A tribute to the life and accomplishments of Birdwell Finlayson.

Purpose: Birdwell Finlayson was a talented researcher and clinician whose pioneering work in the field of urolithiasis led him to worldwide prominence in urology. We researched his life and accomplishments to provide a historical account of his career.

Materials And Methods: The archives of the Department of Urology and the University of Florida Health Science Center Library were searched for publications, photographs and other records relating to Doctor Finlayson.

Spurious hypocalcemia after gadodiamide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: a case report and review of the literature.

Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is a diagnostic modality widely used in urologic practice. We report on a 54-year-old woman in whom a critically low serum calcium level was measured with standard colorimetric assay after gadodiamide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The same phenomenon was noted in 2 other patients seen in our practice.

Patient-reported outcomes for open versus laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy.

Background: Rates of living kidney donation have increased dramatically in recent years, in large part because of improved surgical techniques such as laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Objective: To compare patient-reported outcomes of laparoscopic nephrectomy versus open donor nephrectomy in 84 adult live kidney donors.

Outcome Measures: Outcomes included perceptions of pain and surgical scarring, number of surgical/medical complications, hospital length of stay, physical health problems related to donation, return to work, financial impact, health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with the donation experience.

The expectancies of living kidney donors: do they differ as a function of relational status and gender?

Background: While two-thirds of the living kidney donors continue to be genetically related to the recipient, there has been a 300% increase in unrelated living donors over the last 10 years. Also, women continue to represent more than half of all the living kidney donors. This study examined whether donor expectancies varied as a function of relational status or gender.

Ureteroscopic management of ureteral and ureteroenteral strictures.

The ureteroscopic approach to ureteral strictures has diminished morbidity because of smaller-caliber equipment, improved optics, Ho:YAG laser, and a better understanding of the risk factors for ureteral strictures. Direct visualization by means of retrograde ureteroscopy provides a safe and effective approach to treat ureteral strictures without the need for an open incision or percutaneous nephrostomy access. All patients with a ureteral stricture require an extensive evaluation and planning before treatment.