[Pathology and Pathophysiology of BPH and Relevant Incidental Findings in TUR-P]. / Pathologie und Pathophysiologie der BPH und relevante Zufallsbefunde in der TUR-P.

Pathology and Pathophysiology of BPH and Relevant Incidental Findings in TUR-P Abstract: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is defined as nodular prostate enlargement due to cellular proliferation of prostate glands and stroma. Beside adenocarcinoma, BPH is one of the most common diseases in the prostate. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is surgical treatment of choice for BPH. Resected tissue fragments are examined in the pathology and belong to the most commonly submitted urologic specimens. Up to date, pathophysiology of BPH is not yet completely understood. Different hormones such as androgens, dihydrotestosterone, estrogens as well as growth factors, inflammation, and environmental influences are important in the process. The diagnosis of BPH is usually straightforward. In this context, it is important to mention incidental findings, which may come along as "bad surprises" while examining TURP tissue fragments. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) or incidental acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate as well as the potential preneoplastic atypical adenomatoid hyperplasia (AAH) represent a few examples. According to literature, the histologic examination of TURP tissue reveals a high-grade PIN in up to 5%. Incidental adenocarcinoma is encountered in 5-13%. These frequencies justify a relatively laborious examination of the entire or majority resected TURP tissue.

PIK3CA Mutational Analysis in Patients With Macrodactyly.

BACKGROUND: Somatic mosaicism for PIK3CA mutations causes various types of growth disorders, which have been summarized under the term PROS (PIK3CA related overgrowth spectrum). Targeted therapy with PI3K inhibitors seems to be a promising alternative for severe PROS cases. Therefore, PIK3CA testing may become more relevant in the future. METHODS: We report on 14 PROS patients, who had surgery for macrodactyly in the majority of cases. Clinical data were retrieved from the patient's records. Macroscopic and microscopic findings were retrospectively reviewed. Mutational analysis was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 7 months to 35 years. Five patients showed additional anomalies. One patient had CLOVES syndrome. The majority of the specimens were ray resections characterized by hypertrophic fat tissue. Overall, microscopy was subtle. The abnormal adipose tissue showed lobules exhibiting at least focally fibrous septa. In each case, we could detect a PIK3CA mutation. CONCLUSION: Histology of affected fat tissue in PROS patients is overall nonspecific. Therefore, mutational analysis represents the key to the diagnosis, especially in unclear clinical cases. We demonstrated that FFPE material is suitable for PIK3CA testing, which can be considered as basis for targeted therapy with PI3K inhibitors.

Evaluation of Long-term Anatomic Changes Following Canaloplasty With Anterior Segment Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy.

BACKGROUND: To analyze long-term structural changes in conjunctiva, sclera and Schlemm canal (SC) with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) following uncomplicated canaloplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with planned canaloplasty and no intraoperative complications were included in this prospective study. AS-OCT images were acquired at 1, 3, 6 months and at a long-term time point (20±4.9 mo) postsurgery. UBM images were acquired at 3, 6 months and long-term after canaloplasty. The surgical site was evaluated for the presence of SC, transscleral filtration, a scleral lake, and the visibility of intra-Schlemm sutures. The SC's height and width were measured at the 3 and 9 o'clock limbus position. RESULTS: Following canaloplasty, the intraocular pressure was successfully reduced from 23.43±5.52 to 12.6±1.78 mm Hg (P<0.0001) at the final control visit. Topical medication was reduced from 2.9±1.1 to 0.4±0.6 over the same period. SC's increase in height was higher than that in width at the last visit (height: +351%, P=0.0004, width: +144%, P=0.002). With the UBM the SC was easily identifiable by the reflection of the tractions sutures in 75% of the patients at the last visit. Transscleral filtration was detectable in 42% of the patients at the last visit using AS-OCT and a scleral lake was still detectable by OCT in 25% of the patients and even in 42% of the patients by UBM. CONCLUSIONS: Persisting anatomic changes of SC, a transscleral filtration and a scleral lake can be recorded by AS-OCT and UBM long-term after successful canaloplasty.

Evaluation of early anatomical changes following canaloplasty with anterior segment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy.

PURPOSE: To analyse structural changes in conjunctiva, sclera and Schlemm's canal (SC) following canaloplasty with optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing canaloplasty were included in this prospective study. AS-OCT images were acquired pre- and 1, 7, 30 and 90 days postoperatively. UBM was performed 3 months postoperatively. The surgical site was evaluated for the presence of SC, transscleral filtration, a scleral lake and the visibility of intra-Schlemm-sutures. The height and width of SC were measured at the 3 and 9 o'clock limbus position. RESULTS: After canaloplasty, SC was detectable with AS-OCT in 93% of the patients on day 1. The increase in height was higher than that in width (height: +369%, p = 0.0004, width: +152%, p = 0.002). IOP was negatively correlated to SC's width 1 week postoperatively (r = -0.63, p = 0.04) and to SC's height until 3 months (r = -0.66, p = 0.02) postoperatively. Using UBM, a reflection of the traction sutures indicated SC's position in all patients. Transscleral filtration was found in all patients using AS-OCT, demonstrating a peak 1 week postoperatively. At 3 months, a scleral lake could be visualized in 50% and 83% of patients using AS-OCT and UBM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: AS-OCT offers a high resolution for imaging superficial conjunctival areas and SC after canaloplasty, whereas UBM is capable of detecting deeper structures such as scleral lakes or intra-canal-sutures. The results imply a correlation of the dilation of SC with the IOP-lowering effect and an early pronounced transscleral filtration following canaloplasty.

Concept and first experimental results of a new ferromagnetic assist device for extra-aortic counterpulsation.

OBJECTIVES: Based on a ferromagnetic silicone cuff for extra-aortic counterpulsation, a new assist device concept was developed. The driving force is generated by an external magnetic field, which leads to contraction of a soft magnetic cuff. The force generation capacity of the device was tested in a silicone aorta model. METHODS: Magnetic elastomers can be constructed through dispersion of micro- or nanoparticles in polymer matrices and were designed to act as soft actuators. Two magnetically active silicone cuffs were produced with a nanomagnet loading of 250 wt% (Cuff 1) and a micromagnet loading of 67 wt% (Cuff 2). The magnetic cuffs were applied on a silicone aorta model and contracted against hydrostatic pressure. RESULTS: A full contraction of Cuff 1 was possible against a maximal hydrostatic pressure of 30 cmH2O (22 mmHg) at a magnetic flux density of 0.4 T (Tesla) and 65 cmH2O (48 mmHg) at a magnetic flux density of 1.2 T. A 50% contraction of Cuff 2 was possible against a maximal hydrostatic pressure of 80 cmH2O (59 mmHg) at a magnet-cuff-distance (MCD) of 0 cm. At MCDs of 1 and 2 cm a 50% contraction was possible against 33 cmH2O (24 mmHg) and 10 cmH2O (7 mmHg), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combining the advantages of magnetic elastomers with the principle of extra-aortic counterpulsation in a new assist device concept avoids the need for anticoagulation (no contact with bloodstream). With regard to the magnetic principle of action, no intra- to extracorporeal connection is needed. More experimental work is needed to further increase the force generated by the silicone cuff and to transfer the device concept into an in vivo setting.

Sterilization and preservation influence the biophysical properties of human amnion grafts.

The introduction of amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation in ophthalmic surgery holds great promise and in many clinical situations it offers an alternative to existing management options. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of established sterilization and preservation procedures on biophysical and histological properties of AM grafts. Amnion was sterilized by peracetic acid/ethanol sterilization [PES] and preserved by air-drying (sterile laminar flow) [AD] or in glycerol [GLYC]. Unsterilized AM were preserved at -80 degrees C [-80 degrees C] and served as an experimental control. Amnion allografts were characterized by the determination of their thickness, moisture vapour permeability (MVP), oxygen permeability (OPERM), tensile strength and sulphur content. Immunostaining for tissue-specific and basement membrane-related proteins was performed. Differences in biophysical parameters were found between the unsterilized allografts and the sterilized, air-dried or glycerol-preserved allografts. [PES/AD] showed the highest MVP and OPERM, the highest tensile strength and the lowest sulphur content and thickness. [PES/GLYC] exhibited the lowest OPERM and the highest thickness compared to [-80 degrees C] and [PES/AD]. Collagen types V and VII were preserved the best in the control group. Sterilization and preservation affect biophysical properties important for the use of AM as allogenic grafts. It has to be determined if any change, as noted, has a clinical impact.