Annals of Innovation in Medicine

Retrocaval Ureter Associate with Ureterolithiasis: Case Report

2024-04-22T20:27:07-05:00

The retrocaval ureter is a congenital anomaly in which the ureter passes posteriorly to the inferior vena cava (IVC). This condition is rare and promotes compression of the upper segment of the ureter, leading to urological symptoms, the main one being hydronephrosis.

We present a case of the Hospital Regional do Vale do Paraíba from the year 2022 of retrocaval ureter associated with ureterolithiasis, whose endourological treatment allowed the successful treatment of urinary lithiasis safely despite the congenital anomaly presented by the patient.

Epidural and Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems for Chronic Pain Management: Progress, Promises, and Challenges

2024-04-18T13:36:56-05:00

Millions of people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, which significantly impacts their quality of life. Managing chronic pain is often complex and time-consuming. In this narrative review, we explore the use of epidural and intrathecal drug delivery systems (EIDDS) as a solution for chronic pain management. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent approaches in targeted implantable drug delivery systems for chronic pain management, including their long-term safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, risks, and future opportunities and challenges. The data was gathered through extensive research using MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, including studies published until June 13, 2023. The visual analogue scale, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), respiration, and oxygen saturation in the group receiving drugs through a targeted implantable drug delivery system were significantly better than those in the group receiving conventionally administered analgesia in a study on patients with advanced cancer. Whereas in comparison to conventional treatment alone, the targeted implantable drug delivery system alone or in combination therapy exhibited some advantages or similar effects in reducing chronic pain during a 1-year follow-up in patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Implantable drug delivery systems are a promising new treatment option for chronic pain treatment. All forms of pain, including those that are still challenging to treat with traditional methods, can now be targeted with devices and treatments.

Serum Levels of Prostate Specific Antigen and Specific Reproductive Hormones Among Male Subjects with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2024-04-20T10:44:19-05:00

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a medical condition in elderly men in which there is proliferation and enlargement of the prostate gland. This study evaluated the levels of male reproductive hormones among subjects with BPH. The study involved 150 subjects aged 40 years and above, comprising 80 BPH subjects attending the urology clinic and 70 control subjects. Five millilitres (5ml) of venous blood were collected from each subject into plain bottles for the determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, prolactin, and estradiol, using the ELISA technique. The mean values of PSA (16.68±10.96 ng/ml), estradiol (71.03±18.56 pg/ml) and for the BPH subjects and prolactin (9.38±4.51 ng/ml) were significantly higher compared to the mean values of PSA (0.48±0.25ng/ml), estradiol (51.33±7.13npg/ml) and prolactin (6.92±1.93ng/ml) of the control subjects. However, the mean testosterone value of the BPH subjects (5.02±1.93 ng/ml) was significantly lower than the mean value for the control (6.57±3.48ng/ml). The BPH who used to consume alcohol had higher PSA (24.26±8.33ng/ml) and testosterone (7.68±3.41ng/ml) compared to the PSA (16.34±3.22ng/ml) and testosterone (4.95±3.62ng/ml) of those who never consumed alcohol. The BPH had significantly altered hormone parameters as well as raised PSA levels. Including hormonal parameters in diagnosing and managing BPH could be an important consideration in our population.