Maha Kammoun-Krichen¹, Noura Bougacha-Elleuch¹, Kaouthar Makni¹, Maha Rebai¹, Ahmed Rebai², Mouna Mnif³, Mohamed Abid³, Joumaa Jouida⁴, Hammadi Ayadi¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.4, pp. 17-21, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0104

Abstract Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), including Graves’ disease (GD) and autoimmune hypothy-roidism (AH), are inherited as complex traits. Among the genes contributing to AITD susceptibility are genes of the IL-1 family. IL-1 regulates T and B lymphocyte maturation, including the induction of several cytokines and cytokine receptors. Therefore, disturbances of this balance may not only play a role in inflammation but also in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. In order to investigate genetic association of IL-1 gene polymorphisms with AITDs, we performed both a familial study in a large Tunisian pedigree with high prevalence of AITDs (64… More >

Michelle L. Ramírez, Christopher P. Evans

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, Suppl.6, pp. 39-47, 2007

Abstract The incidence of small renal masses (< 4 cm) is increasing due to the widespread use of imaging studies. Many of these incidental lesions may remain asymptomatic or in fact be benign, and recent insight into their natural course has contributed to modifications in management. With improvements in biopsy technique and minimally invasive technologies, appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these masses are further being evaluated. Other contemporary approaches, including surveillance, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, enucleation, ablative procedures, and high-intensity focused ultrasound, are weighed against open nephron-sparing surgery, the current gold standard for treatment. Here, we review More >

Harry S. Clarke Jr, Matthew R. Eskridge, Ahmed M. El-Zawahry, Thomas E. Keane

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, Suppl.6, pp. 24-27, 2007

Abstract Purpose: We assessed the efficacy, complications and technical advancements in salvage cryosurgical ablation of the prostate for recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy.
Methods: A total of 58 patients were evaluated for salvage cryosurgery using an algorithm of capromab pendetide scan and prostate biopsy from January 2003 to July 2007. Forty-seven patients underwent salvage cryosurgery and biochemical recurrence-free survival and complications were retrospectively reviewed. Mean follow-up was 24 months.
Results: Seventy percent of patients achieved a nadir PSA < 0.5 ng/ml. Overall, 51% of patients achieved a durable PSA response with a pre-salvage serum PSA < 10 predictive More >

Jorge E. Garcia, David D. Thiel, Gregory A. Broderick

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 3523-3525, 2007

Abstract Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a common intravesical agent utilized for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The potential for side effects and complications does exist secondary to the utilization of live attenuated bacteria. We present the case of a 70- year old male that developed BCG pyelonephritis and associated renal mass following the fifth of six weekly intravesical BCG therapies. The patient improved clinically and renal mass resolved following 3 months of isoniazid monotherapy without renal biopsy. More >

Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Brian Morris, Shaheenah Dawood, Ronald Onerheim

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 3514-3517, 2007

Abstract Introduction: Malignant mesothelioma involving the tunica vaginalis is an extremely rare tumor.
Case: We describe a case of a 39-year-old man who initially presented with discomfort in the left testis and underwent resection of a hydrocele in the left testis. A pathology examination of a frozen section of a lesion on the tunica identified the lesion as mesothelioma, which was confirmed by a second pathology examination. No metastatic disease was found. The patient subsequently underwent a left radical orchiectomy and a partial scrotectomy, and has been disease free for 7 years.
Discussion: The first case of malignant More >

Mustafa Sofikerim¹, Deniz Demirci¹, Figen Öztürk², Atila Tatlisen¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 3510-3513, 2007

Abstract This report describes an exceptionally rare case of a 64- year-old man with seminoma in abdominal cryptorchidism, leading to intestinal obstruction 40 years after curative treatment for seminoma of the other (descended) testis. More >

Lori M. Dulabon¹, Amar Singh¹, Frank Vogel², Alireza Moinzadeh¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.3, pp. 3588-3591, 2007

Abstract We report a case of a 19-year-old female who presented with right flank pain and microscopic hematuria.Three years earlier, she sustained a stab wound to the right flank and was managed conservatively. After being diagnosed with an enhancing renal mass using computed tomography (CT) scan, duplex ultrasound and angiography were performed revealing an intrarenal pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular coils were successfully employed to selectively embolize the pseudoaneurysm. More >

Stephanie H. Chen, Vladimir Mouraviev, Janice M. Mayes, Thomas J. Polascik

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 3646-3648, 2007

Abstract Prostatic abscess is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease when left untreated. We report the first case of a man who developed a prostatic abscess as a long-term complication of cryoablation for primary prostate cancer. Timely diagnosis with non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan, retrograde CT cystogram to ensure no bladder involvement, percutaneous drainage under CT-guidance, and antibiotic treatment sensitive to the causative organism were crucial for prompt recovery. More >

George Rodrigues^1,2, Michael Lock¹, David D’Souza¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 3608-3615, 2007

Abstract The use of radiation therapy in the radical treatment of prostate cancer can lead to potential acute and long-term toxicity and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) changes. Ongoing investigation into dose-escalation, dose-per-fraction escalation, new radiation treatment technology/ paradigms, and novel systemic therapy may have either positive and/or negative effects on normal tissue toxicity/ HRQoL. Herein, common toxicity scales and HRQoL instruments that attempt to describe the deleterious effects of prostate radiation therapy are reviewed. More >

Kartik Prabhakaran, Bruce L. Jacobs, Marc C. Smaldone, Michael E. Franks

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 3702-3704, 2007

Abstract Stuttering priapism is a clinical phenomenon that occurs commonly in certain patient populations, including sickle cell anemia and other hematologic dyscrasias. Although the mechanism is still not completely understood, treatment is focused on prevention of recurrence in the outpatient setting, and immediate detumescence and minimizing corporal fibrosis in the acute setting. We present a case of stuttering priapism in a 44 year-old male with hereditary spherocytosis and discuss the pathophysiology and clinical management of this entity. More >