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Biomedical subjects

L Hertle

Publications and source records attributed to L Hertle.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children. Efficacy, complications and long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is effective and safe for the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi in adults. Some speculations concerning possible damages from ESWL on the growing kidney have been raised. METHODS: From January 1990 to December 1998, 64 children (30 girls and 34 boys; 8 months to 15 years old, mean 5.6 years) with a total of 83 stones of the upper urinary tract were treated by ESWL (Lithostar). Preoperative evaluation included history, physical examination, routine blood tests, urinalysis, urine culture, intravenous urography and optional renal scintigraphy. The impulse rate per treatment varied from 750 to 4,000 (mean 2,996). After acute treatment, routine follow-up included renal ultrasound, blood pressure controls, laboratory tests and eventually plain film X-ray. RESULTS: Successful fragmentation of the stones was achieved in all patients. In 54% the patients were free of stones treated at the time of discharge. At 3 months after treatment radiographic studies showed no residual fragments in 80% of the treated children. 83% of the treated stones were cleared entirely. The remaining fragments were clinically insignificant. An average of 2.5 ESWL treatments per child in general anesthesia were required. Stone analysis showed 20 calcium oxalate, 38 calcium phosphate, 12 struvite, 2 uric acid and 9 cystine calculi. Ureteral stents were placed in 43%. No significant urinary infection was seen under antibiotic prophylaxis. Only 3 children showed a recurrence (1 x cystinuria with low compliance and 2 x struvite). There was no case of renal scarring. No change in renal function or blood pressure was found compared to the preoperative values. Hematuria and proteinuria disappeared in all children who were free of stones. Renal ultrasound revealed no growth difference between treated and untreated renal units. CONCLUSIONS: In childhood, ESWL is an efficacious and safe treatment of stones of the upper urinary tract. The long-term follow-up after ESWL with a second-generation lithotriptor did not show any signs of damage to the growing kidney. Sometimes repeated ESWL treatments are justified by the low rate of complications.

Adolescent↗

[The aging man].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

[The pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis--many hypotheses, but etiology remains uncertain].

Pathogenic aspects of interstitial cystitis (IC) are reviewed on the basis of the current literature applying the criteria of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Three hundred forty-six peer-reviewed publications of the past 30 years were retrieved via MEDLINE employing the key words "interstitial cystitis and pathogenesis or etiology" and classified according to EBM criteria and subject categories. The papers were then reviewed and summarized and are discussed considering the theory of acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In the literature, nearly all steps of the normal inflammatory response are considered pathogenically important in development of the IC syndrome. Applying EBM criteria, all studies fail to meet the criteria for sound statistical evaluation and to demonstrate reproducibly a reliable pathogenic factor. Most publications report only small numbers of patients. Control groups are frequently lacking or too small. Clinically useful criteria for the diagnosis of IC are not properly defined. There is no commonly accepted animal model in which IC occurs naturally or can be artificially induced. Of the 683 IC papers studied, 346 (50.7%) deal with pathogenic or etiological aspects of IC. The inflationary use of the terms pathogenesis or etiology in one out of every two papers calls for more prudent application of terminology in the future. As yet, none of the published pathogenic factors was found to represent the main trigger of the IC syndrome. Some of them seem to be part of a vicious cycle of the inflammatory reaction present. Detailed knowledge of the process of chronic inflammation can lead to treatments that may interrupt an inflammatory response. This might contribute to solving the pathogenic issue of IC and could be helpful in designing further investigations. Advances in understanding the causes of IC require objective criteria to subclassify the heterogenous patient cohort presently referred to as IC syndrome. Such subclassifications are a predisposition for pathogenic investigations and determining future treatment strategies.

Cystitis, Interstitial↗

Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy in radical prostatectomy and radiation-treated patients.

Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) prior to radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer has regained interest in recent years but proof of its clinical benefit with respect to patient survival is still pending. We reviewed the literature regarding NHT in prostate cancer; only studies with a high evidence level were included for analysis. Five prospective randomized trials of NHT in radical prostatectomy-treated patients could be identified. Despite significantly lower numbers of positive surgical margins in the NHT group, prostate specific antigen failure rates were similar in the NHT group and the surgery only group. Data on disease-free and overall survival are not yet available. The two prospective randomized studies of NHT in radiation-treated patients could demonstrate better local control of the tumor in the NHT group. However, there was no difference in overall survival between the NHT arm and the radiation only arm. Future clinical research should consider type and duration of hormonal treatment and evaluate potential surrogate end points. To date, there is no hard evidence in favor of NHT prior to radical prostatectomy or external beam irradiation. NHT in prostate cancer should only be applied within controlled trials.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

Patterns of chromosomal imbalances in muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Cytogenetic investigations of bladder cancer suggested that development and progression is characterized by specific chromosomal aberrations. In order to identify genetic changes linked to muscle invasive tumors and metastatic growth we analyzed 67 bladder carcinomas (30 pT1 and 37 pT2-4) by means of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). The most frequent changes were gains of chromosome 1q (54%), 8q (54%), 17q (49%), 2p (30%), 12 (30%), 5p (25%), 3q (24%) and 6p (24%) as well as losses of 11p (43%), 8p (42%), 9p (36%), 11q (34%), 2q, 4q, 5q (30% each), 9q (27%) and 10q (27%). Previously not described amplifications were found at 5p11-p13, 7q21-q31, 9p24 and 17q24-q25. Gains of 3q, 7p, and 18p were markedly more frequent in pT2-4 in comparison to pT1 carcinomas but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Non-metastatic tumors showed more aberrations on average than metastatic carcinomas, although no particular change was found to be predominating in either group. Our data confirm previous findings of strong genetic similarities between minimally and deeply invasive bladder carcinomas but argue for differences between metastatic and non-metastatic disease.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

Revision of nonfunctioning kock pouch efferent limb: continent, tissue preserving technique.

PURPOSE: Despite extensive surgical experience with the intussuscepted efferent nipple of the Kock pouch, complications are not unusual. Although most repairs are relatively simple, the use of intestinal segments is necessary for reconstruction of the complete efferent limb in cases of severe stenosis, pre-stenotic diverticular enlargement or partial necrosis. We describe the tissue preserving transformation of an inadequate efferent Kock pouch outlet into a flap-valve continence mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 5 women a new efferent limb for the Kock pouch was created by transverse retubularization of the short intact ileal segment of the original limb. Continence was preserved through the construction of a Mitrofanoff-like flap valve, created by embedding the new ileal tube in an extramural trough. RESULTS: At followup ranging from 6 to 28 months all patients were continent and experienced no problems with catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: This technique of transverse retubularization of the inadequate efferent ileal limb and creation of a flap valve has obvious advantages. No new small bowel segments are required, thereby simplifying and shortening the procedure. The newly created ileal tube is wide (16 to 18Fr) and easy to catheterize. The mucosal folds are longitudinal and do not impede catheterization. The remaining thin layer of mesentery is set in the center of the tube and permits construction of a straight extramural tunnel.

Adult↗

In vitro electrostimulation-induced urethral relaxation in the guinea pig is blocked by prazosin.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the electrostimulation-induced relaxation in guinea pig urethral rings. From sacrificed male guinea pigs, urethral rings were cut between the bladder neck and the penile crura and mounted in an in vitro bath. The drop in baseline tension in response to electrical stimulation (rectangular pulses of 0.8-msec pulse duration, a frequency of 3, 5, 10, and 20 Hz, and 75-mA current) was measured in the presence of various pharmacologic agents. In urethral tissue precontracted with 10(-5) norepinephrine, a significant relaxation of 34.8% was found at 10 Hz. This relaxation was not affected by the addition of neuropeptide Y (NPY, 10(-8)-10(-6) M), 10(-6) M atropine, 10(-5) M alpha-beta-methylene-adenosine,5'-triphosphate (alpha-beta-methylene-ATP, a purinergic antagonist), and tolazoline (alpha2 antagonist, 10(-8)-10(-4) M). However, with the alpha1 antagonist prazosin (5 x 10(-8)-5 x 10(-7) M), no relaxation occurred. The tissue response was of neurogenic origin as it was blocked by 10(-7) M tetrodotoxin. Norepinephrine-precontracted urethral rings of male guinea pigs exhibit a relaxation response at 10 Hz that is alpha1-adrenergic, non-cholinergic, non-purinergic, and independent of NPY.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Intra- and peri-renal gas formation. Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis].

Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis is an extremely rare, rapidly progressive and life-threatening intrarenal and perirenal infection. It is associated with diabetes mellitus, obstruction of the upper urinary tract and the presence of gas-forming coliform bacteria. As it presents as a severe acute pyelonephritis, a high index of suspicion and computer-tomographic imaging are essential to make the diagnosis. Only immediate combined medical and (bilateral) surgical therapy can reduce the high patient mortality. Postoperatively, computer-tomographic monitoring is recommended to follow the response to therapy.

Aged↗

Ileal ureteral substitution in reconstructive urological surgery: is an antireflux procedure necessary?

PURPOSE: Whether antireflux implantation techniques are necessary in adults who undergo ileal ureteral substitution is controversial. We prospectively evaluated the correlation between reflux and renal function in 19 patients who underwent ileal ureteral substitution with no antireflux implantation technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Followup included clinical evaluation, serum creatinine, blood gasses, excretory urogram, cystogram and dynamic selective renographic clearance on technetium mercaptotriglycine renal scans. All patients were followed for a minimum of 4 years except 2 who died 26 and 43 months postoperatively. Mean followup was 57 months (range 48 to 72). RESULTS: Despite reflux, renal scans indicated a significant increase in renal function in all patients. Vesico-ileal reflux was present in 9 cases and reflux in the renal pelvis occurred in only 3. Reflux occurred in only 3 of 10 patients with ileal segments longer than 15 cm., and did not reach the renal pelvis. CONCLUSIONS: Reflux appears to have no detrimental effect on renal function in adults with ileal ureters and, therefore, an antireflux procedure is unnecessary. In addition, an ileal segment longer than 15 cm. appears to safeguard the renal pelvis against visible reflux stemming from pro-grade intestinal peristalsis.

Adult↗

Chromosomal aberrations associated with invasion in papillary superficial bladder cancer.

Non-invasive and invasive papillary transitional cell carcinomas of stages pTa and pT1 represent the first steps of tumour progression in bladder cancer. In order to analyse different chromosomal alterations of pTa and pT1 superficial bladder cancer, 46 tumour specimens were examined by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Losses of chromosome 9 material (11/20) and gains of chromosome 17 material (6/20) were frequently found in pTa tumours. Stage pT1 tumours were characterized by gains of chromosome 1q (14/26; including amplification at 1q21-q24 in three cases) and chromosome 17 material (15/26), as well as by losses of 11p (15/26) and 11q (13/26). Other loci frequently showing losses in pT1 tumours were 2q (9/26), 4q (10/26), 5q (9/26), 8p (10/26), 9p (9/26), 9q (12/26), 10q (8/26), 17p (7/26), and 18q (8/26). Amplifications were detected at 8q21/22, 5q21, 7q36, 10p14, 10p12, 10q25, 12q12, and 12q14. The most striking differences between grade 2 pTa and pT1 tumours were gains of 1q (P < 0.01) and losses at 2q (P < 0.025), 10q (P < 0.05), 11p (P < 0.01), 11q (P < 0.01), and 17p (P < 0.05), as well as the total number of aberrations (pTa grade 2: 4.1; pT1 grade 2: 8.6 aberrations per tumour). These data show characteristic chromosomal aberrations associated with invasion in superficial bladder cancer.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

[The significance of prostate-specific antigen in after-care of prostate carcinoma].

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is used in the follow-up of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy or who have systemic disease. However, easy assessment and high diagnostic value of PSA should not lead to frequent and unnecessary testing. Following radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy intervals of 6 months appear to be sufficient whereas patients with metastatic disease should be followed symptom related.

Aftercare↗

[Treatment of varicocele in the age of "evidence-based medicine". Medical counseling is as successful as interventional treatment (ligation or embolization)].

In the age of "evidence-based medicine" the results of controlled clinical trials form the basis of therapeutic decisions. Until recently, interventional treatment has been the routine therapy for an infertile man with varicocele. However, recent controlled studies have shown that intensive counselling of the infertile couples results in as many pregnancies as ligation of embolization of the spermatic vein. Therefore, the traditional treatment regimen for varicocele should be reconsidered and the pathophysiology of the varicocele should be elucidated to provide a basis for rational treatment.

Adolescent↗