[Application of laser technologies in the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer].

This review includes the facts of bladder treatment by means of laser technologies application in historical perspective. Advantages and disadvantages of different laser technologies were considered in comparison with the traditional TUR of the bladder wall.

[Focal laser coagulation in the treatment of a patient with kidney cancer and prostate cancer].

The article describes the clinical observation of the patient 84 years old with prostate cancer T2bNxM0, left kidney cancer T1N0M0 and severe comorbidity. Stepwise interstitial laser coagulation was performed using the Russian microsecond Nd: YAG laser surgical complex.

[Features of endoscopic surgical treatment of urolithiasis in overweight patients].

The article presents the results of endoscopic and nephrolithotripsy and ureterolithotripsy in 73 overweight patients (body mass index of over 30 kg/m2) with kidney stones and urinary tract infections of different locations compared with 30 patients without obesity. The features of choice of tactics of surgical treatment and access, possible complications and their prevention are described.

[Experimental validation of the use of ND:YAG-interstitial laser coagulation of the kidney].

Interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) is one of the effective methods of minimally invasive destruction of small renal tumors. For the safe use of ILC in clinical practice, it is necessary to select the optimal mode of action of laser radiation on the tissue of target organ and techniques for the procedure. The effects of ILC on kidney tissue in 6 rabbits weighing less than 3 kg and 5 mongrel dogs weighing up to 20 kg were investigated in vivo.

[Modern tactics of management of patients with bilateral staghorn nephrolithiasis].

A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of open and percutaneous operations in the treatment of bilateral staghorn nephrolithiasis (SN) was performed. Of the 38 patients with bilateral SN, stage operation (without discharge) was performed in 26 (68.5%) patients, and single-step operation--in 12 (31.

The role of monitoring interpretive rates, concordance between cytotechnologist and pathologist interpretations before sign-out, and turnaround time in gynecologic cytology quality assurance: findings from the College of American Pathologists Gynecologic Cytopathology Quality Consensus Conference working group 1.

Context: The College of American Pathologists (CAP) conducted a national survey of gynecologic cytology quality assurance (QA) practices. Experts in gynecologic cytology were asked to join 5 working groups that studied the survey data on different aspects of QA. Evaluating the survey data and follow-up questions online, together with a review of pertinent literature, the working groups developed a series of preliminary statements on good laboratory practices in cytology QA.

Limitations of widely used high-risk human papillomavirus laboratory-developed testing in cervical cancer screening.

Objective: To increase awareness of the limitations of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) laboratory-developed testing (LDT) widely used in US cervical cancer screening.

Methods And Results: A young woman in her 30s was diagnosed and treated for stage 1B1 cervical squamous cell carcinoma in which HPV 16 DNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction testing. Both 1 month before and 42 months before cervical cancer diagnosis, the patient had highly abnormal cytology findings; however, residual SurePath™ (Becton, Dickson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ) vial fluid yielded negative Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2; Qiagen NV, Hilden, Germany) hrHPV LDT results from each of the two specimens.

Assessment of quality of data provided on Pap test requisitions: implications for quality of care and patient safety.

Background: The reliability of patient history and clinical information on Pap test requisitions has been questioned but not previously objectively determined. The effect of incomplete/inaccurate information on quality of patient care has not been previously quantified. Our objectives were (1) to find out how clinicians and their assistants viewed the requisition slip, and whether they understood the reasons for supplying the information requested, (2) to measure the completeness and accuracy of information on the requisition slips, and (3) to determine whether the clinical information and patient history provided on Pap test requisitions could be relied upon to accurately assign a Pap test to the laboratory's "high-risk rescreen" pool.

[On the methods for assessing the radiation load on medical personnel during an endourologic intervention].

A clinically approved method for assessing the radiation load on surgical team members during an endourologic intervention under X-ray monitoring is described.

The dysfunctional federally mandated proficiency test in cytopathology: a statistical analysis.

Proficiency testing in cytopathology and in other disciplines should be based on firm statistical and scientific foundations, because test theory in general is a heavily statistical subject. Statistical considerations have demonstrated that the design of "short" proficiency tests in cytopathology, including the current federally mandated test, fundamentally is unsound because of the lack of sufficient validity and reliability. Examinees too frequently are misclassified by such short-format tests: Competent examinees fail the test in surprisingly high numbers, whereas most of the examinees who have insufficient cytologic skills eventually pass the test after the allowed retakes.

Obligations to provide appropriate patient management.

The Pap test is a successful method of preventing cervical cancer, but it does have significant false negative and false positive rates. The main aim of screening is the detection of precursor lesions, both regression and progression of which may occur, making it difficult to decide upon follow-up and further therapy. Around the world there are many differences, as a far as the frequency of the disease, the organization and economic background of the health care system, the use of different additional diagnostic tools and even the terminology considered.

Quality assurance and risk reduction guidelines.

Cervical cancer continues to be a major cause of death in women worldwide. The major problem facing most women is the unavailability of screening Pap tests in poor and underdeveloped countries. While rates of cancer deaths have decreased 60-80% in developed countries since the Pap test became available, the accuracy of Paps was challenged recently.

A practical guide to Papanicolaou smear rescreens: how many slides must be reevaluated to make a statistically valid assessment of screening performance?

Background: The question of the minimum number of Papanicolaou (Pap) smear slides that must be rescreened to draw statistically valid conclusions regarding the accuracy of screening often is raised. No method for generating answers in varying laboratory circumstances has achieved widespread application; standard statistical sample size calculations may represent such a resource.

Methods: A series of tables was constructed to display minimum required numbers of rescreens, with each table representing differing hypothetical laboratory circumstances.

The false-negative fraction for Papanicolaou smears: how often are "abnormal" smears not detected by a "standard" screening cytologist?

Screening error rates have been measured in various ways. The false-negative fraction is advantageous because it is valid for comparisons between laboratories, which is crucial if standards for error rates are to be developed. False-negative fractions reported or calculated from data in the literature range from approximately 2% to 28%.

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. Current laboratory practices of participants in the College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory. Comparison Program in Cervicovaginal Cytology.

Objective: To evaluate current laboratory practices and rates for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), a category of epithelial cell abnormality in the Bethesda System.

Design: Questionnaire surveys were mailed in December 1993 and March 1994.

Setting: Cytopathology laboratory participants in the College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Cervicovaginal Cytology (PAP).

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance: interlaboratory comparison and quality assurance monitors.

The Bethesda System recognizes "Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance" (ASCUS) as a category of epithelial cell abnormality. Neither the acceptable rate of ASCUS nor the clinical follow-up are well defined. This study focused on interlaboratory comparison and quality assurance methods for evaluating the rate and outcome of ASCUS.

Interobserver variability of cervical smears with squamous-cell abnormalities: a Philadelphia study.

The reproducibility of reporting squamous lesions by the Bethesda System (TBS) was evaluated by distributing 20 slides to be classified among 5 panelists considered experts in the field of cytopathology. Four cases were chosen for their classic morphology and the remainder were foreseen to produce possible discrepancies within one diagnostic category. For 7/20 (35%) cases there was unanimous agreement.