No abstract

Nine women with laxative abuse and predominantly ammonium urate renal calculi underwent metabolic studies to identify common chemical abnormalities and determine pathophysiology. The 24-hour urine studies demonstrated marked decreases in volume (902 cm.3), sodium (28 mEq.), citrate (116 mg.) and potassium (21 mEq.). A significant elevation in ammonium urate supersaturation was found compared to control subjects when studied by the computer model EQUIL 2. Of the patients 7 had 1 or more urine specimens positive for phenolphthalein. Gastrointestinal loss of fluid and electrolytes allowed for chronic extracellular volume depletion. Intracellular acidosis was present as judged by low urinary citrate and potassium. The fact that the ion product for ammonium urate is increased significantly compared to controls reflects the stated pathophysiological changes. Laxative abuse should be suspected whenever a woman has an ammonium urate renal calculus in sterile urine.

No abstract

Extramammary Paget's disease of the lower female genito-urinary system is an uncommon neoplasm with a high rate of recurrence. A 52-year-old white female with a history of extramammary Paget's disease, originally excised in 1985 by skinning vulvectomy and who had multiple recurrences, including two in a vaginal graft and with extension to the urethra and the uterine cervix, in 1992 underwent an anterior pelvic exenteration for control of the disease process. Standard surgical management for extramammary Paget's disease without invasion or without an underlying adenocarcinoma is simple or skinning vulvectomy. However, because the disease commonly recurs, diffuse involvement may require more extensive surgery including pelvic exenteration in extraordinary cases.