Recent technological advances in small semi-rigid and flexible ureteroscopes, combined with the development of ancillary instruments, have made retrograde ureteroscopy a viable treatment option for calculi in the ureter. This review will present the technique for ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral calculi above and below the iliac vessels.
Toronto-Not unlike many of the patients seen in urology practices, a significant percentage of young infertile men take alternative therapies, some of which may adversely affect their fertility. But many of these men may be hesitant to share this information with you.
New York-A newer monoclonal antibody is showing a canny ability to target prostate cancer cells in both bony and soft tissue, and its therapeutic potential is now undergoing testing. Neil Bander, MD, and colleagues from New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center developed the antibody, dubbed J591 (licensed by BZL Biologics, Inc., Framingham, MA, and sub-licensed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA).
Demands by the public and changing practice patterns in urology are significantly impacting the recertification process for urologists. In this exclusive Urology Times interview, Martin I. Resnick, MD, discusses the changes that will affect all urologists with time-limited certificates. Dr. Resnick is professor and chairman of the department of urology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine/University Hospitals, Cleveland, and president-elect of the American Board of Urology. He was interviewed by Richard D. Williams, MD, professor and chairman of the department of urology at the University of Iowa, Iowa City
For many Americans from every walk of life, California typifies the American dream-a high standard of living, prestigious colleges and universities, and some of the country's best-known attractions. But for many physicians, including urologists, the Golden State represents the worst aspects of practicing medicine in the twenty-first century.
Package also provides tax incentives for doctors to expand and investin their practicesPresident Bush signed a long sought-after economic stimulus package onMarch 9. The "Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002"(H.R. 3090) is a combination of business economic stimulus provisions, reliefprovisions for lower-Manhattan businesses affected by the Sept. 11 terroristattacks, a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits, extensions for expiredor soon-to-expire tax breaks, and technical corrections.
This is an exciting time to be involved with interstitial cystitis, fromthe clinical aspect of caring for patients, to the search for markers andbetter methods of diagnosis, to the basic research so critical in ultimatelyfinding etiologies and a cure. The articles in this month's Urology Times help to underscore these issues(see page 8). Tomohiro Ueda, MD, PhD, and colleagues have identified a cytokineinhibitor that seems to improve interstitial cystitis symptoms and increasebladder capacity, according to a preliminary trial in patients with non-ulcerativedisease. The potassium chloride test study of Tony Yen-Huang Chen, MD, wouldappear to limit the usefulness of this potentially painful examination asa diagnostic adjunct. The profile that Frederic Liandier, MD, did of 287IC patients serves to confirm that while we have many therapies for thisdisorder, nothing works for everyone and the treatment of IC is as muchart as it is science-perhaps more so.
Seattle-Physician Micro Systems, Inc. has released Web View, a featureallowing information contained in the company's Practice Partner PatientRecords and Appointment Scheduler to be viewed via the Internet.
Iselin, NJ-The UROSKOP Access fluoroscopic and digital radiographic systemfrom Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., is a dedicated urodiagnostic table thatoffers unrestricted and symmetrical patient access from every side.
Carle Place, NY-Nuclear Associates' Glassers Radiation Protection Eyewearprovides unimpaired peripheral vision. Available with prescription or non-prescriptionlenses, the products' extra-large lens area reduces scatter radiation strikingthe eye-socket bone structure, the company says. Lenses provide .50-mm lead-equivalentprotection. For added comfort, the eyewear has plastic-reinforced ear rests.
San Fernando, CA-Precision Dynamics Corp. introduces the UR-Assure Legand Drainage Bags, both of which are intended for use for up to 15 days.The short-time use helps to prevent the possibility of urinary tract infections,according to the company. In addition, both bags feature anti-reflux mechanisms,further ensuring patient cleanliness and comfort. Each bag features graduationmarks so collection amounts are easy to determine, the company says.
Uppsala, Sweden-Q-Med has received FDA approval to market Deflux, a treatmentfor vesicoureteral reflux grades II-IV in children.
Downers Grove, IL-Vysis, Inc. has received FDA approval to market itsUroVysion assay for monitoring bladder cancer recurrence.
Assign specific tasks, outline agenda, and highlight objectives to avoid confusionThe recent tragedies at the World Trade Center and the Pentagonhave made air travel more difficult-and have increased the need for teleconferences.Teleconferences for businesses, clinical trials, and medical organizationshave become increasingly popular in recent years and are now becoming avital communication tool.
About 42% of physicians currently work in practices that have a web site.Patients who connect with their physicians through the Internet commenton the ability to feel more connected to the practice and more in controlof their care.
Boston-Perhaps offering a measure of reassurance to prostatitis patientsand their urologists, data from a prospective study suggest that the symptomsof chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) typicallyimprove or remain stable over time. During a 1-year follow-up of a cohort receiving "usual care"for their symptoms, half the patients had symptom improvement, and morethan one-third reported their symptoms unchanged. Symptoms deterioratedin about 14% of patients.
Uppsala, Sweden-If use of sentinel node detection in bladder cancer provesas successful as recent studies suggest, it will not be long before moleculartests on the sentinel tissues replace full histologic reports in stagingthis disease. That's the prediction of Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, who hasbeen at work on a genetic-based cancer-detection test, but who thinks workthis year by a group in Sweden may portend a significant diagnostic toolfor bladder cancer: sentinel node analysis.
Worsening economic downturn has shifted focus to helping unemployed pay for health insuranceWashington-In early September, it appeared that advocates of a new patients'bill of rights would see success, and lobbyists for business and insuranceorganizations who opposed the initiative were willing to settle for thebest deal they could get.
The presentations of Jay Pearson, PhD, and Brett Carver, MD, cited in this issue of Urology Times, provide further experimental and epidemiologic evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have some role in the fight against prostate cancer. While these are certainly not the first reports that NSAIDs might beuseful for the prevention or treatment of this malignancy, they continueto identify the remarkable value of these agents for human health and raiseimportant questions as to why so many different types of disease statesare affected by them. Arthritis, benign cardiac conditions, and colon andprostate cancer are diseases of extraordinarily different tissues, etiologies,pathologies, and outcomes. Yet each of these conditions are likely benefitedby NSAID therapy.
New York-The young, otherwise healthy men urologists see for an infertility evaluation may be hiding a condition more commonly observed in older men and women. Researchers from the Cornell Institute of Reproductive Medicine in New York report that three-fourths of men with nonobstructive azoospermia, a severe form of male infertility, are at risk for significant bone loss.
Toronto-A team of Canadian researchers has isolated at least two unexpected strains of bacteria from the genitourinary fluids of men with type III (nonbacterial) prostatitis. The two strains, Proteobacterium species and Paenibacillus species, have never before been identified in patients with prostatitis.
In this exclusive Urology Times interview, Joseph W. Segura, MD, discussesthe current state and the future of AUA clinical practice guidelines, includinghow guidelines influence practice, their use in residency training, andupcoming guideline topics. Dr. Segura is the Carl Rosen professor of urologyat Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN, and chairman of AUA's Practice GuidelinesCommittee. The interview was conducted by UT editorial consultant PhilipM. Hanno, MD, of the department of urology, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia afflicts millions of men throughout the world, with an overall prevalence of histologic BPH at autopsy of 50% by age 60 years and 90% by age 85 years (J Urol 1984; 132:474-9). Surgery, although effective, includes a 1% to 3% incidence of mortality.
Baltimore-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce therisk of prostate cancer, suggests a study completed by Johns Hopkins Hospitalin Baltimore, the National Institute on Aging, and Merck Research Labs.The researchers stress that the findings are suggestive but not definitive.
As more urologists implement computer technology into their practices, we are learning about the benefits and features of many of the software packages that are available to improve practice efficiency and performance. Unfortunately, those software programs are expensive and require the technological assistance of information technology specialists to load and debug those complicated programs.
Minimally invasive surgical approaches are an area of interest to the general public and have provided important benefits to urologic patients. The development of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has been one of the most significant advances in the field. In this Urology Times interview, Claude C. Abbou, MD, a pioneer in laparoscopic prostatectomy, discusses the current state of the art in this cutting-edge procedure. Dr. Abbou is head of the department of urology, Hospital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France. UT Editorial Consultant Andrew C. Novick, MD, chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Urological Institute, conducted the interview.
Washington-Two urology organizations have made good on their promise to fight the Stark II regulations with legal action.
Washington-A sweeping new proposed federal regulation dealing with hospital outpatient compensation would change Medicare payments for specific medical procedures and tighten rules governing new technology payments, a move that could adversely affect urologists. The regulation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS) would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2002.
St. Louis-Mallinckrodt introduces the Liebel-Flarsheim Hydra Vision Plus DR urological imaging system with optional liquid crystal display (LCD) viewing technology. Incorporating the features of the Hydra Vision Plus DR, the new LCD monitor option includes a lightweight triple articulating arm with ergonomic handles for easy movement, according to the company.
Minneapolis-American Medical Systems has received FDA approval to market the AMS SPARC Sling System for female stress incontinence. The system's suprapubic approach is designed to provide a potentially safer and simpler option for sling placement, according to the company.
