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Biomedical subjects

A H Colodny

Publications and source records attributed to A H Colodny.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The prophylactic value of clean intermittent catheterization and anticholinergic medication in newborns and infants with myelodysplasia at risk of developing urinary tract deterioration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if prophylactic use of clean intermittent catheterization and oxybutynin chloride is effective in preventing urinary tract deterioration in myelodysplastic children with high bladder pressure and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. DESIGN: Sequential, nonrandomized trial. SETTING: Referral-based urodynamics facility and myelodysplasia program at a major city pediatric hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six of 71 consecutive newborns with myelodysplasia who exhibited these urodynamic findings were treated prophylactically over 5 years, whereas 56 of 105 consecutive newborns with the same findings treated during the previous 7 years were treated expectantly. INTERVENTION: Clean intermittent catheterization and oxybutynin therapy were begun when these specific urodynamic findings were detected. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Follow-up urodynamic studies and roentgenographic assessment of the urinary tract were performed periodically over 5 years. Oxybutynin eliminated uninhibited contractions in two of 14 newborns and lowered peak contractile pressure in the remaining 12. Oxybutynin also lowered bladder-filling pressure at capacity in all 12 additional neonates with only hypertonicity. Twenty-four (92%) of 26 children had normal kidney function and drainage during the observation period, two (8%) developed hydroureteronephrosis, and one of these two had vesicoureteral reflux. In a prior study of children similarly at risk who were treated expectantly, the roentgenographic appearance of the upper urinary tract had changed in 48%. Minimal side effects were noted with oxybutynin, and no adverse effects of clean intermittent catheterization were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Oxybutynin effectively reduces uninhibited contractions and lowers detrusor filling pressure, while clean intermittent catheterization allows bladder emptying at low pressures with no measurable side effects in these neonates. The overall effect maintains the integrity of the upper urinary tract in almost all myelodysplastic children at risk of urinary tract deterioration. Expectant therapy can no longer be advocated when these "at risk" children are identified because prophylactic treatment is so effective.

Boston

Perforation of the augmented bladder.

In 12 of 264 children treated with enterocystoplasty 15 spontaneous perforations occurred. Of the 12 children 9 had myelodysplasia. All segments of the gastrointestinal tract were used for the augmentation and most were detubularized. Surgery to increase bladder outlet resistance was done in 8 cases. At the time of each perforation 9 children had sterile cultures, however, 3 died of overwhelming sepsis. Presenting signs included abdominal pain in 8 cases, septic shock in 4 cases and shoulder pain in 4 older myelodysplastic children with diaphragmatic irritation from escaping urine. Cystography demonstrated a leak in 10 of 11 cases. Urodynamic studies revealed good compliance with low maximum filling pressure in 8 of 10 children. Hyperreflexia was noted in only 5 cases and outlet resistance greater than 85 cm. water was demonstrated in 5. Histological analysis showed changes in the bowel wall consistent with ischemia but suture granulomas were present in areas adjacent to the perforation site or thinned areas in biopsy or autopsy specimens. In addition to the theory that overdistention may cause enterocystoplasty perforation, current detubularization techniques may produce areas of relative ischemia, which become accentuated when the augmented bladder is distended beyond a reasonable volume.

Adolescent

The long-term results of artificial sphincters in children.

To determine the long-term efficacy of the artificial urinary sphincter, 36 consecutive children in whom a prosthesis was implanted between August 1978 and July 1985 were followed for a minimum of 5 years and re-evaluated within the last 3 months. Of the 36 sphincters 27 (75%) are currently in place; 2 of these 27 sphincters are dysfunctional due to fluid leakage. Of the 25 functioning sphincters 14 have required no further prosthetic operation, 10 needed 1 revision and 1 patient had 5 revisions. Fluid leakage, occurring in 12 patients, was the most common complication requiring reoperation. Twenty patients are completely continent (11 of whom without any medication) and 5 are occasionally damp. The over-all success rate at 2 and 5 years was 84 and 62%, respectively. The mean survival time of the prosthesis was 7.2 years and the mean standard interval was greater than 10.5 years. Patients with higher balloon pressures (81 to 100 cm. water) had more complications, and a decreased rate of success than those with lower pressure balloons (51 to 80 cm. water, p = 0.02). There was no difference in success rates between boys and girls (p = 0.98), although girls who had a prior bladder neck operation tended to have a higher rate of cuff erosion. Sphincters placed after 1980 (model AS800) had a lower reoperation rate than those placed earlier. In selected instances, the artificial urinary sphincter appears to be a viable long-term alternative for management of children with intractable incontinence who have either failed or are unsuitable for other methods of treatment.

Child

The urodynamic consequences of posterior urethral valves.

We evaluated urodynamically 41 patients with posterior urethral valves because of signs or symptoms of incontinence (35), frequency (3), hydronephrosis (2) and infection (1). Findings included normal urodynamic evaluations in 3 patients, 2 had high voiding pressures secondary to outlet resistance and 1 had incontinence on the basis of external urethral sphincter damage. In the remainder 3 patterns of bladder dysfunction were identified. Myogenic failure with overflow incontinence occurred in 14 patients. In this group clean intermittent catheterization or Valsalva's voiding was used for emptying. Hyperreflexic bladders were seen in 10 patients. Pharmacological suppression of instability was effective in 5 of 7 patients treated; 1 required bladder augmentation. Eleven children had a small capacity bladder and poor compliance. Post-void residuals were low and these bladders were generally but not always stable. Pharmacological bladder relaxation was successful in 3 patients, 3 underwent augmentation, 1 did well with alpha-agonists and followup is unavailable on the other 4. These 3 patterns of bladder dysfunction represent an overlapping constellation of residual urodynamic abnormalities due to previous bladder outlet obstruction. Individual patients may show facets of several types of dysfunction associated with 1 predominant pattern.

Child

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma: results of therapy in 18 cases.

The management of paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma has evolved more slowly than that for testicular germ cell tumors, mainly due to its lower incidence and the lack of standardized treatment protocols. With gradual refinements in staging and therapy the prognosis has improved. Between 1960 and 1988, 18 patients 2 to 18 years old were treated at the Children's Hospital. Management consisted of inguinal orchiectomy, staging evaluation and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy according to the stage of the disease. In 11 patients (61%) the disease was confined to the scrotum, while 7 presented with spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, including 3 children with more distant metastases. Histological study revealed predominantly embryonal characteristics except for 1 alveolar cell type. Chemotherapy consisted of actinomycin D in 2 patients, vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide in 2, pulse vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide in 10, and doxorubicin plus vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide in 4. A total of 17 patients remain free of disease (median followup 4 years) with 1 death. The actuarial survival without relapse and over-all survival rate are 89 and 94%, respectively. We conclude that paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma represents a favorable subgroup of rhabdomyosarcoma.

Actuarial Analysis

Genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma in children.

Although rhabdomyosarcoma of the genitourinary tract occurs infrequently in children, it presents a challenging problem to the surgeon, radiotherapist, and oncologist. Thirty-six children with genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma were treated at our institutions from 1957 to 1985. The primary site of tumor involved the bladder, prostate, or both in 15 patients, the paratesticular structures in 12, and female reproductive organs in nine. Although treatment modalities and philosophies of care varied over the past 27 years, the majority of patients were treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The event-free survival for all patients is 74%. Patients with paratesticular tumors had the best prognosis (88% event-free survival). Regional nodal radiation therapy is not necessary in this favorable group if the retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is negative. Of 15 children with bladder/prostate tumors nine had initial conservative surgery. Of these nine six are long-term survivors, but only three patients have intact bladders. The girls with tumors of the reproductive organs had an event-free survival of 63%; all patients in this group had hysterectomies. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not substituted for radical surgical procedures in most children with bladder or prostate rhabdomyosarcomas. Innovative therapeutic approaches are necessary for this group of patients.

Adolescent

Congenital midureteral obstruction.

Congenital midureteral obstruction, caused either by a ureteral valve or stricture, is an exceedingly rare entity. When encountered, it is generally misdiagnosed as either primary megaureter or ureteropelvic junction obstruction, leading to a less than optimal surgical approach. Seven children with midureteral obstruction were seen over the past 17 years. Two of the patients presented with hydronephrosis on prenatal ultrasonography, and five with urinary tract infection. In only three was the diagnosis suspected on intravenous urography and voiding cystourethrography alone. Five of the seven cases had either antegrade or retrograde pyelography, prior to or at the time of their operative procedure, and in four of these a correct diagnosis was made. Notably, in five of the seven cases, recognition of the midureteral lesion prior to the surgical incision allowed the approach to be modified and a more appropriate technique (ureteroureterostomy) to be performed. The etiology of midureteral valve and stricture has been attributed to improper recanalization, insufficient vascular supply, or persistence of ureteral folds. Three of our patients had contralateral renal dysgenesis, suggesting an underlying ureteral bud abnormality.

Child

The use of rectus fascia to manage urinary incontinence.

The surgical management of urinary incontinence in children is one of the most difficult challenges facing pediatric urologists today. We have critically looked at our experience using a rectus fascial sling to prevent incontinence. Eleven girls (6 to 22 years old) with urinary incontinence from neurogenic bladder dysfunction (9), surgical injury to the bladder (1) or urogenital sinus abnormality (1) comprise this study. All had failed regimens of pharmacological therapy and intermittent catheterization. Three patients had undergone prior bladder neck reconstruction and 2 an augmentation cystoplasty in an attempt to control the incontinence. Urodynamic studies revealed several reasons for the continued wetting in these individuals: a changing neurological lesion leading to a loss of innervation and concomitantly lowered urethral resistance in 2 patients, adequate urethral resistance at rest but decreasing resistance with bladder filling in 4, no increase in urethral resistance with increases in abdominal pressure in 4 and urethral instability (a decrease in resistance following a cough or Valsalva's maneuver) in 1 apparently neurologically normal girl. Eight patients are dry 3 to 24 months postoperatively on intermittent catheterization. All have demonstrated either an increase in urethral resistance at rest or an adequate level of resistance during filling of the bladder or a sudden increase in abdominal pressure. Of the remaining 3 patients 1 is dry for 2 to 3 hours but then leakage occurs, 1 is improved but damp and 1 patient is wet 3 months postoperatively. The use of rectus fascia to improve outlet resistance seems to be a viable alternative in the management of incontinence in selected female subjects.

Adolescent

The unrecognized neuropathic bladder of infancy.

Four infants presented with hydroureteronephrosis and incomplete emptying of the bladder secondary to detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. None of the patients had other signs suggestive of neurological dysfunction. It is presumed but not proved that these infants manifested a urodynamic reaction in response to a perinatal insult involving the brainstem area. Long-term followup has demonstrated a persistent but nonprogressive neurourological disturbance.

Electromyography

Congenital obstructed megaureters in early infancy: diagnosis and treatment.

Fetal screening during maternal ultrasonography has changed the mode and age of presentation of congenital uropathies, particularly congenital obstructed megaureter. We studied 47 infants less than 8 months old with primary obstructed megaureter. Surgical correction in 42 patients with moderate to severe obstruction was performed at a mean age of 1.8 months in those detected prenatally and 3.8 months in those presenting after birth. All infants showed functional and structural urographic improvement with a mean followup of 2.3 years. Reflux was seen postoperatively in 8 patients, which subsided spontaneously in 3, continues to be followed in 2 and resulted in repeat reimplantation in 3. Five infants had mild obstruction, which was managed nonoperatively and 2 showed progressive obstruction, which required repair at ages 20 and 28 months. Repair of obstructed megaureters in early infancy improves renal drainage and offers the potential for preventing renal damage before the development of symptoms or infection. With proper attention to detail, excellent results may be achieved.

Dilatation, Pathologic

Strictures in the ileal portion of ileocecal conduits in children and young adults.

Patients with ileocecal conduits are at risk for development of late complications. We present 3 patients who had strictures in the ileal portion of the ileocecal conduit, leading to deterioration of the upper urinary tract. The pathogenesis of these strictures appears to result from chronic inflammation. Long-term periodic upper urinary tract screening with ultrasonography is important for early detection of this complication. When new or increasing hydronephrosis is found a loopogram or antegrade pyelogram (if the ileocecal valve is competent) should be performed to evaluate the ileal portion of the ileocecal conduit.

Adolescent

Lower pole ureteropelvic junction obstruction and incomplete renal duplication.

The rare finding of lower pole ureteropelvic junction obstruction and incomplete renal duplication is discussed in 5 children. The children were divided into 2 groups, with short (less than 0.5 cm.) and long (greater than 4 cm.) lower ureteral segments. Short ureteral segment obstruction was managed by total excision of the narrow ureteral segment and end-to-side pyeloureterostomy. Obstructions associated with long lower ureteral segments were treated by excising the ureteropelvic junction and performing a standard Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty. A thorough preoperative evaluation is helpful for successful management.

Child

Clean, intermittent catheterization of infants with neurogenic bladder.

Clean, intermittent catheterization was instituted in 38 babies with myelodysplasia who were thought to be at risk for upper urinary tract deterioration because of neurogenic bladder dysfunction. There were 19 patients 2 weeks to 12 months of age, 11 were 1 to 2 years of age, and 8 were older than 2 years. Effectiveness of clean, intermittent catheterization was determined by maintenance of upper urinary tract stability. Upper urinary tracts improved or remained stable in 13 of 16 infants (81%) with reflux and 16 of 18 infants (89%) with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Bacteriuria was present in 16 (42%), with only 2 infants (5%) having a febrile episode; no infant required hospitalization because of urinary tract infections. No further complications were identified in infants who were cleanly and intermittently catheterized. Most families found clean, intermittent catheterization of their infants easy to master and not stressful, and their children adjusted to it at an early age.

Bacteriuria

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the neonate.

The widespread use of maternal ultrasonography has resulted in an increasing number of asymptomatic newborns being diagnosed with hydronephrosis. A total of 89 neonates with hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction have been referred for evaluation and treatment during the last 6 years. In the majority the condition was diagnosed readily with ultrasonography, voiding cystography and excretory urography. Twenty-five per cent underwent more quantitative assessment using nuclear renal imaging. Only 2 patients (8 per cent) had a percutaneous study. Early reconstruction was performed in 75 per cent of the patients and it proved to be safe and effective. Twenty-three neonates were followed nonoperatively. One patient (4 per cent) demonstrated clinical deterioration necessitating later surgical intervention. Careful surveillance is mandatory in all infants followed nonoperatively.

Female

The surgical management of megaureters in duplex systems: the efficacy of ureteral tapering and common sheath reimplantation.

We describe 6 children with renal duplication associated with megaureter(s) who underwent ureteral tapering and common sheath reimplantation. Of the patients 4 had complete duplication with reflux into 1 or both ureters and 2 had incomplete duplication with a short distal segment that was obstructed at the ureterovesical junction. All obstructed or refluxing ureteral segments were dilated to a degree that tapering was required at the time of common sheath reimplantation. Megaureter repair in the presence of a duplicate collecting system proved to be safe and reliable.

Adolescent

Complications of urinary tract undiversion.

The complications of urinary tract undiversion can be divided into those associated with patient selection, choice of techniques, and early and late surgical difficulties. Patient selection must take into account the original reason for diversion (incontinence, hydronephrosis, reflux, or renal functional impairment), current renal function and bladder dynamics, upper urinary tract anatomy, and psychosocial considerations. Technical considerations require versatility and ingenuity on the part of the surgeon. Although direct uroepithelium-to-uroepithelium continuity is ideal, this often cannot be accomplished. A variety of techniques including transureteroureterostomy, psoas hitch of the bladder, bladder augmentation, ileocecal and colon interposition, and autotransplantation can be used to facilitate the refunctionalization of the urinary tract. One must monitor the patient postoperatively for potential early and late complications. Meticulous attention to surgical details will help minimize these. The ultimate goal is to achieve stable renal function and urinary continence.

Adolescent

The changing neurourologic lesion in myelodysplasia.

Seventy-nine newborns with myelodysplasia were followed up for 1 1/2 to six years with serial roentgenographic, neurologic, and urodynamic evaluations. Twenty-nine infants (37%) demonstrated changes in external urethral sphincter innervation during the first three years of life. Of the group who changed, 896% (25/29 infants) did so in the first year, 10% (3/29 infants) in the second year, and 4% (1/29 infants) in the third. The risk factor for change was 32%, 6%, and 2%, respectively, during each of these three years. Fifteen infants (19% of the total) experienced neurourologic deterioration while 14 infants (18%) improved. Seven newborns underwent a second neurosurgical procedure resulting in improvement in four, stabilization in two, and further deterioration in one. These findings underline the importance of early and continued neurologic and urologic surveillance in children with myelodysplasia because it is a dynamic disease process.

Electromyography