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Biomedical subjects

C F Firlit

Publications and source records attributed to C F Firlit.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Favorable experience with pre-emptive renal transplantation in children.

We retrospectively examined our experience with live-related donor kidney transplants in 66 children during the 7-year period 1984-1990. We compared the clinical courses of 26 children who did not receive any dialytic therapy prior to transplantation with 40 children who were dialyzed (27 via peritoneal dialysis and 13 via hemodialysis). We did not find any statistically significant differences in patient or graft survival between these three groups with a follow-up period of 6-87 months. Based on our results, we conclude that pre-emptive transplantation is an acceptable treatment for children who will inevitably require renal replacement therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Grading nephroureteral dilatation detected in the first year of life: correlation with obstruction.

To understand better the significance of pediatric idiopathic nephroureteral dilatation the renal ultrasound images of patients less than 1 year old with hydronephrosis or hydroureteronephrosis were graded and compared to the radiological diagnosis of obstruction as determined by diuresis renography and/or urography. The study included 73 boys and 30 girls with hydronephrosis (76 patients) or hydroureteronephrosis (27). For hydronephrosis obstruction was diagnosed in 56 children (74%) and involved 61 of 97 kidneys (63%). For obstructed kidneys the mean grade of hydronephrosis (3.4 +/- 0.7 standard deviation) was statistically different from that of nonobstructed kidneys (1.6 +/- 0.8 standard deviation) (p less than 0.05). When the value to predict obstruction was set at grade 3 hydronephrosis or greater there was an 88% sensitivity and 95% specificity. For hydroureteronephrosis obstruction was diagnosed in 15 of 27 children (56%) and involved 17 of 34 kidneys (50%). The degree of dilatation was weighted as a score to assess the grades of hydronephrosis and ureteral dilatation, namely hydroureteronephrosis score equals grade of hydronephrosis plus grade of ureteral dilatation. In obstructed megaureters the mean hydroureteronephrosis score (5.8 +/- 1.0) was statistically different from that for nonobstructed megaureters (mean hydroureteronephrosis score 2.7 +/- 1.9) (p less than 0.001). When the value to predict obstruction was set at hydroureteronephrosis score of 5 or greater there was a 94% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Although ultrasound examination alone cannot be used to diagnose urinary obstruction, the radiological diagnosis of obstruction is linked with the grade of hydronephrosis or score of hydroureteronephrosis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Selective sacral rhizotomy in children with high pressure neurogenic bladders: preliminary results.

Recent successful introduction of selective rhizotomy in the management of lower extremity spasticity in patients with myelodysplasia has prompted us to use it as a means of managing high pressure neurogenic bladders occasionally encountered in myelodysplastic patients. During the last 1 1/2 years 8 children have undergone selective sacral rhizotomy in an attempt to avert urinary diversion or bladder augmentation. Patient age ranged from 6.5 to 18.5 years. The level of the respective lesions was evenly distributed throughout the spine. At spinal surgery each patient had an electrode placed in the detrusor of the bladder via a suprapubic approach, electromyography electrodes were placed in the perineum and slow fill water cystometry was performed throughout the procedure. Standard electrophysiological stimulation of the nerve roots was performed to identify the rootlets that would only affect the detrusor and spare the external sphincter. Postoperative followup has been obtained on all patients. Of the patients 4 have exhibited significant improvement and they have not required augmentation, 2 have not shown any further deterioration in bladder function, 1 has demonstrated deterioration and 1 still lacks urodynamic followup. Postoperative cystometric studies have revealed a bladder capacity increase of 69% for the group. Uninhibited bladder contractions were abated in all but 1 patient. No patient has been rendered incontinent of urine from the procedure and no patient has had a problem with stool continence as a result of the rhizotomy. It appears that selective rhizotomy of the sacral roots has been able to increase bladder capacity as well as compliance in patients who normally would have been relegated to either bladder augmentation or urinary diversion. While these are encouraging results, some further followup is required to ascertain if the early improvements will be long-lasting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Insertion of testicular prosthesis: use of vaginal speculum.

We have used a vaginal speculum to insert a testicular prosthesis through the inguinal approach over the past four years. We have found this technique to be easily performed and reproducible in allowing the testicular prosthesis to be placed in the normal dependent position in the scrotum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Fibrinolytic therapy for renal vein thrombosis in the child.

Renal vein thrombosis may lead to significant renal impairment, even death, yet therapy remains controversial. Thrombolytic therapy in general may be attended by significant hemorrhagic complications and has not been used widely in children. We treated a 9-year-old boy with antithrombin III deficiency and acute renal vein thrombosis in a solitary kidney with a selective 48-hour infusion of low dose urokinase with return of renal function. Minor bleeding from a fresh surgical incision was the only morbidity. Such use of fibrinolytic agents in children with acute renal vein thrombosis may prevent significant renal impairment and deserves further clinical trials.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

Role of in-office ultrasonography in screening infants and children for urinary obstruction.

With the availability of machines suitable for the office, we studied whether in-office ultrasonography could assist in the management of children with known or suspected hydronephrosis. Of 509 children examined, 81 (16 per cent) had hydronephrosis. In 56 (70 per cent) of these children, ultrasonography was helpful in expediting the diagnosis (9 cases), clarifying the etiology (16 cases), evaluating the condition postoperatively (26 cases), and screening (5 cases). Three incorrect ultrasound diagnoses were encountered. The authors believe that ultrasound is the best initial imaging method for the urinary tract and have shown that it is practical and effective in an office setting.

Child↗
PubMed1979

Urodynamic biofeedback: a new approach to treat vesical sphincter dyssynergia.

Some children with vesical sphincter dyssynergia are refractory to conventional pharmacologic therapy. Three such patients were treated using a method of sphincter retraining, biofeedback. They observed the urinary sphincter electromyogram while voiding to appreciate visually the abnormality. Two children learned to suppress voluntarily the inappropriate sphincter contraction during voiding. This normalized the subsequent electromyographic recordings and offered subjective improvement in the voiding symptoms. Retraining the urethral sphincter dysfunction may be approached using biofeedback techniques in selected patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Pediatric urodynamics: a clinical comparison of surface versus needle pelvic floor/external sphincter electromyography.

Urodynamic evaluations were done on 37 children to diagnose voiding pattern abnormalities and/or recurrent urinary infections. Each of 25 children had 2 sets of testing to judge a practical method of urodynamic evaluation. Bipolar anal skin electrodes were compared to bipolar perianal muscle needle electrodes as a means of monitoring the urethral sphincter/pelvic floow electromyographic activity. In addition, the urethral catheter was compared to the suprapubic catheter as a means of monitoring intravesical pressure. The results were similar and statistically significant (p less than 0.001). The remaining 12 children were evaluated based only on the results of bipolar anal skin electrodes and uroflowmetry. The results of both groups clearly demonstrated that surface perianal electrodes are practical, accurate and reliable for the diagnosis and treatment of children with voiding pattern abnormalities. We recommend the use of surface electrodes and a urethral catheter as techniques for the urodynamic evaluation of voiding pattern abnormalities of children without overt neuropathology or extensive urethral operation. Preoperative surface electromyography of the urinary sphincters may prove to be a useful screening test to detect occult dyssynergia in patients who have had failed ureteral reimplants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

The cystometric nuclear cystogram.

Vesicoureteral reflux is a common clinical problem that we monitor by interval nuclear cystography. Of the children having nuclear cystograms 40% also have voiding abnormalities, including incontinence (damp pants), urgency and infrequent micturition. We have evaluated these symptoms by recording the intravesical pressure during the nuclear cystogram. This combined examination, the cystometric nuclear cystogram, has been done on 46 children. An abnormal cystometrogram was found in 61% of the children with a voiding abnormality and helped to establish a basis for successful therapy. The cystometric nuclear cystogram aids in the diagnosis and rational therapy of childhood voiding abnormalities. It is a practical method to obtain a cystometrogram in children with voiding abnormalities who are being evaluated for ureteral reflux and it has facilitated the management of childhood ureteral reflux.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Voiding pattern abnormalities in normal children: results of pharmacologic manipulation.

Urodynamic studies were done on 50 children with voiding pattern abnormalities, characterized by daytime incontinence, damp pants, nocturnal enuresis, frequency and recurrent urinary tract infections. These studies included cystometry, uroflowmetry and pelvic floor/external urethral sphincter electromyography. Of the 50 children studied 37 were treated with various pharmacological agents based on 8 recognized urodynamic patterns. Thirty-one children (84 per cent) became totally asymptomatic while on pharmacotherapy and 4 (11 per cent) demonstrated marked improvement in clinical symptoms during the course of this study. Appropriately directed urodynamic studies and treatment with specific pharmacological agents can treat (retrain) effectively children with voiding pattern abnormalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Micturition urodynamic flow studies in children.

Voiding abnormalities are encountered frequently in pediatric patients. Symptoms of daytime incontinence, frequency and nocturnal enuresis in any combination may indicate underlying neurophysiologic detrusor imbalance. Incomplete evaluation of these symptoms can result in inappropriate medical therapy or even ineffective operations. Within the preceding 7 months 34 children with hard-core voiding abnormalities were evaluated with urodynamic techniques. Several categories of abnormal voiding patterns were identified, including the hyperactive external sphincter, uninhibited pediatric neurogenic bladder, detrusor hyperreflexia secondary to chronic cystitis, hyperactive external sphincter with hypotonic bladder and the hyperactive external sphincter with detrusor irritability. All patients received specific pharmacotherapy based on presenting signs and symptoms, and voiding pattern abnormality. Of the 24 patients who have been treated in this manner and were evaluated 83.5% have had complete remission of symptoms while on therapy, the remainder being improved but still having occasional symptoms. The technique and data demonstrate that children with hard-core voiding abnormalities can achieve rehabilitation with urodynamic assessment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Voiding pattern abnormalities in children.

Forty-two children with voiding pattern abnormalities (wetting, incontinence, inappropriate voiding) were evaluated by urodynamic techniques. All patients were urologically evaluated and carefully appraised of the mechanics of the urodynamic testing procedure. All patients demonstrated good cooperation in an anxiety-free atmosphere. Twenty-three abnormal bladder types were identified and characterized. Specific pharmacologic and urologic modalities were applied to achieve improved or normal micturition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

The application of ileal conduits in pediatric renal transplantation.

Our experience with the use of ileal conduits as receptors of renal homografts in 5 of 41 transplant recipients during the preceding 4 years is described. These 5 chronic renal failure patients were between 6 months and 17 years old, and had unsalvageable bladders that required an ileal conduit at an elective time before transplantation. The causes of renal failure in these children included dysplasia and chronic urinary tract infection. In an attempt to retard the rate of renal insufficiency all patients underwent multiple operative procedures on the lower urinary tract. Two cadaveric and 3 kidneys from living relatives were transplanted. One infant (6 months old) died of severe fluid and electrolyte imbalance 5 days post-transplantation. Of the remaining patients 3 are now 2 to 3 1/2 years post-transplantation and exhibit normal homograft function, and 1 died recently of chronic rejection. All conduits functioned well without evidence of ureteroileal obstruction, significant infection or stomal stenosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Techniques and results of urodynamic evaluation of children.

Simultaneous recording of intravesical pressure, urine flow rate and anal sphincter electromyography was undertaken in 25 children with a variety of urological problems. Urethral pressure profile measurement was obtained in 3 of these patients and was used as an adjunct to cystometry alone in 5 others. The diagnostic patterns that emerged were useful in selecting specific pharmacologic and surgical therapeutic measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Micturition urodynamic flow studies in children.

Voiding abnormalities are encountered frequently in pediatric patients. Symptoms of daytime incontinence, frequency and nocturnal enuresis in any combination may indicate underlying neurophysiologic detrusor imbalance. Incomplete evaluation of these symptoms can result in inappropriate medical therapy or even ineffective operations. Within the preceding 7 months 34 children with hard-core voiding abnormalities were evaluated with urodynamic techniques. Several categories of abnormal voiding patterns were identified, including the hyperactive external sphincter, uninhibited pediatric neurogenic bladder, detrusor hyperreflexia secondary to chronic cystitis, hyperactive external sphincter with hypotonic bladder and the hyperactive external sphincter with detrusor irritability. All patients received specific pharmacotherapy based on presenting signs and symptoms, and voiding pattern abnormality. Of the 24 patients who have been treated in this manner and were evaluated 83.5 per cent have had complete remission of symptoms while on therapy, the remainder being improved but still having occasional symptoms. The technique and data demonstrate that children with hard-core voiding abnormalities can achieve rehabilitation with urodynamic assessment.

Adolescent↗