Detection of bacillus Calmette-Guerin in the blood by the polymerase chain reaction method of treated bladder cancer patients.

Purpose: Following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation, we attempted to detect BCG in the blood using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and correlate these findings with the occurrence of major complications due to this treatment.

Materials And Methods: Intravesical BCG immunotherapy was given to 22 consecutive patients with superficial bladder tumors. In 2 patients the BCG instillation had to be discontinued due to serious side effects of therapy.

Long-term treatment of nocturnal enuresis with desmopressin intranasal spray.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment of nocturnal enuresis with desmopressin intranasal spray. Sixty-five children with primary nocturnal enuresis with a mean age of 11.3 years (range 7-17) underwent a 2-week observation period followed by dose titration period of 1 week.

Quantitative evaluation of renal parenchymal mass with 99mtechnetium dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy after nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: We detected renal parenchymal damage after nephrolithotomy.

Materials And Methods: We studied 12 patients with renal stones treated with nephrolithotomy. Renal function was determined with serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine values, and 99mtechnetium dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy of renal parenchymal tissue was performed before, and 7 days and 3 months after nephrolithotomy.

Ureteroscopic management of lower ureteral stones: two years' experience.

A total of 140 ureteroscopies in 119 patients done between January 1992 and December 1994 at the Department of Urology, Hacettepe University Hospital, were reviewed. Factors such as previous ESWL therapy, previous surgery and use of in situ lithotripsy were noted. Success was defined as complete removal or disintegration and partial removal of the lower ureteral stones.

A modified BEP protocol: reduction of hospitalization without reducing the efficacy.

Objective: We have aimed at assessing whether a condensed bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatinum (BEP) regimen would be as effective as the conventional protocol in the treatment of patients with metastatic testicular tumors.

Methods: Sixty-four consecutive patients with metastatic germ cell testicular tumors were included into this modified BEP protocol between April 1991 and January 1995. The condensed regimen consisted of a single daily dose of cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and bleomycin (30 mg) plus 3 consecutive days of etoposide (150 mg/m2).