PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the changing pattern in the use of intravenous pyelogram (IVP), conventional computed tomography (CT), and non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) for evaluation of patients with acute flank pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2,180 patients with acute flank pain who had visited Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital between January 2008 and December 2012 and analyzed the use of IVP, conventional CT, and NECT for these patients. RESULTS: During the study period there was a significant increase in NECT use (p<0.001) and a significant decrease in IVP use (p<0.001). Conventional CT use was also increased significantly (p=0.001). During this time the proportion of patients with acute flank pain who were diagnosed with urinary calculi did not change significantly (p=0.971). CONCLUSIONS: There was a great shift in the use of imaging study from IVP to NECT between 2008 and 2012 for patients with acute flank pain.
Flank Pain ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Calculi*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) for the treatment of hemorrhage from gastric varices (GV) in Korean patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 183 LC patients who underwent BRTO for GV bleeding in 6 university-based hospitals between January 2001 and December 2010. RESULTS: Of the 183 enrolled patients, 49 patients had Child-Pugh (CP) class A LC, 105 had CP class B, and 30 had CP class C at the time of BRTO. BRTO was successfully performed in 177 patients (96.7%). Procedure-related complications (e.g., pulmonary thromboembolism and renal infarction) occurred in eight patients (4.4%). Among 151 patients who underwent follow-up examinations of GV, 79 patients (52.3%) achieved eradication of GV, and 110 patients (72.8%) exhibited marked shrinkage of the treated GV to grade 0 or I. Meanwhile, new-appearance or aggravation of esophageal varices (EV) occurred in 54 out of 136 patients who underwent follow-up endoscopy (41.2%). During the 36.0+/-29.2 months (mean+/-SD) of follow-up, 39 patients rebled (hemorrhage from GV in 7, EV in 18, nonvariceal origin in 4, and unknown in 10 patients). The estimated 3-year rebleeding-free rate was 74.8%, and multivariate analysis showed that CP class C was associated with rebleeding (odds ratio, 2.404; 95% confidence-interval, 1.013-5.704; P=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: BRTO can be performed safely and effectively for the treatment of GV bleeding. However, aggravation of EV or bleeding from EV is not uncommon after BRTO; thus, periodic endoscopy to follow-up of EV with or without prophylactic treatment might be necessary in LC patients undergoing BRTO.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; *Balloon Occlusion/adverse effects ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/*complications ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology/prevention & control/*therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/*complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Pulmonary Embolism/etiology ; Recurrence ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the effects of a fast shock wave rate (120 shocks per minute) and a slow shock wave rate (60 shocks per minute) on the shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) success rate, patient's pain tolerance, and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 165 patients with radiopaque renal pelvis or upper ureter stones were included in the study. Patients were classified by use of a random numbers table. Group I (81 patients) received 60 shock waves per minute and group II (84 patients) received 120 shock waves per minute. For each session, the success rate, pain measurement, and complication rate were recorded. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in the patients according to age, sex, body mass index, stone size, side, location, total energy level, or number of shocks. The success rate of the first session was greater in group I than in group II (p=0.002). The visual analogue pain scale was lower in group I than in group II (p=0.001). The total number of sessions to success and the complication rate were significantly lower in group I than in group II (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of SWL is dependent on the interval between the shock waves. If the time between the shock waves is short, the rate of lithotripsy success decreases, and the pain measurement score and complications increase. We conclude slow SWL is the optimal shock wave rate.
Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; Lithotripsy ; Pain Measurement ; Prospective Studies ; Shock ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi ; Urolithiasis

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the effects of a fast shock wave rate (120 shocks per minute) and a slow shock wave rate (60 shocks per minute) on the shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) success rate, patient's pain tolerance, and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 165 patients with radiopaque renal pelvis or upper ureter stones were included in the study. Patients were classified by use of a random numbers table. Group I (81 patients) received 60 shock waves per minute and group II (84 patients) received 120 shock waves per minute. For each session, the success rate, pain measurement, and complication rate were recorded. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in the patients according to age, sex, body mass index, stone size, side, location, total energy level, or number of shocks. The success rate of the first session was greater in group I than in group II (p=0.002). The visual analogue pain scale was lower in group I than in group II (p=0.001). The total number of sessions to success and the complication rate were significantly lower in group I than in group II (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of SWL is dependent on the interval between the shock waves. If the time between the shock waves is short, the rate of lithotripsy success decreases, and the pain measurement score and complications increase. We conclude slow SWL is the optimal shock wave rate.
Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; Lithotripsy ; Pain Measurement ; Prospective Studies ; Shock ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi ; Urolithiasis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to categorize concealed penis and buried penis by preoperative physical examination including the manual prepubic compression test and to describe a simple surgical technique to correct buried penis that was based on surgical experience and comprehension of the anatomical components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2007 to November 2010, 17 patients were diagnosed with buried penis after differentiation of this condition from concealed penis. The described surgical technique consisted of a minimal incision and simple fixation of the penile shaft skin and superficial fascia to the prepubic deep fascia, without degloving the penile skin. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 10.2 years, ranging from 8 years to 15 years. The median follow-up was 19 months (range, 5 to 49 months). The mean penile lengths were 1.8 cm (range, 1.1 to 2.5 cm) preoperatively and 4.5 cm (range, 3.3 to 5.8 cm) postoperatively. The median difference between preoperative and postoperative penile lengths was 2.7 cm (range, 2.1 to 3.9 cm). There were no serious intra- or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: With the simple anchoring of the penopubic skin to the prepubic deep fascia, we obtained successful subjective and objective outcomes without complications. We suggest that this is a promising surgical method for selected patients with buried penis.
Comprehension ; Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; Physical Examination ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue

PURPOSE: Today, many patients with voiding dysfunction select suprapubic cystostomy (SPC) instead of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) for practical reasons. There is thus a need to reconsider SPC as a management for voiding dysfunction. We designed SPC with timed drainage (TSPCD) and evaluated its effectiveness compared with continuous drainage with a urine bag (CSPCD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and January 2010, a total of 82 patients underwent SPC. Patients undergoing SPC were randomly assigned to CSPCD or TSPCD. Patient characteristics, complications, and the results of urine cultures were compared between the two groups through retrospective chart reviews. Also, preferences for CSPCD and TSPCD in another 15 patients who had experienced both CSPCD and TSPCD were investigated. RESULTS: The CSPCD and TSPCD groups comprised 46 and 36 patients, respectively. In a comparison of complications between the two groups, the incidence of acute symptomatic cystitis was significantly lower in the TSPCD group than in the CSPCD group (43% vs. 20%, p=0.032). The incidence of symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) was lower in the TSPCD group. Positive urine culture rates were 89.7% and 72.4% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.004). In another 15 patients who experienced both CSPCD and TSPCD, 14 patients (93%) stated a preference for TSPCD after converting from CSPCD to TSPCD, and one patient (7%) returned to CSPCD only at night. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, TSPCD had the advantages of less morbidity as UTI and being more preferable by patients with relatively good daily activity compared with CSPCD. TSPCD is an alternative to CSPCD for the treatment of voiding dysfunction.
Cystitis ; Cystostomy ; Drainage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intermittent Urethral Catheterization ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Tract Infections

A dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the retroperitoneum is an extremely rare tumor. A 51-year old man was admitted to our department because a retroperitoneal mass was seen on abdominal computed tomography at another hospital. Computed tomography of the abdomen and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large pelvic mass located in the right hemipelvis, and it was pushing the right ureter and invading the right kidney, duodenum, colon and inferior vena cava. The patient underwent right radical nephrectomy, pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy, right hemicolectomy and artificial blood vessel replacement for the inferior vena cava. The histopathological diagnosis was dedifferentiated liposarcoma and the patient was free from recurrence on the computed tomography that was done 6 months after the operation.
Abdomen ; Blood Substitutes ; Colon ; Duodenum ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liposarcoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nephrectomy ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Pylorus ; Recurrence ; Ureter ; Vena Cava, Inferior

Renal artery pseudoaneurysm after blunt renal trauma is an uncommon complication of delayed hemorrhage, and diagnostic difficulties are experienced due to its rarity. Delayed hemorrhage after renal trauma is a lifethreatening complication. Angiography is considered the gold standard to diagnose a traumatic renal artery pseudoaneurysm. We report here a case of delayed bleeding from a renal artery pseudoaneurysm that was diagnosed at 17 days after the injury and that was managed successfully with selective renal artery embolization without medical complication.
Aneurysm, False ; Angiography ; Hemorrhage ; Kidney ; Morphinans ; Renal Artery

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a low dose of tamsulosin, as compared with doxazosin, for the treatment of premature ejaculation in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-six patients (mean age: 55 years) who had LUTS with premature ejaculation were randomly assigned to receive 0.2 mg of tamsulosin and 4 mg of doxazosin daily for a period of 3 months. Patients were evaluated by taking the medical history, the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ) for ejaculatory function. The intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) measured by the patient's estimation and the sexual satisfaction ratio of both the partner and patient were investigated twice during the screening period and after treatment. At 3 months later, we assessed the differences in the IPSS score, the MSHQ score, the IELT and the sexual satisfaction ratio between the two groups. RESULTS: The two alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists had significant effects on the IPSS (p<0.05). However, we failed to find a statistically significant difference for each medication and the total MSHQ ejaculatory function score after medication in each group. The IELT was prolonged from 2.7+/-1.6 to 3.5+/-1.5 minutes and from 2.9+/-1.8 to 3.5+/-1.9 minutes in the tamsulosin and doxazosin groups, respectively. However, there was also no statistically significant difference of the IELT and the sexual satisfaction ratio in either group. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with premature ejaculation and LUTS, 0.2mg of tamsulosin improved the voiding symptoms, as assessed with the IPSS, as 4mg of doxazosin did, but neither medication seemed to be effective for the treatment of premature ejaculation.
Doxazosin ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Premature Ejaculation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reproductive Health ; Sulfonamides

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and benign prostatic hyperplasia in Korean men, we investigated the relation between prostate volume and the serum prostate specific-antigen (PSA) level with the factors for metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data of 1,412 men who had a general health check-up without significant evidence of disease between January 2004 and May 2007. The age, prostate volume, PSA, PSA density and metabolic factors were measured, and the relationships of these factors were evaluated. We also compared the prostate-related data between the metabolic syndrome(MS) group and non-metabolic syndrome(NMS) group. RESULTS: The prostate volume was significantly larger in the MS group (23.0+/-7.1ml) than that in the NMS group(20.9+/-6.1ml)(p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference of the PSA level between the two groups(MS group: 0.86+/-0.66, NMS group: 0.90+/-0.81), but the PSAD was significantly different between the two groups(MS group: 0.038+/-0.027, NMS group: 0.044+/-0.031)(p=0.0035). We concluded that there was a significant correlation between the prostate volume and the metabolic syndrome factors. However, when analyzing the influence of each metabolic syndrome factor on the prostate volume, only the BMI was a relatively influential factor. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that there was significant correlation between each metabolic syndrome factor and the prostate volume. This seemed to be the result of the commonly related pathophysiology of MS and an enlarged prostrate volume, and obesity was a significant factor. It was meaningful that the PSA level in the MS group was lower than that of the NMS group in case of the same prostate volume.
Male ; Humans