The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in detection of prostatic infarction after prostatic artery embolization for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

PURPOSEWe aimed to assess the clinical and predictive role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as the primary method for imaging evaluation of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).METHODSThirty-one patients with symptomatic BPH, treated with PAE from October 2016 until February 2018, were enrolled in this prospective, single-center study. Microspheres (100–700 µm) were utilized for PAE. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow (Qmax), prostatic volume (PV) and post void residual volume (PVR) were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post PAE. Unenhanced transabdominal US was utilized for PV and PVR measurements; prostatic enhancement was studied with transabdominal CEUS at baseline, during the procedure, 1 day and 1, 3, and 6 months post PAE. Technical success was defined as embolization of the PA of at least one pelvic side. Clinical success was based on the improvement of IPSS and QoL, with no need for any additional treatment. Follow-up time ranged from 6 to 18 months (mean, 9.7±4.3 months). Clinical success rates were calculated and changes in prostatic enhancement were correlated with the outcome parameters.RESULTSTechnical success rate was 90.3%. Clinical success rates at 3, 6, and 12 months post PAE were 85.7%, 85.7%, and 79.1% respectively. Improvement of outcome parameters (baseline vs. 6-month values) was statistically significant, with 12.4 points mean reduction of IPSS (50.4%, P = 0.003), 2.0 points mean reduction of QoL (45.4%, P 10%.CONCLUSIONCEUS appears to be a practical method for the study of the local ischemic effect of PAE, with potential predictive value

Ulcerative colitis after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects mainly the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract is also considered a site of viral activity. We hereby present the case of a 74-year-old male patient with the diagnosis of new-onset ulcerative colitis. One month earlier, the patient presented fever, running nose, and diarrhea and was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Studies with COVID-19 patients revealed significant changes in gut microbiota composition and alterations in immune responses that could lead to chronic inflammation and manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease. We review additional cases of ulcerative colitis presented after SARS-CoV-2 infection and summarize the possible mechanisms that underlie the gastrointestinal abnormalities in COVID-19 patients

Necrotizing Skin and Soft Tissue Infection Due to <i>Syncephalastrum</i> Species and <i>Fusarium solani</i> Species Complex Following Open Tibia Fracture

Fungal necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection (NSSTI) represents a rare clinical entity. An extremely rare case of NSSTI, following an open tibia fracture in a 36-year-old male caused by both Syncephalastrum spp. and Fusarium solani species complex (SC) is presented. The infection was diagnosed through direct microscopy, cultures and histology. The disease had a long course. The patient underwent a total of seven consecutive surgical debridements, while proper and timely antifungal treatment was initiated and included liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole. He gradually recovered and 4 years later he is completely functioning and healthy. Invasive fungal infections are well-documented causes of high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, whereas in immunocompetent hosts, trauma-related fungal infections have also been reported. It is of note that Syncephalastrum spp. has very rarely been identified to cause infection in immunocompromised or immunocompetent hosts, whereas Fusarium spp. has rarely been involved in skin necrotic lesions in non-immunocompromised individuals. A high suspicion index, especially in necrotic lesions in trauma patients, is pivotal for early diagnosis, which may lead to lower mortality as well as lower amputation rates. Definite diagnosis through microscopy, histology and/or cultures are of paramount importance, whereas PCR testing may also be extremely useful

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as a duodenal mass

Abstract We report a case of renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the duodenum

Chondrosarcoma of the Proximal Phalanx of the Fourth Digit: A Rare Location

Introduction: Cartilaginous tumors involving the small bones of the hands and feet are usually benign such as enchondroma, chondromyxoid fibroma and chondroblastoma. The small bones of the hands and feet are rarely involved by primary chondrosarcoma. Proximal phalanges are the most common sites in the hands, but the fourth digit is the least common site. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 76-year-old Greek female who presented to our hospital with a painful swollen mass measuring 4.5 × 2.6 cm on the fourth digit of the left hand. The radiograph showed a destructive, permeative lytic tumor of the proximal phalanx with extension into soft tissue. The patient underwent curettage, and the microscopic examination of the specimen revealed grade 2 chondrosarcoma. Conclusion: Cartilaginous tumors involving the small bones of the hands and feet are usually benign such as enchondroma, chondromyxoid fibroma and chondroblastoma. Primary chondrosarcoma is the third most common malignancy of bone after myeloma and osteosarcoma, but the small bones of the hands and feet are very rarely involved by chondrosarcoma (1% of all chondrosarcoma). However, in these cases differentiation between a benign lesion and chondrosarcoma may be difficult. Occasionally chondrosarcoma of the hands and feet is associated with multiple recurrences or distal metastasis

Synchronous Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Colon Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent the majority of primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. They are generally considered to be solitary tumors and therefore the synchronous occurrence with other primary malignancies of gastrointestinal track is considered a rare event. Here we present the case of a 75-year-old man admitted to our hospital with a 10-day history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcerative mass of 4 cm in diameter in the ascending colon. Gastroscopy revealed a bulge in the gastric body measuring 1 cm in diameter with normal overlying mucosa. Surgical intervention was suggested and ileohemicolectomy with regional lymph node resection along with gastric wedge resection was performed. Pathologic examination of the ascending colon mass showed an invasive moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma stage III B (T3N1M0). Grossly resected wedge of stomach showed a well circumscribed intramural tumor which microscopically was consistent with essentially benign gastrointestinal stromal tumor (according to Miettinen criteria). The patient did not receive additional treatment. Two years later the patient showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis

`Prostate Abscess&apos; as the Initial Manifestation of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener&apos;s Granulomatosis)

Prostatic involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GWP), formerly known as Wegener&apos;s granulomatosis, is rare, mostly arising in the context of systemic involvement. Prostatic involvement as the first manifestation of this systemic disease is exceptionally rare. We hereby present the case of a 41-year-old male patient who underwent transurethral prostate resection for what was initially diagnosed as suppurative, focally necrotizing prostatitis. Prolonged postoperative fever that did not respond to various treatments, as well as the subsequent appearance of a left pleural effusion, a left upper pulmonary lobe lesion and cutaneous nodules, led to a reevaluation of histological slides which, along with the determination of serum c-ANCA/anti-PR3 antibody levels, established the diagnosis of GWP. Physicians, and especially urologists and infectious diseases specialists, should be aware of this rare association and consider GWP in the event of nonresolving prostatitis, especially when characteristic symptoms from other systems appear. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Base

Stubborn sets for model checking the EF/AG fragment of CTL

The general stubborn set approach to CTL model checking [2] has the drawback that one either finds a stubborn set with only one enabled transition or one has to expand all enabled transitions. This restriction does not apply in our approach to a fragment of CTL. Furthermore, our reduction does not depend on the invisibility of transitions in a stubborn set. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RR 2036(123) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman