Self-catheterization of urinary bladder complicated with extraperitoneal abscess that mimics an infected bladder diverticulum

AbstractFor patients who are suffering from neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, intermittent urinary catheterization is an efficient way to empty the bladder.1 However, the method may result in various complications. Herein we present a rare complication of extraperitoneal abscess owing to intermittent urinary catheterization in a 62-year-old male who had cervical spine injury and was treated with intermittent urethral catheterization for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Treatment and a literature review are also described

An Unexpected Clinical Feature of Zinner's Syndrome – A Case Report

We present a case of a healthy 43-year-old man who experienced right lower abdominal mass with gastrointestinal upset for 6 months. A series of imaging studies revealed a large lobulated cyst in the right pelvis and retroperitoneum. Because of the persistent symptom, surgical intervention was performed to remove the cystic lesion. The final pathology report demonstrated a large seminal vesicle cyst with agenesis of kidney. It is compatible with the diagnosis of Zinner's syndrome. However, right lower abdominal mass is a rare manifestation of this syndrome. This case reminds us a unique differential diagnosis of a right lower abdominal mass

Single session of high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy for the management of organ-confined prostate cancer: A single-institute experience

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic response and complications of high-intensity focused ultrasound for patients with localized prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the clinical outcomes of 29 patients who received high-intensity focused ultrasound as first-line treatment for localized prostate cancer at our hospital from October 2010 to March 2016. Biochemical recurrence was defined, according to the Stuttgart definition of biochemical failure, as the prostate-specific antigen nadir plus 1.2 ng/mL. Prostate-specific antigen levels and complications were recorded during regular follow-up. Results: The mean follow-up period was 24.6 months. Six patients experienced biochemical recurrence (20.68%). Disease progression was noted in six patients (20.68%), and salvage therapy was performed in these patients. The 24.6-month cancer-specific survival rate was 100%. No severe complications were reported. Conclusion: High-intensity focused ultrasound is an alternative therapy for patients with localized prostate cancer. In combination with preceding transurethral resection of the prostate, this treatment shows promise in disease control with a low complication rate in short-term follow-up

Germanium-Titanium-π Polymer Composites as Functional Textiles for Clinical Strategy to Evaluate Blood Circulation Improvement and Sexual Satisfaction

By continuously enhancing the blood flow, far-infrared (FIR) textile is anticipated to be a potential non-pharmacological therapy in patients with peripheral vascular disorders, for instance, patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and experiencing vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (VED). Hence, we manufactured a novel polymer composite, namely, germanium-titanium-π (Ge-Ti-π) textile and aimed to evaluate its characteristics and quality. We also investigated the immediate and long-term effects of the textile on patients with ESRD undergoing HD and experiencing VED. The Ge-Ti-π textile was found to have 0.93 FIR emissivity, 3.05 g/d strength, and 18.98% elongation. The results also showed a 51.6% bacteria reduction and negative fungal growth. On application in patients receiving HD, the Ge-Ti-π textile significantly reduced the limb numbness/pain (p < 0.001) and pain score on the visual analog scale (p < 0.001). Moreover, the Doppler ultrasound assessment data indicated a significant enhancement of blood flow in the right hand after 1 week of Ge-Ti-π textile treatment (p < 0.041). In VED patients, the Ge-Ti-π underpants treatment significantly improved the quality of sexual function and increased the average penile blood flow velocity after 3 months of the treatment. Our study suggests that the Ge-Ti-π textile could be beneficial for patients with blood circulation disorders