Nadir prostate-specific antigen after salvage cryotherapy as a potential prognostic factor for oncologic outcomes.

PURPOSE: To report oncologic outcomes of patients undergoing salvage cryotherapy (SCT) for local recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) and to establish a nadir PSA (nPSA) value that best defines long-term oncologic success. METHODS: Retrospective study of men who underwent SCT for local recurrence of PCa between 2008 and 2020. SCT was performed in men with biochemical recurrence (BCR), after primary treatment and with biopsy-proven PCa local recurrence. Survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier and Cox models was performed. We determined the optimal cutoff nPSA value after SCT that best classifies patients depending on prognosis. RESULTS: Seventy-seven men who underwent SCT were included. Survival analysis showed a 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS), androgen deprivation therapy-free survival (AFS), and metastasis-free survival (MFS) after SCT of 48.4%, 62% and 81.3% respectively. On multivariable analysis for perioperative variables associated with BCR, initial ISUP, pre-SCT PSA, pre-SCT prostate volume and post-SCT nPSA emerged as variables associated with BCR. The cutoff analysis revealed an nPSA < 0.5 ng/ml to be the optimal threshold that best defines success after SCT. 5-year BRFS for patients achieving an nPSA < 0.5 vs nPSA ≥ 0.5 was 64% and 9.5% respectively (p < 0.001). 5-year AFS for men with nPSA < 0.5 vs ≥ 0.5 was 81.2% and 12.2% (p < 0.001). Improved 5-year MFS for patients who achieved nPSA < 0.5 was also obtained (89.6% vs 60%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: SCT is a feasible rescue alternative for the local recurrence of PCa. Achieving an nPSA < 0.5 ng/ml after SCT is associated with higher long-term BRFS, AFS and MFS rates.

EAU-ESMO consensus statements on the management of advanced and variant bladder cancer-an international collaborative multi-stakeholder effort: under the auspices of the EAU and ESMO Guidelines Committees†.

BACKGROUND: Although guidelines exist for advanced and variant bladder cancer management, evidence is limited/conflicting in some areas and the optimal approach remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To bring together a large multidisciplinary group of experts to develop consensus statements on controversial topics in bladder cancer management. DESIGN: A steering committee compiled proposed statements regarding advanced and variant bladder cancer management which were assessed by 113 experts in a Delphi survey. Statements not reaching consensus were reviewed; those prioritised were revised by a panel of 45 experts before voting during a consensus conference. SETTING: Online Delphi survey and consensus conference. PARTICIPANTS: The European Association of Urology (EAU), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), experts in bladder cancer management. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statements were ranked by experts according to their level of agreement: 1-3 (disagree), 4-6 (equivocal), 7-9 (agree). A priori (level 1) consensus was defined as ≥70% agreement and ≤15% disagreement, or vice versa. In the Delphi survey, a second analysis was restricted to stakeholder group(s) considered to have adequate expertise relating to each statement (to achieve level 2 consensus). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 116 statements were included in the Delphi survey. Of these, 33 (28%) statements achieved level 1 consensus and 49 (42%) statements achieved level 1 or 2 consensus. At the consensus conference, 22 of 27 (81%) statements achieved consensus. These consensus statements provide further guidance across a broad range of topics, including the management of variant histologies, the role/limitations of prognostic biomarkers in clinical decision making, bladder preservation strategies, modern radiotherapy techniques, the management of oligometastatic disease and the evolving role of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: These consensus statements provide further guidance on controversial topics in advanced and variant bladder cancer management until a time where further evidence is available to guide our approach.

Gender trends at the annual Spanish Urologic Association (AEU) meeting: A review of AEU programmes over a 10-year period (2012-2022).

INTRODUCTION: Gender equity in urological meetings is pivotal for fostering diversity and inclusivity in the field. This study aims to evaluate the representation of Spanish urologist and regional disparities, and to assess its alignment with the demographic composition of the urological community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All urology meetings organized by the AEU between January 2012 and December 2022 were reviewed, including meeting information and details of the faculty. Additionally, we analysed geographic distribution of speakers across 17 different regions. Gender demographics were obtained disaggregating data by sex and year from the Organización Médica Colegial de España (OMC) and from those urologists affiliated to the AEU. RESULTS: Analysing 52 AEU congresses held from 2012 to 2022, encompassing 3,407 speakers, the study found that 95.25% of speakers were from Spain and 89.6% were male speakers. Over the years, there was a positive trend in female speaker representation, increasing by 1.1% annually, slightly lagging the 1.8% annual rise in the number of female urologists in Spain. In specific subfields like functional, transplantation, and oncology sessions, the study revealed a higher representation of women, indicating focused efforts in these areas. Geographically, Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia exhibited the highest representation. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a positive trend towards an increased participation of female urologists in Spanish urological meetings, it fails to accurately reflect the proportional increase in the number of women entering the urology profession in recent years. This study underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure diverse and balanced representation in urological forum.

Usefulness of bone turnover markers as predictors of mortality risk, disease progression and skeletal-related events appearance in patients with prostate cancer with bone metastases following treatment with zoledronic acid: TUGAMO study.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the limited validity of clinical data on the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) and bone metastases, biochemical markers are a promising tool for predicting survival, disease progression and skeletal-related events (SREs) in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive capacity of biochemical markers of bone turnover for mortality risk, disease progression and SREs in patients with PCa and bone metastases undergoing treatment with zoledronic acid (ZA). METHODS: This was an observational, prospective and multicenter study in which ninety-eight patients were included. Patients were treated with ZA (4 mg every 4 weeks for 18 months). Data were collected at baseline and 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months after the beginning of treatment. Serum levels of bone alkaline phosphtase (BALP), aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type I (P1NP) and beta-isomer of carboxiterminal telopeptide of collagen I (ß-CTX) were analysed at all points in the study. Data on disease progression, SREs development and survival were recorded. RESULTS: Cox regression models with clinical data and bone markers showed that the levels of the three markers studied were predictive of survival time, with ß-CTX being especially powerful, in which a lack of normalisation in visit 1 (3 months after the beginning of treatment) showed a 6.3-times more risk for death than in normalised patients. Levels of these markers were also predictive for SREs, although in this case BALP and P1NP proved to be better predictors. We did not find any relationship between bone markers and disease progression. CONCLUSION: In patients with PCa and bone metastases treated with ZA, ß-CTX and P1NP can be considered suitable predictors for mortality risk, while BALP and P1NP are appropriate for SREs. The levels of these biomarkers 3 months after the beginning of treatment are especially important.

Telemedicine and smart working: Spanish adaptation of the European Association of Urology recommendations. / Telemedicina y trabajo inteligente: adaptación al español de las recomendaciones de la Asociación Europea de Urología.

INTRODUCTION: Telemedicine provides remote clinical support through technology tools. It can facilitate medical care delivery while reducing unnecessary office visits. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused an abrupt change in our daily urological practice, where teleconsultations play a crucial role. OBJECTIVE: To provide practical recommendations for the effective use of technological tools in telemedicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted on Medline until April 2020. We selected the most relevant articles related to «telemedicine¼ and «smart working¼ that could provide valuable information. RESULTS: Telemedicine refers to the use of electronic information and telecommunication tools to provide remote clinical health care support. Smart working is a working approach that uses new or existing technologies to improve performance. Telemedicine is becoming a useful and fundamental tool during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be even more in the future. It is time for us to officially give telemedicine the place it deserves in clinical practice, and it is our responsibility to adapt and familiarize with all the tools and possible strategies for its optimal implementation. We must guarantee that the quality of care received by patients and perceived by them and their families is of the highest standard. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine facilitates remote specialized urological clinical support and solves problems caused by limited patient mobility or transfer, reduces unnecessary visits to clinics and is useful to reduce the risk of COVID-19 viral transmission.

Diagnostic utility and therapeutic impact of PET/CT [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine -Choline in the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. / Utilidad diagnóstica e impacto terapéutico de la PET/TC con [18F]F-Fluormetilcolina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic capability of PET/CT with [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine in prostate cancer (PC) with biochemical recurrence and its therapeutic impact. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 108 patients, diagnosed with PC with biochemical criteria for recurrence. A PET/CT Choline scan was performed by dynamic pelvic and whole body study at 60min post-tracer injection. The relationship between the positive studies and the PSA value was analysed by classifying patients into three groups (<1.2/1.2-2/>2ng/ml), and the diagnostic capacity was assessed with respect to pelvic MRI and the impact on the therapeutic decision. RESULTS: The location of recurrence was identified in 85 of 108 patients (78.7%): 34 local, 47 pelvic lymph nodes and 58 distant lesions, including retroperitoneal, mediastinal lymph nodes and distant organ lesions (bone and lung). Second tumors were diagnosed in 4 patients. No significant differences were found in the percentage of positive studies depending on primary treatment. Patients with PSA>2ng/ml showed a higher percentage of disease detection than patients with a lower PSA level, with significant differences (p<0.0001). PET/CT [18F]F-Choline was able to detect local disease, not previously known from MRI, in 29.41% of patients. PET/CT Choline had an impact on therapeutic management in 67 of 108 patients (62%). CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT with [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine is a useful tool in the detection of locoregional and disseminated disease of PC treated with suspicion of recurrence, providing a change in therapeutic management in 62% of patients.

Molecular biology of androgen-independent prostate cancer: the role of the androgen receptor pathway.

Prostate cancer (PC) cells express the androgen receptor (AR) and need the presence of androgens to survive. Androgen suppression is the gold standard first-line therapy for metastatic disease. Almost all PC patients initially respond to hormonal therapy, but most of them gradually develop resistance to castration. There is evidence that these tumours that are considered castration-resistant continue to depend on AR signalling. Several mechanisms that enhance AR signalling in an androgen-depleted environment have been elucidated: (1) AR mutations that allow activation by low androgen levels or by other endogenous steroids, (2) AR amplification and/or overexpression, (3) increased local intracrine synthesis of androgens, (4) changes in AR cofactors and (5) cross-talk with cytokines and growth factors. Today, there are a number of novel agents targeting the AR signalling pathway under development, including more effective antiandrogens; inhibitors of CYP17, inhibitors of HSP90, inhibitors of histone deacetylases and inhibitors of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

A comparative study of different surgical techniques for the management of distal ureter during laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy. / Estudio comparativo de diferentes técnicas quirúrgicas para el manejo del uréter distal durante la nefroureterectomía laparoscópica.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the oncological outcomes between two open surgical techniques and two endoscopic approaches for the management of the distal ureter during laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LRNU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 152 patients submitted to LRNU for the management of upper urinary tract tumors between 2007-2014. We analyzed the potential impact of two different open surgical (extravesical vs intravesical) and two endoscopic (resection of ureteral orifice and fragment removal vs endoscopic bladder cuff) techniques on the development of bladder recurrence, distant/local recurrence and cancer-specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: A total of 152 patients with a mean age of 69.9 years (±10.1) underwent LRNU. We reported 62 pTa-T1 (41%), 35 pT2 (23%) and 55 pT3-4 (36%). Thirty-two were low grade (21.1%) and 120 high grade (78.9%). An endoscopic approach was performed in 89 cases (58.5%), 32 with resection (36%) and 57 with bladder cuff (64%), and open approach in 63 (41.5%), 42 intravesical (66.7%) and 21 extravesical (33.3%). Within a median follow-up of 32 months (3-120), 38 patients (25%) developed bladder recurrence, 42 distant/local recurrence (27.6%) and 34 died of tumor (22.4%). In the univariate analysis, the type of endoscopic technique was not related to bladder recurrence (P=.961), distant/local recurrence (P=.955) nor CSS (P=.802). The open extravesical approach was not related to bladder recurrence (P=.12) but increased distant/local recurrence (P=.045) and decreased CSS (P=.034) compared to intravesical approach. CONCLUSIONS: LRNU outcomes are not dependant on the type of endoscopic approach performed. The open extravesical approach is a more difficult technique and could worsen the oncological outcomes when compared to the intravesical.

Functional outcomes after prostatic cryosurgery. / Resultados funcionales después de crioterapia prostática.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the functional effects of prostatic cryosurgery on micturition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of men who underwent cryosurgery (CS) for prostate cancer between 2013 - 2015. Low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and quality of life (QoL) were assessed 1 month before surgery using IPSS questionnaire, a three-day voiding diary (3DVD) and uroflowmetry with ultrasound-measured postvoid residual volume. Need of medical treatment for LUTS was also recorded. The same assessment was performed at 3, 6 and 12 months after CS. Outcomes after surgery were compared to those prior to surgery. RESULTS: Forty-five patients underwent a CS during the study period, of whom 25 patients could be recruited in the study. Mean age was 73.5 years (range 66-84). Nineteen CS (76%) were performed as a primary procedure, while 6 CS (24%) as a salvage procedure. No statistical differences were found comparing results of IPSS, QoL, D3vd or uroflowmetry and PVR at 3, 6 or 12 months after CS compared to before surgery. Before CS, 8 (32%) patients were on medical treatment for LUTS, while at 6 and 12 months after surgery, 3 (13.6%) and 2 (9.5%) patients required some medication, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the punctuation of IPSS, QoL questionnaire, and a 3-day voiding diary, LUTS does not worsen after CS. Prostatic cryosurgery does not seem to impact uroflowmetry results.

Methodology of a systematic review. / Metodología de una revisión sistemática.

CONTEXT: The objective of evidence-based medicine is to employ the best scientific information available to apply to clinical practice. Understanding and interpreting the scientific evidence involves understanding the available levels of evidence, where systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials are at the top of the levels-of-evidence pyramid. ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE: The review process should be well developed and planned to reduce biases and eliminate irrelevant and low-quality studies. The steps for implementing a systematic review include (i) correctly formulating the clinical question to answer (PICO), (ii) developing a protocol (inclusion and exclusion criteria), (iii) performing a detailed and broad literature search and (iv) screening the abstracts of the studies identified in the search and subsequently of the selected complete texts (PRISMA). SYNTHESIS OF THE EVIDENCE: Once the studies have been selected, we need to (v) extract the necessary data into a form designed in the protocol to summarise the included studies, (vi) assess the biases of each study, identifying the quality of the available evidence, and (vii) develop tables and text that synthesise the evidence. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic review involves a critical and reproducible summary of the results of the available publications on a particular topic or clinical question. To improve scientific writing, the methodology is shown in a structured manner to implement a systematic review.

Influence of social networks on congresses of urological societies and associations: Results of the 81th National Congress of the Spanish Urological Association. / Influencia de las redes sociales en congresos de sociedades y asociaciones urológicas: Resultados del 81.° Congreso Nacional de la Asociación Española de Urología.

OBJECTIVE: To measure social network activity during the 81th National Congress of the Spanish Urological Association (AEU) and to compare it with the activity during other congresses of national and international urological associations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We designed and registered the official hashtag #AEU16 for the 81th National Congress of the AEU on the Symplur website. The following measurements were recorded: number of participants, number of tweets, tweets by participant, tweets per hour and views. RESULTS: The number of participants in the social network activity during the congress was 207. The measurements of activity in Twitter consisted of a total of 1866 tweets, a mean rate of 16 tweets/h, 9 tweets per participant and 1,511,142 views. The activity during the international congresses is as follows: 2016 American Urological Association annual congress (views: 28,052,558), 2016 European Association of Urology annual congress (views: 13,915,994), 2016 Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (views: 4,757,453), 2015 Société Internationale d'Urologie annual congress (views: 1,023,038). The activity during the national congresses was recorded as follows: 2016 Annual Conference of The British Association of Urological Surgeons (views: 2,518,880), 81th National Congress of the AEU (views: 1,511,142), 109th Congress of l'Association Française d'Urologie (views: 662,828), 67th German Congress of Urology (views: 167,347). We found 10 posts in Facebook and 2 communications via Periscope TV related to #AEU16. CONCLUSIONS: The social network activity during the 81th National Congress of the AEU was notable given the results of this study. The use of social networks has expanded among urological associations, congresses and meetings, giving them a global character.

Molecular staging of bladder cancer with RT-PCR assay for CK20 in peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes: comparison with standard histological staging.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze whether the CK20 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is suitable for detecting circulating tumor cells and residual tumor cells in lymph nodes, in patients with muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, and to compare these results with standard histological staging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The nested RT-PCR assay was used to analyze the CK20 transcript in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, the tumor and normal biopsies of bladder from 57 patients with invasive TCC of the bladder, who underwent radical cystectomy, and from 9 patients with noninvasive TCC. RESULTS: Lymph node pathological status was positive in 24 out of the 57 patients studied and all of them except I showed expression of CK20, with a correlation between histological technique and RT-PCR of 95.8%. A statistically significant correlation of lymph node CK20 RT-PCR with the standard risk factor of pathological stage (p = 0.04) was observed Blood and bone marrow CK20 RT-PCR showed no correlation with pathological stage. CONCLUSION: Lymph node CK 20 RT-PCR correlates with pathological stage in bladder cancer. The CK20 RT-PCR assay appears to be a highly sensitive and specific method for detecting circulating tumor cells and residual disease in lymph nodes in patients with invasive bladder cancer. Further evaluation of the significance of CK20 as a molecular marker for staging and follow-up in these patients is necessary.

Nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumor: a choice of treatment in an allograft kidney.

The incidence of de novo malignancies is an accepted complication of organ transplantation. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was 4.6% of cancers occurring de novo in organ allograft recipients compared with 3% in the general population. Less than 10% of these renal cancers affected the renal allograft. Among patients developing a renal tumor in the kidney allograft, transplant nephrectomy reduced the quality of life. For these patients for whom preservation of renal function is a relevant clinical consideration, partial nephrectomy may be considered the choice for treatment. Fifteen cases have been reported regarding conservative surgery on kidney transplant tumors. Herein we have reported three cases of renal masses in well-functioning kidney transplants that were successfully treated with nephon-sparing surgery. Our experience demonstrated that in selected patients, nephron-sparing surgery on a renal allograft represents a feasible approach for tumor removal with preservation of graft function.

Spanish adaptation of the recommendations for the appropriate use of social networks in urology of the European Association of Urology. / Adaptación al español de las recomendaciones para el uso apropiado de las redes sociales en Urología de la European Association of Urology (EAU).

OBJECTIVE: To adapt to Spanish the recommendations for the appropriate use of social media (SoMe) in the urological setting prepared by the European Association of Urology (EAU). ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE: The use of SoMe has become fairly popular in the international urological community. Due to the nature of the medical content shared among healthcare professionals through SoMe, however, there is the risk of medical and legal problems. For this reason, various international urological associations such as the American Urological Association, the British Association of Urological Surgeons and EAU have published their recommendations for the appropriate use of social media. Efforts have been made to adapt and summarise the recommendations of the EAU in Spanish and to publish them in Actas Urológicas Españolas (@actasurologicas), the official journal of the Spanish Urological Association (@InfoAEU) and the American Confederation of Urology (@CAU_URO). SYNTHESIS OF THE EVIDENCE: SoMe include well-known platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, which have undoubtedly changed the way in which people communicate and interact. SoMe offer clear advantages for communicating between professionals, working in teams, disseminating knowledge and creating professional profiles and are increasingly used by patients and healthcare practitioners. The introduction of SoMe in the urological community has started a revolution in how scientific articles are shared, how people participate in congresses and how international urological associations communicate with their followers. However, SoMe is generally an open public setting, with potential risks for confidentiality and the doctor-patient relationship due to the nature of the shared information. The present recommendations include tools for creating professional profiles, protecting confidentiality and creating honest and responsible content. CONCLUSIONS: SoMe represents a fascinating area for the communication and dissemination of knowledge, with considerable applicability in health care and the urological community. New efforts are being directed to extend the use of social media in the urological community, measuring its actual academic impact and standardising the language employed.

Changing patterns in the surgical management of renal masses.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the temporal trends in surgical techniques for the management of renal masses at a single Spanish academic institution and identify factors associated with partial nephrectomy (PN) decision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 646 patients were treated by surgery for clinically localised renal masses from January 2004 to December 2012 at a tertiary referral center. Surgical techniques included open radical nephrectomy (RN), open PN, laparoscopic RN, and laparoscopic PN. Descriptive statistics were used to compare baseline characteristics and proportions of patients treated by different surgical techniques. Annual trends in the proportion of procedures performed were determined. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate clinical variables predictive of PN. RESULTS: During the 9-year study period, the proportion of PN relative to RN increased from 21% to 55%. With regard to surgical approach, open procedures for both RN and PN decreased gradually in favor of minimally invasive approaches (83% in 2004 to 4% in 2011-2012). While median tumor size did not significantly change over the study period, laparoscopic PN became the most commonly performed kidney procedure in 2011-2012 (49% of all procedures). Clinical variables independently predictive of partial nephrectomy were ASA score, baseline renal function and tumor size (all P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: At our academic institution, temporal trends in the management of renal masses have established PN as the most common surgical option. Although PN was increasingly used over the study period, a parallel increase in minimally invasive approaches for RN and PN was seen.

A higher Charlson comorbidity index is related to more aggressive characteristics in de novo vesical tumours.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the age--adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (aCCI) and pathological outcomes of transurethral resection of de novo bladder tumours (BT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 208 patients who underwent a transurethral resection (TUR) of a de novo BT between 2007 and 2008 were collected. We recorded the following variables: age, sex, tobacco consumption, comorbidities assessed according to the ICCa (score and mortality rate), disease stage, tumour grade and risk of recurrence and progression. The relationship between the preoperative variables and the final pathological characteristics was analyzed. The multivariate study was conducted with the significant variables (P<.05) from the univariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 69.5 ± 12 years, and 77% were men. The mean ICCa was 6.4 ± 2.5. The final pathology results showed a Tx, T0, Ta, T1 and T ≥ 2 in 5.3, 6.7, 31.7, 26.9, and 28.8% of the cases, respectively. 33.3% of the tumours were low-grade and 66.7% were high-grade. 14.3% of the tumours were associated with carcinoma in situ. Among those non musculo-invasive bladder tumour (non-MIBT), 34.7% had a low risk of recurrence and progression, 18.1% had an intermediate risk and 47.2% had a high risk. The patients with a ICCa ≥ 5 had an increased number of MIBT (RR: 2.29; 1.1-4.8; P=.032), high-grade tumours (RR: 3.1; CI: 1.6-6; P=.001) and tumours with a high risk of recurrence and progression (RR: 2.9; CI: 1.4-5.9; P<.001). CONCLUSION: The ICCa is related to the pathological characteristics of de novo BT. Patients with greater comorbidity can present more aggressive tumours. The ICCa could therefore be useful in clinical practice for identifying patients with worse prognosis.

Percutaneous management of transplant ureteral fistulae is feasible in selected cases.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteral fistulae in renal transplants may develop as a consequence of compromised ureteral vascularity or from a technical factor related to the ureteroneocystostomy, the latter typically developing within the first 72 hours posttransplant. Recently, percutaneous nephrostomy drainage has been used with increasing frequency for the initial management. It alone can lead to resolution of the fistula in at least some patients. The aim of the study was the evaluation of endourological management of ureteral fistulae in renal transplants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 1981 and February 2004, 1000 adult recipients underwent renal transplantation. Sixteen out of 29 patients who developed ureteral fistulae were managed endourologically; 13, open surgery. The items recorded on these patients included the type of ureteroneocystostomy, the time to fistula diagnosis, the image technique, the type of ureteral stents, and the clinical evolution. RESULTS: The 13 patients who underwent open surgery did well. Endourological management of ureteral fistula was successfully performed in 10 of 16 cases. In all of them percutaneous nephrostomy drainage with stenting of the ureter with a double-J catheter did not prove any advantage to no stent (66.6% vs 57%). In 13 of these 16 patients in which the passage of contrast into the bladder was demonstrated, the fistula resolved in 10 cases (77%), while none of the three cases with no flow into the bladder were helped by this approach. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous techniques can provide definitive management for 62% of renal allograft patients who develop ureteral fistula beyond 72 hours after renal transplant.

Predictors, pathological characteristics and outcomes of bladder recurrences following nephroureterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the predictors for bladder recurrence (BR) after nephroureterectomy (NU) for upper urinary tract tumors (UUTT), as well as its pathological characteristics, outcomes and impact on survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 117 patients who underwent laparoscopic nephroureterectomy by UUTT between 2007-2012 at our center. The potential predictors for BR were analyzed using Cox regression; Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to study survival. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 85 men (73%) and 32 women (27%), with a mean age of 70 years. After a mean follow-up of 26 months, 23 patients presented BR (19.6%). In the multivariate analysis, sex (p=.003; HR [female], 3.8) and the location of the UUTT in the distal ureter (p=.002; HR, 4.8) were independent predictors for BR. The median time to BR was 8 months. Fifteen patients presented a nonmuscle-invasive BR (65.2%), and 8 presented a muscle-invasive BR (34.8%). All BRs, except for 2, appeared during the first 2 years. Five cases with nonmuscle-invasive BR presented a new BR. Six patients with muscle-invasive BR died before it could be determined whether cause of death was the BR or an UUTT relapse. The onset of BR showed no repercussion on the survival of patients with UUTT. CONCLUSIONS: Sex (female) and the location of the UUTT (distal ureter) are predictors for BR after NU. Patients with these characteristics might benefit from adjuvant intravesical treatment and closer monitoring. The onset for RV has no impact on the survival of patients with UUTT.

BTA TRAK urine test increases the efficacy of cytology in the diagnosis of low-grade transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

BACKGROUND: Among urinary tumor markers we studied the utility of the BTA TRAK assay to diagnose transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in highly suspiscious patients, in comparison to urine cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A preliminary study of 65 patients was made (21 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), 36 without TCC and 8 excluded patients who received BCG therapy, endocavitary mytomicin or radiotherapy), using the BTA TRAK, cytology and cystoscopy. RESULTS: 12 out of the 21 selected patients were pTa (9 G1and 3 G2), 2 carcinoma in situ (CIS), 2pT1 (1 G2 and 1 G3) and 5 muscle invasive tumors (all of them G3). Setting our cut-off at 18 U/ml, a sensitivity of 52.3% and a specificity of 88.9% was reached. BTA TRAK detected 11 out of 21 of the tumors as well as urine cytology. However, BTA TRAK was more sensitive in the detection of low grade tumors (p<0.05). When considering both tests as complementary, a combined sensitivity of 80.9% and specificity of 88.5% were obtained. CONCLUSION: BTA TRAK is a valid test for the diagnosis of TCC of the bladder, which is not superior to urine cytology but complementary. More extensive prospective studies are required to validate this application and others of the BTA TRAK assay used either alone or in combination with urinary cytology in the management of bladder cancerpatients.

[Prostatic abscess: diagnosis and treatment]. / Abscesos prostáticos: diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Prostatic abscesses are an infrequent pathology, probably due to a better and early management of prostatic infections. Predisposing factors in this pathology are diabetes mellitus, urethral catheterism or manipulation, and immunodepressed states like AIDS. Nowadays, ultrasonography is an excellent diagnostic method of this pathology, and serves as a guidance of directed drainage. We present five cases in which the size of the abscess was determining in relation to the therapeutic attitude. Abscesses of less than 2 cm, measured by transrectal ultrasonography, can be evacuated by directed puncture, followed by antibiotic treatment. When the diameter of the abscess is greater than 2 cm, we realize a perineal drainage with a catheter placed with transrectal ultrasonography. Currently, TUR and other methods seems to be overcome.