Functional MRI evaluation of blood oxygen dependent (BOLD) in renal allograft dysfunction: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Blood oxygen level dependent-magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) is a non-invasive functional imaging technique that can be used to assess renal allograft dysfunction. PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of BOLD-MRI using a 3-T scanner in discriminating causes of renal allograft dysfunction in the post-transplant period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 112 live donor-renal allograft recipients: 53 with normal graft function, as controls; 18 with biopsy-proven acute rejection (AR); and 41 with biopsy-proven acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Multiple fast-field echo sequences were performed to obtain T2*-weighted images. Cortical R2* (CR2*) level, medullary R2* (MR2*) level, and medullary over cortical R2* ratio (MCR) were measured in all participants. RESULTS: The mean MR2* level was significantly lower in the AR group (20.8 ± 2.8/s) compared to the normal group (24 ± 2.4/s, P <0.001) and ATN group (27.4 ± 1.7/s, P <0.001). The MCR was higher in ATN group (1.47 ± 0.18) compared to the AR group (1.18 ± 0.17) and normal functioning group (1.34 ± 0.2). Both MR2* (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.837, P <0.001) and MCR (AUC = 0.727, P = 0.003) can accurately discriminate ATN from AR, however CR2* (AUC = 0.590, P = 0.237) showed no significant difference between both groups. CONCLUSION: In early post-transplant renal dysfunction, BOLD-MRI is a valuable non-invasive diagnostic technique that can differentiate between AR and ATN by measuring changes in intra-renal tissue oxygenation.

Bladder perforation as a complication of transurethral resection of bladder tumors: the predictors, management, and its impact in a series of 1570 at a tertiary urology institute.

OBJECTIVES: To report the incidence, predictors, the impact of bladder perforation (BP), and our protocol of management in patients who underwent trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). METHODS: This is a retrospective study, between 2006 and 2020, on patients who underwent TURBT for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Bladder perforation was defined as any full thickness resection of the bladder wall. Bladder perforations were managed based on their severity and type. Small BP with no or mild symptoms were managed with prolongation of urethral catheters. Those with significant extraperitoneal extravasations were managed by insertion of a tube drain (TD). Abdominal exploration was done for extensive BP and all intraperitoneal extravasations. RESULTS: Our study included 1,570 patients, the mean age was 58 ± 11 years and 86% were males. Bladder perforation was recorded in 10% (n = 158) of the patients. The perforation was extraperitoneal in 95%, and in 86%, the perforation was associated with no symptoms, mild symptoms, or mild fluid extravasation that required only prolongation of the urethral catheter. On the other hand, active intervention was required for the 21 remaining patients (14%) with TD being the most frequent management. History of previous TURBT (p = 0.001) and obturator jerk (p = 0.0001) were the only predictors for BP. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of bladder perforation is 10%; however, 86% required only prolongation of urethral catheter. Bladder perforation did not affect the probability for tumor recurrence, tumor progression nor radical cystectomy.

Voiding and renal function 10 years after radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder in women.

OBJECTIVES: To assess long-term voiding and renal function (RF) changes after radical cystectomy (RC) and orthotopic neobladder (ONB) surgery in women without disease recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Women who underwent RC and ONB reconstruction between 1995 and 2011 were included in this study. Patients who developed disease failure or were lost to follow-up were excluded. The study outcomes were long-term voiding function and the incidence and predictors of RF deterioration (defined as >20% decline of baseline). Analysis was performed using the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The study included 195 patients with a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 98 (53-151) months, of whom 95 had >10 years of follow-up. Daytime continence, night-time continence and chronic urine retention (CUR) were identified in 170 (87%), 134 (69%) and 52 patients (27%), respectively. Among patients with >10 years of follow-up, 82 (86%), 66 (70%) and 31 (33%) had daytime continence, night-time continence and CUR at the last follow-up visit, respectively. RF deterioration events occurred in 74 patients throughout the follow-up and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage III-V developed in 80 patients. Patients' age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.06-1.89; P = 0.02) and serous-lined extramural tunnel diversion (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19-0.86; P = 0.02) were the independent predictors of RF deterioration. Among patients with >10 years of follow-up, RF deteriorated in 46 patients (49%) and CKD stage III-V developed in 40 (42%). CONCLUSION: Women surviving more than 10 years after RC and ONB maintained acceptable continence status, apart from having a higher CUR rate, compared to those followed for <10 years. However, RF deterioration developed in nearly half of them.

Utility of Pre-Transplant Bladder Cycling for Patients With a Defunctionalized Bladder. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the necessity of pre-transplant programmed bladder cycling (PBC) in patients with defunctionalized bladder (DB). METHOD: This RCT included renal transplant (RT) candidates with DB. Eligible patients were assigned to 2 groups, group I underwent PBC before RT and group II underwent direct RT into the DB. The primary outcome was to assess the efficacy of PBC in improving post- RT bladder capacity. Secondly, to compare its impact on early urological complications and 3-month voiding function and 1-year graft function and survival. Graft function was evaluated using serum creatinine and eGFR using MDRD equation. RESULTS: Groups I included 23 patients and group II included 20 patients. The mean ±SD of bladder capacity was 88.7±11.7mL and 90.6 ±9.8mL in both groups, respectively (P = .5). In group I, PBC increased bladder capacity to 194.7 ±21.2 mL (P < .001). Targeted bladder capacity was achieved in 19 (82.6 %) patients and 2 patients developed UTI. At 3-months, bladder capacity, compliance and bladder contractility index improved significantly in both groups with a significant reduction in maximum detrusor pressure with no significant difference between both groups (P = .3,0.4, 0.2 and 0.8, respectively). Urinary leakage occurred in one (4.3%) and 3 patients (15%) in group 1 and 2, respectively (P = .2). At 1-year, no statistically significant differences in the median (IQR) serum creatinine (P = .05) and eGFR (P = .07) between both groups were noted. CONCLUSION: Pre-transplant PBC for DB-patients provided no clinical advantage concerning post-operative urological complication, urodynamic criteria and graft function and survival.

Micro-elemental analysis and characterization of major heavy metals and trace elements in the urinary stones collected from patients living in diverse geographical regions.

In the process of urinary stone formation, several heavy metals and trace elements (HMTE) have been identified among the major constituents of the calculi. The micro-elements within the stones cannot be identified by ordinary laboratory analytical techniques, the latter can only detect the major crystalline component. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the different types of HMTE (no. 22) and their concentrations within the urinary stones. The stone samples were obtained from patients living in different geographical locations (10 countries: 5 Western and 5 non-Western). The number of retrieved stones after open or endoscopic procedures was 1177. The concentrations of the 22 HMTE in the stones were assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The statistical data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, one-way ANOVA, and SPSS software (version 20). The biochemical stone analysis showed that calcium oxalate was present as a major component in 650 patients (55.2%), calcium phosphate in 317 (26.9%), and uric acid and cystine stones in 210 (17.8%). The analyzed stones showed the presence of HMTE in different concentrations. Significantly higher concentrations of 17 elements (Al, As, Ba, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, S, Se, Sr, and Zn) were noted in all stones. Seven elements (Al, As, Se, Sr, Fe, Zn, and Ni) were present in higher concentrations in calcium-based stones. In comparison, eight elements (Mg, B, Ba, Cd, Se, Pb, Sr, and Zn) in higher concentrations were associated with phosphate-based stones. Both uric acid and cystine stones had a higher concentration of sulfur. The concentrations of HMTE in calcium phosphate stones were higher than in calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. Calculi obtained from patients living in western countries contained higher levels of 13 HMTE (B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mo, P, Pb, and Se) than those in non-western countries. The age of calculi-forming patients from non-western countries was younger than those living in western countries. These results may indicate the role of many significant heavy metals and trace elements in the pathogenesis of urinary stone formation. The types and contents of HMTE within urinary stones differ from one country to another. The conventional stone analysis techniques cannot either identify the stone micro-elements or the concentrations of HMTE, so a specific and additional instrument such as the ICP-OES is necessary. Further research work on the urinary stone micro-elemental structure could lead to a new strategy for the prevention of stone formation and recurrence.

The Effect of Renal Transplantation on Female Sexual Function: An Age-Matched Pair Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate female sexual function (FSF) after renal transplantation (RT) and compare it to an age-matched normal females (control). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 100 sexually active RT females in child-bearing period. Sexual function was evaluated with Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We compared the mean scores of all domains of FSFI to an age-matched sexually active normal females. Also, we compared the current FSFI to the pre-transplant status in 54 married females before RT. Factors affecting the FSF after RT were assessed. RESULTS: In comparison to control group, RT group had statistically significant lower sexual desire (P <.001) with no significant differences as regard arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain, and total FSFI score (P >.05). Among RT-females, 83% had normal sexual function, and 83.7% of the control had normal sexual function (P = .8). After RT, the FSFI score increased significantly from 20.7 ± 5.4 to 27.8 ± 3.1 (P <.001), and 85.2% had normal sexual function compared to 22.2% before RT (P <.001) with statistically significant improvement in all domains (P <.001) except for pain score (P = .8). Female circumcision was the only identified factor associated with FSD (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Successful RT significantly improves female sexual function of ESRD patients. The sexual function after RT is comparable to healthy control except for lower sexual desire.

5-Year Long-Term Outcome of Live-Donor Renal Transplant Recipients With Enterocystoplasty and Ureterocystoplasty: An Age- and Sex-Matched Pair Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess surgical complications, febrile UTI, graft function and 5-year graft survival after renal transplantation (RT) in patients with augmentation cytsoplasty (AC) and to compare them to RT patients with normal lower urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study of 34 RT patients with AC including 23 patients with enterocystoplasty (EC) and 11 patients with ureterocystoplasty (UC) was performed. The primary outcome was to determine the difference between both groups regarding postoperative surgical complications and febrile UTI episodes. Graft function was compared at 1, 3, and 5 years and 5-year graft survival was determined. The secondary outcome was to compare them to an age- and gender-matched control group (122 patients) with normal lower urinary tract. RESULTS: There was no significant difference regarding surgical complications or rates of hospital readmission between AC groups. Seventeen (73.9%) and 5 (45.5%) patients developed 33 and 14 episodes of febrile UTI in EC and UC groups, respectively (P= .5). Control group had shown lower incidence surgical complications (P = .001) and febrile UTIs (P = .02) compared to AC groups. At 3 and 5 years, UC had higher median eGFR than EC (P = .08, 0.008, respectively). The 5-year graft survival was 32 (94.1%) with no statistically significant difference between EC (95.7%) and UC (90.9%) (P = .5) or between AC and control (85.2%, P = .3). CONCLUSION: Although RT after AC was associated with higher surgical complications and UTI episodes, they had comparable 5-year graft survival to their control. When indicated, UC should be the preferred choice of AC whenever possible.

Long-term Outcome of Yang-Monti Ileal Replacement of the Ureter: A Technique Suitable for Mild, Moderate Loss of Kidney Function and Solitary Kidney.

OBJECTIVE: To present long-term outcome of Yang-Monti ileal ureter, with a focus on patients with mild/moderate loss of kidney function and solitary kidney. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2001 and December 2019, Yang-Monti ileal ureter was performed on 36 patients with ureteric defects and median age 46.5 years. Of these, 4, 14, 15 and 3 patients had stage 1, stage 2, stage 3a and stage 4a chronic kidney disease, respectively; 6 had solitary kidney. Patients were regularly followed for complications, morphological, and functional outcome. RESULTS: Ureteric stricture etiology was iatrogenic (16), Bilharzial (7), tuberculous (4), retroperitoneal fibrosis (5), malignancy (3), and gunshot injury (1). The median (range) ureteric defect length was 11 (8-16) cm. Four grade 1/2 postoperative Clavien-Dindo complications were noted. Median follow-up was 68 months (range 12-215). Intestinal obstruction developed in 1 patient and urinary tract infection in 10. At last follow-up, serum creatinine, split renographic clearance, and estimated glomerular filtration rate showed significant improvement compared to preoperative values, in the whole series, in cases with chronic kidney disease (stages 2, 3a and 3b) and solitary kidney. Four cases with chronic kidney disease (stage 3) showed deterioration of the kidney function parameters. Magnetic resonance urography showed improvement of hydronephrosis in most patients. No metabolic complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Yang-Monti Ileal ureter is durable and effective in improving kidney function with few complications. It can be safely used in cases of mild/moderate kidney function loss and solitary kidney. A threshold eGFR <40 mL/min/1.73 m2 is considered relative contraindication.

The alternating bidirectional versus the standard approach during shock wave lithotripsy for upper lumbar ureteric stones: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for upper lumbar ureteric stones using the alternating bidirectional approach versus the standard approach during the first session. METHODS: Our study was a randomized controlled trial including patients with single radio-opaque stone < 1 cm located in the upper lumbar ureter (from the ureteropelvic junction till the level medial to the lower margin of the kidney). SWL was conducted using electromagnetic Dornier Gemini Lithotripter. In group 1, patients were treated with the alternating under and over-table approach during the first session only and if other sessions were needed, the standard under-table approach was used. In group 2, patients were treated with the standard under-table approach during all sessions. Stone disintegration after the first session was assessed by kidney-ureter-bladder X-ray, renal ultrasonography and noncontrast computed tomography. Moreover, the incidence and severity of postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients in each group completed the study. Patient demographics and stone characteristics were comparable in both groups. Complete disintegration was achieved in 41.7% of patients in group 1 versus 18.8% in group 2 (P = 0.021). Stone-free rate (SFR) was 58.3% and 20.8% in group 1 and 2 respectively (P = 0.001). The mean session time was 56.42 min in group 1 versus 46.35 min in group 2 (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Stone disintegration and SFR after the first SWL session are higher when using the alternating bidirectional approach for upper lumbar ureteric stones at the expense of longer procedural duration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials identifier (ID: NCT03243682), clinicaltrials.gov.

The previously common post-kidney transplant Kaposi sarcoma has become non-existent for a decade: an Egyptian experience.

BACKGROUND: De novo malignancy is a worrying complication after kidney transplantation; the type of which may vary due to factors such as the prevalence of viral infection and race. Kaposi sarcoma used to be the most common malignancy among our patients constituting more than one-third of cancers. Nevertheless, we noticed that Kaposi sarcoma has not been observed for a long period. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore such observation. METHODS: Data of all kidney transplant recipients were retrieved and retrospectively analyzed. Their total number was 3126 patients. Their mean age was 28.71 ± 10.97 years and of them, 823 (26.3%) were females. The pattern of Kaposi sarcoma throughout the last decade as well as the preceding three decades was studied. The possible relation between the disappearance of Kaposi sarcoma and three paradigm shifts in our practice, namely the use of mTOR inhibitors, steroid-free regimen and CMV prophylaxis was explored. RESULTS: Since 2010, no new cases of Kaposi sarcoma have been observed. In addition, patients who have been transplanted after 2006 did not develop such malignancy. Patients who received CMV prophylaxis and/or were maintained on mTOR inhibitor or steroid-free regimens have not developed Kaposi sarcoma. Moreover, CMV prophylaxis had a statistically significant difference when compared to a homogenous group without CMV prophylaxis. However, Kaplan-Meier analysis of patients of the three policies and their counterpart groups showed comparable results. CONCLUSION: Kaposi sarcoma, which was previously the most common malignancy, is no longer observed for almost a decade among our kidney transplant recipients. m-TOR inhibitors, steroid-free regimen and CMV prophylaxis policy are possible contributing factors. Nevertheless, only CMV prophylaxis policy had a statistically significant relation to the disappearance of Kaposi sarcoma.

Escherichia coli foster bladder cancer cell line progression via epithelial mesenchymal transition, stemness and metabolic reprogramming.

Bacteria is recognized as opportunistic tumor inhabitant, giving rise to an environmental stress that may alter tumor microenvironment, which directs cancer behavior. In vitro infection of the T24 cell line with E. coli was performed to study the bacterial impact on bladder cancer cells. EMT markers were assessed using immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT-PCR. Stemness characteristics were monitored using RT-PCR. Furthermore, the metabolic reprograming was investigated by detection of ROS and metabolic markers. A significant (p ≤ 0.001) upregulation of vimentin as well as downregulation of CK19 transcription and protein levels was reported. A significant increase (p ≤ 0.001) in the expression level of stemness markers (CD44, NANOG, SOX2 and OCT4) was reported. ROS level was elevated, that led to a significant increase (p ≤ 0.001) in UCP2. This enhanced a significant increase (p ≤ 0.001) in PDK1 to significantly downregulate PDH (p ≤ 0.001) in order to block oxidative phosphorylation in favor of glycolysis. This resulted in a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.001) of AMPK, and a significant elevation (p ≤ 0.001) of MCT1 to export the produced lactate to extracellular matrix. Thus, bacteria may induce alteration to the heterogonous tumor cell population through EMT, CSCs and metabolic reprogramming, which may improve cancer cell ability to migrate and self-renew.

Diagnostic performance and predictive capacity of early urine cytology after transurethral resection of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the value of early urine cytology (EUC) after the primary transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) for the prediction of positive biopsy findings on repeat TURBT. METHODS: After approval of institutional review board, patients who underwent TURBT for NMIBC between February 2014 and July 2018 were included in the study. Patients with concomitant Carcinoma in Situ (CIS), upper tract urothelial tumors, biopsy proven muscle invasion, or low-risk NMIBC (single, primary, Ta, and G1 tumor) were excluded. Forty-eight hours after primary TURBT, EUC was retrieved and patients were scheduled for repeat TURBT 2 to 6 weeks later according to the predetermined protocol. The primary outcome was to determine the role of positive EUC to predict positive biopsy findings on repeat TURBT. RESULTS: During the study period, 198 patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria of which 49 (25%) had recurrent NMIBC. Primary TURBT pathology results showed T1 stage in 195 (98.5%) patients and high-grade malignancy in 158 (79.8%). Intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC were defined in 49 (25%) and 149 (75%) patients, respectively. EUC was positive in 114 patients; of whom 78 (68.4%) showed positive biopsy findings on repeat TURBT (P = 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, negative, and positive predictive values of EUC for biopsy findings at repeat TURBT were 90% (95%CI: 87-94), 75% (95%CI: 71-79), 89% (95%CI: 85-94), and 68% (95%CI: 62-74), respectively. On mean (±SD) follow-up of 42(±13) months, tumor recurrence was encountered in 101 (53%) patients. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, EUC was significantly associated with tumor recurrence (HR = 4.6, 95%CI: 2.37-8.9, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Positive EUC after primary TURBT for NMIBC is significantly associated with positive repeat TURBT for malignancy. EUC is an independent predictor of tumor recurrence. EUC might be implemented after primary TURBT to help refining indications of repeat biopsy and planning of further intervention.

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of toxic metals and trace elements in the tissues of renal cell carcinoma compared with the adjacent non-cancerous and control kidney tissues.

Toxic metals and trace elements (TMTE) are linked to the development of several human cancers. Many reports have documented the association between some TMTE and renal cell carcinoma. In this work, we assessed the presence (qualitative) and evaluated the concentration (quantitative) of 22 TMTE in three groups of kidney tissue samples: renal cell carcinoma (RCC), adjacent non-cancerous, and control kidney tissues from cadavers. A total of 75 paired specimens of RCC and adjacent non-cancerous tissues were harvested immediately after radical nephrectomy and preserved in 10% diluted formalin solution. Twelve specimens, age- and sex-matched from the normal kidney tissue of the cadavers, who died from non-cancerous reasons, were collected and served as control. All tissue specimens were subjected to evaluation of TMTE concentration (22 elements in each specimen) by using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique. The tumor, histopathology, stage, and grade were correlated with the concentration and types of TMTE. The results showed that the histological types of RCC were as follows: clear cell type in 35 (21.5%), chromophobe 22 (13.5%), papillary 7 (4.5%), oncocytoma 5 (3.1%), and unclassified 6 (3.7%). ICP-OES revealed that tumorous (RCC) tissues had a higher concentration of 9 TMTE (Ca, Cd, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, S, and Sr) compared with both the adjacent non-cancerous and control tissue. The adjacent non-cancerous kidney tissues showed the highest concentration of Fe, K, and Na. The control of kidney tissues from cadavers had the highest level of Cu, Zn, Mo, and B compared with the cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Female patients had higher concentrations of Zn and Cu in the non-cancerous tissues of their kidneys. Younger patients had a higher concentration of B in the adjacent non-cancerous, and higher Cu in the cancerous tissues. Cadmium concentration was highest in the chromophobe cell type of RCC compared with other subtypes. There was no correlation between the TMTE concentration and the pathological stage of RCC.

De novo chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in the graft three decades after renal transplantation in a patient with a history of three renal transplants.

De novo renal allograft tumors were reported sporadically. Most of them were small, low-grade, and papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) type. A 46-year-old male presented with hematuria three decades after the first transplant. The patient had a history of three renal transplants. A tumor (12 cm × 13 cm) was diagnosed in the nonfunctioning first transplanted kidney. Radical nephrectomy of the graft harboring the tumor with preservation of the adjacent functioning graft was done and identified to be chromophobe RCC. After two-year follow-up, the patients had a perfect graft function with no evidence of oncological failure. We suggest that allograft tumor be considered in patient evaluation for hematuria. Regular follow-up imaging of transplanted kidney is mandatory even after graft failure for early detection of graft tumors.

Netrin-1: A new promising diagnostic marker for muscle invasion in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is the most common urological malignancy with a high tendency for progression and recurrence. So far, no reliable diagnostic marker is present with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Netrins are related to laminin proteins, and were first discovered to be involved in neural development. After that, they were found in other organs of the body and several studies stated that they have implicated in cancer progression. PURPOSE: This study aimed at investigating the netrin-1 gene expression in bladder cancer tissues, in addition to the possibility of using urinary netrin-1 as a marker for muscle invasion diagnosis in bladder cancer cases. METHODS: Netrin-1 gene expression in bladder cancer tissue was detected in this study by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, netrin-1 protein was measured in tissue and urinary deposit samples by western blotting. RESULTS: The results of this study revealed that netrin-1 is expressed in bladder cancer and control tissues, with a strong positive correlation between netrin-1 in tissues and urinary netrin-1 (rs = 0.762, P < 0.0005). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed the muscle-invasion diagnostic value of urinary netrin-1 with bladder cancer cases, providing an area under the curve equals to 0.758 (95% confidence interval, 0.630-0.886, P < 0.0005), with 96% sensitivity and 67% specificity. Bladder cancer patients had been included to examine risk factors for local recurrence, distant metastasis, and death. Cox regression models showed that netrin-1 gene expression, tumor size, and age are positive predictor markers for local tumor recurrence. Age is a predictor for distant metastasis, and tumor stage is a predictor for death. CONCLUSION: Urinary netrin-1 can be used as a promising biomarker for diagnosis of muscle invasion, which may help in the follow up of non-invasive tumors. In addition, tissue netrin-1 expression may serve as a predictor of local tumor recurrence.

Outcome of Live-Donor Renal Transplants With Incidentally Diagnosed Renal Angiomyolipoma in the Donor.

INTRODUCTION: Accepting donors with renal lesion amenable for pre-transplant management with no suspected long-term harm seems to expand the live-donor pool. We aimed to assess the long-term outcome of live-donor renal transplantation with incidentally discovered renal angiomyolipoma (AML) during routine evaluation of donors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of incidentally discovered AML, during live-related-donor evaluation, was performed. The tumor criteria were retrieved. In cases with exophytic tumor, a back-table, partial nephrectomy was done with frozen section to exclude malignancy. Endophytic lesions were kept in situ and transplanted. Both donor and recipient were followed up by periodic imaging. RESULTS: Among 2925 cases, 6 AML with a median volume of 0.96 (range, 0.5-2) cm2 were identified. The median recipients' age was 21 (range, 10-38) years and the median donors' age was 48 (range, 45-50). Two AML were exophytic and back-table partial nephrectomy was performed, while 4 were endophytic and kept in situ, and the kidney was transplanted. After a median follow-up of 82 (range, 25-150) months, 4 patients were alive with functioning grafts and 2 resumed hemodialysis 5 and 7 years after transplantation. There was no evidence of increase in the AML size or newly developed AML in the grafts. All donors were alive with normal renal function (mean ± standard deviation, serum creatinine was 0.9 ± 0.2 mg/dL) and none developed new AML in the remaining kidney. CONCLUSION: Incidentally discovered AML during live-donor evaluation is not a contraindication of donation after proper counseling of the couples and regular, periodic follow-up.

The short-term effects of tolterodine on nocturnal incontinence after ileal orthotopic neobladder: a randomised crossover placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of tolterodine in the treatment of nocturnal urinary incontinence (NUI) after ileal orthotopic neobladder (ONB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective randomised placebo-controlled crossover study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02877901). Patients with NUI after ONB were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group T received 4 mg extended-release tolterodine at bed-time and Group P received placebo for 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks of washout, then crossed over to the alternate therapy for 4 weeks. Patients were assessed by the number of pads used per night (PPN) and with the Arabic version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) at both phases of the study. The outcomes were the rate of NUI improvement and medication adverse events. RESULTS: Out of 172 patients, 150 and 122 patients were evaluated at both phases of the study. The mean ICIQ-SF scores and PPN were significantly decreased in Group T compared to Group P in both study phases (P < 0.001). In Group T, 15 (10%) and 11 (9%) patients became dry after the first allocation and crossover, respectively. In Group T, 60 (77.9%) patients reported improvement vs four (5.5%) in Group P (P < 0.001) after the first allocation. Similarly, 46 (73%) and seven (11.9%) patients showed improvement in groups T and P after the crossover, respectively (P < 0.001). Dry mouth occurred in 31 (20.8%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Tolterodine seems to be a good choice for treatment of NUI after radical cystectomy and ONB. However, further studies are needed to delineate the long-term effects and the associated urodynamic characteristics.

The value of immediate postoperative intravesical epirubicin instillation as an adjunct to standard adjuvant treatment in intermediate and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A preliminary results of randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: We aimed at this study to test the value of immediate postoperative intravesical epirubicin instillation in intermediate and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After approval of Institutional Review Board, 260 patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups, including transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) alone in control group and TURBT plus immediate postoperative epirubicin (50 mg) in test group. Patients were monitored for postoperative complications. Adjuvant instillation therapy was administered according to risk categorization. Patients were followed every 3 months by cystourethroscopy and urine cytology. The primary end points were recurrence, progression, and/or death from cancer. RESULTS: Of the 260 patients, 236 were eligible and followed for a mean of 29 months. The 2 study groups were comparable regarding perioperative baseline demographic criteria. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups regarding recurrence rate (27.1% vs. 26.2%), interval to first recurrence (16.3 ± 6.6 vs. 16.4 ± 6.4 months) or progression rate to muscle invasion (8.5% vs. 5.9%). Site, size, and number of recurrences were also comparable between the 2 groups. Recurrences and progression-free survival were comparable between the 2 groups (Log-rank P = 0.88 and 0.47, respectively). Postoperative complications were all low-grade according to modified Dindo-Clavian system, with no significant difference in their rate between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate post-TURBT epirubicin instillation is ineffective in intermediate and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. It neither prolongs time to recurrence and/or progression nor reduces number of recurrences. We advocate strict specification of patient and tumor criteria in which immediate instillation is indicated.