Urological Research

The aim of this study was to compare the success and complication rates of a 4.5 F ureteroscope with a 7.5 F ureteroscope in the treatment of urolithiasis in preschool-age children. We retrospectively reviewed 69 ureteroscopy (URS) procedures in a pediatric population (40 boys, 29 girls). We divided the patients into two groups according to the type of ureteroscope used: group 1 (n = 42, Storz 7.5 F) and group 2 (n = 27, Wolf 4.5 F). We statistically compared all the procedures performed in both groups regarding patient age, complication rates, whether the procedure was therapeutic, and whether we used a guidewire...

The objective is to compare immediate and delayed SWL as a treatment for ureter stones between 5 and 20 mm. Patients who applied to the emergency department with single, radio opaque ureteric stone of 5-20 mm size were included in the study. Patients were randomized into immediate and delayed SWL groups. SWL were carried out after pain relief in the delayed group. Maximum of three SWL sessions were applied to the patients with stones of 5 mm or bigger in diameter, leaving at least 3 days interval in-between...

We read with great interest the study report by Ji et al. (Urol Res, doi: 10.1007/s00240-012-0476-0 , 2012) about the impact of the intentional ureteral stenting on the success rate of calculus extraction by second ureteroscopy, when the initial ureteroscopy failed. Actually, sometimes ureteral stone treatment pose challenging problems for the urologists. This study has filled an important gap on this field. If flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripter are not available pre-existing stent may improve the success rate of a subsequent ureteroscopy for impacted ureteral stones...

The rationale for the use of immediate shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) after a renal colic episode is to obtain maximum stone clearance in the shortest possible time with associated early detection of lithotripsy failures which can be treated with auxiliary procedures. The aim of this meta-analysis is to understand the role of this treatment option in the emergency setting as first-line treatment and to compare such an immediate procedure to a delayed one in terms of stone-free and complication rates. A bibliographic search covering the period from January 1995 to September 2010 was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Holarrhena antidysenterica has a traditional use in the treatment of urolithiasis, therefore, its crude extract has been investigated for possible antiurolithic effect. The crude aqueous-methanolic extract of Holarrhena antidysenterica (Ha.Cr) was studied using the in vitro and in vivo methods. In the in vitro experiments, Ha.Cr demonstrated a concentration-dependent (0.25-4 mg/ml) inhibitory effect on the slope of aggregation. It decreased the size of crystals and transformed the calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) to calcium oxalate dehydrate (COD) crystals, in calcium oxalate metastable solutions...

Little is known about oxalate transport in renal epithelia under basal conditions, let alone in hyperoxaluria when the capacity for renal oxalate excretion is increased. Sulfate anion transporter 1 (SAT1, Slc26a1) is considered to be a major basolateral anion-oxalate exchanger in the proximal tubule and we hypothesized its expression may correlate with urinary oxalate excretion. We quantified changes in the renal expression of SAT1 mRNA and protein in two rat models, one with hyperoxaluria (HYP) and one with renal insufficiency (HRF) induced by hyperoxaluria...

Phytate is a natural product present in urine and biological fluids that is associated with health benefits, such as the prevention of calcium renal stone formation. The available methods for phytate analysis in urine all require elaborate instrumentation and cannot be routinely applied in clinical laboratories. Here, we describe a simple procedure for urinary phytate determination, employing colorimetric detection. Our method requires purification and preconcentration of phytate via solid-phase extraction prior to colorimetric detection employing Fe(III)-thiocyanate...

Flos carthami (FC), also known as Carthamus tinctorius, is a traditional Chinese herbal plant that has been prescribed since centuries for treating various symptoms related to blood circulation improvement. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FC on calcium oxalate (CaOx) formation in ethylene glycol (EG)-fed rats. A total of 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 6 groups: group 1, as the normal control (n = 5); group 2 received gastric gavages of starch and 0.75% EG (placebo, n = 5) as a stone inducer; group 3 (n = 10) received EG and potassium citrate as positive controls; group 4 (n = 10) received 0...

The present review summarizes the most important considerations and steps for an optimal result of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. The relationship between shockwave path, geometry and anatomical conditions is of utmost importance. Selection of appropriate treatment variables in terms of shockwave number, power and frequency, is an important prerequisite for proper disintegration and prevention of complications. Several supportive measures such as inversion therapy, citrate therapy, high diuresis, α-receptor antagonists, chemolysis and recurrence preventive measures are important parts of the management of this group of patients in order to avoid problems with residual fragments and new stone formation...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of alfuzosin with methylprednisolone on expulsion and pain control of lower ureteral stones <10 mm in size. Between June 2005 and June 2007, 113 patients with lower ureteral stones <10 mm in size were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into a control group (group I) and medical expulsive therapy group (group II). Group I (n = 66) received oral analgesics daily and group II (n = 47) received the same analgesics along with 10 mg alfuzosin and 8 mg methylprednisolone for 4 weeks orally once a day...

The objective of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) in treating renal stones sizing 15-25 mm in infants <3 years. Forty-six infants with renal stones sizing 15-30 mm were treated by either ESWL (22 renal units in 22 infants) using Dornier compact delta lithotripter or MPCNL (25 renal units in 24 infants) using 14F-18F renal access under general anesthesia. The operation time, stone-free rate, re-treatment rate, and complications between the two groups were compared with the χ(2), Mann-Whitney U, and Student's t tests...

Patient collaboration in external shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is critical for its correct application, making proper analgesic selection indispensable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined application of EMLA and intravenous (i.v.) pethidine compared with pethidine plus placebo cream in patients undergoing ESWL for ureteral and/or renal lithiasis. Prospective, controlled, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in patients receiving ESWL for renal and/or ureterolithiasis. The patients were randomly assigned to receive i...

Kidney stones represent a common condition characterized by significant morbidity and economic costs. The epidemiology of kidney stones is not completely understood and may vary substantially based on geographic, socioeconomic and clinical factors; the present study aims at defining the prevalence and diagnostic patterns of kidney stones in a cohort representative of the general population in Florence, Italy. A sample of 1,543 adult subjects, all Caucasians, was randomly selected from a population of over 25,000 subjects followed by 22 general practitioners (GPs)...

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the intentional ureteral stenting on the success rate of calculus extraction by second ureteroscopy, when the initial ureteroscopy failed. We prospectively enrolled 512 patients with ureteral calculi who underwent ureteroscopies from April 2005 to May 2011. The patients with failed initial ureteroscopies were classified into two groups depending on the stent type: the Double-J stent and the ureteral catheter group. The secondary ureteroscopies were performed in a short period (3-22 days)...

Calcium lithiasis is the most frequently diagnosed renal lithiasis and is associated with a high percentage of patients with metabolic disorders, such as hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, and hyperoxaluria. The present study included 50 patients with recurrent calcium lithiasis. We conducted a random urine test during nocturnal fasting and a 24-h urine test, and examined calcium, oxalate, and citrate. A study of the linear correlation between the metabolites was performed, and the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed in the random urine samples to determine the cutoff values for hypercalciuria (excretion greater than 200 mg), hyperoxaluria (excretion greater than 40 mg), and hypocitraturia (excretion less than 320 mg) in the 24-h urine...

The aim of this study is to determine whether kidneys ureters bladder X-ray (KUB) film combined with ultrasound (US) can be effectively used in evaluation of renal colic and miss stones with clinically significant size identified on nonenhanced computed tomography (NECT) in patients with urolithiasis. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical and radiological records of 300 patients at our institution undergoing KUB and/or US and/or NECT for the evaluation of renal colic from June 2007 to December 2010...

Our objective was to analyze the advantages of the percutaneous nephrolithotomy in oblique supine decubitus compared to the prone and dorsal supine position. In 87 patients diagnosed with urolithiasis (495.5-530.8 mm(2)), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) was performed from 2000 to 2011. The patients were divided into three groups: Group A, 32 patients, PNL in the prone decubitus position; Group B, 24 patients, PNL in the dorsal supine position; Group C, 31 patients, PNL in the oblique supine position. We analyzed intraoperative parameters, complications, and results among the three groups...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

There are various recent studies on the use of ureteroscopy and debate on whether this should be the first-line treatment for patients with ureteral stones. The aim of this meta-analysis was to understand the role of this surgical procedure in the emergency setting as first-line treatment and to compare the immediate procedure with a delayed one in terms of stone-free rate and complications. A bibliographic search covering the period from January 1980 to March 2010 was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE...