PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

R Grainger

Publications and source records attributed to R Grainger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Double pigtail ureteric stent versus percutaneous nephrostomy: effects on stone transit and ureteric motility.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The effects of double pigtail ureteric catheters (JJS) and percutaneous nephrostomies (PN) on ureteric motility and artificial stone transit was assessed in 12 dogs. Each animal underwent bilateral nephrostomies and an artificial stone insertion into each upper ureter (n = 20). A 4-Fr JJS was inserted on one side (group 1) while a PN was left on the contralateral side (group 2). In 4 stone-only 'control' ureters (group 3), the PN was sealed after 72 h. Stone passage was assessed by plain x-rays. Pelvic and ureteric motility was assessed prior to stone insertion and again at 2 weeks. RESULTS: In group 1, only 1 of 8 stones (12.5%) passed completely. Four reached the midureter, 3 remained static. Six of 8 stones (75%) in group 2 passed completely. Two stones remained in the distal ureter. All 4 stones (100%) in group 3 passed by day 3 postoperatively. At laparotomy the J-stented ureters were dilated and both pelvic and ureteric contractions were diminished. Ureteric diameter was normal on the PN side. The ureters contracted with normal amplitude, but diminished rate of contraction above the stones in the ureters with residual calculi (n = 2), and in the 6 ureters from which spontaneous stone passage had occurred. A similar pattern was found in the 4 group 3 ureters. CONCLUSIONS: Double J stents are associated with ureteric dilatation, diminished peristalsis and impaired stone passage. APN preserves ureteric peristalsis and facilitates stone passage. In the initial phase, raised hydrostatic pressure appears to the most important factor determining stone passage.

Animals

The fate of the defunctioned bladder following supravesical urinary diversion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the nature, incidence and severity of bladder complications after supravesical urinary diversion without cystectomy and to identify preventative risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the last 25 years identified 35 patients who had supravesical urinary diversion without concomitant cystectomy (33 ileal loop diversions and two cutaneous ureterostomies). Urinary diversion was performed for a variety of lower urinary tract pathologies. Patients with urinary tract neoplasia were excluded. There were 15 males (mean age 41 years, range 13-72) and 20 females (mean age 49 years, range 15-81) with a mean follow-up of 5.2 years (range 1-25). RESULTS: There were bladder complications in 10 patients (28%) including pyocystis (one mild and two severe), haemorrhage (two mild and one severe) and pain/spasm (four mild and three severe). Patients with interstitial cystitis, bladder outflow obstruction and/or a vesical fistula appeared to have a higher risk of complications. Four patients required cystectomy to treat severe symptoms while the remaining six achieved control of symptoms with no surgery. No patient developed carcinoma during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: We recommend that cystectomy is considered at the time of supravesical urinary diversion, particularly in patients with interstitial cystitis, bladder outflow obstruction or a chronically infected bladder and especially in those with a vesical fistula.

Adolescent

Some aspects of the safety of high speed catamarans.

A high speed catamaran was involved in an accident off Jersey. No one was injured as a result of the actual accident itself but there were a number of serious injuries sustained by passengers during the evacuation of the vessel. A number of deficiencies in the design of the vessel were identified as a result of the accident and the evacuation of passengers and crew. Access routes and the number of exits were important causes of concern. Lifejackets and life rafts were found to have problems in their use and their specification seemed not to be well adapted to their possible use. Life rafts in particular were found not to be sufficiently robust. The low crew to passenger ratio required passengers to take on roles for which they had neither the expertise nor the training. Crew and passengers all responded to the best of their ability but unnecessary strain was placed on all due to lack of sufficient trained people being available. Hypothermia was not a major problem but if the rescue had taken much longer then there would have been a rapidly increasing number of people affected. Rescue equipment should be improved to cope with this life threatening condition.

Accidents, Occupational

Antigen-pulsed, interleukin-4-treated B cells activate primed T cells in vitro but not naive T cells in vivo.

The ability of B cells to act as effective antigen-presenting cells is a source of debate which centres on the degree of activation of either B cells or T cells. We have investigated whether B cells treated with interleukin 4 (IL-4) can express the two signals required to activate T cells: MHC Class 2/antigenic peptide complexes(signal 1) and the costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 (signal 2). We have also determined whether these cells could activate antigen-experienced T cells in vitro and whether they could prime naive T cells in vivo. We found that B cells expressed abundant MHC Class 2 molecules and moderate levels of B7-2 after 24 h culture in IL-4 with or without purified protein derivative (PPD) but B7-1 was not detectable. PPD-pulsed, IL-4 treated B cells induced antigen-experienced T cells to proliferate in vitro but these cells failed to prime naive T cells in vivo when injected into mice. We conclude that signals, in addition to those induced with IL-4, are required for B cells to initiate an immune response to antigen.

Animals

Is there a role for in vivo methylene blue staining in the prediction of bladder tumour recurrence?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of in vivo staining with intravesical methylene blue in predicting tumour recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients (27 men and 12 women, age range 43-75 years) newly diagnosed with bladder tumours were prospectively studied and followed for a minimum of 2 years. Potential biopsy sites were identified by staining intravesically with a 1% methylene blue solution and compared with random biopsy sites. RESULTS: Biopsy directed by methylene blue staining detected carcinoma in situ more often than random biopsy. Rates of recurrence were similar in both stained and unstained groups. CONCLUSION: Methylene blue staining does not add significantly to the management of patients presenting with bladder tumours.

Adult

'Firm' versus 'soft' double pigtail ureteric stents: a randomised blind comparative trial.

It is generally considered that 'firm' double pigtail ureteric catheters, while easier to insert and less prone to migration, may cause more patient discomfort than the 'softer' variety of stent. Objective support for these perceptions is however lacking. The aim of this study was to compare firm and soft stents regarding their ease of insertion, positional stability, biocompatibility and patient tolerance. 155 patients were randomised to receive 'firm' (polyurethane, n = 78) or 'soft' (Sof-Flex, n = 77) stents. Ease and mode of insertion was recorded at time of initial placement. Positional stability, degree of bladder inflammation, stent encrustation and patient tolerance were recorded at the time of removal. Patient tolerance was assessed by symptom score in double-blind fashion. Results showed no significant difference in ease of insertion, positional stability, degree of bladder inflammation or stent encrustation between the two groups. There was a significantly higher incidence of dysuria, renal and suprapubic pain in the firm stent group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of urgency, frequency, nocturia or haematuria. Normal activity and return to work were reported in 67 and 45% of patients with soft and firm stents, respectively. The data indicates that patient tolerance appears to be related to the softness of the stent material.

Biocompatible Materials

Haemospermia: how to proceed?

Haemospermia is an alarming symptom but does it signify serious disease and how should it be investigated? A retrospective review of 44 men showed no evidence of malignancy and infection as the commonest cause. Standard investigation with midstream specimen of urine, intravenous pyelogram and cystoscopy is unhelpful. Microscopy and culture of a first stream specimen of urine or expressed prostatic secretions is the investigation of choice. Cystoscopy should be reserved for patients with recurrent haemospermia.

Adult

Is retrograde ureterography indicated in pelviureteric junction obstruction?

The role of retrograde ureterography in the management of pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction remains controversial and it has recently been reiterated that visualisation of the entire ureter on the affected side is mandatory owing to the high incidence of other ureteric abnormalities. In a review of 119 consecutive adult pyeloplasties carried out over a 9-year period, only 2 ureteric abnormalities were found in association with PUJ obstruction (duplex ureter/3-cm proximal stricture). Other anatomical abnormalities included aberrant vessels, fascial bands and renal anomalies. Most secondary abnormalities were undiagnosed prior to surgery and all were easily dealt with per-operatively.

Adolescent

Out-of-hospital resuscitation in East Sussex: 1981 to 1989.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of extended training in advanced life support on the outcome of resuscitation. DESIGN: Analysis of the successful resuscitations from 1981 to 1989. SETTING: Brighton and East Sussex. RESULTS: 248 patients were resuscitated from cardiac or respiratory arrest in the community and subsequently survived to leave hospital. Their mean age was 64 years and one year survival was 77%. In most cases the cause of collapse was cardiac but 38 (15%) suffered a respiratory arrest. In 140 of the successful resuscitations (56%) collapse occurred before the arrival of the ambulance. Basic life support, with ventilation and chest compression where necessary, was sufficient to revive 35 (14%) of the patients. Defibrillation was also required in 107 patients (43%), and in a further 106 patients (43%) who had prolonged cardiorespiratory arrest requiring endotracheal intubation and the use of several drugs. Review of ambulance forms and case notes showed that in 87 cases (35%) the abilities of the paramedical ambulance staff in advanced resuscitation techniques contributed decisively to the success of resuscitation. These skills are illustrated by eight case reports. CONCLUSIONS: Extended training for ambulance staff increases the likelihood of successful resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest. Though instruction in defibrillation must have the highest priority, full paramedical training can bring appreciable additional benefits.

Adolescent

Treatment strategy for piezoelectric shock wave lithotripsy of upper ureteral calculi.

In situ piezoelectric lithotripsy monotherapy for upper ureteral stones is an attractive option because it can be conducted on an outpatient basis. Difficulty in calculus localization with ultrasound is the limiting factor. We reviewed our experience with 99 patients treated for upper ureteral calculi with the EDAP LT.01 lithotriptor. For stones above the lower renal border we achieved a 53% stone-free rate compared to 25% for calculi below the lower renal border. In situ piezoelectric lithotripsy of upper ureteral calculi may be considered for stones above the lower renal border.

Adolescent

Fournier's gangrene of scrotum in a patient with AIDS.

Fournier's gangrene of the scrotum, a form of necrotising fasciitis, is a rare but potentially fatal disorder. Predisposing conditions include chronic alcoholism and diabetes mellitus, possibly as a result of impaired immunity. Fournier's syndrome, occurring in a patient with AIDS, is described.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Urothelial carcinoma occurring within an inverted papilloma of the ureter.

Only 5 cases of inverted papilloma of the ureter with a malignant component have been reported previously. We add case 6 to the literature. The incidence of concomitant malignancy in ureteral inverted papillomas is 3 times that found in similar lesions occurring in the bladder.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell

Use of the double pigtail stent in stone retrieval following unsuccessful ureteroscopy.

Insertion of a double pigtail stent is known to cause ureteric dilatation. We analysed the effect of an indwelling double pigtail stent on the success rate of calculus extraction by second ureteroscopy when the initial ureteroscopy fails. Over a 12-month period, a first ureteroscopy failed in 42 patients; 30 were then treated by ureteroscopy combined with a ureteric stent and 12 were treated without a ureteric stent. The group with an indwelling stent had a successful second ureteroscopy or spontaneously passed the calculus in 24 cases (84%) compared with 5 unstented cases (45%). Ureterolithotomy was necessary in 2 patients with a stent and 3 with no stent. It was concluded that following failed ureteroscopic manipulation of calculi, insertion of a double pigtail stent was associated with a higher subsequent success rate for removal of stone by ureteroscopy and a consequent lower rate of ureterolithotomy.

Adult