ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser combined with lithotripsy in treating renal calculi. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 78 patients from August 2012 to February 2014 who underwent flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy in our hospital. Among them, calculi were located at the upper or middle calyx in 41 patients, at the lower calyx in 27, at the renal pelvis in 6, and at multiple calyxes in 4. The diameter of the stones ranged from 0.8 to 2.0 cm with a mean of 1.4 cm. The stones were fragmentized by using 200 μm holmium laser fiber. A follow-up by renal CT scan was done 4 weeks after the procedure to evaluate the rate of the stone clearance. ResultsThe calculi were detected in 76 patients (97.4%, 76/78). The success rate in one-session procedure was 94.9% (74/78). After 4 weeks, the total stone-free rate was 97.4% (74/76). The mean operative time was 30 minutes (20-55 minutes). The mean hospital stay of the patients was 3 days (2-6 days). Two cases were found to have lower back pain combined with fever and cured by anti-inflammatory treatment. Naked eye hematuria disappeared in our cases after operation for 1 to 2 days. Seventy-four cases were followed up from 4 to 16 months with a median time of 8 months and no recurrence was detected. ConclusionThe flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective mini-invasive therapy for patients with renal calculi, with a high discovery rate of stones, high success rate, high evacuation rate, few severe complications, short hospital stay and sustainable treatment.
ObjectiveTo assess the prognosis of asymptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis with normal lung function. MethodsEighty-two patients with asymptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis,diagnosed in Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases between July 2007 and November 2013,were followed for 24 months.The clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results31.7% of the patients showed spontaneous remission without therapy,whereas 39.0% deteriorated and 29.3% remain stable.There was no significant difference between the remission group and the progressive sarcoidosis group with regard to FEV1.17.1% of patients in the progressive sarcoidosis group had a decline in FEV1,while 73.8% had a reduced FVC,and 28.3% had a reduced DLCO.At the beginning of observation,TNF-α level was higher in the progressive sarcoidosis group compared with the remission group and the stable group[(173.5±37.8) μg/mL vs.(102.6±82.7) μg/mL and(131.7±57.9) μg/mL,P<0.05].In the progressive sarcoidosis group,TNF-α at the end time of the observation was higher than that at the beginning[(229.2±76.7) μg/mL vs.(173.5±37.8) μg/mL,P<0.05].The neutrophil in BALF was significantly higher in the progressive sarcoidosis group compared with the remission group[(10.6±4.6)% vs.(8.68±5.2)%,P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the progressive sarcoidosis group and the remission group with regard to CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio and the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) in lung tissue.Non-necrotizing granulomas rate in endobronchial biopsy was 63.6% in the progressive sarcoidosis group,54.9% in the remission group,and 58.4% in the stable group,respectively,without significant difference between three groups(P>0.05) but was significantly different between three groups at the end time of the observation(69.1% vs.12.7% and 36.2%,P<0.05). ConclusionNearly 40% asymptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis are likely to deteriorate.The increase of TNF-α and BALF neutrophils may indicate the progress of sarcoidosis.