Irish journal of medical science
-
Reconstruction of a urethral stricture poses a difficult surgical problem. Anastomotic repair remains the gold standard. Strictures longer than 2 cm may require substitution urethroplasty. This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent urethral reconstruction with an autologous free buccal mucosa graft at a Regional hospital between 1998 and 2009. ⋯ This study suggests that anterior urethral strictures up to 6 cm in length may be predictably and safely managed with buccal mucosal urethroplasty. The buccal mucosa is easy to harvest, and can be used successfully in one- and two-stage grafting procedures. The rate of complications, from both a urological and maxillofacial perspective, in the group of patients studied was low.
-
Currently, most cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are treated by chemoradiotherapy. However, serious concerns have arisen regarding toxicity and poor functional outcomes. Recently, transoral techniques for resection of selected OPSCC have been developed. ⋯ Transoral resection is an excellent option for selected patients with OPSCC, offering excellent functional and oncological outcomes.
-
Detrusor overactivity (DO) is one of the most frequent bladder dysfunctions in children up to the age of 18. Nowadays, the only way to confirm DO is by urodynamic investigation, which is an invasive procedure. Among the many mediators influencing bladder function, nerve growth factor (NGF) plays an important role. The present study was designed to measure urinary NGF (uNGF) levels in patients with DO diagnosed by urodynamic study in comparison with healthy controls. ⋯ 1. The uNGF level could be used for detecting DO in children and adolescents. 2. Measuring uNGF level is a simple, noninvasive procedure and very useful for choosing therapy in patients with DO in various clinical conditions.
-
Influence of age and gender on Doppler index of diastolic function in Chinese hypertensive patients.
This paper explores age- and gender-specific changes in Doppler echocardiographic index-E' of left ventricular diastolic function. ⋯ Age-related changes in diastolic indices correlated with gender among hypertensive patients. Diastolic function deteriorated more significantly among elderly women compared with elderly men. The study may explain the increased incidence of diastolic heart failure in elderly women with hypertension.
-
Sedentary lifestyles have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Radiology as a profession may be sedentary compared to some clinical disciplines. ⋯ Such a difference in calorie intake can have significant long-term health implications in terms of increased weight or BMI. Means of combating this deficit are discussed.