Background: Ureteral stent and nephroureterostomy tube (NUT) are treatments of ureteral obstruction. Ureteral stent provides better quality of life. Internalization of NUT is desired whenever possible.
Aim: To assess outcomes of capping trial among cancer patients with complete aspiration of retained contrast from bladder via NUT.
Methods: Our Institutional Review Board approved retrospective review of all NUT placement, NUT exchange and conversion of nephrostomy catheter into NUT performed during June 2013 to June 2015 (n = 578). Cases were excluded due to lack of imaging of bladder (n = 37), incomplete aspiration of bladder (n = 324), no attempt at capping NUT (n = 166), and patients with confounding factors interfering with results of capping trial including non-compliant bladder, bladder outlet obstruction and catheter malposition (n = 14). Study group consisted of 37 procedures in 34 patients (male 19, female 15, age 2-83 years, average 58, median 61) most with cancer (prostate 8, endometrial 5, bladder 4, colorectal 4, breast 2, gastric 2, neuroblastoma 2, cervical 1, ovarian 1, renal 1, sarcoma 1, urothelial 1 and testicular 1) and one with Crohn's disease. Medical records were reviewed to assess outcomes of capping trial. Exact 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated.
Results: Among patients with complete aspiration of retained contrast, 30 (81%, 95%CI: 0.65-0.92) catheters were successfully capped (range 12-94 d, average 40, median 24.5) until planned conversion to internal stent (23), routine exchange (5), removal (1) or death unrelated to catheter (1). Seven capping trials (19%, 95%CI: 0.08-0.35) were unsuccessful (range 2-22 d, average 12, median 10) due to leakage (3), elevated creatinine (2), fever/hematuria (1) and nausea/vomiting (1).
Conclusion: Capping trial success among patients with complete aspiration of retained contrast/ urine from bladder via NUT appears high.
Male sexual response is controlled by a series of neurally mediated phenomena regulating libido, motivation, arousal and genital responses such as penile erection and ejaculation. These neural events that occur in a hormonally defined milieu involve different neurophysiological, neurochemical, and neuropsychological parameters controlled by central mechanisms, spinal reflexes and peripheral nervous system. Epidemiologic studies have suggested the high prevalence of male sexual dysfunction worldwide with significant impact on the quality of life of patients suffering from this problem. The incidence of sexual dysfunction is particularly high among men with neurologic disorders. Sexual dysfunction in men, such as loss of sexual desire, erectile dysfunction (ED), changes in arousal, and disturbances in orgasm and ejaculation may involve organic causes, psychological problems, or both. Organic male sexual disorders include a wide variety of neurologic, vasculogenic, neurovascular or hormonal factors that interfere with libido, erection, ejaculation and orgasm. Neurogenic sexual dysfunction may result from a specific neurologic problem or it could be the presenting symptom of a developing neurologic disease. Neurologic ED could result from complications of chronic neurologic disorders, trauma, surgical injury or iatrogenic causes. These etiologic factors and the underlying pathophysiologic conditions could overlap, which should be considered when making a diagnosis and selecting a treatment. A detailed history of physical examination, neurologic disorders, as well as any past history of psychological and psychiatric disturbances, and a thorough neurological examination will provide better understanding of the underlying causes of neurogenic sexual dysfunction. In patients with spinal cord injury, the location of the lesion and the time of onset of injury should be determined. Therapeutic strategies against erectile dysfunction are initiated with the least invasive options using the phosphodiesterase inhibitors. When oral medication options are exhausted, intraurethral and intracavernosal therapies and ultimately vacuum constriction devices and penile implants are considered. Recent basic research has suggested the potential role of stem cell-based therapeutic strategies to protect penile neural integrity and reverse cavernosal neurodegeneration in experimental models. Further insight into the central, spinal and peripheral neural mechanisms of male sexual response may help precise diagnosis and better management of neurogenic sexual dysfunction in men.