Objective To evaluate the risk factors of urethral recurrences following radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and to discuss the treatment options. Methods Clinical data of 278 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer were analyzed retrospectively. Urethral recurrences were observed in 24 patients. Risk factors of recurrence were evaluated by Cox's multifactor regression model. Results None of the 6 patients undergoing selective prophylactic urethrectomy died;10 of the 24 patients with urethral recurrence died of tumor metastasis.Multiple factor analysis suggested that prostate involvement,bladder neck involvement,trigone tumor,multiple tumor and carcinoma in situ were the high risk factors,and their relative risk coefficients were 1.573,1.532,1.360, 1.337 and 1.213,respectively. Conclusions Simultaneous urethrectomy following radical cystectomy should be performed for patients with high risk factors (prostate involvement, bladder neck involvement, trigone tumor,multiple tumor and carcinoma in situ) of urethral recurrence,while patients without risk factors are eligible candidates for reconstruction of the urinary tract after cystectomy by an orthotopic neobladder.

Objective To study the changes of detrusor microvessel density and apoptosis related factor PCNA and Bax in different phase of partial bladder outlet obstruction. Methods Forty Wistar rats were divided into control(n =10), sham-operation(n =10) , two-week obstruction( n = 10) and five-week obstruction group(n = 10). The expression of detrusor microvessel density and apoptosis related factors PCNA and Bax were evaluated with immunohistochemistry method. Results The average weight of bladder was (125.5?10. 1) ,(128.5?8.9) ,(380.0?12.4) ,(400.0?12.5) mg in control, sham-operation, two-week obstruction and five-week obstruction group, respectively. The difference between control, sham-operation group and obstruction group was significant (P 0. 05 ) . The expression of microvessel density was 2. 1?1.3,13.3?2.3,36.4?4. 1 and 37.3?5.6 in control, sham-operation, two-week obstruction and five-week obstruction group, respectively. The difference between control, sham-operation group and obstruction group was significant ( P 0. 05 ). The expression of PCNA was (38. 2?17. 2)% , (39. 4?11.4)% , (64. 1?11. 5)% and (46. 2?9. 6)% in control, sham-operation, two-week obstruction and five-week obstruction group, respectively. The difference between control, sham-operation group and obstruction group was significant (P

Objective To study the expression of metallothionein(MT),Ki 67 in renal cell carcinoma(RCC) and to evaluate their biological significance. Methods The expression of MT and Ki 67 were assayed by means of immunohistochemical technique in RCC tissues and normal renal tissues.DNA content and S phase fraction(SPF) were measured by flow cytometry(FCM). Results The positive expression rates of MT in RCC tissues and normal renal tissues were 52.5%,78.9% respectively( P

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of multi-slice spiral CT urography (MSCTU)in kidney tuberculosis. Methods Thirty cases(16 men and 14 women)of kidnev tuberculosis diagnosed by clinic and pathology were retrospectively analyzed.The patients' mean age was 44 years(range,19-73 years).Of them,17 cases were on the left and 13 on the right.Eighteen cases had irritation symptoms,18 cases had low back pain,6 cases had hematuria,2 cases had a fever; renal tuberculosis was incidentally detected in 2,1 case had left scrotal swelling.The enhancement scanning and three-dimensional reconstruction of multi-slice spiral CT were conducted in all patients. Resuits Among the 30 cases,29 cases of renal tuberculosis were diagnosed with CTU(97%).The low density area in renal parenchyma was seen in 25 cases without expansion and fluidify of pelvis,tubercle calcification was seen in 18 cases,the thickening of renal pelvis and ureter wall was seen in 17 cases,the thinning of cortex of kidney was seen in 12 cases,and the contracture of bladder and poor filling was seen in 2 cases.IVU diagnosed 9 cases of renal tuberculosis(30%).Twenty cases of renal pelvis,calyceal failed to show contrast filling. Conclusion MSCTU has advantages in the diagnosis of renal tuberculosis compared with IVU.

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic adrenal pheochromocytoma. Method The clinical data of 33 patients with asymptomatic adrenal pheochromocytoma were reviewed. Results All the patients were not preut with typical signs and symptoms of pheochromocytoma, 16 patients were found adrenal mass by routine physical examination, 15 patients presented with superior abdominal or flank pain, 1 patient was fever and 1 patient was diarrhea. Most of patients were prent with round mass with low density in the center of the tumor,5 patients had elevated level of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine (16% ,5/31),24 hours urine CA and VMA were elevated in 6 patients (24%, 6/25) and 5 patients (20%, 5/25) respectively, 26 patients who were suspected pheochromocytoma preoperatively were treated with α-adrenergic blockade (prazosin) to control the blood pressure or with intravenous colloid fluids and blood transfusion to expand intravascular volume before operation. The tumors were removed successfully in 32 patients, and biopsy was done in 1 patient because of the serious invasion to the vena cava by the tumor. All the patients were diagnosed pheochromocytoma histopathologically,and followed up for 1 month to 7 years, no tumor recurrence. Conclusions The patients with asymptomatic adrenal pheochromocytoma have lower catecholamine excretion in their plasma and urine. Combination of modem imaging examinations are useful methods to diagnose asymptomatic adrenal pheochromocytoma. To lower the risk of operation, the control of blood pressure and the expanding of intravascular volume are important for the patients with huge adrenal mass or typical suspected appearance of pheochromocytoma.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combination solifenacin and tamsulosin for the treatment of distal ureteral calculi after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Methods 120 patients (male:100 female:20 age:18-67 yrs) randomly assigned to 4 groups (each group 30) with the calculi diameter range from 0.5 to 1.1 cm.All patients performed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (X ray oriented).The control group did not accept any medical treatment.The solifenacin group were administered solifenacin 5 mg,once per day.The tamsulosin group were administered tamsulosin 0.2 mg,once per day.The combination group were administered solifenacin 5mg,plus tamsulosin 0.2 mg,each per day.The observation duration was set at 2 weeks. Results The stone-free rate (according to KUB) within 2 weeks were 80.0％,83.3％,93.3％ and 96.7％ in the control group,solifenacin group,tamsulosin group and combination group respectively.Statistical differences were significant among the tamsulosin group,the combination group and the control group.The stone expulsion times were (7.6 + 3.7) d,(6.3 ± 2.5) d,(4.4 + 2.3) d and (3.5 ± 2.2) d in the 4 groups respectively.Statistical differences were significant among the tamsulosin group,the combination group and the control group.The uses of analgesics were 13,5,9 and 3 in the 4 groups respectively.The bladder irrtative symptoms were 12,6,4 and 4 in the 4 groups respectively.Statistical differences were also significant for the use of analgesics and relief of bladder irritation between the solifenacin group,the combination group and the control group. Conclusions Tamsulosin and solifenacin could be safe and effective for the treatment of distal ureteral calculi after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.It could significantly improve the stone expulsion rate,relief the pain and improve bladder irrtative symptoms.

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of normotensive pheochromocyto-ma. Methods The clinical data of 22 patients with normotensive pheochromocytoma were reviewed. Inclusion criteria for normotensive pheochromocytoma were no previous history of hypertension and episode of symptoms suggesting high blood pressure. The blood pressure on admission was 90-130/ 60-90 mm Hg with an average of 113/72 mm Hg. Seven patients were found adrenal mass by routine ultrasonic examination. Twelve patients presented with superior abdominal or flank pain. Four pa-tients were present with fatigue, and 2 patients had fever. Headache and palpitation were found in 1 patient. Most of patients were present with large and round mass with low density area in the center of the tumor by uhrosonography and CT. Four patients had elevated level of plasma epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. 24 hours urine CA and VMA were elevated in 5 and 4 patients respectively. Seven pa-tients were prepared with infusion preoperatively to expand intravascular volume, and 2 patients were given prazosin 1.5 mg/d for 5 to 7 days. Results During the operation, seventeen patients had ele-vated blood pressure and 5 patients had no changed. One of seven patients with preoperative prepara-tion had obvious hypertension during operation, and 11 of 15 patients without preoperative preparation had obvious hypertension. The tumors were removed successfully in 21 patients. All the patients were diagnosed pheochromocytoma pathologically. Twenty-one patients had normal blood pressure with no recurrence during the follow-up from 1 month to 7 years. Conclusions The patients with normotensive pheochromocytomas may have lower catecholamine in their plasma and urine. The application of α-blockers and the expanding intravascular volume before operation could be important for the patients safe.

OBJECTIVESTo increase the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome.

METHODSThe data of 12 ectopic ACTH syndrome patients treated from 1985 to 1999 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSTwelve patients were diagnosed as having ACTH syndrome by endocrinary test and primary tumors were ascertained by imaging examination. Follow-up from 7 months to 8 years showed 3 out of 5 patients with radical resection of primary tumor died. One patient with bilateral adrenorectomy was still alive. All patients received only chemotherapy except one died.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with Cushing's syndrome should be evaluated by endocrine test and followed up by imaging screen examination. The key points to increase treatment effect include early detection, localization and resection of primary tumors.

Aural vertigo frequently encountered in the otolaryngology department of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） mainly involves peripheral vestibular diseases of Western medicine， such as Meniere's disease， benign paroxysmal positional vertigo， vestibular neuritis， and vestibular migraine， being a hot research topic in both TCM and Western medicine. Western medical therapies alone have unsatisfactory effects on recurrent aural vertigo， aural vertigo affecting the quality of life， aural vertigo not relieved after surgery， aural vertigo with complex causes， and children's aural vertigo. The literature records and clinical practice have proven that TCM demonstrates unique advantages in the treatment of aural vertigo. The China Association of Chinese medicine sponsored the "17th youth salon on the diseases responding specifically to TCM： Aural vertigo" and invited vertigo experts of TCM and Western medicine to discuss the difficulties and advantages of TCM diagnosis and treatment of aural vertigo. The experts deeply discussed the achievements and contributions of TCM and Western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of aural vertigo， the control and mitigation of the symptoms， and the solutions to disease recurrence. The discussion clarified the positioning and advantages of TCM treatment and provided guidance for clinical and basic research on aural vertigo.