of Bg) for vertical diameter, total circumference, and cross-section area, it was largest at the Bg. B-mode ultrasound is a suitable tool to investigate not only the morpho-functional structures of the resting canine penis, but also of the erected and detumescent penis, and to investigate the underlying changes during erection and detumenscence. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sensory function assessment of the human male lower urinary tract using current perception thresholds.

PubMed

Knüpfer, Stephanie C; Liechti, Martina D; Gregorini, Flavia; De Wachter, Stefan; Kessler, Thomas M; Mehnert, Ulrich

2017-02-01

To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of current perception threshold (CPT) measurement for sensory assessment of distinct locations in the male lower urinary tract (LUT). Twelve male subjects (>18 years) without LUT symptoms or medical comorbidities were eligible. CPTs were determined twice (interval: 7-20 days) at the bladder dome, trigone and the proximal, membranous, and distal urethra. Square wave electrical stimulation of 3 Hz/0.2 ms and 0.5 Hz/1 ms was applied using a transurethral 8F catheter placed under fluoroscopic control. Bladder volume was kept constant (60 mL) using a second 10F catheter. Repetitive measurements and reliability were assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The ANOVA revealed significant main effects for stimulation site (P = 0.008) and type of stimulation (P < 0.001) with lower CPTs for 0.5 Hz/1 ms compared to 3 Hz/0.2 ms. There was no significant effect for visit number (P = 0.061). CPTs were higher for bladder dome than for proximal (0.5 Hz/1 ms: P = 0.022; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: P = 0.022) and distal urethra (0.5 Hz/1 ms: P = 0.026; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: P = 0.030). Reliability of CPT measurements was excellent to good (ICC = 0.67-0.96) except for the bladder dome (5 Hz/1 ms: ICC = 0.45; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: ICC = 0.20) and distal urethra (3 Hz/0.2 ms: ICC = 0.57). CPTs can be reliably detected at different LUT locations. However, alert and compliant subjects are essential. CPTs of LUT may become a complementary assessment method providing information on responsiveness and sensitivity of afferent LUT nerves. This is especially relevant for urethral afferents, which are not covered by standard urodynamic investigations. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:469-473, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dosimetric and radiobiological comparison of volumetric modulated arc therapy, high-dose rate brachytherapy, and low-dose rate permanent seeds implant for localized prostate cancer.

PubMed

Yang, Ruijie; Zhao, Nan; Liao, Anyan; Wang, Hao; Qu, Ang

2016-01-01

To investigate the dosimetric and radiobiological differences among volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, and low-dose rate (LDR) permanent seeds implant for localized prostate cancer. A total of 10 patients with localized prostate cancer were selected for this study. VMAT, HDR brachytherapy, and LDR permanent seeds implant plans were created for each patient. For VMAT, planning target volume (PTV) was defined as the clinical target volume plus a margin of 5mm. Rectum, bladder, urethra, and femoral heads were considered as organs at risk. A 78Gy in 39 fractions were prescribed for PTV. For HDR and LDR plans, the dose prescription was D90 of 34Gy in 8.5Gy per fraction, and 145Gy to clinical target volume, respectively. The dose and dose volume parameters were evaluated for target, organs at risk, and normal tissue. Physical dose was converted to dose based on 2-Gy fractions (equivalent dose in 2Gy per fraction, EQD2) for comparison of 3 techniques. HDR and LDR significantly reduced the dose to rectum and bladder compared with VMAT. The Dmean (EQD2) of rectum decreased 22.36Gy in HDR and 17.01Gy in LDR from 30.24Gy in VMAT, respectively. The Dmean (EQD2) of bladder decreased 6.91Gy in HDR and 2.53Gy in LDR from 13.46Gy in VMAT. For the femoral heads and normal tissue, the mean doses were also significantly reduced in both HDR and LDR compared with VMAT. For the urethra, the mean dose (EQD2) was 80.26, 70.23, and 104.91Gy in VMAT, HDR, and LDR brachytherapy, respectively. For localized prostate cancer, both HDR and LDR brachytherapy were clearly superior in the sparing of rectum, bladder, femoral heads, and normal tissue compared with VMAT. HDR provided the advantage in sparing of urethra compared with VMAT and LDR. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comprehensive review of the anatomy and physiology of male ejaculation: Premature ejaculation is not a disease.

PubMed

Puppo, Vincenzo; Puppo, Giulia

2016-01-01

Human semen contains spermatozoa secreted by the testes and a mixture of components produced by the bulbo-urethral and Littre (paraurethral) glands, prostate, seminal vesicles, ampulla, and epididymis. Ejaculation is used as a synonym for the external ejection of semen, but it comprises two phases: emission and expulsion. As semen collects in the prostatic urethra, the rapid preorgasmic distension of the urethral bulb is pathognomonic of impeding orgasm, and the man experiences a sensation that ejaculation is inevitable (in women, emission is the only phase of orgasm). The semen is propelled along the penile urethra mainly by the bulbocavernosus muscle. With Kegel exercises, it is possible to train the perineal muscles. Immediately after the expulsion phase the male enters a refractory period, a recovery time during which further orgasm or ejaculation is physiologically impossible. Age affects the recovery time: as a man grows older, the refractory period increases. Sexual medicine experts consider premature ejaculation only in the case of vaginal intercourse, but vaginal orgasm has no scientific basis, so the duration of intercourse is not important for a woman's orgasm. The key to female orgasm are the female erectile organs; vaginal orgasm, G-spot, G-spot amplification, clitoral bulbs, clitoris-urethra-vaginal complex, internal clitoris and female ejaculation are terms without scientific basis. Female sexual dysfunctions are popular because they are based on something that does not exist, i.e. the vaginal orgasm. The physiology of ejaculation and orgasm is not impaired in premature ejaculation: it is not a disease, and non-coital sexual acts after male ejaculation can be used to produce orgasm in women. Teenagers and men can understand their sexual responses by masturbation and learn ejaculatory control with the stop-start method and the squeeze technique. Premature ejaculation must not be classified as a male sexual dysfunction. It has become the center of a multimillion dollar business: is premature ejaculation-and female sexual dysfunction-an illness constructed by sexual medicine experts under the influence of drug companies? © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dosimetric and radiobiological comparison of volumetric modulated arc therapy, high-dose rate brachytherapy, and low-dose rate permanent seeds implant for localized prostate cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Ruijie, E-mail: ruijyang@yahoo.com; Zhao, Nan; Liao, Anyan

To investigate the dosimetric and radiobiological differences among volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, and low-dose rate (LDR) permanent seeds implant for localized prostate cancer. A total of 10 patients with localized prostate cancer were selected for this study. VMAT, HDR brachytherapy, and LDR permanent seeds implant plans were created for each patient. For VMAT, planning target volume (PTV) was defined as the clinical target volume plus a margin of 5 mm. Rectum, bladder, urethra, and femoral heads were considered as organs at risk. A 78 Gy in 39 fractions were prescribed for PTV. For HDR andmore » LDR plans, the dose prescription was D{sub 90} of 34 Gy in 8.5 Gy per fraction, and 145 Gy to clinical target volume, respectively. The dose and dose volume parameters were evaluated for target, organs at risk, and normal tissue. Physical dose was converted to dose based on 2-Gy fractions (equivalent dose in 2 Gy per fraction, EQD{sub 2}) for comparison of 3 techniques. HDR and LDR significantly reduced the dose to rectum and bladder compared with VMAT. The D{sub mean} (EQD{sub 2}) of rectum decreased 22.36 Gy in HDR and 17.01 Gy in LDR from 30.24 Gy in VMAT, respectively. The D{sub mean} (EQD{sub 2}) of bladder decreased 6.91 Gy in HDR and 2.53 Gy in LDR from 13.46 Gy in VMAT. For the femoral heads and normal tissue, the mean doses were also significantly reduced in both HDR and LDR compared with VMAT. For the urethra, the mean dose (EQD{sub 2}) was 80.26, 70.23, and 104.91 Gy in VMAT, HDR, and LDR brachytherapy, respectively. For localized prostate cancer, both HDR and LDR brachytherapy were clearly superior in the sparing of rectum, bladder, femoral heads, and normal tissue compared with VMAT. HDR provided the advantage in sparing of urethra compared with VMAT and LDR.« less

Endourethral MRI Guidance for Prostatic RF Ablation

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

head (3 cm wide) attached to a 24-cm plastic handle,. Copper tape and then covered with a coat of protective plastic. In addition, bazooka baluns made...in the perineum , advanced posterior surface. This arrangement was used to mimic the into the prostatic urethra, and fixated in the prostate by...are inserted through the perineum placed in the left lateral decubitus position to maximize and into the prostate gland, commonly under ultrasound

Bulbocavernous myocutaneous flap: a new technique in repair of recurrent urethrovaginal fistula.

PubMed

Candiani, P; Campiglio, G L; Ceresoli, A; Zanetti, G; Colombo, F; Canclini, L; Austoni, E

1993-12-01

This paper describes the case of a recurrent post-partum urethrovaginal fistula. The extent of the vaginal tissues loss and the perilesional scarring made the direct closure of the defect non practicable. After suturing the urethra, the anterior vaginal wall was reconstructed with an island bulbocavernous musculocutaneous flap raised from the left labium majus. Nineteen months after surgery the flap healed well without peri urethral suffusion.

Urethral dose sparing in squamous cell carcinoma of anal canal using proton therapy matching electrons with prior brachytherapy for prostate cancer: A case study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Apinorasethkul, Ontida, E-mail: ontida.a@gmail.com; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Lenards, Nishele

2016-10-01

The purpose of this case study is to communicate a technique on treating the re-irradiation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of anal canal with proton fields matched with electron fields to spare prostatic urethra. A 76-year old male presented with a secondary radiation-induced malignancy as a result of prostate brachytherapy seeds irradiation 10 years prior. A rectal examination revealed a bulky tumor at the top of the anal canal involving the left superior-most aspect of the anal canal extending superiorly into the rectum. The inferior extent was palpable approximately 3 cm from the anal verge and the superior extent ofmore » the mass measured greater than 5 cm in the superior-inferior dimension. Chemoradiation was suggested since the patient was opposed to abdominoperineal resection (APR) and colostomy. The use of proton therapy matching with electron fields in the re-irradiation setting could help reduce the complications. A 2 lateral proton beams were designed to treat the bulky tumor volume with 2 electron beams treating the nodal volumes. This complication of treatment fields helped spare the prostatic urethra and reduced the risk of urinary obstruction in the future.« less

Urethral hydrodistension for management of urethral hypoplasia in prune belly syndrome: long-term results.

PubMed

Kajbafzadeh, Abdol-Mohammad; Rasouli, Mohammad Reza; Dianat, SeyedSaeid; Nezami, Behtash G; Mahboubi, Amir Hassan; Sina, Alireza

2010-11-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of urethral hydrodistension for management of urethral hypoplasia in prune belly syndrome (PBS). During a 10-year period, 7 infants with PBS and urethral hypoplasia presented either with open urachus or surgically created urinary diversion referred to our hospital. Five milliliters of normal saline was pushed via a 22-gauge plastic angiocatheter into the urethra with simultaneous finger pressure on the perineum to occlude the proximal urethra that was repeated with higher volumes of the solution (up to 20 mL). The procedure was continued until a 6F or 8F feeding tube catheter confirmed the urethral patency. Hydrodistension was repeated in 3-month intervals till complete patency was confirmed by imaging. Median age of the infants was 6 (1-8) months. All urethral hydrodistension were successful after 1 to 3 sessions. Follow-up imaging studies showed significant improvement in all patients except one. Natural and surgically created urinary diversions were closed in 6 infants. The hydrodistension create an equal and constant pressure into the urethral wall without any urethral damage. This technique can be considered along with the other available methods for management of urethral hypoplasia in selected cases of PBS. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The role of Cajal cells in chronic prostatitis.

PubMed

Haki Yuksel, Ozgur; Urkmez, Ahmet; Verit, Ayhan

2016-07-04

Types of prostatitis can be defined as groups of syndromes in adult men associated with infectious and noninfectious causes characterized frequently by lower abdominal and perineal signs and diverse clinical symptoms and complications. Etiopathogenesis of chronic prostatitis is not well defined. Moreover, its treatment outcomes are not satisfactory. Presence of c-kit positive interstitial cells in human prostate is already known. It has been demonstrated that these cells can be pacemaker cells which trigger spontaneous slow-wave electrical activity in the prostate and can be responsible for the transport of glandular secretion from acinar cells into major and minor prostatic ducts and finally into urethra. In the light of all these data, when presence of a possible inflammatory pathology is thought to involve prostate that secretes and has a reservoir which drains its secretion (for prostate, prostatic urethra), two points are worth mentioning. Impairment of secretion mechanism and collection of secretion within the organ with reflux of the microbial material from its reservoir back into prostate gland. Both of these potential conditions can be explained by ductal neuromuscular mechanism, which induces secretion. We think that in this neuromuscular mechanism interstitial Cajal cells have an important role in chronic prostatitis. Our hypothesis is that curability of prostatitis is correlated with the number of Cajal cells not subjected to apoptosis.

Management of bladder dysfunction in Wolfram syndrome with Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy: long-term follow-up.

PubMed

Mozafarpour, Sarah; Kajbafzadeh, Abdol-Mohammad; Mojtahed, Ali; Mojtahed, Mohammad; Mahboubi, Hossein; Shalileh, Keivan

2015-07-01

To present the long-term outcomes of appendicovesicostomy using the Mitrofanoff principle for end-stage Wolfram bladder dysfunction as an alternative to clean intermittent self-catheterization (CIC) per urethra mainly following blindness. Twelve Wolfram patients presenting with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis and advanced bladder dysfunction were included in this study. All patients were managed initially by CIC per urethra. All of these patients became blind during follow-up and were unable to perform urethral CIC independently. Out of these patients, six patients agreed to proceed to appendicovesicostomy. Appendicovesicostomy urinary diversion using the Mitrofanoff principle was performed in these six blind patients. The rest of the patients stopped CIC or performed CIC irregularly. Severe hydroureteronephrosis and large bladders were found in all patients prior to intervention. All patients were able to conduct CIC independently through the stoma and maintained overnight bladder free drainage. In all patients with urinary diversion and CIC, the hydroureteronephrosis was reduced and renal function returned to normal. However, the non-intervention group ended with different degrees of progressive renal failure with three mortalities during the follow-up. We suggest appendicovesicostomy as a safe and lifesaving procedure for long-term management of bladder dysfunction in Wolfram syndrome particularly after progression to blindness. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Urethral dose sparing in squamous cell carcinoma of anal canal using proton therapy matching electrons with prior brachytherapy for prostate cancer: A case study.

PubMed

Apinorasethkul, Ontida; Lenards, Nishele; Hunzeker, Ashley

2016-01-01

The purpose of this case study is to communicate a technique on treating the re-irradiation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of anal canal with proton fields matched with electron fields to spare prostatic urethra. A 76-year old male presented with a secondary radiation-induced malignancy as a result of prostate brachytherapy seeds irradiation 10 years prior. A rectal examination revealed a bulky tumor at the top of the anal canal involving the left superior-most aspect of the anal canal extending superiorly into the rectum. The inferior extent was palpable approximately 3cm from the anal verge and the superior extent of the mass measured greater than 5cm in the superior-inferior dimension. Chemoradiation was suggested since the patient was opposed to abdominoperineal resection (APR) and colostomy. The use of proton therapy matching with electron fields in the re-irradiation setting could help reduce the complications. A 2 lateral proton beams were designed to treat the bulky tumor volume with 2 electron beams treating the nodal volumes. This complication of treatment fields helped spare the prostatic urethra and reduced the risk of urinary obstruction in the future. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Observations on the function of the female urethra: II: Relation between maximum urethral closure pressure at rest and the degree of urethral incompetence.

PubMed

Schick, Erik; Bertrand, Pierre E; Jolivet-Tremblay, Martine; Dupont, Charles; Tessier, Jocelyne

2004-01-01

To study the relation between maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) at rest and the degree of urethral incompetence in the female. Two hundred fifty five patients aged 20 years or older, with stable bladders on multichannel urodynamics, without known neurological pathology, and with no previous history of pelvic or anti-incontinence surgery were included in the study. Resting urethral pressure profile (UPP) and the grade of urethral incompetence was registered. Mean age of the group was 45.6+/-12.7 years; mean MUCP was 62.7+/-28.5 cm of water. There was a statistically significant difference in the MUCP when the different grades of urethral incompetence were compared to each other, the higher grades being associated with a lower maximal closure pressure. This study demonstrates that there is a highly significant relationship between MUCP and between all grades of urethral incompetence. This supports previous observations that MUCP decreases when abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) is low and that this might be secondary to some mechanical failure in the pressure transmission from the abdominal cavity to the urethra. Studies should never compare continent to incontinent cohorts without considering their ALPP because in doing so they are comparing groups that are functionally heterogeneous. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Use of Flexible Cystoscopy to Insert a Foley Catheter over a Guide Wire in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: Special Precautions to be Observed.

PubMed

Vaidyanathan, Subramanian; Soni, Bakul; Singh, Gurpreet; Hughes, Peter; Oo, Tun

2011-01-01

When urethral catheterisation is difficult or impossible in spinal cord injury patients, flexible cystoscopy and urethral catheterisation over a guide wire can be performed on the bedside, thus obviating the need for emergency suprapubic cystostomy. Spinal cord injury patients, who undergo flexible cystoscopy and urethral catheterisation over a guide wire, may develop potentially serious complications. (1) Persons with lesion above T-6 are susceptible to develop autonomic dysreflexia during cystoscopy and urethral catheterisation over a guide wire; nifedipine 5-10 milligrams may be administered sublingually just prior to the procedure to prevent autonomic dysreflexia. (2) Spinal cord injury patients are at increased risk for getting urine infections as compared to able-bodied individuals. Therefore, antibiotics should be given to patients who get haematuria or urethral bleeding following urethral catheterisation over a guide wire. (3) Some spinal cord injury patients may have a small capacity bladder; in these patients, the guide wire, which is introduced into the urinary bladder, may fold upon itself with the tip of guide wire entering the urethra. If this complication is not recognised and a catheter is inserted over the guide wire, the Foley catheter will then be misplaced in urethra despite using cystoscopy and guide wire.

Use of Flexible Cystoscopy to Insert a Foley Catheter over a Guide Wire in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: Special Precautions to be Observed

PubMed Central

Vaidyanathan, Subramanian; Soni, Bakul; Singh, Gurpreet; Hughes, Peter; Oo, Tun

2011-01-01

When urethral catheterisation is difficult or impossible in spinal cord injury patients, flexible cystoscopy and urethral catheterisation over a guide wire can be performed on the bedside, thus obviating the need for emergency suprapubic cystostomy. Spinal cord injury patients, who undergo flexible cystoscopy and urethral catheterisation over a guide wire, may develop potentially serious complications. (1) Persons with lesion above T-6 are susceptible to develop autonomic dysreflexia during cystoscopy and urethral catheterisation over a guide wire; nifedipine 5–10 milligrams may be administered sublingually just prior to the procedure to prevent autonomic dysreflexia. (2) Spinal cord injury patients are at increased risk for getting urine infections as compared to able-bodied individuals. Therefore, antibiotics should be given to patients who get haematuria or urethral bleeding following urethral catheterisation over a guide wire. (3) Some spinal cord injury patients may have a small capacity bladder; in these patients, the guide wire, which is introduced into the urinary bladder, may fold upon itself with the tip of guide wire entering the urethra. If this complication is not recognised and a catheter is inserted over the guide wire, the Foley catheter will then be misplaced in urethra despite using cystoscopy and guide wire. PMID:22110492

Penile fracture with urethral trauma.

PubMed

de Carvalho, Arlindo Monteiro; de Melo, Fábio Martinez; Félix, Gabriella Alves de Lima; Sarmento, Juliana Fernandes; Capriglione, Maria Luisa Dutra

2013-01-01

We reported a case of a twenty-nine-year-old male who presented a penile fracture associated with urethral injury caused by a sexual intercourse. An ideal anamnesis and a special physical examination were determinant to correct diagnostics. Ultrasonography and uretrocistography must be performed for confirmation. The treatment is based on the presence of associated urethral injury. The surgical repair of cavernous body and urethra can produce good results, with a favorable prognosis and minimal rate of complications.

[Experimental study of the effects of impulse-electric discharge on chemotaxis and cytoadhesion of urinary infection pathogens].

PubMed

Kuderinov, S K; Azizov, I S; Turgunov, E M; Shambilova, N A

2006-01-01

The aim of the experimental study was to evaluate effects of impulse-electric discharge in liquid on chemotaxis and cytoadhesion of urinary infection pathogens. Chemotaxis was determined in respect to the lung, liver, spleen, kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, urethra of white mice by S. Likholetov's modified method. Cytoadhesion was assessed by V. Brilis. The experiments show that the impulse-electric discharge holds promise for urological practice.

Embryonic exposure to the fungicide vinclozolin causes virilization of females and alteration of progesterone receptor expression in vivo: an experimental study in mice

PubMed Central

Buckley, Jill; Willingham, Emily; Agras, Koray; Baskin, Laurence S

2006-01-01

Background Vinclozolin is a fungicide that has been reported to have anti-androgenic effects in rats. We have found that in utero exposure to natural or synthetic progesterones can induce hypospadias in mice, and that the synthetic progesterone medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) feminizes male and virilizes female genital tubercles. In the current work, we selected a relatively low dose of vinclozolin to examine its in utero effects on the development of the genital tubercle, both at the morphological and molecular levels. Methods We gave pregnant dams vinclozolin by oral gavage from gestational days 13 through 17. We assessed the fetal genital tubercles from exposed fetuses at E19 to determine location of the urethral opening. After determination of gonadal sex, either genital tubercles were harvested for mRNA quantitation, or urethras were injected with a plastic resin for casting. We analyzed quantified mRNA levels between treated and untreated animals for mRNA levels of estrogen receptors α and β, progesterone receptor, and androgen receptor using nonparametric tests or ANOVA. To determine effects on urethral length (males have long urethras compared to females), we measured the lengths of the casts and performed ANOVA analysis on these data. Results Our morphological results indicated that vinclozolin has morphological effects similar to those of MPA, feminizing males (hypospadias) and masculinizing females (longer urethras). Because these results reflected our MPA results, we investigated the effects of in utero vinclozolin exposure on the mRNA expression levels of androgen, estrogen α and β, and progesterone receptors. At the molecular level, vinclozolin down-regulated estrogen receptor α mRNA in females and up-regulated progesterone receptor mRNA. Vinclozolin-exposed males exhibited up-regulated estrogen receptor α and progesterone receptor mRNA, effects we have also seen with exposure to the synthetic estrogen, ethinyl estradiol. Conclusion The results suggest that vinclozolin virilizes females and directly or indirectly affects progesterone receptor expression. It also affects estrogen receptor expression in a sex-based manner. We found no in vivo effect of vinclozolin on androgen receptor expression. We propose that vinclozolin, which has been designated an anti-androgen, may also exert its effects by involving additional steroid-signaling pathways. PMID:16504050

Protocol for a prospective, randomized study on neurophysiological assessment of lower urinary tract function in a healthy cohort.

PubMed

van der Lely, Stéphanie; Stefanovic, Martina; Schmidhalter, Melanie R; Pittavino, Marta; Furrer, Reinhard; Liechti, Martina D; Schubert, Martin; Kessler, Thomas M; Mehnert, Ulrich

2016-11-25

Lower urinary tract symptoms are highly prevalent and a large proportion of these symptoms are known to be associated with a dysfunction of the afferent pathways. Diagnostic tools for an objective and reproducible assessment of afferent nerve function of the lower urinary tract are missing. Previous studies showed first feasibility results of sensory evoked potential recordings following electrical stimulation of the lower urinary tract in healthy subjects and patients. Nevertheless, a refinement of the methodology is necessary. This study is a prospective, randomized trial conducted at Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. Ninety healthy subjects (forty females and fifty males) without lower urinary tract symptoms are planned to be included in the study. All subjects will undergo a screening visit (including standardized questionnaires, 3-day bladder diary, urinalysis, medical history taking, vital signs, physical examination, neuro-urological examination) followed by two measurement visits separated by an interval of 3 to 4 weeks. Electrical stimulations (0.5Hz-5Hz, bipolar, square wave, pulse width 1 ms) will be applied using a custom-made transurethral catheter at different locations of the lower urinary tract including bladder dome, trigone, proximal urethra, membranous urethra and distal urethra. Every subject will be randomly stimulated at one specific site of the lower urinary tract. Sensory evoked potentials (SEP) will be recorded using a 64-channel EEG cap. For an SEP segmental work-up we will place additional electrodes on the scalp (Cpz) and above the spine (C2 and L1). Visit two and three will be conducted identically for reliability assessment. The measurement of lower urinary tract SEPs elicited by electrical stimulation at different locations of the lower urinary tract has the potential to serve as a neurophysiological biomarker for lower urinary tract afferent nerve function in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms or disorders. For implementation of such a diagnostic tool into clinical practice, an optimized setup with efficient and reliable measurements and data acquisition is crucial. In addition, normative data from a larger cohort of healthy subjects would provide information on variability, potential confounding factors and cut-off values for investigations in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction/symptoms. Clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier: NCT02272309 .

Experimental investigation of the structural behavior of equine urethra.

PubMed

Natali, Arturo Nicola; Carniel, Emanuele Luigi; Frigo, Alessandro; Fontanella, Chiara Giulia; Rubini, Alessandro; Avital, Yochai; De Benedictis, Giulia Maria

2017-04-01

An integrated experimental and computational investigation was developed aiming to provide a methodology for characterizing the structural response of the urethral duct. The investigation provides information that are suitable for the actual comprehension of lower urinary tract mechanical functionality and the optimal design of prosthetic devices. Experimental activity entailed the execution of inflation tests performed on segments of horse penile urethras from both proximal and distal regions. Inflation tests were developed imposing different volumes. Each test was performed according to a two-step procedure. The tubular segment was inflated almost instantaneously during the first step, while volume was held constant for about 300s to allow the development of relaxation processes during the second step. Tests performed on the same specimen were interspersed by 600s of rest to allow the recovery of the specimen mechanical condition. Results from experimental activities were statistically analyzed and processed by means of a specific mechanical model. Such computational model was developed with the purpose of interpreting the general pressure-volume-time response of biologic tubular structures. The model includes parameters that interpret the elastic and viscous behavior of hollow structures, directly correlated with the results from the experimental activities. Post-processing of experimental data provided information about the non-linear elastic and time-dependent behavior of the urethral duct. In detail, statistically representative pressure-volume and pressure relaxation curves were identified, and summarized by structural parameters. Considering elastic properties, initial stiffness ranged between 0.677 ± 0.026kPa and 0.262 ± 0.006kPa moving from proximal to distal region of penile urethra. Viscous parameters showed typical values of soft biological tissues, as τ 1 =0.153±0.018s, τ 2 =17.458 ± 1.644s and τ 1 =0.201 ± 0.085, τ 2 = 8.514 ± 1.379s for proximal and distal regions respectively. A general procedure for the mechanical characterization of the urethral duct has been provided. The proposed methodology allows identifying mechanical parameters that properly express the mechanical behavior of the biological tube. The approach is especially suitable for evaluating the influence of degenerative phenomena on the lower urinary tract mechanical functionality. The information are mandatory for the optimal design of potential surgical procedures and devices. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Embryonic exposure to the fungicide vinclozolin causes virilization of females and alteration of progesterone receptor expression in vivo: an experimental study in mice.

PubMed

Buckley, Jill; Willingham, Emily; Agras, Koray; Baskin, Laurence S

2006-02-21

Vinclozolin is a fungicide that has been reported to have anti-androgenic effects in rats. We have found that in utero exposure to natural or synthetic progesterones can induce hypospadias in mice, and that the synthetic progesterone medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) feminizes male and virilizes female genital tubercles. In the current work, we selected a relatively low dose of vinclozolin to examine its in utero effects on the development of the genital tubercle, both at the morphological and molecular levels. We gave pregnant dams vinclozolin by oral gavage from gestational days 13 through 17. We assessed the fetal genital tubercles from exposed fetuses at E19 to determine location of the urethral opening. After determination of gonadal sex, either genital tubercles were harvested for mRNA quantitation, or urethras were injected with a plastic resin for casting. We analyzed quantified mRNA levels between treated and untreated animals for mRNA levels of estrogen receptors alpha and beta, progesterone receptor, and androgen receptor using nonparametric tests or ANOVA. To determine effects on urethral length (males have long urethras compared to females), we measured the lengths of the casts and performed ANOVA analysis on these data. Our morphological results indicated that vinclozolin has morphological effects similar to those of MPA, feminizing males (hypospadias) and masculinizing females (longer urethras). Because these results reflected our MPA results, we investigated the effects of in utero vinclozolin exposure on the mRNA expression levels of androgen, estrogen alpha and beta, and progesterone receptors. At the molecular level, vinclozolin down-regulated estrogen receptor alpha mRNA in females and up-regulated progesterone receptor mRNA. Vinclozolin-exposed males exhibited up-regulated estrogen receptor alpha and progesterone receptor mRNA, effects we have also seen with exposure to the synthetic estrogen, ethinyl estradiol. The results suggest that vinclozolin virilizes females and directly or indirectly affects progesterone receptor expression. It also affects estrogen receptor expression in a sex-based manner. We found no in vivo effect of vinclozolin on androgen receptor expression. We propose that vinclozolin, which has been designated an anti-androgen, may also exert its effects by involving additional steroid-signaling pathways.

Comparing photon and proton-based hypofractioned SBRT for prostate cancer accounting for robustness and realistic treatment deliverability.

PubMed

Goddard, Lee C; Brodin, N Patrik; Bodner, William R; Garg, Madhur K; Tomé, Wolfgang A

2018-05-01

To investigate whether photon or proton-based stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT is the preferred modality for high dose hypofractionation prostate cancer treatment. Achievable dose distributions were compared when uncertainties in target positioning and range uncertainties were appropriately accounted for. 10 patients with prostate cancer previously treated at our institution (Montefiore Medical Center) with photon SBRT using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) were identified. MRI images fused to the treatment planning CT allowed for accurate target and organ at risk (OAR) delineation. The clinical target volume was defined as the prostate gland plus the proximal seminal vesicles. Critical OARs include the bladder wall, bowel, femoral heads, neurovascular bundle, penile bulb, rectal wall, urethra and urogenital diaphragm. Photon plan robustness was evaluated by simulating 2 mm isotropic setup variations. Comparative proton SBRT plans employing intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) were generated using robust optimization. Plan robustness was evaluated by simulating 2 mm setup variations and 3% or 1% Hounsfield unit (HU) calibration uncertainties. Comparable maximum OAR doses are achievable between photon and proton SBRT, however, robust optimization results in higher maximum doses for proton SBRT. Rectal maximum doses are significantly higher for Robust proton SBRT with 1% HU uncertainty compared to photon SBRT (p = 0.03), whereas maximum doses were comparable for bladder wall (p = 0.43), urethra (p = 0.82) and urogenital diaphragm (p = 0.50). Mean doses to bladder and rectal wall are lower for proton SBRT, but higher for neurovascular bundle, urethra and urogenital diaphragm due to increased lateral scatter. Similar target conformality is achieved, albeit with slightly larger treated volume ratios for proton SBRT, >1.4 compared to 1.2 for photon SBRT. Similar treatment plans can be generated with IMPT compared to VMAT in terms of target coverage, target conformality, and OAR sparing when range and HU uncertainties are neglected. However, when accounting for these uncertainties during robust optimization, VMAT outperforms IMPT in terms of achievable target conformity and OAR sparing. Advances in knowledge: Comparison between achievable dose distributions using modern, robust optimization of IMPT for high dose per fraction SBRT regimens for the prostate has not been previously investigated.

SU-F-T-15: Evaluation of 192Ir, 60Co and 169Yb Sources for High Dose Rate Prostate Brachytherapy Inverse Planning Using An Interior Point Constraint Generation Algorithm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mok Tsze Chung, E; Aleman, D; Safigholi, H

Purpose: The effectiveness of using a combination of three sources, {sup 60}Co, {sup 192}Ir and {sup 169}Yb, is analyzed. Different combinations are compared against a single {sup 192}Ir source on prostate cancer cases. A novel inverse planning interior point algorithm is developed in-house to generate the treatment plans. Methods: Thirteen prostate cancer patients are separated into two groups: Group A includes eight patients with the prostate as target volume, while group B consists of four patients with a boost nodule inside the prostate that is assigned 150% of the prescription dose. The mean target volume is 35.7±9.3cc and 30.6±8.5cc formore » groups A and B, respectively. All patients are treated with each source individually, then with paired sources, and finally with all three sources. To compare the results, boost volume V150 and D90, urethra Dmax and D10, and rectum Dmax and V80 are evaluated. For fair comparison, all plans are normalized to a uniform V100=100. Results: Overall, double- and triple-source plans were better than single-source plans. The triple-source plans resulted in an average decrease of 21.7% and 1.5% in urethra Dmax and D10, respectively, and 8.0% and 0.8% in rectum Dmax and V80, respectively, for group A. For group B, boost volume V150 and D90 increased by 4.7% and 3.0%, respectively, while keeping similar dose delivered to the urethra and rectum. {sup 60}Co and {sup 192}Ir produced better plans than their counterparts in the double-source category, whereas {sup 60}Co produced more favorable results than the remaining individual sources. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential advantage of using a combination of two or three sources, reflected in dose reduction to organs-at-risk and more conformal dose to the target. three sources, reflected in dose reduction to organs-at-risk and more conformal dose to the target. Our results show that {sup 60}Co, {sup 192}Ir and {sup 169}Yb produce the best plans when used simultaneously and can thus be an alternative to {sup 192}Ir-only in high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy.« less

SU-E-T-620: Dosimetric Compliance Study for a New Prostate Protocol of Combined High Dose Rate Brachytherapy and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peng, C; Giaddui, T; Den, R

2014-06-15

Purpose: To investigate the adherence of treatment plans of prostate cancer patients with the dosimetric compliance criteria of the new in house phase I trial of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy combined with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for intermediate risk prostate cancer patients. Methods: Ten prostate cancer patients were treated using this trial. They received one fraction of HDR to 15Gy, followed by external beam(EB) boost of 3.2Gy(Level 1, five patients) or 3.94Gy(level 2, five patients) per fraction for 10 or 7 fractions, respectively, both equivalent to EB treatments of 113.5Gy in 2Gy fractions. The EB plans were either IMRTmore » or VMAT plans. DVH analysis was performed to verify the adherence of treatment plans to the dosimetric criteria of the trial. Results: For Level 1 patients, target coverage were adequate, with CTV V32Gy(%) of 99.0±1.0 (mean ± 1 standard deviation), and PTV V31Gy(%) of 99.6±0.3. PTV V32.9Gy(%) is 1.4±3.1 and PTVmax is 32.9±0.2Gy. Rectum, bladder and femoral heads sparing were well within protocol criteria. For Level 2 patients, CTV V27.6Gy(%) is 98.7±1.8; PTV V26.7Gy(%) is 99.0±1.4. PTV V28.4Gy(%) is 1.3±1.4, with three patients having minor deviation from protocol. Again critical structures were spared compliant to the protocol. The analysis of HDR plans show similar results, with adequate dose coverage to the prostate and sparing of critical structures including urethra and rectum. V100(%) and V90(%) of prostate are 96.0±1.1 and 98.9±0.5. Urethra D10(%) is 113.1±2.9. Rectum V80(cc) is 1.4±0.5. Hotspot in prostate is substantially higher than what the protocol specifies. But the criteria for hotspot are only guidelines, serving to lower the dose to urethra . Conclusion: This new high biological equivalent dose prostate trial has been carried out successfully for ten patients. Based on dosimetric analysis, all HDR and external plans were compliant to the protocol criteria, with only minor deviations.« less

Anastomic urethroplasty in bulbar urethral stricture. 13 years experience in a department of urology.

PubMed

Sáez-Barranquero, F; Herrera-Imbroda, B; Yáñez-Gálvez, A; Sánchez-Soler, N; Castillo-Gallardo, E; Cantero-Mellado, J A; Julve-Villalta, E; Machuca-Santa Cruz, F J

2016-01-01

Urethral stenosis is a common disease in the clinical practice of urology, with a major impact on the quality of life of patients. The anastomotic urethroplasty is a technique with very precise indications usually membranous or bulbar urethra stenosis with a length of 3 cm or up to 7 cm when it is secondary to urethral disruptions (no stenosis) after pelvic trauma. We review anastomotic urethroplasty performed in our department between 2002 and 2015. A retrospective, descriptive and inferential analysis on 107 patients out of 482 treated with Anastomotic urethroplasty by urethral strictures at the Urology Department of the Hospital "Virgen de la Victoria" (Malaga) from January 2002 to September 2015, establishing effectiveness and safety of the technique, as well as factors that might influence the results. The main diagnostic method was retrograde urethrography and voiding cystourethrography in 100% of patients undergoing surgery, using voiding uroflowmetry for subsequent monitoring. The definition of success was a postoperative flowmetry with Qmax>15 ml/s, and in case of lower flow, we perform a cystoscopy to verify recurrence of stenosis or exclude other pathology. The median age was 42 years, with a mean follow up of 59 months. The length of stenosis valued by retrograde urethrography and voiding cystourethrography was in 91.6% of cases of >1 cm and <2 cm. The most common etiology was idiopathic in 72.9%, followed by iatrogenic with 15.9%. Regarding the location, it was observed that the area most often affected was the bulbar urethra with 82.2%, with the membranous urethra in second place. In 77.6% of patients anastomotic urethroplasty was the initial treatment, followed in frequency by direct vision internal urethrotomy 9.3%. In the case of comorbidities associated with treatment with anastomotic urethroplasty it was observed that only Diabetes Mellitus had a tendency to statistical significance, with p=0.092, not demonstrating such significance in the case of hypertension or when the subject presented Diabetes Mellitus together with hypertension. Finally, the intervention was successful in 102 cases (95.3%), with only 5 cases (4.7%) where it failed, 4 of them treated with a new Anastomotic urethroplasty, with resolution of the stricture. Anastomotic urethroplasty is the treatment of choice for short bulbar urethral stricture, with high success rate and low complication rate, as well as low recurrence of these.

Pelvic fracture urethral injuries in girls.

PubMed

Podestá, M L; Jordan, G H

2001-05-01

Injuries to the female urethra associated with pelvic fracture are uncommon. They may vary from urethral contusion to partial or circumferential rupture. When disruption has occurred at the level of the proximal urethra, it is usually complete and often associated with vaginal laceration. We retrospectively reviewed the records of a series of girls with pelvic fracture urethral stricture and present surgical treatment to restore urethral continuity and the outcome. Between 1984 and 1997, 8 girls 4 to 16 years old (median age 9.6) with urethral injuries associated with pelvic fracture were treated at our institutions. Immediate therapy involved suprapubic cystostomy in 4 cases, urethral catheter alignment and simultaneous suprapubic cystostomy in 3, and primary suturing of the urethra, bladder neck and vagina in 1. Delayed 1-stage anastomotic repair was performed in 1 patient with urethral avulsion at the level of the bladder neck and in 5 with a proximal urethral distraction defect, while a neourethra was constructed from the anterior vaginal wall in a 2-stage procedure in 1 with mid urethral avulsion. Concomitant vaginal rupture in 7 cases was treated at delayed urethral reconstruction in 5 and by primary repair in 2. The surgical approach was retropubic in 3 cases, vaginal-retropubic in 1 and vaginal-transpubic in 4. Associated injuries included rectal injury in 3 girls and bladder neck laceration in 4. Overall postoperative followup was 6 months to 6.3 years (median 3 years). Urethral obliteration developed in all patients treated with suprapubic cystostomy and simultaneous urethral realignment. The stricture-free rate for 1-stage anastomotic repair and substitution urethroplasty was 100%. In 1 girl complete urinary incontinence developed, while another has mild stress incontinence. Retrospectively the 2 incontinent girls had had an associated bladder neck injury at the initial trauma. Two recurrent vaginal strictures were treated successfully with additional transpositions of lateral labial flaps. This study emphasizes that combined vaginal-partial transpubic access is a reliable approach for resolving complex obliterative urethral strictures and associated urethrovaginal fistulas or severe bladder neck damage after traumatic pelvic fracture injury in female pediatric patients. Although our experience with the initial management of these injuries is limited, we advocate early cystostomy drainage and deferred surgical reconstruction when life threatening clinical conditions are present or extensive traumatized tissue in the affected area precludes immediate ideal surgical repair.

Sexual reflexes in male and female rats.

PubMed

Chung, S K; McVary, K T; McKenna, K E

1988-12-05

A novel preparation for the study of male and female sexual function in anesthetized, acutely spinalized rats is reported. In both sexes, the coitus reflex (the neuromuscular concomitants of sexual climax) could be elicited by mechanical stimulation of the distal urethra. It is concluded that the spinal sexual circuitry is essentially similar in both sexes and that the coitus reflex is generated by a hormone-insensitive spinal pattern generator and is triggered by a simple peripheral stimulus.

Pharmacotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PubMed Central

Narayan, P; Indudhara, R

1994-01-01

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a benign neoplasm of the prostate seen in men of advancing age. Microscopic evidence of the disorder is seen in about 70% of men by 70 years of age, whereas symptoms requiring some form of surgical intervention occur in 30% of men during their lifetime. Although the exact cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia is not clear, it is well recognized that high levels of intraprostatic androgens are required for the maintenance of prostatic growth. In recent years, extensive surveys of patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate reveal an 18% incidence of morbidity that has essentially not changed in the past 30 years. This procedure is also the second highest reimbursed surgical therapy under Medicare. These findings have resulted in an intensive search for alternative therapies for prostatic hyperplasia. An alternative that has now been well defined is the use of alpha-adrenergic blockers to relax the prostatic urethra. This is based on findings that a major component of benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms is spasm of the prostatic urethra and bladder neck, which is mediated by the alpha-adrenergic nerves. A second approach is to block androgens involved in maintaining prostate growth. Several such drugs are now available for clinical use, and we discuss their side effects and use. We also include the newer recommendations on evaluating benign prostatic hyperplasia that are cost-effective yet comprehensive. Images PMID:7528957

Studies of vascular acting photosensitizer Tookad for the photodynamic therapy of prostate cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Zheng; Chen, Qun; Blanc, Dominique; Hetzel, Fred W.

2005-01-01

In this pre-clinical study, photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated with a vascular acting photosensitizer Tookad (palladium-bacteriopheophorbide) is investigated as an alternative treatment modality for the ablation of prostate cancer. Canine prostate was used as the animal model. PDT was performed by interstitially irradiating the surgically exposed prostates with a diode laser (763 nm) to activate the IV infused photosensitizer. The effects of drug dose, drug-light interval, and light fluence rate on PDT efficacy were evaluated. The prostates and adjacent tissues were harvested at one-week post PDT and subjected to histopathological examination. The dogs recovered well with little or no urethral complications. Urinalysis showed trace blood. Histological examination showed minimal damage to the prostatic urethra. These indicated that the urethra was well preserved. PDT induced prostate lesions were characterized by marked hemorrhagic necrosis with a clear demarcation. Maximum lesion volume of ~3 cm3 could be achieved with a single 1-cm diffuser fiber at a dose level of 1 mg/kg and 200 J/cm, suggesting the therapy is very effective in ablating prostatic tissue. PDT induced lesion could reach the capsule layers but adjacent tissues were well preserved. The novel photosensitizer is a vascular drug and cleared rapidly from the circulation. Light irradiation can be performed during drug infusion thereby eliminating waiting time. The novel vascular acting photosensitizer Tookad-mediated PDT could provide an effective alternative to treat prostate cancer.

Penile embryology and anatomy.

PubMed

Yiee, Jenny H; Baskin, Laurence S

2010-06-29

Knowledge of penile embryology and anatomy is essential to any pediatric urologist in order to fully understand and treat congenital anomalies. Sex differentiation of the external genitalia occurs between the 7th and 17th weeks of gestation. The Y chromosome initiates male differentiation through the SRY gene, which triggers testicular development. Under the influence of androgens produced by the testes, external genitalia then develop into the penis and scrotum. Dorsal nerves supply penile skin sensation and lie within Buck's fascia. These nerves are notably absent at the 12 o'clock position. Perineal nerves supply skin sensation to the ventral shaft skin and frenulum. Cavernosal nerves lie within the corpora cavernosa and are responsible for sexual function. Paired cavernosal, dorsal, and bulbourethral arteries have extensive anastomotic connections. During erection, the cavernosal artery causes engorgement of the cavernosa, while the deep dorsal artery leads to glans enlargement. The majority of venous drainage occurs through a single, deep dorsal vein into which multiple emissary veins from the corpora and circumflex veins from the spongiosum drain. The corpora cavernosa and spongiosum are all made of spongy erectile tissue. Buck's fascia circumferentially envelops all three structures, splitting into two leaves ventrally at the spongiosum. The male urethra is composed of six parts: bladder neck, prostatic, membranous, bulbous, penile, and fossa navicularis. The urethra receives its blood supply from both proximal and distal directions.

Laser fragmentation of foreign bodies in the urinary tract: an in vitro study and clinical application.

PubMed

Bedke, Jens; Kruck, Stephan; Schilling, David; Matter, Anton; Horstmann, Marcus; Sievert, Karl-Dietrich; Stenzl, Arnulf; Nagele, Udo

2010-04-01

Foreign bodies of the urinary tract represent a urologic emergency. First-line treatment is endoscopic removal, but this is often impeded by restricted space, especially in the urethra. We postulated that foreign objects could be fragmented by Holmium:YAG laser and investigated its effect on objects of varying composition. In a specially designed stage flushed with physiologic saline, medical and non-medical objects of differing composition and diameter were subjected to fragmentation by Holmium:YAG at powers of 18 and 30 W. In additional thermal experiments, 5,000 J was applied to differing volumes of 0.9% sodium chloride. Experiments were repeated ten times. With one exception (16 Ch silicon catheter) all medical objects were fragmented (latex urinary catheter, ureteral stents, and guidewires). Of non-medical objects (wood, steel, copper, graphite, and nylon) only copper wire was not amenable to laser dissection. These in vitro results were applied in two patients who presented with a pencil (wood and graphite) in the urethra or bladder. After Holmium:YAG laser fragmentation, the pencil could be removed by forceps each. Foreign objects in the urinary tract can be fragmented with a Holmium:YAG laser. When foreign bodies are too big for initial endoscopic extraction, the clinician should consider this technique as a reasonable and atraumatic option to avoid open surgery.

Urological complications of uterine leiomyoma: a review of literature.

PubMed

Dagur, Gautam; Suh, Yiji; Warren, Kelly; Singh, Navjot; Fitzgerald, John; Khan, Sardar A

2016-06-01

Uterine leiomyomas are common gynecologic tumor in reproductive-aged women, by age 50, diagnosis shared by urologist, gynecologists and radiologists. The goal of this article is to review the current literature, study the impact of leiomyoma on female lower urinary tract, examine the cause female sexual dysfunction and provide a comprehensive review of current diagnostic, imaging studies, and current treatment of leiomyoma. Clinical leiomyoma studies published from 1956 through 2015 were identified using the PubMed search engines and the key words leiomyoma, fibroid in the current literature. Impact of leiomyoma on the lower urinary tract including female sexual dysfunction was reviewed with terms of "urinary retention", "bladder", "urethra", "dyspareunia", "incontinence", "incomplete bladder emptying", "female sexual dysfunction", and "lower urinary tract" to study the urological and sexual effects of leiomyoma. Literature related to leiomyoma was reviewed from 1965 to present. Women with uterine leiomyomata complained of pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, infertility, lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Leiomyoma is a common tumor of the uterus that often clinically impacts on the lower urinary tract and results in urological and sexual symptoms. Leiomyoma can compress and grow into and become adherent to the bladder and surrounding pelvic organs or metastasize into peritoneal organs. Leiomyoma can enlarge and compress the urinary bladder, urethra, and lower end of the ureters. Leiomyoma can cause embarrassing sexual dysfunction in females. Current literature of non-surgical and surgical therapy of leiomyoma is described.

Feasibility of interstitial near-infrared radiance spectroscopy platform for ex vivo canine prostate studies: optical properties extraction, hemoglobin and water concentration, and gold nanoparticles detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grabtchak, Serge; Montgomery, Logan G.; Whelan, William M.

2014-05-01

The canine prostate is a close match for the human prostate and is used in research of prostate cancers. Determining accurately optical absorption and scattering properties of the gland in a wide spectral range (preferably in a minimally invasive way), linking optical properties to concentrations of major endogenous chromophores, and detecting the presence of localized optical inhomogeneities like inclusions of gold nanoparticles for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, are among the major challenges for researchers. The goal of the article is to demonstrate a feasibility of the multifunctional radiance spectroscopy platform in providing the required information. For ex vivo canine prostate, extraction of the effective attenuation and diffusion coefficients using relative cw radiance measurements was demonstrated in the 650- to 900-nm range. The derived absorption coefficient was decomposed to contributions from 9.0 μM HbO2, 29.6 μM Hb, and 0.47 fractional volume of H2O. Detection of a localized inclusion containing ˜1.5.1010 gold nanorods (0.8 μg Au) at 10 mm distance from the urethra was achieved with the detector in the urethra and the light source in a virtual rectum position. The platform offers the framework for a systematic study of various chromophores in the prostate that can be used as comprehensive diagnostic markers.

Prostate Histotripsy in an Anticoagulated Canine Model

PubMed Central

Wheat, Jeffery C.; Hall, Timothy L.; Hempel, Christopher R.; Cain, Charles A.; Xu, Zhen; Roberts, William W.

2009-01-01

Purpose Histotripsy is a non-invasive ultrasound technology which induces microbubble formation (cavitation) within tissues producing mechanical tissue fractionation. During initial in-vivo feasibility canine studies of prostate ablation, minimal hematuria was observed. In the current study, we sought to further explore this phenomenon by performing extensive prostate histotripsy treatments in anticoagulated canines. Materials and Methods Histotripsy was performed on 9 canine subjects pre-treated with 6 mg of oral warfarin for 3 to 5 days using an extracorporeal 750 kHz therapeutic ultrasound transducer delivering acoustic pulses to the prostatic urethra and periurethral parenchyma. After 7–28 days, the subjects were euthanized, transrectal prostate ultrasound was performed and the prostate was harvested. Serum hemoglobin and International Normalization Ratio (INR) were measured immediately prior to histotripsy treatment and at euthanasia. Results Mean treatment INR was 4.6 (median 2.4, range 1.2 to 11.3). There was no clinically significant change in hemoglobin concentration at euthanasia compared to baseline. At harvest, histologic sections of the prostate revealed a large cavity corresponding to the planned treatment volume incorporating the prostatic urethra and parenchyma in all subjects. Urine was clear within 2 days of treatment and no blood clots were seen. Conclusions Despite therapeutic and supratherapeutic anticoagulation, histotripsy resulted in minimal bleeding despite significant fractionation and tissue debulking of the prostate. These results have prompted further studies to understand the mechanism of non-thermal hemostasis underlying histotripsy. PMID:19931897

In vivo urethral dose measurements: a method to verify high dose rate prostate treatments.

PubMed

Brezovich, I A; Duan, J; Pareek, P N; Fiveash, J; Ezekiel, M

2000-10-01

Radiation doses delivered in high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy are susceptible to many inaccuracies and errors, including imaging, planning and delivery. Consequently, the dose delivered to the patient may deviate substantially from the treatment plan. We investigated the feasibility of using TLD measurements in the urethra to estimate the discrepancy in treatments for prostate cancer. The dose response of the 1 mm diam, 6 mm long LiF rods that we used for the in vivo measurements was calibrated with the 192Ir HDR source, as well as a 60Co teletherapy unit. A train of 20 rods contained in a sterile plastic tube was inserted into the urethral (Foley) catheter for the duration of a treatment fraction, and the measured doses were compared to the treatment plan. Initial results from a total of seven treatments in four patients show good agreement between theory and experiment. Analysis of any one treatment showed agreement within 11.7% +/- 6.2% for the highest dose encountered in the central prostatic urethra, and within 10.4% +/- 4.4% for the mean dose. Taking the average over all seven treatments shows agreement within 1.7% for the maximum urethral dose, and within 1.5% for the mean urethral dose. Based on these initial findings it seems that planned prostate doses can be accurately reproduced in the clinic.

The effect of mechanical extension stimulation combined with epithelial cell sorting on outcomes of implanted tissue-engineered muscular urethras.

PubMed

Fu, Qiang; Deng, Chen-Liang; Zhao, Ren-Yan; Wang, Ying; Cao, Yilin

2014-01-01

Urethral defects are common and frequent disorders and are difficult to treat. Simple natural or synthetic materials do not provide a satisfactory curative solution for long urethral defects, and urethroplasty with large areas of autologous tissues is limited and might interfere with wound healing. In this study, adipose-derived stem cells were used. These cells can be derived from a wide range of sources, have extensive expansion capability, and were combined with oral mucosal epithelial cells to solve the problem of finding seeding cell sources for producing the tissue-engineered urethras. We also used the synthetic biodegradable polymer poly-glycolic acid (PGA) as a scaffold material to overcome issues such as potential pathogen infections derived from natural materials (such as de-vascular stents or animal-derived collagen) and differing diameters. Furthermore, we used a bioreactor to construct a tissue-engineered epithelial-muscular lumen with a double-layer structure (the epithelial lining and the muscle layer). Through these steps, we used an epithelial-muscular lumen built in vitro to repair defects in a canine urethral defect model (1 cm). Canine urethral reconstruction was successfully achieved based on image analysis and histological techniques at different time points. This study provides a basis for the clinical application of tissue engineering of an epithelial-muscular lumen. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anatomic and functional properties of bulboglandularis striated muscle support its contribution as sphincter in female rabbit micturition.

PubMed

Corona-Quintanilla, Dora Luz; López-Juárez, Rhode; Zempoalteca, René; Cuevas, Estela; Castelán, Francisco; Martínez-Gómez, Margarita

2016-08-01

To determine anatomic and functional properties of the bulboglandularis muscle (Bgm) for clarifying its role in micturition in female rabbits. Virgin female rabbits were used to describe the gross anatomy and innervation of the Bgm, to determine the effect of the Bgm contraction on urethral pressure, and to evaluate the Bgm activity during the induced-micturition. Both electromyogram and cystometrogram activity were simultaneously recorded in urethane-anesthetized rabbits. Bladder function was assessed measuring standard urodynamic variables before and after blocking the Bgm activity for approaching its contribution to micturition. The relevance of the Bgm activation for micturition was approached applying lidocaine injections. The Bgm was composed of circularly oriented striated fibers enveloping distal urethra and pelvic vagina. Both the venous plexus and urethra were comprised by the Bgm contraction induced by electrical stimulation. The Bgm showed bursts of tonic activity at the storage phase of micturition that gradually decreased until turning off as the onset of the voiding phase. The voided volume, the voiding efficiency, the threshold pressure, and the maximal pressure were decreased after lidocaine injection. Contrastingly, the threshold volume, the residual volume, the voiding duration, and the urethral resistance at voiding were increased. Present anatomical and physiological findings support that the Bgm acts as a sphincter during micturition of female rabbits. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:689-695, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A catheter friction tester using balance sensor: Combined evaluation of the effects of mechanical properties of tubing materials and surface coatings.

PubMed

Røn, Troels; Jacobsen, Kristina Pilgaard; Lee, Seunghwan

2018-04-24

In this study, we introduce a new experimental approach to characterize the forces emerging from simulated catherization. This setup allows for a linear translation of urinary catheters in vertical direction as controlled by an actuator. By employing silicone-based elastomer with a duct of comparable diameter with catheters as urethra model, sliding contacts during the translation of catheters along the duct is generated. A most unique design and operation feature of this setup is that a digital balance was employed as the sensor to detect emerging forces from simulated catherization. Moreover, the possibility to give a variation in environment (ambient air vs. water), clearance, elasticity, and curvature of silicone-based urethra model allows for the detection of forces arising from diverse simulated catherization conditions. Two types of commercially available catheters varying in tubing materials and surface coatings were tested together with their respective uncoated catheter tubing. The first set of testing on the catheter samples showed that this setup can probe the combined effect from flexural strain of bulk tubing materials and slipperiness of surface coatings, both of which are expected to affect the comfort and smooth gliding in clinical catherization. We argue that this new experimental setup can provide unique and valuable information in preclinical friction testing of urinary catheters. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Penile Embryology and Anatomy

PubMed Central

Yiee, Jenny H.; Baskin, Laurence S.

2010-01-01

Knowledge of penile embryology and anatomy is essential to any pediatric urologist in order to fully understand and treat congenital anomalies. Sex differentiation of the external genitalia occurs between the 7and 17 weeks of gestation. The Y chromosome initiates male differentiation through the SRY gene, which triggers testicular development. Under the influence of androgens produced by the testes, external genitalia then develop into the penis and scrotum. Dorsal nerves supply penile skin sensation and lie within Buck's fascia. These nerves are notably absent at the 12 o'clock position. Perineal nerves supply skin sensation to the ventral shaft skin and frenulum. Cavernosal nerves lie within the corpora cavernosa and are responsible for sexual function. Paired cavernosal, dorsal, and bulbourethral arteries have extensive anastomotic connections. During erection, the cavernosal artery causes engorgement of the cavernosa, while the deep dorsal artery leads to glans enlargement. The majority of venous drainage occurs through a single, deep dorsal vein into which multiple emissary veins from the corpora and circumflex veins from the spongiosum drain. The corpora cavernosa and spongiosum are all made of spongy erectile tissue. Buck's fascia circumferentially envelops all three structures, splitting into two leaves ventrally at the spongiosum. The male urethra is composed of six parts: bladder neck, prostatic, membranous, bulbous, penile, and fossa navicularis. The urethra receives its blood supply from both proximal and distal directions. PMID:20602076

A Comparative Study of Dorsal Buccal Mucosa Graft Substitution Urethroplasty by Dorsal Urethrotomy Approach versus Ventral Sagittal Urethrotomy Approach.

PubMed

Pahwa, Mrinal; Gupta, Sanjeev; Pahwa, Mayank; Jain, Brig D K; Gupta, Manu

2013-01-01

Objectives. To compare the outcome of dorsal buccal mucosal graft (BMG) substitution urethroplasty by dorsal urethrotomy approach with ventral urethrotomy approach in management of stricture urethra. Methods and Materials. A total of 40 patients who underwent dorsal BMG substitution urethroplasty were randomized into two groups. 20 patients underwent dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty as described by Barbagli, and the other 20 patients underwent dorsal BMG urethroplasty by ventral urethrotomy as described by Asopa. Operative time, success rate, satisfaction rate, and complications were compared between the two groups. Mean follow-up was 12 months (6-24 months). Results. Ventral urethrotomy group had considerably lesser operative time although the difference was not statistically significant. Patients in dorsal group had mean maximum flow rate of 19.6 mL/min and mean residual urine of 27 mL, whereas ventral group had a mean maximum flow rate of 18.8 and residual urine of 32 mL. Eighteen out of twenty patients voided well in each group, and postoperative imaging study in these patients showed a good lumen with no evidence of leak or extravasation. Conclusion. Though ventral sagittal urethrotomy preserves the blood supply of urethra and intraoperative time was less than dorsal urethrotomy technique, there was no statistically significant difference in final outcome using either technique.

A Comparative Study of Dorsal Buccal Mucosa Graft Substitution Urethroplasty by Dorsal Urethrotomy Approach versus Ventral Sagittal Urethrotomy Approach

PubMed Central

Pahwa, Mrinal; Gupta, Sanjeev; Pahwa, Mayank; Jain, Brig D. K.; Gupta, Manu

2013-01-01

Objectives. To compare the outcome of dorsal buccal mucosal graft (BMG) substitution urethroplasty by dorsal urethrotomy approach with ventral urethrotomy approach in management of stricture urethra. Methods and Materials. A total of 40 patients who underwent dorsal BMG substitution urethroplasty were randomized into two groups. 20 patients underwent dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty as described by Barbagli, and the other 20 patients underwent dorsal BMG urethroplasty by ventral urethrotomy as described by Asopa. Operative time, success rate, satisfaction rate, and complications were compared between the two groups. Mean follow-up was 12 months (6–24 months). Results. Ventral urethrotomy group had considerably lesser operative time although the difference was not statistically significant. Patients in dorsal group had mean maximum flow rate of 19.6 mL/min and mean residual urine of 27 mL, whereas ventral group had a mean maximum flow rate of 18.8 and residual urine of 32 mL. Eighteen out of twenty patients voided well in each group, and postoperative imaging study in these patients showed a good lumen with no evidence of leak or extravasation. Conclusion. Though ventral sagittal urethrotomy preserves the blood supply of urethra and intraoperative time was less than dorsal urethrotomy technique, there was no statistically significant difference in final outcome using either technique. PMID:24194754

Atropine-induced inhibition of sperm and semen transport impairs fertility in male rats.

PubMed

Sato, Takahiro; Ban, Yoshiki; Uchida, Miki; Gondo, Eri; Yamamoto, Masakatsu; Sekiguchi, Yoshiko; Sakaue, Akiko; Kemi, Masayuki; Nakatsuka, Toshio

2005-08-01

Previous studies revealed that atropine reduced male fertility in rats without any effects on mating performance, sperm production and motility, and testicular morphology. The present study was conducted to investigate whether the impairment of male fertility induced by atropine was related to the inhibition of sperm and semen transports from the vas deferens and seminal vesicle to the urethra during the process of emission. Male rats were treated with atropine at 125 mg/kg/day for 10-17 days prior to mating with untreated females. After confirmation of mating, male rats were euthanized and sperm number in the vas deferens and weights of the seminal vesicle and copulatory plug were determined as indicators of inhibition of sperm and semen transports, respectively. Reproductive status of mated females was determined on gestation days 15-17. A low pregnancy rate associated with a decreased number of implants was observed in females that mated with the atropine-treated males. The average number of sperm in the vas deferens was increased in the atropine-treated males. The average seminal vesicle weight in the atropine-treated males was greater than that of controls. The copulatory plug weights were decreased in the atropine-treated males. These results suggest that inhibitions of sperm and semen transports from the vas deferens and seminal vesicle to the urethra during the process of emission result in reduced male fertility in rats.

SIU/ICUD Consultation on Urethral Strictures: Pelvic fracture urethral injuries.

PubMed

Gómez, Reynaldo G; Mundy, Tony; Dubey, Deepak; El-Kassaby, Abdel Wahab; Firdaoessaleh; Kodama, Ron; Santucci, Richard

2014-03-01

The posterior urethra pierces the perineal diaphragm in close relationship to the pubic arc elements of the bony pelvis to which it is tethered by attachments to the puboprostatic ligaments and the perineal membrane. Because of these relationships, it is not surprising that fracture disruptions of the pelvic ring can be associated with injuries to the urethra at this level. Although the relationship between pelvic fracture and posterior urethral injury has been recognized for >1 century, considerable controversy exists on almost any aspect of these injuries, from the anatomy and classification of the injuries to the strategies for acute management, reconstruction, and treatment of complications, to mention just a few. What it is not controversial and well known is that these injuries can result in significant morbidity in the long run--mainly strictures, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence--which can cause lifelong disability. It also well known that, just as in many other areas of trauma, the severity and duration of the complications can be reduced considerably if the injury is diagnosed and treated promptly and efficiently. This chapter summarizes the most relevant published evidence about the management of pelvic fracture urethral injuries. This comprehensive review, performed by an international panel of experts, will provide valuable information and recommendations to help urologists worldwide improve the treatment and outcomes of their injured patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Vulnerability of continence structures to injury by simulated childbirth

PubMed Central

Phull, Hardeep S.; Pan, Hui Q.; Butler, Robert S.; Hansel, Donna E.

2011-01-01

The goal of this study was to examine acute morphological changes, edema, muscle damage, inflammation, and hypoxia in urethral and vaginal tissues with increasing duration of vaginal distension (VD) in a rat model. Twenty-nine virgin Sprague-Dawley rats underwent VD under anesthesia with the use of a modified Foley catheter inserted into the vagina and filled with saline for 0, 1, 4, or 6 h. Control animals were anesthetized for 4 h without catheter placement. Urogenital organs were harvested after intracardiac perfusion of fixative. Tissues were embedded, sectioned, and stained with Masson's trichrome or hematoxylin and eosin stains. Regions of hypoxia were measured by hypoxyprobe-1 immunohistochemistry. Within 1 h of VD, the urethra became vertically elongated and displaced anteriorly. Edema was most prominent in the external urethral sphincter (EUS) and urethral/vaginal septum within 4 h of VD, while muscle disruption and fragmentation of the EUS occurred after 6 h. Inflammatory damage was characterized by the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vessels and tissues after 4 h of VD, with the greatest degree of infiltration occurring in the EUS. Hypoxia localized mostly to the vaginal lamina propria, urethral smooth muscle, and EUS within 4 h of VD. Increasing duration of VD caused progressively greater tissue edema, muscle damage, and morphological changes in the urethra and vagina. The EUS underwent the greatest insult, demonstrating its vulnerability to childbirth injury. PMID:21613415

Feasibility of interstitial near-infrared radiance spectroscopy platform for ex vivo canine prostate studies: optical properties extraction, hemoglobin and water concentration, and gold nanoparticles detection.

PubMed

Grabtchak, Serge; Montgomery, Logan G; Whelan, William M

2014-05-01

The canine prostate is a close match for the human prostate and is used in research of prostate cancers. Determining accurately optical absorption and scattering properties of the gland in a wide spectral range (preferably in a minimally invasive way), linking optical properties to concentrations of major endogenous chromophores, and detecting the presence of localized optical inhomogeneities like inclusions of gold nanoparticles for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, are among the major challenges for researchers. The goal of the article is to demonstrate a feasibility of the multifunctional radiance spectroscopy platform in providing the required information. For ex vivo canine prostate, extraction of the effective attenuation and diffusion coefficients using relative cw radiance measurements was demonstrated in the 650- to 900-nm range. The derived absorption coefficient was decomposed to contributions from 9.0 μM HbO₂, 29.6 μM Hb, and 0.47 fractional volume of H₂O. Detection of a localized inclusion containing ∼1.5·1010 gold nanorods (0.8 μg Au) at 10 mm distance from the urethra was achieved with the detector in the urethra and the light source in a virtual rectum position. The platform offers the framework for a systematic study of various chromophores in the prostate that can be used as comprehensive diagnostic markers.

Urethral polyp-like lesions on prostatic urethra caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection: a case report.

PubMed

Muranaka, Takashi; Takahashi, Satoshi; Hirose, Takaoki; Hattori, Atsuo

2014-11-01

Urethral polyp is one of differential diagnoses for the male patients complain of gross-hematuria and/or hematospermia. However, there have been limited numbers of case reports including infectious etiology. Here we reported clinical course and pathological findings of one rare case who was diagnosed and treated as urethral polyp-like lesions on the prostatic urethra caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection. A 25 year-old man who had a past history of frequent sexual intercourse with unspecified female sexual partner visited the clinic. His chief complaint was gross-hematuria and hematospermia. Endoscopic findings showed that non-specific hemorrhagic polyp-like lesions. To determine the pathological findings including malignant diseases and diagnosis, transurethral resection was performed. Because the pathological findings were similar to those of chlamydial proctitis, additional examination was done. As the results, nucleic acid amplification test of C. trachomatis in urine specimen was positive and immunohistochemical staining of specific chlamydia antigen in resected specimen was also positive. Treatment by orally minocyline 100 mg twice daily for 4 weeks was introduced. After the treatment, symptom was disappeared and nucleic acid amplification test of C. trachomatis in urine specimen turned to be negative. No recurrence was reported 2 years posttreatment. Copyright © 2014 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Further Developments in Microwave Ablation of Prostate Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arndt, G. Dickey; Ngo, Phong

2005-01-01

A report presents additional information about the subject matter of Microwave Treatment of Prostate Cancer and Hyperplasia (MSC-23049), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 6 (June 2005), page 62. To recapitulate: the basic idea is to use microwaves to heat and thereby kill small volumes of unhealthy prostate tissue. The prostate is irradiated with microwaves from one or more antennas positioned near the prostate by means of catheters inserted in the urethra and/or colon. The microwave frequency, power, and exposure time, phasing, positions, and orientations of the antennas may be chosen to obtain the desired temperature rise in the heated region and to ensure that the location and extent of the heated region coincides with the region to be treated to within a few millimeters. Going beyond the description in the cited previous article, the report includes a diagram that illustrates typical placement of urethra and colon antenna catheters and presents results of computationally simulated prostate-heating profiles for several different combinations of antenna arrangements, frequencies, and delivered- energy levels as well as experimental results within phantom materials. The advantage of the two-antenna technology is that the heat generated at each antenna is significantly reduced from that associated with only one antenna. The microwave energy radiated from each antenna is focused at the tumor center by adjusting the phasing of the irradiated microwave signal from the antennas.

[Urogenital trauma associated with pelvic ring fractures].

PubMed

Pavelka, T; Houcek, P; Hora, M; Hlavácová, J; Linhart, M

2010-02-01

To evaluate, in a retrospective study, injuries to the urogenital tract in patients with pelvic ring fractures. MATERIAL In the years 1998-2007, a total of 308 patients with pelvic ring fractures were treated. The study did not comprise patients with low-energy fractures, such as apophyseolysis in children, osteoporotic bone fractures or pathologic fractures. It also did not include patients with multiple injuries who died within 6 hours of admission to the hospital. The group consisted of 186 men and 122 women with an average age of 34 (range, 6 to 76) years. The fractures sustained were classified as type A in 5 %, type B in 57 % and type C in 38 % of the patients. The average follow-up was 71 (range, 13 to 121) months. A primary injury to the urogenital tract was recorded in 50 (16 %) patients. Injury to the urethra was found in 23 (7.5%) and urinary bladder trauma in 18 (6%) patients, vaginal injury was in four women (1%), and penis injury in three (1%) and lacerated testicles in two men (1%). Injury to the urogenital tract was associated with a pelvic ring fracture type A in 5 %, type B in 34 % and type C in 61 % of the patients. Out of the 23 patients with urethral trauma, only six (26 %) were free from functional and subjective complaints; eight (35 %) continued to receive therapy for urethral stenosis seven (30 %) reported urinary incontinence, and seven men (30 %) had erection problems. In six patients (26%) the lasting sequelae were combined. The 18 patients with injury to the bladder reported no subjective complaints at a one-year follow-up. Two patients with penis root injury had erectile dysfunction. Two patients with the loss of both testicles were in the care of a psychiatrist. The patients' satisfaction was evaluated on a 0-to10-point scale. The average value for the whole group was 4.1 points. In the patients with erectile dysfunction, the value was 0.8, and in those with isolated injury to the urinary bladder it was 9.4 points. The increasing number of injuries to the urogenital tract associated with permanent sequelae is caused by a growing number of pelvic ring fractures as well as, and this is more important, by decreasing mortality in patients with severe trauma to the pelvic ring The extent of urogenital injury is related to the degree of dislocation of the pelvic skeleton. Injury to the male urethra is the most frequent urogenital trauma because of the male anatomy. It occurs most often in unstable C type fractures when the pelvic ring is disrupted with bone displacement due to shear force at the site of urethra attachment. The consequences are related to the quality of treatment of urogenital tract injury as well as to how the skeletal injury is managed. The lasting effects of the primary injury to nerve structures are beyond repair by therapy. Injury to the urethra results in erectile dysfunction in 50 % of the injured patients it is often associated with urinary incontinence that has a strong effect on the patient's life quality. Isolated trauma to the urinary bladder has a good prognosis. The incidence of post-traumatic incontinence is not high, but reduces the patient's personal and social comfort. A prerequisite for a successful therapeutic outcome is a good cooperation of the orthopaedic surgeon and urologist. Key words: pelvic ring fractures, urogenital injury.

Histotripsy of the Prostate for the Treatment of BPH: Chronic Results From a Canine Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hall, Timothy L.; Hempel, Chris R.; Lake, Alison M.

2009-04-14

Histotripsy was evaluated as a non-invasive BPH treatment. The prostates of 21 canine subjects were targeted with one of three histotripsy doses. Prostates were harvested immediately, 7 days, or 28 days after treatment and assessed for changes. Lower treatment doses were found to produced scattered cellular disruption and hemorrhage that was sometimes reversible. Higher doses perforated the urethra and produced cavities in the glandular prostate that healed to leave an enlarged urinary channel.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klein, F.A.; Ali, M.M.; Kersh, R.

Three female patients (mean age 55) with carcinoma of the urethra were treated with combined external beam irradiation (4,000 to 5,000 rads) and interstitial irradiation with iridium Ir 192 (2,700 to 3,000 rads) applied with a modified Syed-Neblett template. Two patients are alive with no evidence of disease at 27 and 37 months. One patient died of a second primary tumor at 30 months, without histologic evidence of the original urethral neoplasm. No patient had significant complications of therapy. This treatment regimen is effective for selected women with urethral carcinoma.

Histotripsy of the Prostate for the Treatment of BPH: Chronic Results From a Canine Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Timothy L.; Hempel, Chris R.; Lake, Alison M.; Kieran, Kathy; Ives, Kim; Fowlkes, J. Brian; Cain, Charles A.; Roberts, William W.

2009-04-01

Histotripsy was evaluated as a non-invasive BPH treatment. The prostates of 21 canine subjects were targeted with one of three histotripsy doses. Prostates were harvested immediately, 7 days, or 28 days after treatment and assessed for changes. Lower treatment doses were found to produced scattered cellular disruption and hemorrhage that was sometimes reversible. Higher doses perforated the urethra and produced cavities in the glandular prostate that healed to leave an enlarged urinary channel.

Effects of Long-Term Low-Level Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure on Rats. Volume 8. Evaluation of Longevity, Cause of Death, and Histopathological Findings.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-04-01

S 3. Open and examine the ureters, bladder, and urethra. Inspect all mucosal and serosal surfaces . 4. Observe male accessory sex organs; note size...release; distribution is 2b. OECLASSIFICATIONIOWNGRADING SCHEDULE unlimited. 4. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMSER( S ) 5. MONITORING ORGANIZATION REPORT...NUMBER( S ) SR 28 USAFSAM-TR-85- 11 ~ b. OFFICE SYMBOL 7a. NAME OF MONITORING ORGANIZATION I (If ppliable) Dept. of Rehabilitation Med. USAF School of

Abdomino-perineal approach for management of traumatic strictured posterior urethra.

PubMed

Ezzat, M I

1990-01-01

Twelve patients with traumatic posterior urethral stricture have been treated using a combined transpubic-transperineal approach. The strictured segments were long and associated with complicated problems in 4 patients. Three of them have had bulbo-vesical anastomosis operation, and iatrogenic urethro-rectal fistula was encountered in the fourth patient. Combined approach provided the best chance for success. Our results of urethral lumen patency and continence of urine were excellent. However, we encountered 7 patients dissatisfied with their erection.

Diagnostic imaging of the lower genitourinary tract

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rifkin, M.D.

1985-01-01

Dr. Rifkin analyzes the relative merits of ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiography. He correlates ultrasound findings with those of computed tomography, radiography, and nuclear medicine and assesses the potential benefits of magnetic resonance imaging as compared with ultrasound and other imaging modalities. Each imaging modality is discussed in terms of its role as the primary, secondary, or complementary study for diagnoses involving the urinary bladder and perivesical spaces, the prostate and seminal vesicles, the urethra and penis, and the scrotal sac.

Urinary tract infection associated with conditions causing urinary tract obstruction and stasis, excluding urolithiasis and neuropathic bladder.

PubMed

Heyns, C F

2012-02-01

The aim of this study was to examine urinary tract infection (UTI) associated with conditions causing urinary tract obstruction and stasis, excluding urolithiasis and neuropathic bladder dysfunction. An electronic literature search was performed using the key words urinary tract infection (UTI), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), hydronephrosis, obstruction, reflux, diverticulum, urethra, and stricture. In total, 520 abstracts were reviewed, 210 articles were studied in detail, and 36 were included as references. It is one of the axioms of Urological practice that urinary tract obstruction and stasis predispose to UTI. Experimental studies indicate that, whereas transurethral inoculates of bacteria are rapidly eliminated from the normal bladder, urethral obstruction leads to cystitis, pyelonephritis, and bacteremia. BPH is, next to urolithiasis, the most common cause of urinary tract obstruction predisposing to UTI. Urethral stricture remains a common cause of UTI in many parts of the world. Urinary stasis in diverticula of the urethra or bladder predisposes to UTI. Experimental studies have shown that, whereas the normal kidney is relatively resistant to infection by organisms injected intravenously, ureteric obstruction predisposes to pyelonephritis. It also causes renal dysfunction which impairs the excretion of antibiotics in the urine, making eradication of bacteria difficult. In patients with UTI and urinary tract obstruction, targeted antibiotic treatment according to urine culture should be complemented with urgent drainage (bladder catheterization, percutaneous nephrostomy or ureteric stenting) followed by definitive surgery to remove the cause of obstruction or stasis once infection is under control.

Feasibility study using a Ni-Ti stent and electronic portal imaging to localize the prostate during radiotherapy.

PubMed

Carl, Jesper; Lund, Bente; Larsen, Erik Hoejkjaer; Nielsen, Jane

2006-02-01

A new method for localization of the prostate during external beam radiotherapy is presented. The method is based on insertion of a thermo-expandable Ni-Ti stent. The stent is originally developed for treatment of bladder outlet obstruction caused by benign hyperplasia. The radiological properties of the stent are used for precise prostate localization during treatment using electronic portal images. Patients referred for intended curative radiotherapy and having a length of their prostatic urethra in the range from 25 to 65 mm were included. Pairs of isocentric orthogonal portal images were used to determine the 3D position at eight different treatment sessions for each patient. Fourteen patients were enrolled in the study. The data obtained demonstrated that the stent position was representative of the prostate location. The stent may also improve delineation of the prostate GTV, and prevent obstruction of bladder outlet during treatment. Precision in localization of the stent was less than 1 mm. Random errors in stent position were left-right 1.6 mm, cranial-caudal 2.2 mm and anterior-posterior 3.2 mm. In four of 14 patients a dislocation of the stent to the bladder occurred. Dislocation only occurred in patients with length of prostatic urethra less than 40 mm. A new method for radiological high precision localization of the prostate during radiotherapy is presented. The method is based on insertion of a standard Ni-Ti thermo-expandable stent, designed for treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia.

Technical refinements to improve outcomes following distal hypospadias repair.

PubMed

Lacy, John M; Hendrix, Lauren N; Bole, Raevti; Habib, Enmar; Wootton, Cole W; Ziada, Ali M

2016-02-01

Hypospadias complications, most notably meatal stenosis, are commonly reported to occur after tubularized incised plate (TIP) hypospadias repair. We focus on a point of technique in TIP repair and its effect on outcome of this possible complication, as well as other commonly reported complications. Meatal stenosis after TIP can be avoided if the urethra and overlying glans are dissected and sutured separately with no attempt at cross suturing whether the urethra ends below, behind, or above the glans sutures. This hypothesis was evaluated by a prospective data collection before and after implementation to evaluate the effect of a technical refinement on rates of meatal stenosis in TIP hypospadias repair. All cases of coronal to midpenile hypospadias repair during two periods were included in our study. Group 1 included 140 consecutive patients over a 30 month period. Group 2 included 122 consecutive patients over a 36 month period during which the above mentioned technical changes were implemented by all participating pediatric urologists. Rates of complications between the two groups were compared with special emphasis on meatal stenosis. Median follow up for both groups was > 1 year. Overall complication rate in Group 1 was 31.5% compared to 9.8% in Group 2. Meatal stenosis was significantly reduced from 13 patients (9.3%) in Group 1 to 2 patients (1.6%) in Group 2, p = 0.008. The technical refinements described resulted in reduction of complication rates and a decrease in incidence of meatal stenosis.

Transurethral light delivery for prostate photoacoustic imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lediju Bell, Muyinatu A.; Guo, Xiaoyu; Song, Danny Y.; Boctor, Emad M.

2015-03-01

Photoacoustic imaging has broad clinical potential to enhance prostate cancer detection and treatment, yet it is challenged by the lack of minimally invasive, deeply penetrating light delivery methods that provide sufficient visualization of targets (e.g., tumors, contrast agents, brachytherapy seeds). We constructed a side-firing fiber prototype for transurethral photoacoustic imaging of prostates with a dual-array (linear and curvilinear) transrectal ultrasound probe. A method to calculate the surface area and, thereby, estimate the laser fluence at this fiber tip was derived, validated, applied to various design parameters, and used as an input to three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulations. Brachytherapy seeds implanted in phantom, ex vivo, and in vivo canine prostates at radial distances of 5 to 30 mm from the urethra were imaged with the fiber prototype transmitting 1064 nm wavelength light with 2 to 8 mJ pulse energy. Prebeamformed images were displayed in real time at a rate of 3 to 5 frames per second to guide fiber placement and beamformed offline. A conventional delay-and-sum beamformer provided decreasing seed contrast (23 to 9 dB) with increasing urethra-to-target distance, while the short-lag spatial coherence beamformer provided improved and relatively constant seed contrast (28 to 32 dB) regardless of distance, thus improving multitarget visualization in single and combined curvilinear images acquired with the fiber rotating and the probe fixed. The proposed light delivery and beamforming methods promise to improve key prostate cancer detection and treatment strategies.

Correction of penile ventral curvature in patients with minor or no hypospadias: a single surgeon's experience of 43 cases.

PubMed

Seo, Shogo; Ochi, Takanori; Yazaki, Yuta; Murakami, Hiroshi; Okawada, Manabu; Doi, Takashi; Miyano, Go; Koga, Hiroyuki; Lane, Geoffrey J; Yamataka, Atsuyuki

2016-10-01

To report our experience of correcting penile ventral curvature associated with minor or no hypospadias. We reviewed 43 penile ventral curvature patients treated by a single surgeon from 1997 to 2015. Of these, 23 had minor hypospadias. Curvature was corrected using degloving, chordectomy, dorsal plication (DP), tunica albuginea incision (TAI), or a combination of these. Outcome was confirmed by induced artificial erection and post-operative appearance. Mean age at curvature correction was 3.2 ± 2.6 years. 17/43 had degloving and chordectomy (DC), 16/43 had DP after DC, and 10/43 had TAI after DC, because of ventral shortening and severe curvature caused by a short hypoplastic urethra. Other procedures required were primary meatoplasty (n = 4) and urethroplasty (UP; n = 1) at the time of curvature correction, and UP after correction of curvature (n = 11). Complications included recurrence of curvature after DP (n = 3/16; 18.8 %) and urethral stenosis after UP with tubed peritoneum (n = 1/10; 10 %). There were no recurrences of curvature in TAI cases. Parents reported penile cosmesis as good (n = 38; 88.4 %), acceptable (n = 4; 9.3 %), or poor (n = 1; 2.3 %). We recommend TAI followed by UP for correcting penile ventral curvature with short hypoplastic urethra. Tubed peritoneum is not recommended for UP.

Management of the stricture of fossa navicularis and pendulous urethral strictures

PubMed Central

Singh, Shrawan K.; Agrawal, Santosh K.; Mavuduru, Ravimohan S.

2011-01-01

Objective: Management of distal anterior urethral stricture is a common problem faced by practicing urologists. Literature on urethral stricture mainly pertains to bulbar urethral stricture and pelvic fracture urethral distraction defect. The present article aims to review the management of the strictures of fossa navicularis and pendulous urethra. Materials and Methods: The literature in English language was searched from the National Library of Medicine database, using the appropriate key words for the period 1985-2010. Out of 475 articles, 115 were selected for the review based on their relevance to the topic. Results: Etiology of stricture is shifting from infective to inflammatory and iatrogenic causes. Stricture of fossa navicularis is most often caused by lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and instrumentation. Direct visual internal urethrotomy is limited to selected cases in the management of pendulous urethral stricture. With experience and identification of various prognostic factors, conservative management by dilatation and internal urethrotomy is being replaced by various reconstructive procedures, using skin flaps and grafts with high success rates. Single-stage urethroplasty is preferred over the 2-stage procedure as the latter disfigures the penis and poses sexual problems temporarily. Conclusions: Flaps or grafts are useful for single-stage reconstruction of fossa navicularis and pendulous urethral strictures. The buccal and lingual mucosa serves as a preferred resource material for providing the inner lining of the urethra. Off-the-shelf materials, such as acellular collagen matrix, are promising. PMID:22022062

An immunohistochemical identification key for cell types in adult mouse prostatic and urethral tissue sections

PubMed Central

Turco, Anne E.; Gottschalk, Adam; Halberg, Richard B.; Guo, Jinjin; McMahon, Jill A.; McMahon, Andrew P.

2017-01-01

Though many methods can be used to identify cell types contained in complex tissues, most require cell disaggregation and destroy information about where cells reside in relation to their microenvironment. Here, we describe a polytomous key for cell type identification in intact sections of adult mouse prostate and prostatic urethra. The key is organized as a decision tree and initiates with one round of immunostaining for nerve, epithelial, fibromuscular/hematolymphoid, or vascular associated cells. Cell identities are recursively eliminated by subsequent staining events until the remaining pool of potential cell types can be distinguished by direct comparison to other cells. We validated our identification key using wild type adult mouse prostate and urethra tissue sections and it currently resolves sixteen distinct cell populations which include three nerve fiber types as well as four epithelial, five fibromuscular/hematolymphoid, one nerve-associated, and three vascular-associated cell types. We demonstrate two uses of this novel identification methodology. We first used the identification key to characterize prostate stromal cell type changes in response to constitutive phosphatidylinositide-3-kinase activation in prostate epithelium. We then used the key to map cell lineages in a new reporter mouse strain driven by Wnt10aem1(cre/ERT2)Amc. The identification key facilitates rigorous and reproducible cell identification in prostate tissue sections and can be expanded to resolve additional cell types as new antibodies and other resources become available. PMID:29145476

Pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects in children managed by anterior sagittal trans anorectal approach: a facilitating and safe access.

PubMed

Onofre, Luciano Silveira; Leão, Jovelino Quintino de Souza; Gomes, Adriano Luis; Heinisch, Antonio Carlos; Leão, Fernanda Ghilardi; Carnevale, José

2011-06-01

Trauma injuries of the posterior urethra resulting from pelvic fracture in children tend to be complete ruptures, with upper dislocation of the prostate. This paper aims to show our experience in using an anterior sagittal transanorectal approach (ASTRA) in the treatment of such injuries. The medical records of 11 patients with pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects who had undergone anastomotic urethroplasty through ASTRA between 1997 and 2009 were reviewed. Ages ranged from 1 year and 6 months to 23 years (mean age 11 years). Of the 11 patients, 8 had previously undergone failed urethroplasties. In 10 patients it was possible to perform tension free urethroplasty. One patient required inferior pubectomy and separation of the corpora cavernosa. Patients' follow-up time varied from 10 months to 10 years and 9 months (mean 41 months). One patient had a urethral fistula and evolved with a urethral diverticulum successfully managed by diverticulectomy. One patient presented a urethral stenosis managed by urethral dilatation. Of the 11 patients, 9 presented functional urethral flow and are continent. Two patients had no urethral flow. One is undergoing bladder catheterization through the Mitrofanoff principle and the other one through the urethra. No patient presented fecal incontinence or rectourethral fistula. This access, which is increasingly being used to approach posterior urethral diseases, has proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects. Copyright © 2011 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Surgical selection and efficacy assessment for membranous urethral trauma caused by pelvic fracture].

PubMed

Zhu, Li-Zhen; Liu, Liang-Le; Cai, Chun-Yuan; Yang, Guo-Jing; Zhang, Li-Cheng; Zhu, Qi

2012-08-01

To explore selection and efficacy assessment for membranous urethral trauma caused by pelvic fracture. From June 2000 to August 2010, 72 patients with membranous urethral trauma caused by pelvic fracture were selected. There were 46 males and 26 females,ranging age from 26 to 62 years (averaged 35.2 years). The time from injury to hospitalization time was 1 to 3 hours. According to Tile pelvic fracture classification, there were 8 patients with type A, 45 patients with type B, 19 patients with type C. Thirty of the 35 patients with partial rupture of posterior urethral were treated by catheterization,5 patients treated by rupture anastomosis on the stage I combined with cystostomy; 25 of the 37 patients with complete rupture of posterior urethra were treated by early realignment, and 12 patients were treated by cystostomy. Urinary incontinence, impotence and urethrostenosis were evaluated. All patients were followed up for 5 to 10 years (mean 7.7 years). Incidence of urethrostenosis, impotence and urinary incontinence in patients treated by cystostomy were significantly higher than rupture anastomosis on the stage I and early realignment (P < 0.05); while incidence in patients treated by catheterization was significantly lower than other groups (P < 0.05). For patients with partial rupture of posterior urethral, catheterization and rupture anastomosis on the stage I are preferred methods; while patients with complete rupture of posterior urethra, early realignment is a preferred method with advantages of simple operation and less complications.

Stimulated pressure profile at rest: a noninvasive method for assessing urethral sphincter function.

PubMed

Meyer, S; Kuntzer, T; De Grandi, P; Bachelard, O; Schreyer, A

1998-10-01

To validate a method for assessing urethral sphincter muscle function by recording rises in intraurethral pressure during repetitive pudendal nerve stimulations. A supine urethral pressure profile at rest was performed on 12 stress-continent and 28 stress-incontinent patients during repetitive pudendal nerve stimulations applied near the ischial spine, and the intraurethral pressure increases were calculated for each third of the urethral functional length. No significant difference in intraurethral pressure increases was seen between continent and stress-incontinent women. On the various regression curves, the intraurethral pressure increases showed a significant correlation with maximal urethral closure pressure values at rest and at stress (r = 0.36 to 0.54) and with the patient's age (r = 0.46), but not with pudendal nerve conduction times to the urethral sphincter on either side (r = 0.14 and 0.19). This method (1) measures intraurethral pressure increases that correlate well with the anatomic location of the urethral sphincter muscle, (2) shows there is no significant difference between them in continent and stress-incontinent patients, except in patients with a low-pressure urethra, and (3) demonstrates that they correlate well with the maximal urethral closure pressure and the patient's age, but not with pudendal motor latencies to the urethral sphincter. This method gives us a mapping of the urethral sphincter activity, explaining why some patients with a low-pressure urethra have less urinary loss than others with the same urethral closure pressure.

The effect of abdominal pressure on urinary flow rate.

PubMed

Hasegawa, N; Kitagawa, Y; Takasaki, N; Miyazaki, S

1983-07-01

We examined the effect of abdominal pressure on urinary flow rate and urethral closure pressure in 46 subjects, ranging in age from 26 to 82 years. An increase in urinary flow rate caused by abdominal straining was not found when organic obstruction was present in the prostatic urethra in men or the proximal urethra in women, or when dysuria is caused by the lowered detrusor pressure. An increase in urinary flow rate caused by straining was noted when anterior urethral stricture or stress incontinence was present. The increase in urinary flow rate owing to straining was undetermined in the control group. The urethral closure pressure on the anti-stress incontinence zone increased as a result of straining at the same time and to the same degree as did the intravesical pressure. When the anti-stress incontinence zone was subjected to transurethral resection for canal formation urination became possible as a result of straining. The patients who were able to urinate with straining sometimes suffered temporary stress incontinence. The degree of straining did not determine whether the patient could urinate with straining. Therefore, it was concluded that abdominal pressure should be excluded from intravesical pressure in performing several urodynamic studies on the lower urinary tract, such as pressure flow studies, and that it is important to have a sufficient canal formation in the anti-stress incontinence zone when urination with straining is expected when performing an operation on patients with urethral obstruction in the anti-stress incontinence zone.

In vivo dosimetry using a linear Mosfet-array dosimeter to determine the urethra dose in 125I permanent prostate implants.

PubMed

Bloemen-van Gurp, Esther J; Murrer, Lars H P; Haanstra, Björk K C; van Gils, Francis C J M; Dekker, Andre L A J; Mijnheer, Ben J; Lambin, Philippe

2009-01-01

In vivo dosimetry during brachytherapy of the prostate with (125)I seeds is challenging because of the high dose gradients and low photon energies involved. We present the results of a study using metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimeters to evaluate the dose in the urethra after a permanent prostate implantation procedure. Phantom measurements were made to validate the measurement technique, determine the measurement accuracy, and define action levels for clinical measurements. Patient measurements were performed with a MOSFET array in the urinary catheter immediately after the implantation procedure. A CT scan was performed, and dose values, calculated by the treatment planning system, were compared to in vivo dose values measured with MOSFET dosimeters. Corrections for temperature dependence of the MOSFET array response and photon attenuation in the catheter on the in vivo dose values are necessary. The overall uncertainty in the measurement procedure, determined in a simulation experiment, is 8.0% (1 SD). In vivo dose values were obtained for 17 patients. In the high-dose region (> 100 Gy), calculated and measured dose values agreed within 1.7% +/- 10.7% (1 SD). In the low-dose region outside the prostate (< 100 Gy), larger deviations occurred. MOSFET detectors are suitable for in vivo dosimetry during (125)I brachytherapy of prostate cancer. An action level of +/- 16% (2 SD) for detection of errors in the implantation procedure is achievable after validation of the detector system and measurement conditions.

Investigating the mechanism underlying urinary continence recovery after radical prostatectomy: effectiveness of a longer urethral stump to prevent urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Kadono, Yoshifumi; Nohara, Takahiro; Kawaguchi, Shohei; Naito, Renato; Urata, Satoko; Nakashima, Kazufumi; Iijima, Masashi; Shigehara, Kazuyoshi; Izumi, Kouji; Gabata, Toshifumi; Mizokami, Atsushi

2018-02-28

To assess the chronological changes in urinary incontinence and urethral function before and after radical prostatectomy (RP), and to compare the findings of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after RP to evaluate the anatomical changes. In total, 185 patients were evaluated with regard to the position of the distal end of the membranous urethra (DMU) on a mid-sagittal MRI slice and urethral sphincter function using the urethral pressure profilometry. The patients also underwent an abdominal leak point pressure test before RP and at 10 days and 12 months after RP. The results were then compared with the chronological changes in urinary incontinence. The MRI results showed that the DMU shifted proximally to an average distance of 4 mm at 10 days after RP and returned to the preoperative position at 12 months after RP. Urethral sphincter function also worsened 10 days after RP, with recovery after 12 months. The residual length of the urethral stump and urinary incontinence were significantly associated with the migration length of the DMU at 10 days after RP. The residual length of the urethral stump was a significant predictor of urinary incontinence after RP. This is the first study to elucidate that the slight vertical repositioning of the membranous urethra after RP causes chronological changes in urinary incontinence. A long urethral residual stump reduces urinary incontinence after RP. © 2018 The Authors BJU International © 2018 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Sonographic findings in acute urinary retention secondary to retroverted gravid uterus: pathophysiology and preventive measures.

PubMed

Yang, J-M; Huang, W-C

2004-05-01

To explore the pathophysiology of acute urinary retention in women with a retroverted gravid uterus and to suggest measures to prevent its recurrence. In five women with a retroverted gravid uterus and acute urinary retention necessitating catheterization, the morphology of the genitourinary system was assessed by using transabdominal, transvaginal and introital sonography. In the supine resting position, the cervix was displaced superiorly and anteriorly by the impacted and retroverted uterus so that it compressed the lower bladder, leading to obstruction of the internal urethral orifice. The upper bladder extended superiorly and overlay the uterus. During straining, urethral motion was not limited and there was an average rotational angle of the bladder neck of 32 degrees, ranging from 21 degrees to 44 degrees. Increasing abdominal pressure further compressed the lower bladder. Measures suggested to the women for the prevention of urinary retention included limiting fluid intake before sleep, changing from the supine to the prone position before getting up and avoiding a Valsalva maneuver but performing a Credé maneuver during voiding. In all except one case these measures successfully prevented recurrence. Acute urinary retention secondary to a retroverted gravid uterus is caused by a displaced cervix compressing the lower bladder and interfering with drainage to the urethra. The urethra itself is not compressed or distorted. Understanding the pathophysiology of the lower urinary tract may allow maneuvers which prevent acute urinary retention. Copyright 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A novel technique for repair of mid-penile hypospadias using a preputial skin flap: results of 110 patients.

PubMed

Elmoghazy, Hazem; Hussein, Mohamed M; Mohamed, Elnisr; Badawy, Abdelbasset; Alsagheer, Gamal; Abd Elhamed, Ahmed Mamdouh

2016-12-01

Several techniques have been used to repair mid-penile hypospadias; however, high failure rates and major complications have been reported. In this study, we describe a novel technique using a well-vascularized flap of the inner and outer preputial skin. A total of 110 male children with hypospadias underwent repair by our technique between 2008 and 2015. The inclusion criteria were children with mid-penile or slightly more proximal hypospadias, with or without ventral chordae, and an intact prepuce of the cobra eyes variety. Recurrent cases, patients with other preputial types, and circumcised children were excluded from this study. The prepared flap was sutured in its natural longitudinal orientation to the created urethral plate strip to form a neo-urethra over a urethral catheter. Outcome measures included surgical success without the formation of a urethra-cutaneous fistula, no ischaemia of the flaps, glans dehiscence or infection and functional outcome and cosmetic appearance. The median follow-up duration was 3.3 years. There were 63 cases of mid-penile hypospadias (57.3 %), and in 47 cases (42.7 %), the meatus was slightly more proximal. The age of the patients ranged from 1.1 to 8.0 years, with a mean age of 4.6 ± 1.2 years. Surgery was successful in 106 (96.4 %) cases. Minor complications occurred in 11 patients (10 %) and included oedema of glans in ten patients and bluish discoloration on the ventral aspect of the glans close to the suture line in three patients. All patients improved within 2 weeks after surgery. Long-term follow-up revealed a properly functioning urethra with a forward, projectile, single, compact, and rifled urinary stream of adequate calibre and cosmetically acceptable repair. No cases of meatal retraction, meatal stenosis, urethral stricture, or acquired urethral diverticulum occurred. Our technique is different from the split prepuce in situ technique. We create a narrow strip of the urethral plate that facilitates glanular closure, and we use the inner and adjacent outer skin in a vertical manner to preserve excess skin for penile coverage. Prepuce is split at midline to preserve more preputial skin with favourable dartos tissue for penile skin coverage. The glans is closed using a stitch-by-stitch method that has not been described previously. This study presents a novel technique for mid-penile hypospadias repair using a preputial skin flap with excellent results in terms of short- and long-term outcomes.

Anatomy of the clitoris.

PubMed

O'Connell, Helen E; Sanjeevan, Kalavampara V; Hutson, John M

2005-10-01

We present a comprehensive account of clitoral anatomy, including its component structures, neurovascular supply, relationship to adjacent structures (the urethra, vagina and vestibular glands, and connective tissue supports), histology and immunohistochemistry. We related recent anatomical findings to the historical literature to determine when data on accurate anatomy became available. An extensive review of the current and historical literature was done. The studies reviewed included dissection and microdissection, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3-dimensional sectional anatomy reconstruction, histology and immunohistochemical studies. The clitoris is a multiplanar structure with a broad attachment to the pubic arch and via extensive supporting tissue to the mons pubis and labia. Centrally it is attached to the urethra and vagina. Its components include the erectile bodies (paired bulbs and paired corpora, which are continuous with the crura) and the glans clitoris. The glans is a midline, densely neural, non-erectile structure that is the only external manifestation of the clitoris. All other components are composed of erectile tissue with the composition of the bulbar erectile tissue differing from that of the corpora. The clitoral and perineal neurovascular bundles are large, paired terminations of the pudendal neurovascular bundles. The clitoral neurovascular bundles ascend along the ischiopubic rami to meet each other and pass along the superior surface of the clitoral body supplying the clitoris. The neural trunks pass largely intact into the glans. These nerves are at least 2 mm in diameter even in infancy. The cavernous or autonomic neural anatomy is microscopic and difficult to define consistently. MRI complements dissection studies and clarifies the anatomy. Clitoral pharmacology and histology appears to parallel those of penile tissue, although the clinical impact is vastly different. Typical textbook descriptions of the clitoris lack detail and include inaccuracies. It is impossible to convey clitoral anatomy in a single diagram showing only 1 plane, as is typically provided in textbooks, which reveal it as a flat structure. MRI provides a multiplanar representation of clitoral anatomy in the live state, which is a major advantage, and complements dissection materials. The work of Kobelt in the early 19th century provides a most comprehensive and accurate description of clitoral anatomy, and modern study provides objective images and few novel findings. The bulbs appear to be part of the clitoris. They are spongy in character and in continuity with the other parts of the clitoris. The distal urethra and vagina are intimately related structures, although they are not erectile in character. They form a tissue cluster with the clitoris. This cluster appears to be the locus of female sexual function and orgasm.

[Effect of modified Badenoch operation on the treatment of posterior urethral stricture].

PubMed

Wang, Ping-xian; Zhang, Gen-pu; Huang, Chi-bing; Fan, Ming-qi; Feng, Jia-yu; Xiao, Ya

2012-02-01

To determine the effects of modified pull-through operation (Badenoch operation) on the treatment of posterior urethral stricture. From September 2001 to December 2010 traditional pull-through operation was Modified for two times in our center. A total of 129 patients with posttraumatic posterior urethral stricture resulting from pelvic fracture injury underwent the modified urethral pull-through operation. Stricture length was 1.5 to 5.3 cm (mean 2.9 cm). Of the patients 43 had undergone at least 1 previous failed management for stricture. In phase 1 (from September 2001 to January 2008), the improving items include: (1) The distal urethral end was stitched and tied to the catheter. (2) As catheter was inserted into bladder and 20 ml water was injected into catheter balloon, the distal urethral end was fixed in the proximal urethra and an overlaying of 1.5 cm was formed between the two ends. (3) Three weeks later, it was tried to insert the catheter to bladder. After the urethral stump necrosis and the catheter separating from the urethra, the catheter was removed. In phase 2 (from February 2008 to December 2010), based on the above, irrigating catheter was used. After the surgery, urethra was irrigated with 0.02% furacillin solution through the catheter 3 times a day. All patients were followed up for at least 6 months. If patients had no conscious dysuria and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) > 15 ml/s, the treatment was considered successful. All complications were recorded. In phase 1, the 96 patients (101 times) underwent the procedure. The treatment was successful in 88 patients (success rate 92%). Within 1 to 13 days after removal of the catheter, urethral stricture was recurred in 8 patients. They had to undergo cystostomy once more for 3 to 11 months before reoperation (the 3 patients' reoperation was in phase 2). The 8 cases were treated successfully. In phase 2, 33 patients (total 36 times) underwent the procedure. One patient was failed (success rate 97%). The actual follow-up time is 7 to 93 months (An average of 37.6 months). Qmax is (22 ± 5) ml/s. No complications such as urinary incontinence, erectile pain, urinary shortening happened. The modified urethral pull-through operation is effective for the surgical treatment of posttraumatic posterior urethral stricture. It has a high success rate with durable long-term results. Complications are few. The procedure is simple, less demanding and especially suitable in patients who had previously undergone failed surgical treatments.

Pediatric Bulbar and Posterior Urethral Injuries: Operative Outcomes and Long-Term Follow-Up.

PubMed

Trachta, Jan; Moravek, Jiri; Kriz, Jan; Padr, Radek; Skaba, Richard

2016-02-01

The aim of this study was to analyze complications and outcomes of end-to-end urethral anastomosis performed for posttraumatic bulbar strictures or posterior urethral injuries in pediatric patients. The records of 15 boys, age 18 years and below, admitted to our tertiary trauma center with urethral injuries from 1989 to 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Out of these 15 boys, 7 were excluded (2 for iatrogenic trauma, 2 for minor straddle injuries who were not operated on, 2 for incomplete records, and 1 lost to follow-up) and 8 analyzed patients were operated for bulbar or posterior urethral injury. The mean follow-up after the operation was 4.5 years (range 0.5-10). To obtain up-to-date follow-up information, all the analyzed patients were contacted by a letter and telephone in January 2015 and asked about lower urinary tract or erectile dysfunction (ED) using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire. Mean age at the time of injury was 12.3 years (range 5-17). Four patients with pelvic fracture had complete posterior urethra disruption, three patients after straddle injury developed obliterating stricture of the bulbar urethra and one patient had torn his bulbar urethra apart by a sharp hook. Except for the immediate exploration of the open perineal wound, all patients were operated via perineal approach 1 to 6 months after initial suprapubic catheter insertion. Five patients needed a cystotomy to identify the proximal urethral stump by a probe, and two patients had partial pubectomy to gain urethral length. Postoperative complications included stricture in anastomosis in six patients (all reoperated, four more than once including attempts of endoscopic internal urethrotomy). Six days after surgery, one patient developed massive external bleeding around a permanent urinary catheter due to a posttraumatic ruptured arterial aneurysm that was later stopped by urgent angiography and coil insertion. After discharge, three patients had transient stress incontinence. All patients had uroflowmetry maximum flow above 20 mL/s on their last follow-up except for two (12 and 15 mL/s). None have any lower urinary tract dysfunction symptoms in adulthood; one suffers from mild ED and two report moderate ED due to penile shortening. Delayed end-to-end anastomosis for pediatric urethral injury is a safe operational option. However, high rate of short-term complications and reoperations should be expected. Penile shortening is one of the most severe long-term complications. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Efficacy of pudendal nerve block for alleviation of catheter-related bladder discomfort in male patients undergoing lower urinary tract surgeries: A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

PubMed

Xiaoqiang, Li; Xuerong, Zhang; Juan, Liu; Mathew, Bechu Shelley; Xiaorong, Yin; Qin, Wan; Lili, Luo; Yingying, Zhu; Jun, Luo

2017-12-01

Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) to an indwelling urinary catheter is defined as a painful urethral discomfort, resistant to conventional opioid therapy, decreasing the quality of postoperative recovery. According to anatomy, the branches of sacral somatic nerves form the afferent nerves of the urethra and bladder triangle, which deriving from the ventral rami of the second to fourth sacral spinal nerves, innervating the urethral muscles and sphincter of the perineum and pelvic floor; as well as providing sensation to the penis and clitoris in males and females, which including the urethra and bladder triangle. Based on this theoretical knowledge, we formed a hypothesis that CRBD could be prevented by pudendal nerve block. To evaluate if bilateral nerve stimulator-guided pudendal nerve block could relieve CRBD through urethra discomfort alleviation. Single-center randomized parallel controlled, double blind trial conducted at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. One hundred and eighty 2 male adult patients under general anesthesia undergoing elective trans-urethral resection of prostate (TURP) or trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Around 4 out of 182 were excluded, 178 patients were randomly allocated into pudendal and control groups, using computer-generated randomized numbers in a sealed envelope method. A total of 175 patients completed the study. Pudendal group received general anesthesia along with nerve-stimulator-guided bilateral pudendal nerve block and control group received general anesthesia only. Incidence and severity of CRBD; and postoperative VAS score of pain. CRBD incidences were significantly lower in pudendal group at 30 minutes (63% vs 82%, P = .004), 2 hours (64% vs 90%, P < .000), 8 hours (58% vs 79%, P = .003) and 12 hours (52% vs 69%, P = .028) also significantly lower incidence of moderate to severe CRBD in pudendal group at 30 minutes (29% vs 57%, P < .001), 2 hours (22% vs 55%, P < .000), 8 hours (8% vs 27%, P = .001) and 12 hours (6% vs 16%, P = .035) postoperatively. The postoperative pain score in pudendal group was lower at 30 minutes (P = .003), 2 hours (P < .001), 8 hours (P < .001), and 12 hours (P < .001), with lower heart rate and mean blood pressure. One patient complained about weakness in levator ani muscle. General anesthesia along with bilateral pudendal nerve block decreased the incidence and severity of CRBD for the first 12 hours postoperatively.

Lower tract neoplasm: Update of imaging evaluation.

PubMed

Hartman, Robert; Kawashima, Akira

2017-12-01

Cancers of the lower urinary tract can arise from the bladder, urachus or urethra. Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is the most common of these. The presentation of bladder, urachal and urethral cancers can differ but many result in hematuria as an initial indication. The diagnosis and staging of these cancers often necessitate radiologic imaging often in the form of cross-section CT urography or MR urography. The following article reviews the specific nature of lower tract cancers and their imaging. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Internet-Based Education for Prostate Cancer Screening

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-01

BPH) BPH is enlargement of the prostate. BPH is not cancer. The prostate tends to increase in size as men get older. This can cause the urethra to... enlarged . But I still worry sometimes that I might have cancer. I often wonder whether this PSA test has helped me at all. 11 T R E A T M E N T IS S U E... enlarged prostate. • This approach increases the risk that a cancer might be overlooked in a man with an enlarged prostate. • Therefore, the use of PSA

The parascrotal flap phallo-urethroplasty for aphallia reconstruction in childhood: report of a new technique.

PubMed

Goyal, Anju; Bianchi, Adrian

2014-08-01

Aphallia is best managed by early penile and urethral reconstruction. We describe parascrotal flap phallo-urethroplasty, with a 6-year follow-up and a psychological profile, that constructs a 'penis' of realistic shape, colour, and position, and having skin sensation, with an integral urethra that allows a free concentrated urinary stream and satisfies the psychological needs of family and child during childhood. The lack of corpora cavernosa only becomes significant at puberty. Copyright © 2014 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tissue engineering in urethral reconstruction—an update

PubMed Central

Mangera, Altaf; Chapple, Christopher R

2013-01-01

The field of tissue engineering is rapidly progressing. Much work has gone into developing a tissue engineered urethral graft. Current grafts, when long, can create initial donor site morbidity. In this article, we evaluate the progress made in finding a tissue engineered substitute for the human urethra. Researchers have investigated cell-free and cell-seeded grafts. We discuss different approaches to developing these grafts and review their reported successes in human studies. With further work, tissue engineered grafts may facilitate the management of lengthy urethral strictures requiring oral mucosa substitution urethroplasty. PMID:23042444

Focal Urethral Stricturing Following Intraurethral Mitomycin-C Gel and the Use of a Penile Clamp

PubMed Central

Stanford, Richard F. J.; Thomas, Stephen A.

2012-01-01

We present a case of a 51-year-old gentleman, previously diagnosed with high-grade superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and treated with intravesical mitomycin C and BCG, who developed serial recurrences in the prostatic urethra. This was resected and treated further with intraurethral mitomycin-C gel. He subsequently developed an almost impassable distal penile urethral stricture, corresponding to the site of penile clamp application which we hypothesise is secondary to a combination of the mitomycin-C gel and penile clamp pressure. PMID:22830069

Focal urethral stricturing following intraurethral mitomycin-C gel and the use of a penile clamp.

PubMed

Stanford, Richard F J; Thomas, Stephen A

2012-01-01

We present a case of a 51-year-old gentleman, previously diagnosed with high-grade superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and treated with intravesical mitomycin C and BCG, who developed serial recurrences in the prostatic urethra. This was resected and treated further with intraurethral mitomycin-C gel. He subsequently developed an almost impassable distal penile urethral stricture, corresponding to the site of penile clamp application which we hypothesise is secondary to a combination of the mitomycin-C gel and penile clamp pressure.

Urogenital sinus with sinorectal H-fistula - a hitherto undescribed anorectal anomaly.

PubMed

Thomas, K; Sripathi, V

1996-06-01

In a urogenital sinus anomaly, the urethra and vagina are conjoint for a variable distance and the anorectum is usually intact and complete. We report a case of a urogenital sinus with a fistula between the rectum and the sinus. The anomaly was successfully repaired at 2.5 years of age through a midline muscle-splitting incision in the anterior perineum. The anterior wall of the anorectum was divided in the line of the incision in order to deal with the fistula. Repair was done in layers.

Diagnosis and initial management of urological injuries associated with 200 consecutive pelvic fractures.

PubMed

Palmer, J K; Benson, G S; Corriere, J N

1983-10-01

During 26 months 200 consecutive patients with fracture of the bony pelvis were evaluated and treated for urological injury. There was no correlation between the extent of pelvic injury and degree of hematuria but hematuria was present in all patients with a urological injury. All urological injuries occurred with anterior arch fractures. The over-all incidence of injury was 13.5 per cent (bladder 9 per cent, urethra 3.5 per cent and combined 1 per cent). Limited extraperitoneal bladder ruptures were treated successfully by Foley catheter drainage.

Diode laser prostatectomy (VLAP): initial canine evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopchok, George E.; Verbin, Chris; Ayres, Bruce; Peng, Shi-Kaung; White, Rodney A.

1995-05-01

This study evaluated the acute and chronic effects of diode laser (960 nm) prostatectomy using a Prolase II fiber in a canine model (n equals 5). The laser fiber consists of a 1000 um quartz fiber which reflects a cone of laser energy, at 45 degree(s) to the axis of the fiber, into the prostatic urethra (Visual Laser Ablation of Prostate). Perineal access was used to guide a 15.5 Fr cystoscope to the level of the prostate. Under visual guidance and continual saline irrigation, 60 watts of laser power was delivered for 60 seconds at 3, 9, and 12 o'clock and 30 seconds at the 6 o'clock (posterior) positions for a total energy fluence of 12,600 J. One prostate received an additional 60 second exposure at 3 and 9 o'clock for a total fluence of 19,800 J. The prostates were evaluated at one day (n equals 1) and 8 weeks (n equals 4). The histopathology of laser effects at one day show areas of necrosis with loss of glandular structures and stromal edema. Surrounding this area was a zone of degenerative glandular structures extending up to 17.5 mm (cross sectional diameter). The histopathology of the 8 week laser treated animals demonstrated dilated prostatic urethras with maximum cross- sectional diameter of 23.4 mm (mean equals 18.5 +/- 3.9 mm). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of diode laser energy for prostatic tissue coagulation and eventual sloughing. The results also demonstrate the safety of diode laser energy, with similar tissue response as seen with Nd:YAG laser, for laser prostatectomy.

Use of a laparoscopic specimen retrieval pouch to facilitate removal of intact or fragmented cystic calculi from standing sedated horses: 8 cases (2012-2015).

PubMed

Katzman, Scott A; Vaughan, Betsy; Nieto, Jorge E; Galuppo, Larry D

2016-08-01

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of a laparoscopic specimen retrieval pouch for removal of intact or fragmented cystic calculi from standing horses. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 8 horses (5 geldings and 3 mares) with cystic calculi. PROCEDURES Physical examination and cystoscopic, ultrasonographic, and hematologic evaluations of urinary tract function were performed for each horse. A diagnosis of cystic calculus was made on the basis of results of cystoscopy and ultrasonography. Concurrent urolithiasis or other urinary tract abnormalities identified during preoperative evaluation were recorded. Horses were sedated and placed in standing stocks, and the perineum was aseptically prepared. Direct access to the urinary bladder was gained in geldings via perineal urethrotomy or in mares by a transurethral approach. Calculi were visualized endoscopically, manipulated into the retrieval pouch, and removed intact or fragmented (for larger calculi). RESULTS For 4 geldings and 1 mare, fragmentation was necessary to facilitate calculus removal. Mean duration of surgery was 125 minutes, and trauma to the urinary bladder and urethra was limited to areas of hyperemia and submucosal petechiation. No postoperative complications were encountered for any horse. When lithotripsy was required, the retrieval pouch provided an effective means of stabilizing calculi and containing the fragments for removal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Use of the laparoscopic specimen retrieval pouch was an effective, minimally traumatic method for retrieving cystic calculi from standing horses. The pouch protected the urinary bladder and urethra from trauma during calculus removal and allowed for stabilization, containment, and fragmentation of calculi when necessary.

Clinical evaluation of cats with nonobstructive urinary tract diseases.

PubMed

Buffington, C A; Chew, D J; Kendall, M S; Scrivani, P V; Thompson, S B; Blaisdell, J L; Woodworth, B E

1997-01-01

To identify the underlying cause of clinical signs in cats with nonobstructive diseases of the bladder and urethra. Prospective case series. 109 cats examined by the urology service of The Ohio State University's veterinary teaching hospital because of stranguria, hematuria, pollakiuria, or urination in inappropriate locations. History was obtained and a CBC, serum biochemical analyses, serologic tests for FeLV and feline immunodeficiency virus, urinalysis, bacterial culture of urine, and contrast radiography or urethrocystoscopy (females only) were performed. 16 cats had cystic calculi: 8 had struvite uroliths, 7 had calcium oxalate uroliths, and 1 had a urolith of unknown composition in conjunction with an anatomic defect. Anatomic defects, including diverticulae, urethral strictures, and a malpositioned urethra, were identified in 12 cats. A urinary tract infection was identified in 1 cat, and neoplasia was diagnosed in 2. One of the cats with neoplasia also had a struvite urolith. The remaining 80 cats did not have an anatomic defect, urolith, or tumor. Ten of these cats also did not have radiographic or cystoscopic abnormalities and were presumed to have a behavioral disorder. The remaining 70 cats had radiographic or cystoscopic abnormalities, and idiopathic cystitis was diagnosed. In 14 of the cats with idiopathic cystitis, results of a urinalysis were normal. Cats with idiopathic cystitis were significantly more likely to eat dry food exclusively (59%) than were cats in the general population (19%). Results suggest that idiopathic cystitis occurs commonly in cats with stranguria, hematuria, pollakiuria, or inappropriate elimination and is associated with consumption of dry foods. Contrast radiography or cystoscopy is necessary for differentiating idiopathic cystitis from behavioral disorders in some cats.

Biological effective dose for comparison and combination of external beam and low-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy prostate cancer treatment plans

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jani, Ashesh B.; Hand, Christopher M.; Lujan, Anthony E.

2004-03-31

We report a methodology for comparing and combining dose information from external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and interstitial brachytherapy (IB) components of prostate cancer treatment using the biological effective dose (BED). On a prototype early-stage prostate cancer patient treated with EBRT and low-dose rate I-125 brachytherapy, a 3-dimensional dose distribution was calculated for each of the EBRT and IB portions of treatment. For each component of treatment, the BED was calculated on a point-by-point basis to produce a BED distribution. These individual BED distributions could then be summed for combined therapies. BED dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of the prostate, urethra, rectum, andmore » bladder were produced and compared for various combinations of EBRT and IB. Transformation to BED enabled computation of the relative contribution of each modality to the prostate dose, as the relative weighting of EBRT and IB was varied. The BED-DVHs of the prostate and urethra demonstrated dramatically increased inhomogeneity with the introduction of even a small component of IB. However, increasing the IB portion relative to the EBRT component resulted in lower dose to the surrounding normal structures, as evidenced by the BED-DVHs of the bladder and rectum. Conformal EBRT and low-dose rate IB conventional dose distributions were successfully transformed to the common 'language' of BED distributions for comparison and for merging prostate cancer radiation treatment plans. The results of this analysis can assist physicians in quantitatively determining the best combination and weighting of radiation treatment modalities for individual patients.« less

Anatomy of mole external genitalia: Setting the record straight

PubMed Central

Sinclair, Adriane Watkins; Glickman, Stephen; Baskin, Lawrence; Cunha, Gerald R.

2016-01-01

Anatomy of male and female external genitalia of adult mice (Mus musculus) and broad-footed moles (Scapanus latimanus) was re-examined to provide more meaningful anatomical terminology. In the past the perineal appendage of male broad-footed moles has been called the penis, while the female perineal appendage has been given several terms (e.g. clitoris, penile clitoris, peniform clitoris and others). Histological examination demonstrates that perineal appendages of male and female broad-footed moles are the prepuce, which in both sexes are covered externally with a hair-bearing epidermis and lacks erectile bodies. The inner preputial epithelium is non-hair-bearing and defines the preputial space in both sexes. The penis of broad-footed moles lies deep within the preputial space, is an “internal organ” in the resting state and contains the penile urethra, os penis, and erectile bodies. The clitoris of broad-footed moles is defined by a U-shaped clitoral epithelial lamina. Residing within clitoral stroma encompassed by the clitoral epithelial lamina is the corpus cavernosum, blood-filled spaces and the urethra. External genitalia of male and female mice are anatomically similar to that of broad-footed moles with the exception that in female mice the clitoris contains a small os clitoridis and lacks defined erectile bodies, while male mice have an os penis and a prominent distal cartilaginous structure within the male urogenital mating protuberance (MUMP). Clitori of female broad-footed moles lack an os clitoridis but contain defined erectile bodies, while male moles have an os penis similar to the mouse but lack the distal cartilaginous structure. PMID:26694958

Neuromodulation in a rat model of the bladder micturition reflex

PubMed Central

Nickles, Angela; Nelson, Dwight E.

2012-01-01

A rat model of bladder reflex contraction (BRC) was used to determine the optimal frequency and intensity of spinal nerve (SN) stimulation to produce neuromodulation of bladder activity and to assess the therapeutic mechanisms of this neuromodulation. In anesthetized female rats (urethane 1.2 g/kg ip), a wire electrode was used to produce bilateral stimulation of the L6 SN. A cannula was placed into the bladder via the urethra, and the urethra was ligated to ensure an isovolumetric bladder. Saline infusion induced BRC. Electrical stimulation of the SN produced a frequency- and intensity-dependent attenuation of the frequency of bladder contractions. Ten-herz stimulation produced maximal inhibition; lower and higher stimulation frequency produced less attenuation of BRC. Attenuation of bladder contraction frequency was directly proportional to the current intensity. At 10 Hz, stimulation using motor threshold pulses (Tmot) produced a delayed inhibition of the frequency of bladder contractions to 34 ± 11% of control. Maximal bladder inhibition appeared at 10 min poststimulation. High current intensity at 0.6 mA (∼6 * Tmot) abolished bladder contraction during stimulation, and the inhibition was sustained for 10 min poststimulation (prolonged inhibition). Furthermore, in rats pretreated with capsaicin (125 mg/kg sc), stimulation produced a stronger inhibition of BRC. The inhibitory effects on bladder contraction may be mediated by both afferent and efferent mechanisms. Lower intensities of stimulation may activate large, fast-conducting fibers and actions through the afferent limb of the micturition reflex arc in SN neuromodulation. Higher intensities may additionally act through the efferent limb. PMID:22049401

Quantification of effectiveness of bilateral and unilateral neuromodulation in the rat bladder rhythmic contraction model

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Using the isovolumetric bladder rhythmic contraction (BRC) model in anesthetized rats, we have quantified the responsiveness to unilateral and bilateral stimulation of the L6 spinal nerve (SN) and characterized the relationship between stimulus intensity and inhibition of the bladder micturition reflex. Methods A wire electrode was placed under either one or both of the L6 SN roots. A cannula was placed into the bladder via the urethra and the urethra was ligated. Saline infusion induced BRC. Results At motor threshold (Tmot) intensity, SN stimulation of both roots (10 Hz) for 10 min reduced bladder contraction frequency from 0.63 ± 0.04 to 0.17 ± 0.09 contractions per min (26 ± 14% of baseline control; n = 10, p < 0.05). However, the same intensity of unilateral stimulation (n = 15) or sequential stimulation of both SNs (e.g. 5 min per side alternatively for a total of 10 min or 20 min) was less efficacious. The greater sensitivity to bilateral stimulation is not dependent upon precise bilateral timing of the stimulation pulses. Bilateral stimulation also produced both acute and prolonged- inhibition on bladder contractions in a stimulation intensity dependent fashion. Conclusions Using the bladder rhythmic contraction model, bilateral stimulation was more effective than unilateral stimulation of the SN. Clinical testing should be conducted to further compare efficacies of unilateral and bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation may allow the use of lower stimulation intensities to achieve higher efficacy for neurostimulation therapies on urinary tract control. PMID:23866931

Dose Escalation to the Dominant Intraprostatic Lesion Defined by Sextant Biopsy in a Permanent Prostate I-125 Implant: A Prospective Comparative Toxicity Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gaudet, Marc; Vigneault, Eric; Aubin, Sylviane

2010-05-01

Purpose: Using real-time intraoperative inverse-planned permanent seed prostate implant (RTIOP/PSI), multiple core biopsy maps, and three-dimensional ultrasound guidance, we planned a boost volume (BV) within the prostate to which hyperdosage was delivered selectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential negative effects of such a procedure. Methods and Materials: Patients treated with RTIOP/PSI for localized prostate cancer with topographic biopsy results received an intraprostatic boost (boost group [BG]). They were compared with patients treated with a standard plan (reference group [RG]). Plans were generated using a simulated annealing inverse planning algorithm. Prospectively recorded urinary, rectal, and sexualmore » toxicities and dosimetric parameters were compared between groups. Results: The study included 120 patients treated with boost technique who were compared with 70 patients treated with a standard plan. Boost technique did not significantly change the number of seeds (55.1/RG vs. 53.6/BG). The intraoperative prostate V150 was slightly higher in BG (75.2/RG vs. 77.2/BG, p = 0.039). Urethra V100, urethra D90, and rectal D50 were significantly lower in the BG. No significant differences were seen in acute or late urinary, rectal, or sexual toxicities. Conclusions: Because there were no differences between the groups in acute and late toxicities, we believe that BV can be planned and delivered to the dominant intraprostatic lesion without increasing toxicity. It is too soon to say whether a boost technique will ultimately increase local control.« less

Urethroplasty for urethral strictures: quality assessment of an in-home algorithm.

PubMed

Lumen, Nicolaas; Hoebeke, Piet; Oosterlinck, Willem

2010-02-01

To evaluate the outcome of different techniques of urethroplasty and to assess the quality of an in-home algorithm. Two hundred fifty-two male patients underwent urethroplasty. Mean patient's age was 48 years (range 1-85 years). Data were analyzed for the failure rate of the different techniques of urethroplasty. An additional analysis was done based on an in-home algorithm. Median follow up was 37 months (range: 6-92 months). Global failure rate was 14.9%, with an individual failure rate of 11.7%, 16.0%, 20.7% and 20.8% for anastomotic repair, free graft urethroplasty, pedicled flap urethroplasty and combined urethroplasty, respectively. In free graft urethroplasty, results were significantly worse when extrapreputial skin was used. Anastomotic repair was the principle technique for short strictures (83.3%), at the bulbar and posterior urethra (respectively 50.8 and 100%). Free graft urethroplasty was mainly used for 3-10 cm strictures (58.6%). Anastomotic repair and free graft urethroplasty were more used in case of no previous interventions or after urethrotomy/dilation. Pedicled flap urethroplasty was the main technique at the penile urethra (40.7%). Combined urethroplasty was necessary in 41 and 47.1% in the treatment of, respectively, >10 cm or panurethral/multifocal anterior urethral strictures and was the most important technique in these circumstances. Two-stage urethroplasty or perineostomy were only used in 2% as first-line treatment but were already used in 14.9% after failed urethroplasty. Urethroplasty has good results at intermediate follow up. Different types of techniques must be used for different types of strictures.

On the Stiffness of the Mesh and Urethral Mobility: A Finite Element Analysis.

PubMed

Brandão, Sofia; Parente, Marco; Da Roza, Thuane Huyer; Silva, Elisabete; Ramos, Isabel Maria; Mascarenhas, Teresa; Natal Jorge, Renato Manuel

2017-08-01

Midurethral slings are used to correct urethral hypermobility in female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), defined as the complaint of involuntary urine leakage when the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is increased. Structural and thermal features influence their mechanical properties, which may explain postoperative complications, e.g., erosion and urethral obstruction. We studied the effect of the mesh stiffness on urethral mobility at Valsalva maneuver, under impairment of the supporting structures (levator ani and/or ligaments), by using a numerical model. For that purpose, we modeled a sling with "lower" versus "higher" stiffness and evaluated the mobility of the bladder and urethra, that of the urethrovesical junction (the α-angle), and the force exerted at the fixation of the sling. The effect of impaired levator ani or pubourethral ligaments (PUL) alone on the organs displacement and α-angle opening was similar, showing their important role together on urethral stabilization. When the levator ani and all the ligaments were simulated as impaired, the descent of the bladder and urethra went up to 25.02 mm, that of the bladder neck was 14.57 mm, and the α-angle was 129.7 deg, in the range of what was found in women with SUI. Both meshes allowed returning to normal positioning, although at the cost of higher force exerted by the mesh with higher stiffness (3.4 N against 2.3 N), which can relate to tissue erosion. This finite element analysis allowed mimicking the biomechanical response of the pelvic structures in response to changing a material property of the midurethral synthetic mesh.

Transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter in radiated and non - radiated compromised urethra. Assessment with a minimum 2 year follow-up.

PubMed

Le Long, Erwann; Rebibo, John David; Nouhaud, Francois Xavier; Grise, Philippe

2016-01-01

to assess the efficacy of transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation on continence for male stress urinary incontinence in cases of prior surgical treatment or/and radiation failure, and as a first option in radiation patients. From March 2007 to August 2012, 37 male patients were treated with transcorporal AUS AMS™ 800. Twelve patients had primary placement of transcorporal cuff, a surgical option due to a previous history of radiation and 25 patients had secondary procedure after failure of AUS or urinary incontinence surgery. Functional urinary outcomes were assessed by daily pad use, 24-hour Pad-test and ICIQ-SF questionnaire. Quality of life and satisfaction were assessed based on I-QoL and PGI-I questionnaires. After a median of 32 months, the continence rate (0 to 1 pad) was 69.7%. Median pad test was 17.5g (0-159), mean ICIQ-SF score was 7.3/21 (±5.4) and mean I-QoL score was 93.9/110. A total of 88% of the patients reported satisfaction with the AUS. The 5-year actuarial revision-free for AUS total device was 51%. Patients for primary implant for radiation were not more likely to experience revision than non-radiation patients. Preservation of erections was reported in half of the potent patients. Transcorporal AUS cuff placement is a useful alternative procedure option for severe male UI treatment, especially in patients with a compromised urethra after prior surgery or radiation. A high continence rate was reported and implantation as first option in radiation patients should be considered.

Testing hypotheses of bat baculum function with 3D models derived from microCT

PubMed Central

Herdina, Anna Nele; Kelly, Diane A; Jahelková, Helena; Lina, Peter H C; Horáček, Ivan; Metscher, Brian D

2015-01-01

The baculum (os penis) has been extensively studied as a taxon-specific character in bats and other mammals but its mechanical function is still unclear. There is a wide consensus in the literature that the baculum is probably a sexually selected character. Using a novel approach combining postmortem manipulation and three-dimensional (3D) imaging, we tested two functional hypotheses in the common noctule bat Nyctalus noctula, the common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, and Nathusius’ pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii: (i) whether the baculum can protect the distal urethra and urethral opening from compression during erection and copulation; and (ii) whether the baculum and corpora cavernosa form a functional unit to support both the penile shaft and the more distal glans tip. In freshly dead or frozen and thawed bats, we compared flaccid penises with artificially ‘erect’ penises that were inflated with 10% formalin. Penises were stained with alcoholic iodine and imaged with a lab-based high-resolution x-ray microtomography system. Analysis of the 3D images enabled us to compare the changes in relative positions of the baculum, corpora cavernosa, urethra, and corpus spongiosum with one another between flaccid and ‘erect’ penises. Our results support both functional hypotheses, indicating that the baculum probably performs two different roles during erection. Our approach should prove valuable for comparing and testing the functions of different baculum morphologies in bats and other mammals. Moreover, we have validated an essential component of the groundwork necessary to extend this approach with finite element analysis for quantitative 3D biomechanical modeling of penis function. PMID:25655647

Introital ultrasonography: a comparison of women with stress incontinence due to urethral hypermobility and continent women.

PubMed

Cassadó, Jordi; Pessarrodona, Antoni; Tulleuda, Raquel; Cabero, Lluís; Valls, Marta; Quintana, Salvador; Rodríguez-Carballeira, Mónica

2006-10-01

To determine if there is a variable on introital ultrasonography (IUS) that can be used to distinguish between women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to urethral hypermobility (UH) and continent women. This single-centre, prospective, blind, cohort, observational study comprised 383 women (245 continent and 138 incontinent) who were all appropriately informed volunteers selected according to the inclusion criteria. IUS with a convex probe was performed on all women; the measurement plane was standardized and coordinates were obtained at rest and on straining. Several distances were measured to determine if any provided an objective distinction between continent and incontinent women. Among all the IUS variables assessed, sliding (calculated as the difference between the distance urethra-bladder neck, U-BN, at rest and under stress) was the best for distinguishing continent and incontinent women. The receiver operating characteristic curves showed that with a threshold of 8 mm, sliding had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 79.6% for detecting SUI due to UH. The distances symphysis-urethra (S-U) and U-BN at rest could also discriminate, but with lower significance. IUS is an important tool for diagnosing SUI; there are three independent variables, one dynamic (sliding) and two static (distances S-U and U-BN), that can be used to distinguish between continent women and those with SUI due to UH. Sliding is the most reliable, as it has the highest sensitivity and specificity. We think that the simplicity, low financial cost and reliability of IUS could allow it to be a routine procedure for physicians working in incontinence units.

Predicting Time to Reflux of Children With Antenatal Hydronephrosis: A Competing Risks Approach.

PubMed

Nazemipour, Maryam; Kajbafzadeh, Abdol-Mohammad; Mohammad, Kazem; Rahimi Foroushani, Abbas; Mahmoudi, Mahmood

2017-07-01

The aim of this study was describing methodological aspects and applying a trivariate Weibull survival model using the competing risks concept to predict time to occurrence different types of reflux (unilateral (left, right) or bilateral) in children with antenatal hydronephrosis. Data from 333 children in Pediatric Urology Research Center of Children's Hospital Medical Center, affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences was used. The effect of some demographic and clinical factors on child's reflux was studied. The assumption of independent between times of different types of reflux was evaluated. Of infants 80.5% were boy. The percentage of children experienced right, left and bilateral reflux or have been censored are 15.3%, 14.1%, 60.4% and 10.2% respectively. For the time of left reflux, variables, Week of diagnosis ANH, UC, UA, HUN, HN, APD_Right, Direction of ANH, CA19-9 baby, Urethra were significant. For the time of right reflux, variables, constipation, UC, UA, HUN, APD_Right, Direction and Severity of ANH, Bladder, and finally for the time of bilateral reflux, variables, Week of diagnosis ANH, Gender, UA, HUN, HN, APD_Left, Urethra, and Bladder were significant P<0.05. In the presence of competing risks, it is inappropriate to use the Kaplan-Meier method and standard Cox model which do not take competing risks into account. Trivariate Weibull survival model using competing risks not only is able to calculate the hazard rate of variables with different type of events but also it will be able to compare the hazard rate within the same type of event with different covariates.

The effect of indomethacin on the muscarinic induced contractions in the isolated normal guinea pig urinary bladder.

PubMed

Rahnama'i, Mohammad S; van Koeveringe, Gommert A; van Kerrebroeck, Philip E V; de Wachter, Stefan G G

2013-02-07

To investigate the effect of prostaglandin depletion by means of COX-inhibition on cholinergic enhanced spontaneous contractions. The urethra and bladder of 9 male guinea pigs (weight 270-300 g) were removed and placed in an organ bath with Krebs' solution. A catheter was passed through the urethra through which the intravesical pressure was measured. The muscarinic agonist arecaidine, the non-selective COX inhibitor indomethacin, and PGE2 were subsequently added to the organ bath. The initial average frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions in the first 2 minutes after arecaidine application were labelled F(ini) and P(ini), respectively. The steady state frequency (F(steady)) and amplitude (P(steady)) were defined as the average frequency and amplitude during the 5 minutes before the next wash out. Application of 1 μM PGE2 increased the amplitude of spontaneous contractions without affecting frequency. 10 μM of indomethacin reduced amplitude but not frequency.The addition of indomethacin did not alter F(ini) after the first application (p = 0.7665). However, after the second wash, F(ini) was decreased (p = 0.0005). F(steady), P(steady) and P(ini) were not significantly different in any of the conditions. These effects of indomethacin were reversible by PGE2 addition.. Blocking PG synthesis decreased the cholinergically stimulated autonomous contractions in the isolated bladder. This suggests that PG could modify normal cholinergically evoked response. A combination of drugs inhibiting muscarinic receptors and PG function or production can then become an interesting focus of research on a treatment for overactive bladder syndrome.

The inside-out trans-obturator sling: a novel surgical technique for the treatment of male urinary incontinence.

PubMed

de Leval, Jean; Waltregny, David

2008-11-01

To describe a new sling procedure for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and prospectively evaluate its short-term safety and efficacy. The sling technique uses specific instruments and a polypropylene mesh with two arms that are passed inside to outside through the obturator foramens, pulled for compressing the bulbar urethra upward, and tied to each other across the midline. Patients with detrusor overactivity were excluded. Baseline and follow-up evaluations included uroflowmetry and continence and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires. Cure was defined by no pad use and improvement by a number of pads/d 5pads/d, respectively. The procedure was preceded by an endoscopic urethrotomy in four patients. No perioperative complication was noted; three patients required suprapubic catheterization. At 6 mo, nine (45%) patients were cured and eight others (40%) were improved (1pad/d). QoL was significantly enhanced and 80% of patients were moderately to completely satisfied with the procedure. Preoperative and postoperative maximum flow rate and postvoid residual values were not statistically different. No sling infection, urethra erosion, persistent pain, or neurologic complications were observed. The inside-out trans-obturator sling procedure appears to be safe and efficient at short term. Further studies are warranted to determine long-term outcome.

The gross anatomy of the male reproductive system of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus Europaeus).

PubMed

Akbari, G; Babaei, M; Kianifard, D; Mohebi, D

2018-01-01

Hedgehogs are small spiny-coated insectivores. Due to their low body weight, calm character, and easy maintenance, they are kept as pets. It is therefore worthwhile to care about hedgehogs' health problems and to provide pet owners with information about their reproduction. Moreover, it is necessary to be familiar with their anatomy so as to satisfy the need to improve nutrition and medical care, even surgery. This study was carried out on five adult male European hedgehogs euthanased in a chloroform chamber. The European hedgehog's oval testes are invisible in inguinal region because they have no true scrotal sac. The testes are located in the craniocaudal direction with dorsolateral epididymal attachments. The vesicular glands, the European hedgehog's largest accessory sex glands, are lobulated structures containing dorsomedial and ventrolateral parts on each side. The prostate is an oval gland with right and left lobes. The paired bulbourethral glands are laid on the ischiocavernosus muscle. Histologically the vesicular, prostate gland ducts and ductus deferens as well as urethra separately were discharged in a diverticlum at the level of the pelvic urethra end. A sigmoid flexure exists in the proximal part of shaft body of the penis. There are two retractor penile muscles. In dorsal end of the penile glans, there is a small urethral process with two nail- -like, needle-shaped structures. They are on both sides of the urethral process. Furthermore, there are two intromittent sacs (Sacculus urethralis) in the ventral part of the end of the penis. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 36-43).

Treatment of stress urinary incontinence with adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

PubMed

Lin, Guiting; Wang, Guifang; Banie, Lia; Ning, Hongxiu; Shindel, Alan W; Fandel, Thomas M; Lue, Tom F; Lin, Ching-Shwun

2010-01-01

Effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is lacking. This study investigated whether transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) can treat SUI in a rat model. Rats were induced to develop SUI by postpartum vaginal balloon dilation and bilateral ovariectomy. ADSC were isolated from the peri-ovary fat, examined for stem cell properties, and labeled with thymidine analog BrdU or EdU. Ten rats received urethral injection of saline as a control. Twelve rats received urethral injection of EdU-labeled ADSC and six rats received intravenous injection of BrdU-labeled ADSC through the tail vein. Four weeks later, urinary voiding function was assessed by conscious cystometry. The rats were then killed and their urethras harvested for tracking of ADSC and quantification of elastin, collagen and smooth muscle contents. Cystometric analysis showed that eight out 10 rats in the control group had abnormal voiding, whereas four of 12 (33.3%) and two of six (33.3%) rats in the urethra-ADSC and tail vein-ADSC groups, respectively, had abnormal voiding. Histologic analysis showed that the ADSC-treated groups had significantly higher elastin content than the control group and, within the ADSC-treated groups, rats with normal voiding pattern also had significantly higher elastin content than rats with voiding dysfunction. ADSC-treated normal-voiding rats had significantly higher smooth muscle content than control or ADSC-treated rats with voiding dysfunction. Transplantation of ADSC via urethral or intravenous injection is effective in the treatment and/or prevention of SUI in a pre-clinical setting.

Effects of estrogen administration on the colonization capability of lactobacilli and Escherichia coli in the urinary tracts of mice.

PubMed

Silva, Clara; Rey, Rosario; Elena Nader-Macías, María

2004-01-01

The use of probiotic microorganisms has been widely promoted in the last 20 yr. They have been used in the gastrointestinal tract as capsules or as fermented milks. The characteristics of the strains proposed as probiotics have been published or patented under an elaboration process. The first step in designing a probiotic product is to isolate and characterize strains with some beneficial properties. The second step is to determine the optimal conditions to obtain the highest amount of viable microorganisms, together with the study of the best conditions to produce antagonistic substances. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) constitute a common cause of illness in pre- and postmenopausal women. It was estimated that 40-50% of adult women suffer a cystitis during their life. Ninety percent of acquired ambulatory UTIs and 30% of nosocomial infections are produced by Escherichia coli. The healthy human urinary tract is free of microorganisms, except for the anterior urethra, which is colonized by indigenous microbiota. The vaginal environment is a dynamic and complex ecological system with a highly heterogeneous microflora; thus favorable conditions exist for the colonization process, which is also affected by factors external to the tissues. The distal urethra and periurethral areas are separated ecological niches, both covered by the vaginal secretions that contain approx 109 microorganisms/mL. In these secretions, members of the genus Lactobacillus are predominant. Bacterial colonization does not increase because of the urinary flux, which clears the bacterial cells from the outer surfaces, as well as other factors such as pH, osmolarity, and urea concentration.

Aggressive Angiomyxoma Involving Penis and Urethra - A Case Report.

PubMed

Damodaran, Shivashankar; Gengan, Devakannan; Walling, Sashi T

2017-07-01

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare benign mesenchymal stromal tumour, characterized by locally infiltrative nature and a tendency for recurrence. Only a few cases of penile involvement have been reported in the literature so far. We report a case of aggressive penile angiomyxoma in a sixty-two-year-old obese, diabetic male patient. He presented with obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and diffuse enlargement of the penis and scrotum. He was managed with excision, reduction scrotoplasty, internal urethrotomy, followed by Leuprolide therapy for prevention of recurrence. He is on follow up for 20 months without recurrence and obstructive symptoms.

Penile fracture with bilateral corporeal rupture and complete urethral disruption: case report and literature review

PubMed Central

Hoag, Nathan A.; Hennessey, Kiara; So, Alan

2011-01-01

Penile fracture is a rare injury most commonly sustained during sexual intercourse. We report the case of a 35-year-old man who presented with bilateral rupture of the corpora cavernosa and complete disruption of the urethra. A review of the literature on penile fracture is also presented. Urgent surgical exploration was performed and the injuries repaired primarily. In follow-up, the patient reported satisfactory erectile function. This case highlights the importance of early surgical repair and evaluation for concomitant urethral injuries in cases of penile fracture. PMID:21470546

Two bladders and two vaginas in two planes: one urogenital sinus.

PubMed

Shaw, Matthew B K; Cain, Mark P; Rink, Richard C

2003-07-01

We report 2 cases of persistent urogenital sinus (UGS) with duplication of the bladder and vagina in different planes. Cystoscopy and vaginoscopy were used to diagnose persistent UGS with bladder and vaginal duplication in 2 infants with recurrent urinary tract infection. Surgical repair was done by way of a midline abdominal and perineal approach using tubularized UGS to reconstruct the urethra. Persistent UGS represents a major anomaly; these patients had the added complexity of duplication of the bladder and vagina. In these complex patients, the true anatomy may only become apparent during the surgical reconstruction, necessitating a flexible, individual approach.

Thermoacoustic imaging of fresh prostates up to 6-cm diameter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patch, S. K.; Hanson, E.; Thomas, M.; Kelly, H.; Jacobsohn, K.; See, W. A.

2013-03-01

Thermoacoustic (TA) imaging provides a novel contrast mechanism that may enable visualization of cancerous lesions which are not robustly detected by current imaging modalities. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most notorious example. Imaging entire prostate glands requires 6 cm depth penetration. We therefore excite TA signal using submicrosecond VHF pulses (100 MHz). We will present reconstructions of fresh prostates imaged in a well-controlled benchtop TA imaging system. Chilled glycine solution is used as acoustic couplant. The urethra is routinely visualized as signal dropout; surgical staples formed from 100-micron wide wire bent to 3 mm length generate strong positive signal.

Mineral composition of urinary calculi from miniature schnauzer dogs.

PubMed

Klausner, J S; Osborne, C A; Clinton, C W; Stevens, J B; Griffith, D P

1981-05-15

The mineral composition of 150 calculi from the urinary tracts of Miniature Schnauzer dogs was determined by qualitative and quantitative methods. Struvite was the predominant mineral in 92% of the calculi. Other calculi contained predominantly apatite, calcium oxalate, ammonium urate, or silica. Most calculi were from the urinary bladder or urethra, or both. Four were from the renal pelves. Struvite calculi were more frequently encountered in females than males. The mean age of the dogs at the time of detection of calculi was 4.8 years. Qualitative analysis failed to detect some minerals that were identified by quantitative analysis.

[Penile injury caused by a Moulinette. Result of autoerotic self-mutilation].

PubMed

Lehsnau, M

2007-07-01

Autoerotic manipulations of external male genitals resulting in mutilation with different degrees of severity are rare. We report the clinical case of a 12-year-old boy who injured his glans, left corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum with opened urethra as a consequence of autoerotic genital self-mutilation. According to our knowledge of the current literature this is the first description of autoerotic genital self-mutilation with a Moulinette. A Moulinette is a kitchen tool with an electric engine and an extremely fast rotary double knife, which is used to reduce food into small pieces, especially vegetables and fruits.

Diocytophymatid larval nematode in a subcutaneous nodule from man in California.

PubMed

Beaver, P C; Theis, J H

1979-03-01

A nematode in a subcutaneous nodule excised from the chest of a man in central California is described and identified as a third-stage larval dioctophymatid, probably Dioctophyma renale, though a Eustrongylides species could not be excluded. In all well-documented previously reported cases of D. renale infection in man, none of which was from North America, adult worms were discovered in the kidney at autopsy (5 cases), or were observed migrating or being expelled through the urethra (6 cases), discharged through the skin over an abscessed kidney (1 case), or detected by finding eggs in the urine (1 case).

Unsuccessful outcomes after posterior urethroplasty.

PubMed

Engel, Oliver; Fisch, Margit

2015-03-01

Posterior urethroplasty is the most common strategy for the treatment of post-traumatic urethral injuries. Especially in younger patients, post-traumatic injuries are a common reason for urethral strictures caused by road traffic accidents, with pelvic fracture or direct trauma to the perineum. In many cases early endoscopic realignment is the first attempt to restore the junction between proximal and distal urethra, but in some cases primary realignment is not possible or not enough to treat the urethral injury. In these cases suprapubic cystostomy alone and delayed repair by stricture excision and posterior urethroplasty is an alternative procedure to minimise the risk of stricture recurrence.

Long-term results of treatment of urethral strictures by transpubic urethroplasty.

PubMed

Zvara, V; Hornák, M

1986-01-01

Intrapelvic ruptures of membraneous urethra connected with pelvis fractures lead, as a rule, to strictures. Relative inaccessibility of these strictures above diaphragma urogenitale and behind symphysis makes their surgical treatment difficult. Transpubic approach with removal of wedge of pubic bones enables a direct approach to stricture and its modification under sight control. Technique of transpubic approach is described and long-term results obtained in 10 patients being 29-54 months after operation are evaluated. In one patient urinary continence in a sense of stress incontinence was disturbed, in one patient impotence occurred and one patient had disturbed gait.

Urologic Emergencies.

PubMed

Manjunath, Adarsh S; Hofer, Matthias D

2018-03-01

Urologic emergencies can involve the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, penis, scrotum, or testicles. History and physical examination are essential to diagnosis, whereas imaging is increasingly used to confirm diagnoses. Acute urinary retention should be relieved with Foley placement. Penile emergencies include paraphimosis, which can be treated by foreskin reduction, whereas penile fracture and priapism require urologic intervention. Fournier gangrene and testicular torsion are scrotal emergencies requiring emergent surgery. Nephrolithiasis, although painful, is not an emergency unless there is concern for concomitant urinary tract infection, both ureters are obstructed by stones, or there is an obstructing stone in a solitary kidney. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of pudendal nerve block for alleviation of catheter-related bladder discomfort in male patients undergoing lower urinary tract surgeries

PubMed Central

Xiaoqiang, Li; Xuerong, Zhang; Juan, Liu; Mathew, Bechu Shelley; Xiaorong, Yin; Qin, Wan; Lili, Luo; Yingying, Zhu; Jun, Luo

2017-01-01

Abstract Background: Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) to an indwelling urinary catheter is defined as a painful urethral discomfort, resistant to conventional opioid therapy, decreasing the quality of postoperative recovery. According to anatomy, the branches of sacral somatic nerves form the afferent nerves of the urethra and bladder triangle, which deriving from the ventral rami of the second to fourth sacral spinal nerves, innervating the urethral muscles and sphincter of the perineum and pelvic floor; as well as providing sensation to the penis and clitoris in males and females, which including the urethra and bladder triangle. Based on this theoretical knowledge, we formed a hypothesis that CRBD could be prevented by pudendal nerve block. Objective: To evaluate if bilateral nerve stimulator-guided pudendal nerve block could relieve CRBD through urethra discomfort alleviation. Design and Setting: Single-center randomized parallel controlled, double blind trial conducted at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. Participants: One hundred and eighty 2 male adult patients under general anesthesia undergoing elective trans-urethral resection of prostate (TURP) or trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Around 4 out of 182 were excluded, 178 patients were randomly allocated into pudendal and control groups, using computer-generated randomized numbers in a sealed envelope method. A total of 175 patients completed the study. Intervention: Pudendal group received general anesthesia along with nerve-stimulator-guided bilateral pudendal nerve block and control group received general anesthesia only. Main outcome measures: Incidence and severity of CRBD; and postoperative VAS score of pain. Results: CRBD incidences were significantly lower in pudendal group at 30 minutes (63% vs 82%, P = .004), 2 hours (64% vs 90%, P < .000), 8 hours (58% vs 79%, P = .003) and 12 hours (52% vs 69%, P = .028) also significantly lower incidence of moderate to severe CRBD in pudendal group at 30 minutes (29% vs 57%, P < .001), 2 hours (22% vs 55%, P < .000), 8 hours (8% vs 27%, P = .001) and 12 hours (6% vs 16%, P = .035) postoperatively. The postoperative pain score in pudendal group was lower at 30 minutes (P = .003), 2 hours (P < .001), 8 hours (P < .001), and 12 hours (P < .001), with lower heart rate and mean blood pressure. One patient complained about weakness in levator ani muscle. Conclusion: General anesthesia along with bilateral pudendal nerve block decreased the incidence and severity of CRBD for the first 12 hours postoperatively. PMID:29245259

Monte Carlo investigation of I-125 interseed attenuation for standard and thinner seeds in prostate brachytherapy with phantom validation using a MOSFET.

PubMed

Mason, J; Al-Qaisieh, B; Bownes, P; Henry, A; Thwaites, D

2013-03-01

In permanent seed implant prostate brachytherapy the actual dose delivered to the patient may be less than that calculated by TG-43U1 due to interseed attenuation (ISA) and differences between prostate tissue composition and water. In this study the magnitude of the ISA effect is assessed in a phantom and in clinical prostate postimplant cases. Results are compared for seed models 6711 and 9011 with 0.8 and 0.5 mm diameters, respectively. A polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom was designed to perform ISA measurements in a simple eight-seed arrangement and at the center of an implant of 36 seeds. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and experimental measurements using a MOSFET dosimeter were used to measure dose rate and the ISA effect. MC simulations of 15 CT-based postimplant prostate treatment plans were performed to compare the clinical impact of ISA on dose to prostate, urethra, rectum, and the volume enclosed by the 100% isodose, for 6711 and 9011 seed models. In the phantom, ISA reduced the dose rate at the MOSFET position by 8.6%-18.3% (6711) and 7.8%-16.7% (9011) depending on the measurement configuration. MOSFET measured dose rates agreed with MC simulation predictions within the MOSFET measurement uncertainty, which ranged from 5.5% to 7.2% depending on the measurement configuration (k = 1, for the mean of four measurements). For 15 clinical implants, the mean ISA effect for 6711 was to reduce prostate D90 by 4.2 Gy (3%), prostate V100 by 0.5 cc (1.4%), urethra D10 by 11.3 Gy (4.4%), rectal D2cc by 5.5 Gy (4.6%), and the 100% isodose volume by 2.3 cc. For the 9011 seed the mean ISA effect reduced prostate D90 by 2.2 Gy (1.6%), prostate V100 by 0.3 cc (0.7%), urethra D10 by 8.0 Gy (3.2%), rectal D2cc by 3.1 Gy (2.7%), and the 100% isodose volume by 1.2 cc. Differences between the MC simulation and TG-43U1 consensus data for the 6711 seed model had a similar impact, reducing mean prostate D90 by 6 Gy (4.2%) and V100 by 0.6 cc (1.8%). ISA causes the delivered dose in prostate seed implant brachytherapy to be lower than the dose calculated by TG-43U1. MC simulation of phantom seed arrangements show that dose at a point can be reduced by up to 18% and this has been validated using a MOSFET dosimeter. Clinical simulations show that ISA reduces DVH parameter values, but the reduction is less for thinner seeds.

Dose escalation in permanent brachytherapy for prostate cancer: dosimetric and biological considerations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, X. Allen; Wang, Jian Z.; Stewart, Robert D.; Di Biase, Steven J.

2003-09-01

No prospective dose escalation study for prostate brachytherapy (PB) with permanent implants has been reported. In this work, we have performed a dosimetric and biological analysis to explore the implications of dose escalation in PB using 125I and 103Pd implants. The concept of equivalent uniform dose (EUD), proposed originally for external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT), is applied to low dose rate brachytherapy. For a given 125I or 103Pd PB, the EUD for tumour that corresponds to a dose distribution delivered by EBRT is calculated based on the linear quadratic model. The EUD calculation is based on the dose volume histogram (DVH) obtained retrospectively from representative actual patient data. Tumour control probabilities (TCPs) are also determined in order to compare the relative effectiveness of different dose levels. The EUD for normal tissue is computed using the Lyman model. A commercial inverse treatment planning algorithm is used to investigate the feasibility of escalating the dose to prostate with acceptable dose increases in the rectum and urethra. The dosimetric calculation is performed for five representative patients with different prostate sizes. A series of PB dose levels are considered for each patient using 125I and 103Pd seeds. It is found that the PB prescribed doses (minimum peripheral dose) that give an equivalent EBRT dose of 64.8, 70.2, 75.6 and 81 Gy with a fraction size of 1.8 Gy are 129, 139, 150 and 161 Gy for 125I and 103, 112, 122 and 132 Gy for 103Pd implants, respectively. Estimates of the EUD and TCP for a series of possible prescribed dose levels (e.g., 145, 160, 170 and 180 Gy for 125I and 125, 135, 145 and 155 for 103Pd implants) are tabulated. The EUD calculation was found to depend strongly on DVHs and radiobiological parameters. The dosimetric calculations suggest that the dose to prostate can be escalated without a substantial increase in both rectal and urethral dose. For example, increasing the PB prescribed dose from 145 to 180 Gy increases EUD for the rectum by only 3%. Our studies indicate that the dose to urethra can be kept within 100-120% of the prescription dose for all the dose levels studied. In conclusion, dose escalation in permanent implant for localized prostate cancer may be advantageous. It is dosimetrically possible to increase dose to prostate without a substantial increase in the dose to the rectum and urethra. Based on the results of our studies, a prospective dose escalation trial for prostate permanent implants has been initiated at our institution.

The CAG repeat polymorphism in the Androgen receptor gene modifies the risk for hypospadias in Caucasians

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Hypospadias is a birth defect of the urethra in males, and a milder form of 46,XY disorder of sexual development (DSD). The disease is characterized by a ventrally placed urinary opening due to a premature fetal arrest of the urethra development. Moreover, the Androgen receptor (AR) gene has an essential role in the hormone-dependent stage of sexual development. In addition, longer AR polyglutamine repeat lengths encoded by CAG repeats are associated with lower transcriptional activity in vitro. In the present study, we aimed at investigating the role of the CAG repeat length in the AR gene in hypospadias cases as compared to the controls. Our study included 211 hypospadias and 208 controls of Caucasian origin. Methods We amplified the CAG repeat region with PCR, and calculated the difference in the mean CAG repeat length between the hypospadias and control group using the T-test for independent groups. Results We detected a significant increase of the CAG repeat length in the hypospadias cases when compared to the controls (contrast estimate: 2.29, 95% Confidence Interval (1.73-2.84); p-value: 0.001). In addition, the odds ratios between the hypospadias and controls revealed that the hypospadias cases are two to 3 times as likely to have longer CAG repeats than a shorter length for each repeat length investigated. Conclusions We have investigated the largest number of hypospadias cases with regards to the CAG repeat length, and we provide evidence that a higher number of the CAG repeat sequence in the AR gene have a clear effect on the risk of hypospadias in Caucasians. PMID:23167717

Study on development of accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids using two-dimensional ultrasonography.

PubMed

Kumari, Sonu; Luthra, R A; Chandolia, R K; Kumar, Sandeep; Kumar, Parveen; Devender; Kumar, Ankit; Bishnoi, Nidhi; Bishnoi, Sunil

2016-04-01

The present study was undertaken to study growth pattern of accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids from 2 weeks to 6 months of age using two-dimensional ultrasonography. The study was conducted on six Beetal kids. The scanning of accessory sex glands was done in standing position using rectal probe and measurements were recorded. Data collected were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan multiple range test was performed using the SPSS (16.0) system for windows. With the advancement of age all the dimensions of glands increased. Both the lobes of prostate gland showed an increase in width with advancement of age. Width of prostate above the urethra (W1) showed a significant increase at 2, 10, and 20 weeks of age, whereas non-significant increase from 2 to 8, 10 to 19, and 20 to 24 weeks of age was recorded. Width of prostate below the urethra (W2) showed a significant increase at 20 weeks of age, whereas non-significant increase was recorded during rest of period of growth. Left and right bulbourethral gland showed a similar pattern of growth with the advancement of age. The circumference dimensions increased significantly at 2, 16, 20, and 21 weeks of age for both glands. The increase was non-significant from 4 to 14, 16 to 19, and 20 to 23 weeks of age. The same pattern was observed for left and right seminal vesicular gland. Significant growth in three accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids was not observed at the same age. The trend observed was that the prostate was the first gland to show significant growth at 10 weeks of age followed by a significant increase in seminal vesicles and bulbourethral gland at 14 and 16 weeks of age, respectively.

Ultrasound assessment of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).

PubMed

Flock, F; Kohorst, F; Kreienberg, R; Reich, A

2011-01-01

To date, no standardization for the visualization of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) has been established in clinical practice. The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the shape and position of the tape using ultrasound and to compare this data with clinical postoperative results. In a three-year period, 296 patients with clinically and urodynamically proven stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were treated with TVT and received follow-up in our department. An additional 12 patients, who were initially treated in other hospitals and had postoperative problems, were included in this study. Depending on the outcome after 3 months, the patients were divided into groups with and without specific disorders. The TVT was evaluated by introital ultrasound. The position of the tape was established by its location in relation to the urethral length and the distance to the hypoechoic center of the urethra (HCU). A suitable TVT position was determined in patients without any postoperative disorders. The mean value for the TVT position at rest in relation to the urethral length was 61 %. The distance to the HCU was 4.6 ± 1.5 mm. In patients with persistent SUI, the tape was more often located under the inner (3 % vs. 0 %) or outer quarter (29 % vs. 13 %, p = 0.004). In patients with residual volume, the distance to the urethra was significantly lower (2.7 vs. 4.6, p < 0.001). TVT may be regularly investigated using ultrasound. In combination with the clinical outcome, it represents an important method of evaluating the tape and assists in the planning of a future therapeutic course of action in cases of postoperative problems. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

[Stents in urology].

PubMed

Mattei, A; Danuser, H

2003-04-01

Ureteral stents are employed in the upper and urethral stents in the lower urinary tract for restitution or maintenance of urinary drainage. Placement of ureteral stents is indicated as an adjuvant measure prior to extracorporal disintegration (ESWL) of large kidney stones to insure urinary drainage and enhance expulsion of fragments and disintegrate. Also, obstruction by very small urinary tract stones that are not treatable by ESWL because they cannot be localized can be relieved by placement of a double-J-stent with immediate elimination of colic. If the cause of urinary tract obstruction is external ureteral compression (retroperitoneal mass), placement of a special tumor stent is one possibility. This, however, has the danger of becoming reobstructed with detritus and blockage of the drainage holes in the stent. In these cases the essential drainage along the stent is blocked by the mass. Therefore, a percutaneous nephrostomy providing direct drainage is easier to control and preferable. Obstructive pyelonephritis is an absolute indication for drainage of the upper urinary tract with a double-J-stent, or even better by percutaneous nephrostomy. If pyeloureteral or ureteral stenoses of the upper urinary tract are opened endoscopically, then the double-J-stent serves to maintain and insure drainage until the new lumen is reepithelialized. In patients with prostatic hyperplasia who no longer respond to medical treatment and who are not candidates for more invasive surgical treatment, a stent can be placed in the prostatic urethra under local anesthesia as a last resort. This procedure is seldom used but, in view of the satisfactory long-term results, it provides a true alternative to bladder drainage by transurethral catheter or percutaneous cystostomy. The same stents may be used in the bulbar urethra to reduce restricture rates following endoscopic treatment of strictures.

G-spot anatomy: a new discovery.

PubMed

Ostrzenski, Adam

2012-05-01

The anatomic existence of the G-spot has not been documented yet. To identify the anatomic structure of the G-spot.   A stratum-by-stratum vaginal wall dissection on a fresh cadaver. Primary outcome is the identification of the G-spot and the secondary outcome is its measurements and anatomic description of the G-spot. The G-spot has a distinguishable anatomic structure that is located on the dorsal perineal membrane, 16.5 mm from the upper part of the urethral meatus, and creates a 35° angle with the lateral border of the urethra. The lower pole (tail) and the upper pole (head) were located 3 and 15 mm next to the lateral border of the urethra, respectively. Grossly, the G-spot appeared as a well-delineated sac with walls that resembled fibroconnective tissues and resembled erectile tissues. The superior surface of the sac had bluish irregularities visible through the coat. Upon opening the sac's upper coat, blue grape-like anatomic compositions of the G-spot emerged with dimensions of length (L) of 8.1 mm × width (W) of 3.6-1.5 mm × height (H) of 0.4 mm. The G-spot structure had three distinct areas: the proximal part (the head) L 3.4 mm × W 3.6 mm, the middle part L 3.1 mm × W 3.3 mm, and the distal part (tail) L 3.3 mm × W 3.0 mm. From the distal tail, a rope-like structure emerged, which was seen for approximately 1.6 mm and then disappeared into the surrounding tissue. The anatomic existence of the G-spot was documented with potential impact on the practice and clinical research in the field of female sexual function. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Phalloplasty and urethroplasty in children with penile agenesis: preliminary report.

PubMed

De Castro, Roberto; Merlini, Emilio; Rigamonti, Waifro; Macedo, Antonio

2007-03-01

Female gender has been assigned to 46,XY newborns affected by aphallia, possibly resulting in subsequent gender dysphoria. Prenatal and postnatal effects of the androgens on the brain and sexual orientation cannot be modified later. Therefore, patients affected by aphallia should be raised as males. Because definitive forearm flap phalloplasty is generally not recommended before puberty, we performed a preliminary penile reconstruction during childhood in 4 patients. Four patients with aphallia who had no sex reassignment at birth were treated at age 9, 17 and 36 months, and 12 years in a single operation. The urethral channel was dissected through an anterior-sagittal-transanorectal approach, and then phalloplasty and urethroplasty were carried out using an abdominal skin flap and a bladder/buccal mucosa free graft. Immediate postoperative outcome was excellent in all the patients. One patient had excellent functional and cosmetic results at 5 years, while 2 had a partial dorsal urethral dehiscence resulting in an epispadiac urethra at 2 years, and 1 had necrosis of the distal urethra and was voiding through a scrotal urethrostomy at 9 months postoperatively. Phalloplasty survived and provided an adequate male appearance in all patients. Opposite gender should not be assigned in patients affected by penile agenesis, who are better raised according to their karyotype and hormonal production. Definitive phalloplasty in adults may achieve good results. Nevertheless, this procedure is generally performed in postpubertal boys and it is not easily available everywhere. Therefore, we believe that social and psychological concerns justified this type of phalloplasty as a palliative preliminary procedure in 3 of our patients. In those countries where definitive forearm phalloplasty is not available our method may also be justified in older children (as in 1 of our patients) as an attempt at a definitive procedure.

Reference values for the genitalia of male dromedary before and after puberty using caliper and ultrasonography in subtropics.

PubMed

Derar, Derar Refaat; Hussein, Hasan Ali; Ali, Ahmad

2012-01-15

The aim of the present study was to characterize the dynamic changes of the testes and the pelvic genitalia in vivo in male dromedary. Eighty-one clinically healthy male dromedaries aged 1.5 to 12 years were assigned for the present study. Testicular length, breadth, and depth as well as epididymal head and tail were measured using caliper and ultrasonography. The pelvic genitalia, including bulbourethral gland, prostate, and pelvic urethra were examined using ultrasonography. The results revealed that the three dimensions of the testes and epididymal tail and head showed significant increase with age (P < 0.01). Concerning the epididymal measurements, differences between the pre- and peri-pubertal groups were not significant. Left testes tended to be larger than the right (not statistically significant) although only the breadth of the left testes in the prepubertal group was significantly larger (P < 0.05). The volume of both testes correlated positively with the age (r(2) = 0.91 for left and 1.00 for the right, P < 0.01). There were no significant correlations between the values measured using caliper and those by ultrasonography between groups, but the correlation was highly significant (P < 0.01) for the total number of the examined animals. There were significant and steady increases of the size of bulbourethral gland in all examined groups (P < 0.01). Pars disseminata of the prostate gland and pelvic urethra were significantly higher in sexually mature compared with prepubertal groups (P < 0.01). It was concluded that ultrasonography is a useful tool in studying the developmental changes of the testes and accessory glands of the male dromedary. The obtained data could provide a reference values for predicting camel puberty and future fertility. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Poster - Thur Eve - 03: LDR to HDR: RADPOS applications in brachytherapy.

PubMed

Cherpak, A J; Cygler, J E; Kertzscher, G; E, C; Perry, G

2012-07-01

The RADPOS in vivo dosimetry system combines an electromagnetic positioning sensor and either one or five MOSFET dosimeters. The feasibility of using the system for quality control has been explored for a range of radiotherapy treatment techniques including most recently transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy and high dose rate (HDR) treatments. Dose and position information was collected by a RADPOS array detector inside a Foley catheter within patients' urethra during permanent seed implantation. Ten patients were studied, and average displacement during implantation was Δr = (1.4-5.1) mm, with movements up to 9.7 mm due to the removal of the transrectal ultrasound probe. Maximum integral dose in the prostatic urethra ranged from 110-195 Gy, and it was found that the dose can change up to 63 cGy (62.0%) depending on whether the rectal probe is in place. For HDR, a RADPOS detector was first calibrated with an Ir-192 source. A treatment was then simulated using a total of 50 dwell positions in 5 catheters in an acrylic phantom. Dwell positions ranged from 1 to 10 cm away from the RADPOS detector and dose was measured for each source position. An average calibration coefficient of 0.74±0.11 cGy/mV was calculated for the detector and the average absolute difference between measured values and expected dose was 0.7±5.4 cGy (5±20%). The demonstrated accuracy of RADPOS dose measurements along with its ability to simultaneously measure displacement makes it a powerful tool for brachytherapy treatments, where high dose gradients can present unique in vivo dosimetry challenges. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Poster - Thur Eve - 06: Comparison of an open source genetic algorithm to the commercially used IPSA for generation of seed distributions in LDR prostate brachytherapy.

PubMed

McGeachy, P; Khan, R

2012-07-01

In early stage prostate cancer, low dose rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy is a favorable treatment modality, where small radioactive seeds are permanently implanted throughout the prostate. Treatment centres currently rely on a commercial optimization algorithm, IPSA, to generate seed distributions for treatment plans. However, commercial software does not allow the user access to the source code, thus reducing the flexibility for treatment planning and impeding any implementation of new and, perhaps, improved clinical techniques. An open source genetic algorithm (GA) has been encoded in MATLAB to generate seed distributions for a simplified prostate and urethra model. To assess the quality of the seed distributions created by the GA, both the GA and IPSA were used to generate seed distributions for two clinically relevant scenarios and the quality of the GA distributions relative to IPSA distributions and clinically accepted standards for seed distributions was investigated. The first clinically relevant scenario involved generating seed distributions for three different prostate volumes (19.2 cc, 32.4 cc, and 54.7 cc). The second scenario involved generating distributions for three separate seed activities (0.397 mCi, 0.455 mCi, and 0.5 mCi). Both GA and IPSA met the clinically accepted criteria for the two scenarios, where distributions produced by the GA were comparable to IPSA in terms of full coverage of the prostate by the prescribed dose, and minimized dose to the urethra, which passed straight through the prostate. Further, the GA offered improved reduction of high dose regions (i.e hot spots) within the planned target volume. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Development of an adjoint sensitivity field-based treatment-planning technique for the use of newly designed directional LDR sources in brachytherapy.

PubMed

Chaswal, V; Thomadsen, B R; Henderson, D L

2012-02-21

The development and application of an automated 3D greedy heuristic (GH) optimization algorithm utilizing the adjoint sensitivity fields for treatment planning to assess the advantage of directional interstitial prostate brachytherapy is presented. Directional and isotropic dose kernels generated using Monte Carlo simulations based on Best Industries model 2301 I-125 source are utilized for treatment planning. The newly developed GH algorithm is employed for optimization of the treatment plans for seven interstitial prostate brachytherapy cases using mixed sources (directional brachytherapy) and using only isotropic sources (conventional brachytherapy). All treatment plans resulted in V100 > 98% and D90 > 45 Gy for the target prostate region. For the urethra region, the D10(Ur), D90(Ur) and V150(Ur) and for the rectum region the V100cc, D2cc, D90(Re) and V90(Re) all are reduced significantly when mixed sources brachytherapy is used employing directional sources. The simulations demonstrated that the use of directional sources in the low dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy of the prostate clearly benefits in sparing the urethra and the rectum sensitive structures from overdose. The time taken for a conventional treatment plan is less than three seconds, while the time taken for a mixed source treatment plan is less than nine seconds, as tested on an Intel Core2 Duo 2.2 GHz processor with 1GB RAM. The new 3D GH algorithm is successful in generating a feasible LDR brachytherapy treatment planning solution with an extra degree of freedom, i.e. directionality in very little time.

Development of an adjoint sensitivity field-based treatment-planning technique for the use of newly designed directional LDR sources in brachytherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaswal, V.; Thomadsen, B. R.; Henderson, D. L.

2012-02-01

The development and application of an automated 3D greedy heuristic (GH) optimization algorithm utilizing the adjoint sensitivity fields for treatment planning to assess the advantage of directional interstitial prostate brachytherapy is presented. Directional and isotropic dose kernels generated using Monte Carlo simulations based on Best Industries model 2301 I-125 source are utilized for treatment planning. The newly developed GH algorithm is employed for optimization of the treatment plans for seven interstitial prostate brachytherapy cases using mixed sources (directional brachytherapy) and using only isotropic sources (conventional brachytherapy). All treatment plans resulted in V100 > 98% and D90 > 45 Gy for the target prostate region. For the urethra region, the D10Ur, D90Ur and V150Ur and for the rectum region the V100cc, D2cc, D90Re and V90Re all are reduced significantly when mixed sources brachytherapy is used employing directional sources. The simulations demonstrated that the use of directional sources in the low dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy of the prostate clearly benefits in sparing the urethra and the rectum sensitive structures from overdose. The time taken for a conventional treatment plan is less than three seconds, while the time taken for a mixed source treatment plan is less than nine seconds, as tested on an Intel Core2 Duo 2.2 GHz processor with 1GB RAM. The new 3D GH algorithm is successful in generating a feasible LDR brachytherapy treatment planning solution with an extra degree of freedom, i.e. directionality in very little time.

Holmium laser urethrotomy for treatment of traumatic stricture urethra: a review of 78 patients.

PubMed

Hussain, Manzoor; Lal, Murli; Askari, Syed Hasan; Hashmi, Altaf; Rizvi, Syed Adibul Hasan

2010-10-01

To evaluate the efficacy and long-term results of laser urethrotomy as minimally invasive treatment for traumatic stricture urethra. Between January 2006 and June 2008, 78 male patients were treated with Holmium Laser urethrotomy. 16 Fr urethroscope was used through which 600um laser fiber was introduced through side channel. Stricture was visualized and incised at 12 o'clock position with energy set at 1500-2000 MJ at pulse rate of 10-12. Two other incisions were given at 2 and 10 o'clock positions. Further ablation was done till 16Fr Foley's catheter was passed. Patients were followed in a stricture clinic. Patients age ranged from 15-73 years. All strictures were due to trauma, Road traffic accident in 40 (52%) post catheter trauma 4 (5%), fall as ride 27 (35%) and failed urethroplasty 7 (8%). Site of stricture was bulbar 57 (73%), bulbomembranous 16 (20%) and membranoprostatic 5 (2.5%). Length of stricture ranged from 0.8-2.5 cms. At 3 months follow-up, 60 (77%) patients remained catheter and symptoms free while 18 (23%) developed recurrence of stricture but at the end of 36 months follow-up success rate decreased to 47 (60%). Among those who developed re-strictures, 6 ( 7.6%) had 2nd sitting laser while 4 (5.1%) had urethroplasty, and others were on intermittent dilatation. Immediate complications were sepsis 10 (13%), extravasation 2 (4%), failed urethrotomy 2 (4%) and mild haematuria 3 (5.8%). Hospital stay ranged from day care to 3 days. Laser urethrotomy is minimally invasive and an effective treatment for short strictures in bulbarurethra. The recurrence rate is 40% in the long-term follow-up and is more commonly seen in completely obliterated strictures.

Prognostic factors in carcinoma of the penis: multivariate analysis of 145 patients treated with amputation and lymphadenectomy.

PubMed

Lopes, A; Hidalgo, G S; Kowalski, L P; Torloni, H; Rossi, B M; Fonseca, F P

1996-11-01

The major issue in penile cancer is deciding who should or should not undergo lymph node dissection. Clinical and invasive methods are not reliable for staging. Clinical and pathological factors involved in lymph node metastases and prognosis were evaluated in 145 patients with penile carcinoma staged according to the 1978 TNM system, and treated with amputation and lymphadenectomy. Clinical factors studied were patient age, race, disease evolution time, symptoms, and clinical T and N stages. Pathological factors of the primary tumor considered were tumor thickness, histological grade, lymphatic and venous embolization, infiltration of the corpora cavernosa, corpus spongiosum and urethra, mononuclear and eosinophilic infiltrates, and cell alterations suggestive of human papillomavirus. All slides were reviewed by 1 pathologist. The Cox regression hazards method for multifactorial analysis was used. Followup ranged from 0.7 to 453.2 months (mean 85.8, median 32.7). The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 45.3 and 54.3%, respectively. Venous and lymphatic embolizations were the main factors affecting significantly the incidence of lymph node metastasis, which were the main risks factors for recurrence and death. Pathologically proved infiltration of the corpora cavernosa, urethra and adjacent structures, which corresponded to stages T2, T3 and T4 disease, respectively, of the current TNM classification, were not significant predictors for incidence of lymph node metastasis, disease-free and overall survival or risk factors for recurrence and death. Because venous and lymphatic embolizations were related to greatest risk of lymph node metastasis, we propose their evaluation in staging and therapeutic planning of patients with infiltrative tumors of the penis.

Properties of spontaneous Ca2+ transients recorded from interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells of the rabbit urethra in situ

PubMed Central

Hashitani, Hikaru; Suzuki, Hikaru

2007-01-01

Interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells (ICC-LCs) in the urethra may act as electrical pacemakers of spontaneous contractions. However, their properties in situ and their interaction with neighbouring urethral smooth muscle cells (USMCs) remain to be elucidated. To further explore the physiological role of ICC-LCs, spontaneous changes in [Ca2+]i (Ca2+ transients) were visualized in fluo-4 loaded preparations of rabbit urethral smooth muscle. ICC-LCs were sparsely distributed, rather than forming an extensive network. Ca2+ transients in ICC-LCs had a lower frequency and a longer half-width than those of USMCs. ICC-LCs often exhibited Ca2+ transients synchronously with each other, but did not often show a close temporal relationship with Ca2+ transients in USMCs. Nicardipine (1 μm) suppressed Ca2+ transients in USMCs but not in ICC-LCs. Ca2+ transients in ICC-LCs were abolished by cyclopiazonic acid (10 μm), ryanodine (50 μm) and caffeine (10 mm) or by removing extracellular Ca2+, and inhibited by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (50 μm) and 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1; 10 μm), but facilitated by increasing extracellular Ca2+ or phenylephrine (1–10 μm). These results indicated that Ca2+ transients in urethral ICC-LCs in situ rely on both Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores and Ca2+ influx through non-L-type Ca2+ channel pathways. ICC-LCs may not act as a coordinated pacemaker electrical network as do ICC in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Rather they may randomly increase excitability of USMCs to maintain the tone of urethral smooth muscles. PMID:17615099

The experience of artificial urinary sphincter implantation by a single surgeon in 15 years.

PubMed

Shen, Yuan-Chi; Chiang, Po-Hui

2013-03-01

Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard treatment for urinary incontinence owing to sphincter incompetence. We reviewed our experience in AUS implantation. From 1995 to 2009, 19 patients underwent 25 AUS implantations performed by a single surgeon. The cause of incontinence was sphincter incompetence, which was secondary to prostate surgery, neurogenic bladder, radiation, and post-traumatic urethral lesion. Twenty-three prostheses were placed in the bulbar urethra for male patients: 11 AUS cuffs were placed through the perineal approach and 12 through the penoscrotal approach. Two procedures were applied over the bladder neck for the female patients. Through a retrospective review of charts, continence and complications were analyzed. The mean follow-up time was 50.0 ± 42.9 months (range: 2-146 months). There were 16 successful surgeries (64%), and these patients were free from the need for a pad. In eight surgeries (32%), the devices were removed due to infection, while one implantation (4%) was unsuccessful due to perforation into the bulbar urethra. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.024) in failure rates between patients who received radiotherapy (100%) and other patients (22.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in dry and revision rates (p > 0.05) between the perineal and penoscrotal approach. Accordingly, over half of the patients with total incontinence benefitted from AUS implantation. In consideration of the high failure rate for patients receiving radiotherapy, caution should be exercised in the use of implantation. Secondary implantation has a satisfactory success rate in selected patients. The same success rate was noted for both perineal and penoscrotal approaches. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter in radiated and non - radiated compromised urethra. Assessment with a minimum 2 year follow-up

PubMed Central

Long, Erwann Le; Rebibo, John David; Nouhaud, Francois Xavier; Grise, Philippe

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Purpose to assess the efficacy of transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation on continence for male stress urinary incontinence in cases of prior surgical treatment or/and radiation failure, and as a first option in radiation patients. Materials and Methods From March 2007 to August 2012, 37 male patients were treated with transcorporal AUS AMS™ 800. Twelve patients had primary placement of transcorporal cuff, a surgical option due to a previous history of radiation and 25 patients had secondary procedure after failure of AUS or urinary incontinence surgery. Functional urinary outcomes were assessed by daily pad use, 24-hour Pad-test and ICIQ-SF questionnaire. Quality of life and satisfaction were assessed based on I-QoL and PGI-I questionnaires. Results After a median of 32 months, the continence rate (0 to 1 pad) was 69.7%. Median pad test was 17.5g (0-159), mean ICIQ-SF score was 7.3/21 (±5.4) and mean I-QoL score was 93.9/110. A total of 88% of the patients reported satisfaction with the AUS. The 5-year actuarial revision-free for AUS total device was 51%. Patients for primary implant for radiation were not more likely to experience revision than non-radiation patients. Preservation of erections was reported in half of the potent patients. Conclusions Transcorporal AUS cuff placement is a useful alternative procedure option for severe male UI treatment, especially in patients with a compromised urethra after prior surgery or radiation. A high continence rate was reported and implantation as first option in radiation patients should be considered. PMID:27286112

Urethral sphincters response to cavernosus muscles stimulation with identification of cavernoso-urethral reflex.

PubMed

Shafik, A; Shafik, A A; Shafik, I; el-Sibai, O

2005-01-01

The functional activity of the urethral sphincters during cavernosus muscles' contraction at coitus has been poorly addressed in the literature. We investigated the hypothesis that cavernosus muscles' contraction affects reflex contraction of the urethral sphincters to guard against semen reflux into the urinary bladder or urine leakage from the bladder during orgasm and ejaculation. The electromyographic (EMG) response of the external (EUS) and internal (IUS) urethral sphincters to ischio- (ICM) and bulbo- (BCM) cavernosus muscle stimulation was studied in 15 healthy volunteers (9 men, 6 women, age 39.3 +/- 8.2 SD years). An electrode was applied to each of ICM and BCM (stimulating electrodes) and the 2 urethral sphincters (recording electrodes). The test was repeated after individual anesthetization of the urethral sphincters and the 2 cavernosus muscles, and after using saline instead of lidocaine. Upon stimulation of each of the 2 cavernosus muscles, the EUS and IUS recorded increased EMG activity. Repeated cavernosus muscles' stimulation evoked the urethral sphincteric response without fatigue. The urethral sphincters did not respond to stimulation of the anesthetized cavernosus muscles nor did the anesthetized urethral sphincters respond to cavernosus muscle stimulation. Saline infiltration instead of lidocaine did not affect the urethral sphincteric response to cavernosal muscle stimulation. Results were reproducible. Cavernosus muscles' contraction is suggested to effect EUS and IUS contraction. This action seems to be reflex and mediated through the 'cavernoso-urethral reflex.' Urethral sphincters contraction upon cavernosus muscles contraction during sexual intercourse presumably prevents urine leak from the urinary bladder to urethra, prevents retrograde ejaculation, and propels ejaculate from the posterior to the penile urethra. The cavernoso-urethral reflex can act a diagnostic tool in the investigations of patients with ejaculatory disorders.

Dose accumulation of multiple high dose rate prostate brachytherapy treatments in two commercially available image registration systems.

PubMed

Poder, Joel; Yuen, Johnson; Howie, Andrew; Bece, Andrej; Bucci, Joseph

2017-11-01

The purpose of this study was to assess whether deformable image registration (DIR) is required for dose accumulation of multiple high dose rate prostate brachytherapy (HDRPBT) plans treated with the same catheter pattern on two different CT datasets. DIR was applied to 20 HDRPBT patients' planning CT images who received two treatment fractions on sequential days, on two different CT datasets, with the same implant. Quality of DIR in Velocity and MIM image registration systems was assessed by calculating the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and mean distance to agreement (MDA) for the prostate, urethra and rectum contours. Accumulated doses from each system were then calculated using the same DIR technique and dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters compared to manual addition with no DIR. The average DSC was found to be 0.83 (Velocity) and 0.84 (MIM), 0.80 (Velocity) and 0.80 (MIM), 0.80 (Velocity) and 0.81 (MIM), for the prostate, rectum and urethra contours, respectively. The average difference in calculated DVH parameters between the two systems using dose accumulation was less than 1%, and there was no statistically significant difference found between deformably accumulated doses in the two systems versus manual DVH addition with no DIR. Contour propagation using DIR in velocity and MIM was shown to be at least equivalent to inter-observer contouring variability on CT. The results also indicate that dose accumulation through manual addition of DVH parameters may be sufficient for HDRPBT treatments treated with the same catheter pattern on two different CT datasets. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An investigation of the effects from a urethral warming system on temperature distributions during cryoablation treatment of the prostate: a phantom study.

PubMed

Favazza, C P; Gorny, K R; King, D M; Rossman, P J; Felmlee, J P; Woodrum, D A; Mynderse, L A

2014-08-01

Introduction of urethral warmers to aid cryosurgery in the prostate has significantly reduced the incidence of urethral sloughing; however, the incidence rate still remains as high as 15%. Furthermore, urethral warmers have been associated with an increase of cancer recurrence rates. Here, we report results from our phantom-based investigation to determine the impact of a urethral warmer on temperature distributions around cryoneedles during cryosurgery. Cryoablation treatments were simulated in a tissue mimicking phantom containing a urethral warming catheter. Four different configurations of cryoneedles relative to urethral warming catheter were investigated. For each configuration, the freeze-thaw cycles were repeated with and without the urethral warming system activated. Temperature histories were recorded at various pre-arranged positions relative to the cryoneedles and urethral warming catheter. In all configurations, the urethral warming system was effective at maintaining sub-lethal temperatures at the simulated surface of the urethra. The warmer action, however, was additionally demonstrated to potentially negatively impact treatment lethality in the target zone by elevating minimal temperatures to sub-lethal levels. In all needle configurations, rates of freezing and thawing were not significantly affected by the use of the urethral warmer. The results indicate that the urethral warming system can protect urethral tissue during cryoablation therapy with cryoneedles placed as close as 5mm to the surface of the urethra. Using a urethral warming system and placing multiple cryoneedles within 1cm of each other delivers lethal cooling at least 5mm from the urethral surface while sparing urethral tissue. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Complex posterior urethral injury

PubMed Central

Kulkarni, Sanjay B.; Joshi, Pankaj M.; Hunter, Craig; Surana, Sandesh; Shahrour, Walid; Alhajeri, Faisal

2015-01-01

Objective To assess treatment strategies for seven different scenarios for treating complex pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI), categorised as repeat surgery for PFUI, ischaemic bulbar urethral necrosis (BUN), repair in boys and girls aged ⩽12 years, in patients with a recto-urethral fistula, or bladder neck incontinence, or with a double block at the bulbomembranous urethra and bladder neck/prostate region. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed the success rates and surgical procedures of these seven complex scenarios in the repair of PFUI at our institution from 2000 to 2013. Results In all, >550 PFUI procedures were performed at our centre, and 308 of these patients were classified as having a complex PFUI, with 225 patients available for follow-up. The overall success rates were 81% and 77% for primary and repeat procedures respectively. The overall success rate of those with BUN was 76%, using various methods of novel surgical techniques. Boys aged ⩽12 years with PFUI required a transpubic/abdominal approach 31% of the time, compared to 9% in adults. Young girls with PFUI also required a transpubic/abdominal urethroplasty, with a success rate of 66%. In patients with a recto-urethral fistula the success rate was 90% with attention to proper surgical principles, including a three-stage procedure and appropriate interposition. The treatment of bladder neck incontinence associated with the tear-drop deformity gave a continence rate of 66%. Children with a double block at the bulbomembranous urethra and at the bladder neck-prostate junction were all continent after a one-stage transpubic/abdominal procedure. Conclusion An understanding of complex pelvic fractures and their appropriate management can provide successful outcomes. PMID:26019978

Three-dimensional translabial ultrasound assessment of urethral supports and the urethral sphincter complex in stress urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Cassadó Garriga, Jordi; Pessarrodona Isern, Antoni; Rodríguez Carballeira, Monica; Pallarols Badia, Mar; Moya Del Corral, Manuela; Valls Esteve, Marta; Huguet Galofré, Eva

2017-09-01

The pathophysiological mechanism of incontinence is multifactorial. We evaluated the role of 3D-4D ultrasound in the assessment of the fascial supports of the urethra and the urethral sphincter complex (USC) for diagnosing stress urinary incontinence. Observational case-control study in women with and without stress urinary incontinence attending a urogynecology service and a general gynecology service. All women were interviewed, examined, and classified according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) and underwent a 3D-4D translabial ultrasound. Fascial supports of the urethra were assessed by tomographic ultrasound and were considered to be intact or absent if it was possible to identify them at eight levels on each side, urethral mobility was assessed on maximal Valsalva in sagittal section and the length and volume of the USC at rest and on maximal Valsalva were determined using the Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis (VOCAL) program. Variables were compared between continent and incontinent women. A total of 173 women were examined, 78 continent and 95 incontinent. There was a significant difference in urethral mobility between continent and incontinent women (12.82 mm vs. 21.85 mm, P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the percentage of supports affected (43.27% vs. 35.94%, P < 0.070). The length of the USC at rest was significantly shorter (P < 0.001) ​​in incontinent patients. Ultrasound evaluation of urethral supports does not discriminate between continent and incontinent women. However, the length of the USC at rest was shorter and urethral mobility was higher in incontinent women. Neurourol. Urodynam. 9999:XX-XX, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Expression of Pleiotrophin in the Prostate is Androgen Regulated and it Functions as an Autocrine Regulator of Mesenchyme and Cancer Associated Fibroblasts and as a Paracrine Regulator of Epithelia

PubMed Central

Orr, Brigid; Vanpoucke, Griet; Grace, O Cathal; Smith, Lee; Anderson, Richard A; Riddick, Antony CP; Franco, Omar E; Hayward, Simon W; Thomson, Axel A

2011-01-01

BACKGROUND Androgens and paracrine signaling from mesenchyme/stroma regulate development and disease of the prostate, and gene profiling studies of inductive prostate mesenchyme have identified candidate molecules such as pleiotrophin (Ptn). METHODS Ptn transcripts and protein were localized by in situ and immunohistochemistry and Ptn mRNA was quantitated by Northern blot and qRT-PCR. Ptn function was examined by addition of hPTN protein to rat ventral prostate organ cultures, primary human fetal prostate fibroblasts, prostate cancer associated fibroblasts, and BPH1 epithelia. RESULTS During development, Ptn transcripts and protein were expressed in ventral mesenchymal pad (VMP) and prostatic mesenchyme. Ptn was localized to mesenchyme surrounding ductal epithelial tips undergoing branching morphogenesis, and was located on the surface of epithelia. hPTN protein stimulated branching morphogenesis and stromal and epithelial proliferation, when added to rat VP cultures, and also stimulated growth of fetal human prostate fibroblasts, prostate cancer associated fibroblasts, and BPH1 epithelia. PTN mRNA was enriched in patient-matched normal prostate fibroblasts versus prostate cancer associated fibroblasts. PTN also showed male enriched expression in fetal human male urethra versus female, and between wt male and ARKO male mice. Transcripts for PTN were upregulated by testosterone in fetal human prostate fibroblasts and organ cultures of female rat VMP. Ptn protein was increased by testosterone in organ cultures of female rat VMP and in rat male urethra compared to female. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that in the prostate Ptn functions as a regulator of both mesenchymal and epithelial proliferation, and that androgens regulate Ptn levels. Prostate 71:305–317, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID:20812209

Effects of birth trauma and estrogen on urethral elastic fibers and elastin expression.

PubMed

Lin, Guiting; Ning, Hongxiu; Wang, Guifang; Banie, Lia; Lue, Tom F; Lin, Ching-Shwun

2010-10-01

To investigate the effects of birth trauma and estrogen on urethral elastic fibers and elastin expression. Pregnant rats were subjected to sham operation (Delivery-only), DVDO (delivery, vaginal distension and ovariectomy), or DVDO + E₂ (estrogen). At 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks, their urethras were harvested for elastic fiber staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Urethral cells were treated with transforming growth factor- β1 (TGFβ1) and/or estrogen and analyzed for elastin mRNA expression. Urethral cells were also examined for the activities of Smad1- and Smad3/4-responsive elements in response to TGFβ1 and estrogen. At 8 weeks post-treatment, the urethras of DVDO rats had fewer and shorter elastic fibers when compared with Delivery-only rats, and those of DVDO + E₂ rats had fewer and shorter elastic fibers when compared with DVDO rats. Elastin mRNA was expressed at low levels in Delivery-only rats and at increasingly higher levels in DVDO rats at 2, 4, and 8 weeks but at sharply lower levels in DVDO + E₂ rats when compared with DVDO rats at 8 weeks. Urethral cells expressed increasingly higher levels of elastin mRNA in response to increasing concentrations of TGFβ1 up to 1 ng/mL. At this TGFβ1 concentration, urethral cells expressed significantly lower levels of elastin mRNA when treated with estrogen before or after TGFβ1 treatment. Both Smad1- and Smad3/4-responsive elements were activated by TGFβ1 and such activation was suppressed by estrogen. Birth trauma appears to activate urethral elastin expression via TGFβ1 signaling. Estrogen interferes with this signaling, resulting in improper assembly of elastic fibers. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chronic Infection of the Prostate by Chlamydia muridarum Is Accompanied by Local Inflammation and Pelvic Pain Development.

PubMed

Sanchez, Leonardo R; Breser, Maria L; Godoy, Gloria J; Salazar, Florencia C; Mackern-Oberti, Juan P; Cuffini, Cecilia; Motrich, Ruben D; Rivero, Virginia E

2017-04-01

Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infections are the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infections. Although the prevalence of chlamydial infection is similar in men and women, current research is mainly focused on women, neglecting the study of male genital tract infections. We, therefore, investigated Chlamydia infection in the rodent male genital tract. Male NOD and C57BL/6 mice were inoculated in the meatus urethra with C. muridarum. Bacterial DNA, leukocyte infiltration of male genital tract tissues, pelvic pain, and Chlamydia-specific immune responses were analyzed at different time points. The inoculation of C. muridarum in the meatus urethra of male mice resulted in an ascending and widely disseminated infection of the male genital tract. C. muridarum remained longer and with the highest bacterial burdens in the prostate, thus showing a special tropism for this organ. Infection caused leukocyte infiltration, mainly composed by neutrophils, and also induced early pelvic pain development that rapidly dropped and resolved as the infection became chronic. Bacterial load and leukocyte infiltration was observed in all prostate lobes, although dorsolateral prostate was the most affected lobe. Interestingly, immune responses induced by both mice strains were characterized by the production of high levels of IL-10 during early stages of the infection, with highest and sustained levels observed in NOD mice, which showed to be less efficient in clearing the infection. Chronic infection of the prostate accompanied by local inflammation and pelvic pain development described herein have important implications for the improvement of the diagnosis and for the design of new efficient therapies. Prostate 77:517-529, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anterior urethral valve in an adolescent with nocturnal enuresis.

PubMed

Wu, Chia Chang; Yang, Stephen Shei Dei; Tsai, Yao Chou

2007-11-01

The anterior urethral valve (AUV) is a rare congenital urethral anomaly that can lead to variable urinary tract symptoms. We report on a 13-year-old boy with AUV who was referred from a primary care physician for nocturnal enuresis. AUV was disclosed by videourodynamic study and confirmed by simultaneous retrograde cystourethroscopy and antegrade urethroscopy. The AUV was ablated by neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet contact laser at the 5-o'clock and 7-o'clock directions. A postoperative videourodynamic study depicted a patent urethra, a good maximal flow rate, and improved bladder capacity. His nocturnal enuresis had completely subsided at a follow-up period of longer than 24 months.

Missed diagnosis of anterior urethral valve complicated with a foreign body: a cause for concern.

PubMed

Nayyar, Rishi; Chavda, Sundeep; Singh, Prabhjot; Gupta, Narmada P

2011-01-01

Anterior urethral valve (AUV) is a long known but rare anomaly, which is occasionally encountered in boys with obstructive uropathy. We present a case of AUV with a diverticulum which was misdiagnosed at other center as neurogenic bladder resulting in chronic renal failure. The case was further complicated by breakage of tip of the catheter used for clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) in the diverticulum presenting as a foreign body in the urethra. This article highlights the frequently missed diagnosis of AUV by most practitioners wrongly labeling it as neurogenic bladder, leading to improper management and renal failure in young boys.

Fee-Based Versus Fixed Income Reimbursement: A Comparative Analysis of Staff Physicians and Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) Partnership Physicians at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-07-01

vaginitis and vulvovaginitis , appeared a total of 117 times in the data set. While 616.1 was overall ranked as the tenth most frequently used ICD-9...124) 9. 462 Acute Pharyngitis (n-118) 10. 616.1 Vaginitis and Vulvovaginitis (n-117) 11. 692.9 Contact Dermatitis and other Eczema, Unspecified Cause...Urethra and Urinary Tract Comparative Analy3is 60 (n-17) 33. 464.1 Acute Tracheitis (n-16) 34. 616.1 Vaginitis and Vulvovaginitis (n-15) 35. 910.5

Penile Fracture Following a Fall in a 7-Year-Old Male.

PubMed

Meenakshi-Sundaram, Bhalaajee; Coco, Caitlin T; Furr, James R; Shaw, Marshall D; Frimberger, Dominic C

2017-08-01

We report a rare case of isolated penile fracture in a prepubescent male caused by an accidental fall. The patient presented with swelling and ecchymosis on the base of the penis and along the penile shaft. A flexible cystoscopy was performed, which did not reveal any concomitant urethral injury. The penis was degloved and the corporal tear was closed with absorbable suture. Due to the location of the injury, ventral mobilization of the urethra was required. The pathophysiology of penile fracture as well as the diagnosis and management of this rare injury are discussed in this report. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Rare Case of Transvesical Cesarean Section

PubMed Central

Juneja, Sunil Kumar; Tandon, Pooja; Kochhar, Bakul; Singh, Harman Deep; Sharma, Bhanupriya

2017-01-01

Cesarean section, also commonly known as C-section, is a surgical procedure in which incision is made through a mother's abdomen and uterus to deliver one or more babies. According to urgency, they are classified either as elective or emergency. According to technique, they have been classified as classical, lower uterine segment and cesarean hysterectomy. Intentional transvesical cesarean though not a routinely practiced technique is used for delivery in women born with imperforate anus, ectopic intravaginal urethra, vaginal and urethral strictures, and bladder adherent completely over the uterus. Since such cases are very rare, we are reporting one such case of transvesical cesarean section. PMID:28904925

The Association of Congenital Urethral Duplication and Double Megalourethra

PubMed Central

Uçar, Murat; Karagözlü Akgül, Ahsen; Kılıç, Nizamettin; Balkan, Emin

2017-01-01

Background: Urethral duplication and megalourethra are rare urethral anomalies. However, the concomitance of urethral duplication and double megalourethra has not been reported previously. Case Report: A newborn was presented with penile swelling during voiding. Physical examination revealed a retractable foreskin and two external meatus of a double urethra. Retrograde urethrography demonstrated two complete megalourethras. Urethro-urethrostomy and urethroplasty were performed when the patient was 10 months old. The patient was followed up for one year without any urinary problems and has good cosmetics and urinary continence. Conclusion: The concomitance of these two rare anomalies and more importantly its surgical treatment makes this case report unique and valuable. PMID:29215339

Posterior Urethral Strictures

PubMed Central

Gelman, Joel; Wisenbaugh, Eric S.

2015-01-01

Pelvic fracture urethral injuries are typically partial and more often complete disruptions of the most proximal bulbar and distal membranous urethra. Emergency management includes suprapubic tube placement. Subsequent primary realignment to place a urethral catheter remains a controversial topic, but what is not controversial is that when there is the development of a stricture (which is usually obliterative with a distraction defect) after suprapubic tube placement or urethral catheter removal, the standard of care is delayed urethral reconstruction with excision and primary anastomosis. This paper reviews the management of patients who suffer pelvic fracture urethral injuries and the techniques of preoperative urethral imaging and subsequent posterior urethroplasty. PMID:26691883

Single piece artificial urinary sphincter for secondary incontinence following successful repair of post traumatic urethral injury

PubMed Central

Kandpal, D. K.; Rawat, S. K.; Kanwar, S.; Baruha, A.; Chowdhary, S. K.

2013-01-01

Post traumatic urethral injury is uncommon in children. The management of this condition is dependent on the severity of injury. Initial suprapubic cystostomy with delayed repair is the conventional treatment. Successful reconstruction of urethral injury may be followed by urethral stricture, incontinence, impotence, and retrograde ejaculation. Successful repair of post traumatic urethral injury followed by secondary incontinence in children has not been well addressed in literature. We report the management of one such child, with satisfactory outcome with implantation of a new model of single piece artificial urinary sphincter in the bulbar urethra by perineal approach. PMID:24347870

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-URETHROVAGINAL FISTULA CAUSED BY A MIGRATING GRASS AWN IN THE VAGINA.

PubMed

Agut, Amalia; Carrillo, Juana D; Anson, Agustina; Belda, Eliseo; Soler, Marta

2016-05-01

A young intact female dog was presented with urinary incontinence. Abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of hyperechoic linear structures within the cranial vagina suggestive of foreign material. A computed tomography (CT) retrograde vaginourethrogram demonstrated the presence of a fistulous tract between the urethra and vagina. A presumptive diagnosis of urethrovaginal fistula due to migration of foreign material was made. The grass awn was removed with vaginoscopic-guided retrieval. Fourteen days later, surgical repair of the fistula and an ovariohysterectomy were done. This case report emphasizes the usefulness of CT for diagnosis and precise anatomical localization of genitourinary tract fistulas. © 2015 American College of Veterinary Radiology.

A bulbar artery pseudoaneurysm following traumatic urethral catheterization.

PubMed

Bettez, Mathieu; Aubé, Melanie; Sherbiny, Mohamed El; Cabrera, Tatiana; Jednak, Roman

2017-01-01

Traumatic urethral catheterization may result in a number of serious complications. A rare occurrence is the development of a urethral pseudoaneurysm. We report the case of a 13-year-old male who required placement of a Foley catheter for an orthopedic surgical procedure. The Foley was misplaced in the bulbourethra, resulting in the development of a bulbar artery pseudoaneurysm. Profuse bleeding via the urethra was noted after removal of the catheter, and the patient experienced severe intermittent hematuria during the postoperative period. Cystoscopy revealed a pulsatile mass within the bulbourethra. Angiography confirmed a bulbar artery pseudoaneurysm, which was successfully embolized with resolution of bleeding.

Pelvic Floor 3D Ultrasound of Women with a TVT, TVT-O, or TVT-S for Stress Urinary Incontinence at the Three-year Follow-up.

PubMed

Rodrigues, Claudinei A; Bianchi-Ferraro, Ana Maria H M; Zucchi, Eliana Viana Monteiro; Sartori, Marair G F; Girão, Manoel J B C; Jarmy-Di Bella, Zsuzsanna I K

2017-09-01

Objective  Using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US), we aimed to compare the tape position and the angle formed by the sling arms in different techniques of mid-urethral sling insertion for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence, three years after surgery. In addition, we examined the correlations between the US findings and the clinical late postoperative results. Methods  A prospective cross-sectional cohort study of 170 patients who underwent a sling procedure between May 2009 and December 2011 was performed. The final sample, with US images of sufficient quality, included 26 retropubic slings (tension-free vaginal tape, TVT), 42 transobturator slings (tension-free vaginal tape-obturator, TVT-O), and 37 single-incision slings (tension-free vaginal tape-Secur, TVT-S). The images (at rest, during the Valsalva maneuver, and during pelvic floor contraction) were analyzed offline by 2 different observers blinded against the surgical and urinary continence status. Group comparisons were performed using the Student t -test, the chi-squared and the Kruskal-Wallis tests, and analyses of variance with Tukey multiple comparisons. Results  Differences among the groups were found in the mean angle of the tape arms (TVT = 119.94°, TVT-O = 141.93°, TVT-S = 121.06°; p  < 0.001) and in the distance between the bladder neck and the tape at rest (TVT = 1.65 cm, TVT-O = 1.93 cm, TVT-S = 1.95 cm; p  = 0.010). The global objective cure rate was of 87.8% (TVT = 88.5%, TVT-O = 90.5%, TVT-S = 83.8%; p  = 0.701). The overall subjective cure rate was of 83.8% (TVT = 88.5%, TVT-O = 88.5% and TVT-S = 78.4%; p  = 0.514). The slings were located in the mid-urethra in 85.7% of the patients (TVT = 100%, TVT-O = 73.8%, TVT-S = 89.2%; p  = 0.001), with a more distal location associated with obesity (distal: 66.7% obese; mid-urethra: 34% obese; p  = 0.003). Urgency-related symptoms were observed in 23.8% of the patients (TVT = 30.8%, TVT-O = 21.4%, TVT-S = 21.6%; p  = 0.630). Conclusions  The angle formed by the arms of the sling tape was more obtuse for the transobturator slings compared with the angles for the retropubic or single-incision slings. Retropubic slings were more frequently located in the mid-urethra compared with the other slings, regardless of obesity. However, the analyzed sonographic measures did not correlate with the urinary symptoms three years after the surgery. Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Application of memory metallic stents to urinary tract disorders in pediatric patients.

PubMed

Kamata, Shinkichi; Usui, Noriaki; Kamiyama, Masafumi; Yoneda, Akihiro; Tazuke, Yuko; Ooue, Takaharu

2005-03-01

The use of memory metallic stents for the urinary tract in pediatric patients has not been reported. The authors report on 2 patients with urinary tract disorders who were successfully treated with a memory metallic stent. A thermoexpandable, nickel-titanium alloy stent was placed at the urethroureteral junction of a 4-year-old boy with ureteral stenosis associated with cloacal exstrophy for 18 months and at the urethra of a 2-year-old girl with ischuria after a repair of cloacal anomaly for 6 months. Temporary insertion of a memory metallic stent is a safe and effective alternative for organic stricture or functional obstruction of the urinary tract in pediatric patients.

Pregnancy and delivery with Kindler syndrome.

PubMed

Hayashi, Shusaku; Shimoya, Koichiro; Itami, Satoshi; Murata, Yuji

2007-01-01

Kindler syndrome is a rare, autosomal-recessive skin disease characterized by bullous poikiloderma. Mucosal manifestations are common that involve the oral cavity, esophagus, urethra and genital organs. A 37-year-old woman with Kindler syndrome received prenatal care at our hospital. Her skin disease did not change during pregnancy and puerperium. Her pregnancy course was uneventful, but an elective cesarean section was performed at 38 weeks of gestation due to vaginal stenosis. Surgical wound healing was uncomplicated. Pregnancy did not exacerbate the cutaneous symptoms of Kindler syndrome in this case. Cesarean delivery may be necessary in cases with severe genital lesions besides obstetrical indications. Careful perioperative management is needed to protect vulnerable skin and mucosa. 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

Carcinoma of the urethra: radiation oncology.

PubMed

Koontz, Bridget F; Lee, W Robert

2010-08-01

Urethral cancer is a rare but aggressive neoplasm. Early-stage distal lesions can be successfully treated with a single modality. Results for definitive radiotherapy using either or both external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy have shown excellent cure rates in men and women. The primary advantage of radiotherapy is organ preservation. Advanced tumors, however, have poor outcomes with single modality treatment. Results have been improved using a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, chiefly 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C. Although literature is limited to case reports because of the rarity of the disease, the markedly improved results compared with older results of surgery with or without radiation warrant consideration. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Giant kidney worms in a patient with renal cell carcinoma

PubMed Central

Kuehn, Jemima; Lombardo, Lindsay; Janda, William M; Hollowell, Courtney M P

2016-01-01

Dioctophyma renale (D. renale), or giant kidney worms, are the largest nematodes that infect mammals. Approximately 20 cases of human infection have been reported. We present a case of a 71-year-old man with a recent history of unintentional weight loss and painless haematuria, passing elongated erythematous tissue via his urethra. CT revealed a left renal mass with pulmonary nodules and hepatic lesions. On microscopy, the erythematous tissue passed was identified as D. renale. On subsequent renal biopsy, pathology was consistent with renal cell carcinoma. This is the first reported case of concomitant D. renale infection and renal cell carcinoma, and the second reported case of D. renale infection of the left kidney alone. PMID:26952087

Transrectal ultrasound-guided extraction of impacted prostatic urethral calculi: a simple alternative to endoscopy

PubMed Central

Amend, Gregory; Gandhi, Jason; Smith, Noel L.; Weissbart, Steven J.; Schulsinger, David A.; Joshi, Gargi

2017-01-01

Urethral stones can become impacted in the posterior urethra, typically presenting with varying degrees of acute urinary retention and lower urinary tract symptoms. These are traditionally treated in the inpatient setting, with external urethrotomy or endoscopic push-back of the calculus into the urinary bladder followed by cystolitholapaxy or cystolithotripsy. However, these methods are invasive, involve general anesthesia, and require radiation. In this report, we describe a simple, minimally invasive, and safe alternative technique to visualize and remove impacted prostatic urethral stones under the real-time guidance of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). The urologist can accomplish this procedure in the office, avoiding radiation exposure to the patient and hospital admission. PMID:28725602

Evaluation and management of anterior urethral stricture disease

PubMed Central

Mangera, Altaf; Osman, Nadir; Chapple, Christopher

2016-01-01

Urethral stricture disease affects many men worldwide. Traditionally, the investigation of choice has been urethrography and the management of choice has been urethrotomy/dilatation. In this review, we discuss the evidence behind the use of ultrasonography in stricture assessment. We also discuss the factors a surgeon should consider when deciding the management options with each individual patient. Not all strictures are identical and surgeons should appreciate the poor long-term results of urethrotomy/dilatation for strictures longer than 2 cm, strictures in the penile urethra, recurrent strictures, and strictures secondary to lichen sclerosus. These patients may benefit from primary urethroplasty if they have many adverse features or secondary urethroplasty after the first recurrence. PMID:26918169

980-nm diode laser and fiber optic resectoscope in endourological surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cecchetti, Walter; Guazzieri, Stefano; Tasca, Andrea; Dal Bianco, M.; Zattoni, Filiberto; Pagano, Francesco

1996-12-01

The 980 nm Ceralas D50 diode laser, produces homogeneous lesions on tissues of different nature. In our endourological tests we used the Ceralas D50 coupled with Comeg 24 ch laser resectoscope, and we treated 22 patients: n.5 bladder cancers, n.3 uretero pelvic junction obstructions, with hydronephrosis, n.3 urethra stenosis, n1 ureter stenosis, n.4 multiple upper tract transitional cell carcinomas, n.6 BPH treatments with VLAP modalities. Using the 1000 micrometers delivery fibers with different shaped tips, we obtained a bloodless sharp cut and easily vaporizations with minimum carbonizations, with power output in the range of 8-12 W, and 18-24W for VLAP.

An electrophysiologic study of female ejaculation.

PubMed

Shafik, Ahmed; Shafik, Ismail A; El Sibai, Olfat; Shafik, Ali A

2009-01-01

Opinions vary over whether female ejaculation exists or not. We investigated the hypothesis that female orgasm is not associated with ejaculation. Thirty-eight healthy women were studied. The study comprised of glans clitoris electrovibration with simultaneous recording of vaginal and uterine pressures as well as electromyography of corpus cavernous and ischio- and bulbo-cavernosus muscles. Glans clitoris electrovibration was continued until and throughout orgasm. Upon glans clitoris electrovibration, vaginal and uterine pressures as well as corpus cavernous electromyography diminished until a full erection occurred when the silent cavernosus muscles were activated. At orgasm, the electromyography of ischio-and bulbo-cavernosus muscles increased intermittently. The female orgasm was not associated with the appearance of fluid coming out of the vagina or urethra.

Urethral masturbation and sexual disinhibition in dementia: a case report.

PubMed

Rosenthal, Michal; Berkman, Pinhas; Shapira, Adi; Gil, Israel; Abramovitz, Jancu

2003-01-01

Urethral masturbation and sexual disinhibition as manifestations of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are described in a 90-year-old patient who repeatedly self-inserted foreign bodies into his urethra. A diagnosis was made of late onset sexual disinhibition and hypersexuality in a patient with Dementia of the Alzheimer Type. Significant reduction of his sexual behavior was achieved with low doses of haloperidol. Similar symptoms are noted in Pick's disease, other fronto-temporal lesions, mania and following a seizure or treatment of Parkinson's disease, and have been described as Kluver-Busy-type. Clinicians should consider this diagnosis when investigating dysuria, cystitis, haematuria and urinary tract infections even in the very old.

Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Impaired Bladder Emptying

PubMed Central

Yoshimura, Naoki; Chancellor, Michael B

2004-01-01

Although much attention is paid to urinary incontinence, the condition of incomplete bladder emptying is becoming more common with the aging of the US population and the widespread use of anticholinergic drugs to treat overactive bladder. This disorder can often be silent until end-stage presentation of overflow incontinence. In this article, we review the pathophysiologic conditions of the bladder and urethra that can cause impaired bladder emptying and discuss how to evaluate and screen the patient with a bladder that does not empty. In addition, we provide an overview of treatment options available for impaired bladder emptying and consider the research that is under way to find the best therapies for the failing bladder. PMID:16985851

Management of posterior urethral strictures secondary to pelvic fractures in children.

PubMed

al-Rifaei, M A; Gaafar, S; Abdel-Rahman, M

1991-02-01

Bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty was performed in 20 children with posterior urethral strictures secondary to bony pelvic fractures. The approach was perineal in 4 children and transpubic abdominoperineal in 16, with good postoperative results in 100 and 62.5%, respectively. In some children the urethral disruption occurred within the prostate itself and not at the prostatomembranous junction. In such cases the proximal sphincteric mechanism may be at risk and immediate repair of the injury is advisable. In the case of common prostatomembranous disruption displacement of the urethra may be significant. In such cases a transpubic approach is preferable. If the proximal sphincteric mechanism is deranged, it can be managed at the same time.

Neo-yoke repair for severe hypospadias: A simple modification for better outcome.

PubMed

Seleim, Hamed M; Morsi, Hani; Elbarbary, Mohamed M

2017-06-01

Although staged repair for reconstructing severe hypospadias is more popular, various one-stage repairs have been attempted. Koyanagi repair (parameatal-based and fully extended circumferential foreskin flap urethroplasty) has enabled correction of severe hypospadias in one stage. However, its un-acceptably high incidence of complications has initiated a series of technical modifications, including the "yoke" repair. To retrospectively analyze the outcome of a proposed modification of the originally described yoke repair, for patients with severe hypospadias. This modification was developed to reduce complications. Over 4 years (between Jan 2011 and Jan 2015), all cases of severe hypospadias were included in this study; except those with prior attempts at repair, circumcised cases, and cases with severe hypogonadism - because of partial androgen insensitivity - not responding to hormonal manipulations. The make-up of the neo-urethra in this modification is the urethral plate with its spongiosal tissue proximally, a circum-coronal preputial pedicled flap in the middle, and an incorporated part of the augmented preputial flap and the preserved V-shaped glanular urethra, distally. Close postoperative follow-up was conducted to investigate the outcome. Thirty-one children with a median age of 32.48 months had repair of severe hypospadias using the neo-yoke technique. After a median follow-up of 26.7 months, the overall complication rate was 16.1%. Four children developed urethrocutaneous fistula (12.9%). Meatal drop-back occurred in one case (3.2%). No meatal stenosis or urethral sacculation was detected during follow-up of the studied group. Almost all cases had cosmetically appealing outlook. Single-staged repair of severe hypospadias using parameatal foreskin-based urethroplasty has passed through different modifications, all aimed at optimizing the outcome (Table). Neo-yoke repair for severe hypospadias is a natural development of established one-stage techniques, which resulted in better mid-term outcomes. However, an extended study is needed to declare the long-term results. Copyright © 2017 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study on development of accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids using two-dimensional ultrasonography

PubMed Central

Kumari, Sonu; Luthra, R. A.; Chandolia, R. K.; Kumar, Sandeep; Kumar, Parveen; Devender; Kumar, Ankit; Bishnoi, Nidhi; Bishnoi, Sunil

2016-01-01

Aim: The present study was undertaken to study growth pattern of accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids from 2 weeks to 6 months of age using two-dimensional ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on six Beetal kids. The scanning of accessory sex glands was done in standing position using rectal probe and measurements were recorded. Data collected were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan multiple range test was performed using the SPSS (16.0) system for windows. Results: With the advancement of age all the dimensions of glands increased. Both the lobes of prostate gland showed an increase in width with advancement of age. Width of prostate above the urethra (W1) showed a significant increase at 2, 10, and 20 weeks of age, whereas non-significant increase from 2 to 8, 10 to 19, and 20 to 24 weeks of age was recorded. Width of prostate below the urethra (W2) showed a significant increase at 20 weeks of age, whereas non-significant increase was recorded during rest of period of growth. Left and right bulbourethral gland showed a similar pattern of growth with the advancement of age. The circumference dimensions increased significantly at 2, 16, 20, and 21 weeks of age for both glands. The increase was non-significant from 4 to 14, 16 to 19, and 20 to 23 weeks of age. The same pattern was observed for left and right seminal vesicular gland. Conclusion: Significant growth in three accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids was not observed at the same age. The trend observed was that the prostate was the first gland to show significant growth at 10 weeks of age followed by a significant increase in seminal vesicles and bulbourethral gland at 14 and 16 weeks of age, respectively. PMID:27182127

Penile fracture: presentation and management.

PubMed

Nawaz, Haq; Khan, Masha; Tareen, Faiz Muhammed; Khan, Saadat

2010-05-01

To evaluate the clinical presentation, therapeutic options and outcome of the treatment of penile fracture. Case series. The Department of Urology and Transplantation, Civil Hospital Quetta, between March 1995 and March 2009. One hundered and thirty seven patients of penile fracture were admitted. Detailed history was taken. Physical examination was done in order to get the extent of penile hematoma, sign of blood at the meatus and side of curvature. Patients with rupture of the superficial and deep dorsal vein of the penis were excluded from the study. The operative plan consisted of immediate exploration, debridement and primary repair of the tear in tunica albuginea and urethra via a degloving inscision. Data analysis was performed to obtain descriptive statistics. The mean age was 25 years (ranging from 14-50 years). Causes of fractures were manipulation in 56 (40.87%) cases, sexual maneuver in 39 (28.46%) cases, rolling or fall on bed in 18 (13.13%) and direct blow on erect penis in 11 (8.02%) patients. Injury involved unilateral corpora cavernosa in 126 (89.78%) and bilateral corpora cavernosa plus urethra in 11 (8.02%) respectively. The interval from time of injury to presentation was 4 hours to 45 days. All the patients presented with the typical clinical picture of a characteristic sound at the time of injury, pain, detumescence, and hematoma. In all the patients the tunical and urethral injuries were promptly repaired. Complication occurred in 7 (5.10%) patients.The mean hospital stay was 2 days. Eighty nine (64.96%) patients available for follow-up reported achieving adequate erection for intercourse without erectile or voiding dysfunction. Common clinical presentation were snapping or popping sound, sudden penile pain, detumescence and penile deviation. The aim of surgical repair was to avoid complications and preserve both sexual and voiding functions which was satisfactorily achieved in the majority.

SU-E-T-301: Dosimetric Comparison Between Adaptive and Rectilinear Template-Based Prostate Seed Implants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sugar, E Neubauer; Buzurovic, I; O’Farrell, D

2015-06-15

Purpose: To compare the dosimetry of a standard rectilinear and an adaptive technique used in I125 prostate seed implants. Methods: To achieve favorable dosimetry in prostate implants we used adaptive needle updates to match actual positions in real-time. The seed locations were optimized based on actual needle locations. The seeds were delivered automatically with a robotic device seedSelectron™ (Elekta Brachytherapy). In this study, we evaluated the former approach against the standard rectilinear technique in which the needles have a parallel distribution. The treatment plans for 10 patients were analyzed. For comparison, the actual treatment plans were revised so each needlemore » was repositioned to its original parallel location through the template. The analysis was performed by comparing the target coverage and dose to the organs at risk. The comparison was done using the following planning goals: the target D90> 90%, V100% > 90%, V50% <70% and V200% <30%; the urethra V125% < 1cm3 and V150%= 0cm3; and the Rectum V100%<1cm3 and V69% < 8cm3. The prescription dose to the target was 145Gy. Results: The average target volume and number of seeds were 44.39cm3(SD=11.14) and 74(SD=12), respectively. The D90 for adaptive and rectilinear plans was 159.9Gy(SD=2.99) and 155.53Gy(SD=4.04) resulting in a 2.74% difference for the average target coverage. A similar difference (1.75%) was noticed in the target V100[%]. No significant difference was noticed in the dose to the urethra and rectum. All planning goals were met with both the adaptive and rectilinear approach for each plan. Conclusion: The study reveals enhanced coverage of the target when using the adaptive needle adjustments as compared to the rectilinear approach for the analyzed cases. However, the differences in dosimetry did not translate to meaningful clinical outcomes.« less

Scaffolds for whole organ tissue engineering: Construction and in vitro evaluation of a seamless, spherical and hollow collagen bladder construct with appendices.

PubMed

Hoogenkamp, Henk R; Pot, Michiel W; Hafmans, Theo G; Tiemessen, Dorien M; Sun, Yi; Oosterwijk, Egbert; Feitz, Wout F; Daamen, Willeke F; van Kuppevelt, Toin H

2016-10-01

The field of regenerative medicine has developed promising techniques to improve current neobladder strategies used for radical cystectomies or congenital anomalies. Scaffolds made from molecularly defined biomaterials are instrumental in the regeneration of tissues, but are generally confined to small flat patches and do not comprise the whole organ. We have developed a simple, one-step casting method to produce a seamless large hollow collagen-based scaffold, mimicking the shape of the whole bladder, and with integrated anastomotic sites for ureters and urethra. The hollow bladder scaffold is highly standardized, with uniform wall thickness and a unidirectional pore structure to facilitate cell infiltration in vivo. Human and porcine bladder urothelial and smooth muscle cells were able to attach to the scaffold and maintained their phenotype in vitro. The closed luminal side and the porous outside of the scaffold facilitated the formation of an urothelial lining and infiltration of smooth muscle cells, respectively. The cells aligned according to the provided scaffold template. The technology used is highly adjustable (shape, size, materials) and may be used as a starting point for research to an off-the-shelf medical device suitable for neobladders. In this study, we describe the development of a simple, one-step casting method to produce a seamless large hollow collagen-based scaffold mimicking the shape of the whole bladder with integrated anastomotic sites for ureters and urethra. The hollow bladder scaffold is highly standardized with uniform wall thickness and a unidirectional pore structure to facilitate cell infiltration in vivo. The closed luminal surface and the porous exterior of the scaffold facilitated the formation of a urothelial lining and infiltration of smooth muscle cells, respectively. The applied technology is highly adjustable (shape, size, materials) and can be the starting point for research to an off-the-shelf medical device suitable for neobladders. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

[Discovery of Chlamydia trachomatis in the throat during diagnosis of secondary syphilis in an HIV+ patient].

PubMed

Deniaud, François; Scieux, Catherine; Spindler, Edith; Janier, Michel

2003-09-20

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) pharyngitis has rarely been described in the literature. Studies in the last decade have shown a prevalence of less than 5%, with more women than men infected in the pharynx. Among homosexual men, only one study, conducted more than 5 years ago, detected the presence of CT in the throat (in one patient out of 13 tested). A 33 year-old homosexual man consulted for cutaneous lesions on the palms and the chest. Infected by HIV, he was taking antiretroviral therapy but no antibiotic prophylaxis. He admitted practising unprotected (insertive and receptive) fellatio with unknown partners. The lesions were those of secondary syphilis but the location of the chancre remained unknown. An enlarged screening for sexually transmitted infections detected the presence, through molecular amplification, of CT in the throat without further localisation (urethra, anus). After intramuscular injection of Extencillin and an 8-day-regimen of cycline, CT was no longer detected in the throat. The course of HIV infection did not appear modified by this infectious episode. According to a review of the literature, the 4 most recent studies have not revealed CT in the throat of homosexuals although the bacteria was detected in the urethra of 3 to 4% of them. Chlamydia trachomatis is more frequently detected in the genital tract rather than the pharynx of women also screened in various localisations. These results must be tempered by the participant recruitment methods, diagnostic methods used, sample size and history of recent antibiotherapy. The pharyngeal mucosa might be less receptive to CT than the urethral mucosa. Association of CT pharyngitis with syphilis or its occurrence during HIV infection are not documented. The molecular amplification technique detects CT in the throat with sensitivity and specificity. A one-week regimen of cycline can cure this pharyngitis. Cost-effectiveness of screening for pharyngeal CT has not yet been assessed in persons 'at risk'.

Upper tract urothelial recurrence following radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: an analysis of 1,069 patients with 10-year followup.

PubMed

Sanderson, Kristin M; Cai, Jie; Miranda, Gustavo; Skinner, Donald G; Stein, John P

2007-06-01

Risk factors for upper tract recurrence following radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are not yet well-defined. We reviewed our population of patients who underwent radical cystectomy to identify prognostic factors and clinical outcomes associated with upper tract recurrence. From our prospective database of 1,359 patients who underwent radical cystectomy we identified 1,069 patients treated for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder between January 1985 and December 2001. Univariate analysis was completed to determine factors predictive of upper tract recurrence. A total of 853 men and 216 women were followed for a median of 10.3 years (maximum 18.5). There were 27 (2.5%) upper tract recurrences diagnosed at a median of 3.3 years (range 0.4 to 9.3). Only urethral tumor involvement was predictive of upper tract recurrence. In men superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the prostatic urethra was associated with an increased risk of upper tract recurrence compared with prostatic stromal invasion or absence of prostatic transitional cell carcinoma (p <0.01). In women urethral transitional cell carcinoma was associated with an increased risk of upper tract recurrence (p = 0.01). Despite routine surveillance 78% of upper tract recurrence was detected after development of symptoms. Median survival following upper tract recurrence was 1.7 years (range 0.2 to 8.8). Detection of asymptomatic upper tract recurrence via surveillance did not predict lower nephroureterectomy tumor stage, absence of lymph node metastases or improved survival. Patients with bladder cancer are at lifelong risk for late oncological recurrence in the upper tract urothelium. Patients with evidence of tumor involvement within the urethra are at highest risk. Surveillance regimens frequently fail to detect tumors before symptoms develop. However, radical nephroureterectomy can provide prolonged survival.

Favorable toxicity and biochemical control using real-time inverse optimization technique for prostate brachytherapy.

PubMed

Raben, Adam; Rusthoven, Kyle E; Sarkar, Abrihup; Glick, Andrew; Benge, Bruce; Jacobs, Dayee; Raben, David

2009-01-01

Favorable dosimetric results have been reported using intraoperative inverse optimization (IO) for permanent prostate brachytherapy. The clinical implications of these improvements in dosimetry are unclear. We review toxicity and early biochemical outcomes for patients implanted using IO technique. Between 2001 and 2007, 165 patients received permanent prostate implants using real-time IO and had >/=3 months of followup. Dose constraints for inverse planning were: the prostate volume receiving 100% of the prescription dose [prostate V(100)] was >95%; the dose received by 90% of the gland [prostate D(90)] was within the 140-180 by dose range; the volume of urethra receiving 150% of the prescription dose [urethra V(150)] was <30%; and the volume of rectal wall receiving 110% of the prescription dose [rectal V(110)] was <1.0 cc. Toxicity was prospectively scored using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group toxicity scale and the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire. Biochemical control was determined using the nadir + 2 ng/mL definition. Mean followup was 30 months (range, 6-63 months). Risk classification was low risk in 89% and intermediate risk in 11%. Iodine-125 sources were used for 161 implants and palladium-103 sources for four implants. The median number of seeds and total activity implanted were 61 and 999 MBq, respectively, for a median prostate volume of 33.6 cc. Late GU and GI morbidity was uncommon. Among patients with at least 24 months followup, 16% had persistent Grade 2-3 urinary morbidity. Grade 2 rectal bleeding occurred in 1 patient (0.6%). Biochemical failure has occurred in only 4 patients at last followup. IO technique for prostate brachytherapy is associated with low rates of late morbidity and excellent early biochemical control. Additionally, the number of seeds and total implanted activity required to achieve a high-quality implant are lower compared with historical controls.

Dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture by Asopa technique.

PubMed

Pisapati, V L N Murthy; Paturi, Srimannarayana; Bethu, Suresh; Jada, Srikanth; Chilumu, Ramreddy; Devraj, Rahul; Reddy, Bhargava; Sriramoju, Vidyasagar

2009-07-01

Buccal mucosal graft (BMG) substitution urethroplasty has become popular in the management of intractable anterior urethral strictures with good results. Excellent long-term results have been reported by both dorsal and ventral onlay techniques. Asopa reported a successful technique for dorsal placement of BMG in long anterior urethral strictures through a ventral sagittal approach. To evaluate prospectively the results and advantages of dorsal BMG urethroplasty for recurrent anterior urethral strictures by a ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach (Asopa technique). From December 2002 to December 2007, a total of 58 men underwent dorsal BMG urethroplasty by a ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach for recurrent urethral strictures. Forty-five of these patients with a follow-up period of 12-60 mo were prospectively evaluated, and the results were analysed. The urethra was split twice at the site of the stricture both ventrally and dorsally without mobilising it from its bed, and the buccal mucosal graft was secured in the dorsal urethral defect. The urethra was then retubularised in one stage. The overall results were good (87%), with a mean follow-up period of 42 mo. Seven patients developed minor wound infection, and five patients developed fistulae. There were six recurrences (6:45, 13%) during the follow-up period of 12-60 mo. Two patients with a panurethral stricture and four with bulbar or penobulbar strictures developed recurrences and were managed by optical urethrotomy and self-dilatation. The medium-term results were as good as those reported with the dorsal urethrotomy approach. Long-term results from this and other series are awaited. More randomised trials and meta-analyses are needed to establish this technique as a procedure of choice in future. The ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach is easier to perform than the dorsal urethrotomy approach, has good results, and is especially useful in long anterior urethral strictures.

Comparison of intraoperative dosimetric implant representation with postimplant dosimetry in patients receiving prostate brachytherapy.

PubMed

Stone, Nelson N; Hong, Suzanne; Lo, Yeh-Chi; Howard, Victor; Stock, Richard G

2003-01-01

To compare the results of intraoperative dosimetry with those of CT-based postimplant dosimetry in patients undergoing prostate seed implantation. Seventy-seven patients with T1-T3 prostate cancer received an ultrasound-guided permanent seed implant (36 received (125)I, 7 (103)Pd, and 34 a partial (103)Pd implant plus external beam radiation therapy). The implantation was augmented with an intraoperative dosimetric planning system. After the peripheral needles were placed, 5-mm axial images were acquired into the treatment planning system. Soft tissue structures (prostate, urethra, and rectum) were contoured, and exact needle positions were registered. Seeds were placed with an applicator, and their positions were entered into the planning system. The dose distributions for the implant were calculated after interior needle and seed placement. Postimplant dosimetry was performed 1 month later on the basis of CT imaging. Prostate and urethral doses were compared, by using paired t tests, for the real-time dosimetry in the operating room (OR) and the postimplant dosimetry. The mean preimplant prostate volume was 39.8 cm(3), the postneedle planning volume was 41.5 cm(3) (p<0.001), and the 1-month CT volume was 43.6 cm(3) (p<0.001). The mean difference between the OR dose received by 90% of the prostate (D(90)) and the CT D(90) was 3.4% (95% confidence interval, 2.5-6.6%; p=0.034). The mean dose to 30% of the urethra was 120% of prescription in the OR and 138% on CT. The mean difference was 18% (95% confidence interval, 13-24%; p<0.001). Although small differences exist between the OR and CT dosimetry results, these data suggest that this intraoperative implant dosimetric representation system provides a close match to the actual delivered doses. These data support the use of this system to modify the implant during surgery to achieve more consistent dosimetry results.

Molecular Mechanisms Related to Parturition-Induced Stress Urinary Incontinence

PubMed Central

Lin, Guiting; Shindel, Alan W.; Banie, Lia; Deng, Donna; Wang, Guifang; Hayashi, Narihiko; Lin, Ching-Shwun; Lue, Tom F.

2010-01-01

Background The molecular mechanisms underlying stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at the tissue level are poorly understood. Objective To study genetic and molecular alterations in the urethra of animals with experimentally induced SUI. Design/Setting/Participants Cohort analysis of primiparous 2-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats with experimentally induced SUI versus those who did not develop SUI in a university research laboratory setting Intervention Within 24 h of parturition, rats underwent intravaginal balloon dilation and bilateral ovariectomy. Transvesical cystometry was performed 12 wk after parturition. Rats were classified as continent (C) or incontinent (I) according to the results of cystometry. Measurements The expression of over 22,000 genes in urethral tissue from the two groups was assessed with the use of an oligo microarray. The expression of relevant genes was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression of small mothers against decapentaplegic 2 (Smad2), one of the differentially expressed genes, was extensively studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Regulation of Smad2 activity by transforming growth factor-β (Tgf-β) was assessed in cultured urethral smooth muscle cells (USMCs). Results & Limitations After intervention, 14 (58.3%) rats remained continent and 10 (41.7%) became incontinent. There were significant differences in the expression of 42 urethral genes between continent and incontinent rats. The expression of genes involved in the TGF cellular signaling pathway (Smad2), collagen breakdown (matrix metalloproteinase 13 [Mmp13]), and smooth muscle inhibition (regulator of G-protein signaling 2 [Rgs2]) was significantly increased in the incontinent group. Smad2 protein expression was significantly upregulated in the incontinent rats. In cultured USMCs, Smad2 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation increased after Tgf-β treatment. Conclusions Genes important in inflammation, collagen breakdown, and smooth muscle inhibition are upregulated in the urethras of female rats with parturition-associated incontinence. PMID:18372098

WE-A-17A-11: Implanted Brachytherapy Seed Movement Due to Transrectal Ultrasound Probe-Induced Prostate Deformation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, D; Usmani, N; Sloboda, R

Purpose: To characterize the movement of implanted brachytherapy seeds due to transrectal ultrasound probe-induced prostate deformation and to estimate the effects on prostate dosimetry. Methods: Implanted probe-in and probe-removed seed distributions were reconstructed for 10 patients using C-arm fluoroscopy imaging. The prostate was delineated on ultrasound and registered to the fluoroscopy seeds using a visible subset of seeds and residual needle tracks. A linear tensor and shearing model correlated the seed movement with position. The seed movement model was used to infer the underlying prostate deformation and to simulate the prostate contour without probe compression. Changes in prostate and surrogatemore » urethra dosimetry were calculated. Results: Seed movement patterns reflecting elastic decompression, lateral shearing, and rectal bending were observed. Elastic decompression was characterized by anterior-posterior expansion and superior-inferior and lateral contractions. For lateral shearing, anterior movement up to 6 mm was observed for extraprostatic seeds in the lateral peripheral region. The average intra-prostatic seed movement was 1.3 mm, and the residual after linear modeling was 0.6 mm. Prostate D90 increased by 4 Gy on average (8 Gy max) and was correlated with elastic decompression. For selected patients, lateral shearing resulted in differential change in D90 of 7 Gy between anterior and posterior quadrants, and increase in whole prostate D90 of 4 Gy. Urethra D10 increased by 4 Gy. Conclusion: Seed movement upon probe removal was characterized. The proposed model captured the linear correlation between seed movement and position. Whole prostate dose coverage increased slightly, due to the small but systematic seed movement associated with elastic decompression. Lateral shearing movement increased dose coverage in the anterior-lateral region, at the expense of the posterior-lateral region. The effect on whole prostate D90 was smaller due to the subset of peripheral seeds involved, but lateral shearing movement can have greater consequences for local dose coverage.« less

Plasticity in reflex pathways to the lower urinary tract following spinal cord injury

PubMed Central

de Groat, William C.; Yoshimura, Naoki

2013-01-01

The lower urinary tract has two main functions, storage and periodic expulsion of urine, that are regulated by a complex neural control system in the brain and lumbosacral spinal cord. This neural system coordinates the activity of two functional units in the lower urinary tract: (1) a reservoir (the urinary bladder) and (2) an outlet (consisting of bladder neck, urethra and striated muscles of the external urethra sphincter). During urine storage the outlet is closed and the bladder is quiescent to maintain a low intravesical pressure. During micturition the outlet relaxes and the bladder contracts to promote efficient release of urine. This reciprocal relationship between bladder and outlet is generated by reflex circuits some of which are under voluntary control. Experimental studies in animals indicate that the micturition reflex is mediated by a spinobulbospinal pathway passing through a coordination center (the pontine micturition center) located in the rostral brainstem. This reflex pathway is in turn modulated by higher centers in the cerebral cortex that are involved in the voluntary control of micturition. Spinal cord injury at cervical or thoracic levels disrupts voluntary control of voiding as well as the normal reflex pathways that coordinate bladder and sphincter function. Following spinal cord injury the bladder is initially areflexic but then becomes hyperreflexic due to the emergence of a spinal micturition reflex pathway. However the bladder does not empty efficiently because coordination between the bladder and urethral outlet is lost. Studies in animals indicate that dysfunction of the lower urinary tract after spinal cord injury is dependent in part on plasticity of bladder afferent pathways as well as reorganization of synaptic connections in the spinal cord. Reflex plasticity is associated with changes in the properties of ion channels and electrical excitability of afferent neurons and appears to be mediated in part by neurotrophic factors released in the spinal cord and/or the peripheral target organs. PMID:21596038

Correlative 3D-imaging of Pipistrellus penis micromorphology: Validating quantitative microCT images with undecalcified serial ground section histomorphology.

PubMed

Herdina, Anna Nele; Plenk, Hanns; Benda, Petr; Lina, Peter H C; Herzig-Straschil, Barbara; Hilgers, Helge; Metscher, Brian D

2015-06-01

Detailed knowledge of histomorphology is a prerequisite for the understanding of function, variation, and development. In bats, as in other mammals, penis and baculum morphology are important in species discrimination and phylogenetic studies. In this study, nondestructive 3D-microtomographic (microCT, µCT) images of bacula and iodine-stained penes of Pipistrellus pipistrellus were correlated with light microscopic images from undecalcified surface-stained ground sections of three of these penes of P. pipistrellus (1 juvenile). The results were then compared with µCT-images of bacula of P. pygmaeus, P. hanaki, and P. nathusii. The Y-shaped baculum in all studied Pipistrellus species has a proximal base with two club-shaped branches, a long slender shaft, and a forked distal tip. The branches contain a medullary cavity of variable size, which tapers into a central canal of variable length in the proximal baculum shaft. Both are surrounded by a lamellar and a woven bone layer and contain fatty marrow and blood vessels. The distal shaft consists of woven bone only, without a vascular canal. The proximal ends of the branches are connected with the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa via entheses. In the penis shaft, the corpus spongiosum-surrounded urethra lies in a ventral grove of the corpora cavernosa, and continues in the glans under the baculum. The glans penis predominantly comprises an enlarged corpus spongiosum, which surrounds urethra and baculum. In the 12 studied juvenile and subadult P. pipistrellus specimens the proximal branches of the baculum were shorter and without marrow cavity, while shaft and distal tip appeared already fully developed. The present combination with light microscopic images from one species enabled a more reliable interpretation of histomorphological structures in the µCT-images from all four Pipistrellus species. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

SU-F-BRA-03: Integrating Novel Electromagnetic Tracking Hollow Needle Assistance in Permanent Implant Brachytherapy Procedures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Racine, E; Hautvast, G; Binnekamp, D

Purpose: To report on the results of a complete permanent implant brachytherapy procedure assisted by an electromagnetic (EM) hollow needle possessing both 3D tracking and seed drop detection abilities. Methods: End-to-end in-phantom EM-assisted LDR procedures were conducted. The novel system consisted of an EM tracking apparatus (NDI Aurora V2, Planar Field Generator), a 3D US scanner (Philips CX50), a hollow needle prototype allowing 3D tracking and seed drop detection and a specially designed treatment planning software (Philips Healthcare). A tungsten-doped 30 cc spherical agarose prostate immersed in gelatin was used for the treatment. A cylindrical shape of 0.8 cc wasmore » carved along its diameter to mimic the urethra. An initial plan of 26 needles and 47 seeds was established with the system. The plan was delivered with the EM-tracked hollow needle, and individual seed drop locations were recorded on the fly. The phantom was subsequently imaged with a CT scanner from which seed positions and contour definitions were obtained. The DVHs were then independently recomputed and compared with those produced by the planning system, both before and after the treatment. Results: Of the 47 seeds, 45 (96%) were detected by the EM technology embedded in the hollow needle design. The executed plan (from CT analysis) differed from the initial plan by 2%, 14% and 8% respectively in terms of V100, D90 and V150 for the prostate, and by 8%, 7% and 10% respectively in terms of D5, V100 and V120 for the urethra. Conclusion: The average DVH deviations between initial and executed plans were within a 5% tolerance imposed for this proof-of-concept assessment. This relatively good concordance demonstrates the feasibility and potential benefits of combining EM tracking and seed drop detection for real-time dosimetry validation and assistance in permanent implant brachytherapy procedures. This project has been entirely funded by Philips Healthcare.« less

Role of perinuclear mitochondria in the spatiotemporal dynamics of spontaneous Ca2+ waves in interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells of the rabbit urethra

PubMed Central

Hashiatni, Hikaru; Lang, Richard J; Suzuki, Hikaru

2010-01-01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Although spontaneous Ca2+ waves in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)-like cells (ICC-LCs) primarily arise from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release, the interactions among mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering, cellular energetics and ER Ca2+ release in determining the spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ remain to be elucidated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Spontaneous Ca2+ transients in freshly isolated ICC-LCs of the rabbit urethra were visualized using fluo-4 Ca2+ imaging, while the intracellular distribution of mitochondria was viewed with MitoTracker Red. KEY RESULTS Spontaneous Ca2+ waves invariably originated from the perinuclear region where clusters of mitochondria surround the nucleus. Perinuclear Ca2+ dynamics were characterized by a gradual rise in basal Ca2+ that preceded each regenerative Ca2+ transient. Caffeine evoked oscillatory Ca2+ waves originating from anywhere within ICC-LCs. Ryanodine or cyclopiazonic acid prevented Ca2+ wave generation with a rise in basal Ca2+, and subsequent caffeine evoked a single rudimentary Ca2+ transient. Inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxy-glucose or carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone, a mitochondrial protonophore, increased basal Ca2+ and abolished Ca2+ waves. However, caffeine still induced oscillatory Ca2+ transients. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake inhibition with RU360 attenuated Ca2+ wave amplitudes, while mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux inhibition with CGP37157 suppressed the initial Ca2+ rise to reduce Ca2+ wave frequency. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Perinuclear mitochondria in ICC-LCs play a dominant role in the spatial regulation of Ca2+ wave generation and may regulate ER Ca2+ release frequency by buffering Ca2+ within microdomains between both organelles. Glycolysis inhibition reduced mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering without critically disrupting ER function. Perinuclear mitochondria may function as sensors of intracellular metabolites. PMID:20880405

Urological applications of Ho/Nd:Yag laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grifoni, Riccardo; Pierangeli, Tiziana; Gioacchini, Andrea; Muraro, Giovanni B.

2001-10-01

The introduction of Ho:Yag laser has brought many advantages in urology. By this work we want show you our experience with this technology. Between April 1998 and May 2000 we treated 137 patients. Of these 28 had urinary lithiasis (18 bladder and 10 ureteral stones 3 in the upper, 2 in the middle and 5 in the distal tract), 40 were affected by enlargement of prostatic gland: 32 had B.P.H., 8 P.C.; 36 had T.C.C. and 33 strictures of urethra (27) or bladder neck (6). For ureteral lithiasis we used 200 micrometer fiber, energy of 0.5 - 1.4 J with 10 Hz of frequency. In case of bladder stones a 550 or 1000 micrometer using a power of 80 W. The prostatic gland were resected by a 550 micrometer fiber, 2.2 - 2.8 J, 25 - 30 Hz and 70 -80 W. The superficial bladder tumors were removed by 1.4 J with 10 - 15 Hz and 10 - 14 W. In the large tumors we completed the procedure by Nd:YAG at the base of the tumor. Urethra and bladder neck strictures were treated by 1.2 - 1.8 J and 10 - 30 Hz. We successful treated 26 patients with urinary lithiasis obtained the complete vaporization of the stones, 2 had endoscopic ancillary procedures. Out of 32 patients with B.P.H. 41% had the complete resection of the gland the others the resection of the 3d lobe. We removed 114 superficial bladder tumors and only 4 patients had a local recurrence. Of the patients with the strictures 4 had more than one treatment and about 87% had good result. From our experience the use of Holmium:Yag laser has been very efficacy to treat different urological diseases, also in patients with important comorbid disorders and its use reduce the stay in hospital and so the costs.

Self-Collected versus Clinician-Collected Sampling for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Lunny, Carole; Taylor, Darlene; Hoang, Linda; Wong, Tom; Gilbert, Mark; Lester, Richard; Krajden, Mel; Ogilvie, Gina

2015-01-01

Background The increases in STI rates since the late 1990s in Canada have occurred despite widespread primary care and targeted public health programs and in the setting of universal health care. More innovative interventions are required that would eliminate barriers to STI testing such as internet-based or mail-in home and community service testing for patients that are hard to reach, who refuse to go for clinician-based testing, or who decline an examination. Jurisdictions such as New Zealand and some American states currently use self-collected sampling, but without the required evidence to determine whether self-collected specimens are as accurate as clinician-collected specimens in terms of chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnostic accuracy. The objective of the review is to compare self-collected vaginal, urine, pharyngeal and rectal samples to our reference standard - clinician-collected cervical, urethral, pharyngeal and rectal sampling techniques to identify a positive specimen using nucleic acid amplification test assays. Methods The hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic and the fixed effect models were used to assess the accuracy of comparable specimens that were collected by patients compared to clinicians. Sensitivity and specificity estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported as our main outcome measures. Findings We included 21 studies based on over 6100 paired samples. Fourteen included studies examined chlamydia only, 6 compared both gonorrhea and chlamydia separately in the same study, and one examined gonorrhea. The six chlamydia studies comparing self-collection by vaginal swab to a clinician-collected cervical swab had the highest sensitivity (92%, 95% CI 87-95) and specificity (98%, 95% CI 97-99), compared to other specimen-types (urine/urethra or urine/cervix). Six studies compared urine self-samples to urethra clinician-collected samples in males and produced a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI 83-93) and a specificity of 99% (95% CI 0.94-0.99). Taking into account that urine samples may be less sensitive than cervical samples, eight chlamydia studies that compared urine self-collected verses clinician-collected cervical samples had a sensitivity of 87% (95% CI 81-91) and high specificity of 99% (95% CI 0.98-1.00). For gonorrhea testing, self-collected urine samples compared to clinician-collected urethra samples in males produced a sensitivity of 92% (95% CI 83-97) and specificity of 99% (95% CI 0.98-1.00). Conclusion The sensitivity and specificity of vaginal self-collected swabs compared to swabs collected by clinicians supports the use of vaginal swab as the recommended specimen of choice in home-based screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Urine samples for gonorrhea collected by men had comparably high sensitivity and specificity, so could be recommended as they can be left at room temperature for several days, allowing for the possibility of mail-in home-based testing. In populations that may not go for testing at all, do not have the option of clinical testing, or who refuse a clinical examination, self-collected screening would be a good alternative. We recommend that guidelines on how to self-collect gonorrhea and chlamydia urine, vaginal, rectal and pharyngeal specimens be published. PMID:26168051

Engineering complex tissues.

PubMed

Atala, Anthony; Kasper, F Kurtis; Mikos, Antonios G

2012-11-14

Tissue engineering has emerged at the intersection of numerous disciplines to meet a global clinical need for technologies to promote the regeneration of functional living tissues and organs. The complexity of many tissues and organs, coupled with confounding factors that may be associated with the injury or disease underlying the need for repair, is a challenge to traditional engineering approaches. Biomaterials, cells, and other factors are needed to design these constructs, but not all tissues are created equal. Flat tissues (skin); tubular structures (urethra); hollow, nontubular, viscus organs (vagina); and complex solid organs (liver) all present unique challenges in tissue engineering. This review highlights advances in tissue engineering technologies to enable regeneration of complex tissues and organs and to discuss how such innovative, engineered tissues can affect the clinic.

Urogenital Applications of Probiotic Bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reid, Gregor

The urogenital tract extends from the perineal skin close to the anus, to the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, urethra, bladder and kidneys. The uterus, bladder and kidneys are regarded as being sterile, although it will not be surprising if molecular techniques discover that this is not necessarily the case. The importance of the urogenital tract in the health of women cannot be understated. Given its proximity to potential pathogens emerging from the rectum, exposure to sexually transmitted organisms, hormonal fluctuations that affect cells, use of tampons, contraceptives and douches, and the birthing process, it is remarkable that this area is not constantly infected. Nevertheless, it has been estimated that almost every female will have a vaginal or bladder infection at some point in her life.

Giant kidney worms in a patient with renal cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Kuehn, Jemima; Lombardo, Lindsay; Janda, William M; Hollowell, Courtney M P

2016-03-07

Dioctophyma renale (D. renale), or giant kidney worms, are the largest nematodes that infect mammals. Approximately 20 cases of human infection have been reported. We present a case of a 71-year-old man with a recent history of unintentional weight loss and painless haematuria, passing elongated erythematous tissue via his urethra. CT revealed a left renal mass with pulmonary nodules and hepatic lesions. On microscopy, the erythematous tissue passed was identified as D. renale. On subsequent renal biopsy, pathology was consistent with renal cell carcinoma. This is the first reported case of concomitant D. renale infection and renal cell carcinoma, and the second reported case of D. renale infection of the left kidney alone. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Recurrent urinary tract infections in women: risk factors, etiology, pathogenesis and prophylaxis.

PubMed

Guglietta, Antonio

2017-03-01

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in women, often as a recurrent disease. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common pathotype of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) found among patients with UTI. The human intestinal can act as a reservoir of UPEC, with the female urethra being infected by fecal material containing UPEC. Adhesion of bacteria to the epithelial cells of urogenital mucosa is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of UTI. Alternative nonantibiotic based approaches, such as mechanical barrier protection of the intestinal mucosa have been proposed to reduce bacterial adherence to intestinal epithelium, bacteria proliferation and decrease of the load of UPEC in the intestinal lumen and in the fecal material.

Acute urinary retention secondary to a urethral calculus in a bladder-drained kidney pancreas transplant patient - a metallic clip nidus.

PubMed

Smith, J B K; Sairam, K; Olsburgh, J

2009-01-01

Urological expertise is usually required for the management of any urological complications of bladder-drained pancreatic allografts whether they are the result of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants, pancreas after kidney transplants, or pancreas transplants alone. This study presents a case of urinary retention secondary to prostatic urethra calculus impaction, the nidus of which was found to be metallic staples from the donor duodenal segment of a pancreatic allograft. Knowledge of the pre-transplant benchwork gave a high index of suspicion to the urological sequelae of this case and, in particular, the presence of calculi should suggest a metal clip nidus. We examine the methods of exocrine pancreatic drainage, donor duodenum preparation and case management.

[FEMALE STEROID HORMONES - MODULATORS OF IMMUNE RESPONSE TO GENITAL CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTION.

PubMed

Kovachev, E; Ivanov, S; Bechev, B; Angelova, M; Grueva, E; Kolev, N; Ivanova, V

In the recent years according to WHO, genital chlamydia is the mos't common sexually transmitted infection. Chlamydia Trachomatis is an intracellular parasite which target are the tubular epithelial cells of the urethra, endocervix, endometrium, endosalpinx, conjunctiva, synovial lining of the joints, Glisson's capsule of the liver Our study, as well as some international researches, shows that in the cases of genital chlamydia there are changes in the ovarian hormones (estradiol and progesterone), their impact on the immune system and their importance for the development and the complications of the infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. The physiological level of the steroid hormones in its turn contributes for the normalization of the local immunity and reduces the possibility of recurrences.

Vaginal eroticism: a replication study.

PubMed

Alzate, H

1985-12-01

Vaginal eroticism was investigated in a group of 27 coitally experienced volunteers by means of systematic digital stimulation of both vaginal walls. Erogenous zones were found in all subjects, mainly located on the upper anterior wall and the lower posterior one. An orgasmic response was elicited by stimulation of these zones in 89% of the subjects. This study supports previous findings regarding vaginal eroticism. It does not support the existence of the discrete anatomical structure called the Grafenberg spot. It supports the contention that there are two distinct types of female orgasm, vaginally evoked and clitorally evoked. It also supports the finding that some women expel a fluid through the urethra at the time of orgasm. In this particular case the fluid was chemically indistinguishable from urine.

Pelvic fracture and associated urologic injuries.

PubMed

Brandes, S; Borrelli, J

2001-12-01

Successful management of patients with major pelvic injuries requires a team approach including orthopedic, urologic, and trauma surgeons. Each unstable pelvic disruption must be treated aggressively to minimize complications and maximize long-term functional outcome. Commonly associated urologic injuries include injuries of the urethra, corpora cavernosa (penis), bladder, and bladder neck. Bladder injuries are usually extraperitoneal and result from shearing forces or direct laceration by a bone spicule. Posterior urethral injuries occur more commonly with vertically applied forces, which typically create Malgaigne-type fractures. Common complications of urethral disruption are urethral stricture, incontinence, and impotence. Acute urethral injury management is controversial, although it appears that early primary realignment has promise for minimizing the complications. Impotence after pelvic fracture is predominantly vascular in origin, not neurologic as once thought.

Gonococcal salpingitis in gynaecology--myth or missed?

PubMed Central

Sparks, R A; Davies, A J

1976-01-01

A series of 25 cases of gonococcal salpingitis were seen in a teaching hospital between October, 1972, and March, 1975. These cases formed 29 per cent of all cases of salpingitis excluding post-abortal cases. The majority were investigated at the bedside by taking films and cultures from the cervix and urethra. The films were stained by Gram's method and specimens for culture were streaked on to prewarmed Gonococcal Selective Medium (Oxoid) and the plates were incubated at once in a CO2-enriched atmosphere at 37 degrees C. A group of cases was identified with minimal symptoms and minimal, or absent, signs; in such cases the diagnosis may be unsuspected. Reasons are advanced for the failure of other gynaecological units to recognize gonococcal salpingitis. PMID:819091

Congenital urethrovaginal fistula with transverse vaginal septum.

PubMed

Amer, Mohamed Ibrahim; Ahmed, Mortada El-Sayed; Ali, Ali Hagag

2016-08-01

Congenital urethrovaginal fistula is an extremely rare genitourinary anomaly. Literature search identified only five reported cases, all of which were associated with urogenital abnormalities. Transverse vaginal septum is another rare condition, resulting from abnormalities in the vertical fusion between the vaginal components of the Mullerian ducts and the urogenital sinus; and associated fistulous connection of the vagina with the urethra is even rarer. Herein we describe the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with dyspareunia, and a 1-year history of infertility, who was found to have a urethrovaginal fistula with low transverse vaginal septum. The patient was successfully treated with excision of the septum and closure of the urethrovaginal fistula. © 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Rectal adenocarcinoma infiltrating the bulbar urethra and metastasising to the penis

PubMed Central

James, Mathews; Amaranathan, Anandhi; Nelamangala Ramakrishnaiah, Vishnu Prasad; Toi, Pampa Chakrabarty

2016-01-01

Secondary penile tumours from rectal carcinoma is a known clinical entity but can be missed unless carefully evaluated. We report a case of rectal adenocarcinoma with synchronous painless penile nodules. A patient presented with constipation and rectal bleeding. He had an anorectal growth as well as palpable nodules on his penis. Rectal biopsy yielded adenocarcinoma. Imaging revealed direct infiltration of tumour into the bulb of the penis as well as distal shaft lesions. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the penile nodule showed metastatic adenocarcinoma. Diversion colostomy was performed and the patient referred for chemoradiation. Since he did not have any urinary symptoms, the penile lesions were left unaltered. Repeat imaging after concurrent chemoradiotherapy showed no response. The prognosis was explained and the patient was given palliative clinic care. PMID:27312852

Iatrogenic Urinary Tract Injuries: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management

PubMed Central

Esparaz, Anthony M.; Pearl, Jeffrey A.; Herts, Brian R.; LeBlanc, Justin; Kapoor, Baljendra

2015-01-01

Iatrogenic injury to the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is a potential complication of surgical procedures performed in or around the retroperitoneal abdominal space or pelvis. While both diagnostic and interventional radiologists often play a central and decisive role in the identification and initial management of a variety of iatrogenic injuries, discussions of these injuries are often directed toward specialists such as urologists, obstetricians, gynecologists, and general surgeons whose procedures are most often implicated in iatrogenic urinary tract injuries. Interventional radiologic procedures can also be a source of an iatrogenic urinary tract injury. This review describes the clinical presentation, risk factors, imaging findings, and management of iatrogenic renal vascular and urinary tract injuries, as well as the radiologist's role in the diagnosis, treatment, and cause of these injuries. PMID:26038626

Experimental Genital Infection of Male Guinea Pigs with the Agent of Guinea Pig Inclusion Conjunctivitis and Transmission to Females

PubMed Central

Mount, David T.; Bigazzi, Pierluigi E.; Barron, Almen L.

1973-01-01

Male guinea pigs were inoculated intraurethrally with the agent of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (Gp-ic). Cytoplasmic inclusions were found in superficial epithelial cells of the urethra in smears and stained sections. Gp-ic antigen(s) was detected by immunofluorescent staining of sections. There was no marked urethral exudate, but many animals developed bullous lesions on the glans and the body of the penis and a severe inflammatory lesion of the hind leg. All males demonstrated an antibody response and most of them showed a positive skin test reaction. Venereal transmission to females of Gp-ic infection was shown to occur as determined by detection of inclusions in vaginal smears, antibody response, and positive skin tests. Images PMID:4594119

Urinary tract infections in pregnancy: old and new unresolved diagnostic and therapeutic problems.

PubMed

Matuszkiewicz-Rowińska, Joanna; Małyszko, Jolanta; Wieliczko, Monika

2015-03-16

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in pregnant women and pose a great therapeutic challenge, since the risk of serious complications in both the mother and her child is high. Pregnancy is a state associated with physiological, structural and functional urinary tract changes which promote ascending infections from the urethra. Unlike the general population, all pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria with urine culture, and asymptomatic bacteriuria must be treated in every case that is diagnosed, as it is an important risk factor for pyelonephritis in this population. The antibiotic chosen should have a good maternal and fetal safety profile. In this paper, current principles of diagnosis and management of UTI in pregnancy are reviewed, and the main problems and controversies are identified and discussed.

An overview of the literature on congenital lower urinary tract obstruction and introduction to the PLUTO trial: percutaneous shunting in lower urinary tract obstruction.

PubMed

Morris, R Katie; Kilby, Mark D

2009-02-01

Congenital lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) comprises a heterogeneous group of pathologies causing obstruction to the urethra, the most common being posterior urethral valves. Such pathology is often associated with high perinatal mortality and varying degrees of perinatal and infant morbidity. A high proportion of LUTO may be visualised during routine second trimester (and first trimester) ultrasound giving rise to the possibility of determining individual fetal prognosis and treatments such as vesico-amniotic shunting, with a view to altering pathogenesis. The aims of the percutaneous shunting in low urinary tract obstruction (PLUTO) trial are to determine the effectiveness of these treatments and accuracy of the investigations with the primary outcome measures being perinatal mortality and postnatal renal function.

Transurethral Bougie-guided Placement of Suprapubic Catheter Over Guide Wire Monorail in Females: A Novel Technique.

PubMed

Dalela, Divakar; Gupta, Piyush; Dalela, Disha; Srinivas, A K; Bhaskar, Ved; Govil, Tuhina; Goel, Apul; Sankhwar, Satya Narayan

2016-08-01

To assess the safety and effectiveness of a novel transurethral bougie-guided monorail technique for suprapubic catheterization in females with vesicovaginal fistula. Patients undergoing transvaginal vesicovaginal fistula repair from February 2013 to December 2013 were selected. Suprapubic catheter was placed using this technique and assessment was done in terms of time taken, intraprocedural dislodgement or entanglement of catheter during the procedure, bleeding from the anterior abdominal wall or urethra, or any other intraoperative difficulty. All patients were catheterized smoothly without any intraoperative difficulty, with a mean time of 6 minutes. We describe a new technique of performing suprapubic cystostomy in patients, especially where the bladder cannot be distended. It is safe and easy to perform. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Current Management of Urethral Stricture

PubMed Central

Lee, Young Ju

2013-01-01

The surgical treatment of urethral stricture diseases is continually evolving. Although various surgical techniques are available for the treatment of anterior urethral stricture, no one technique has been identified as the method of choice. This article provides a brief updated review of the surgical options for the management of different sites and different types of anterior urethral stricture. This review also covers present controversies in urethral reconstruction. Among the various procedures available for treating urethral stricture, one-stage buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty is currently widely used. The choice of technique for urethroplasty for an individual case largely depends on the expertise of the surgeon. Therefore, urologists working in this field should keep themselves updated on the numerous surgical techniques to deal with any condition of the urethra that might surface at the time of surgery. PMID:24044088

Urinary tract infections in pregnancy: old and new unresolved diagnostic and therapeutic problems

PubMed Central

Małyszko, Jolanta; Wieliczko, Monika

2015-01-01

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in pregnant women and pose a great therapeutic challenge, since the risk of serious complications in both the mother and her child is high. Pregnancy is a state associated with physiological, structural and functional urinary tract changes which promote ascending infections from the urethra. Unlike the general population, all pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria with urine culture, and asymptomatic bacteriuria must be treated in every case that is diagnosed, as it is an important risk factor for pyelonephritis in this population. The antibiotic chosen should have a good maternal and fetal safety profile. In this paper, current principles of diagnosis and management of UTI in pregnancy are reviewed, and the main problems and controversies are identified and discussed. PMID:25861291

Chronic vaginal discharge and left leg edema after a transobturator tape procedure.

PubMed

Kim, Tae-Hee; Lee, Hae-Hyeog; Kim, Jun-Mo

2014-05-01

We report on a patient who underwent total vaginal hysterectomy for urinary incontinence 8 years previously with a sling operation using transobturator tape (TOT). She was admitted to our hospital after complaints of vaginal discharge, foul odor, and bleeding, left thigh pain, and edema. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) revealed a fistula tract from the vagina or urethra with remnant sling tape. We removed the remnant tape using intraoperative ultrasonography. This case exemplifies the rare occurrence of a vaginal fistula extending to the obturator, adductor, and pectineus muscles combined with myositis after TOT placement. It is important that urogynecologists recognize that TOT procedures may result in complications accompanied by common recurrent vaginal symptoms, such as vaginal odor and spotting, which can be identified by MRI or CT.

The new transperineal-prerectal approach in posterior urethroplasty.

PubMed

Austoni, Edoardo; Guarneri, Andrea; Colombo, Fulvio; Palminteri, Enzo

2005-06-01

A new posterior urethroplasty is suggested for patients with pelvic fracture urethral distraction defect (PFUDD). 12 men, with PFUDD were treated with an anastomotic urethroplasty, using a transperineal-prerectal approach. All patients had a suprapubic tube in place and were impotent after pelvic trauma. The goal of this approach was to facilitate an extensive removal of the scar tissues around the prostatic apex to promote successful bulbo-prostatic anastomosis. No patients had intraoperative, perioperative or postoperative complications. Urinary incontinence or rectourethral fistula was never observed. In 11 patients the postoperative mean peak flow was 20 ml/sec. The recurrence of the stricture occurred in 1 patient. The transperineal-prerectal approach to the posterior urethra facilitated a free tension posterior end-to-end anastomosis, as an alternative to the transpubic anastomotic procedure.

Circumferential pressure probe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, Harlan K. (Inventor); Moore, Thomas C. (Inventor); Fantl, Andrew J. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

A probe for measuring circumferential pressure inside a body cavity is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a urodynamic pressure measurement probe for evaluating human urinary sphincter function is disclosed. Along the length of the probe are disposed a multiplicity of deformable wall sensors which typically comprise support tube sections with flexible side wall areas. These are arranged along the length of the probe in two areas, one just proximal to the tip for the sensing of fluid pressure inside the bladder, and five in the sensing section which is positioned within the urethra at the point at which the urinary sphincter constricts to control the flow of urine. The remainder of the length of the probe comprises multiple rigid support tube sections interspersed with flexible support tube sections in the form of bellows to provide flexibility.

Neuropeptides in Lower Urinary Tract (LUT) Function

PubMed Central

Arms, Lauren; Vizzard, Margaret A.

2014-01-01

Numerous neuropeptide/receptor systems including vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, neurokinin A, bradykinin, and endothelin-1 are expressed in the lower urinary tract (LUT) in both neural and non-neural (e.g., urothelium) components. LUT neuropeptide immunoreactivity is present in afferent and autonomic efferent neurons innervating the bladder and urethra and in the urothelium of the urinary bladder. Neuropeptides have tissue-specific distributions and functions in the LUT and exhibit neuroplastic changes in expression and function with LUT dysfunction following neural injury, inflammation and disease. LUT dysfunction with abnormal voiding including urinary urgency, increased voiding frequency, nocturia, urinary incontinence and pain may reflect a change in the balance of neuropeptides in bladder reflex pathways. LUT neuropeptide/receptor systems may represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention. PMID:21290237

Effective multimodality treatment for advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the female genital tract

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kalra, J.; Cortes, E.; Chen, S.

1985-07-01

Fifteen patients with advanced or recurrent squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and urethra were treated with simultaneous combination chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil infusion and mitomycin C) and radiotherapy (3,000 rad for a period of three weeks). Three to four weeks after completion of radiotherapy, 13 of 15 patients achieved partial or complete tumor shrinkage. Nine of 15 patients are alive, eight of whom (at a median follow-up time of 24 months) have no evidence of disease. The longest survival time was 45 + months. There was minimal toxicity associated with this therapy. The results of this pilot study suggest thatmore » the simultaneous administration of radiation and chemotherapy is an effective method of treatment of advanced female genital tract carcinoma.« less

Influence of source batch S{sub K} dispersion on dosimetry for prostate cancer treatment with permanent implants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nuñez-Cumplido, E., E-mail: ejnc-mccg@hotmail.com; Hernandez-Armas, J.; Perez-Calatayud, J.

2015-08-15

Purpose: In clinical practice, specific air kerma strength (S{sub K}) value is used in treatment planning system (TPS) permanent brachytherapy implant calculations with {sup 125}I and {sup 103}Pd sources; in fact, commercial TPS provide only one S{sub K} input value for all implanted sources and the certified shipment average is typically used. However, the value for S{sub K} is dispersed: this dispersion is not only due to the manufacturing process and variation between different source batches but also due to the classification of sources into different classes according to their S{sub K} values. The purpose of this work is tomore » examine the impact of S{sub K} dispersion on typical implant parameters that are used to evaluate the dose volume histogram (DVH) for both planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs). Methods: The authors have developed a new algorithm to compute dose distributions with different S{sub K} values for each source. Three different prostate volumes (20, 30, and 40 cm{sup 3}) were considered and two typical commercial sources of different radionuclides were used. Using a conventional TPS, clinically accepted calculations were made for {sup 125}I sources; for the palladium, typical implants were simulated. To assess the many different possible S{sub K} values for each source belonging to a class, the authors assigned an S{sub K} value to each source in a randomized process 1000 times for each source and volume. All the dose distributions generated for each set of simulations were assessed through the DVH distributions comparing with dose distributions obtained using a uniform S{sub K} value for all the implanted sources. The authors analyzed several dose coverage (V{sub 100} and D{sub 90}) and overdosage parameters for prostate and PTV and also the limiting and overdosage parameters for OARs, urethra and rectum. Results: The parameters analyzed followed a Gaussian distribution for the entire set of computed dosimetries. PTV and prostate V{sub 100} and D{sub 90} variations ranged between 0.2% and 1.78% for both sources. Variations for the overdosage parameters V{sub 150} and V{sub 200} compared to dose coverage parameters were observed and, in general, variations were larger for parameters related to {sup 125}I sources than {sup 103}Pd sources. For OAR dosimetry, variations with respect to the reference D{sub 0.1cm{sup 3}} were observed for rectum values, ranging from 2% to 3%, compared with urethra values, which ranged from 1% to 2%. Conclusions: Dose coverage for prostate and PTV was practically unaffected by S{sub K} dispersion, as was the maximum dose deposited in the urethra due to the implant technique geometry. However, the authors observed larger variations for the PTV V{sub 150}, rectum V{sub 100}, and rectum D{sub 0.1cm{sup 3}} values. The variations in rectum parameters were caused by the specific location of sources with S{sub K} value that differed from the average in the vicinity. Finally, on comparing the two sources, variations were larger for {sup 125}I than for {sup 103}Pd. This is because for {sup 103}Pd, a greater number of sources were used to obtain a valid dose distribution than for {sup 125}I, resulting in a lower variation for each S{sub K} value for each source (because the variations become averaged out statistically speaking)« less

In-vivo laser induced urethral stricture animal model for investigating the potential of LDR-brachytherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sroka, Ronald; Lellig, Katja; Bader, Markus; Stief, Christian; Weidlich, Patrick; Wechsel, G.; Assmann, Walter; Becker, R.; Fedorova, O.; Khoder, Wael

2015-02-01

Purpose: Treatment of urethral strictures is a major challenge in urology. For investigation of different treatment methods an animal model was developed by reproducible induction of urethral strictures in rabbits to mimic the human clinical situation. By means of this model the potential of endoluminal LDR brachytherapy using β-irradiation as prophylaxis of recurrent urethral strictures investigated. Material and Methods: A circumferential urethral stricture was induced by energy deposition using laser light application (wavelength λ=1470 nm, 10 W, 10 s, applied energy 100 J) in the posterior urethra of anaesthetized New Zealand White male rabbits. The radial light emitting fiber was introduced by means of a children resectoscope (14F). The grade of urethral stricture was evaluated in 18 rabbits using videourethroscopy and urethrography at day 28 after stricture induction. An innovative catheter was developed based on a β-irradiation emitting foil containing 32P, which was wrapped around the application system. Two main groups (each n=18) were separated. The "internal urethrotomy group" received after 28days of stricture induction immediately after surgical urethrotomy of the stricture the radioactive catheter for one week in a randomized, controlled and blinded manner. There were 3 subgroups with 6 animals each receiving 0 Gy, 15 Gy and 30 Gy. In contrast animals from the "De Nuovo group" received directly after the stricture induction (day 0) the radioactive catheter also for the duration of one week divided into the same dose subgroups. In order to determine the radiation tolerance of the urethral mucosa, additional animals without any stricture induction received a radioactive catheter applying a total dose of 30 Gy (n=2) and 15 Gy (n=1). Cystourethrography and endoscopic examination of urethra were performed on all operation days for monitoring treatment progress. Based on these investigation a classification of the stricture size was performed and documented for correlation. At further 28 days after catheter removal the animals were euthanasized and the urethra tissue was harvested. Histological examination of tissue with assessment of radiation damage, fibrotic and inflammatory changes were performed. After deblinding histological finding were correlated with the applied dose. Results: All animals developed a stricture, while 15/18 (83,3%) showed a significant, high grade stricture with more than 90% lumen narrowing. Histopathological examination including evaluation of urethral inflammation, fibrosis and collagen content were investigated in additional 6 rabbits confirming the former findings. No rabbits died prematurely during the study. The experiments showed that the procedure of the application of radioactive catheter was safe without any problems in contamination and protection handling. The combination of internal urethrotomy and LDR-brachytherapy results in a stricture free rate of 66.7% in the 15-Gy group, compared with only 33.3% among animals from the 0- and 30-Gy groups. Furthermore histological classification of inflammation and fibrosis of 0 Gy and 15 Gy showed similar extent. Conclusion: This new method of laser induced urethral stricture was very efficient and showed a high reproducibility, thus being useful for studying stenosis treatments. The experiments showed that application of local β-irradiation by means of radioactive catheters modulated the stenosis development. This kind of LDR-brachytherapy shows potential for prophylaxis of urethral stricture. As this was an animal pilot experiment a clinical dose response study is needed.

The urethral closure function in continent and stress urinary incontinent women assessed by urethral pressure reflectometry.

PubMed

Saaby, Marie-Louise

2014-02-01

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurs when the bladder pressure exceeds the urethral pressure in connection with physical effort or exertion or when sneezing or coughing and depends both on the strength of the urethral closure function and the abdominal pressure to which it is subjected. The urethral closure function in continent women and the dysfunction causing SUI are not known in details. The currently accepted view is based on the concept of a sphincteric unit and a support system. Our incomplete knowledge relates to the complexity of the closure apparatus and to inadequate assessment methods which so far have not provided robust urodynamic diagnostic tools, severity measures, or parameters to assess outcome after intervention. Urethral Pressure Reflectometry (UPR) is a novel method that measures the urethral pressure and cross-sectional area (by use of sound waves) simultaneously. The technique involves insertion of only a small, light and flexible polyurethane bag in the urethra and therefore avoids the common artifacts encountered with conventional methods. The UPR parameters can be obtained at a specific site of the urethra, e.g. the high pressure zone, and during various circumstances, i.e. resting and squeezing. During the study period, we advanced the UPR technique to enable faster measurement (within 7 seconds by the continuous technique) which allowed assessment during increased intra-abdominal pressure induced by physical straining. We investigated the urethral closure function in continent and SUI women during resting and straining by the "fast" UPR technique. Thereby new promising urethral parameters were provided that allowed characterization of the closure function based on the permanent closure forces (primarily generated by the sphincteric unit, measured by the Po-rest) and the adjunctive closure forces (primarily generated by the support system, measured by the abdominal to urethral pressure impact ratio (APIR)). The new parameters enabled a more detailed description of the efficiency of the closure function and the extent and nature of a possible dysfunction in the individual woman. The urethral closure equation (UCE) and urethral opening pressure at an abdominal pressure of 50 cm H2O (Po-Abd 50), respectively, which combine the permanent and the adjunctive closure forces, could separate continent and SUI women and thus appear to be excellent diagnostic tests. Moreover, the parameters showed highly significant negative correlation with ICIQ-SF, pad test and the number of incontinence episodes per week and are therefore valid as urodynamic severity measures. UPR in SUI women before and after TVT demonstrated a more efficient urethral closure function after the operation. The Po-rest was unchanged suggesting that the sphincteric unit was virtually unaltered and hence the permanent closure forces unchanged. However, the resting opening elastance increased by 18% indicating that at the resting state the TVT somewhat improves the closure function by providing increased resistance against the dilation of the urethra, which probably explains the decreased maximum urine flow rate found after TVT in this and previous studies. The APIR increased in all patients after TVT suggesting that the support system was re-established and thus the adjunctive closure forces improved, regardless of the type of pre-operative dysfunction. The new UPR parameters may be used as outcome measures after treatment.

Concordance of gonorrhoea of the rectum, pharynx and urethra in same-sex male partnerships attending a sexual health service in Melbourne, Australia.

PubMed

Cornelisse, Vincent J; Zhang, Lei; Law, Matthew; Chen, Marcus Y; Bradshaw, Catriona S; Bellhouse, Clare; Fairley, Christopher K; Chow, Eric P F

2018-02-27

We aimed to describe anatomic site-specific concordance of gonococcal infections in partnerships of men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from MSM partnerships attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between March 2011 and February 2015. Logistic regression models (random effect) were used to examine the association between gonococcal infections of the urethra, rectum and pharynx. Gonococci were detected by culture at all anatomic sites. The analysis included 495 partnerships. Of the men with urethral gonorrhoea, 33% (95% CI 18-52) had partners with pharyngeal gonorrhoea and 67% (95% CI 48-82) had partners with rectal gonorrhoea. The adjusted odds of having urethral gonorrhoea was 4.6 (95% CI 1.2-17.1) for a man whose partner had pharyngeal gonorrhoea, and 48.1 (95% CI 18.3-126.7) for a man whose partner had rectal gonorrhoea. Of the men with rectal gonorrhoea, 46% (95% CI 31-61) had a partner with urethral gonorrhoea and 23% (95% CI 12-37) had a partner with pharyngeal gonorrhoea. The adjusted odds of having rectal gonorrhoea was 63.9 (95% CI 24.7-165.6) for a man whose partner had urethral gonorrhoea. Of the men with pharyngeal gonorrhoea, 42% (95% CI 23-63) had a partner with rectal gonorrhoea and 23% (95% CI 9-44) had a partner with had a partner with pharyngeal gonorrhoea. The adjusted odds of having pharyngeal gonorrhoea was 8.9 (95% CI 3.2-24.6) for a man whose partner had rectal gonorrhoea. The crude odds of having pharyngeal gonorrhoea was 14.2 (95% CI 5.1-39.0) for a man whose partner had pharyngeal gonorrhoea. These data provide the first estimates of concordance of anatomic site-specific gonococcal infections in MSM partnerships, and confirm that urethral gonorrhoea is contracted from both rectal and pharyngeal sites, and suggest that gonococci transmit between the rectum and pharynx. However, due to use of culture rather than NAAT, our analysis was not adequately powered to assess pharynx-to-pharynx transmission of gonococci.

A Monte Carlo study of I-125 prostate brachytherapy with gold nanoparticles: dose enhancement with simultaneous rectal dose sparing via radiation shielding.

PubMed

Brivio, D; Nguyen, P L; Sajo, E; Ngwa, W; Zygmanski, P

2017-03-07

We investigate via Monte Carlo simulations a new 125 I brachytherapy treatment technique for high-risk prostate cancer patients via injection of Au nanoparticle (AuNP) directly into the prostate. The purpose of using the nanoparticles is to increase the therapeutic index via two synergistic effects: enhanced energy deposition within the prostate and simultaneous shielding of organs at risk from radiation escaping from the prostate. Both uniform and non-uniform concentrations of AuNP are studied. The latter are modeled considering the possibility of AuNP diffusion after the injection using brachy needles. We study two extreme cases of coaxial AuNP concentrations: centered on brachy needles and centered half-way between them. Assuming uniform distribution of 30 mg g -1 of AuNP within the prostate, we obtain a dose enhancement larger than a factor of 2 to the prostate. Non-uniform concentration of AuNP ranging from 10 mg g -1 and 66 mg g -1 were studied. The higher the concentration in a given region of the prostate the greater is the enhancement therein. We obtain the highest dose enhancement when the brachytherapy needles are coincident with AuNP injection needles but, at the same time, the regions in the tail are colder (average dose ratio of 0.7). The best enhancement uniformity is obtained with the seeds in the tail of the AuNP distribution. In both uniform and non-uniform cases the urethra and rectum receive less than 1/3 dose compared to an analog treatment without AuNP. Remarkably, employing AuNP not only significantly increases dose to the target but also decreases dose to the neighboring rectum and even urethra, which is embedded within the prostate. These are mutually interdependent effects as more enhancement leads to more shielding and vice-versa. Caution must be paid since cold spot or hot spots may be created if the AuNP concentration versus seed position is not properly distributed respect to the seed locations.