Gunshot wounds to the genitourinary system are relatively rare, and it is even rarer a retained bullet migrates into the urinary tract. We describe a case where the bullet migrated into the bladder and formed a bladder stone eighteen years after the injury. This presentation is unique as it is one of the longest times from gunshot wound to presentation in the current literature.
While urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common types of infections globally, the wide variety of presentations and of severity of disease can make it difficult to manage. The definition for uncomplicated UTIs (uUTIs) is generally regarded as UTIs in healthy, non-pregnant women whereas all other UTIs are considered complicated. There is, however, a lack of consensus definition of complicated UTIs (cUTIs), leading to global differences in management. In addition, the patients who develop complicated UTIs generally have other comorbidities that warrant more urgent intervention. One of the biggest challenges in treating cUTIs is the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While there have been recent drug approvals for new antibiotic to treat these resistant organisms, a multidisciplinary approach, including regulatory frameworks, provider education and public awareness campaigns, is crucial to limiting unnecessary treatments for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and uUTIs that can ultimately lead to more severe infections.
Introduction Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder in the anogenital region typically found in prepubertal or postmenopausal women that causes skin thinning, whitening, wrinkling, itching, and pain. LS is an established risk factor for the development of clitoral adhesions (CA). CA occur when the prepuce adheres to the glans clitoris leading to discomfort, hypersensitivity/hyposensitivity, difficulty reaching orgasm, and chronic vulvodynia. However, CA can also occur in the absence of LS. Two lysis of CA treatment modalities exist - one surgical procedure and one non-surgical, office-based procedure that stretches the preputial tissue open. Previous studies explored LS patient satisfaction with surgical lysis or dorsal-slit surgery but not with the non-surgical approach. The non-surgical office-based procedure has also never been studied in patients without LS. Objective The aim of this study is two-fold: to evaluate patient satisfaction and outcomes of the non-surgical lysis of CA procedure in women with LS and to compare the efficacy of the procedure in patients with and without LS. Methods 61 women who have been treated for CA using the non-surgical lysis procedure at one sexual medicine practice from 2017-2021 were identified using a retrospective chart review. An online survey was sent to these patients to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure in improving pain and sexual functioning, as well as patient satisfaction with the procedure. Results 41 women participated in the study (67% response rate) and 5 had a diagnosis of LS that was optimally treated with high-potent steroids. In terms of procedure satisfaction, there was no significant difference in patient satisfaction (80% vs 83%) or the likelihood of recommending the procedure to a friend who also had CA (80% vs. 94%) among women with and without LS. In regards to improving sexual functioning, there was no significant difference in the procedure's ability to improve sexual arousal (80% vs. 60%), ability to orgasm (80% vs. 62%), and sexual satisfaction (60 vs. 72%) between women with and without LS. Finally, there was no significant difference in reporting the procedure was painful (40% vs. 25%) or the incidence of recurrence of adhesions (40% vs. 51%). Conclusions This study demonstrates high patient satisfaction and improvement in sexual functioning associated with the non-surgical lysis procedure for CA in women with and without LS. CA should not be considered as an adjunct side-effect of LS but as an independent pathology. Physicians should examine the clitoris in women with and without LS in order to determine if a patient has CA. Once diagnosed, the non-surgical lysis procedure has similar efficacy and patient satisfaction in women with and without LS and could be considered as a treatment option for improving sexual function in women. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Sprout (Raleigh, NC), Absorption Pharmaceuticals
Introduction In clitoral adhesions (CA), a closed compartment of space under the clitoral hood can lead to accumulation of squamous cells and smegma, irritation, erythema, and infection. This causes the prepuce to adhere to the glans clitoris and prevents the corona, a ridge of tissue between the glans clitoris and the clitoral body, from being visualized. CA can cause discomfort, hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity, difficulty reaching orgasm, and chronic vulvar pain including clitorodynia. One treatment for CA is a non-surgical lysis procedure that is minimally invasive and stretches the preputial tissue open, yet there is a paucity of data on its effectiveness in treatment of symptoms and restoration of function. Objective To evaluate patient-reported outcomes of the non-surgical lysis procedure in order to determine if this procedure is an appropriate treatment for symptomatic CA that can be performed in the office-based setting. Methods 61 women who have been treated for CA using the non-surgical lysis procedure at one sexual medicine practice from 2017-2021 were identified using a chart review and an online survey was sent to patients to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure in improving pain and sexual functioning, as well as patient satisfaction with the procedure. Results There were 41 survey responses (67% response rate). All women that reported the ability to achieve orgasm from external clitoral stimulation maintained this ability after the procedure (n=24), and of the women that could not do so before the procedure (n=16), 6 were able to afterwards. 76% of respondents reported improvement in pain with 44%, 28%, and 4% reporting significant, moderate, and slight improvement. 63% reported improvement in sexual arousal with 25%, 25%, and 13% reporting significant, moderate, and slight improvement. 64% reported improvement in their ability to achieve orgasm with 26%, 18%, and 21% reporting significant, moderate, and slight improvement. 71% reported improvement in their satisfaction with sex with 27%, 17%, and 27% reporting significant, moderate, and slight improvement. 80% of respondents reported they could have comfortable physical/sexual stimulation within one month of the procedure, and 31% of respondents reported that it took one week or less. 93% of participants would recommend the procedure to a friend who also had CA. 65% and 18% of respondents reported being extremely and mostly satisfied with their decision to have the procedure. Conclusions These findings indicate that most patients reported improvement in their pain and sexual functioning, and no participants reported worsening in their pain, sexual arousal, or ability to achieve orgasm. 6 of 16 patients that could not achieve orgasm from external clitoral stimulation prior to the procedure were able to afterwards. Thus, the non-surgical lysis procedure could be considered as a treatment for pain and sexual dysfunction associated with CA. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Sprout (Raliegh, NC), Absorption Pharmaceuticals
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