Dual-tracer PET/CT in renal angiomyolipoma and subtypes of renal cell carcinoma.

Unlabelled: We studied the metabolic characteristics of RCC subtypes and angiomyolipoma with 18F-FDG and 11C-acetate PET/CT.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with both baseline CT and dual-tracer PET/CT were recruited: 10 angiomyolipoma (16 lesions) and 48 RCC (50 lesions). Each lesion was assessed for SUVmax ratio (lesion-to-normal kidney) on 11C-acetate/18F-FDG PET and attenuation density on CT.

Modular surgical training for endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy.

Objective: To develop a modular training scheme which enabled the use of individual steps of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RP) for teaching and training surgeons with varied experience, including residents with no experience in open RP, as in extending laparoscopic surgery to more complex operations like RP, the proper training of urologists is crucial.

Subjects And Methods: The technique of endoscopic extraperitoneal RP (EERP) was divided into 12 individual steps of differing complexity. The levels of difficulty were called "modules" and graded according to their requisite skills from module 1 (lowest level of difficulty) to module 5 (highest level).

Endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy: oncological and functional results after 700 procedures.

Purpose: We review our experience with endoscopic (totally) extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE) as first line therapy for localized prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 700 consecutive patients underwent EERPE. Mean patient age was 63.

Endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer and previous laparoscopic inguinal mesh placement for hernia repair.

Introduction: Since laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has become a frequently performed surgical procedure, it is inevitable that patients who have been candidates for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) may have had such prior intervention. The inguinal hernia repair might take the form of either total extraperitoneal hernioplasty (TEP) or transabdominal extraperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP), with mesh placement. The objective was to show that performing endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE) in such patients was safe and feasible, and also to suggest modifications of the technique to facilitate the surgery.

Altered expression of aquaporin-2 in human explants with chronic renal allograft dysfunction.

Objective: To investigate the distribution of aquaporins, a recently discovered family of transmembrane water channels, in human renal explants, with specific reference to chronic renal allograft dysfunction (CRAD).

Materials And Methods: Immunohistochemistry for aquaporin-1 and -2 was used in 11 explants, of which five had clinically and histologically confirmed CRAD. Controls were taken from the six explants unaffected by CRAD and from histologically normal areas of six kidneys excised for renal tumours.

Impact of previous surgery on endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To assess the impact of previous surgery on endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE).

Methods: A total of 500 patients who underwent EERPE for clinically localized prostate cancer between December 2001 and April 2004 were stratified into five groups: group 1, no previous abdominal, inguinal, or prostate surgery; group 2, previous upper abdominal surgery; group 3a, previous lower abdominal or pelvic surgery or open inguinal hernioplasty; group 3b, laparoscopic or endoscopic inguinal hernioplasty; group 4, previous prostate surgery; and group 5, a combination of groups 2, 3, and/or 4. Groups 1 and 2 were analyzed together, because the previous operative fields in group 2 were distant from the space of Retzius.

Parastomal hernia repair using the lateral approach.

Objective: To review the results of repairing a parastomal hernia after ileal conduit formation, using the lateral approach.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively assessed 18 patients (9%) who developed a parastomal hernia, from 211 who had an ileal conduit created between 1982 and 2001; 15 had a surgical repair using a lateral incision.

Results: All 15 patients resumed a normal diet 1 day after surgery; the median (range) hospital stay was 4 (2-14) days.

Expression of nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the human female intramural striated urethral sphincter.

Purpose: While we have recently detected neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactivity in a heterogeneous population of human male urethral striated muscle, to our knowledge the association of nNOS in the female counterpart is unknown. We investigated the association of nNOS with female urethral striated muscle and re-investigated muscle fiber types.

Materials And Methods: Cryostat sections were taken from the middle third of 4 human female urethras.