Urology: a trip into metaverse.

PURPOSE: Metaverse is becoming an alternative world in which technology and virtual experiences are mixed with real life, and it holds the promise of changing our way of living. Healthcare is already changing thanks to Metaverse and its numerous applications. In particular, Urology and urologic patients can benefit in many ways from Metaverse. METHODS: A non-systematic literature review identified recently published studies dealing with Metaverse. The database used for this review was PubMed, and the identified studies served as the base for a narrative analysis of the literature that explored the use of Metaverse in Urology. RESULTS: Virtual consultations can enhance access to care and reduce distance and costs, and pain management and rehabilitation can find an incredible support in virtual reality, reducing anxiety and stress and improving adherence to therapy. Metaverse has the biggest potential in urologic surgery, where it can revolutionize both surgery planning, with 3D modeling and virtual surgeries, and intraoperatively, with augmented reality and artificial intelligence. Med Schools can implement Metaverse in anatomy and surgery lectures, providing an immersive environment for learning, and residents can use this platform for learning in a safe space at their own pace. However, there are also potential challenges and ethical concerns associated with the use of the metaverse in healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides an overview of the concept of the metaverse, its potential applications, challenges, and opportunities, and discusses the implications of its development in Urology.

Residual root fate after aortic surgery in bicuspid aortic valve with right-to-left fusion: A comparative risk analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) anatomy might influence aortic aneurysm development, BAV-related root involvement still lacks standardized surgical management. We aimed to evaluate late clinical outcomes and risk factors for root dilation after proximal aortic replacement in patients with BAV and right-left fusion (RL-BAV). METHODS: Clinical and echocardiographic data of all patients with intraoperative RL-BAV who underwent ascending aortic replacement with or without noncoronary sinus (NCS) replacement (Groups 1 and 2, respectively) between 1999 and 2017, were retrospectively revised. A multivariable analysis assessed hazard factors for root dilation during follow-up (FU). RESULTS: Of 206 surgeries performed (M 81%; age: 57 ± 13 years, EuroSCORE II: 2.7 ± 1.9%), 79 (38%) required NCS replacement. One hundred fifty-seven patients (76%) underwent aortic valve replacement (with aortic regurgitation predominating in Group 1, p = .04). The preoperative aortic root was larger in patients requiring NCS replacement (43.3 ± 5.1 vs. 39.2 ± 4.8 mm, p < .001). At a median FU time of 7 years (interquartile range: 4-10), no residual root dissections occurred, and only two patients (belonging to Group 2) required redo root surgery. Preoperative mild aortic regurgitation and aortic root diameter >35 mm at discharge were risk factors for root dilation >40 mm at FU (p = .02). Aortic root did not dilate over time, irrespective of NCS replacement (p = .06). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic root in patients with RL-BAV undergoing ascending aortic replacement (±NCS replacement) does not significantly dilate over time, even if patients with preoperative aortic regurgitation and postoperative root more than 35 mm might require more surveillance.

Treatment and Staging Intensification Strategies Associated with Radical Prostatectomy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Efficacy Evaluation and Exploration of Novel Approaches.

The management of high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) presents a significant clinical challenge, often necessitating treatment intensification due to the potential presence of micrometastases. While radical prostatectomy (RP) constitutes one of the primary treatment modalities, the integration of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies suggests a paradigm shift towards more aggressive treatment strategies, also guided by new imaging modalities like positron emission tomography using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA-PET). Despite the benefits, treatment intensification raises concerns regarding increased side effects. This review synthesizes the latest evidence on perioperative treatment intensification and de-escalation for high-risk localized and locally advanced PCa patients eligible for surgery. Through a non-systematic literature review conducted via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov, we explored various dimensions of perioperative treatments, including neoadjuvant systemic therapies, adjuvant therapies, and the role of novel diagnostic technologies. Emerging evidence provides more support for neoadjuvant systemic therapies. Preliminary results from studies suggest the potential for treatments traditionally reserved for metastatic PCa to show apparent benefit in a non-metastatic setting. The role of adjuvant treatments remains debated, particularly the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and adjuvant radiotherapy in patients at higher risk of biochemical recurrence. The potential role of radio-guided PSMA lymph node dissection emerges as a cutting-edge approach, offering a targeted method for eradicating disease with greater precision. Innovations such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are potential game-changers, offering new avenues for personalized treatment and improved prognostication. The intensification of surgical treatment in high-risk PCa patients is a dynamic and evolving field, underscored by the integration of traditional and novel therapeutic approaches. As evidence continues to emerge, these strategies will refine patient selection, enhance treatment efficacy, and mitigate the risk of progression, although with an attentive consideration of the associated side effects.

Potential Applications of New Headsets for Virtual and Augmented Reality in Urology.

Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies hold great promise in various medical fields. The release of a new generation of headsets for medical enhanced VR/AR (MER) opens new possibilities for applications in medicine, particularly in urology, to improve accessibility to everyone. These innovative headsets offer deep immersion without requiring a controller, which represents a novel approach to VR/AR engagement. The potential of these headsets applies to all aspects of urology, including surgical training, virtual meetings, communication between health care providers, patient counseling, telemedicine, delivering patient advice, and pain control. MER has the potential to improve operative planning and enhance intraoperative navigation and spatial awareness. The surgeon's visualization and overall experience can be significantly enhanced via improved guidance and visualization, ultimately leading to greater precision and safety. This cutting-edge technology has the potential to reshape urology practice, communication methods, and medical procedures, and ultimately to improve patients' experience of their urological condition. PATIENT SUMMARY: This mini review explores how a new generation of headsets for medical enhanced virtual reality could revolutionize urology by improving surgical planning, assistance during procedures, and medical education. Patients can benefit from better pain management and a deeper understanding of their conditions. However, challenges such as costs, accuracy, and ethical concerns must be addressed. This technology holds promise for transforming urological practice and patient care.

Abbreviated Versus Multiparametric Prostate MRI in Active Surveillance for Prostate-Cancer Patients: Comparison of Accuracy and Clinical Utility as a Decisional Tool.

(1) Purpose: To compare the diagnostic accuracy between full multiparametric contrast-enhanced prostate MRI (mpMRI) and abbreviated dual-sequence prostate MRI (dsMRI) in men with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) who were candidates for active surveillance. (2) Materials and Methods: Fifty-four patients with a diagnosis of low-risk PCa in the previous 6 months had a mpMRI scan prior to a saturation biopsy and a subsequent MRI cognitive transperineal targeted biopsy (for PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions). The dsMRI images were obtained from the mpMRI protocol. The images were selected by a study coordinator and assigned to two readers blinded to the biopsy results (R1 and R2). Inter-reader agreement for clinically significant cancer was evaluated with Cohen's kappa. The dsMRI and mpMRI accuracy was calculated for each reader (R1 and R2). The clinical utility of the dsMRI and mpMRI was investigated with a decision-analysis model. (3) Results: The dsMRI sensitivity and specificity were 83.3%, 31.0%, 75.0%, and 23.8%, respectively, for R1 and R2. The mpMRI sensitivity and specificity were 91.7%, 31.0%, 83.3%, and 23.8%, respectively, for R1 and R2. The inter-reader agreement for the detection of csPCa was moderate (k = 0.53) and good (k = 0.63) for dsMRI and mpMRI, respectively. The AUC values for the dsMRI were 0.77 and 0.62 for the R1 and R2, respectively. The AUC values for the mpMRI were 0.79 and 0.66 for R1 and R2, respectively. No AUC differences were found between the two MRI protocols. At any risk threshold, the mpMRI showed a higher net benefit than the dsMRI for both R1 and R2. (4) Conclusions: The dsMRI and mpMRI showed similar diagnostic accuracy for csPCa in male candidates for active surveillance.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic factor for patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder following radical cystectomy.

Introduction: The pre-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with adverse pathology or survival in a variety of malignancies, including urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) treated with radical cystectomy (RC). Whether the prognostic value of NLR is retained, or even increased, when measured postoperatively remains to be studied. In this study, we evaluated the association of preoperative and postoperative NLR with oncological outcomes following RC. Material and methods: The NLR was recorded in 132 consecutive patients with UCB treated with open RC: before surgery (NLR1), postoperatively within 2 days (NRL2), between 7 and 15 days after RC before discharge (NLR3), and a few days before recurrence or last available follow-up (NLR4). Results: When assessed by multivariate analysis NLR1 remained independently associated with a significantly increased risk of extravesical disease (pT 3-4) (OR = 1.4, p <0.01) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.09-1.83, p <0.01). NLR4 was independently associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer-specific mortality (CSM) (HR = 1.14, 95%CI 1.03-1.24, p = 0.013). In a postoperative model, NLR3 was found to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (ACM) [HR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.21, p = 0.01]. NLR1 was associated with a significantly increased risk of recurrence in the univariable preoperative model [HR = 1.9, 95%CI 1.00-3.65, p = 0.05], while in the postoperative model NLR4 remained independently associated with a significantly increased risk of recurrence (HR = 1.13, 95%CI 1.04-1.23, p = 0.03). Conclusions: In patients with UCB treated with RC, the NLR is associated with more advanced tumour stage, LVI, lymph node metastasis, and higher CSM. Furthermore, the variation of the NLR after surgery might play a role in predicting higher ACM and recurrence-free survival.

Arterial Thrombotic Complications in COVID-19: A Case of Renal Infarction.

COVID-19 infection has been associated with thrombotic complications, especially venous thromboembolism. Although arterial thrombotic complications are rarely seen in these patients, we report the case of a 43-year-old patient who developed thrombosis of the main branch of the left renal artery, causing partial infarction of the left kidney associated with severe pain. He had no risk factors for thrombosis except for COVID-19 infection. We excluded any possible condition usually associated with renal artery thrombosis/embolism (i.e., cardiovascular, oncological, hematological, or rheumatic). The thrombosis resolved after a combination of anticoagulant and anti-platelet therapy. This case highlights the importance of the risk of recurrence of thrombosis in patients with a recent history of COVID-19, even after hospital discharge, improvement of the initial thrombotic event, and clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection.