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Purpose. To investigate changes in the corneal shape before and after vitrectomy, over a period of time, using a 27-gauge system. Methods. Forty-five eyes underwent a combination of cataract surgery and vitrectomy. The surgeries were performed using a 27-gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy system, in which the corneal topography could be performed up to three months after the surgery. The surgeries were performed for an epiretinal membrane in 11 eyes, a macular hole in 14 eyes, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 20 eyes. All of the surgeries were performed by the same surgeon, and in all cases, a 4-port 27-gauge vitrectomy device was used. Cataract surgery in all patients was performed with a 2.4 mm corneoscleral incision at 11 o’clock. The surgeries were performed without suturing the operative wound in all cases. Corneal topography was performed using a TMS-4 topographer (Tomey Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The examinations were performed the day before and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the surgery. The results of corneal topography for the spherical, regular astigmatic, asymmetric, and high-order irregular astigmatic components were compared before and after surgery. Results. No significant differences were seen in any of the components in the epiretinal membrane group, but significant differences were seen in the asymmetric components and the high-order irregular astigmatic components between the macular hole and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment groups (p

We report herein a method for the treatment of dropped nucleus during cataract surgery with a 27-gauge twin duty cycle (TDC) vitreous cutter. When a TDC vitreous cutter is used, suction flow volume is maintained even when the cutter is driven at a high speed. This enables an Emery-Little grade 3 nucleus that had been difficult to treat with a conventional 27-gauge cutter to be successfully excised using only a vitreous cutter, with no intra- or postoperative complications. A dropped lens during cataract surgery of up to moderate hardness can be removed using a TDC cutter alone with a 27-gauge cutter system.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) requires intraoperative fluid restriction to maintain the optimal view of the operative field during vesicourethral anastomosis and to prevent upper airway edema that may occur due to the steep Trendelenburg position. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that our fluid restriction regimen would not increase postoperative serum creatinine (sCr) levels in patients undergoing RALP. The fluid regimen involved maintaining a crystalloid infusion at 1 ml/kg/h until completion of vesicourethral anastomosis, then rapid infusion of 15 ml/kg within 30 min, followed by maintenance at 1.5 ml/kg/h until post-operative day (POD) 1. The primary outcome of this study was the change in the sCr level from baseline to POD7. Secondary outcomes were the sCr levels on PODs 1 and 2, the surgical view during vesicourethral anastomosis, and the incidences of re-intubation and acute kidney injury (AKI). Sixty-six patients were eligible for the analysis. The paired t test for non-inferiority showed no significant difference in sCr levels between baseline and POD7 (mean ± standard deviation, 0.79 ± 0.14 vs. 0.80 ± 0.18 mg/dl, p < 0.001). Seven patients developed AKI on POD1, but all but one recovered on POD2. Ninety-seven percent of operations were rated as having a good view of the operative field. There were no cases of re-intubation. This study demonstrated that the fluid restriction regimen of 1 ml/kg/h until completion of vesicourethral anastomosis created a good view of the operative field during vesicourethral anastomosis without increasing postoperative sCr levels in patients undergoing RALP. Trial registration: This trial was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network under registration number UMIN000018088 (registration date; July 1, 2015)., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

We investigated pre-operative factors affecting trifecta achievement in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). We retrospectively analyzed 81 patients who underwent RAPN from December 2016 to September 2021 with final malignant pathologies. Trifecta was defined as negative resection margin (RM),warm ischemic time (WIT) less than 25 minutes, and no severe perioperative complications (Clavien-Dindo＜III). Factors affecting trifecta achievement were analyzed using sex, age, body mass index, RENAL nephrometry score (low or moderate/high complexity), surgical approach (transabdominal or retroperitoneal), tumor diameter and surgical experiences of each surgeon. Negative RM, WIT less than 25 minutes, and no severe complications were obtained in 75 (93%), 65 (80%), and 79 patients (98%), respectively. The trifecta was achieved in 60 patients (74%). In multivariate regression analysis, surgical experience (OR:0.92, 95% CI : 0.86-0.99) was significantly associated with trifecta achievement. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified 9 cases as the optimal cut-off values for the predication of trifecta achievement (AUC＝0.69,p ＝0.11). The achievement of WIT less than 25 minutes (65 vs 90%, p＜0.01) and trifecta (58 vs 84%,p ＜0.05) were significantly lower in surgical experiences less than 9 cases than in 9 or greater. We conclude that surgical experience in RAPN is an important factor affecting WIT and trifecta achievement in the initial series.

We compared the perioperative outcomes of open (ORC) and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) for patients with bladder cancer. We retrospectively investigated the intraoperative and 90-day postoperative complications of ORC and RARC performed from March 2014 to September 2021 based on the medical records. Perioperative complications were categorized according to the Clavien- Dindo classification. We used the propensity score matching to adjust for the inherent bias of the different patient characteristics at baseline including gender, age, preoperative chemotherapy, and pathological T classification. Surgery time of RARC was significantly shorter than that of ORC, and blood transfusion was significantly less frequent in RARC than in ORC (3% vs 81%, p＜0.01). The rate of overall complications of Grade III/IV was lower in RARC (8%) than in ORC (25%) (P＝0.09). The prevalence of perioperative urinary tract infection, ileus, and abscess/infectious cyst was similar in ORC and RARC. In patients who underwent RARC, the complication rate was similar in extracorporeal and intracorporeal urinary diversion. Compared to ORC, RARC is more beneficial to reduce blood loss and severe complications.

We retrospectively reviewed the surgical outcome of ureteral reconstruction that was performed in Asahikawa Medical University Hospital between 2005 and 2021. A total of 14 patients (3 males, 11 females; 15 ureters) were included in this analysis. The median age was 57 years old. The reason for ureteral reconstruction was ureteral injury or stenosis due to pelvic surgery in 9 patients, transurethral lithotripsy for ureteral stone in 3, ureteral invasion of sigmoid colon cancer in one and ovarian cancer in one. The site of ureteral reconstruction was proximal ureter in 2, middle in 3 and distal in 10. The surgical procedure was ureteroneocystostomy with Boari flap in 8 patients (57%), ureteroureterostomy in 4 (21%), transureteroureterostomy in one (7%), and transureteroureterostomy combined with Boari flap for bilateral ureteral stenosis in the remaining patient (7%). Postoperatively, vesicoureteral reflux, ileus and surgical site infection were observed in 3, 2 and 1 patient, respectively. No patient required nephrostomy or ureteral catheter, or any additional procedure after the surgery. There was no episode of febrile urinary tract infection after the surgery. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was, respectivery 75.8 and 78.5 ml/min/1.73 m2 before surgery and at 1-101 months (median of 18) after the surgery. In conclusion, satisfactory outcome was achieved after ureteral reconstruction surgery. We emphasize the importance of selecting the most appropriate procedure for ureteral reconstruction in each patient to prevent renal function deterioration and urinary tract infection.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is being used in Japan as a less invasive procedure. RENAL nephrometry (RN) score, Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) Classification and Simplified PADUA Renal (SPARE) nephrometry system are tumor-specific morphometry scoring systems used for predicting the difficulty of partial nephrectomy. Adherent perinephric fat (APF) is one of the patient-specific factors related to the difficulty of partial nephrectomy. Mayo Adhesive Probability (MAP) score measures the difficulty of partial nephrectomy due to APF. Whether these scoring systems were associated with perioperative outcome of RAPN was retrospectively analyzed in 57 patients who underwent RAPN by two experienced surgeons at our hospital from December 2016 to March 2020. Forty-five patients were male and 12 were female. The right side was resected in 25 and the left side in 32 patients. The approach was transperitoneal in 42 and retroperitoneal in 15 patients. There were significant correlations among RN, PADUA and SPARE scores, while MAP score was independent from the other scores. Warm ischemic time was significantly correlated with RN (r＝0.46, p＜0.001), PADUA (r＝0.45, p＜0.001) and SPARE scores (r＝0.44, p＜0.001). Time for console was significantly correlated with MAP score (r＝0.28, p＝0.035). In conclusion, RN and MAP scores might be useful parameters to predict warm ischemic time and time for console during RAPN, respectively.

It remains unclear whether therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of pazopanib improves treatment outcomes in routine clinical practice. We did a prospective cohort study to evaluate the benefits of TDM for pazopanib therapy in real-world practice. Among 25 patients with pharmacokinetically guided dosing, only 5 (20%, 95% confidence interval 6.8-40.7%) discontinued treatment because of adverse events. However, 5 (41.7%, 95% confidence interval 15.2-72.3%) of historical controls including 12 patients not receiving such a strategy experienced adverse events leading to early termination. PK-guided dosing significantly increased median time-to-treatment discontinuation (252 vs 74 days, P = .012) with reduced toxicity and improved overall survival (not reached vs 313 days, P = .002) relative to conventional dosing in the control group. In conclusion, PK-guided dose adaptation through the use of TDM has the potential to improve treatment outcomes of pazopanib in routine clinical practice, warranting larger, randomized studies., (© 2020 British Pharmacological Society.)

Purpose Axitinib is an orally active multikinase inhibitor currently used to treat patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study examined the pharmacokinetics of axitinib and the relationship between peak drug concentration (C max ) and clinical outcomes in real-world practice. Methods Twenty patients with metastatic RCC treated with axitinib monotherapy were enrolled. Post-dose (1-4 h) blood samples were obtained, and axitinib C max in plasma was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Efficacy endpoints were best overall response (per RECIST 1.1) and progression-free survival (PFS). The safety endpoint was the cumulative incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). Results Large inter- and intra-individual variability in dose-adjusted C max was observed (0.02-11.2 ng/mL/mg). Axitinib absorption was significantly influenced by glucuronidation activity (P = 0.040). C max at steady state was significantly higher in responders than in non-responders (P = 0.013). The optimal C max cutoff to predict a clinical response was 12.4 ng/mL. The median PFS was significantly longer in patients who achieved an average steady state C max above the threshold than in those who did not (799 vs. 336 days; P = 0.047). The cumulative incidence of DLTs was significantly higher in patients with C max  ≥ 40.2 ng/mL than in other patients (sub-hazard ratio, 4.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-13.5; P = 0.019). Conclusions The potential therapeutic window of axitinib C max in metastatic RCC was estimated at 12.4-40.2 ng/mL. Pharmacokinetically guided dose titration using therapeutic drug monitoring may improve the efficacy and safety of axitinib, warranting further investigation in a larger patient population.

We retrospectively investigated the clinical course of α1 blocker discontinuation in patients who had lower urinary tract symptoms with benign prostate hypertrophy (LUTS/BPH) and received combination therapy ofdutasteride and α1 blocker. Among the patients with LUTS/BPH who had been receiving combination therapy, those who wished to reduce the number ofprescribed drugs and discontinue the use of α1 blocker because ofsymptom improvement were recruited in this study. Symptom scores including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), parameters ofuroflowmetry and prostate volume (PV) were evaluated at the time of α 1 blocker discontinuation. Twenty-two patients discontinued the use of α 1 blocker. The mean PV at the time of α 1 blocker discontinuation was 43.2 ml, and the mean duration ofcombination therapy was 39.4 months. In 11 (50%) patients, dutasteride monotherapy without α1 blocker was maintained for a mean follow-up of 10.5 months (9-12 months) after α1 blocker discontinuation (Non-resumption group). In the other 11 patients (50%), α1 blocker was resumed because ofthe patient's request to resume the use of α1 blocker (Resumption group). The mean length ofdutasteride monotherapy was 4. 5 months (1-8 months) in the resumption group. Compared with the non-resumption group, IPSS total score and storage sub-score ofIPSS at the time of α1 blocker discontinuation were significantly higher in the resumption group. Based on the ROC curve, IPSS total score <16, IPSS voiding/storage symptom score <7, OABSS <7 and PV 54 ml or more at the time of α1 blocker discontinuation were predictors ofnon-resumption of α1 blocker. These results suggest that if LUTS is controlled by a long-term combination therapy ofdutasteride and α1 blocker and still PV is large enough, α1 blocker can be discontinued.

We present 2 cases of penile cancer in which the inguinal lymph node was not palpable and inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) could be safely avoided by conducting dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy (DSNB). The first case was in a 54-year-old man complaining of penile tumor for at least 3 months. We performed partial penectomy and DSNB. The pathological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), pT2-3. There was no cancer metastasis in sentinel nodes (0/2). There has been no recurrence for 6 years after operation. The second case was 65-year-old man suffering from penile tumor for at least 6 months. We performed partial penectomy and DSNB. The pathological diagnosis was SCC,pT2. There was no cancer metastasis in sentinel nodes (0/3). There has been no recurrence for 1 year after operation. ILND has been recommended for intermediate and high-risk penile cancer even in patients with non-palpable inguinal lymph nodes. However,the complication of ILND is very high. DSNB has the potential to avoid ILND if there is no cancer metastasis in sentinel nodes.

Psoas muscle mass index (PMI) is related to sarcopenia. We examined whether PMI is associated with early complications after radical cystectomy. Seventy one male and 29 female patients who were 65 years old or older and who had undergone radical cystectomy at our hospital from April 2005 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Psoas muscle section area was measured manually on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan and normalized by patient's height. Early postoperative complications of grade 3 or more occurred in 12 male (16.9%) and 5 female (17.2%) patients. PMI was lower in male patients who had early postoperative complications of grade 3 or more than in those without complications (5.61 vs 6.54 cm2 /m2, p=0. 08), although the difference was not statistically significant. There was suggested to be a relationship between early postoperative complications after radical cystectomy and preoperative PMI in elderly male patients.

Objectives: We examined the persistence rate with tadalafil for treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and explored the factors relevant to withdrawal., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data of male patients who received tadalafil treatment for LUTS. The persistence rate and the reason for withdrawal were investigated., Results: A total of 155 patients were examined. Mean age and mean observation period were 71.9 (48-93) years and 15.1 (1-52) months, respectively. During the observation period, 74 patients (48%) withdrew tadalafil. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated a 58% persistence rate at 1 year. The reasons for withdrawal included insufficient efficacy (31 patients, 42%), adverse events (21 patients, 28%), or symptom improvement (8 patients, 11%). Patients who continued tadalafil were significantly younger than those who withdrew it due to insufficient efficiency (71.4 ± 9.6 vs. 74.9 ± 9.1 years)., Conclusions: Most patients withdrew tadalafil due to insufficient efficacy. Older patients are likely to withdraw the treatment because of insufficient efficacy, thus, tadalafil for male LUTS could be more effective for younger patients., (© 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objectives: To examine the long-term outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate., Methods: We retrospectively collected the data of patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate before December 2010. Patients had been evaluated by urodynamics and the International Prostate Symptom Score preoperatively, and they were re-evaluated by using the International Prostate Symptom Score at the minimum 7 years after transurethral resection of the prostate. Patients who received any treatments to improve voiding symptoms were defined as having a relapse of voiding dysfunction. The Schäfer nomogram was used to assess the degree of obstruction and detrusor contractility. We assessed the change in International Prostate Symptom Score over time depending on obstruction (Schäfer grade 3-6) versus no obstruction (Schäfer grade 0-2), and normal detrusor contractility (strong and normal) versus detrusor underactivity (weak and very weak). Relapse rates of voiding dysfunction were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: A total of 39 patients were included. The mean age at transurethral resection of the prostate was 69.8 years, and the mean observation period after transurethral resection of the prostate was 114 months. During the observation period, eight patients (21%) were categorized as relapse of voiding dysfunction and the mean time to relapse was 4.2 years. Patients categorized as no obstruction or detrusor underactivity had a higher recurrence rate of voiding dysfunction with a statistical significance between those with versus without obstruction. Except for patients with relapse of voiding dysfunction, improvement of the International Prostate Symptom Score was maintained over a period of 10 years after transurethral resection of the prostate., Conclusions: Favorable long-term symptomatic outcome after transurethral resection of the prostate is likely in patients with urodynamic obstruction. Patients without urodynamic obstruction are likely to have a relapse of voiding symptoms and require additional treatments in the long term., (© 2019 The Japanese Urological Association.)

The patient was a 66-year-old man who had undergone ileocystoplasty and right nephrectomy at the age of 21 for the treatment of urinarytract tuberculosis. He had been receiving hemodialysis from the age of 58. Regular computed tomography (CT) examination at the age of 63 revealed a bladder mass, but the transurethral biopsyof the bladder mass did not reveal malignant findings. At the age of 66, his urine cytology indicated a suspicion of malignancy, and bladder tumor was detected by cystoscopy. The patient was referred to our hospital and we performed transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. Pathological diagnosis was papillaryadenocarcinoma. Because left lower ureteral cancer was also suspected byCT scan, we performed left nephroureterectomy and radical cystectomy. Pathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma of the reconstructed bladder. The patient remains free of disease for 1 year and 11 months after the operation. Forty-five cases of bladder cancer after enterocystoplasty have been reported in Japan. There are no guidelines for follow-up protocols after enterocystoplasty. A long-term follow-up is mandatory because of the possibilityof development of bladder malignancylong after the enterocystoplasty.

Objectives: To examine the long-term persistence rate with mirabegron in a real-world clinical setting., Methods: We retrospectively collected the data of patients who were prescribed mirabegron. We investigated the persistence rate and the reason for the discontinuation. The analysis included patient's age, diagnosis, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, prostatic volume, the prescription by specialists for lower urinary tract dysfunction, drug-naïve patients, replacement of antimuscarinics or add-on therapy to antimuscarinics., Results: A total of 556 patients were included. Among them, 401 patients (72%) had overactive bladder and the other 155 (28%) were categorized as having other storage symptoms. During the observation period, 170 patients (42%) with overactive bladder discontinued mirabegron. The reasons for discontinuation in patients with overactive bladder included unmet expectation of treatment (45 patients, 26%), any adverse events (38 patients, 22%) or symptom improvement (37 patients, 22%). The persistence or discontinuation was not related with age, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, prostatic volume or the prescription by specialists, while older male patients tended to continue mirabegron. The 3-year persistence rates in female and male overactive bladder patients were 46% and 51%, respectively, and these were better than those in patients with storage symptoms without urgency. In female overactive bladder patients, the persistence rate with mirabegron used as add-on therapy to antimuscarinics was higher than that in the drug-naïve patients on the Kaplan-Meier curve., Conclusions: The present study shows a relatively good long-term persistence rate with mirabegron in overactive bladder patients, notwithstanding the retrospective study in an academic hospital. The combined treatment with antimuscarinics could result in a good persistence rate with mirabegron., (© 2018 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of percutaneous renal tumor biopsy., Methods: We retrospectively investigated 23 patients who underwent percutaneous renal tumor biopsy since 2008 at Department of Renal and Urologic Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University Hospital. We examined indications of biopsy, diagnostic concordance rate between urologists, radiologists and biopsy findings, pathological findings and biopsy-related complications., Results: Renal tumor biopsy was performed under ultrasonography guidance in 21 patients and computed tomography guidance in 2. The most frequent indication to perform biopsy was to determine histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma(RCC)before treatment. The second indication was to clarify the nature of renal tumor. Biopsy findings revealed RCC in 17 patients and urothelial carcino- ma(UC)in 6. Diagnostic concordance rate between urologist's diagnosis and biopsy findings was 91%(21/23), which showed the same result between radiologists and biopsy findings. Biopsy-related adverse event included needle tract implantation in 1 patient with UC. Another patient who had central necrosis in the tumor showed insufficient material causing repeat biopsy with frozen section. Except this patient, initial renal tumor biopsy was successful in all patients by concomitant use of frozen section for tumor with central necrosis. The overall diagnostic rate of initial biopsy was 95.7%(22/23)., Conclusions: Despite a small number of patients and a retrospective nature, the present study shows that renal tumor biopsy plays an important role in diagnosis of renal tumor. Concomitant use of frozen section might be considered at the time of renal tumor biopsy in patients with necrotic renal tumor to avoid repeat biopsy. However, we should take into consideration that there are some possible risks of needle tract implantation in cases with UC when we perform percutaneous renal tumor biopsy.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of combination treatment of degarelix and antiandrogen in patients with prostate cancer., Methods: We prospectively investigated the efficacy of combination treatment of degarelix and antiandrogen in 12 patients with treatment-naive prostate cancer. We surveyed PSA, LH, FSH and testosterone at day 3, 7, 14 and 28 during the initial month and thereafter once a month for 1 year. In cases with bone metastasis, we analyzed serum bone markers such as alkaline phosphatase(ALP), bone-type ALP and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type- I collagen once a month. Skeletal related events (SREs) were also monitored., Results: PSA progression free survival was 65%. PSA was reduced from baseline by 80% at day 14 and by 93% at day 28. In all patients serum testosterone immediately reached castrate level at day 3 and was maintained for 1 year without breakthrough escape. Both LH and FSH were reduced to within normal range at day 3. In contrast, all bone markers temporarily increased at day 28, and thereafter decreased. Although 2 patients had suffered from SREs before treatment, there were no SREs after combination treatment., Conclusions: The present study showed that combination of degarelix and antiandrogen could lead to favorable PSA reduction and immediate castrate level at an earlier phase. However, further study is needed to compare the difference between degarelix monotherapy and these combinations.

We retrospectively reviewed 67 patients who presented with metastatic urothelial carcinoma to the Department of Urology, Asahikawa Medical University Hospital between 2000 and 2013. Furthermore, 13 patients with comparatively longer survival (2 years or longer after diagnosis) were analyzed to find any clinical characteristics among these patients. The primary site was the upper tract in 41 patients and bladder in 26. The most frequent metastatic site was regional lymph nodes (49 patients), followed by viscera (36 patients) and distant lymph nodes (17 patients). Primary tumor resections were performed on 83% of the patients with only regional lymph node metastasis, but on only 35% of the patients with distant metastasis. Median overall survival (OS) of patients was 8.5 months in this series. Median OS of patients with only regional lymph node metastasis was 15 months, which was significantly longer than that (8 months) of patients with distant metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed only regional lymph node metastasis and the number of metastatic sites were significant prognostic factors for OS. We further investigated the clinical characteristics of 13 patients with comparatively longer survival. Other than a small number of metastatic sites (1 or 2) and no distant lymph node metastasis, we could not find any significant characteristics to predict longer prognosis. The present study showed that primary tumor resection did not have a significant benefit on survival in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma at initial presentation. However, primary tumor resection should be considered when there is only regional lymph node metastasis and few metastatic sites.

An 11-year-old girl visited the emergency room of our hospital with complaints of pain, nausea and gross hematuria after abdominal injury due to a fall from a fence. Computed tomography (CT) showed ruptured right kidney, hematoma, urinoma, and slight liver damage in S7 area. According to the Classification of Renal Injury by the Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma, this case was Type IIIb, but according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Severity Scale for the Kidney, it was Type V. Because her vital signs were stable after admission, conservative management was initiated. There was no progression of anemia, and blood transfusion was not required. Right ureteral stenting was performed on the 4th hospital day because of an increase in fluid accumulation around the right kidney. Percutaneous drainage was performed on the 9th hospital day because of a further increase in fluid accumulation around the right kidney. After percutaneous drainage, fluid accumulation around the kidney was improved, and the drainage tube was removed on the 20th hospital day. The patient was discharged on the 22nd day. Although the decreased blood flow in the ruptured portion of the right kidney was observed in a subsequent CT scan, renal scintigraphy showed a relatively well maintained function of the right kidney (split renal function; right 38% and left 62%). She had no increase in blood pressure one year after renal injury.

Objectives: To investigate bladder function in a model of nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP) induced in castrated rats by 17β-estradiol injection., Methods: Ten-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, sham and NBP (both N = 8). NBP was induced by castration followed by daily subcutaneous injection of 17β-estradiol for 30 days. On the 31st day after surgery, we investigated (1) voiding behavior, (2) bladder blood flow (BBF), (3) prostate and bladder weight, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and CXCL1) levels and (4) bladder contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS), carbachol and KCl., Results: (1) Voiding behavior (average micturition volume, total urine volume and number of micturitions) and (2) BBF were not significantly different between the sham and NBP groups. (3) NBP led to a significant decrease in prostatic weight and increase in proinflammatory cytokine levels in the prostate, but NBP did not cause a significant change in bladder weight or proinflammatory cytokine levels in the bladder. (4) Bladder contractile forces in response to EFS, carbachol and KCl were not significantly affected by NBP., Conclusions: In this rat model, NBP did not cause a significant change in the level of proinflammatory cytokines in the bladder and affect bladder function.

Unlabelled: WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: There is known to be an association between overactive bladder (OAB) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study investigates the association between OAB and IBS using an internet-based survey in Japan. It is the first to investigate the prevalence and severity of OAB in the general population using the OAB symptom score questionnaire., Objective: To investigate the association between overactive bladder (OAB) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by using an internet-based survey in Japan., Subjects and Methods: Questionnaires were sent via the internet to Japanese adults. The overactive bladder symptom score was used for screening OAB, and the Japanese version of the Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of IBS was used for screening this syndrome., Results: The overall prevalence of OAB and IBS was 9.3% and 21.2%, respectively. Among the subjects with OAB, 33.3% had concurrent IBS. The prevalence of OAB among men was 9.7% and among women it was 8.9%, while 18.6% of men and 23.9% of women had IBS. Concurrent IBS was noted in 32.0% of men and 34.8% of women with OAB., Conclusion: Taking into account a high rate of concurrent IBS in patients with OAB, it seems to be important for physicians to assess the defaecation habits of patients when diagnosing and treating OAB., (© 2012 The Authors. BJU International © 2012 BJU International.)

We investigated the add-on effect of dutasteride (0.5 mg once a day) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), prostate volume (PV), and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and testosterone level in 72 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who had been treated with alpha-blocker monotherapy. Inclusion criteria were men with BPH who had PV ≧30 ml and international prostate symptom score (IPSS) ≧8 or quality of life (QOL) index ≧3 under alpha-blocker monotherapy for more than 3 months. At the baseline, 12 and 24 weeks after dutasteride add-on, we assessed IPSS, overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), PV, serum PSA and testosterone. Among 47 patients (65%) with OAB diagnosed by OABSS, responders were defined as those with urgency score of OABSS ＜2 or total score of OABSS ＜3. At the 24th week, dutasteride significantly improved IPSS (-4.2) and OABSS (-1.9) and reduced PV (-29%) compared with the baseline. Furthermore, dutasteride significantly decreased serum PSA (-45%) and increased testosterone (36%). Among OAB patients, dutasteride significantly improved urgency and urgency incontinence but not nocturia. Responders had lower OABSS, urgency incontinence score and serum testosterone at the baseline than non-responders. In conclusion, dutasteride add-on therapy is beneficial in patients with BPH who do not show enough improvement with alpha-blocker monotherapy.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a neoplasm of pleura and its occurrence in the retroperitoneal space is rare. We report a case of SFT of the adrenal gland associated with ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and angiomyolipoma (AML). A 48-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for a left renal AML. Computed tomography (CT) in our hospital showed a left adrenal mass (25 x 20 mm). Because the adrenal tumor was nonfunctioning, she was followed at outpatient clinic. Four years later, CT showed an increase in the left adrenal tumor size (42 x 30 mm) and a left RCC. Left adrenectomy and partial nephrectomy for RCC and AML were simultaneously performed. Histological examination revealed adrenal SFT and clear cell carcinoma and AML of the kidney. We present a brief review on histological characteristics of retroperitoneal SFT and its occurrence in the adrenal grand region.

Iatrogenic bladder injury by artificial vessel graft is extremely rare and only 3 cases have been reported. Herein, we report a case of bladder injury by penetration of artificial vessel graft. An 80-year-old male underwent a femoro-femoral crossover bypass surgery for arteriosclerosis obliterans in our hospital. Postoperatively he complained of urinary incontinence and was referred to the urology department. Ultrasonography for evaluating microscopic hematuria revealed a high echoic linear structure in the bladder and subsequent cystoscopy found an artificial vessel graft penetrating bladder wall. Vascular surgeons reconstructed femoro-femoral bypass and we removed the artificial vessel graft and repaired the injured bladder wall. This is the fourth case of bladder penetrating injury by artificial vessel graft and we summarize the reported cases.

The indications for adrenalectomy in cases of metastatic adrenal tumor remain controversial. To clarify indications and outcomes of adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis, we performed a retrospective review of all 8 patients who underwent adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis between 1990 and 2006 in Asahikawa Medical College Hospital. The Primary tumor was renal cell carcinoma in 2 cases, and eccrine poro carcinoma, rectal cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer and cancer of unknown origin in 1 case each. Open adrenalectomy was performed in all cases, including 1 case that was converted from laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Of the 4 patients with solitary adrenal metastasis, 3 were considered tumor-free after adrenalectomy, while the remaining patient was not due to unresectable primary tumor. Of the 3 patients with complete resection, one remained alive as of 88 months after adrenalectomy but was then lost to follow-up, and the other 2 patients remain alive 12 and 7 months after adrenalectomy. Of the 2 patients with other resectable metastasis who were tumor-free after removal of all metastases, one was alive 31 months postoperatively and the other died 23 months after operation. The remaining 2 cases with other unresectable metastasis died within 6 months after adrenalectomy. At least in cases of solitary adrenal metastasis, adrenalectomy can be effective if other valid methods are unavailable.

The clinical significance of cystoscopy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer remains open to discussion. We have always performed cystoscopy with prostate biopsy and have discovered bladder cancer in some patients. The present study investigated the clinical significance of performing cystoscopy with prostate biopsy. Subjects were 458 patients who underwent cystoscopy and ultrasound-guided transrectal prostate biopsy from January 1998 to December 2004. Mean age of subjects was 71.3 years (range, 52-93 years). Prostate biopsy was performed modified Eskews systematic 5-region prostate biopsy (12 core). Some abnormalities were found in 43 of the 458 patients (9.3%). Among these 43 patients, bladder cancer was found in 11 patients (2.4%), and transurethral resection bladder tumor (TUR-Bt) was performed on all 11 patients. Pathological staging of bladder cancer was pT1 and G2 in all cases. Bladder stones were seen in 13 patients (2.8%), benign bladder tumor in 5 patients (1.1%), urethral polyp in 7 patients (1.5%), urethral stenosis in 6 patients (1.3%) and ureteral stones associated with ureterocele in 1 patient (0.2%). Appropriate examinations and treatments were performed for all cases. Cystoscopy may be needed at the time of prostate biopsy because: the above-mentioned abnormalities were first discovered on cystoscopy; and the frequency of bladder cancer was 2.4% for the total patient population, and endoscopic surgery was performed.

We report a case of urolithiasis associated with short bowel syndrome. A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for asymptomatic bilateral renal stones. She had received extensive resection of small intestine due to strangulating obstructive ileus 7 years ago (residual intestine, only 20 cm). Subsequently, she was in a state of short bowel syndrome. Plain film of kidney, uteter, bladder and computed tomography revealed bilateral renal stones (right 4 mm, left 10 mm). The left renal stone was successfully treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Since the right renal stone was small, no treatment was performed. The stone fragments were composed of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, and excessive urinary excretion of oxalate (103.8 mg/day) was observed. In this patient, urolithiasis was diagnosed to be due to enteric hyperoxaluria caused by short bowel syndrome. To prevent the recurrence of stone formation, she was treated with oral administration of calcium lactate, sodium/potassium citrate and magnesium oxide. We review the Japanese literatures on urolithiasis with short bowel syndrome.

Clean intermittent catheterization is a well-known procedure of urinary drainage for patients who are unable to empty the bladder sufficiently. However, some patients with bladder dysfunction and nocturnal polyuria fail to obtain the benefits of intermittent catheterization and have annoying symptoms of nocturnal incontinence and low-compliance bladder, which threaten both their quality of life and renal function. We report the usefulness of nocturnal urethral indwelling catheterization using a specially designed catheter to treat patients (three women) with lower urinary tract dysfunction and nocturnal polyuria. Case 1: A 45-year-old woman with mental retardation suffered from difficulty of micturition and residual urine. A nocturnal urethral indwelling catheter freed her from difficulty with micturition and residual urine. Case 2: A 28-year-old woman with spina bifida and neuropathic bladder dysfunction suffered from urinary incontinence and recurrent pyelonephritis. The recurrent pyelonephritis was prevented and bladder compliance was improved with use of the nocturnal urethral indwelling catheter. Case 3: A 66-year-old woman with cervical myelopathy and multiple episodes of cerebral infarction suffered from nocturnal urinary incontinence. She underwent clean intermittent catheterization by her husband. Use of the nocturnal urethral indwelling catheter solved the problem of her nocturnal incontinence and relieved her husband of her nocturnal care. Nocturnal urethral indwelling catheterization is useful for treatment of nocturnal incontinence and recovery of bladder compliance in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction and nocturnal polyuria.