Sanoj P. Punnen, Joseph L. Chin, Michael A. S. Jewett

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 1790-1795, 2003

Abstract Introduction and objective: BCG is the most efficacious intravesical treatment for superficial bladder cancer. However, 30%-40% of tumors are refractory. BCG failure is an indication for cystectomy but several salvage intravesical (IVe) strategies have been proposed. Early results with reduced dose BCG in combination with IFN-α in patients are currently the most promising. We have adopted this approach and now report our preliminary results. This is the first report of this salvage therapy from Canada, the birthplace of IVe BCG therapy for superficial bladder cancer.
Methods: The “O’Donnell protocol” of reduced dose IVe BCG plus IFN-α was… More >

Andrew W. Bruce, Gregor Reid

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 1785-1789, 2003

Abstract Emerging from the stigma of once being referred to as “snake oil”, excellent scientific and clinical evidence now exists to indicate that probiotics do indeed have a role to play in medicine. The proper definition of probiotics is important “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”, for several reasons. It rules out so-called probiotics that have no clinically proven, peer-reviewed data, and it states the need to have viable bacteria present, unlike these pseudo products which are often wrongly labeled, poorly manufactured, with low or no viability… More >

Denis H. Hosking, Wilda E. Smith, Sherrell E. McColm

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 1780-1784, 2003

Abstract Introduction: We have performed a study to compare shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy under intravenous sedation for the management of distal ureteric calculi.
Materials and methods: Patient tolerance, procedure times and treatment outcomes were prospectively evaluated in 110 patients undergoing 138 SWL treatments, and 172 patients undergoing ureteroscopy under intravenous sedation for the management of distal ureteric calculi.
Results: Men tolerated SWL better than ureteroscopy. Over 90% of women tolerated both procedures well. Procedure times were 52 minutes for SWL and 27 minutes for ureteroscopy. Treatment was successful in 72% of patients undergoing SWL, and 95% of More >

Laurence H. Klotz

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 1774-1775, 2003

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Meng Guan, A. Joel Dagnone, Richard W. Norman

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1772-1773, 2003

Abstract Vaso-cutaneous fistulae occur rarely after vasectomy. We report three cases encountered in our hospital over the last 18 years and recommend technical considerations to avoid this complication. More >

M. S. Deshpande, J. N. Kulkarni

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1770-1771, 2003

Abstract Testicular metastasis presenting as a testicular mass is an extremely rare condition. There are only nine previously reported cases where testicular mass was the first clinical manifestation of underlying malignancy. Here we report a case of metastatic mucin secreting adenocarcinoma in testis presenting as a testicular mass with unknown primary. We have given a brief review of literature about the spread of tumor to testes. More >

Victor H. Hartanto, David DiPiazza, Murali K. Ankem, Carmen Baccarini, Nancy J. Lobby

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1759-1763, 2003

Abstract Materials and methods: A total of 64 women (mean age = 57) were treated for stress urinary incontinence secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency or hypermobility between March 1998 to August 2000. Group I (SPWS) consisted of 30 patients who underwent in situ vaginal wall sling with suprapubic placement of bone anchors in the pubic tubercle utilizing the Vesica system. Group II (TVCS) consisted of 34 patients who underwent cadaveric fascia sling with transvaginal placement of bone anchors behind the symphysis pubis utilizing the Precision-TAC system. Phone interviews were conducted by a third party who was blinded… More >

D. Robert Siemens, Alvaro Morales, Brenda Johnston, Laurel Emerson

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1754-1758, 2003

Abstract Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of two rapid urine tests fibrinogen / fibrin degradation products FDP (Aura Tek FDP, PerImmune Inc., Rockville, Maryland, USA) and bladder tumor antigen BTA (Bard BTA, Bard Canada Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) to urinary cytology in establishing the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in patients with suspected upper tract malignancy.
Materials and methods: In a prospective study, urine samples were collected from 29 patients with abnormalities of the upper tracts highly suspicious for malignancy. Sensitivity and specificity of the BTA and FDP tests were determined and compared to those of cytology.… More >

Shafquat Meraj, Harris M. Nagler, Peter Homel, Daniel Shasha, Joseph R. Wagner

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1743-1748, 2003

Abstract Objective: To determine if there is correlation between the size of radical prostatectomy specimens and perioperative complications including intraoperative blood loss.
Methods: One hundred twenty consecutive retropubic radical prostatectomy cases were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative complications, intraoperative blood loss, pathologic stage, and size of the prostatectomy specimen were recorded. Logistic regression was used to determine whether variables such as age, PSA, and prostate weight are significant predictors of perioperative complications and intraoperative blood loss.
Results: The final analysis included a total of 117 cases. Significant complications were seen in 10 patients (8.5%). The median weight of the prostatectomy specimen… More >

Vladimir Mouraviev, Martin E. Gleave

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1737-1742, 2003

Abstract Objective: To review the careers of two urologists among Nobel Prize-winners in medicine, W. Forssmann and C.H. Huggins, and the significance of their contributions.
Material and methods: Investigation was performed based on analysis of collected findings from the biographies of laureates, their scientific publications and the Nobel archive database.
Results: Review revealed that of the 175 scientists and physicians who received the Nobel Prize, just over one half (94) held an MD degree while the remainder were PhD’s or other degrees. Of the 94 MD-degreed physicians nine (9.4%) were surgeons. Two of these laureates were urologists - Drs.… More >