Stone Group Research Articles

Establishment of a male Wistar rat model of nanobacteriainduced kidney stones

Purpose: To establish a male Wistar rat model of nanobacteria (NB)-induced kidney stones.
 Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (NC group) given caudal vein injection of saline + saline gavage, and NB-induced stone group (NBS group) given caudal vein injection of NB + saline gavage.
 Results: Compared with NC, serum creatinine, blood uric acid, urea nitrogen and urinary calcium levels in NBS group increased between weeks 3 and 8 (p < 0.05). Kidney index (kidney weight/body weight ratio) in the NBS group was higher than that in NC group from weeks 8-10. At week 8, urine pH and serum phosphorus in NBS group were higher than those in NC group (p < 0.05). Between weeks 6 and 7, serum calcium in NBS group was higher than that in NC group (p < 0.05). Calcium crystals in NBS rats were distributed mostly in the distal and proximal convoluted tubules. However, no such crystals were observed in NC rats. Similarly, no such pathological changes were seen in the renal tissue of NC group. Calculus analysis showed that stone formation was higher in NBS group than in NC group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in micro-CT between the two groups (p ˃ 0.05).
 Conclusion: The successful establishment of the Wistar rat kidney stone model using NB cultured from urine of upper urinary tract stone patient is potentially useful for further etiological studies on kidney stone formation.

Development of a Novel Nomogram and a Simple Scoring System Using Ureteral Jet Flow to Predict Impacted Ureteral Stone.

Purpose: To examine the efficacy of ureteral jet flow measured by Doppler ultrasonography (USG) together with radiological parameters obtained by noncontrast enhanced CT in predicting whether a ureteral stone is impacted. Materials and Methods: A total of 178 patients that met the criteria were included in the study. Stone size, location, grade of hydronephrosis, HU values of the stone and the proximal and distal parts of the stone, and ureteral wall thickness (UWT) were obtained from noncontrast enhanced abdominal CT images. Ureteral jet flows (Vmax) were measured and recorded by Doppler USG. Thirty-eight cases in whom the guidewire or opaque contrast material could not pass beyond the stone were included in the impacted ureteral stone (IUS) group, whereas the remaining 140 patients constituted the non-IUS (non-IUS) group. Results: Significant independent predictors of IUS were determined as stone size (odds ratio [OR]: 2.23, p = 0.020), ureteral HU value under the stone (OR: 1.11, p = 0.014), UWT (OR: 5.66, p = 0.009), anteroposterior diameter (OR: 1.23, p = 0.033), and the Vmax value of the stone side (OR: 0.76, p = 0.011). The proposed scoring system predicted IUS with 89% sensitivity and 91% specificity at a cutoff value of 11.5. Conclusion: Determining whether a ureteral stone is impacted is important in deciding on the optimal treatment modality. The nomogram and scoring system that we created based on the data that were obtained with noninvasive methods can predict IUS with high sensitivity and specificity.

Study of risk factor of urinary calculi according to the association between stone composition with urine component

Urolithiasis is a common urinary disease with high recurrence. The risk factor for the recurrence of calculi is not very clear. The object of the present study was to evaluate the association between calculi composition and urine component and analyse the risk factor for the recurrence of urolithiasis. In this study, a total of 223 patients with calculi and healthy control were enrolled, and the components of the calculi and urina sanguinis collected before surgery were analysed. Of the 223 patients, 157 were males and 66 were females. According to the stone composition, the case group was subdivided into three groups. 129 patients had single calcium oxalate stones, 72 had calcium oxalate stones mixed with other stones and 22 had other type of stones excluding calcium oxalate stones. Urine biochemicals were analysed and the associations were found between the chemicals in each group. Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that reduced urinary magnesium and uric oxalic acid were independent risk factors when comparing all cases with normal controls. Only decreased urinary magnesium was found to be a risk factor comparing the single calcium oxalate group with normal control group. Low level of urinary magnesium and uric oxalic acid were found to be risk factors comparing the mixed calcium oxalate group with normal control group. No risk factor was found comparing the other stone group with normal control group. In conclusion, there were clear relationships between stone components and urine chemicals. Urine chemicals might be risk factors to predicate the occurrence of urolithiasis.

Initial clinical experience with the new thulium fiber laser: first 50 cases.

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and laser settings of thulium fiber laser (TFL) in laser lithotripsy during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for ureteral and renal stones. A prospective study of the first 50 patients with ureteral and renal stones who underwent RIRS using TFL (SOLTIVE Premium, Olympus, Japan) was performed. 200 and 150µm laser fibers were used for ureteral and renal stones, respectively. Stone size, stone density, laser-on time (LOT), and laser settings were recorded. We also assessed the ablation speed (mm3/s), laser power (W), and Joules/mm3 values for each lithotripsy. A total of 50 patients were included in the study with a median (IQR) age of 66 (55.5-74) years old for patients with ureteral stones and 55 (44-61.5) years old for patients with renal stones. Most of the patients had a Charlson comorbidity index score of 0. Median (IQR) stone volume for ureteral stones was 486 (332-1250) mm3 and for renal stones was 1800 (682.8-2760) mm3. Median (IQR) stone density for ureteral and renal stones was 998 (776-1300) HU and 1200 (750-1300) HU, respectively. Median (IQR) pulse energy for ureteral stones was 0.4 (0.2-0.4) J; and for renal stones, 0.3 (0.2-0.6) J. Median pulse frequency, laser power, and laser operative time were higher in the renal stones group. The overall complication rate was low in both groups. TFL is a safe and effective modality for lithotripsy during RIRS with minimal complication rates.

Metabolomics analysis of the serum from children with urolithiasis using UPLC-MS.

Pediatric urolithiasis is a common urologic disease with high morbidity and recurrence rates. Recent studies have shown that metabolic dysfunction plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis, especially in children, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Metabolomics is an ideal technology for exploring the mechanism of metabolic disorders in urolithiasis. In the present study, a serum metabolomics based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was performed. A total of 50 children subjects were recruited for the study, including 30 patients with kidney stones and 20 normal controls (NCs). Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least‐squares determinant analysis were carried, and 40 metabolites were found to be significantly altered in patients with kidney stones, mainly involving retinol metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism. The kidney stone group appeared to have a lower serum level of bilirubin, but a relative higher level of retinal, all‐transretinoic acid, progesterone, and prostaglandin E2 compared with those of the NC group. All the findings suggest that patients with urolithiasis have several metabolic characteristics, which are related to stone formation or compensation. These metabolites and pathways are very likely associated with development of kidney stones and should be considered as potential novel targets for treatment and prevention.

URINARY STONE DENSITY MEASURED ON NON-CONTRAST COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY CORRELATED WITH SUCCESS RATE BY EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE LITHOTRIPSY TREATMENT

Measurements of urinary calculi density in Hounsfield Unit, stone size, site by non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), correlated with success rate by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) outcome in complete fragmentation, fragments less than 5 mm or incomplete fragmentation. Retrospective study comprising 40 patients with urinary calculus of 10-20 mm divided into two groups (10-15 mm and 16-20 mm), with defining stone location, site and attenuation measured in Hounsfield Unit (HU), divided into three groups:1- Soft stones <6500HU; 2- Medium stones 650-1200HU; 3- Hard stones >1200HU. All treated from 4000-4500 shock waves. Success in initial stone disintegration was defined with a plain film X-ray in 5-6 weeks. Completely disintegrated calculus was confirmed in 31 (77.5%), up to 5 mm fragments in 3 (7.5%) and unsuccessful in 6 (15.0%) patients. The percentage difference between complete disintegration versus up to 5 mm fragments or failed disintegration  was extremely statistically significant for p<0.05 (Difference test, p=0.001). High percentage calculated after one treatment in 2- Medium stone group 650-1200HU in 15 (60%) patients, in 6 (24%) of the 1-Soft stone group, and in 3-Hard stone group in 4 (16%).Percentage difference between the 2-Medium stone group after one ESWL treatment versus the 1-Soft stone group and 3-Hard stone group was statistically significant for p<0.05 (Difference test, p=0. 0162). Study findings show that the attenuation value of stones can predict successful outcome of ESWL treatment for the upper urinary tract, and it has a greater impact on ESWL outcome than the stone size and site. Keywords: non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), Hounsfield Unit (HU), extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), disintegration, attenuation.

Reliability and validity of "S.T.O.N.E" nephrolithometry scoring system to predict the stone-free rate after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Objective:The objective was to assess the reliability and validity of “S.T.O.N.E” nephrolithometry scoring system to predict the stone-free rate (SFR) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL).Methods:A total of 123 patients with unilateral radiopaque stones ≥2 cm were included in the study. According to S.T.O.N.E score, five parameters available from preoperative computed tomography (CT) without contrast were measured: stone size (S), tract length (T), obstruction (O), number of involved calices (N), and essence of stone (E). The Stone free rates evaluated within one month postoperatively by plain X-ray and/or CT scan without contrast.Results:The mean S.T.O.N.E. score in this study was 7.4 in stone-free (SF) group and 9.3 in residual stone group (P = 0.0001). Patients with SF comprised 82.1% after the first PNL, whereas 17.9% had significant residual stones >4 mm. Postoperative complications were 8%. The most common complications were bleeding requiring transfusion. The size of stone (P = 0.002) and number of calices involved (P = 0.001) had a statistically significant difference between patients with residual stones, other components were not. There was a statistically significant difference between non-SF and SF according to the hospital stay (P = 0.002).Conclusion:This score predicted the clearance after PNL. The size of calculi and number of calices involved statistically affected the stone clearance, whereas other S.T.O.N.E scoring parameters were not. There was a statistically significant difference between SF and residual stones groups according to the hospital stay (P = 0.0001).

Bile Microbiota in Patients with Pigment Common Bile Duct Stones

BackgroundCommon bile duct (CBD) stone is one of the most prevalent gastroenterological diseases, but the role played by biliary microbiota in the pathogenesis of CBD stones remains obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the biliary tract core microbiome and its potential association with the formation of pigment stones.MethodsTwenty-eight patients with biliary obstruction of various causes were enrolled. Thirteen had new-onset pigment CBD stone. Of the remaining 15, four had benign biliary stricture, four had gallbladder cancer, three had pancreatic cancer, 3 had distal CBD cancer, and one had hepatocellular carcinoma. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was used to collect bile samples for DNA extraction, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, and bile microbiota composition analysis.ResultsProteobacteria (61.7%), Firmicutes (25.1%), Bacteroidetes (5%), Fusobacteria (4.6%), and Actinobacteria (2.6%) were the most dominant phyla in the bile of the 28 study subjects. A comparison between new-onset choledocholithiasis and other causes of biliary obstruction (controls) showed Enterococcus was found to be significantly abundant in the CBD stone group at the genus level (linear discriminant analysis score = 4.38; P = 0.03). However, no other significant compositional difference was observed.ConclusionThis study demonstrates an abundance of microbiota in bile juice and presents a biliary microbiome composition similar to that of duodenum. The study also shows Enterococcus was significantly abundant in the bile juice of patients with a brown pigment stone than in controls, which suggests Enterococcus may play an important role in the development of pigment stones.

Comparable safety of ERCP in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with common bile duct stones: a propensity-matched analysis

Background The safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for asymptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stones patients has not been thoroughly elucidated. This study attempted to compare the incidence and severity of ERCP complications in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with CBD stones and to provide evidence for the treatment of asymptomatic CBD stones. Methods The clinical data of patients were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into the asymptomatic CBD stones group and the symptomatic CBD stones group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the two groups. The incidence and severity of postoperative complications of ERCP in the two groups were analyzed. Results A total of 79 patients who had asymptomatic CBD stones and 795 patients who had symptomatic CBD stones were included in this study. After PSM, 79 patients from the asymptomatic CBD group and 316 patients from the symptomatic CBD stones group were identified. Before and after PSM, no significant differences in the incidence and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) were noted between the two groups (p > .05). In addition, no differences in the incidence and severity of other complications, including acute cholangitis, bleeding and perforation, between the two groups were observed before and after PSM (p > .05). Conclusions Patients with asymptomatic CBD stones do not exhibit an increased risk of ERCP-related complications compared with those with symptomatic CBD stones. ERCP was observed to be equally safe and efficacious for patients with asymptomatic versus symptomatic CBD stones.

Role of conservative management of stones.

Urinary tract stone disease is one of the most common pathologies of the modern era with a rising prevalence owing to incidentally detected renal stones from imaging for other reasons. Although there is consensus on active management of symptomatic and asymptomatic stones in high-risk patient groups, conservative management of stones is still controversial. We have reviewed the literature pertaining to conservative management of 3 groups of stones-asymptomatic calyceal stones, staghorn stones, and ureteric stones-and summarized the findings to provide guidance in the conservative management of stones. In the calyceal stone group, our review showed an average spontaneous stone passage rate of 18% (range, 8%-32%) and an average requirement for surgical intervention of 20% (range, 7%-40%), with 62% of patients remaining safely on surveillance over a mean time of 4 years. In the staghorn group, overall disease-specific mortality was noted to be 16% (range, 0%-30%) and chance of renal deterioration was 21% (range, 0%-34.5%), with a mean incidence of infection of 22%. In case of conservatively managed ureteric stones, the rate of spontaneous passage for stones smaller than 5 mm was 75%, compared with 62% for those larger than 5 mm. Based on the position in the ureter, spontaneous passage rates were 49%, 58%, and 68% for proximal, middle, and distal thirds, respectively. Conservative management may be recommended for asymptomatic patients and those who are deemed unfit for any procedures. However, careful patient selection and thorough counseling about the risks of conservative management could make it a suitable option for an appropriate subset of patients.

An Important Risk Factor Affecting Hypercalciuria in Children: Vesicoureteral Reflux.

A large number of genes and environmental factors, like dietary habits, play a role in the development of hypercalciuria in children. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of the presence and grade of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on hypercalciuria status in children. Data for 165 patients who admitted to the Pediatric Urology Department were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were composed of following four different groups: (1) urinary stone patients, (2) VUR patients under follow-up, (3) corrected VUR patients, and (4) control. The demographic features, clinical data, and laboratory tests for the groups were compared. The mean age of the patients was 100.6 ± 54.69 months and the female/male ratio was 79:86. The mean urinary calcium/creatinine (UCa/Cr) excretion and the frequency of high UCa/Cr ratios in the corrected VUR group were similar to those in the control group (p = 0.375 and 0.965, respectively). In contrast, the mean UCa/Cr excretion and frequency of high UCa/Cr ratios in the urinary stone and follow-up VUR groups were significantly higher than those in the corrected VUR group (p < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.003, and 0.029, respectively). The mean UCa/Cr excretion and frequency of high UCa/Cr ratios in the follow-up VUR group were similar to those in the urinary stone group (p = 0.323 and 0.425, respectively). In the follow-up VUR group, although reflux laterality had no effect on the UCa/Cr ratios (p = 0.180 and 0.108, respectively), the mean and frequency of high UCa/Cr ratios were higher in high-grade reflux cases (p < 0.001 and p = 0.042, respectively). Both the mean UCa/Cr ratio and the rate of hypercalciuria in the corrected reflux group were significantly lower than the corresponding values in the follow-up VUR and urinary stone groups. Further, the follow-up VUR patients had similar urinary calcium excretion levels as the stone patients. VUR treatment is associated with a decrease in urinary calcium excretion to the normal population level. A positive correlation between reflux degree and calcium excretion was observed.

Prevalence of Vesicoureteral Reflux and Urinary Tract Infection in Children with and without Urolithiasis

Background: Vesicourethral reflux (VUR) is a common urinary tract disorder in children, which may be associated with urolithiasis. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate vesicoureteral reflux in children with and without urolithiasis. Methods: In this case-control study, 130 children younger than 10 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) are investigated. The demographic information and clinical status of all participants were recorded. Ultrasonography was performed for all children, and they were divided into two groups of 65 subjects based on the results: group 1, children with UTI+stone; and group 2, children with UTI+ non-stone. All children received Voiding Cystourethrogram to evaluate Vesicourethral reflux. Results: The mean age of participants was 7.48 ± 3.2 years, and 68 (52.7%) of them were male. Also, VUR was observed in 33 (25.38%) cases. The frequency of reflux in the UTI + stone group was 21 (32.3%), which was significantly higher than the other group (12 cases, or 18.46%) (P = 0.011). However, the association between UTI and stone (P = 0.3, CC = -0.01) was not significant. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a significant correlation between urinary tract stones and VUR in children with urinary tract infections. It is recommended to investigate the presence of stone or VUR in children suffering from any of the described disorders.

Om bergvisjoner og diktning hos Ibsen

This article examines some connections between rock and mountain visions and poetry in Henrik Ibsen’s writings. The article argues that the poem «Paa Vidderne» and also the poem «Bergmanden» thematizes the poetic call, where the starting point of the poetry is analogous to ascending a mountain or penetrating into a dark rock room below the ground. Also in several of Ibsenʼs dramas (Keiser og galiæer, Peer Gynt, Brand, John Gabriel Borkman), the rock motif is of considerable importance, both related to cognition and poetic inspiration. In Når vi døde vågner, the rock and mountain motif is linked to the metapoetic on a number of levels. Not only does Irene insist on calling Rubek – stonemason by profession – a poet. The drama as such, and perhaps in particular Professor Rubekʼs marble stone group, can also be considered as a kind of meditation over Ibsenʼs life work. Not least, the high mountains play a dominant role as a room of the dramatic action in the dramaʼs final act. The drama ends high in the mountains, and with it also Ibsenʼs writing, as a last testimony to the fundamental significance of this topos in Ibsenʼs oevre.

Elevated non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol corresponds to a high risk of nephrolithiasis in children

BackgroundDyslipidemia contributes to the development of nephrolithiasis in adults; however its relationship to urolithiasis in children remains debatable, and will be clarified in the present work.MethodsA case–control study was performed involving 58 pediatric patients diagnosed with upper urinary tract stones as well as 351 controls. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), serum calcium, serum uric acid, blood glucose, blood lipids, and compositions of stones were compared.ResultsAccording to the univariate analysis, uric acid was higher (P < 0.01) but serum calcium lower in the stone group than the control (P < 0.05). As for the blood lipids, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) was significantly higher in the stone group as compared to the control (P < 0.01), while total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not show statistical difference between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, only non-HDL-c and serum uric acid were increased in the stone group (P = 0.003 and P = 0.008). In the stone compositions’ analysis, serum uric acid and non-HDL-c were associated with percentage of uric acid and pure calcium oxalate stones, respectively.ConclusionNon-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol may act as a lipid risk factor for urolithiasis in children.

The role of SEM and infrared spectroscopy techniques in identification of the mineralogy of kidney stones: case study from Fallujah City, Western Iraq

The current study is concerned with the mineralogical aspects of kidney stones from urolithiasis patients of different ages and genders in Fallujah city hospital. The following techniques were implemented as follows; X - ray diffraction (XRD) used to recognize the mineral components of the studied kidney stones, Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) to discover the type of chemical compounds of the studied kidney stones, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) to determine the mineralogy and the various chemical components in the kidney stones. The results show that the kidney stones are composed of five mineral groups and these are; mixed stone group, calcium oxalate, phosphate stone, uric acid, and cholesten. The cholesten has been diagnosed for the first time in Iraq, which might be linked to the diet type that includes high levels of cholesterol. Furthermore, the most common mineral group in the study area is the mixed stone which occurs in males more than females for the ages of 40 to 50 years old

Quantitative proteomic analysis of urinary exosomes in kidney stone patients

BackgroundIncreased urinary exosomes are associated with kidney stones but how they work is unknown. In this study, we aim to identify dysregulated proteins in urinary exosomes from kidney stone patients and to explore the potential role of exosomal proteins in nephrolithiasis.MethodsFirst morning voids were collected from participants. Urinary exosomes were isolated via ultracentrifugation. Label free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed to analyze the proteome of urine exosomes from three kidney stone patients and three age-/sex-matched healthy controls. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identify dysregulated proteins associated with stone formation. Results of proteomic analysis were verified by Western blotting in other three kidney stone patients and three healthy controls.ResultsNine hundred and sixty proteins were identified with proteomic analysis, of which 831 were identified in the control group and 879 in the stone group. Sixteen proteins in urinary exosomes were found most significantly different between kidney stone patients and healthy controls. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that dysregulated proteins were enriched in innate immune response, defense response to bacterium and calcium-binding. S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 were common in above three GO terms and were chosen for further study. Western blotting confirmed that the expression of these three S100 proteins was higher in urinary exosomes from kidney stone patients. In addition, S100 proteins were aggregated in urinary exosomes and it was difficult to detect them in urine.ConclusionsUrinary exosomes from kidney stone patients are rich in S100 proteins and play a role in innate immune response, defense response to bacterium and calcium-binding.

Statins significantly alter urinary stone-related urine biochemistry in calcium kidney stone patients with dyslipidemia.

To investigate whether the use of statins would alter 24-h urine biochemistry in male patients with calcium kidney stones. We prospectively recruited 78 male patients with calcium kidney stones between May 2017 and December 2017, and 30 male controls with matching sex and age, but without kidney stones. All patients were classified into higher- and lower-risk groups of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. Atorvastatin 20mg per day was prescribed for 12weeks to the higher risk patients. For kidney stone group, 24-h urine collections were carried out before and after statin therapy. A total of 78 patients and 30 controls were included. Higher-risk patients had significantly higher urine uric acid and calcium levels than lower-risk patients. After atorvastatin treatment for 12weeks, urine citrate significantly increased (P<0.001) accompanied with increased urine pH (P<0.001), whereas urine uric acid significantly decreased after treatment. Although urine oxalate significantly increased after treatment (P=0.037), we did not find any significant difference in urine calcium, ion activity product of calcium oxalate and ion activity product of calcium phosphate. These findings suggest that atorvastatin administration might increase urinary citrate and decrease urinary uric acid in patients with calcium kidney stones and dyslipidemia.

Detection of distal ureteral stones in pregnancy using transvaginal ultrasound

AimsTo determine the performance of transvaginal ultrasound for the visualization of distal ureteral stones in pregnant patients with renal colic and to evaluate the diagnostic value of secondary findings suggestive of obstructing ureteral stone disease.MethodsWe retrospectively identified 129 pregnant patients with a total of 142 encounters with both abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound. Ultrasound images for each patient were reviewed recording the presence of stone with location, hydronephrosis, resistive indices (RI), and status of the ureteral jets. Patients were subcategorized into two groups based on the visualization of distal ureteral stone.ResultsThe transvaginal technique identified 94% (N = 16/17) of sonographically detected stones in the distal ureter/urethra, while the transabdominal technique identified 29% (N = 5/17). The combined imaging for initial assessment of renal colic in pregnancy demonstrated a sensitivity of 89%, specificity 100%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%. The frequency of hydronephrosis was statistically greater in the visualized stone group (94% vs 51%). Mean RI was identical in both groups however the delta RI was significantly elevated in those patients with distal ureteral stones with a mean delta RI value of 0.05. The rate of absence of ureteral jets was not statistically significant.ConclusionThe present data would suggest a utility of transvaginal ultrasound for the evaluation of the pregnant patient with 94% of distal stones being detected transvaginal versus 29% transabdominally. Additionally, there was significantly increased hydronephrosis and elevated RIs in patients with distal ureteral stones.

Sialometric and Sialochemical Analysis in Individuals With Pulp Stones.

The aim of this study was to analyze the saliva of patients with pulp stones, with sialometric and sialochemical tests. Eighty individuals, aged between18 and 65 years, of both sexes, were investigated. Patients were included in the pulp stone group when radiographic examination was suggestive of pulp stones in at least one permanent tooth, whereas those without this alteration were considered controls. Saliva was collected by stimulation, followed by salivary flowrate (SFR) and pH analysis tests. The organic components, such as urea (URE), glucose (GLU), total proteins (TPTs), alkaline phosphatase, creatinine (CRE), salivary amylase (SAM), and uric acid (URA), and the inorganic components, such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus, were evaluated by colorimetric techniques in an ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer. Differences among pulp stones and control groups were compared using Student’s t-test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. In both groups prevailed the female. Statistically significant differences between groups were observed for pH (p = 0.027), SFR (p = 0.002), alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.008), and URA (p = 0.005). None of the inorganic components showed significant difference (p > 0.05). In the analyses stratified by sex, difference between groups was observed for pH (p = 0.007) and URA (p = 0.003) in women. In conclusion, sialometric and sialochemical alterations occurred in patients with pulp stones, with significantly higher levels of pH, SFR, alkaline phosphatase, and URA.

Factors Associated with the Success Rate of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography with Standard Technique followed by Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Management of Choledocholithiasis: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract Background Choledocholithiasis is the most common benign biliary disease. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been the first-line therapy in recent years, although laparoscopic common bile duct exploration has promising results. This retrospective study aimed to define the factors associated with biliary clearance by standard ERCP technique and conversion rate of LC. Materials and Methods We retrospectively evaluated the records of 217 choledocholithiasis patients who had undergone ERCP with stone removal by the standard technique from 2010 to 2018. A failed ERCP was defined when the first ERCP session could not remove the stones . The number of patients who later underwent open cholecystectomy or LC was also recorded. Conversion was defined when LC had to be converted OC. Statistical Analysis Student’s t-test was used for the comparison of continuous variables. Nominal variables were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Binary logistic regression was performed for multivariate analysis. Results The rate of successful biliary clearance was 81.1%. Of the patients, 109 (50.2%) had difficult stones. Increasing age (p = 0.004), increasing number (p = 0.001), and increasing size of stone (p &lt; 0.001) were the three significant factors that were associated with the failure of biliary clearance. The difficult stone group had a higher failure rate of ERCP and a higher conversion rate of LC compared with the easy stone group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.027, respectively). Conclusions ERCP with the standard technique is a highly effective and safe management option for patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones. The difficult stone group was found to be an independent risk factor that affected the success rate of both ERCP and the following LC. Difficult stone criteria should be assessed to identify a patient who might benefit from laparoscopic CBD exploration.