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Objective: TUNA has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective therapy for BPH. However the major criticism, as with all alternative treatments for BPH, was the lack of long-term data. We present the clinical outcome of patients treated by TUNA and followed for 5 years., Methods: 188 consecutive patients with symptomatic BPH treated with TUNA were followed for five years in three different centers. All patients were treated using the TUNA II or TUNA III catheters under local anesthesia only without general or spinal anesthesia. Baseline and 5-year follow-up evaluation included urinary peak flow, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and post-void residual urine (PVR). The number of patients requiring additional medical or surgical treatment was recorded. Statistics were performed using the t-test., Results: At a mean follow-up of 63 months, mean urinary peak flow rate increased from 8.6 ml/s to 12.1 ml/s (p<0.01, t-test), IPSS and PVR decreased from 20.9 and 179 ml to 8.7 and 122 ml, respectively (both p<0.001, t-test). The percentage of patients who improved by at least 50% their peak uroflow and IPSS was 24% and 78% respectively. Mean prostate volume and PSA levels did not change significantly (53.9 cc vs. 53.8 cc and 3.3 vs. 3.6 ng/ml, respectively at 5 years, both p values > 0.05, t-test). Two patients died of unrelated comorbidities and 10 were lost for follow-up. Medical treatment was given to 12 patients (6.4%), a second TUNA performed in 7 patients (3.7%) and surgery indicated in 22/186 (11.1%). Overall 41/176 patients (188 at start, 2 deaths and 10 lost to follow-up) or 23.3% required additional treatment at 5 years follow-up following the original TUNA procedure., Conclusions: TUNA is effective and provides good long-term clinical improvement at 5-year follow-up. TUNA treatment stands the test of time at 5-year follow-up with low and acceptable failure rates. More than 75% of the patients do not need additional treatment for BPH on the long run.

Objectives: This study was conducted (1) to examine whether the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are risk factors for bladder cancer, and (2) to study a possible association of these genotypes with disease severity., Methods: This case-control study was undertaken over a 21-month period and included 89 newly diagnosed transitional cell bladder cancer patients and 147 controls; both patients and controls originated from a defined population (residents of the loannina region, Northwestern Greece) and were similar with regard to mean age, male to female ratio and smoking habits. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction on peripheral blood DNA samples. Genotype frequencies among patients and controls were assessed and the association of the genotypes with tumor grade and stage at presentation were statistically evaluated by the chi(2) test., Results: The GSTM1 null genotype was strongly associated with bladder cancer. The odds ratio, attributable and population attributable risks were estimated at 2.76, 0.64 and 0.40, respectively. The correlation between the GSTM1 null genotype with stage, although not statistically significant, was estimated at an odds ratio of 2.6 for invasive disease. The correlation of GSTM1 null genotype with tumor grade did not yield a statistically significant result. The GSTT1 null genotype was not statistically associated with bladder cancer., Conclusion: According to our study, individuals with the GSTM1 null genotype carry a substantially higher risk for bladder carcinogenesis. The GSTM1 null genotype is not associated with more aggressive disease in terms of tumor grade, although there is a correlation between this genotype and stage of the disease.

Objectives: Advances in endoscopic instrumentation and technique have expanded the urologist's armamentarium for effective and safe treatment of urethral strictures. This prospective study included 80 patients who presented with single, iatrogenic, annular strictures of the bulbar urethra. The length of the stricture was 1 to 2 cm, with an average of 1.5 cm., Methods: Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A, 40 patients who underwent direct-optical endoscopic urethrotomy with a guide catheter via cold-knife incision at the 12 o'clock position (Sachse urethrotomy), and group B, 40 patients who underwent double direct-optical endoscopic urethrotomy with a guide catheter via cold-knife incisions at the 11 and 1 o'clock positions, followed by transurethral resection of all scar tissues (Guillemin's technique). The results obtained were analyzed and compared at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively by clinical evaluation, uroflowmetry, and retrograde and voiding urethrographies., Results: Group A obtained 95% good results at 6 months, 85% at 12 months, 55% at 24 months, 45% at 3 years, and 25% at 5 years. Group B obtained 98% good results at 6 months, 95% at 12 months, 90% at 24 months, 80% at 3 years, and 70% at 5 years., Conclusions: The differences between the two groups are not significant at 6 and 12 months (P > 0.05). They are statistically significant after 24 months, 3 years, and 5 years (P < 0.05).

A rare case of retroperitoneal fibrosis after rectal perforation during a barium enema is reported. Pelvic cellulitis due to infiltration of barium and fecal matter is a serious complication and needs an energetic treatment. Urologic complications appear later and result from the formation of a foreign body granuloma.

Ureteric obstruction is rarely encountered in abdominal aortic aneurysms and is due to perianeurysmal fibrosis. 3 cases are described in which aortic aneurysm and retroperitoneal fibrosis are found. Excision of the aneurysm and ureterolysis with intraperitonization of the ureter is the most appropriate surgical procedure but treatment must be individualized according to the patient's condition and the operative discoveries.

Selective pudendal arteriography is indicated in selected cases of male impotence when there is a strong presumption that peripheral arterial lesions are responsible for it. These lesions are classified as: (a) traumatic; (b) obstructive in thrombo-angiitis or atheroma, and (c) dysplasic. Selective arteriography will confirm the diagnosis and indicate the nature of the obstruction, its degree and extension.

Different techniques and materials for preoperative embolization of renal carcinoma have been assessed in 26 cases. The different methods used and compared were gelfoam fragments (10 cases), cyanoacrylate (4 cases), Gianturco stainless steel coil (3 cases) and the combination of gelfoam and the Gianturco device (9 cases). The method of choice appears to be the combination of gelfoam and the Gianturco device which allows excellent peripheral ischemia with complete occlusion of the main arterial trunks. Embolization is particularly useful in invading and hypervascularized renal tumors supplied by collateral blood vessels.