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Biomedical subjects

Patrizio Rigatti

Publications and source records attributed to Patrizio Rigatti.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Predictors of prostate cancer after initial diagnosis of atypical small acinar proliferation at 10 to 12 core biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the factors that predict prostate cancer detection by means of 10 to 12 core repeat biopsies in patients with atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) results on initial biopsy. METHODS: From 1998 to 2004, 110 of 127 patients (87%) with a diagnosis of ASAP were rebiopsied with the same technique plus additional biopsies on the ASAP site (12.6 +/- 1.1 cores [mean +/- standard deviation]). Each histologic slide was reviewed blindly by a single experienced pathologist, who also differentiated highly suspicious (ASAPH) and not highly suspicious (ASAPB) lesions for cancer. RESULTS: On initial biopsy, a concomitant high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) was present in 26 patients (23%) with ASAP. The overall cancer detection rate was significantly higher in patients who had ASAP associated with HGPIN (58%), compared with patients who had isolated ASAP (35%; P = 0.04). The cancer detection rate was not significantly higher in patients with ASAPH than in those with ASAPB (49% versus 33%, respectively; P = 0.11). In the group of patients who had isolated ASAP, the rate of cancer detection was significantly higher in patients who had a prostatic volume less than 50 mL (56%) than in patients with a prostatic volume of 50 mL or more (27%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The cancer detection rate was significantly higher in patients with an ASAP associated with HGPIN on initial biopsy than in patients with isolated ASAP. In ASAP patients, the detection rate was lower for patients with a larger prostate than in those with a smaller prostate.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Drug Insight: oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition that affects the sexual life of millions of men. At present, first-line oral pharmacotherapy for most patients with ED is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, of which three are currently available worldwide. Sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer) has a very satisfactory efficacy-safety profile in all patient categories. The first PDE-5 inhibitor to reach the market, it is now the most widely prescribed oral agent for ED. Tadalafil (Cialis, Lilly ICOS) and vardenafil (Levitra, Bayer/GlaxoSmithKline) were introduced to the European Union and the US in 2003 and 2004, respectively. These three PDE-5 inhibitors share many characteristics, but each has unique features. This review describes the chemical, pharmacologic and clinical features of sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil as oral first-line treatments for ED. First, we describe the physiology of penile erection and PDE-5 inhibitor pharmacology, including chemistry, PDE selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and possible drug interactions. We then summarize data on the efficacy and safety profiles of the three PDE-5 inhibitors for the treatment of ED in the general population, in patients with diabetes mellitus and in men that have undergone bilateral nerve-sparing retropubic radical prostatectomy.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Update of the minimally invasive therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The elevated impact benign prostatic hyperplasia has on patient quality of life has determined continuous research into the development of minimally invasive therapies aimed at restoring or preserving a good quality of life. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent developments in the field of minimally invasive treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and to determine their possible impact on everyday clinical practice. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent publications have described some interesting new therapies and provided data concerning long-term follow up and cost-effectiveness that have been lacking up until now. The review mainly focuses on transurethral microwave thermotherapy, interstitial laser coagulation, transurethral laser ablation, laser prostatectomies (resection and enucleation), transurethral ethanol injection therapy, transurethral electrovaporization, and high-power (80-W) potassium titanyl phosphate laser vaporization. SUMMARY: Recent developments, new approaches and long-term reports of previously described minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are presented. Cost-effectiveness studies were also carried out to complete the comparison with standard everyday procedures. Currently, transurethral microwave thermotherapy seems to offer the soundest basis for management of the condition, providing the longest term follow up and the largest numbers of studies completed to date. Among surgical alternatives, holmium laser enucleation has gained ground as an encouraging new approach, being similar to standard transurethral resection of the prostate, but reducing perioperative morbidity with the same long-term results. More randomized comparisons correctly conducted need to be undertaken before an accurate general picture is available for the urologist.

Humans↗

Passerini-glazel feminizing genitoplasty: a long-term followup study.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with early 1-stage Passerini-Glazel feminizing genitoplasty with special emphasis on long-term results of vaginoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 66 patients with ambiguous genitalia underwent 1-stage Passerini-Glazel feminizing genitoplasty. Long-term followup included an outpatient visit at 1 year postoperatively and a genital assessment with the patient under general anesthesia performed before menarche courses in those operated on at age 6 months to 8 years, and at 2 years postoperatively for those operated on at 9 years or older. RESULTS: All patients underwent the first long-term followup evaluation and no major complications were observed. The second long-term followup evaluation was performed in 46 patients (70%). In all cases the vaginal introitus was located in the physiological position and was large and elastic. Vaginal caliber at the suture line between the tubularized flap and vaginal mucosa was the same size as the vaginal introitus and distal native vagina in 20 of 46 patients (43%), slightly smaller in 10 (22%) and stenotic in 16 (35%). Stenosis at the suture line was corrected with simple Y-V introitoplasty performed at the same followup visit. CONCLUSIONS: Early 1-stage Passerini-Glazel feminizing genitoplasty is a safe and effective procedure that allows total surgical correction of ambiguous genitalia in infancy and good cosmetic results. Incidence of vaginal stenosis at the suture line is high but it can be repaired with simple introitoplasty performed before menarche occurs. Good functional results are presumed.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy and adrenal-preserving surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this paper is to define the current role of laparoscopy in the management of surgical adrenal diseases evaluating the surgical aspects, the indications and contraindications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, focusing also on the most innovative tendencies in the laparoscopic adrenal-preserving surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent publications have described some interesting new indications that need to be confirmed by long-term follow up. The present review mainly focuses on defining the state of the art of current adrenal laparoscopic surgery. SUMMARY: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is becoming the 'platinum standard' for the treatment of the adrenal surgical diseases and it should be considered the treatment of choice for benign adrenal diseases. In cases of malignancy and conservative surgery, adrenalectomy appears to be very promising, although a longer follow up and further studies are still needed to accurately assess the role played by these procedures. Finally, who should do laparoscopic adrenalectomy? Every patient who requires the ablation of the adrenal should receive laparoscopic opportunity. And the surgeons? Only those with advanced laparoscopic skills and a good knowledge of adrenal anatomy and pathophysiology will obtain the same excellent results currently reported in the literature.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

Perianal and intrarectal anaesthesia for transrectal biopsy of the prostate: a prospective randomized study comparing lidocaine-prilocaine cream and placebo.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of perianal and intrarectal lidocaine-prilocaine cream for prostate biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 200 consecutive patients were randomized to receive 5 mL lidocaine-prilocaine cream or 5 mL placebo peri-anally and transrectally before transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate needle biopsy (mean number of cores, 12). The men were asked to grade the pain when the TRUS probe was inserted and during the biopsy procedure using a 10-point linear visual analogue pain scale. RESULTS: At probe insertion, men in the anaesthetic group reported a significantly lower mean pain level than men in the placebo group (0.3 vs 1.6, P < 0.001). Men who had anaesthetic also reported less pain during biopsy punctures (1.8 vs 3.2, P < 0.001). Stratifying results by age, younger men (< 67 years) benefited more from anaesthesia during probe insertion (0.9 vs 1.7; P = 0.04) and biopsy (1.8 vs 4.0, P < 0.001) than older men (1.0 vs 1.1, P = 0.7 and 1.9 vs 2.4, P = 0.3, respectively). There were only minor complications, and these were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Topical anaesthesia with prilocaine-lidocaine cream significantly reduced pain at transrectal probe insertion and during the biopsy procedure.

Adult↗

Safety and tolerability of oral erectile dysfunction treatments in the elderly.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition that affects the sexual life of millions of men worldwide. It is generally accepted that sexual function tends to decline with aging, which is often associated with a higher prevalence of sexual problems, including ED and loss of libido. As the mean age of men seeking medical help for sexual dysfunction continues to increase, it is important to assess the safety and tolerability of currently available medical treatments in elderly men, who often share other co-morbidities that should be carefully evaluated when any type of ED therapy is considered. With this aim in mind, a MEDLINE search was conducted from 1 January 1998 to 31 May 2004 to identify studies assessing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of treatments for ED in the elderly. Particular care was taken to assess the cardiovascular safety of oral drugs for ED in this subset of patients, who often have multiple cardiovascular risk factors which contribute to a complicated clinical scenario. The most important conclusion of the paper is that the high efficacy, reliability, safety and tolerability of oral ED treatments makes them appropriate first-line therapies for elderly patients with ED.

Administration, Oral↗

Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) on extended prostatic biopsies: predictive factors of cancer detection on repeat biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic factors that may help to predict cancer detection by means of extended repeated prostate needle biopsies in patients with Jumma atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) results on initial prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1998 to September 2003, 105 out of 121 (86%) patients with a diagnosis of ASAP after a first set of 10 to 12 systematic biopsies, were rebiopsied using the same technique plus additional biopsies on the ASAP site (mean number of repeat biopsy samples, 12.6). The median time until a second and third biopsy was 7.04 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.5-8.5), and 13.3 months (95% CI, 8.8-17.7; 19 patients), respectively. Each histological slide was reviewed blindly by a single experienced pathologist (M.F) who differentiated highly suspicious (ASAPH) and not highly suspicious (ASAPB) lesions for cancer. RESULTS: On initial biopsy, a concomitant HGPIN was present in 18 patients (17%) with ASAP The overall cancer detection rate in those who underwent two or three sets of biopsies was 39% (41/105); it was 35% (37/105) and 21% (4/19) in second and third biopsies, respectively. The overall cancer detection rate was higher in patients who had ASAP associated with HGPIN (50%) compared with patients who had isolated ASAP (37%) (p = 0.3). Statistical analysis showed that levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density, prostatic volume, digital rectal examination results, transrectal ultrasound findings, time until rebiopsy (less vs. more than 6 months), and histological level of suspicion were not significant predictors of prostate cancer at the time of rebiopsy. In particular, the cancer detection rate was not significantly higher in patients with ASAPH than those with ASAPB (49% vs. 33%, respectively; p = 0.11). In a univariate analysis, the mean prostate volume was statistically different in patients with cancer compared with those without (56.4 +/- 6.3 and 78.9 +/- 5.3 respectively; p = 0.009), but only in the group of patients who had isolated ASAP In these patients, the rate of cancer detection was significantly higher in patients who had a prostatic volume less than 60 mL (56%) than in patients with a prostatic volume greater than or equal to 60 mL (27%) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an initial ASAP diagnosis after extended biopsies had an overall cancer detection rate less than 40% after two sets of extended biopsy. ASAPH lesions did not indicate a significantly higher risk of cancer than ASAPB lesions on repeated extended biopsies. Despite the extended rebiopsy plus the additional biopsies targeted to the ASAP lesion, the detection rate was lower for patients with a larger prostate than those with a smaller prostate.

Aged↗

Detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer: what's new.

OBJECTIVE: Prior the widespread use of PSA screening in asymptomatic men, prostate cancer was historically detected by a simple digital rectal examination. Although the gold standard for prostate cancer still remains prostate biopsy, current researches in the area of detection and diagnosis of prostate carcinoma are focusing on identification of better sampling protocols, biologic markers and imaging strategies in order to detect disease at an earlier stage. We reviewed all the recent literature on the detection of clinically meaningful prostate cancer. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature using Medline up to 2005 was performed. Electronic searches were limited to the English language using the keywords prostate cancer, diagnosis, transrectal ultrasound, prostate biopsy. Unpublished information known by the authors and that were considered of interest to the readers were also included. RESULTS: The prostate biopsy technique has extremely changed from the original Hodge's sextant biopsy protocol. Several authors have already reported high rates of false negative biopsy using sextant protocols. The optimal protocol should, nowadays, include six standard sextant biopsies with additional biopsies weighted more laterally (anterior horn) and medially to the apex. Repeat biopsies should also be based on an extended scheme and should include the transition zone especially in patient with at initial negative biopsy. To increase accuracy of prostatic biopsy and reduce unnecessary prostate biopsy, TRUS, power Doppler imaging (PDI), colour Doppler TRUS (CDUS), and 3-dimensional Doppler (3DD) can be successfully adopted, but their routine use is still controversial. Several types of local anaesthesia are now available and can be safely performed to reduce the pain of multi-sites biopsy protocol. CONCLUSION: Extended biopsy schemes should be performed not only at first biopsy but especially at repeated biopsy for premalignancy lesions. The widespread use of local anesthesia makes the procedure more comfortable.

Biopsy↗

Menstrual cycle-related changes in plasma oxytocin are relevant to normal sexual function in healthy women.

Circulating levels of the neuro-hypophysial nonapeptide oxytocin increase during sexual arousal and orgasm in both men and women. A few studies have evaluated the effect of the menstrual cycle on plasma oxytocin in normally cycling, sexually active, healthy fertile women using or not using contraceptive pills. In 20 ovulating women and 10 women taking an oral contraceptive (group 1 and group 2, respectively), sexual function, hormonal profile, and plasma oxytocin (OT) were evaluated throughout the menstrual cycle. In group 1, plasma OT was significantly lower during the luteal phase in comparison with both the follicular and ovulatory phases. Plasma oxytocin was significantly correlated with the lubrication domain of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) during the luteal phase and showed a trend towards statistical significance during the follicular phase. In group 2, plasma OT did not show any significant fluctuation throughout the menstrual cycle, even though a significant correlation was evident with both the arousal and the lubrication domain of the FSFI during the assumption of the contraceptive pill. These findings suggest that plasma OT fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle in normally cycling healthy fertile women with adequate sexual activity but not taking any oral contraceptive pill. Moreover, plasma OT levels significantly relates to the genital lubrication in both women taking and not taking oral contraceptive pill apparently confirming its role in peripheral activation of sexual function.

Adult↗

Role of postoperative radiotherapy after pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy: a single institute experience of 415 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical benefit deriving from early (within 6 months) radiotherapy (ERT) after pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy for localized/locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the prostate in a single-institution series. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively analyzed 415 patients who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy between 1986 and 1998 for pT2b-pT4, pN0-pN1 prostate carcinoma. Of the 415 patients, 237 underwent ERT for adverse pathologic findings and 178 patients did not receive RT or underwent salvage RT < or =6 months (salvage or no RT [SNRT]). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 62 months, the 8-year actuarial freedom from biochemical, local and systemic failure, and cause-specific survival rate was 69% vs. 31% (p <0.0001, log-rank), 93% vs. 63% (p <0.0001), 88% vs. 75% (p = 0.04), and 93% vs. 80% (p = 0.02) in the ERT and SNRT group, respectively. A subgroup analysis indicated that an improvement in 8-year actuarial cause-specific survival was associated with ERT in patients with positive resection margins (91% vs. 67%, p = 0.007), extracapsular extension (92% vs. 75%, p = 0.002), Gleason score > or =7 (88% vs. 72%, p = 0.02), and lymph node metastases (88% vs. 68%, p = 0.04). This strong association between ERT and cause-specific survival persisted at multivariate analysis in the whole group of patients examined (hazard ratio, 4.3) and in the subgroups of patients with extracapsular extension (hazard ratio, 4.9), positive resection margins (hazard ratio, 4.7), Gleason score > or =7 (hazard ratio, 4.4), and lymph node metastases (hazard ratio, 7.4). CONCLUSION: The results of this retrospective analysis indicate that ERT after pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy improved the 5-year and actuarial 8-year cause-specific survival of patients with adverse pathologic findings such as extracapsular extension, positive resection margins, Gleason score > or =7, and/or positive lymph nodes.

Aged↗

Primary and pure neuroendocrine tumor of the prostate.

Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the prostate are very rare and their biologic behaviour is not yet well known. Clinical and histopathologic features of two cases, one with lymph-node involvement and one organ-confined are described. Young age, clinical presentation and good outcome after radical retropubic prostatectomy were comparable in both patients.

Adult↗

Current and future strategies for preventing and managing erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: As radical prostatectomy remains a commonly used procedure in the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer, we critically analyzed current and future strategies for preventing and managing postoperative erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Systematic literature review using Medline and CancerLit from January 1997 to June 2003. Abstracts published in the journals European Urology, The Journal of Urology and the International Journal of Impotence Research as official proceedings of internationally known scientific societies held in the same time period were also assessed. RESULTS: Patient selection and surgical technique are the major determinants of postoperative erectile function. Apoptosis of corporeal smooth muscle cells plays a role in the development of cavernous veno-occlusive dysfunction following radical prostatectomy. Pharmacological prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative erectile dysfunction is effective and safe. The concepts of cavernous nerve reconstruction and neuroprotection have been associated to promising results. CONCLUSIONS: In the hands of experienced surgeons, properly selected patients undergoing a nerve sparing radical prostatectomy should achieve unassisted or medically assisted erections postoperatively.

Erectile Dysfunction↗

Sexual dysfunction is common in women with lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary incontinence: results of a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in women with urinary incontinence and/or lower urinary tract symptoms as compared to a general female population. METHODS: We extensively evaluated 227 consecutive women (mean age 52; age range 19-66) complaining of urinary incontinence (UI) and/or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with a comprehensive history (including several validated questionnaires), a complete physical examination and a urodynamic multichannel evaluation. Two hundred and sixteen patients were eligible for sexual function investigation because 11 out of 227 (5%) were not interested in dealing with questions regarding their own sexuality and were thus excluded from the final evaluation results. A group of 102 age-matched women (mean age 54; age range 19-63) assessed for a yearly routine gynaecological evaluation and not complaining of urinary symptoms were enrolled as cross-sectional controls and investigated in accordance with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction was diagnosed in 99 out of 216 patients (46%). Of these, 34 (34%) reported hypoactive sexual desire, 23 (23%) reported sexual arousal disorder; 11 patients (11%) complained of orgasmic deficiency, and 44 (44%) suffered from sexual pain disorder (e.g., dyspareunia or non-coital genital pain). Women reporting low sexual desire commonly suffered from stress incontinence (47%). We found that 60% of the women with sexual arousal disorders and 61% of those with sexual pain disorders also complained of recurrent bacterial cystitis. Forty-six percent of those complaining of orgasmic phase difficulties also reported a troublesome urge incontinence. The FSFI values in both groups scored as follows (patients versus controls; median value; p value): desire: 2.0 vs. 3.2 (p<0.01); arousal: 2.8 vs. 3.6 (p=n.s.); lubrication: 3.2 vs. 4.4 (p=0.01); orgasm: 4.1 vs. 4.4 (p=n.s.); sexual satisfaction: 2.7 vs. 4.0 (p<0.01); sexual pain: 1.8 vs. 4.0 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women reporting UI or LUTS also complained of sexual dysfunctions in a significantly higher number than a general, healthy female population not complaining of urinary symptoms. Investigation of female sexuality is suggested for these patients.

Adult↗

Monofocal and plurifocal high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia on extended prostate biopsies: factors predicting cancer detection on extended repeat biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate factors predicting cancer detection by extended repeat prostate biopsies in patients with an initial, isolated, monofocal or plurifocal, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) diagnosis. METHODS: From 1995 to 2002, after a first set of 10 to 12 systematic biopsy cores, 47 patients with an initial HGPIN diagnosis underwent repeat biopsy using the same technique (mean repeat biopsy cores 11.5) after a median follow-up of 11.4 months (range 3 to 24). RESULTS: Cancer was detected at the second biopsy in 21 patients (44.6%). Cancer detection was significantly greater in patients with plurifocal HGPIN than in those with monofocal HGPIN (70% vs. 10%, respectively; P <0.005) and in patients who underwent repeat biopsy more than 6 months after the first biopsy set (65%) compared with patients who underwent repeat biopsy within 6 months (25%; P <0.01; mean follow-up 15.5 and 3.8 months, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that prostate-specific antigen, prostate-specific antigen density, digital rectal examination, and transrectal ultrasound findings were not statistically significant predictors of prostate cancer, and HGPIN multifocality and interval between biopsies (more than a 6-month follow-up interval) were independent prognostic factors (odds ratio 4.65 and 2.65, respectively). After radical prostatectomy (14 patients), no statistically significant differences were found in the pathologic stage between patient groups stratified by repeat biopsy interval (within or after 6 months). CONCLUSIONS: After a 10 to 12-core biopsy, patients with initial, isolated monofocal or plurifocal HGPIN diagnoses had an overall cancer detection rate of 45% on repeat extended biopsies. Plurifocal HGPIN on the first biopsy set was the strongest independent predictive factor in cancer detection. A 12 to 18-month interval before repeat biopsy could permit a significantly greater cancer detection rate, with no apparent likelihood of clinical cancer progression.

Aged↗

General versus spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy: results of a prospective, randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of general anesthesia (GA) versus spinal anesthesia (SpA) on intraoperative and postoperative outcome in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy. METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were randomized into group 1 (GA: 34 patients) or group 2 (L2-L3 or L3-L4 SpA: 38 patients) and underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. The intraoperative and postoperative anesthetic and surgical variables were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean +/- SEM operative time was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.43). The overall blood loss was less in group 2 (P = 0.04). The mean +/- SEM postoperative time in the postoperative holding area was significantly shorter after SpA than after GA (P <0.0001). The perioperative pain outcome in the postoperative holding area was significantly better for group 2 than for group 1 (P = 0.0017), but postoperative pain on day 1 was not significantly different between the two groups. The postoperative sedation score was significantly less in group 2 than in group 1 (P <0.0001). On day 1, first flatus passed in a significantly larger number of patients in group 2 (P <0.0001), and the overall gait was greater for group 2 patients (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SpA allows good muscle relaxation and a successful surgical outcome in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer. Moreover, SpA results in less intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain, and a faster postoperative recovery than GA.

Adenocarcinoma↗