[Study of the diuretic efficacy and tolerability of therapy with Rocchetta mineral water in patients with recurrent calcium kidney stones].

The diluition of urine decreases the risk of stone formation by lowering the concentration of calcium, oxalate and uric acid, but involves a simultaneous decrease of the concentration of the inhibitors of crystallization. On the other hand the ion content of the drinking water used for stone prevention could by itself modify urine composition. We tested the effect of the administration of a mild-calcium high-bicarbonate content water on urine composition of a group of calcium renal stone formers.

[Echoguided percutaneous nephrostomy].

Percutaneous US guided nephrostomy is the simplest and most direct technique to drain an obstructed kidney. The indications are included in two groups: temporary drainage and permanent drainage; the former is indicated in the non endoscopically superable ureteral obstruction, in pyonephrosis, in pregnant women and in transplanted kidneys (due to the easier access), the latter is exclusively reserved to neoplastic obstructions. The only real contraindication to the method, besides a documented allergy to local anaesthetics, is represented by a severe coagulopathy.

Variation in nocturnal urinary excretion of melatonin in a group of patients older than 55 years suffering from urogenital tract disorders.

Melatonin (MLT) is directly or indirectly related to cell growth (both of normal and neoplastic cells), to the immune system stimulation and to the endocrine system modulation. This controlled study was carried out to evaluate urinary excretion of MLT in patients suffering from urogenital tract disorders. Eighty-one patients affected by urogenital disorders were divided in two groups (neoplastic and non-neoplastic) and urinary excretion of MLT was evaluated.

[Conservative therapy in renal carcinoma: follow-up].

Due to the increasing use of sophisticated imaging techniques, up to 30% of diagnosed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Getting the cue from our personal survey of conservative renal surgery for renal cell carcinoma with a cancer specific survival of 95.5% after a mean follow up of 32.

[100 orthotopic neobladders in men after cystectomy: a 5-year experience].

Urethral bladder substitution is traditionally suggested to good prognosis cystectomized patients. In our series this diversion was chosen for all but the salvage cystectomized men. Between the 1st of February 1991 and the 30th of April 1996, one hundred consecutive men underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction after radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer.