Do commonly used prostate medications alter prostate MRI and fusion biopsy performance?

AIMS: To determine whether phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEi) or α-antagonists (AA) were associated with differences in region of interest (ROI) characteristics or prostate cancer detection on fusion biopsy (FB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records from 847 consecutive patients undergoing FB at three separate institutions over a period of 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. Associations between medication use, Prostate Imaging Reporting & Data System (PIRADS) scores, and ROI locations were assessed with ordinal logistic regression. Associations with lesion size and International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) grade group (GG) on biopsy were tested using multivariate regression. RESULTS: Medication use included PDEi in 14.2% and AA in 23.0%. PDEi use was associated with 19.3% smaller lesion diameter (-2.8 mm; CI from -4.8 to -0.7; p < 0.01) and lower PIRADS scores on MRI (OR 0.60; CI 0.40 - 1.00; p = 0.05). AA use was associated with higher PIRADS scores (OR 1.43; CI 0.97 - 2.11; p = 0.06), fewer positive fusion-directed biopsy cores (-28.6%, CI from -57.9 to 0.01%, p = 0.05), and downgrading on final pathology (-19%; CI from -40 to 2%; p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: For PIRADS scores ≥ 3, PDEi use is associated with smaller ROI and lower PIRADS scores, while AA use is associated with higher PIRADS scores. Neither medication was associated with differences in biopsy GG. Prospective studies are needed to investigate the discordance between multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) results and oncologic outcomes associated with PDEi and AA use.

Initial Experience of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Fusion Biopsy in the Community Setting.

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic resonance imaging fusion biopsy is diagnostically superior to transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer. Fusion biopsy has an expanding role at major academic centers. However, the reproducibility of outcomes in the community setting is unknown. Our goal was to determine if there are significant differences in the yield of clinically significant prostate cancer upon implementation of fusion biopsy in the community setting. METHODS: We compared biopsy results from the first consecutive 175 patients undergoing fusion biopsy at an academic setting to the first 175 patients undergoing fusion biopsy at a community practice. Patients treated at an academic setting were matched to nonacademic setting treated patients using Mahalonobis distance matching. A treatment effects model was used to evaluate the effect of practice setting on the rate of clinically significant prostate cancer detection. RESULTS: The matching model resulted in 160 community based patients matched to 150 academic based patients. Balance was verified by reduction in standardized differences and variances ratios between samples. Standard errors and the 95% CI were calculated from 3,000 bootstrap samples. Practice setting had no significant effect on clinically significant prostate cancer detection, clinically significant prostate cancer detection by fusion biopsy, upgrading by fusion cores, upgrading by template cores, clinically significant prostate cancer missed by template cores or clinically significant prostate cancer missed by fusion cores. CONCLUSIONS: A sample-matched analysis of the first consecutive patients enrolled in fusion biopsy at an academic versus a community setting indicates that practice setting did not have a significant effect on the overall detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. This lends support to the use of fusion biopsy outside of academic centers.

Mischievous malakoplakia: A potential pitfall of mpMRI of the prostate?

Interpretation of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for prostate cancer diagnosis and staging can be challenging and, in some cases, benign prostate disease can mimic locally advanced malignancy. We present the case of a 57 year-old male with biopsy-proven Gleason 3 + 4 prostate cancer and a preoperative mpMRI showing extraprostatic extension who was later found to have infiltrating malakoplakia on final surgical pathology. This case highlights the importance of recognizing that malakoplakia of the prostate can present as a PI-RADS 5 lesion with extracapsular extension on mpMRI. Such cases can result in wide-excision, non-nerve sparing radical prostatectomies that may be unwarranted.

A case of contralateral superficial inguinal recurrence of testicular embryonal carcinoma.

Metastatic embyronal carcinoma to the subcutaneous tissues is rare. Prior cases have occurred in the setting of undiagnosed widely metastatic disease. Here we present the first case of metastatic embyronal cancer to the contralateral subcutaneous inguinal region in the absence of any other sites of metastatic disease.

'Dr Google': trends in online interest in prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in online search behaviours related to prostate cancer on a national and regional scale using a dominant major search engine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Google Trends was queried using the terms 'prostate cancer', 'prostate-specific antigen' (PSA), and 'prostate biopsy' between January 2004 and January 2019. Search volume index (SVI), a measure of relative search volume on Google, was obtained for all terms and examined by region and time period: pre-US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Grade D draft recommendation on PSA screening; during the active Grade D recommendation; and after publication of the recent Grade C draft recommendation. RESULTS: Online interest in PSA screening differed by time period (P < 0.01). The SVI for PSA screening was greater pre-Grade D draft recommendation (82.7) compared to during the recommendation (74.5), while the SVI for PSA screening was higher post-Grade C draft recommendation (90.4) compared to both prior time periods. Similar results were observed for prostate biopsy and prostate cancer searches. At the US state level, online interest in prostate cancer was highest in South Carolina (SVI 100) and lowest in Hawaii (SVI 64). For prostate cancer treatment options, online interest in cryotherapy, prostatectomy and prostate cancer surgery overall increased, while searches for active surveillance, external beam radiation, brachytherapy and high-intensity focused ultrasonography remained stable. CONCLUSION: Online interest in prostate cancer has changed over time, particularly in accordance with USPSTF screening guidelines. Google Trends may be a useful tool in tracking public interest in prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, especially as it relates to major shifts in practice guidelines.

Increasing stone complexity does not affect fluoroscopy time in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to assess whether stone complexity with the Guy's stone score (GSS) is associated with increased intraoperative fluoroscopy time. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of 261 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy between 2007 and 2015. Of these, 203 had both preoperative computed tomography for accurate staging and full intraoperative fluoroscopy and radiation dosimetry data were available. Stone complexity was assessed using GSS. A correlation between fluoroscopy time (FT) and GSS was assessed in a univariate and multivariate fashion, including parameters such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and number of accesses. RESULTS: The overall mean FT was 3.69 min [standard deviation (SD) 2.77]. The overall mean Guy's score was 2.5 (SD 1). There was a statistically significant correlation between operative time and FT (r = 0.34, p < 0.0001). There was a trend towards increasing operative time with increasing GSS (r = 0.12, p = 0.08), but there was no statistically significant correlation. There was no correlation between FT and GSS (r = 0.04, p = 0.55). On multivariable regression, accounting for sex, BMI, age, and singular versus multiple accesses, there was no significant correlation between stone complexity and FT (p = 0.893). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of conscious efforts to reduce intraoperative radiation exposure, increasing stone complexity, as classified by GSS, did not correlate with FT on univariate or multivariate analysis. Thus, treatment of more complex stones may be undertaken without concern that there is an inevitable need for significantly increased fluoroscopy exposure to the patient or operating room staff.

Brief report: Impact of healthcare quality on prostate specific antigen screening for the early detection of prostate cancer.

With recent guidelines emphasizing patient values, patient preferences and shared decision-making in regards to prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening it is important for primary care providers and urologists to identify factors that influence men's decisions to undergo PSA screening. We sought to evaluate the impact of men's perceptions of healthcare quality on obtaining a screening PSA for the early detection of prostate cancer. A retrospective secondary data analysis was conducted of men ages 55-69 without a history of prostate cancer using 2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. The relationship between Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) questions captured in MEPS and PSA screening in the last two years were assessed using multiple logistic regression. The analysis was carried out in October 2018 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. The final survey sample consisted of 1249 men that equated to 15,313,605.5 once weighted; 69.5% underwent PSA screening. Men who were offered help with filling out forms in the office (OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.14-3.01) or rated the quality of healthcare from their doctors ≥7 (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.10-2.44) on a scale from 0 (worst healthcare) to 10 (best health care) had significantly greater adjusted odds of undergoing PSA screening. Men who rated the quality of healthcare delivered to them as high had significantly greater odds of undergoing PSA screening compared to those who rated it lower. Our results may suggest that improvements in healthcare quality and patient experience of care have the potential to positively influence PSA screening.

Influence of Men's Attitudes toward Health and Health Insurance on Prostate Specific Antigen Screening for the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of guidelines currently recommend shared decision making for men 55 to 69 years old who are considering prostate specific antigen screening, and proceeding based on values and preferences. Qualitative studies have shown that negative attitudes toward physicians, health care and general health can influence decisions to pursue prostate specific antigen screening. We evaluated the impact of men's attitudes toward health and health insurance on prostate specific antigen screening. METHODS: A retrospective secondary data analysis was conducted of men 55 to 69 years old without a history of prostate cancer using 2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. The relationships between 4 survey statements pertaining to attitudes toward health and health insurance and prostate specific antigen screening in the last 2 years were assessed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The analysis sample consisted of 1,771 men which equated to 20,498,788.2 once weighted, and of these men 63.1% underwent prostate specific antigen screening. Men who agreed 1) they did not need health insurance (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.95), 2) health insurance was not worth the money it costs (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.56-0.99), 3) they were more likely to take risks than the average person (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54-0.98) and 4) they could overcome illness without help from a medically trained person (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.41-0.72) had significantly decreased adjusted odds of undergoing prostate specific antigen screening. CONCLUSIONS: Men with negative attitudes toward health and health insurance have significantly decreased odds of undergoing prostate specific antigen screening. With increased emphasis being placed on patient values, preferences and shared decision making, clinicians should assess for negative attitudes toward health and health insurance and intervene with these men to optimize the delivery of preventive care.

Changing incidence of factitious renal stone disease
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PURPOSE: We sought to describe patterns of factitious urinary stone submission over time by investigating a contemporary stone analysis database and comparing two distinct time points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a single stone analysis lab database at two time points, 1990 and 2010, and compared total incidence of factitious stone submission, as well as gender patterns and type of factitious stone submitted. RESULTS: A total of 27,014 stones were analyzed, 16,216 (60%) from 1990 and 10,798 (40%) from 2010 with a decrease in total incidence from 2.6% (428/16,216) in 1990 to 1.2% (131/10,798) in 2010 (p < 0.001). In 1990, women were significantly more likely to submit a factitious stone (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4 - 1.7, p < 0.001), while in 2010 there was no gender difference (RR 0.9, 95% CI 0.8 - 1.03, p < 0.05). Plant material and geologic material represented the most common factitious stone types respectively, in both 1990 and 2010. CONCLUSION: In the largest contemporary review of spurious urinary stones, we find a decreased incidence and increased gender equivalence of factitious urinary stones in 2010 compared to 1990.
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Primary renal lymphoma: an unusual finding following radical nephrectomy.

Secondary kidney involvement by disseminated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is quite common and is estimated to approach 30 - 60% in NHL patients. However, primary renal lymphoma is exceedingly rare and estimated to make up less than 1% of all kidney masses. We report a case of primary renal NHL presenting with profound hypercalcemia and renal failure recalcitrant to medical management, ultimately treated with urgent radical nephrectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of primary renal lymphoma presenting in this acute fashion.

Management of Urinoma Formation After Laparoscopic Cryoablation of Renal Cyst.

Aim: To describe the presentation and management of a urinoma developing as a complication of laparoscopic cryoablation of a Bosniak III renal cyst. Case: A 74-year-old woman presented with acute onset of severe left lower abdominal pain 1 day after a laparoscopic cryoablation of a 3 cm multilobular left cystic renal mass. CT revealed a perinephric fluid collection adjacent to the lower pole of the left kidney with active urinary extravasation seen on retrograde pyelogram, confirming the presence of an urinoma. A retrograde ureteral stent was placed with complete resolution of symptoms and the patient was discharged on the first postoperative day. Follow-up CT scans 2 weeks and 2 months after the procedure showed significant reduction of urinoma size, and retrograde pyelogram 5 months after showed resolution of urinoma. Conclusion: Although often discussed as a possible complication, to our knowledge there are no published case reports in the literature regarding the formation of a urinoma after laparoscopic cryoablation. Furthermore, no data exist on the management of a urinoma after laparoscopic cryoablation. We propose that ureteral stenting is a reasonable approach to the management of this condition.

Incidence and implications of silent hydronephrosis following percutaneous nephrolithotomy
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OBJECTIVE: While routine renal imaging following ureteroscopy for urinary calculi has been recommended to screen for asymptomatic "silent" obstruction, the rate of silent obstruction following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) remains poorly defined, and no consensus recommendations exist on routine postoperative imaging. At our institution, we sought to assess the incidence of silent hydronephrosis (SH), as a screen for obstruction, following PCNL. METHODS: The records of all 162 patients who met study inclusion criteria were reviewed. Of this group, 112 patients presented for their scheduled renal ultrasonography 4 - 6 weeks following stent removal to screen for SH. Asymptomatic patients found to have ultrasonographic evidence of hydronephrosis were further analyzed. RESULTS: SH was noted in 16% (18/112) of patients. Two required subsequent ureteroscopic stone extraction (1.8%), one of which also underwent endoureterotomy for a ureteral stricture. Four patients (22%) had stable hydronephrosis and declined functional imaging, 2 patients (11%) had a known partial ureteropelvic junction obstruction and declined intervention. SH resolved spontaneously in 50% (9/18) with a mean time to resolution of 6.3 months. There was no difference in stone complexity based on Guy's stone score between groups, 2.8 (± 0.92) vs. 2.4 (± 1.03), p = 0.34. Although not statistically significant, patients with SH were more likely to have had residual stone fragments postoperatively, 39% (7/18) vs. 19% (18/94), p = 0.067. CONCLUSIONS: SH following, PCNL was identified in 16% of this screened population, with the majority requiring no intervention. However, SH may be attributed to residual stone or stricture, which may have been otherwise unrecognized in up to 2% of patients undergoing PCNL. Consideration should be given for routine postoperative ultrasound to screen for silent obstruction following PCNL.
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From novelty to the every-day: the evolution of ureteroscopy.

Ureteroscopy revolutionized the surgical approach to the upper urinary tract, and is well recognized as a cornerstone of modern urology. Although now commonplace, ureteroscopic equipment and techniques were truly revolutionary. A review of the innovations and innovators that developed ureteroscopic surgery sets the stage for a more thorough understanding of what can be done ureteroscopically, and may additionally better inform what limitations remain. Given that future advancements in urologic therapy will be dependent upon a similar pursuit of paradigm shifting improvements in disease management, an overview of the development of modern ureteroscopy may inspire such change.

Renal Papillary Necrosis Appearing as Bladder Cancer on Imaging.

A 79-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) presented with acute onset left lower quadrant pain, left-sided back pain, vomiting, and dysuria. Abdominopelvic CT scan revealed left hydroureteronephrosis to the level of the left ureterovesical junction (UVJ) where a bladder mass appeared to be obstructing the left ureteral orifice. The obstruction was ultimately found to be the result of a sloughed renal papilla lodged in the distal ureter, which created an inflammatory mass at the UVJ. Her history of diabetes and frequent UTIs likely predisposed her to the development of renal papillary necrosis (RPN) that resulted in sloughing of a renal papilla, distal ureteral obstruction with subsequent bladder inflammation that mimicked a bladder mass on imaging. RPN is a condition associated with many etiologies and likely represents a common final pathway of several diseases. Although several hypotheses exist, it is primarily thought to be ischemic in nature and is related to the underlying physiology of the renal papillae. We present a case of hydroureteronephrosis and bladder mass secondary to a sloughed renal papilla from RPN.

Is age an independent risk factor for medical complications following minimally invasive radical prostatectomy? An evaluation of contemporary American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement (ACS-NSQIP) data.

While robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) is an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer, the risk of complications in older patients can be a deterrent to surgery. We evaluated the rate of medical complications following RALRP in a national dataset of safety events, and assessed whether age is an independent risk factor for these complications. Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing RALRP between 2009 and 2012 in the prospectively maintained American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement (ACS-NSQIP) database was performed. Demographic and comorbid data were collated, medical complications occurring during the 30-day post-operative period were identified. We identified age-related comorbidities, and complications associated with these comorbidities. A binary logistic regression model with age and age-related comorbidities as predictors and specific complication as outcome, was used to evaluate whether age is an independent risk factor for these complications. 12,123 patients underwent RALRP between 2009 and 2012, with a mean age of 62 (22-92). Post-operative medical complications included urinary tract infection (UTI) (1.77 %), deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (0.67 %), pulmonary embolism (PE) (0.45 %), pneumonia (PNA) (0.27 %), myocardial infarction (MI) (0.12 %), and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (0.01 %). Nine comorbidities were positively correlated with age (p < 0.05). Four medical complications were associated with these age-related comorbidities: MI, CVA, PNA, and UTI. On multivariate analysis, age was an independent risk factor for post-operative PNA (p < 0.05), but not for MI (p = 0.09), UTI (p = 0.3) or CVA (p = 0.2). Patient age was independently associated with post-operative pneumonia only. These data suggest that RALRP can be considered as a treatment option in selected older patients with minimal increased risk for post-operative complications.

Tension Hydrocele: An Unusual Cause of Acute Scrotal Pain.

The etiology of acute scrotal pain can vary from a benign process such as mild trauma, appendicular torsion, or epididymo-orchitis to an emergent process such as an incarcerated inguinal hernia, testicular torsion, or rupture. Furthermore, testicular insult often results in a reactive hydrocele that can both cloud the diagnosis and impair the physical examination. Traditionally, the acute scrotum was managed with immediate exploration, but emergency physicians and urologists have increasingly used Doppler ultrasonography to assess vascular flow, aide in the diagnosis, and ultimately guide triage of those patients who require urgent intervention. We describe the case of a 15-year-old boy who presented with 2 days of increasing testicular pain and swelling, confirmed to have a large hydrocele with compromised testicular perfusion, and was managed by emergent operative drainage and repair of a "tension hydrocele" with immediate return of testicular perfusion. To our knowledge, this is the first report of tension hydrocele causing intratesticular vascular compromise in a pediatric patient.

Occult Congenital Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Two Adults Presenting with Collecting System Rupture After Blunt Renal Trauma: A Case Report Series.

We report two adult cases of congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction detected incidentally in the setting of blunt abdominal trauma. CT images are provided to describe the presentation, while review of the literature and management of renal trauma are discussed.

Stone specialist, cancer surgeon, or both? Optimizing the endourology fellowship training model.

BACKGROUND: The traditional endourology fellowship model includes advanced training in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for both benign disease/kidney stones and oncology. We have anecdotally observed, however, that many former endourology fellows subspecialize within their practices. Recently the fellowship paradigm, accredited by the Endourological Society (EUS), has been modified to allow for emphasis on benign disease/kidney stones or laparoscopy/robotic surgery, which is heavily weighted toward oncology. In this study, we sought to assess the practice patterns of former endourology fellows to evaluate various fellowship models. METHODS: Email addresses for 320 of the 327 endourology fellowship graduates between 2001 and 2010 identified by the EUS were obtained. These were cross-referenced with the American Urological Association (AUA) member database to maximize the yield of valid addresses. A 20-question electronic survey (SurveyMonkey Inc., Palo Alto, CA) was sent to this group. Eleven addresses were invalid and 24 recipients opted out of the survey. RESULTS: Responses were received from 121 of 285 former fellows with active email addresses who did not opt out of the survey (42.5%). Of these respondents, 86% completed fellowships in North America and 71% completed 1-year fellowships. Among respondents in academic practice (46%), 44% reported a "mixed" benign and oncology-based practice, compared to 68% of nonacademic practitioners (P=0.009). Among academic practitioners, 33% practice predominantly MIS for benign disease, and 24% practice predominantly MIS for oncology, versus 23.1% (P=0.3) and 9% (P=0.04), respectively, of nonacademic practitioners. Most fellows had stability of clinical interests (benign v malignant disease) before and after their fellowship. CONCLUSION: Fellowship-trained endourologists who work in an academic setting are more likely to have a subspecialized practice. A subset of private practice endourologists also have focused practices in benign disease. While the traditional fellowship model will be useful for some graduates, subspecialized tracks may improve the efficiency of the training model.

Ultrasound guided ureteroscopy for the definitive management of ureteral stones: a randomized, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Ureteroscopy is central to the surgical management of ureteral stones. Fluoroscopy is conventionally used for intraoperative guidance, although there is growing effort to decrease the exposure of patients and staff to ionizing radiation. We developed a radiation-free approach to ureteroscopy using ultrasound guidance to manage ureteral stones. To our knowledge we present the first randomized trial to study its safety and efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single center, randomized clinical trial from 2011 to 2013 enlisted patients who presented with symptomatic ureteral stones 8 mm or less without a significant ipsilateral stone burden. Patients were randomly assigned to ultrasound or fluoroscopic guided ureteroscopy after temporizing ureteral stent placement. Intraoperative ultrasound guidance was performed using real-time imaging with the transducer placed at the patient flank to visualize the collecting system of the ipsilateral kidney. We compared operative time, stone size, stone-free status and complication rates between the 2 groups. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were enrolled in study with 25 per arm. There was no difference in stone size (5.9 vs 5.7 mm), patient age (56 vs 52 years) or body mass index (31 vs 30 kg/m(2)) in the test group compared to controls. The ultrasound guidance cohort showed no significant difference in the stone-free rate (86% vs 86%) or the complication rate (8% vs 16%) compared to controls. Operative time was no longer in the ultrasound guidance cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In this feasibility study we found that ureteral stones may be definitively managed in a timely, effective and safe fashion without ionizing radiation in the general population using this novel technique of ultrasound guided ureteroscopy.