Archivio italiano di urologia, nefrologia, andrologia : organo ufficiale dell'Associazione per la ricerca in urologia = Urological, nephrological, and andrological sciences最新文献

In the last 15 years we have used a modified version of the classic Bricker for external urine derivation in 41 cases (32 cases of neurobladder and 9 cancer of the bladder). This modification essentially involves placing the ileal loop in front of the peritoneum, in a superficial position which facilitates urethroileal anastomosis especially when trying to prevent reflux. The positioning of the loop greatly reduces urine stasis and ureteral stenosis, which in the classic Bricker is due to the ureter crossing the meso. We hope this technique will be used more widely in view of the excellent results obtained (low morbidity with hardly any complications).

To study the effects of deep freezing on the energy metabolism of human spermatozoa, we investigated, by cytochemical quantitative methods, cytochrome oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase activities of fresh and frozen human spermatozoa during in vitro capacitation. Fresh and frozen human spermatozoa were incubated in Biggers, Whitten and Wittingham's medium supplemented with 15% heat-inactivated human serum. Both histoenzymological reactions can be quantitated and have been evaluated by microdensitometric method. The results indicate that human spermatozoa depend almost entirely on anaerobic glycolysis during in vitro capacitation and suggest that both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in spermatozoa are only slightly impaired by freezing-thawing and storage.

According to the fundamental circulatory nature of penile erection, insufficiency of the arterial blood supply to the corpora cavernosa caused by an organic arterial disease is found in a large fraction of case, overall among the patients aged more than 40. It is possible to evaluate arterial origin of erectile dysfunction by using of noninvasive methods, but to obtain the necessary panoramicity and the characterization of the lesions it needs the use of angiography. Performance of standard arteriography leads to insufficient visualization of pudendal and penile vessels and risks false positive results. Because of penile hemodynamic variability in its different states is necessary the use of pharmacologic devices to perform a diagnostic arteriography. For the selective study of the pudenda and peniena vascularization we perform a selective arteriography bilaterally, with the catheter tip placed in the proximal part of the internal iliac artery. We use a contrast medium particularly diluted and mixed with xylocaine. We perform angiographic sequences after intracavernous injection of 8-10 mgr of papaverine to obtain the maximum blood flow and to prevent spasm of the terminal arterioles. Arteriography gives a complete study of the pudenda arterial tree and its terminal ramifications, and it is able to supply all the necessary informations regarding the planning of revascularization procedures. Treatment of arterial lesions is possible with surgical and radiologic methods. As in other arteries, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (P.T.A.) can be applied in the therapy of impotence caused by arterial insufficiency. P.T.A. is the election treatment in the stenosis of the common iliac and internal iliac arteries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The article reviews historical basis of Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) test and the evolution of techniques to perform it. From complex and time-consuming instruments, modern technology has brought us to the use of the Rigiscan system. This is a transportable (home or office usable), computerized method to detect change of penile rigidity and circumference during sleep-related spontaneous-or daytime induced-erections. While the instrument was mainly developed to perform NPT tests, it is nowadays used to record penile rigidity in realtime after the intracavernous injection of vasoactive drugs. In our experience, normal parameters to refer for a NPT evaluation are: number of erectile episodes: 4-5 per night; mean duration od episodes: > 30 minutes; increase of penile circumference: > 3 cm (base loop) and > 2 cm (tip loop); maximal rigidity: > 70% (both base and tip). Reference parameters for realtime monitoring after intracavernous injection of PGEI are: latency of response: < 12 minutes; duration (with a stable plateau): > 30 minutes; constant plateau: > 70%; increase of penile circumference: > 3 cm (base) and > 2 cm (tip). The use of these reference parameters, together with the data coming from other procedures (e.g. penile arterial flow with the Doppler), allows a better diagnostic accuracy in the approach to sexual impotence.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has revolutionized treatment of urinary stones, but created new clinical situations and problems in the interpretation of which x-rays and ultrasonography have proved invaluable. This paper defined the role of ultrasound in the follow-up of patients who had undergone ESWL and assessed its advantages and limitations in evaluating the efficacy of this form of therapy and in monitoring the elimination of stone fragments. The utility of ultrasound in the diagnosis and monitoring of the complications due to ESWL has been emphasized. Finally ultrasound is a valid tool when performing those echo-guided procedures which are essential for the treatment of obstructive complications secondary to ESWL.

The authors consider the concentration of antibacterial drugs in the seminal fluid as a reliable experimental model for the study of pharmacokinetics in chronic prostatitis (c.p.). The study was conducted on 32 subjects, 20 of whom were affected by c.p. and 12 were normal controls. All subjects were treated with aztreonam at a dosage of 1 g.i.m. The assay was performed 1 hour after the injection, on seminal fluid, urine and serum samples. No difference was observed between normal subjects and patients with c.p. with regard to serum and urinary levels of the drug. There was a trend towards a higher concentration of the drug in the seminal fluid of patients with c.p. when compared to normal subjects, with mean values of 1.8 and 0.9 mcg/ml respectively. This difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the drug concentration of the drug in semen was below the sensitivity limits of the assay in 43% of normal subjects and in 10% of patients with c.p. In the latter group of patients the mean values of aztreonam concentration exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentrations for most aetiological agents causing c.p. In conclusion, it is suggested that aztreonam is likely to be effective in acute prostatitis, caused by Gram negative strains and may be indicated in selected cases for the treatment of c.p.

The Authors describe the purposes of ultrasonographic follow-up after both conservative surgery and endoscopic or endourological operations of the upper urinary tract. In these cases ultrasonography evaluates the results of normal surgery, the presence of early or late complications, and of iatrogenic lesions. The echo-patterns of deformations in the outline of the kidneys, of hematic, urinary or lymphatic collections (both retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal), of fistulas, of sclero-lipomatosis and of post-cicatrization hydronephrosis are described. The importance of evaluating the degree of obstruction by a dynamic ultrasonographic study with furosemide-test is emphasized. The ultrasonographic monitoring of urethral and pyelostomy setting of catheters is also described. The echo-patterns of retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal fluid collections and renal hematomas, in relation also the kind of fluid contained are widely discussed.

Eighteen patients of either sex (14 M; 4 F), ranging in age from 23 to 79 years, with clinical diagnosis of complicated cystitis due to Rufloxacin sensitive pathogens, were enrolled. Rufloxacin was administered orally at the dosage of 400 mg/die the first day; 200 mg/die the following 6 days or more. The mean duration of treatment was 7.25 +/- 0.78 days. No concomitant antimicrobial therapy was administered during the study. At the end of therapy 5/14 evaluable patients recovered, 9/14 evaluable patients improve; 4 patients were considered by Investigator as "not evaluable". Causative pathogens were isolated in all patients and eradicated in 18 out of 18 bacteriologically evaluable patients (eradication rate = 100%). Neither reinfections nor superinfections occurred. No clinical adverse event related to study medication was reported. The results indicate that Rufloxacin at the oral dose of 200 mg/die is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of complicated cystitis.

We evaluated the usefulness of percutaneous nephrostomy in 1700 patients treated for reno-ureteral stones by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). Out of this group 81 patients (5.8%) underwent echo-guided percutaneous nephrostomy (EPCN): the procedure has been performed in local anesthesia in 38% of the cases (31 pts) before SWL and in 62% (50 pts) after. The majority of EPCN were carried out for the presence of acute or chronic ureteral obstruction with echographic evaluable dilation of pyelocaliceal system when retrograde ureteral manipulations failed or were considered unsuitable. EPCN before SWL was performed because of ureteral stone and uncomplicated pyelocalyceal dilation (19 pts); ureteral stone, pyelocaliceal dilation and fever > 38 degrees C (3 pts); ureteral stone, pyelocalyceal dilation and functional IVP exclusion (5 pts); pyelic stone in solitary kidney (1 pts); ureteral stones in pregnancy (2 pts). EPCN after SWL was performed because of uncomplicated, persistent pile-up (31 pts); ureteral pile-up complicated by fever and colics (9 pts); ureteral obstructing fragments (2 pts); double J obstruction by stone dust (3 pts); persistent ureteral pile-up around double J (3 pts); anuria in solitary kidney (1 pt). Out of the patients who underwent EPCN before SWL 13% were stone free and without drainage at discharge, 77% had passable stone fragments at discharge and drainage has been taken out at 15-30 days check up, 10% had unbroken stone and underwent with drainage to ureterolithotripsy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The purpose of this study has been to establish the role of spermatic cord in the etiopathogenesis of fertility. We describe herein the anatomy and pathology of the spermatic cord and objective method for diagnosing the disorder and evaluating the therapeutic results. The most pathological conditions affecting the cord there was a complete resolution, this condition it isn't the same for the vas deferens or varicocele. A variety of diagnostic modalities including thermography, Doppler, and particularly ultrasonography may be used to study satisfactorily. Ultrasonography technique may provide a simple but accurate non-invasive method for accurately determined pathological conditions of the scrotum. It has a limited role in the management of the normal vas deferens or in congenital malformations including agenesis of vas deferens.