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Biomedical subjects

H C Ruckle

Publications and source records attributed to H C Ruckle.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Conservative treatment of renal angiomyolipomas in patients with tuberous sclerosis.

AIMS: Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS) presents a treatment dilemma due to multifocal tumors with a potential for significant growth and subsequent hemorrhage. We reviewed the literature and our experience with AML and TS patients to determine the long-term behavior of these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 8 patients (16 renal units) with bilateral renal AMLs and comorbid TS. We evaluated their renal function, renal imaging, and clinical course. Patients were followed for a mean of 11.5 years (range 3.5 - 21 years). RESULTS: The records of 8 patients (7 females, 1 male) with a mean age of 33.1 years (range 21 - 54) were evaluated. The mean serum creatinine of these patients at the time of diagnosis was 0.75 mg/dl (range 0.4 - 1.1). Mean serum creatinine at last follow-up was 0.83 mg/dl (range 0.6 - 1.3). The average size of the largest lesion was 13.9 cm (range: 0.5 - 28). Of the 8 patients, 6 received treatment during the course of their disease, including arterial embolization of 7 renal units in 5 symptomatic patients (2 patients needed 2 embolizations). Partial nephrectomy was performed on 2 renal units in 2 patients, and a total nephrectomy was performed in 1971 on another patient. Currently, all 8 patients have stable renal function; 4 patients are asymptomatic with regards to their lesions, while the other 4 patients report transient flank pain adequately controlled with oral analgesics (2 patients with propoxyphene plus acetaminophen 100/650 mg PO t.i.d. p.r.n., the other 2 patients with ibuprofen 600 mg PO p.r.n.). None of the patients experienced life-threatening hemorrhage or required dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study and a review of the literature have not revealed an obvious or quantitative risk of morbidity or mortality from renal hemorrhage directly related to AMLs of any specific size in TS patients. Due to multiple lesions and distortion of anatomy it can be difficult to distinguish individual lesions for preemptive treatment in asymptomatic patients. If size criteria alone are used, multiple treatments will be required over the course of the patient's life. Also, preemptive treatment exposes patients to iatrogenic morbidity. Consideration should be given to medical management of AMLs in TS patients with asymptomatic, slowly enlarging tumors that maintain features of an AML. Embolization, partial nephrectomy, or other ablative treatments (i.e. cryotherapy and RFA) can be reserved for symptomatic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Perfusion sphincterometry for objective evaluation of postprostatectomy intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

OBJECTIVES: Male urinary incontinence secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) is a possible complication of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or radical prostatectomy (RP). For objective assessment of urinary sphincteric competence, we used perfusion sphincterometry (PS) to measure the retrograde urethral perfusion pressure (RUPP). METHODS: A retrospective and prospective analysis of 60 neurologically normal patients of varying continence status was performed. The subjects were divided into three groups: continent patients with no previous prostate surgery (group 1), continent patients after prostatectomy (group 2), and incontinent patients after prostatectomy (group 3). All patients underwent PS with the technique described. All incontinent patients (group 3) had a filling cystometrogram (CMG) to rule out detrusor instability. RESULTS: Continent patients with no prior prostate surgery (group 1) had a mean RUPP of 101 +/- 16 cm H2O; continent postprostatectomy patients (group 2) had a mean RUPP of 77 +/- 14 cm H2O; and incontinent postprostatectomy patients (group 3) had a mean RUPP of 36 +/- 11 cm H2O. The differences were statistically significant (P <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in RUPP when the patients in groups 2 and 3 were stratified into TURP and RP groups. CONCLUSIONS: PS is a simple and accurate technique for objective evaluation of lower sphincter competence. Patients with stress incontinence after prostatectomy have a statistically significant decrease in RUPP compared with continent controls. In combination with cystourethroscopy and filling CMG, PS can be useful in the evaluation of postprostatectomy incontinence.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Kaposi's sarcoma of the testicle.

The penis and scrotum are the genitourinary tract organs most frequently involved in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). However, solid organ involvement is rare. A 32-year-old man with AIDS presented with cutaneous KS, which subsequently metastasized to the right testicle.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

Ureteroscopic treatment of symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi.

Renal calculi that reside in caliceal diverticula are difficult to treat. Numerous treatment modalities have been used, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, laparoscopy, and percutaneous treatment. All therapies directed at fragmenting the stones are limited by the ability of these fragments to pass through the narrow diverticular neck. More recently, the retrograde approach using small-caliber flexible ureteroscopes has been applied successfully in the treatment of diverticular calculi. A description of our retrograde technique is presented. The ultimate success of this technique is dependent upon familiarity with the basic principles of ureteroscopy and successful clearance of stone fragments from the diverticulum.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Histopathologic evaluation of the canine prostate following electrovaporization.

PURPOSE: Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) for symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) has proven to be efficacious with minimal patient morbidity. When compared to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), TVP demonstrates comparable postoperative flow rates, American Urologic Association (AUA) symptom score indices, and a potential cost savings. However, in the human studies it has not been possible to correlate these clinical parameters with procedure-related histopathologic changes in the prostate immediately postoperative or during wound healing. The following study was done using a canine model in an effort to evaluate these histopathologic changes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifteen hounds (25-35 kg.) underwent antegrade electrovaporization of the prostate, via an open cystotomy, using a Circon ACMI USA series resectoscope and video equipment. The dogs were sacrificed and the prostates harvested at various intervals postoperatively (0-11 weeks). The prostates were evaluated grossly as well as histologically for cavitary defects, depth of necrosis, and cellular response. RESULTS: Prostates examined immediately following the procedure demonstrated superficial necrosis (less than 2 mm.) in the region of vaporized tissue. One week postoperatively, the vaporized regions demonstrated an intense acute inflammation amidst superficial necrosis with focal hemorrhage and dystrophic calcification. Transient glandular cystic changes developed, but were resolving by seven weeks postoperatively. Re-epithelialization was underway by the third postoperative week and epithelial stratification underway by the fifth week. There was no extension of the initial two millimeter zone of necrosis at any time point examined. CONCLUSION: TVP in the canine model vaporizes prostatic tissue at the site of contact. Only a shallow remnant of necrosis remains at the site of vaporization, indicating the highly localized effect of this technique. Healing at the site of vaporization occurs in a rapid and expected manner. These data provide a histopathologic rationale for the minimal morbidity and the efficacious nature of this technique demonstrated in clinical studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Renal angiomyolipomas: long-term follow-up of embolization for acute hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if elective, angiographically directed embolization of enlarged renal angiomyolipomas can be used to prevent future hemorrhagic episodes in patients with tuberous sclerosis and thus avoid nephrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records were reviewed for all 5 patients who underwent elective, subtotal embolization of large, symptomatic angiomyolipomas at the authors' institution between 1975 and 1996. RESULTS: All 5 patients had tuberous sclerosis and bilateral renal angiomyolipomas. Initial embolization in these patients was performed in 1975, 1981, 1993 (2 patients) and 1994. In 1 patient only a single embolization session was required. In another, initial embolization on the left side was followed by embolization on the right 13 months later. Two patients underwent 2 sessions, and 1 patient had 4 sessions over a 13-year period. Subtotal embolization with particulate material led to a decrease in size of the most severely affected portion of the kidney. One large angiomyolipoma underwent sterile liquefaction after embolization; percutaneous catheter drainage was required. The embolization allowed subsequent partial nephrectomy in this patient. CONCLUSION: Embolization is effective for the long-term management of renal angiomyolipomas in patients with tuberous sclerosis; in this way nephrectomy and loss of renal function can usually be avoided.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Endoscopic treatment of continent urinary reservoir calculi.

Formation of calculi is a late complication of continent urinary diversions. The techniques of percutaneous and transstomal treatment of these stones are described. Three patients underwent percutaneous placement of a rigid nephroscope into three different types of continent reservoirs and fragmentation of stones (2-5 cm in size) using ultrasonic lithotripsy. Preoperative CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with oral and intrareservoir contrast was essential in finding the safest location for percutaneous access. One patient, with small stones, underwent placement of a flexible cystoscope through the continent efferent limb and Holmium laser lithotripsy. There were no instances of reservoir perforation. There was minimal blood loss, with an average operative time of 165 min. Ultrasonic lithotripsy of large stones through a percutaneous approach and Holmium laser lithotripsy for smaller stones via a flexible cystoscope placed through the efferent limb are safe and effective ways to treat calculi within continent urinary diversions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma causing duodenal-inferior vena caval fistula: case report and review of the literature.

We report the first case of a duodenal-inferior vena caval (IVC) fistula resulting from locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A 45-year-old man presented with gross hematuria and underwent a right radical nephrectomy to treat a solid renal mass. Histologic evaluation showed RCC, Stage pT3aN0M0. The patient presented 21 months later in hemorrhagic shock, with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy and Whipple procedure for a mass in the second portion of the duodenum extending to the inferior vena cava with a secondary duodenal-IVC fistula. We describe this case and review the previously published reports of duodenal-IVC fistulae.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗
PubMed1995

Use of exogenous material to bolster closure of the parenchymal defect following partial nephrectomy.

Closure of renal parenchymal defects created by partial nephrectomy can be difficult. We describe a method of using exogenous material to bolster the strength of the parenchymal closure. The horizontal mattress sutures closing the renal parenchyma are less likely to tear through the parenchyma as the result of the application of a more uniform tension across a broad front. This technique is particularly helpful for large and irregular defects. Tying the closure sutures over an exogenous bolster material aids in a rapid, hemostatic, and watertight closure.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1995

Invasive bladder cancer following cardiac transplantation.

Iatrogenic immunosuppression following renal transplantation has been associated with the development and progression of multiple neoplasms, including transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). We present the first report of invasive TCC of the bladder managed with radical cystectomy in a cardiac transplant recipient. The short survival of this patient, despite organ-confined disease at the time of cystectomy, illustrates the necessity of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of malignancy following organ transplantation.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1995

Potency-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy: a simplified anatomical approach.

A simplified method of nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinical stage T2a prostate cancer is described based on primary isolation of both neurovascular bundles and secondary division of the urethra, with the puboprostatic ligaments undivided to provide suspension of the deep venous complex above the urethra. The principles for this approach after division of the deep vein complex are based on early unilateral incision of the prostatic fascia laterally, parallel to the ipsilateral neurovascular bundle and extending from the proximal prostate to the urethra; separation of anterior (prostatic) and posterior (rectal) Denonilliers' fascia, which leaves the neurovascular bundle invested in the latter tissue; perforation and incision of contralateral prostatic fascia at its urethroprostatic angle, with cranial extension of the fascial opening dropping the ipsilateral neurovascular bundle invested in its fascia (Denonvilliers' posterior), and anastomotic division of the urethra at its entrance into the prostate.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Homologous blood transfusion in patients with prostate cancer: no effect on tumor progression or survival.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of perioperative blood transfusions in patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy, we analyzed 1,785 patients with a follow-up of five years or more who were treated during a twenty-one-year period (1966 to 1987). METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups according to the number of units transfused during the perioperative period: group 1, 0 units (n = 440), group 2, 1 to 2 units (n = 746), and group 3, 3 or more units (n = 599). RESULTS: With univariate analysis, no statistically significant differences were found among the three groups in overall survival rate (71%, 75%, and 71% at ten years; p = 0.48), cause-specific survival rate (89%, 88%, and 86% at ten years; p = 0.36), or progression-free survival rate (61%, 68%, and 68% at ten years; p = 0.83). Adjusting for tumor grade, pathologic stage, and hormonal therapy using the Cox statistical model, we found no significant association between the blood-use group and overall survival rate (p = 0.45), cause-specific survival rate (p = 0.17), or progression-free survival rate (p = 0.34). The estimated relative risk and 95 percent confidence interval associated with blood transfusion (three or more units versus none) were as follows: 1.03 and 0.76 to 1.38 for total mortality, 1.56 and 0.95 to 2.56 for cause-specific death, and 1.20 and 0.91 to 1.57 for disease progression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to these findings, withholding homologous blood transfusion, except for infectious precautions, should not be based on the suspicion that it can accelerate death from cancer in patients who undergo radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic treatment of a stone-filled, caliceal diverticulum: a definitive, minimally invasive therapeutic option.

We describe the laparoscopic treatment of a symptomatic, stone-filled caliceal diverticulum in a patient who would have otherwise required open surgical excision of the diverticulum. Laparoscopic management was chosen as an alternative to an open operation in this patient because the anterior location of the diverticulum precluded treatment with percutaneous nephrolithotomy, while the stone burden and stenotic orifice precluded management with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The patient had no morbidity, returned to the preoperative activity level by 2 weeks and remains asymptomatic. The options for managing caliceal diverticula are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prostate-specific antigen: critical issues for the practicing physician.

BACKGROUND: Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), when used in combination with existing detection methods, improves the clinician's ability to detect early and potentially curable prostate cancer. FINDINGS: This report describes clinically important issues about use of the serum PSA concentration for detecting early prostate cancer. Other PSA-related factors--PSA density, PSA velocity, and age-specific reference ranges--seem to enhance the ability of clinicians to distinguish benign prostatic conditions from early prostate cancer. Because digital rectal examination only minimally affects the serum PSA concentration, delaying a determination after this examination is unnecessary. Finasteride therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia should be initiated only after the prostate has been evaluated for cancer because this 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor lowers the serum PSA value by approximately 50%; however, reassessment of the prostate for cancer is necessary if the PSA level fails to decrease as expected or increases to more than 2 ng/mL during finasteride treatment. CONCLUSION: Currently, PSA is the most important, accurate, and clinically useful tumor marker for prostate cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prostate-specific antigen: concepts for staging prostate cancer and monitoring response to therapy.

FINDINGS: The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level alone does not facilitate precise pathologic staging on an individual basis, although advanced stage tends to correlate with an increased PSA level. The staging accuracy of PSA, however, can be enhanced by considering the variables of tumor grade and clinical stage. Staging radionuclide bone scans in asymptomatic, untreated patients with clinically localized prostate cancer and a PSA value of less than 10.0 ng/mL are unnecessary. After radical prostatectomy, the serum PSA level is exquisitely sensitive to recurrent or residual disease. Ultrasensitive PSA assays can increase the sensitivity of PSA as a tumor marker after surgical removal of the prostate. Currently, however, the clinical usefulness of PSA concentrations detected in the ultrasensitive range after radical prostatectomy is unknown. Serum PSA values aid in monitoring patients who have received definitive radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Patients in whom the serum PSA level decreases to the reference range have a favorable prognosis. An increasing serum PSA concentration after radiation therapy heralds progressive prostate cancer. The serum PSA level after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) also has prognostic importance in that a decrease to the normal range predicts a prolonged remission in most patients. Because expression of PSA is under direct hormonal influence, however, ADT can decrease the serum PSA value independent of antitumorigenic activity. Patients who have received ADT must be closely monitored for signs of clinical progression because, in some patients, a serum PSA concentration within the reference range may underestimate actual tumor burden and activity. CONCLUSION: PSA is the most useful and accurate tumor marker for staging and monitoring prostate cancer after therapy.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1994

Intraoperative ultrasound: determination of the presence and extent of vena caval tumor thrombus.

OBJECTIVES: To report and discuss five cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in which preoperative imaging studies were equivocal with regard to the presence and extent of vena caval tumor thrombus or in which dynamic intraoperative imaging of the vena cava was advantageous. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of five patients who had conflicting preoperative imaging studies and reviewed the literature applying to this clinical situation. RESULTS: Two patients whose preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies suggested inferior vena caval tumor thrombus were shown, on intraoperative color Doppler ultrasound, not to have tumor thrombus but rather turbulent flow within the vena cava mimicking thrombus. In two patients intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) was used to image the position of the tumor thrombus as it was manipulated to allow for safe vena caval clamp placement. In one patient we used real-time imaging to visualize thrombus extraction from the heart. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ultrasound real-time imaging is beneficial in two specific situations: in those cases in which the presence of renal vein or inferior vena cava involvement is equivocal based on preoperative imaging techniques and when there is a need to identify intraoperatively the limits of a known tumor thrombus to allow subsequent safe placement of a caval clamp.

Adult↗