A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Radiation-Induced Hemorrhagic Cystitis with the GreenLightTM XPS Laser.

Introduction: The treatment of pelvic malignancies with radiotherapy can develop severe sequelae, especially radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. It is a progressive disease that can lead to the need for blood transfusion, hospitalizations, and surgical interventions. This tends to affect the quality of life of these patients, and management can at times be difficult.

Severe painful vaso-occlusive crises and mortality in a contemporary adult sickle cell anemia cohort study.

Background: Frequent painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) were associated with mortality in the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD) over twenty years ago. Modern therapies for sickle cell anemia (SCA) like hydroxyurea are believed to have improved overall patient survival. The current study sought to determine the relevance of the association between more frequent VOCs and death and its relative impact upon overall mortality compared to other known risk factors in a contemporary adult SCA cohort.

A pilot study of the effect of spironolactone therapy on exercise capacity and endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary arterial hypertension: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare disorder associated with poor survival. Endothelial dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis and progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Inflammation appears to drive this dysfunctional endothelial phenotype, propagating cycles of injury and repair in genetically susceptible patients with idiopathic and disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Intrapleural t-PA therapy for loculated pleural effusion arising after percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: a case report.

Pleural complications from upper pole percutaneous renal access for lithotripsy occur infrequently and are managed minimally invasively with urinary diversion (double-J stent or nephrostomy) and chest tube placement. However, sometimes the pleural effusion may evolve into an empyema that requires open or thoracoscopic decortication. We present a novel approach in which topical fibrinolytic therapy was used to successfully resolve a symptomatic, nonresolving (despite antibiotic treatment and a properly positioned chest tube), loculated pleural effusion arising post percutaneous nephrolithotripsy.

Nitric oxide for inhalation in the acute treatment of sickle cell pain crisis: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Inhaled nitric oxide has shown evidence of efficacy in mouse models of sickle cell disease (SCD), case series of patients with acute chest syndrome, and 2 small placebo-controlled trials for treatment of vaso-occlusive pain crisis (VOC).

Objective: To determine whether inhaled nitric oxide gas reduces the duration of painful crisis in patients with SCD who present to the emergency department or hospital for care.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial for up to 72 hours of inhaled nitric oxide gas vs inhaled nitrogen placebo in 150 participants presenting with VOC of SCD at 11 centers between October 5, 2004, and December 22, 2008.