The treatment of complex female urethral pathology

Lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS)in women produce significant bother.Common conditions causing LUTS in women include urinary tract infections,overactive bladder,and stress incontinence.Urethral diverticulae and female urethral strictures are rare pathologies.They can cause symptoms,which can mimic commoner conditions,leading to delay in diagnosis and unnecessary delay in treatment.In this article,we discuss in detail the definition,symptoms,epidemiology,pathogenesis,diagnosis,and treatment option for these two conditions.Further understanding of these conditions will aid in the proper diagnosis and prevent delay in management.

Calyceal Diverticula and Megacalycosis Urographic Diagnosis Complications and Treatment

Background: Calyceal diverticulae and megacalycosis are rare congenital anomalies. The majorities are asymptomatic but they can present with complications. Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the clinical presentations, complications, urographic diagnosis of calyceal diverticulae, megacalycosis, and their treatment. Methods: A descriptive study carried out over 8 years period from March 2012 to December 2019. In three big hospital of Aden province, we collect 15 patients aged from seven to 41 years (mean 13.5 years), our patients were 9 female (60%) and 6 male (40%). They diagnosed incidentally with calyceal diverticulae and megacalycosis by contrasted urography, describing the clinical manifestations, localization, complications, and type of treatment. Results: Sixty percent of patients with calyceal diverticulae and megacalycosis were women and (40%) were men. Clinical manifestations including, dull aching flank and abdominal pain in (40%), acute renal colic (20%), recurrent urinary tract infection (33%), and abdominal pain with a fever of unknown origin in (7%). Calyceal diverticula and megacalycosis were bilateral in (53%) and unilateral in (47%). In the right kidney were (57%), and in the left kidney (43%). In the upper pole of the kidney were (53.3%), middle pole (33.3%), and lower pole (13.3%). Complications occurred in (47%) of patients. They including, urinary stones in (71.4%), hypertension (14.3%), and delayed renal excretion (14.3%). Conservative treatment carried out in (73%) and surgically intervened in (27%). Conclusions: Calyceal diverticula and megacalycosis are rare anomalies. Dull aching flank pain and recurrent urinary tract infections are the most frequent clinical presentations. The most common complications are urinary stones. Conservative treatment is a common type of treatment.

Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation in patients with periampullary diverticula

AIM:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation(EPLBD)for bile duct stone extraction in patients with periampullary diverticula.METHODS:The records of 223 patients with large common bile duct stones(≥10 mm)who underwent EPLBD(12-20 mm balloon diameter)with or without limited endoscopic sphincterotomy(ES)from July 2006to April 2011 were retrospectively reviewed.Of these patients,93(41.7%)had periampullary diverticula(PAD),which was categorized into three types.The clinical variables of EPLBD with limited ES(EPLBD+ES)and EPLBD alone were analyzed according to the presence of PAD.RESULTS:Patients with PAD were significantly older than those without(75.2±8.8 years vs 69.7±10.9years,P=0.000).The rates of overall stone removal and complete stone removal in the first session were not significantly different between the PAD and nonPAD groups,however,there was significantly less need for mechanical lithotripsy in the PAD group(3.2%vs 11.5%,P=0.026).Overall stone removal rates,complete stone removal rates in the first session and the use of mechanical lithotripsy were not significantly different between EPLBD+ES and EPLBD alone in patients with PAD(96.6%vs 97.1%;72.9%vs 88.2%;and 5.1%vs 0%,respectively).No significant differences with respect to the rates of pancreatitis,perforation,and bleeding were observed between EPLBD+ES and EPLBD alone in the PAD group(3.4%vs 14.7%,P=0.095;0%vs 0%;and 3.4%vs 8.8%,P=0.351,respectively).CONCLUSION:EPLBD with limited ES and EPLBD alone are safe and effective modalities for common bile duct stone removal in patients with PAD,regardless of PAD subtypes.

Limited endoscopic sphincterotomy plus large balloon dilation for choledocholithiasis with periampullary diverticula

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of limited endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) plus large balloon dilation (LBD) for removing choledocholithiasis in patients with periampullary diverticula (PAD). METHODS: A total of 139 patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones were treated with LBD (10-20 mm balloon diameter) after limited EST. Of this total, 73 patients had PAD and 66 patients did not have PAD (controls). The results of stone removal and complications were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the PAD and the control groups in overall successful stone removal (94.5% vs 93.9%), stone removal in first session (69.9% vs 81.8%), mechanical lithotripsy (12.3% vs 13.6%), and complications (11.0% vs 7.6%). Clinical outcomes were also similar between the types of PAD, but the rate of stone removal in first session and the number of sessions were significantly lower and more frequent, respectively, in type B PAD (papilla located near the diverticulum) than controls [23/38 (60.5%) vs 54/66 (81.8%), P = 0.021; and 1 (1-2) vs 1 (1-3), P = 0.037, respectively] and the frequency of pancreatitis was significantly higher in type A PAD (papilla located inside or in the margin of the diverticulum) than in controls (16.1% vs 3.0%, P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Limited EST plus LBD was an effective and safe procedure for removing choledocholithiasis in patients with PAD. However, some types of PAD should be managed with caution.

Esophageal surgery in minimally invasive era

The widespread popularity of new surgical technologies such as laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and robotics has led many surgeons to treat esophageal diseases with these methods. The expected benefits of minimally invasivesurgery(MIS) mainly include reductions of postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and pain and better cosmetic results. All of these benefits could potentially be of great interest when dealing with the esophagus due to the potentially severe complications that can occur after conventional surgery. Moreover, robotic platforms are expected to reduce many of the difficulties encountered during advanced laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures such as anastomotic reconstructions, accurate lymphadenectomies, and vascular sutures. Almost all esophageal diseases are approachable in a minimally invasive way, including diverticula, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, achalasia, perforations and cancer. Nevertheless, while the limits of MIS for benign esophageal diseases are mainly technical issues and costs, oncologic outcomes remain the cornerstone of any procedure to cure malignancies, for which the long-term results are critical. Furthermore, many of the minimally invasive esophageal operations should be compared to pharmacologic interventions and advanced pure endoscopic procedures; such a comparison requires a difficult literature analysis and leads to some confounding results of clinical trials. This review aims to examine the evidence for the use of MIS in both malignancies and more common benign disease of the esophagus, with a particular emphasis on future developments and ongoing areas of research.

Non-operative successful management of a perforated small bowel diverticulum

Jejunoileal diverticula are rare and generally asymptomatic.In the few cases of patients who develop complications such as diverticulitis,perforation,obstruction,and/or hemorrhage,conventional treatment consists of surgical resection.We describe a case of perforated jejunoileal diverticulum with localized abscess and highlight the merits of surgical vs medical management.The patient is a 77-year-old male who presented with sharp,constant abdominal pain just inferior to the umbilicus.Administration of intravenous antibiotics results in complete and long-term resolution of the patient’s symptoms.In this report,we establish a framework for safely treating perforated small bowel diverticulum without surgical exploration.

Could saline irrigation clear all residual common bile duct stones after lithotripsy?A self-controlled prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND A previous study showed that irrigation with 100 mL saline reduced residual common bile duct(CBD)stones,which potentially cause recurrent stones after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.AIM To determine whether saline irrigation can improve CBD clearance after lithotripsy.METHODS This prospective self-controlled study enrolled patients receiving mechanical lithotripsy for large(>1.2 cm)CBD stones.After occlusion cholangiography confirmed CBD stone clearance,peroral cholangioscopy(POC)was performed to determine clearance scores based on the number of residual stones.The amounts of residual stones spotted via POC were graded on a 5-point scale(score 1,worst;score 5,best).Scores were documented after only stone removal(control)and after irrigation with 50 mL and 100 mL saline,respectively.The stone composition was analyzed using infrared spectroscopy.RESULTS Between October 2018 and January 2020,47 patients had CBD clearance scores of 2.4±1.1 without saline irrigation,3.5±0.7 with 50 mL irrigation,and 4.6±0.6 with 100 mL irrigation(P<0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that CBD diameter>15 mm[odds ratio(OR)=0.08,95%confidence interval(CI):0.01-0.49;P=0.007]and periampullary diverticula(PAD)(OR=6.51,95%CI:1.08-39.21;P=0.041)were independent risk factors for residual stones.Bilirubin pigment stones constituted the main residual stones found in patients with PAD(P=0.004).CONCLUSION Irrigation with 100 mL of saline may not clear all residual CBD stones after lithotripsy,especially in patients with PAD and/or a dilated(>15 mm)CBD.Pigment residual stones are soft and commonly found in patients with PAD.Additional saline irrigation may be required to remove retained stones.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in evaluation of choledochal dilatation in patients with obstructive jaundice

Objective: To determine the causes of choledochal di-latation in patients with obstructive jaundice.Methods: One hundred and sixty-four patients withobstructive jaundice were investigated by endoscopicretrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP), and pa-tients with choledochal dilatation (group Ⅰ, n=110)were compared with those without choledochal dilata-tion(group Ⅱ, n=54).Results: The causes of common bile duct dilatationwere choledocholith, juxtapapillary duodenal divertic-ula and congenital dilatation of the common bile duct.The distal common bile duct and its surroundings wereabnormal in 104(94.55%) of the 110 patients and in 13(24.08%) of the 54 patients (P【0.01). Juxtapapil-lary duodenal diverticulum accounted for 24.55% ingroup Ⅰ, and only in 9.26% in group Ⅱ (P【0.05).Post-cholecystectomy patients were 13.64% in groupⅠ, and only 5.56% in group Ⅱ.Conclusions: The abnormalities of the distal commonbile duct and its surroundings can usually be detectedas underlying causes of common bile duct dilatation.ERCP is necessary before cholecystectomy, since it isconsidered the "gold standard" for the diagnosis ofdistal common bile duct abnormalities.

Jejunal diverticular disease complicated by enteroliths:Report of two different presentations

Jejunal diverticula are quite rare.Furthermore,small bowel diverticular disease resulting in enteroliths can lead to complications necessitating surgical intervention.In this manuscript,we report two presentations of jejunal diverticulum with complications from enteroliths followed by a review of the literature.The first case was that of a 79-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain and was found,on computed tomography scan,to have evidence of intestinal perforation.A laparotomy showed that he had perforated jejunal diverticulitis.The second case was that of an 89-year-old female who presented with recurrent episodes of bowel obstruction.A laparotomy showed that she had an enterolith impacted in her jejunum in the presence of significant diverticular disease.Although a rare entity,familiarity with jejunal diverticular disease,its complications,and its management,should be part of every surgeon's base of knowledge when considering abdominal pathology.

Clinical Significance of Left Atrial Anatomic Abnormalities Identified by Cardiac Computed Tomography

Purpose: The clinical significance of newly identified left atrial anatomic abnormalities (LAAA)— accessory appendages, diverticula, septal pouches—by multidetector CT (MDCT) remains unclear. Similar anatomical outpouchings, i.e., the left atrial appendage, have been associated with cardioembolisms and arrhythmia. To test the hypothesis that LAAA are also associated with increased risk of these events, we performed a retrospective analysis to examine the association of LAAA in patients undergoing CT with embolic events and arrhythmia. Methods: 242 patients (mean age 56 SD 12 years, 41% female) were selected who had CT coronary angiography performed with 64-row MDCT between 2007 and 2012 if complete clinical history records were available. CT images were independently reviewed for the presence of LAAA. Association of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischemic attack (TIA), atrial fibrillation, and palpitations to LAAA was calculated using odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and Fisher’s exact test. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes via multiple logistic regression, patients with accessory appendages are more likely to have reported palpitations (OR: 1.80;CI: 1.03 - 3.16). Patients with diverticula and septal pouches are significantly older than those without these abnormalities (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Septal pouches are associated with diabetes (OR: 2.29;95%CI: 1.15 - 4.54). Conclusions: Accessory left atrial appendages are associated with palpitations. Patients with septal pouches and diverticula are significantly older than those patients without these anatomic abnormalities, suggesting age dependency of these findings. None of these anatomic abnormalities were associated with thromboembolic events after adjustment for potentially confounding comorbidities.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for management of gastrointestinal motility disorder

Achalasia is a type of esophageal motility disorder,consisting of relaxation dysfunction of the lower esophagus and disturbed esophageal peristalsis.Related clinical symptoms include dysphagia,regurgitation,chest pain,and weight loss.Traditional treatment options include endoscopic botulinum toxin injection,endoscopic pneumatic dilation,and laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy.These therapies mainly relieve symptoms by reducing the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and reducing blood flow resistance at the esophagogastric junction.Based on endoscopic submucosal dissection and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery,peroral endoscopic myotomy(POEM)is a purely endoscopic method of myotomy with minimal invasiveness and a low rate of adverse events when performed by experienced operators.Since then,numerous studies have shown the significant clinical efficacy and safety of POEM.The purpose of this article is to introduce different modified POEMs,special indications for different POEMs,and their advantages as well as disadvantages.

Killian-Jamieson Diverticulum Diagnosed as Thyroid Nodule: A Case Report

Killian-Jamieson diverticulum is a rare type of pharyngoesophageal diverticula. We present a case of Killian-Jamieson diverticulum that mimicked a thyroid nodule under ultrasonography. Fine-needle aspiration was applied to identify the content of the thyroid nodule. However, nothing else but only a few squamous cells, amorphous material, and some inflammatory cells were reported under the microscope. The Killian-Jamieson diverticulum was confirmed during the surgery. There was no complication after the operation at the follow-up visit one month later. Retrospect this case, we find that thyroid ultrasonography combined fine-needle aspiration is a recommended way to increase the sensitivity of detecting hypopharyngeal diverticulum.