Application of Urethral Contrast Computed Tomography Three-Dimensional Imaging in the Postoperative Assessment of Prostate Hyperplasia.

This study assesses the morphological effectiveness of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) surgery using multislice spiral computed tomography three-dimensional imaging (CT3D) with urethral contrast. Twenty-five male patients with BPH and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) who underwent bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate were selected. Preoperative and postoperative CT3D indicators of retrograde and voiding cystourethrography, including bladder neck diameter, length of the posterior urethra, and degree of prostate protrusion into the bladder and upper and lower diameter of the prostate were used to assess bladder neck and posterior urethra morphology and BOO severity. In addition, preoperative and postoperative International Prostate Symptom Scores and maximum urine flow rates were compared. Postoperative CT3D was used to evaluate changes following obstruction relief postsurgery. Preoperative CT3D indicated significant BOO, whereas postoperative imaging showed improved patency but with irregular posterior urethral lumens and varying degrees of residual glandular tissue. Comparative analysis of preoperative and postoperative bladder outlet metrics revealed significant changes (p < .05). Urethral contrast CT3D effectively visualizes the prostate, bladder neck, and prostatic urethra. It quantifies changes in the urethral lumen postsurgery, correlating the extent of posterior urethral lumen spaciousness with urinary flow rates.

Return of voiding function after greenlight photovaporisation of the prostate for a patient with giant bladder.

Giant bladder is a rare condition with varied definitions and causes. It can lead to complications such as urinary tract infections, retrograde urine reflux, pyelonephritis, renal damage and occasionally vascular obstruction. In this case report, we present a man in his 70s with massive urinary retention >7 L and severe bilateral hydronephrosis. The patient underwent a successful Greenlight photovaporisation of the prostate to address underlying bladder outlet obstruction. The surgical procedure resulted in significant improvement in urinary function, enabling the patient to live catheter and infection free, and without renal damage. This case demonstrates that bladder outlet surgery can be useful in selected cases of giant bladder to avoid complications of chronic catheterisation or ongoing retention.

MRI-based radiomic features of the urinary bladder wall identify patients with moderate-to-severe international prostate symptom score.

BACKGROUND: The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a patient-reported measurement to assess the lower urinary tract symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction. Bladder outlet obstruction induces molecular and morphological alterations in the urothelium, suburothelium, detrusor smooth muscle cells, detrusor extracellular matrix, and nerves. We sought to analyze MRI-based radiomics features of the urinary bladder wall and their association with IPSS. METHOD: In this retrospective study, 87 patients who had pelvic MRI scans were identified. A biomarker discovery approach based on the optimal biomarker (OBM) method was used to extract features of the bladder wall from MR images, including morphological, intensity-based, and texture-based features, along with clinical variables. Mathematical models were created using subsets of features and evaluated based on their ability to discriminate between low and moderate-to-severe IPSS (less than 8 vs. equal to or greater than 8). RESULTS: Of the 7,666 features per patient, four highest-ranking optimal features were derived (all texture-based features), which provided a classification accuracy of 0.80 with a sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.81, 0.81, and 0.87, respectively. CONCLUSION: A highly independent set of urinary bladder wall features derived from MRI scans were able to discriminate between patients with low vs. moderate-to-severe IPSS with accuracy of 80%. Such differences in MRI-based properties of the bladder wall in patients with varying IPSS's might reflect differences in underlying molecular and morphological alterations that occur in the setting of chronic bladder outlet obstruction.

Role of urine glycosaminoglycan levels in the diagnosis and follow-up in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAG) levels reflect clinical status in men with lower urinary tract symptoms and if they could be used as a marker in management of overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: A total of 34 patients were recruited who were admitted with LUTS and diagnosed as having clinically bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to prostate enlargement. These newly diagnosed, never treated patients underwent routine investigation, consisting of history, physical examination, PSA, ultrasound, uroflowmetry, assessment of symptoms scored by both International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Marmara- Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (M-OBQ). The patients were divided into two groups as those with an initial M-OBQ score < 12 (group 1) and ≥ 13 (group 2). Alfa blocker was initiated in eligible patients. Further evaluations included prostate volume measurement, pre- and post-treatment urinary GAG levels, IPSS and M-QAOB values and maximum urine flow rate (Qmax). RESULTS: Before treatment, urinary GAG level was 21.5 mg/gCr (6.1-45.5) in Group 1, and 23.35 mg/gCr (15.6-32.6) in Group 2 (p =0.845). After the treatment, the GAG level in Group 1 and Group 2 were found to be 19.8 mg/gCr (7.4-70.5) and 18 (7.6- 41.7), respectively (p = 0.511). No difference in GAG levels was found in subgroup analysis for patients with or without OAB. CONCLUSIONS: In recent years, there have been many studies investigating the relationship between LUTS and urinary markers. However, in our prospective study, no relationship was found between pre- and post- treatment urinary GAG levels in patients with LUTS with or without OAB.

Management of the Devastated Bladder Outlet after Prostate CANCER Treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Devastating complications of the bladder outlet resulting from prostate cancer treatments are relatively uncommon. However, the combination of the high incidence of prostate cancer and patient longevity after treatment have raised awareness of adverse outcomes deteriorating patients' quality of life. This narrative review discusses the diagnostic work-up and management options for bladder outlet obstruction resulting from prostate cancer treatments, including those that require urinary diversion. RECENT FINDINGS: The devastated bladder outlet can be a consequence of the treatment of benign conditions, but more frequently from complications of pelvic cancer treatments. Regardless of etiology, the initial treatment ladder involves endoluminal options such as dilation and direct vision internal urethrotomy, with or without intralesional injection of anti-fibrotic agents. If these conservative strategies fail, surgical reconstruction should be considered. Although surgical reconstruction provides the best prospect of durable success, reconstructive procedures are also associated with serious complications. In the worst circumstances, such as prior radiotherapy, failed reconstruction, devastated bladder outlet with end-stage bladders, or patient's severe comorbidities, reconstruction may neither be realistic nor justified. Urinary diversion with or without cystectomy may be the best option for these patients. Thorough patient counseling before treatment selection is of utmost importance. Outcomes and repercussions on quality of life vary extensively with management options. Meticulous preoperative diagnostic evaluation is paramount in selecting the right treatment strategy for each individual patient. The risk of bladder outlet obstruction, and its severest form, devastated bladder outlet, after treatment of prostate cancer is not negligible, especially following radiation. Management includes endoluminal treatment, open or robot-assisted laparoscopic reconstruction, and urinary diversion in the worst circumstances, with varying success rates.

Minimally invasive interventions for lower urinary tract symptoms: What sits between medical therapy and transurethral resection of the prostate.

BACKGROUND: There are a variety of medical and surgical treatment options available today for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to highlight the various treatment options available for the management of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH and discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of each. DISCUSSION: Lifestyle and dietary modification and medical therapies, such as an alpha-1 blocker as monotherapy, should be considered as first-line when initially counselling a patient for LUTS secondary to bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH. If bothersome LUTS persist despite medical management, or if medical management is not suitable or preferable, then surgical interventions can be considered. The mainstay of surgical intervention has traditionally been transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP); however, the treatment landscape is rapidly evolving with the development of minimally invasive procedures.

Protective effect of equol intake on bladder dysfunction in a rat model of bladder outlet obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the impact of equol, a metabolite of soy isoflavone, on bladder dysfunction in rats with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). In addition, we investigate its potential as a neuroprotective agent for the obstructed bladder and discuss its applicability in managing overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (six rats per group) during the rearing period. The Sham and C-BOO groups received an equol-free diet, while the E-BOO group received equol supplementation (0.25 g/kg). At 8 weeks old, rats underwent BOO surgery, followed by continuous cystometry after 4 weeks of rearing. The urinary oxidative stress markers (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde) were measured, and the bladder histology was analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining (neurofilament heavy chain for myelinated nerves, peripherin for unmyelinated nerves, and malondialdehyde). RESULTS: Equol reduced BOO-induced smooth muscle layer fibrosis, significantly prolonged the micturition interval (C-BOO: 193 s, E-BOO: 438 s) and increased the micturition volume (C-BOO: 0.54 mL, E-BOO: 1.02 mL) compared to the C-BOO group. Equol inhibited the increase in urinary and bladder tissue malondialdehyde levels. While the C-BOO group exhibited reduced peripherin alone positive nerve fibers within the smooth muscle layer, equol effectively attenuated this decline. CONCLUSIONS: Equol reduces lipid peroxidation and smooth muscle layer fibrosis in the bladder and exhibited neuroprotective effects on bladder nerves (peripheral nerves) and prevented the development of bladder dysfunction associated with BOO in rats. Consumption of equol is promising for the prevention of OAB associated with BOO.

Antegrade ejaculation preservation in surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: quest for balance between voiding and sexual function.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) carries a significant risk of ejaculation dysfunction. Preservation of antegrade ejaculation while providing effective, well tolerated, and durable treatment of BPH is a paramount component of physical and sexual well being for significant number of men. We reviewed available literature with an aim of providing status on antegrade ejaculation preserving BPH surgical therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Minimally invasive surgical therapies for BPH have been developed over the last decade, with significant marketing emphasis on their potential for preservation of antegrade ejaculation. However, the question about durability of relief of bladder outlet obstruction remains. Parallel to this technological development, the understanding of anatomical structures involved in ejaculation have resulted in technical modifications of well established surgical treatments modalities like transurethral resection of prostate, endoscopic enucleation of prostate and simple prostatectomy, thereby providing safe and durable relief of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH with a satisfactory preservation of antegrade ejaculation. SUMMARY: Preservation of antegrade ejaculation is an important goal for significant number of men needing BPH surgery. Novel minimally invasive surgical technologies have been developed for this purpose; but understanding of the anatomical structures essential for antegrade ejaculation have allowed technical modification of existing surgical techniques with excellent preservation of antegrade ejaculation.

Iatrogenic or recurrent bladder neck contracture treated by the Palminteri-Ferrari technique: a new way to approach a frustrating condition.

PURPOSE: Bladder neck stricture (BNS) is a bothersome disease which may affect patients after trauma or prostatic surgery. It is frustrating due to the low durable success rate of currently available surgical techniques. The aim of the study is to explore the efficacy of a novel technique. MATERIALS & METHODS: The surgical protocol was developed by two high case-volume surgeons. The technique consists of Holmium laser incisions at 3-6-9-12 o'clock. Subsequently, triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg is injected. Two months later, the BNS is endoscopically checked in operatory room and re-procedure take place, if necessary (max 3 times). Failure was defined as the need of definitive urinary diversion. Subjective satisfaction was measured through PGI-I Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were enrolled. Median age was 63 (IQR 59-69) years and BNS developed by different causes. Naïve BNS procedure patients were 12 (26.7%), others 33 (73.3%) underwent median 2 (IQR 1-4) previous urethrotomies, including 16 other surgeries. Suprapubic bladder catheter was present in 34 patients (75.6%). No complications were registered. Re-procedure at control was necessary in 24 patients (53.3%) for a median of 1 (IQR 1-3) procedures. At median follow-up of 18 months, failures were 4 (8.9%) and urinary incontinence was reported in 2 patients (4.5%) who required incontinence surgery. Median PGI-I was 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique of BNS treatment allows good outcomes and high rate of subjective improvement amongst patients. Moreover, naïve patients seem to have better results. However, longer follow-up and higher sample size are mandatory to further assess these data.

Can we predict and manage persistent storage and voiding LUTS following bladder outflow resistance reduction surgery in men? ICI-RS 2023.

AIMS: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) persist in up to 50% of patients after bladder outflow resistance reduction surgery (BORRS) in men. Our think tank aims to address the predictive factors for persistent LUTS after BORRS and to propose the recommendations for future research to enable improved better patient counseling and selection by more accurate prediction of treatment outcome. METHODS: A think tank of ICI-RS gathered in 2023, Bristol, UK, to discuss the pre and postsurgical clinical and urodynamic evaluation of men undergoing BORRS and whether it is possible to predict which men will have persistent LUTS after BORRS. RESULTS: Our think tank agrees that due to the multifactorial, and still not fully understood, etiology of male LUTS it is not possible to precisely predict in many men who will have persistent LUTS after BORRS. However, severe storage symptoms (overactive bladder, OAB) in association with low volume and high amplitude detrusor overactivity and low bladder capacity in preoperative urodynamics, increase the likelihood of persistent OAB/storage symptoms after BORRS. Furthermore, patients who are clearly obstructed and have good bladder contractility on preoperative pressure flow studies do better postoperatively compared to their counterparts. However, the benefit of pressure flow studies is decreased in patients who do not acceptably void during the study. Poor voiding after BORRS may occur due to persistent obstruction or detrusor underactivity. CONCLUSION: Future research is needed to increase our understanding of why male LUTS persist after surgery, and to enable better patient selection and more precise patient counseling before BORRS.

Robotic YV plasty outcomes for bladder neck contracture vs. vesico-urethral anastomotic stricture.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of patients undergoing robotic YV plasty for bladder neck contracture (BNC) vs. vesico-urethral anastomotic stricture (VUAS). METHODS: A retrospective study included male patients who underwent robotic YV plasty for BNC after endoscopic treatment of BPH or VUAS between August 2019 and March 2023 at a single academic center. The primary assessed was the patency rate at 1 month post-YV plasty and during the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were analyzed, comprising 6 in the VUAS group and 15 in the BNC group. Patients with VUAS had significantly longer operative times (277.5 vs. 146.7 min; p = 0.008) and hospital stay (3.2 vs. 1.7 days; p = 0.03). Postoperative complications were more common in the VUAS group (66.7% vs. 26.7%; p = 0.14). All patients resumed spontaneous voiding postoperatively. Five patients (23.8%) who developed de novo stress urinary incontinence had already an AUS (n = 1) or required concomitant AUS implantation (n = 3), all of whom were in the VUAS group (83.3% vs. 0%; p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients improved was similar in both groups (PGII = 1 or 2: 83.3% vs. 80%; p = 0.31). Stricture recurrence occurred in 9.5% of patients in the whole cohort, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.50). Long-term reoperation was required in three VUAS patients, showing a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Robotic YV plasty is feasible for both VUAS and BNC. While functional outcomes and stricture-free survival may be similar for both conditions, the perioperative outcomes were less favorable for VUAS patients.

Nomogram predicting the efficacy of transurethral surgery in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the efficacy of transurethral surgery in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. METHODS: Patients with BPH who underwent transurethral surgery in the West China Hospital and West China Shang Jin Hospital were enrolled. Patients were retrospectively involved as the training group and were prospectively recruited as the validation group for the nomogram. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to generate nomogram for predicting the efficacy of transurethral surgery. The discrimination of the nomogram was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration plots were applied to evaluate the calibration of the nomogram. RESULTS: A total of 426 patients with BPH who underwent transurethral surgery were included in the study, and they were further divided into a training group (n = 245) and a validation group (n = 181). Age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.15, P < 0.01), the compliance of the bladder (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.20-4.67, P < 0.01), the function of the detrusor (OR 5.92, 95% CI 2.10-16.6, P < 0.01), and the bladder outlet obstruction (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.07-4.54, P < 0.01) were incorporated in the nomogram. The AUC of the nomogram was 0.825 in the training group, and 0.785 in the validation group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The nomogram we developed included age, the compliance of the bladder, the function of the detrusor, and the severity of bladder outlet obstruction. The discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were confirmed by internal and external validation.

De-obstruction of bladder outlet in humans reverses organ remodelling by normalizing the expression of key transcription factors.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia in elderly males often causes bladder outlet obstruction termed benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). BPO induces lower urinary tract symptoms and quantifiable urodynamic alterations in bladder function. When conservative medical treatments are exhausted, surgical interventions like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are employed for bladder outlet de-obstruction. Elucidating the molecular changes in the human bladder resulting from BPO and their reversal post-de-obstruction is pivotal for defining the "point of no return", when the organ deterioration becomes irreversible. In this study we carried out a comprehensive molecular and urodynamic characterization of the bladders in men with BPO before TURP and 3 months after the relief of obstruction. METHODS: We report integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis of bladder samples from male patients with BPO before and 3 months after de-obstruction surgery (TURP). mRNA and protein profiles were correlated with urodynamic findings, specifically voiding detrusor pressure (PdetQmax) before TURP. We delineated the molecular classifiers of each group, pointing at the different pre-TURP bladder status. RESULTS: Age-matched patients with BPO without DO were divided into two groups based on the PdetQmax values recorded by UDI before de-obstruction: high and medium pressure (HP and MP) groups. Three months after de-obstruction surgery, the voiding parameters PdetQmax, Qmax and RV were significantly improved in both groups, without notable inter-group differences in the values after TURP. Patients with high PdetQmax showed less advanced remodeling and inflammatory changes than those with lower values. We detected significant dysregulation of gene expression, which was at least partially reversed by de-obstruction in both patients' groups. Transcription factor SOX21 and its target thrombospondin 4 (THBS4) demonstrated normalization post-TURP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal substantial yet incomplete reversal of cell signalling pathways three months after TURP, consistent with improved urodynamic parameters. We propose a set of biomarker genes, indicative of BPO, and possibly contributing to the bladder changes. This study unveils the stages of progressive obstruction-induced bladder decompensation and offers insights into selecting an optimal intervention point to mitigate loss of contractility.

Primary bladder neck obstruction in men: The importance of urodynamic assessment and cystourethrography in measuring its severity.

OBJECTIVE: Primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) is a condition primarily affecting young men, characterized by obstruction at the bladder neck, leading to lower urinary tract symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify a correlation between the severity of bladder neck opening impairment and urinary symptoms by means of urodynamic studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in adult males diagnosed with PBNO at a university neurourology department between 2015 and 2022 who underwent voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and pressure-flow studies. The cohort was divided into two groups: absence of bladder neck opening on VCUG (Group A) and incomplete bladder neck opening (Group B). RESULTS: Out of the 82 patients with PBNO screened, 53 were included in the analysis. Nocturia was the only symptom more prevalent in Group A (65% in Group A vs. 30% in Group B, p = 0.02) but scores and subscores of the Urinary Symptom Profile questionnaire were not different between groups. In addition, the detrusor pressure at a maximum flow rate (PdetQmax), bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI), and bladder contractility index (BCI) were higher in Group A than in Group B [PdetQmax (A = 93.7 ± 53.7 cmH2O vs. B = 65.7 ± 26.4 cmH2O; p = 0.01)-BOOI (A = 77 ± 58.3 vs. B = 48 ± 25.7; p = 0.03)-BCI (A = 136 ± 51.3 vs. B = 110 ± 41.7; p = 0.04)]. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a significant association between the extent of bladder neck opening impairment observed on VCUG and obstruction and contraction urodynamic parameters, but no association with the severity of urinary symptoms. Future studies should evaluate the predictive value of treatment response and the occurrence of complications based on clinical and urodynamic parameters.

Obstructing urethral membrane in a girl: a rare cause of female bladder outlet obstruction.

Bladder outlet obstruction is known to produce back pressure changes on the urinary tract with devastating sequelae more often than not. Among the causes, posterior urethral valve, which is the most common, is documented to occur exclusively in males. Female posterior urethral valves have been reported in the past in less than 25 cases in existing literature. We discuss the case of a female toddler who presented with symptoms of straining to void and recurrent urinary tract infections. On evaluation, she was found to have an obstructing urethral membrane causing bladder outlet obstruction, which was endoscopically ablated with success.

Novel clinical diagnostic criteria based on noninvasive examination findings to predict the presence of urodynamic detrusor underactivity in men.

AIMS: To investigate the usefulness of novel clinical diagnostic criteria based on noninvasive examination findings to diagnose urodynamic detrusor underactivity (DU) in men. METHODS: We developed clinical diagnostic criteria to predict the presence of urodynamic DU in men as follows: (a) bladder voiding efficiency <70% on uroflowmetry, (b) existence of "sawtooth and interrupted waveforms" on uroflowmetry, and (c) ultrasonography-documented intravesical prostatic protrusion <10 mm. We analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of these clinical criteria for diagnosing urodynamic DU in men aged 50 years or above with lower urinary tract symptoms who underwent urodynamic studies. RESULTS: Of the 314 men analyzed (mean age, 72.4 years; mean detrusor contraction index [DCI], 98.8; and mean bladder outlet obstruction index [BOOI], 43.9), 89 men met this clinical DU diagnostic criteria. Of these, 79 men (88.8%) had urodynamic DU (DCI < 100 and BOOI < 40), nine (10.1%) had DU + BOO (DCI < 100 and BOOI ≥ 40), and one (1.1%) had normal voiding functions. None of the men with urodynamic BOO (DCI ≥ 100 and BOOI ≥ 40) met the clinical DU diagnostic criteria. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of these clinical diagnostic criteria for urodynamic DU were 69.3%, 95.0%, 88.8%, and 84.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed clinical DU diagnostic criteria showed a high PPV (88.8%) for diagnosing urodynamic DU. None of the patients with BOO met the clinical diagnostic criteria for DU. These clinical DU diagnostic criteria may be useful in identifying men with urodynamic DU in clinical practice.

Can we predict whether a man with acute or chronic urinary retention will void after bladder outflow resistance reduction surgery? ICI-RS 2023.

AIMS: To address the predictive factors of a successful voiding after bladder outflow resistance reduction surgery (BORRS) in men presenting with acute or chronic urinary retention (UR). METHODS: A think tank (TT) of ICI-RS was gathered in 2023, Bristol, UK, to discuss several aspects of the problem, such as the pathophysiology of UR, the clinical and urodynamic evaluation of men with UR and whether it is possible to predict which men will be able to successfully void after treatment with contemporary surgical options. RESULTS: The TT agreed that successful voiding after BORRS depends on several factors but that a strong recommendation cannot be made regarding preoperative evaluation and whether there are predictive factors of success because of the heterogeneity of patients and methodology in published trials. The diagnosis of obstruction in men with UR may be challenging when there is apparent reduced detrusor contraction during urodynamic studies. Even in the absence of bladder contractility there is documentation of such cases that have voided adequately after BORRS. Still, detrusor underactivity and inadequate relief of prostatic obstruction are the main causes of an unsuccessful voiding after BORRS. Conventional resection and enucleation methods remain the most successful surgeries in relieving UR in men, whereas the efficacy of minimally invasive surgical treatments needs to be assessed further. CONCLUSION: Research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of UR and the predictors of successful voiding after different types of BORRS in men with UR.

Is bladder outlet obstruction rat model to induce overactive bladder (OAB) has similarity to human OAB? Research on the events in smooth muscle, collagen, interstitial cell and telocyte distribution.

BACKGROUND: Cellular and cytoskeletal events of overactive bladder (OAB) have not been sufficiently explored in human bladder due to different limitations. Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) had been induced in different animal models with different methods to induce (OAB). Similarity of the animal models of BOO to the human OAB is postulated but has not been confirmed. The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), and telocytes (TCs) are an important players in smooth muscles conductivity, they had not been well investigated in the previous BOO models. Objectives are to investigate the morphological pattern of cellular, cytoskeleton and telocytes distribution in BOO rat model and to match the events in two time periods and compare it to the findings in real-world human OAB. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomly divided into: sham (n = 10), BOO 6 W (n = 10), BOO 8 W (n = 10). Operative procedure to Induce BOO was done under anesthesia with intraperitoneal Ketamine administration. The Effect of induction of BOO was evaluated after 6 and 8 weeks. The rats were anesthetized, and the urinary bladder was removed, while the rat was unconscious under anaesthesia it was transferred to the inhalation anaesthesia cage for euthanasia, rats were sacrificed under light anesthesia using isoflurane. Care of animals, surgical procedure, and euthanasia adhered to Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. The retrieved bladder was processed for examination with histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and transmission electron microscopy (EM). RESULTS: Histological examination of the bladder shows thinner urothelium, condensation of collagen between muscle bundles. IHC with c-kit shows the excess distribution of ICCs between smooth muscle bundles. EM shows frequent distribution of TCs that were situated between collagen fibers. Finings in BOO 6 W group and BOO 8 W group were comparable. CONCLUSION: The animal model study demonstrated increased collagen/ smooth muscle ratio, high intensity of ICCs and presence of TCs. Findings show that a minimally invasive procedure to induce BOO in rats had resulted in an OAB that has morphological changes that were stable in 6 & 8 weeks. We demonstrated the distribution of TCs and ICCs in the rat animal model and defined them. The population of TCs in the BOO rat model is described for the first time, suggests that the TCs and ICCs may contribute to the pathophysiology of OAB. Similarity of animal model to human events OAB was demonstrated. These findings warrant further study to define the role of TCs in OAB. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: The study does not require a clinical trial registration; it is an experimental animal study in basic science and does not include human subjects.

Comparison between combination of tamsulosin and Pentoxifylline versus tamsulosin alone in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostate hyperplasia: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: In older adults, bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is prevalent, primarily due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These patients' lower urinary tract symptoms can be treated surgically and with medical therapy. Compared to standard treatment with tamsulosin, Pentoxifylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could benefit patients with BOO due to its properties on microcirculatory blood flow and oxygenation of ischemic tissues. Hence, this trial intended to study the efficacy of Pentoxifylline combined with tamsulosin in treating BOO patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial recruited 60 patients with BPH from a single center in 2022. Upon consent of patients meeting the eligibility criteria, they were randomly allocated to intervention (Pentoxifylline + tamsulosin) and control (placebo + tamsulosin) groups. The patients were evaluated for international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) by uroflowmetry, and post-void residual volume (PVR) by abdominal sonography at the onset of the study and after the 12th week. RESULTS: Patients who used the combination therapy had significantly better results of prostate symptoms and quality of life improvement (IPSS: -36.6%, QoL: -45.3%) compared to patients who received tamsulosin alone (IPSS: -21.2%, QoL: -27.7%) (p < .001). Also, this study shows that the improvement in maximum urinary flow rate and residual volume by combination therapy is significantly higher (Qmax : +42.5%, PVR: -42.6%) compared to monotherapy (Qmax : +25.1%, PVR: -26.1%) (p < .001). CONCLUSION: When combined with tamsulosin, Pentoxifylline could significantly improve the lower urinary symptoms of BPH patients. It is well tolerated, and the treatment outcomes are better in patients who receive the combination of Pentoxifylline and tamsulosin than those who only receive tamsulosin.