Increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome in female patients with overactive bladder: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A population-based study was conducted to compare OAB patients with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects regarding the prevalence of the parameters of the MetS, with respect to obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The characteristics of the OAB population were assessed. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated by logistic regression. RESULTS: 110 024 OAB patients and 220 455 controls. were identified. OAB was associated with a higher prevalence of MetS (35.4% vs. 27.5%, p < 0.001). The fully adjusted OR for MetS in patients with OAB compared to controls was 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-1.46; p < 0.001. Among metabolic parameters, obesity was found to be the strongest factor associated with OAB (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.53-1.58, p < 0.001), and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterole levels (>50) had a protective effect on the risk of OAB (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.73-0.76, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Data from this cohort suggest that OAB is positively associated with MetS. Clinicians approaching patients with OAB should be aware of this association. A multimodal treatment focusing on the MetS may be considered in these patients.

Prostate-specific antigen level association with COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

INTRODUCTION: The associations among SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination and total serum prostate serum antigen (PSA) levels in men undergoing screening for prostate cancer are unknown. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from a large health maintenance organization. Records of individuals aged 50 to 75 years with two serum PSA tests taken between March 2018 and November 2021 were included. Individuals with prostate cancer were excluded. Changes in PSA levels were compared between individuals who had at least 1 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and/or infection between the two PSA tests and individuals who did not have an infection and were not vaccinated between the two PSA tests. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess the impact of the elapsed time between the event and the second PSA test on the results. RESULTS: The study and control groups included 6,733 (29%) and 16 286 (71%) individuals, respectively. Although the median time between PSA tests was shorter in the study vs. the control group (440 vs. 469 days, P<.001), PSA elevation between the tests was higher in the study group (0.04 vs. 0.02, P<.001). The relative risk for PSA elevation ≥1 ng/dL was 1.22 (95% CI 1.1, 1.35). Among individuals who were vaccinated, PSA increased by 0.03 ng/dL (IQR -0.12, 0.28) and 0.09 ng/dL (IQR -0.05, 0.34) after 1 and 3 doses, respectively (P<.001). Multivariate linear regression showed that SARS-CoV-2 events (ß 0.043; 95% CI 0.026-0.06) were associated with a greater risk for PSA elevation, after adjusting for age, baseline PSA and days between PSA tests. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccinations are associated with a slight increase in PSA, with the third anti-COVID vaccine dose having a more prominent impact, but its clinical significance is unknown yet. Any significant increase in PSA must be investigated and cannot be dismissed as secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination.

The Butterfly: A Novel Minimally Invasive Transurethral Retraction Device for Benign Hypertrophy of the Prostate.

INTRODUCTION: The Butterfly Prostatic Retraction device is a novel transurethral implant designed to dilate the prostatic urethra and treat lower urinary tract symptoms. We assessed its safety, efficacy and impact on urinary flow, ejaculation, and quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 64 men, treated for benign prostate hyperplasia for at least 1 year. All patients had Qmax≤ 13 mL/s and IPSS >12. Insertion of the device was performed via cystoscopy. Follow-up visits were performed at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and included uroflowmetry, IPSS, QoL, and sexual function questionnaires. Cystoscopy was performed on 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: Patients age was 50-83 years. 28 patients completed a 1-year follow-up with an intact device. Mean Qmax improved by 2 mL/s (25%), IPSS median drop was 10 points (40%), and QoL score was 1.5 points (38%). Sexually active patients reported antegrade ejaculation. On cystoscopy, gradual coverage of the devices with urethral mucosa was observed. In 1 patient, the device was repositioned. In 19 patients, the device was removed. 12 patients returned to alpha-blocker therapy and 7 patients underwent TURP. One patient developed a bulbar urethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated feasibility and good tolerability of the Butterfly device.

Postpartum voiding dysfunction following vaginal versus caesarean delivery.

In this prospective study, we evaluated postpartum voiding dysfunction stratified by mode of delivery - vaginal delivery versus elective caesarean delivery (CD). We recruited nulliparous women carrying singleton gestation at term admitted to delivery room or elective CD. Pre-labour voiding function was assessed by recording the post-voiding residual volume (PVRV) using a bladder scan. PVRV evaluation was repeated at least 12 hours following delivery and before discharge. PVRVs were considered abnormal if ≥150 mL. PVRVs were compared between vaginal and CD. Overall, 54 women were included. Of them, 34 (63%) delivered vaginally and 20 (37%) had an elective CD. Postpartum mean PVRVs were significantly higher compared to pre-labour PVRVs (215 vs. 133 mL, p<.001). Abnormal postpartum PVRV was significantly higher in vaginal delivery compared to CD (73.5% vs. 45%, p<.05). In conclusion, delivery adversely affects voiding function. Vaginal delivery is associated with more severe voiding dysfunction compared to elective CD.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Delivery is associated with voiding dysfunction. While most studies on postpartum voiding dysfunction were related to vaginal delivery, little is known on the effect of mode of delivery (vaginal versus caesarean delivery (CD)) on voiding dysfunction.What the results of this study add? In this study, we found that postpartum post-voiding residual volume is significantly higher than the pre-labour PVRV in women delivered vaginally. In addition, postpartum PVRV was significantly higher in women delivered vaginally compared to elective CD.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study implicates that women with vaginal delivery are more prone to voiding dysfunction compared to elective CD. However, larger observational studies are warranted to confirm these results and evaluate whether this difference still exists beyond the post-partum period.

Trends in urological emergencies in the Era of COVID-19

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate trends in emergency room (ER) urological conditions during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analyses of renal colic, hematuria, and urinary retention in ER's admissions of a tertiary hospital during the lockdown period (March 19 to May 4, 2020) in Israel. Patient's demographics and clinical characteristics were compared to those in corresponding periods during 2017-2019, with estimated changes in ER arrival and waiting times, utilization of imaging tests, numbers of hospitalizations, and urgent procedure rates. Results: The number of ER visits for renal colic, hematuria, and urinary retention decreased by 37%, from an average of 451 (2017-2019) to 261 patients (2020). Clinical severity was similar between groups, with no major differences in patient's age, vital signs, or laboratory results. The proportion of ER visits during night hours increased significantly during lockdown (44.8% vs. 34.2%, p=0.002). There was a decrease in renal colic admission rate from 19.8% to 8.4% (p=0.001) without differences in urgent procedures rates, while the 30-day revisit rate decreased from 15.8% to 10.3% during lockdown (p=0.02). Conclusions: General lockdown was accompanied by a significant decrease in common urological presentations to the ER. This change occurred across the clinical severity spectrum of renal colic, hematuria, and urinary retention. In the short term, it appears that patients who sought treatment did not suffer from complications that could be attributed to late arrival or delay in treatment. The long-term implications of abstinence from seeking emergent care are not known and require further investigation.

[BLADDER PAIN SYNDROME - DOES DETRUSOR MASTOCYTOSIS PREDICT SYMPTOMATIC IMPROVEMENT FOLLOWING BLADDER HYDRODISTENTION UNDER ANESTHESIA?]

INTRODUCTION: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic, debilitating syndrome involving bladder pain and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), with a substantial effect on patients' quality of life. IC/BPS poses a diagnostic challenge, and its available treatment options remain only moderately effective. Bladder-wall biopsies from IC/BPS patients commonly uncover mastocytosis. While mast-cells are suspected as pivotal in disease pathogenesis, the clinical significance of their presence remains unclear. Clinical guidelines differ on whether or not bladder biopsies should be a part of routine IC/BPS workup. AIMS: To determine whether detrusor mastocytosis can serve as a prognostic marker for treatment response and improvement duration. METHODS: We retrospectively collected patient data for IC/BPS patients who underwent bladder hydrodistension under anesthesia. We used statistical modelling to determine the effect of mastocystosis and other possible predictive factors - age, comorbidity, Hunner lesions - on the presence and duration of symptom improvement. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients (89% female, median age 63.5 [IQR 48.8-73.6] years) underwent hydrodistension, of whom 28 (89% female, median age 63.0 [44.8-73.1] years) had bladder biopsies; 11 (39%) of them had mastocystosis. Within a median follow-up of 8.8 [1.7-24.2] months, 11 (100%) of the patients with mastocytosis and 9 (53%) of the patients without it, experienced symptomatic improvement (p=0.007). Improvement duration was 8 months longer (p=0.006) in those with mastocystosis. Univariate logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR). Mastocytosis (p=0.004) and Charlson Comorbidity score were the only variables with a statistically significant OR. Univariate survival models were fitted, and improvement duration was estimated to be longer in patients with mastocystosis (p=0.01). A multivariate Cox regression model found no variable to be statistically significant, though mastocystosis was borderline significant (p=0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Mastocystosis defines a discernible phenotype of IC/BPS, which exhibits higher rates and longer duration of hydrodistention treatment response. DISCUSSION: Notwithstanding limitations of sample size and retrospective study design, we were able to demonstrate that mastocystosis can serve as a prognostic factor for symptom improvement after hydrodistension in IC/BPS patients. Prospective studies are required to validate this finding and to investigate the mechanisms involved.

Trends in urological emergencies in the Era of COVID-19.

PURPOSE: To evaluate trends in emergency room (ER) urological conditions during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analyses of renal colic, hematuria, and urinary retention in ER's admissions of a tertiary hospital during the lockdown period (March 19 to May 4, 2020) in Israel. Patient's demographics and clinical characteristics were compared to those in corresponding periods during 2017-2019, with estimated changes in ER arrival and waiting times, utilization of imaging tests, numbers of hospitalizations, and urgent procedure rates. RESULTS: The number of ER visits for renal colic, hematuria, and urinary retention decreased by 37%, from an average of 451 (2017-2019) to 261 patients (2020). Clinical severity was similar between groups, with no major differences in patient's age, vital signs, or laboratory results. The proportion of ER visits during night hours increased significantly during lockdown (44.8% vs. 34.2%, p=0.002). There was a decrease in renal colic admission rate from 19.8% to 8.4% (p=0.001) without differences in urgent procedures rates, while the 30-day revisit rate decreased from 15.8% to 10.3% during lockdown (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: General lockdown was accompanied by a significant decrease in common urological presentations to the ER. This change occurred across the clinical severity spectrum of renal colic, hematuria, and urinary retention. In the short term, it appears that patients who sought treatment did not suffer from complications that could be attributed to late arrival or delay in treatment. The long-term implications of abstinence from seeking emergent care are not known and require further investigation.

Catheter-associated meatal pressure injury in hospitalized males.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of catheter-associated meatal pressure injury in acute hospitalized males, to determine risk factors for its formation and to propose a grading system for meatal pressure injury severity. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we screened all adult males concurrently hospitalized at a tertiary medical center for indwelling urethral catheters and for meatal pressure injury. We proposed a system to grade meatal pressure injury severity and used logistic-regression modeling to calculate odds ratios (ORs) of possible risk factors. RESULTS: A number of 168/751 (22.4%) hospitalized males with indwelling urethral catheters were included. Median age was 70.5 (inter-quartile range [IQR]: 57.0-80.3) years, median time from catheterization 5.5 (IQR: 2-11) days. A total of 61 (36%) had meatal pressure injury, as early as the first day after catheterization. Grade III injuries (<2 cm ulcer) developed in 22 (13%) patients, earliest noted on the second catheter day, and grade IV injuries (≥2 cm) in 7 (4%) patients, as early as 5 days post catheterization. In a multivariable analysis, catheter fixation (OR: 0.26 [95% CI: 0.10-0.70]; P = .008) was associated with reduced risk of meatal pressure injury, while catheter presence over 14 days (OR: 1.46 [95% CI: 1.01-1.08]; P = .005) and other skin ulcers (OR: 2.45 [95% CI: 1.05-5.71]; P = .038) were associated with a higher risk of meatal pressure injury. CONCLUSIONS: Meatal pressure injury is a common complication of indwelling catheters in hospitalized males, beginning days after catheterization. Meatal pressure injury was associated with prolonged catheter presence, other pressure injuries, and lack of catheter fixation. Prospective studies are needed to establish evidence-based guidelines.

Does asymptomatic bacteriuria increase the risk of adverse events or modify the efficacy of intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injections?

AIM: To assess the impact of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) on the safety and efficacy of intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injections in patients with overactive bladder and neurogenic detrusor overactivity. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients who had received onabotulinumtoxinA between 2009 and 2014. Safety analysis was based on the appearance of urinary tract infections (UTIs), hematuria, and need for hospitalization because of related adverse event(s) in the month after injection. Patients who underwent urodynamic study before and 3 months after the first onabotulinumtoxinA treatment were included in efficacy analysis. Changes in maximal cystometric capacity (MCC), bladder compliance (BC), maximal detrusor pressure at maximal involuntary detrusor contraction (Pdetmax), and detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) were assessed. RESULTS: Totally, 183 patients underwent 457 injection sessions. ASB was found in 38.8% (185) of urine cultures taken before injections. After treatment, 49 patients (with or without ASB) developed UTI. Urosepsis did not occur. The odds ratio of UTI in patients with ASB was 16.48. The efficacy cohort, consisting of 83 patients, showed that ASB had no significant effect on any of the efficacy parameters (MCC-risk ratio [RR]: 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-1.21; BC-RR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.62-1.24; Pdetmax-RR: 0.9, 95% CI: 0.69-1.21; DLPP-RR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.72-3.97). CONCLUSIONS: ASB is common among patients who are candidates for intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA treatment. ASB increases the risk of UTI, but does not heighten the risk of urosepsis, hospitalization, or therapy failure. This study should lead to the reconsideration of current recommendations.

Lumbar to sacral root rerouting to restore bladder function in a feline spinal cord injury model: Urodynamic and retrograde nerve tracing results from a pilot study.

AIMS: Lumbar to sacral rerouting surgery can potentially allow voiding via a skin-central nervous system-bladder reflex pathway. Here, we assessed if this surgery was effective in treating neurogenic bladder dysfunction/sphincter in felines. METHODS: Eight cats underwent spinal cord transection (SCT) at thoracic level 10/11. Unilateral L7 to S1 ventral root anastomosis was performed 1 month later in six cats. Two cats served as transection-only controls. Electrical and manual stimulation of L6-S1 dermatomes, and urodynamics were performed at 3, 5, 7, and 9/10 months post transection. At 9/10 months, cats were also evaluated by direct electrophysiological testing of anastomosed roots with urodynamics, then tissue collection and examination of the root anastomosis site and lumbosacral cord ventral horns for cells retrogradely labeled from tracer dye injected 2 weeks earlier into the bladder wall. RESULTS: At 9/10 months, four of six rerouted cats exhibited increased detrusor pressure provoked by cutaneous stimulation, one cat bilaterally. Two cats presented with a voiding stream after ipsilateral cutaneous stimulation at 7 and 9 months. All six rerouted animals showed regrowth of axons from the L7 ventral horn to the bladder, although some aberrant axonal regrowth was also observed. CONCLUSION: L7 to S1 ventral root rerouting below the level of SCT showed successful axonal regrowth to the bladder from the L7 spinal cord segment in all rerouted animals, and induced increased detrusor pressure response to cutaneous stimulation in a subset. This feasibility study paves the way for future animal studies for bladder reinnervation.

Urinary bladder injury during cesarean delivery: Maternal outcome from a contemporary large case series.

BACKGROUND: Urinary bladder injury is a rare complication during cesarean delivery. Little is known on maternal outcome following this injury. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short and long-term maternal outcome following bladder injury during cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series of all pregnancies complicated by full-thickness bladder injury during cesarean delivery in a single university affiliated tertiary medical center (August 2007-June 2016). Data on demographics, labor and surgery parameters, postpartum sequelae, and cystography were collected and reviewed by study personnel. Short-term maternal outcome included catheterization period, cystography results (if performed), any febrile illness and/or need for second operation prior to maternal discharge. Long term maternal outcome was obtained by searching our urology departmental and ambulatory database for follow up for all women. Univariate analysis was used to compare maternal outcome following first or repeat cesarean delivery. RESULTS: Of 17,326 cesarean deliveries performed during study period, 81 (0.47%) were complicated by bladder injury. Of them, 8 cases (9.9%) occurred during primary cesarean delivery (overall risk in primary cesarean 0.07%). Of the other 73 cases that followed repeated cesarean, adhesions were documented in 55 (75.3%) of them. Six cases (8.2%) had placenta accreta. Bladder injury occurred at peritoneal entry in 55 (67.9%) cases, and involved the bladder dome in 49 (60.5%) of them. Injury was diagnosed during cesarean delivery in all but 3 women, in whom abdominal pain and bloating prompted evaluation on first to third postoperative day. All 3 underwent re-laparotomy with bladder closure without further adverse sequelae. Cystography was performed in 35 patients on median postoperative day 8 (6-11 days). Eleven patients had abnormal findings as follows: 5 urinary leakage, 4 bladder wall irregularity and two urinary reflux. Two of the 11 patients (18%) required additional interventions: One patient required bilateral nephrostomy and re-laparotomy for bladder closure followed by additional surgery to repair consequent vesico-vaginal fistula. The second patient required left nephrostomy and ureteral re-implantation. Both women had combined ureteral and bladder injury. For the rest of the cohort, no febrile illness or other short- or long-term adverse events were reported. There were no clinically significant differences in adverse maternal outcomes between women with repeat cesarean delivery compared to primary cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Bladder injury is a rare complication of cesarean delivery. In our case series, unless there is combined ureteral and bladder injury, prognosis was favorable without any long-term sequelae.

Evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients: Review of the literature and current guidelines.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a unique neurological disease with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations that are time- and disease course-related. MS plaque location (intracranial and/or spinal) is a key feature in the pathophysiology of disease-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The prevalence of these symptoms in MS patients is very high, with nearly 90% of them experiencing some degree of voiding dysfunction and/or incontinence. LUTS rarely present as primary MS manifestations and usually appear 6-8 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptom severity usually correlates with the disability status of patients. Patient assessment comprises clinical and advanced investigations. Each patient should be evaluated uniquely, after taking into account his/her symptoms, disease course and length, comorbidities, physical status, and medications. Basic investigation includes detailed history-taking, physical examination, and post-void residual volume measurement. Advanced evaluation consists of imaging and specific testing, with pivotal importance on urodynamic study.

Treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients: Review of the literature and current guidelines.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a unique neurological disease with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations that are time- and disease course-related. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in this patient population, with approximately 90% showing some degree of voiding dysfunction and/or incontinence 6-8 years after the initial MS diagnosis. Major therapeutic goals include quality of life improvement and the avoidance of urological complications Owing to the wide divergence of clinical symptoms and disease course, evaluation and treatment differ between patients. Treatment must be customized for each patient based on disease phase, patient independence, manual dexterity, social support, and other medical- or MS-related issues. Ablative or irreversible therapies are indicated only when the disease course is stable. In most cases of "safe" bladder, behavioural treatment is considered first-line defense. Antimuscarinic drugs, alone or in combination with intermittent self-catheterization, are currently the mainstay of conservative treatment, and several other medications may help in specific disease conditions. Second-line treatment includes botulinum toxin A injection, neuromodulation, indwelling catheters, and surgery in well-selected cases.

Early Fesoterodine Fumarate Administration Prevents Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity in a Spinal Cord Transected Rat Model.

BACKGROUND: In spinal cord injury, onset of detrusor overactivity (DO) is detrimental for quality of life (incontinence) and renal risk. Prevention has only been achieved with complex sophisticated electrical neuromodulation techniques. PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of early fesoterodine fumarate (FF) administration in preventing bladder overactivity in a spinal cord transected (SCT) rat model. METHODS: 33 Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to 6 groups-Group 1: 3 normal controls; Group 2: 6 SCT controls; Group 3: 6 SCT rats + FF 0.18 mg/kg/d; Group 4: 6 SCT rats + FF 0.12 mg/kg/d; Group 5: 6 SCT rats + FF 0.18 mg/kg/d + 72-h wash-out period; Group 6: 6 SCT rats + FF 0.12 mg/kg/d + 72-h wash-out period. SCT was performed at T10. FF was continuously administered. Cystometry was undertaken 6 weeks after SCT in awake rats recording intermicturition pressure (IMP), baseline pressure, threshold pressure (Pthres) and maximum pressure (Pmax). Normal controls and SCT controls were initially compared using the Mann-Whitney U tests in order to confirm the SCT effect on cystometric parameters. The comparisons in cystometric and metabolic cage parameters between SCT controls and treated rats were done using post-hoc Dunn's tests for Kruskal-Wallis analysis. Statistical testing was conducted at the two-tailed α-level of 0.05. RESULTS: Pressure parameters were significantly higher in SCT control group compared to normal controls. Six weeks after SCT, IMP was significantly lower in low dose treated group than in SCT controls. Pmax was significantly lower in 3 treated groups compared to SCT controls. Pthres was significantly lower in full time treated groups than in SCT controls. CONCLUSION: Early administration of FF modulates bladder overactivity in a SCT rat model. Whereas short-term prevention has been demonstrated, the long-term should be further analyzed. Clinical application of these results should confirm this finding through randomized research protocols.

Low prevalence of latex allergy in children with spinal dysraphism in non-latex-free environment.

BACKGROUND: Studies in the past have shown that children with spinal dysraphism have highly prevalent latex allergy. These children have a spectrum of congenital spinal anomalies, caused by defects in neural tube closure, with an incidence of 1 in 1000 births. Proposed risk factors for latex allergy include multiple surgeries since birth, including an insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, elevated IgE titers, repeat multiple catheterizations, and atopy. In the 1990 s, studies published in the United States and Europe showed a latex allergy prevalence of over 70% in these patients. On the other hand, studies published years later in other countries showed a declining prevalence of no more than 17%. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to prospectively assess the prevalence of latex allergy in children with spinal dysraphism in our non-latex free environment center compared with a control group. STUDY DESIGN: The study group included 58 children with spinal dysraphism attending our center between 2010 and 2013. Findings were compared to 65 children referred for evaluation of allergic diseases. The parents completed questionnaires assessing personal and familial history of allergic diseases. All children were tested for blood latex IgE-specific antibodies (IMMULITE 2000). RESULTS: The mean age was 120.9 (67.6) months in the study group and 129.5 (68.5) months in the control group (p = 0.27). The corresponding median number of surgical procedures was 2 (range 0-10) and 0 (range 0-4), and mean duration of clean intermittent catheterization was 52 (72.2) months in the study group. Positive IgE antibodies and clinical allergic reactions were low with very similar prevalence in both groups (Figure). DISCUSSION: Our results show considerable lower latex allergy and sensitization than studies published in the United States and Europe in the past, despite the fact that our center utilizes minimal avoidance measures for latex allergy. Study limitations include the relatively small number of patients in our single-center study. Moreover, our control group could not include normal volunteering healthy children due to institutional review board refusal. CONCLUSIONS: Children with spinal dysraphism in our center have a low prevalence of latex allergy. Possible explanations include low latex protein content gloves and catheters used worldwide, including our center, lower number of surgeries, or a disease associated propensity for latex sensitization with a geographically variable genetic association. More studies are needed to validate our conclusion that using minimal avoidance measures, without maintaining a strict latex free environment, seems sufficient to prevent clinical latex allergy, at least in the Mediterranean region.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) for the urologist: What should urologists know about MS?

UNLABELLED: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a unique central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disease with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, which are time- and disease progression-related. It usually affects young adults, with a female predominance of 3:1. Men are more likely to develop symptoms at a slightly older age with a more progressive disease course. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical, radiological, and laboratory investigations, with a central role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although the exact etiology is still obscure, the leading hypothesis behind MS relapses is acute inflammatory attacks on CNS myelin and axons. This complex process involves B and T cells together with macrophages and microglia. Genetic and environmental factors are thought to be major contributors to the disease's evolution. MS therapies consist of long-term (immunomodulatory) management, focusing on disease modification, and short-term symptomatic control. Symptomatic treatment includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to protect function and restore quality of life (QoL). The introduction and development of disease-modifying medications provide opportunities to change the face of this disease, enhancing QoL over the long-term. Interferon (INF) and Glatiramer acetate (GLAT) represent first line medications with limited effect and relatively fair safety profile. Newer medications with improved efficacy along with a more hazardous side effect profile are now considered second line therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The present review summarizes current knowledge of this frequent disease. Urologists must acquire a deeper understanding for better integration of practice recommendations.

Is multichannel urodynamic assessment necessary before considering a surgical treatment of BPH? Pros and cons.

PURPOSE: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in middle-aged men and could be consequences of multiple etiologies responsible for bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), detrusor underactivity (DUA) and/or overactive bladder. When LUTS are suggestive of BOO secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia, a surgical treatment can sometimes be consider. Even if multichannel urodynamic study (UDS) is currently the gold standard to properly assess LUTS, its use in non-neurogenic men is still a matter of controversy. Here, we aim to explore the evidence supporting or not the use of systematic multichannel UDS before considering an invasive treatment in men LUTS. METHODS: The debate was presented with a "pro and con" structure. The "pro" side supported the systematic use of a multichannel UDS before considering a surgical treatment in men LUTS. The "con" side successively refuted the "pro" side arguments. RESULTS: The "pro" side mainly based their argumentation on the poor correlation of LUTS and office-based tests with BOO or DUA. Furthermore, since a multichannel UDS could allow selecting men that will most benefit of a surgical procedure, they hypothesized that such an approach could reduce the overall morbidity rate and cost associated with. The "con" side considered that, in most cases, medical history and symptoms were reliable enough to consider surgery. Finally, they underlined the UDS limitations and the frequent lack of alternative to surgery in this context. CONCLUSIONS: Randomized clinical trials are being conducted to compare these two approaches. Their results would help the urological community to override this debate.

Bladder tissue engineering: a literature review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In bladder cancer and neuro-bladder, reconstruction of the bladder requires bowel segment grafting for augmentation cystoplasty or neo-bladder creation. However, even if currently considered as the gold standard, it is associated with potentially severe short- and long-term adverse effects. Thus, bladder tissue engineering is a promising approach to bladder reconstruction. RECENT FINDINGS: In the last few years, progress has been made with the development of new biomaterials for bladder tissue replacement and in deciphering the role of stem cells as well as their contribution to bladder scaffold integration and tissue regeneration. SUMMARY: This review of recently published articles allows us to forecast the characteristics of efficient and safe bladder biomaterials. However, several factors, such as native bladder traits, the specific involvement of urine, and bladder tissue replacement indications, have to be assessed with caution before including bladder tissue engineering in clinical trials. Many authors agree that these challenging techniques could deliver significant benefits with clinical application, reducing morbidity and global long-term costs.