Surgical management of bladder carcinoma.
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BACKGROUND: Despite advances in medical oncology, radiation therapy, and molecular and cell biology, the mainstay in the management of bladder cancer continues to be surgery. METHODS: The authors reviewed the literature regarding the endoscopic diagnosis and management of bladder cancer as well the role of partial and radical cystectomy. RESULTS: Cystoscopy and transurethral resection are required to diagnose and stage bladder cancer. The indications for random bladder biopsies, prostatic urethral biopsy, and re-resection of the tumor bed are examined. The results and complications of endoscopic resection in the management of Ta, T1, and T2 or greater bladder cancer are reported. The roles of partial cystectomy, radical cystectomy, extent of lymphadenectomy, and indications for urethrectomy are also examined. The results and complications of radical cystectomy for the management of T2, T3, T4, and N+ bladder cancer are reported. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery remains a critical element in the management of bladder cancer. Improvements in surgical technique, urinary reconstruction, and multimodal therapy continue to improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with transitional cell cancer of the bladder. (+info)
Train-of-four nerve stimulation in the management of prolonged neuromuscular blockade following succinylcholine.
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Four patients, all possessing an atypical form of plasma cholinesterase, developed prolonged paralysis following succinylcholine administration. The clinical management of all four cases was facilitated by monitoring the train-of-four stimulus. All patients showed marked "fade" of the train-of-four ratio, the initial ratios of the fourth to the first twitches being 50 per cent or less, indicating variable degrees of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade. Reversal of paralysis with anticholinesterase agents was completely successful in three cases, but only partially effective in the fourth because of the probable presence of a mixture of both depolarizing block and nondepolarizing block. In such a situation, caution in the interpretation of the train-of-four ratio is necessary, since this test measures only the nondepolarizing component of the block. Whether or not reversal with anticholinesterase drugs is attempted, clinical estimates of neuromuscular function, such as head lift, vital capacity, and inspiratory force, must be carefully correlated with train-of-four values. If reversal is attempted, the brief action of edrophonium provides a useful clinical trial. (+info)
The evil twins of chronic pelvic pain syndrome: endometriosis and interstitial cystitis.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the value in the initial laparoscopic and cystoscopic evaluation of avoiding the unnecessary delay in diagnosing the "evil twins" of chronic pelvic pain syndrome, endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 60 women ranging in age from 19 to 62. They underwent concurrent laparoscopy, cystoscopy, and hydrodistentions from January 1999 to October 2000. A gynecology and urology team performed these procedures in these 60 patients at a regional pelvic pain center in Northwest Ohio. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients (96.6%) were diagnosed with interstitial cystitis by the presence of glomerulation and terminal hematuria according to National Institutes of Health criteria. A diagnosis of (active and inactive) endometriosis was found in 56 patients (93.3%). Biopsy-confirmed active endometriosis was found in 48 patients (80%). In the interstitial cystitis patient group (58), 54 patients had a diagnosis of (active and inactive) endometriosis (93.1%), and 47 patients had biopsy-confirmed active endometriosis (81%). In the group of 56 patients with a diagnosis of (active and inactive) endometriosis, 54 patients were found to have interstitial cystitis (96.4%). In the group of 48 patients with active biopsy-confirmed endometriosis, 47 have interstitial cystitis (97.7%). CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome are very difficult to manage. Eighty percent were found to have endometriosis and had numerous previous operations. Many patients failed to respond to multiple therapies. In many cases, pain persists even after a hysterectomy. Through our study, we showed the high prevalence and association of interstitial cystitis and endometriosis, the evil twins of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It is absolutely necessary to perform both laparoscopic and cystoscopic examinations concurrently with the patient anesthetized in the initial evaluation and treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome to avoid unnecessary delay in making the diagnosis of the evil twins, because chronic pelvic pain syndrome can be caused by either or both of these entities. It is very important to have the gynecologists and urologists working as a team in making an early diagnosis to resolve these chronic debilitating diseases. (+info)
Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the bladder with bone marrow involvement.
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Involvement of the lower urinary tract by advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has been reported in up to 13% of cases, but primary NHL of the urinary bladder is very rare. A 35-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of gross hematuria with left flank pain on April 12, 2001. Cystoscopy revealed an edematous broad-based mass on the left lateral wall of the bladder, and transurethral biopsy showed NHL, diffuse large B-cell type. Abdomino-pelvic CT scan demonstrated left-side hydronephrosis and hydroureter with left proximal ureter infiltration and thickening of the left lateral wall of the bladder with perivesical fat infiltration without lymph node enlargement. Full-scale staging work-up revealed the bone marrow as the solely involved site. The lesions of the bladder and left urinary tract were nearly completely regressed after two cycles of systemic cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy with simultaneous restoration of urinary function. (+info)
Near misses in bladder cancer - an airline safety approach to urology.
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INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, surgical audit has identified and highlighted the incidence of adverse events complicating a patient's care. The airline industry has taken this concept a step further back by identifying and studying near misses, i.e. events that have the potential to do harm. We have applied this approach to patients with known or suspected bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed by two urology firms on all patients with known or suspected bladder cancer over a 3-week period. Patients presented to either a central (hub) hospital, or to an associated (spoke) hospital. Four stages in bladder cancer care were considered: (i) diagnostic or check flexible cystoscopy; (ii) admission to hospital prior to TURBT; (iii) peri-operative period; and (iv) first out-patient consultation. A separate proforma, comprising various aspects of management was used for each of these stages of care. If any one criterion was not met, the episode was recorded as a near miss. Near misses were classified as due to capacity limitations in the system, clerical error, equipment failure, clinical error and patient failure. RESULTS: A total of 115 completed episodes were recorded. A near miss was recorded in 65 (56.5%) of all episodes. Capacity limitations accounted for 54%, clinical error for 23%, clerical error for 16%, patient failure for 5% and equipment failure for 2% of all recorded near misses. Of particular note is that near misses relating to diagnosis were more common at the spoke hospital, delayed referral from GPs accounted for more than 25% of clinical error, diagnosis of 5 new bladder tumours was delayed and availability of upper tract imaging was a problem at all phases of patient management. CONCLUSIONS: Near misses are very common in the management of patients with bladder cancer, and their identification should provide a useful framework for identifying potential areas for improvement in patient care. (+info)
Bladder tumors: dynamic contrast-enhanced axial imaging, multiplanar reformation, three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual cystoscopy using helical CT.
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BACKGROUND: There have been few studies to evaluate the effects of helical CT on bladder tumor. This study was to evaluate the clinical applications of helical CT dynamic contrast-enhanced axial imaging, multiplanar reformation (MPR), three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and virtual cystoscopy (CTVC) in bladder tumors. METHODS: The precontrast and four-phase postcontrast helical CT scans were performed in 42 patients with bladder tumors confirmed by conventional cystoscopy and pathology. MPR, 3D and CTVC images were generated from the volumetric data of the excretory phase. The results were then compared with the findings of conventional cystoscopy and surgery in a double-blinded mode. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the axial, 3D and CTVC images in detecting the bladder tumors were 90.8%, 76.9% and 95.4% respectively. The dynamic contrast-enhanced axial images could provide excellent intramural and extravesical information, and the accuracy in preoperative tumor staging was 87.7%. MPR could directly demonstrate the origin and extravesical invasions of the tumors and their relation to the ureter. 3D and CTVC images were useful for displaying the surface morphology of the tumor and the relationship between the tumor and the ureteric orifices, whereas CTVC could depict the tumors smaller than 5 mm that were not seen on the axial images. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of axial, MPR, 3D and CTVC images with helical CT can provide comprehensive information on bladder tumor. (+info)
CT biliary cystoscopy of gallbladder polyps.
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AIM: CT virtual endoscopy has been used in the study of various organs of body including the biliary tract, however, CT virtual endoscopy in diagnosis of gallbladder polyps has not yet been reported. This study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of CT virtual endoscopy in polyps of the gallbladder. METHODS: Thirty-two cases of gallbladder polyps were examined by CT virtual endoscopy, ultrasound, CT scan with oral biliary contrast separately and confirmed by operation and pathology. CT biliary cystoscopic findings were analyzed and compared with those of ultrasound and CT scan with oral biliary contrast, and evaluated in comparison with operative and pathologic findings in all cases. RESULTS: The detection rate of gallbladder polyps was 93.8%(90/96), 96.9%(93/96) and 79.2%(76/96) for CT cystoscopy, ultrasound and CT scan with oral contrast, respectively. CT biliary cystoscopy corresponded well with ultrasound as well as pathology in demonstrating the location, size and configuration of polyps. CT endoscopy was superior to ultrasound in viewing the polyps in a more precise way, 3 dimensionally from any angle in space, and showing the surface in details. CT biliary cystoscopy was also superior to CT scan with oral biliary contrast in terms of observation of the base of polyps for the presence of a pedicle, detection rates as well as image quality. The smallest polyp detected by CT biliary cystoscopy was measured 1.5 mm x 2.2 mm x 2.5 mm. CONCLUSION: CT biliary cystoscopy is a non-invasive and accurate technique for diagnosis and management of gallbladder polyps. (+info)
Recurrent macroscopic haematuria due to bladder blood vessels after exercise induced haematuria.
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The case is reported of exercise induced asymptomatic macroscopic haematuria, which became recurrent haematuria no longer induced by exercise. The cause, diagnosis, and management are discussed. An overview of the potential causes of sport related haematuria is presented. (+info)