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A M Sassone

Publications and source records attributed to A M Sassone.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Learned voiding dysfunction (non-neurogenic, neurogenic bladder) among adults.

Data concerning learned voiding dysfunction (Hinman syndrome; non-neurogenic, neurogenic bladder) in adults are scarce. The present study was conducted to assess the pre-valence and clinical characteristics of this dysfunction among adults referred for evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms. Learned voiding dysfunction was suggested by a characteristic clinical history and intermittent "free" uroflow pattern and by the absence of any detectable neurological abnormality or anatomic urethral obstruction. A definitive diagnosis was made by the demonstration of typical external urethral sphincter contractions during micturition by EMG or fluoroscopy. A urodynamic database of 1,015 consecutive adults was reviewed. Twenty-one (2%) patients (age, 24-76 years) met our strict criteria of learned voiding dysfunction. Obstructive symptoms were the most common presenting symptoms, followed by frequency, nocturia, and urgency. Eight (35%) patients had recurrent urinary tract infections, seven of these being women. None of the patients had any clinically significant upper urinary tract damage. First sensation volume was significantly lower in women than in men. Both detrusor pressure at maximum flow and maximum detrusor pressure during voiding were found to be significantly higher in men than in women. Further differentiation between adult women and men failed to reveal any other clinically significant differences. In conclusion, by strict video-urodynamic criteria, 2% of our patients had learned voiding dysfunction. Other patients, with presumed learned voiding dysfunction, who did not undergo video-urodynamics were not included in the present series. Thus, the prevalence of learned voiding dysfunction among adults referred for evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms is likely to be even higher.

Adult↗

The significance of the American Urological Association symptom index score in the evaluation of women with bladder outlet obstruction.

PURPOSE: The American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index was originally designed to assess the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Data concerning the clinical application of the AUA symptom index to women are sparse. We evaluated the significance of the AUA symptom index in women with urodynamically defined bladder outlet obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a urodynamic database of 587 consecutive women 38 (6.5%) were identified with bladder outlet obstruction, defined as a maximum flow rate of less than 12 ml. per second on repeat noninvasive uroflowmetry studies with a detrusor pressure at a maximum flow of greater than 20 cm. water on pressure flow study. All patients underwent a complete clinical and urodynamic evaluation, and completed the AUA symptom index questionnaire. Results in women with urodynamic obstruction were compared with those in 2 control groups, including women without obstruction but with sphincteric incontinence and asymptomatic healthy women. RESULTS: Mean symptom score was significantly higher in women with obstruction than in those with sphincteric incontinence or no symptoms (15.8+/-8.4 versus 10.3+/-6.4 and 2.1+/-2.7, respectively). Likewise, scores were classified as severe in 34% of women with obstruction compared with only 7% of those with sphincteric incontinence. However, no correlation was noted between symptom index scores and objective urodynamic parameters, which is similar to data already reported in male populations. CONCLUSIONS: The AUA symptom index score may be useful as a bothersomeness index in women with bladder outlet obstruction. However, subjective symptoms associated with bladder outlet obstruction are nonspecific and a complete urodynamic evaluation is essential for making the diagnosis.

Female↗

Detrusor pressure uroflowmetry studies in women: effect of a 7Fr transurethral catheter.

PURPOSE: We evaluated whether a 7Fr transurethral catheter affects urinary flow in women undergoing pressure flow studies for voiding symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed a urodynamic database of 600 consecutive women referred for the evaluation of voiding symptoms. Before urodynamics all patients voided privately using a standard toilet and free flow was recorded. Urodynamics were performed using a 7Fr double lumen transurethral catheter. At functional bladder capacity patients were asked to void in the sitting position and pressure flow studies were performed. All uroflowmetry tracings were inspected and analyzed manually. Only patients who voided similar volumes varying by less than 20% on the free and pressure flow studies were assessed. Free and pressure flow parameters were compared according to voided volume category, main urodynamic diagnosis, uroflowmetry pattern and pre-void bladder volume. RESULTS: A similar volume was voided on the free and pressure flow studies of 100 women. In each voided volume category and urodynamic diagnosis pressure flow parameters were significantly different from the equivalent free flow parameters in all but 4 cases. Specifically the maximum flow rate was significantly less and flow time was significantly longer on pressure versus free flow studies (each p <0.01). An intermittent flow pattern was more common on pressure than in free flow measurements (43% versus 9%). CONCLUSIONS: A 7Fr transurethral catheter may adversely affect uroflowmetry parameters in women undergoing pressure flow studies for lower urinary tract symptoms. This finding may have further clinical implications regarding the interpretation of these parameters as well as establishment of an accurate diagnosis.

Aged↗

Transvaginal sonographic characterization of ovarian disease: evaluation of a new scoring system to predict ovarian malignancy.

With the advent of high-frequency transvaginal ultrasonography, new opportunities are presented to better define ovarian lesions. The goal of this study was to develop a scoring system using transvaginal sonographic characterization of pelvic/ovarian lesions. Our purpose was to maximize the discrimination between benign and malignant entities. Transvaginal sonographic pelvic images of 143 patients were correlated with surgical findings or histopathology. Of 281 ovaries, 108 had benign lesions (30 endometriomas, 24 teratomas, 21 simple cysts, and 33 other abnormalities) and 20 had malignancies. The scoring system devised was useful in distinguishing benign from malignant masses, with a specificity of 83%, sensitivity of 100%, and positive and negative predictive values of 37 and 100%, respectively. Further experience and refinements of this method of scoring should maximize the benefit of high-resolution transvaginal sonography of ovarian lesions.

Adult↗