Evaluation of the Risk Factors for the Incisional Hernia Occurrence After Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate patient-related factors and compare the techniques used for surgical specimen removal [trocar extension (TE) and Pfannenstiel incision (PF)] in terms of incisional hernia (IH) occurrence in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP). Materials and Methods: The records of 219 patients who underwent RALRP in our clinic between November 2017 and March 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Postoperative complication data and functional (continence and potency status) and oncological outcomes were recorded. Hernia type, location, and treatments applied were also noted. Results: After exclusion, complete data were available on 192 patients undergoing RALRP between the specified dates. The TE technique for removing the surgical specimen was performed in 135 patients, and the lower abdominal transverse incision technique (PF) in 57 patients. Preoperative patient- and tumor-related characteristics (age, body mass index [BMI], American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, T stage, and prostate size) were similar in both surgical groups. IH was detected in 16 patients (14 in the TE group and 2 in the PF group) (P = .156). Thirteen patients underwent surgery for IH, and three were followed up clinically. Conclusion: In our study, no statistically significant demographic or surgical technique-related factors were found to explain the occurrence of IH in patients who underwent RALRP for prostate cancer. It was observed that IH occurred more frequently in the cases where the surgical specimen was removed with the TE technique compared with the PF incision, but this result was not statistically significant. There was also no statistically significant difference between these two groups regarding oncological and functional outcomes in the early postoperative period.

Epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the bladder and concomitant urothelial carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (EMPNST) of the bladder is a rare entity with devastating features. These tumors are thought to originate from malignant transformation of pre-existing schwannomas of pelvic autonomic nerve plexuses, and unlike the conventional malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), are not associated with neurofibromatosis. The tumor has distinctive morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular features. Additionally, it tends to be more aggressive and have a higher mortality. This is the first case that presents with a synchronous urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and the epithelioid variant of MPNST in the literature. It's also the second reported case of EMPNST originating from the bladder wall. CASE SUMMARY: In this case report, we present the detailed clinical course of a 71-year-old patient with EMPNST of the bladder alongside a literature review. CONCLUSION: During the management of EMPNST cases, offering aggressive treatment modalities to the patient, such as radical cystectomy, is appropriate for the best chance to contain the disease, regardless of the tumor stage and the extent of local disease at initial diagnosis.

Rituximab in the management of retroperitoneal fibrosis: A single tertiary rheumatology care center experience.

AIM: To investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes and glucocorticoid-sparing effect of rituximab therapy in 13 patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF). METHODS: We analyzed the data of both glucocorticoid-naive and glucocorticoid-resistant RPF patients who were treated with rituximab. Demographic features, positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) findings, and clinical and histopathologic outcomes were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: We evaluated the data of 13 RPF patients (8M/5F). The median follow-up duration was 28 months (interquartile range [IQR] 24.5-55.5 months) and median age at the time of diagnosis was 50.8 years (IQR 46.5-54.5 years). PET-CT scans showed that following the rituximab therapy, the craniocaudal diameter of the RPF mass reduced from 74 mm (IQR 50.5-130 mm) to 52 mm (IQR 35-77 mm; p = .06), and periaortic thickness of the RPF mass reduced from 14 mm (5.5-21.9 mm) to 7 mm (4.5-11 mm; p = .12). The maximum standardized uptake value (based on body weight) of the RPF mass decreased from 5.8 (4.3-9.7) to 3.1 (2.8-5.3) after the therapy (p = .03). The number of patients with hydronephrosis reduced from 11 to 6 following rituximab therapy (p = .04). Before rituximab, nine patients received a median dose of 10 mg (IQR 0-27.5 mg) prednisolone per day. After the rituximab treatment, we discontinued prednisolone treatment for four out of nine patients and reduced the daily dose for the remaining patients. At the time of the final evaluation of the patients, the median prescribed prednisolone dose was 5 mg/day (IQR 2.5-7.5 mg/day; p = .01). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that rituximab may be a favorable treatment option for glucocorticoid-refractory RPF patients with high disease activity on PET-CT scans.

Comparison of split-cuff nipple and modified Lich-Gregoir ureteroneocystostomy in iatrogenic distal ureteral injuries: tertiary care center experience.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to compare the results of split-cuff nipple and modified Lich-Gregoir ureteroneocystostomy, which are the most commonly used techniques in stage ≥ 3 iatrogenic distal ureteral injuries. METHODS: The files of patients who were treated for iatrogenic distal ureteral injuries in our clinic between January 2013 and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 60 patients who underwent either intra-vesical split-cuff nipple ureteroneocystostomy (Group A) or extra-vesical modified Lich-Gregoir ureteroneocystostomy (Group B) operations were included in the study. The success of ureteroneocystostomy was defined as no additional surgery requirement, no progression of hydronephrosis on imaging, and normal contrast transition on imaging. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent split-cuff nipple and 26 patients underwent modified Lich-Gregoir ureteroneocystostomy. The treatment was successful in 53 (88.3%) patients and failed in seven (11.7%). Complications occurred in 19 (31.7%) patients, of whom 14 (23.3%) had minor and five (8.3%) had major complications. The rate of postoperative complications was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (p = 0.019). There was no significant difference between Group A and Group B in terms of the success ratio (p = 1), rate of major complications (p = 0.372), and postoperative hospitalization times (p = 0.254). CONCLUSION: In this study, a higher complication rate was found in patients with iatrogenic ureteral injuries who underwent ureteroneocystostomy with the split-cuff ureteral nipple technique compared to those who underwent this operation with the modified Lich-Gregoir technique. However, no significant difference was observed between these two techniques in terms of treatment success and major complications.

Hybrid Ga-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/MRI in the detection of skeletal metastasis in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer: Contribution of each part to the diagnostic performance.

PURPOSE: Bone metastasis is essential in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) as it determines prognosis and survival. Hybrid PET/MRI allows simultaneous acquisition of PET and MRI data, thus combining the strength of both technologies allows the detection of bone marrow metastases that are missed by PET/CT. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of hybrid PET/MRI with Ga-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in detecting skeletal metastases in newly diagnosed PCa patients and compared the effectiveness of stand-alone PSMA PET reviewing versus stand-alone whole-body (WB) MRI evaluation. We also investigated the effect of the interpretation of all PET/MR data together on clinical management. METHODS: We studied 74 newly diagnosed PCa patients who underwent PSMA PET/MRI for staging purposes. At first, PET and MRI were evaluated separately for bone lesions on a patient-and-lesion basis and then a further joint PSMA PET/MRI interpretation was made. RESULTS: Patient-based sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy analysis for bone metastasis was, respectively, 1.0, 0.83, 0.54, 1.0, 0.86 for PET; 0.75, 0.96, 0.81, 0.95, 0.93 for WB MRI and 0.91, 0.95, 0.78, 0,98, 0.94 for PET/MRI. The combined PET/MRI evaluation changed the clinical impact in 13.5% of patients (eight correct and two wrong decisions) compared to PET stand-alone interpretation. CONCLUSION: PSMA PET imaging showed superior sensitivity to WB MRI in detecting bone metastases in newly diagnosed PCa patients, whereas WB MRI has superior specificity and PPV. Furthermore, the specificity and PPV of joint PET/MRI evaluation are better than PSMA PET alone. Despite the longer acquisition period, adding WB MRI sequences to PSMA PET imaging appears beneficial for PCa patient management.

Radiopharmaceutical for detecting PSMA - positive metastatic colon cancer: Matched-pair comparison of 18F-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA and 68Ga-PSMA PET/MRI.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) - based radiopharmaceuticals are promising for the evaluation of PSMA-positive non-prostate cancers. In this case study, 18F-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA and 68Ga-PSMA positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) were compared in a patient with metastatic colon cancer. Both 18F-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA and 68Ga-PSMA PET/MRI showed biopsy-proven metastatic left external iliac adenopathy, highlighting the feasibility of PSMA uptake in PET/MRI of metastatic nodal disease from colon cancer. Along with imaging evaluation, PSMA-based radiopharmaceuticals may also be used as a surrogate imaging tracer for potential theranostic applications using alpha or beta emitters in the context of PSMA-directed radiopharmaceutical therapy in advanced and progressive colorectal cancer.

Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Ureterolysis for Retroperitoneal Fibrosis: Results from a Tertiary Referral Center.

Objectives: To compare the surgical outcomes of open and laparoscopic ureterolysis procedures in patients requiring surgical treatment for ureteral obstruction caused by retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF). Materials: This study was designed retrospectively. The clinical records of patients who underwent ureterolysis between January 2005 and April 2019 because of ureteral obstruction caused by RPF were examined. According to the type of surgery, the patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 (open ureterolysis) and Group 2 (laparoscopic ureterolysis). Demographic features, preoperative-postoperative renal functions, duration of follow-up with ureteral stents, and perioperative-postoperative complications were examined. The requirement of ureteral stent placement during the follow-up period was accepted as unsuccessful ureterolysis. Results: Ureterolysis was performed in 13 patients and 23 renal units. Eleven of these patients were men and two were women. The median age of the patients was 54 (44-68) years. There were six patients and 12 renal units in Group 1 and seven patients and 11 renal units in Group 2. Postoperatively, a total of four patients (30%) had minor complications (Clavien-Dindo 1-2) and one patient had a major complication (Clavien-Dindo 3a). Ureterolysis was determined to be effective in 21 of the renal units (91%) [11/12 (92%) in Group 1 vs 10/11 (91%) in Group 2]. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the success and complication rates (p = 1 and p = 0.529, respectively). Postoperative hospitalization length and recovery time to return to normal preoperative activities were significantly shorter in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p = 0.011 and p = 0.041, respectively). Conclusions: The success and complication rates were similar between the open and laparoscopic methods for ureterolysis. Laparoscopic approach was advantageous over open approach in terms of postoperative hospitalization length and recovery time to return to normal preoperative activities.

The clinical significance of circulating miR-21, miR-142, miR-143, and miR-146a in patients with prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common type of solid tissue cancer among men in western countries. In this study, we determined the levels of circulating miR-21, miR-142, miR-143, miR-146a, and RNU 44 levels as controls for early diagnosis of PCa. Methods: The circulating miRNA levels in peripheral blood samples from 43 localized PCa patients, 12 metastatic PCa (MET) patients, and a control group of, 42 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients with a total of 97 volunteers were determined the by PCR method. Results: No differences in the DCT values were found among the groups. In PCa and PCaMet groups the expression of miR21 and miR142 were higher compared to the BHP group. No other differences were observed among the other groups. miR21 expression in the PCa group was 6.29 folds upregulated whereas in the PCaMet group 10.84 folds up-regulated. When the total expression of miR142 is evaluated, it showed a positive correlation with mir21 and mir 146 (both p<0.001). Also, the expression of miR146 shows a positive correlation with both miR21 and miR143 (both p<0.001). Expression of miRNAs was found to be an independent diagnostic factor in patients with Gleason score, PSA, and free PSA levels. Conclusions: Our study showed that co-expression of miR21, miR-142, miR-143, and miR-146a and the upregulation of miR-21 resulted in increased prostate carcinoma cell growth. In the PCaMet group, miR21 is the most upregulated of all miRNAs. These markers may provide a novel diagnostic tool to help diagnose PCa with aggressive behavior.

Small Molecule, Multimodal, [18F]-PET and Fluorescence Imaging Agent Targeting Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen: First-in-Human Study.

BACKGROUND: A first-in-human study of [18F]-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA, a small-molecule imaging agent that can be unimolecularly both positron emitting and fluorescent, is conducted to determine its safety, biodistribution, radiation dosimetry, feasibility in tumor detection by preoperative positron emission tomography (PET), as well as its intraoperative fluorescence imaging utility in patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen positive (PSMA+) tumors. METHODS: Ten patients aged 66 ± 7 years received a 6.5 ± 3.2 mCi intravenous injection of [18F]-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA and underwent PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging. Radiation dosimetry of [18F]-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA, normal organ biodistribution, and tumor uptakes were examined. Two patients were prescheduled for radical prostatectomy (RP) with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy approximately 24 hours following [18F]-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA injection and imaging. Without reinjection, intraoperative fluorescence imaging was performed on freshly excised tissue during RP. Frozen sections of excised tissue during RP were submitted for confirmatory histopathology and multiphoton fluorescence and brightfield microscopy. RESULTS: Absorbed doses by organs including the kidneys and salivary glands were similar to 68Ga-PSMA-11 imaging. [18F]-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA physiologic radiotracer accumulation and urinary/biliary excretion closely resembled the distribution of other published PSMA tracers including [18F]-JK-PSMA-7, [18F]-PSMA-1007, [18F]-DCFPyL, and [18F]-DCFBC. 19F-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA was retained in PSMA+ cancer tissues in patients for at least 24 hours, allowing for intraoperative fluorescence assessment of the prostate and of the embedded prostate cancer without contrast reinjection. After 24 hours, the imaging agent mostly decayed or cleared from the blood pool. Preoperative PET and fluorescence imaging findings were confirmed with final histopathology and multiphoton microscopy. CONCLUSION: Our first-in-human results demonstrate that [18F]-BF3-Cy3-ACUPA is safe and feasible in humans. Larger trials with this PET tracer are expected to further define its capabilities and its clinical role in the management of PSMA+ tumors, especially in prostate cancer.

Predictors of Compliance with Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Quality Measures and its Effect on Survival Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: To assess and improve quality of care, the Commission on Cancer developed 3 evidence-based quality measures for the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer. We sought to assess performance of these measures prior to their implementation, whether compliance was associated with survival and whether patient factors influenced compliance. METHODS: We assessed all patients 18 to 90 years old diagnosed with invasive, nonmetastatic bladder cancer between 2004 and 2015 using the National Cancer Database. Both univariable and multivariable analyses were utilized to determine the effect of compliance on survival and identify patient level predictors of compliance. RESULTS: Of the 46,502 patients identified 22,218 underwent surgical management and 5,282 received trimodal therapy. All quality measures were achieved in 45.7% of the surgical cohort, which was associated with lower all cause mortality (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.85-0.93, p <0.01). Time less than 90 days to trimodal therapy was achieved in 35.0% and was not associated with lower all cause mortality (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.85-1.01, p=0.07). In the surgical cohort compliance was associated with higher income (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13-1.46, p <0.01), living in a higher educated zip code area (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.30, p=0.02) and living 10 or more miles from the place of treatment (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.29-1.47, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Quality measure compliance is associated with improved survival in patients undergoing surgical management of muscle invasive bladder cancer. Despite this benefit, achievement of all 3 metrics was observed in less than half of patients prior to quality measure implementation.

Ta grade 3/high grade non-invasive bladder cancer: Should we perform a second TUR?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of second transurethral resection (TUR) on oncological outcomes, according to the presence or absence of detrusor muscle in the initial TUR of patients with pTa Grade 3/high grade (G3/HG) tumours, who received at least 1 year of maintenance Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effect of second TUR on oncological outcomes of 93 patients with pTa G3/HG tumours, according to the presence or absence of muscle in the initial TUR. All patients received maintenance BCG therapy according to the SWOG protocol. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 36 months. If muscle is present in the initial TUR, a second TUR significantly increased median time to first recurrence, compared to those without a second TUR (77.6 vs 36.9 mos, P = .0086). If muscle is missing in the initial TUR, a second TUR significantly decreased recurrence rate (20% vs 66.7%, P = .002), increased median time to first recurrence (78.9 vs 42.7 mos, P = .0001) and median time to progression (22 vs 7 mos, P = .05), compared to those without a second TUR. CONCLUSION: In patients with pTa G3/HG tumours, if the muscle is missing in the initial TUR, a second TUR should be performed in order to attain lower recurrence rates and longer median time to recurrence and progression. If the muscle is present in the initial TUR, a second TUR will only increase median time to first recurrence.

Clinical outcomes of radical surgery in patients with renal carcinoma and associated venous thrombosis: Single-centre experience in a tertiary care institution.

BACKGROUND: Renal carcinoma and associated venous thrombosis cause specific perioperative and postoperative challenges. We aimed to evaluate the factors affecting clinical outcomes in patients undergoing radical surgery because of renal carcinoma and associated venous thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital records were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with renal carcinoma and associated venous thrombosis treated with radical surgery between 2006 and 2019. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative findings were analysed to determine the associations between clinical and survival outcomes. Overall and disease-free survival were analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Other associated prognostic variables were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients with renal carcinoma and associated venous thrombosis were enrolled for this study. There were 15 (45.4%) patients with level I, five (15.2%) with level II, eight (24.2%) with level III, and five (15.2%) with level IV venous thrombosis according to the Mayo Clinic classification system. The median follow-up was 35.6 months. In the univariate analysis, increased tumour size was associated with poor overall and disease-free survival. Preoperative clinic M1 disease was associated with poor overall survival. A high Mayo Clinic thrombus level was associated with poor disease-free survival. In the multivariate analysis, only tumour size and clinic M1 disease were independently correlated with poor overall survival. No independent statistically significant association was detected between thrombus level and survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the thrombus level was not associated with overall and disease-free survival, tumour size and clinic M1 disease were found to have an independent prognostic impact on overall survival.

Do urinary mast cell mediators predict immune response to BCG in patients with primary high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer?

BACKGROUND: Mast cells play a critical role in cancer-associated immunity. We aimed to determine the predictive value of urinary mast cell mediators in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy. METHODS: In this prospective study, 19 patients who received immunotherapy because of NMIBC (Group 1) and 19 healthy participants (Group 2) were enrolled. Urine samples were collected to assay N-methylhistamine, histamine, and tryptase levels immediately before the first BCG instillation, immediately after the third and sixth instillations, and 4 weeks after the sixth instillation in Group 1 and at a single visit in Group 2. The changes in urinary markers because of BCC response, BCG instillation, and the presence of NMIBC were assessed. RESULTS: The average age was 56.1 ± 10.5 years in Group 1 and 52.6 ± 9.7 years in Group 2. Fourteen patients had high-grade Ta tumours and five had T1 tumours. While 12 patients had responded to the BCG, seven patients did not respond to the BCG. There was no correlation between mast cell mediators and BCG response. The N-methylhistamine and histamine levels significantly increased with the onset of immunotherapy, and N-methylhistamine levels significantly decreased when immunotherapy was terminated (P < .05). The pre-BCG estimated marginal mean values of N-methylhistamine were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to identify the changes in mast cell mediators with the onset of immunotherapy and in presence of bladder cancer. However, these mediators cannot predict patients' response to immunotherapy.

Perioperative Analgesic Effects of Preemptive Ultrasound-Guided Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Prospective, Randomized Trial.

Background and Objectives: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive procedure for removing kidney stones, but patients still suffer from moderate postoperative pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the perioperative analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block performed before PCNL procedure. Materials and Methods: Patients scheduled for elective PCNL were randomized into two groups: Group TAP and Group IV. General anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium and maintained with sevoflurane, fentanyl, and rocuronium. Unilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed with total of 30 mL volume of local anesthetic solution (20 mL bupivacaine 0.125% plus 10 mL lidocaine 1%) after intubation but before surgery to the Group TAP patients. Paracetamol 1 g was given to the Group IV. Tramadol 100 mg and morphine IV-patient-controlled analgesia were applied to both groups. Perioperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative verbal analog scale (VAS), morphine consumption, and additional analgesic drug requirement were assessed. Chi square with Yates correction and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Eighty patients were assessed for enrollment. One patient developed septicemia at the recovery room so data of 79 patients were collected for statistical analysis. Total morphine consumption at 48th hour after the surgery was lower at Group TAP (p = 0.022). Perioperative fentanyl consumption was lower at Group TAP (p < 0.001). Additional analgesic requirement and VAS were comparable between groups. Conclusions: Preemptive unilateral ultrasound-guided subcostal TAP block decreases perioperative fentanyl and postoperative total morphine consumption in PCNL patients compared to IV analgesic management.

Comparison of a Modified Antegrade and Retrograde Ureteral Double-J Stenting Techniques during Laparoscopic and Robotic Pyeloplasty.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the effect of a modified antegrade and retrograde double-J stenting techniques on stenting and operation time in patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic pyeloplasty. METHODS: A total of 74 patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic or robotic pyeloplasty were enrolled into this study. The antegrade (Group 1) and retrograde (Group 2) techniques were compared for operation time, stenting time, complication, and reoperation rates. RESULTS: There were 41 and 33 patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Both groups were similar in terms of age, side, and gender distribution. The mean operation times were 122.4 and 139.7 min in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001). The stenting times were 2.39 and 14.15 min in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001). The reoperation and complication rates were 7.3 and 6%, respectively, and similar for both groups (p = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Our new technique significantly shortens the duration of laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty without compromising success and complication rates.

Correlation of SUVmax and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values Detected by Ga-68 PSMA PET/MRI in Primary Prostate Lesions and Their Significance in Lymph Node Metastasis: Preliminary Results of an On-going Study

Objectives: Gallium-68 (Ga-68) prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to be more accurate than multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detection of primary prostate lesions. Using hybrid PET/MRI we aim to detect the correlation between SUVmax and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in primary prostate lesions and to assess their prognostic value in detection of lymph node (LN) metastasis. Methods: Twenty-six patients, who were diagnosed as having prostate cancer with biopsy and underwent Ga-68 PSMA PET/MRI together with biparametric prostate MRI (bpMRI) were included. SUVmax, SUVmean and ADC were recorded for index lesions drawing a region of interest (ROI) of 1 cm2 around the pixel with the highest SUVmax (ROI-1) and another ROI following borders of prostate tumor detected by bpMRI (ROI-2). Presence of LN metastasis was recorded according to PSMA PET/MRI Results: SUVmax was inversely correlated with ADC (ROI-1: p=0.010; ROI-2: p=0.017 for b=800). SUVmax and SUVmeans were both higher in patients with LN metastasis and ADC was lower in patients with LN metastasis for ROI-1. SUVmax cut-off value of 19.8 for ROI-1 and 20.9 for ROI-2 had sensitivity and specificity of 77.8% and 76.5%, respectively for detection of LN metastasis, whereas ADC (b=800) cut-off value of 0.92x10-3 mm2/s had sensitivity and specificity of 87.5% and 76.5%, respectively. SUVmax/ADC (b=800) ratio increased the sensitivity and specificity to 100% and 82.4%, respectively. Conclusion: SUV and ADC values are inversely correlated in primary prostate lesions and the combined use of both values increases the diagnostic accuracy of hybrid PET/MRI in the detection of primary prostate lesions.

Helicobacter pylori-miRNA interaction in gastric cancer tissues: First prospective study from Turkey.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is involved in the etiology of gastric cancer (GC). miRNAs are short RNAs that regulate gene expression by marking mRNAs for degradation. miRNAs are involved in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and cell proliferation. We aimed to investigate the miRNA expression profiles of tissues from H. pylori (+) and (-) GC patients. Forty GC patients, 20 H. pylori (+) and 20 H. pylori (-), and a healthy control group were included. The miRNA expression levels were investigated by microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR. We detected 9 upregulated and 4 downregulated miRNAs by microarray. We selected 5 upregulated and 5 downregulated miRNAs for the quantitative RT-PCR assay. The relative fold changes of miRNAs in the cancerous tissue and non-tumor mucosa specimens of H. pylori (+) GC patients for hsa-miR-194 were 4.24- and 3.83-fold higher, respectively, whereas the hsa-miR-145 expression levels were downregulated 0.33-fold and 0.43-fold, respectively, in the same group. The presence of H. pylori significantly upregulated hsa-miR-194 and downregulated hsa-miR-145 expression levels in H. pylori (+) GC cases, compared to H. pylori (-) GC cases. Regional differences in the virulence of H. pylori strains may also be involved in the up- or downregulation of miRNA expression levels.

Comparison of Ga-68 PSMA positron emission tomography/computerized tomography with Tc-99m MDP bone scan in prostate cancer patients

Background/aim: The aim of our study was to compare Tc-99m MDP bone scan and Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT in terms of detection of bone metastasis in prostate cancer patients. Materials and methods: A total of 28 prostate cancer patients with bone scan and PSMA PET/CT performed within 90 days were retrospectively included in our analysis. All bone lesions were scored as negative (score-0), positive (score-1), or suspicious (score-2) for metastasis by two experienced nuclear medicine physicians. Both patient-based and region-based analyses were made for all osseous lesions. Results: On per-patient analysis; sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were 72.7%, 52.9%, 50%, 75%, and 60.7%, respectively, for bone scan and 90.9%, 100%, 100%, 94.4%, and 96.4%, respectively, for PSMA PET/CT. On per-region analysis; sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 76.2%, 80.9%, 57.1%, 91.1%, and 79.8%, respectively, for bone scan and 85.7%, 100%, 100%, 95.5%, and 95.4%, respectively, for PSMA PET/CT. Conclusion: Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT has higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compared to bone scan in terms of bone metastasis detection in prostate cancer patients. Therefore, it might be the modality of choice for patients with suspicion for metastatic disease, despite negative bone scan and conventional imaging results

Trifecta Outcomes of Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for T1a and T1b Renal Tumors: A Single-Center Experience in a Tertiary Care Institution.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in T1a and T1b renal tumors using "Trifecta" in partial nephrectomy and determine the predictive factors in respect to the criteria that constitute Trifecta. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data harvested from the patients who underwent LPN for T1a or T1b tumors. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated and analyzed. Patients who had grade <2 Clavien complications, negative surgical margins, and minimal renal function deterioration (warm ischemia time [WIT] ≤25 minutes and ≤15% postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] decrease) were acccepted to fit the strict Trifecta outcomes. Multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression test to determine the predictive factors affecting Trifecta. Results: A total of 128 patients underwent LPN. Of these, 65 (50.8%) patients had cT1a and 63 (49.2%) patients had cT1b renal tumors. The mean age was 55.8 (24-85) years. Mean operative time was 143.6 (100-200) minutes. A total of five (3.9%) patients had positive surgical margins. Mean WIT was 22.1 minutes. Ten patients (7.8%) had a >15% decrease in eGFR after surgery. Complications were observed in 11 (8.6%) patients. A total of 78 (60.9%) patients had strict trifecta outcomes. Tumor size was found to be a predictive factor affecting Trifecta at multivariate analysis. Conclusions: LPN procedure has been shown to demonstrate improved strict Trifecta outcomes in patients with T1a and T1b renal tumors. Only the tumor size was found to be a predictive factor regarding the Trifecta criteria.