Archive for urology
On her own terms: Robot-assisted procedure gives Sage more independence
At 19, Sage Nault has had multiple surgeries, aimed at addressing challenges related to myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida. But it’s her most recent operation that might have the greatest impact on her quality of life. Known as a Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy and a Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE), the combined procedure has ... Read More
‘The teamwork is outstanding’: A look inside the Colorectal and Pelvic Malformation Center
In honor of Women’s History Month, we sat down with some of the clinicians in Boston Children’s Colorectal and Pelvic Malformation Center (CPMC), one of the only centers of its kind led and staffed primarily by women. Here’s what they had to say about their work, their patients — and their hopes for the future. ... Read More
Research 2022: Tackling disease in new ways
Researchers across Boston Children’s spent 2022 imagining new solutions to old challenges in health and medicine, opening the door to brand-new treatments. Here are a few areas where research is poised to make a difference in children’s — and even adults’ — lives. Rethinking disease through genetics Genetic sequencing is becoming a fundamental tool for discovering ... Read More
Getting a diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction: Macy’s journey
“It’s ok to be afraid,” says 8-year-old Macy with a strong smile. She would know: She recently experienced a health scare that impacted everything she did, leaving her to feel like she would never get better. While celebrating Hanukkah last year, Macy was playing with her twin sister, Isabel, when she started feeling intense pain ... Read More
Bladder surgery after Ewing sarcoma helps Paralympian get back on the slopes
Thomas Walsh’s email signature includes the phrase, “No struggle, no progress.” It’s a motto that Thomas, 27, has lived by since he was a teenager. An avid skier who has been competing since he was just 5 years old, he faced a different kind of opponent when he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at age ... Read More
Undescended testicles: Why prompt referral is key
An estimated 3 percent of boys have undescended testicles at birth, making it a common problem encountered by pediatricians and urologists alike. Also known as cryptorchidism, an undescended testicle is one that hasn’t moved into its proper position in the scrotum before birth. Typically, only one testicle is affected, but in some cases, both may ... Read More
Drawing on data to revolutionize pediatric urology
At first blush, data analytics — sifting through raw data to discover patterns and draw conclusions from them — seems far afield from the practice of pediatric urology. One discipline involves crunching numbers at a computer, while the other involves caring for patients in the clinic or operating room (OR). But for members of Boston ... Read More
Building a bladder-specific Botox
Botulinum toxins are bacterial neurotoxins that also have a range of therapeutic uses. In urology, injections of these potent substances can relax the bladder muscle, helping treat conditions such as overactive bladder and neurogenic bladder. Of the seven types of botulinum toxin, two have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): botulinum ... Read More
Building a better bladder: Reconstructive urologic surgery helps Mikey thrive
When Mikey Tibbetts’ parents, Johanna and Matt, take him trick-or-treating, the process can last for hours. “He knows everyone and wants to stop and talk,” laughs Johanna. “We call him the mayor.” Indeed, the “super-smart” 9-year-old has even memorized the entire map of his hometown in southeastern Massachusetts. Mikey’s popularity extends to Boston Children’s Hospital, ... Read More
Study links urinary incontinence in female athletes to low energy availability
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common experience for female athletes that can significantly impact their enjoyment of and participation in sports. Previous studies have shown that female athletes who experience urinary incontinence are more likely to drop out of their sports. Noting a large number of female athletes presenting with urinary incontinence, physicians in the ... Read More