Early detection of a cavopulmonary tumor embolus with the use of transesophageal echocardiography.

Pulmonary tumor embolization from renal cell carcinoma is associated with severe cardiopulmonary morbidity and high perioperative mortality rates. We report the case of a 71-year-old woman who presented with right-sided abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance images revealed a mass originating from the upper pole of the right kidney and extending into the infrahepatic portion of the inferior vena cava.

Could scrotoschisis mimic an iatrogenic injury? A case report.

Scrotoschisis is a rare congenital defect of the scrotal sac associated with extrusion of one or both testicles. Only 9 cases have been reported in the literature. The exact mechanism causing this rare congenital defect is unknown.

Testosterone replacement therapy following radical prostatectomy.

Introduction: Controversy exists regarding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in men following radical prostatectomy (RP). Many clinicians are hesitant to offer patients TRT after an RP, out of concern that the increased androgen levels may promote tumor progression or recurrence from residual tumor. Recently, several small studies have demonstrated the use of TRT in men following an RP and have shown an improvement in serum testosterone levels with no increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values.

Dysfunctional elimination syndrome is a negative predictor for vesicoureteral reflux.

Purpose: We investigated the likelihood of finding vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs), accompanied by fever or dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES).

Materials And Methods: Two hundred consecutive voiding cystourethrograms performed in 1997-2002 for a diagnosis of UTI were reviewed. Fever, DES, and the grade and laterality of VUR were recorded.

Prostatic biology, histologic patterns and clinical consequences of transitional cell carcinoma.

Purpose Of Review: To review the current fund of knowledge about prostatic transitional cell carcinoma and the implications for diagnostic and management strategies particularly as they relate to radical cystectomy.

Recent Findings: Prostatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is present in up to 48% of patients undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy. Transurethral resection biopsies of the prostatic urethra are a sensitive means of detecting prostatic TCC and whole-mount step sectioning is the most accurate method for determining the presence and extent of prostatic TCC.

Correlation between risk factors for vascular disease and the American Urological Association Symptom Score.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between risk factors for vascular disease and the American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA-SS), by comparing the presence of these risk factors with the degree of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical history, AUA-SS, and prostate volume of men who had a radical prostatectomy. The degree of LUTS in men with and without risk factors for cardiovascular disease was compared.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with open cystotomy for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff.

Background And Purpose: While performing laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, different techniques are used for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. We present a series of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALNU) with open cystotomy for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff.

Patients And Methods: From January 2000 to August 2004, 34 patients underwent HALNU.