Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Debbagh.
The authors report an unusual case of renal colic occurring in a 44-year-old docker. Intravenous urography showed right ureteral extrinsic compression by an osteophyte of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. After failure of medical treatment, the patient was operated with resection of the osteophyte. The postoperative course was uneventful with reduction of pain.
The authors report 14 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of bladder over a period of 20 years. All patients were male, with a mean age of 56 years. A history of urogenital bilharziasis was reported in 2 patients and 10 patients were smokers. Hematuric cystitis was the commonest presenting feature and infiltration of the bladder base was detected on rectal palpation in 10 patients. The patients consulted late in the course, at the stage of upper urinary tract repercussions (11 cases) and computerized tomography showed locoregional extension in 5 cases. 12 total cystoprostatectomies were performed and 2 patients were treated exclusively by radiotherapy. The long-term course was marked by urethral recurrence in 3 patients. The etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and clinical course of these tumors, which are often aggressive, are reviewed.
The authors discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of primary pyogenic abscess of the psoas muscle based on a series of 5 cases. Five patients between the ages of 15 and 64 years (mean: 38.2 years) were admitted to the urology department between January 1994 and December 1996 with fever, abdominal pain and low back pain, and psoitis in 1 case. The mean delay to consultation was 42 days. Clinical examination revealed a painful mass in the lumbar region and flank in 5 cases. Leukocytosis was detected in 5 patients. Radiological examination demonstrated loss of the lateral border of the psoas in 4 cases. Ultrasonography showed an enlarged psoas muscle in every case with a hypoechoic mass in 2 cases and a heterogeneous mass in the other 3 cases. Computed tomography, performed in 2 patients, confirmed the ultrasound findings in 1 case and excluded the diagnosis of type IV hydatid cyst of the psoas muscle in the other patient. The abscess was evacuated by percutaneous drain in 1 patient requiring a second percutaneous drainage for reconstitution of the abscess. Surgical drainage was performed immediately in 3 patients and after failure of antibiotic treatment in 1 patient. The hospital stay did not exceed 7 days after surgical drainage, but was 25 days after the first percutaneous drainage and 20 days after the second percutaneous drainage. The authors emphasize the multiple advantages and efficacy of surgical drainage of psoas abscess.
Concerning two cases of liposarcomas developing in the retroperitoneal space, the characteristics of these rare tumors are reviewed. They are the most frequent mesenchymal tumors. Often, they are uncovered by palpable abdominal mass or when they compress adjoining organs. Computed tomography has proved valuable in the diagnosis of these lesions. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice. Recurrences are frequent and prognosis is poor.
The authors report 30 cases of obstructive anuria during the last fifteen years. The anuria was secondary to lithiasis in 60 per cent, in 26.6 per cent to pelvic cancer and in 13.4 per cent to retroperitoneal fibrosis. The diagnosis was facilitated by ultrasonography. Emergency treatment of obstructive anuria is based on urinary diversion by ureteral stent or by percutaneous nephrostomy under ultrasound control. Later the treatment depend of etiology.
Urogenital tuberculosis still represents a major urologic problem in the northern part of Africa, and it is a serious disease because its diagnosis is usually late. Furthermore, the affection is frequently bilateral, which may cause the renal failure. 86 cases of urogenital tuberculosis have been reviewed. Our patients were young adults (average age: 34 year old). Cystitis is the most frequent sign (74%), hematuria, lumbar pain, genital signs and nephrologic signs are not rare. Urine was negative in 46 patients, and amicrobial leucocyturia was present in 24 cases. Diagnosis relies on a range of signs, especially intravenous pyelography that has an important place. Endoscopic biopsy did confirm the diagnosis of tuberculosis in 12 patients. Generally, definitive diagnosis was based on the histologic study of the operative specimen.
About a case of complete rupture of the urethra associated to bilateral fracture of the corpus cavernosa following manipulation of the penis in erection, we stress the interest of an early surgical treatment, which permits a precise lesional diagnosis and an immediate reparation of the lesions. It is even the best warrant of a correct functional recovery.