A review of urinary bladder microbiome in patients with bladder cancer and its implications in bladder pathogenesis.

PURPOSE: The recent discovery of the urinary microbiome has led to an emerging field of investigation about the potential role of microorganisms in the pathogenesis of urinary bladder cancer. Few preliminary data have been reported so far implicating urobiome as causative and prognostic factor of bladder tumorigenesis. In the present study, a review of the current evidence is presented about microbiome composition among patients with bladder cancer and healthy individuals as well as possible implications of microbiome on urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. METHODS: A literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane library until December 2023. Search algorithm was constructed using the following terms and their associated Mesh terms and Boolean operators: "urinary microbiome" and "urinary microbiota". Studies written in English language, identifying, and comparing urinary microbiome among bladder cancer patients and healthy control group were included in the review. RESULTS: A total of 2,356 reports were identified. From this total 16 articles complied with the inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. These articles represent a total of about 486 bladder cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Recent studies revealed the colonization of the urinary tract and the bladder by micro-organisms using both enhanced culture- and molecular-based techniques for microbial characterization. However, several limitations exist in the literature decreasing the reliability of the current reports. As a result, urinary microbiome consist an ambitious era in bladder cancer research with an increasing number of evidence about its potential pathogenetic, prognostic and therapeutic role.

Micro-Ultrasound-Guided vs Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Targeted Biopsy in the Detection of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Micro-ultrasound is a novel high resolution ultrasound technology aiming to improve prostate imaging and, consequently, the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Micro-ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy may present comparable detection rates to the standard of care multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted prostate biopsy for the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer. We aimed to compare the detection rate of micro-ultrasound vs multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted prostate biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies comparing micro-ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted prostate biopsy as a reference standard test (PROSPERO ID: CRD42020198326). Records were identified by searching in PubMed®, Scopus® and Cochrane Library databases, as well as in potential sources of gray literature until November 30th, 2020. RESULTS: We included 18 studies in the qualitative and 13 in the quantitative synthesis. In the quantitative synthesis, 1,125 participants received micro-ultrasound-guided followed by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted and systematic prostate biopsy. Micro-ultrasound and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted prostate biopsies displayed similar detection rates across all prostate cancer grades. The pooled detection ratio for International Society of Urological Pathology Grade Group ≥2 prostate cancer was 1.05 (95% CI 0.93-1.19, I2=0%), 1.25 (95% CI 0.95-1.64, I2=0%) for Grade Group ≥3 and 0.94 (95% CI 0.73-1.22, I2=0%) for clinically insignificant (Grade Group 1) prostate cancer. The overall detection ratio for prostate cancer was 0.99 (95% CI 0.89-1.11, I2=0%). CONCLUSIONS: Micro-ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy provides comparable detection rates for prostate cancer diagnosis with the multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-guided prostate biopsy. Therefore, it could be considered as an attractive alternative to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted prostate biopsy. Nevertheless, high quality randomized trials are warranted to corroborate our findings.

Validity and reliability of the Greek version of the neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS) questionnaire in a sample of Greek patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is no data regarding validity and reliability of the Greek version of Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS) questionnaire. In this study we investigated these parameters using a sample of Greek patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with different types and severity of multiple sclerosis were recruited from a single center in Greece prospectively. All patients completed the MusiQoL and NBSS questionnaires at baseline and 20 days later, without receiving any new treatment. Construct validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were tested. Internal consistency was investigated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, while test-retest reliability using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was assessed by comparing NBSS quality of life question 24 with MusiQoL questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were evaluated. The dimensions of NBSS exhibited high internal consistency, both for overall questionnaire score (Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.91) and for every subdomain separately (Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.95 for incontinence, 0.88 for storage symptoms and 0.74 for consequences). Test-retest reliability was satisfactory both for overall score [ICC of 0.85, (0.35-0.94), p < 0.001] and for every subdomain separately (ICC of 0.90 for incontinence, 0.83 for storage symptoms and 0.90 for consequences). Pearson's correlation coefficient of question number 24 of the NBSS questionnaire regarding quality of life with the MusiQoL questionnaire revealed a moderate correlation [r = 0.64, (0.48-0.80), p < 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: The Greek version of NBSS appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing neurogenic bladder symptoms in Greek population suffering from multiple sclerosis.

A-blockers for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: This is a prospective study aiming to assess the efficacy of α-blockers in treating radiotherapy-induced symptoms of the lower urinary tract and its possible prophylactic role on acute urinary retention (AUR) in patients undergoing radical external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for localized prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Overall, 108 patients with localized PCa were recruited and randomly assigned in to two groups; 54 patients of Group 1 received tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily with the initiation of EBRT and for 6 months and 54 patients of Group 2 served as the control group. All patients received radical EBRT and had post-void volume (Vres) assessment. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and evaluation of episodes of AUR were performed after the end of radiotherapy, at 3 and at 6 months. RESULTS: The incidence of AUR was significantly (p = 0.027) lower in group 1 compared to group 2. No independent predictive factors for AUR were identified in regression analysis. The IPSS changes in univariate and multivariate analysis at 3 months showed significant correlation with α-blockers only, while at 6 months showed significant correlation with Vres assessments (at 3 and 6 months) and with α-blockers. Side effects due to medication were mild and none of the patients discontinued the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The selective use of α-blocker appears to prevent AUR in EBRT-treated patients. Although the administration of α-blockers might relieve patient-reported symptoms, there are no established independent predictive factors to distinguish patients who may benefit.

Bladder irrigation with povidone-iodine prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in neurogenic bladder patients on clean intermittent catheterization.

AIMS: To determine if daily povidone-iodine (PI) bladder irrigation in neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) patients doing clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) can reduce the rate of symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs), emergency department (ED) visit for UTIs, and hospitalization for UTIs. METHODS: We prospectively reviewed the records of patients with NLUTD on CIC who had recurrent symptomatic UTIs and who were placed on daily intravesical instillations of PI. This trial was conducted from January 2014 to January 2020 on 119 patients. RESULTS: After using daily PI bladder irrigation, the rate of symptomatic UTIs was reduced by 99.2% (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.008, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001-0.059; p < .001), the rate of ED visits was reduced by 99.2%% (IRR: 0.008, 95% CI: 0.001-0.059; p < .001), and the rate of inpatient hospitalizations for UTI was reduced by 99.9% (IRR: 0.0008, 95% CI: 0.0002-0.0035; p < .001). There was also a significant decrease in multidrug resistance in UTI organisms with the use of PI bladder instillation. CONCLUSIONS: Daily intravesical PI instillation is a well-tolerated approach to prevent UTIs and related ED visits and hospitalizations in NLUTD patients doing CIC.

Single Dose of Sildenafil and Atorvastatin Increase Skin Survivability, but only Atorvastatin Increase Nitric Oxide in Rat Ischeamia Reperfusion Model.

Background: Ischeamia reperfusion injury is a frequent challenge during tissue reconstruction. Atorvastatin and Sildenafil, have been studied for their protective and/or therapeutic effects on various organ systems subjected to IRI. The aim of the present study was to compare a single dose of Atorvastatin and Sildenafil pretreatment on acute oxidative/nitrosative stress and the subsequent dermal flap necrosis. Materials and Methods: Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats, were randomly allocated into three equal groups(n=15): Group A: Control rats treated with intraperitoneal saline, Group B: Sildenafil group, and Group C: atorvastatin group. All rats underwent flap elevation and inferior epigastric artery occlusion thirty minutes after drug administration. Myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity were evaluated 12 hours after reperfusion. Flap survivability was analysed 7 days after the procedure. Results: Statistically significant reduction was detected in sildenafil and atorvastation. Measurements of myelopyroxidase followed a similar pattern, interestingly malonadehyde levels measured to be significantly lower in the sildenafil group. Contrary, iNOS activity atorvastatin was significantly elevated in atorvastatin group. Conclusion: The single dose of atorvastatin or sildenafil increase flap survivability almost equally, however only atorvastatin enhances significantly iNOS expression.

Paraffinoma, siliconoma and Co: Disastrous consequences of failed penile augmentation-A single-centre successful surgical management of a challenging entity.

The purpose of this study was to present our series of patients with disastrous consequences of failed penile self-augmentation and suggested surgical reconstruction. Ten patients with median age of 23 years and a variety of penile and scrotal deformities due to injections of several substances had undergone successful surgical reconstruction of external genitalia. The injections were self-performed in nine cases and the patients reported from 4 to 20 substance injections throughout the penile shaft. Three patients presented with fibrotic scirrhous masses in their scrotum, although they did not report any injections in scrotal area. All patients underwent extended penile-shaft skin excision, while all palpable scrotal lesions were removed in one-by-one fashion, as an attempt to destroy the less possible scrotal tissue. All patients were discharged on first post-operative day and reassessed at 2 months post-operatively. As a result, penile self-augmentation with injected substances may cause severe complications. Our proposed single-staged procedure seems safe and effective.

Current Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Critical Evaluation.

The landscape of local and systemic therapy of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rapidly changing. The increase in the incidental finding of small renal tumors has increased the application of nephron-sparing procedures, while ten novel agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or the mammalian target of rapamycin pathways, or inhibiting the interaction of the programmed death 1 receptor with its ligand, have been approved since 2006 and have dramatically improved the prognosis of metastatic RCC (mRCC). These rapid developments have resulted in continuous changes in the respective Clinical Practice Guidelines/Expert Recommendations. We conducted a systematic review of the existing guidelines in MEDLINE according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses statement, aiming to identify areas of agreement and discrepancy among them and to evaluate the underlying reasons for such discrepancies. Data synthesis identified selection criteria for nonsurgical approaches in renal masses; the role of modern laparoscopic techniques in the context of partial nephrectomy; selection criteria for cytoreductive nephrectomy and metastasectomy in mRCC; systemic therapy of metastatic non-clear-cell renal cancers; and optimal sequence of available agents in mRCC relapsed after anti-VEGF therapy as the major areas of uncertainty. Agreement or uncertainty was not always correlated with the availability of data from phase III randomized controlled trials. Our review suggests that the combination of systematic review and critical evaluation can define practices of wide applicability and areas for future research by identifying areas of agreement and uncertainty among existing guidelines. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Currently, there is uncertainity on the role of surgery in MRCC and on the choice of available guidelines in relapsed RCC. The best practice is individualization of targeted therapies. Systematic review of guidelines can help to identify unmet medical needs and areas of future research.

Review on diagnosis and management of urolithiasis in pregnancy: an ESUT practical guide for urologists.

PURPOSE: Management of urolithiasis in pregnancy can be challenging for most urologists with diagnostic and treatment dilemma to ensure the best outcome for both mother and fetus. We wanted to review the literature for urolithiasis in pregnancy with a practical management guide for urologists. METHODS: A non-systematic review of literature was carried out for all English language literature using Medline. To ensure a more comprehensive search, the review of diagnosis and management of pregnant patients with urolithiasis was carried out separately, by two authors independently. Due to diagnostic complexity, investigations (US, CT, MRI) carried out were assessed separately. RESULTS: Our search included diagnostic studies such as US, CT and MRI (73, 20 and 27 articles, respectively) and management studies (55 articles in total). Details on etiology, radiation risk, safety of various diagnostic modalities, medications and treatment options are covered through an evidence-based approach. We provide a practical guide for urologists in what is clearly a stressful situation for patient and physician alike. CONCLUSIONS: Urolithiasis in pregnancy needs a careful multidisciplinary management to achieve good outcomes for both mother and baby. Our review shows that a balanced approach for diagnosis and treatment seems to achieve the best outcomes in pregnancy.

Hyberbaric oxygen as sole treatment for severe radiation - induced haemorrhagic cystitis.

PURPOSE: To examine the safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen as the primary and sole treatment for severe radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hyperbaric oxygen was prospectively applied as primary treatment in 38 patients with severe radiation cystitis. Our primary endpoint was the incidence of complete and partial response to treatment, while the secondary endpoints included the duration of response, the correlation of treatment success-rate to the interval between the onset of haematuria and initiation of therapy, blood transfusion need and total radiation dose, the number of sessions to success, the avoidance of surgery and the overall survival. RESULTS: All patients completed therapy without complications with a mean follow-up of 29.33 months. Median number of sessions needed was 33. Complete and partial response rate was 86.8% and 13.2%, respectively. All 33 patients with complete response received therapy within 6 months of the haematuria onset. One patient needed cystectomy, while 33 patients were alive at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests the early primary use of hyperbaric oxygen for radiation-induced severe cystitis as an effective and safe treatment option.

Treatment of relapsed urothelial bladder cancer with vinflunine: real-world evidence by the Hellenic Genitourinary Cancer Group.

Relapsed urothelial cancer represents an unmet medical need. Vinflunine is a third-generation antimicrotubuline inhibitor and is currently the only approved drug for second-line treatment across the European Union. We conducted a retrospective analysis assessing the efficacy and safety of vinflunine in 71 Greek patients with relapsed urothelial cancer who were treated between 2005 and 2014. An overall 84% of our patients received vinflunine as second-line treatment, 77% had a performance status of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale 0 or 1, and 30% had liver metastasis at the time of vinflunine administration. A median of four cycles of vinflunine were administered (range 1-16). The most common reported adverse events were constipation, fatigue, and anemia. Median progression-free survival was 6.2 months (95% confidence interval: 4.4-8.8) and overall survival was 11.9 months (95% confidence interval: 7.4-21). Two patients (3%) achieved a complete remission, seven a partial remission (10%), and 22 (31%) had stable disease according to an intention-to-treat analysis. Hemoglobin level less than 10 g/dl and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status greater than 1 were independent adverse prognostic factors. Stratification according to the Bellmunt risk model was also associated with progression-free survival and overall survival in our population. Vinflunine appears to be a safe and effective treatment modality for relapsed urothelial cancer. More effective therapies and more accurate prognostic algorithms should be sought.

Modified S-ileal neobladder for continent urinary diversion: functional and urodynamic results after 20 years of follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To report continence and urodynamic findings after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion with modified S-ileal neobladder between January 1993 and January 2013. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 181 patients were enrolled. Continence status, reservoir sensation, compliance, capacity and activity were assessed. RESULTS: Daytime continence was reported by 88.0, 98.4 and 99.2%, while nighttime continence was reported by 70.2, 94.0 and 95.8% of our patients at 6 months, 5 years and 20 years, respectively. Enterocystometric capacity and maximum reservoir pressure were 366 vs. 405 ml and 502 ml, and 29 vs. 18 and 11 cm H2O, at 6 months, 5 years and 20 years, respectively. Median post-void residual urine volume was 32 ml at 6 months, 50 ml at 5 years and 120 ml at 20 years. CONCLUSIONS: The modified S-ileal neobladder technique has a very good long-lasting functional outcome, with high day- and nighttime continence levels as well as high acceptability rates from our patients.

Is there a role for hyberbaric oxygen as primary treatment for grade IV radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis? A prospective pilot-feasibility study and review of literature.

PURPOSE: To examine the safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen as the primary treatment for Grade IV radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hyperbaric oxygen was prospectively applied as a primary treatment option in 11 patients with Grade IV radiation cystitis. Primary endpoint was the incidence of complete and partial response to treatment. Secondary endpoints included the duration of response, the correlation of treatment success-rate to the interval between the onset of haematuria and initiation of therapy, blood transfusion need and total radiation dose, the number of sessions to success, the avoidance of surgery and the overall survival. RESULTS: All patients completed therapy without complications for a mean follow-up of 17.82 months (range 3 to 34). Mean number of sessions needed was 32.8 (range 27 to 44). Complete and partial response rate was 81.8% and 18.2%, respectively. However, in three patients the first treatment session was not either sufficient or durable giving a 72.7% rate of durable effect. Interestingly, all 9 patients with complete response received therapy within 6 months of the haematuria onset compared to the two patients with partial response who received therapy at 8 and 10 months from the haematuria onset, respectively (p = 0.018). The need for blood transfusion (p = 0.491) and the total radiation dose (p = 0.259) were not correlated to success-rate. One patient needed cystectomy, while all patients were alive at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Early primary use of hyperbaric oxygen to treat radiation-induced grade IV cystitis is an effective and safe treatment option.

PSMA-based therapeutics for prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The prostate cancer (PCa) consists the most frequently diagnosed malignancy of urogenital system in males. Traditionally, treatment of localized PCa was based on surgery or radiotherapy while hormonotherapy was used in more advanced stages. However, the implementation of radiolabels has revolutionized the landscape of prostate cancer. Specifically, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been investigated in different aspects of PCa therapeutic era. AREAS COVERED: A literature review is presented about the implications of PSMA radiolabels on prostate cancer treatment. PSMA tracers were initially used as an imaging technique. Afterwards, PSMA labeled with isotopes presenting cytotoxic abilities, such as lutetium-117 and actinium-225, while reports exist about the use of radioligand immunotherapy. Meanwhile, ongoing trials examine the development of novel radionuclides as well as the evolution of the PSMA-targeted ligands. EXPERT OPINION: Currently, PSMA radioligand treatment of prostate cancer is approved in the metastatic stage of the disease. Meanwhile, a variety of trials exist about its possible role in less advanced stages. However, plenty of parameters should be addressed before these implementations, such as PSMA dosage, dosimetry issues, and its safety profile. A future well-designed study with proper patient selection is mandatory to further explore PSMA radioligand theranostics perspectives.

Management of urinary stones: state of the art and future perspectives by experts in stone disease.

AIM: To present state of the art on the management of urinary stones from a panel of globally recognized urolithiasis experts who met during the Experts in Stone Disease Congress in Valencia in January 2024. Options of treatment: The surgical treatment modalities of renal and ureteral stones are well defined by the guidelines of international societies, although for some index cases more alternative options are possible. For 1.5 cm renal stones, both m-PCNL and RIRS have proven to be valid treatment alternatives with comparable stone-free rates. The m-PCNL has proven to be more cost effective and requires a shorter operative time, while the RIRS has demonstrated lower morbidity in terms of blood loss and shorter recovery times. SWL has proven to be less effective at least for lower calyceal stones but has the highest safety profile. For a 6mm obstructing stone of the pelviureteric junction (PUJ) stone, SWL should be the first choice for a stone less than 1 cm, due to less invasiveness and lower risk of complications although it has a lower stone free-rate. RIRS has advantages in certain conditions such as anticoagulant treatment, obesity, or body deformity. Technical issues of the surgical procedures for stone removal: In patients receiving antithrombotic therapy, SWL, PCN and open surgery are at elevated risk of hemorrhage or perinephric hematoma. URS, is associated with less morbidity in these cases. An individualized combined evaluation of risks of bleeding and thromboembolism should determine the perioperative thromboprophylactic strategy. Pre-interventional urine culture and antibiotic therapy are mandatory although UTI treatment is becoming more challenging due to increasing resistance to routinely applied antibiotics. The use of an intrarenal urine culture and stone culture is recommended to adapt antibiotic therapy in case of postoperative infectious complications. Measurements of temperature and pressure during RIRS are vital for ensuring patient safety and optimizing surgical outcomes although techniques of measurements and methods for data analysis are still to be refined. Ureteral stents were improved by the development of new biomaterials, new coatings, and new stent designs. Topics of current research are the development of drug eluting and bioresorbable stents. Complications of endoscopic treatment: PCNL is considered the most invasive surgical option. Fever and sepsis were observed in 11 and 0.5% and need for transfusion and embolization for bleeding in 7 and 0.4%. Major complications, as colonic, splenic, liver, gall bladder and bowel injuries are quite rare but are associated with significant morbidity. Ureteroscopy causes less complications, although some of them can be severe. They depend on high pressure in the urinary tract (sepsis or renal bleeding) or application of excessive force to the urinary tract (ureteral avulsion or stricture). Diagnostic work up:  Genetic testing consents the diagnosis of monogenetic conditions causing stones. It should be carried out in children and in selected adults. In adults, monogenetic diseases can be diagnosed by systematic genetic testing in no more than 4%, when cystinuria, APRT deficiency, and xanthinuria are excluded. A reliable stone analysis by infrared spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction is mandatory and should be associated to examination of the stone under a stereomicroscope. The analysis of digital images of stones by deep convolutional neural networks in dry laboratory or during endoscopic examination could allow the classification of stones based on their color and texture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in association with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) is another fundamental research tool for the study of kidney stones. The combination of metagenomic analysis using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques and the enhanced quantitative urine culture (EQUC) protocol can be used to evaluate the urobiome of renal stone formers. Twenty-four hour urine analysis has a place during patient evaluation together with repeated measurements of urinary pH with a digital pH meter. Urinary supersaturation is the most comprehensive physicochemical risk factor employed in urolithiasis research. Urinary macromolecules can act as both promoters or inhibitors of stone formation depending on the chemical composition of urine in which they are operating. At the moment, there are no clinical applications of macromolecules in stone management or prophylaxis. Patients should be evaluated for the association with systemic pathologies. PROPHYLAXIS: Personalized medicine and public health interventions are complementary to prevent stone recurrence. Personalized medicine addresses a small part of stone patients with a high risk of recurrence and systemic complications requiring specific dietary and pharmacological treatment to prevent stone recurrence and complications of associated systemic diseases. The more numerous subjects who form one or a few stones during their entire lifespan should be treated by modifications of diet and lifestyle. Primary prevention by public health interventions is advisable to reduce prevalence of stones in the general population. Renal stone formers at "high-risk" for recurrence need early diagnosis to start specific treatment. Stone analysis allows the identification of most "high-risk" patients forming non-calcium stones: infection stones (struvite), uric acid and urates, cystine and other rare stones (dihydroxyadenine, xanthine). Patients at "high-risk" forming calcium stones require a more difficult diagnosis by clinical and laboratory evaluation. Particularly, patients with cystinuria and primary hyperoxaluria should be actively searched. FUTURE RESEARCH: Application of Artificial Intelligence are promising for automated identification of ureteral stones on CT imaging, prediction of stone composition and 24-hour urinary risk factors by demographics and clinical parameters, assessment of stone composition by evaluation of endoscopic images and prediction of outcomes of stone treatments. The synergy between urologists, nephrologists, and scientists in basic kidney stone research will enhance the depth and breadth of investigations, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of kidney stone formation.

An up-to-date overview of the pharmacotherapeutic options for premature ejaculation.

INTRODUCTION: Premature ejaculation (PE) is a sexual dysfunction of unknown etiology affecting a substantial number of males and deteriorating sexual health and quality of life of the patient and his partner. Treatment still remains challenging; however, pharmacotherapy is considered the mainstay of therapy with behavioral and psychosexual interventions being particularly important as adjudicate procedures, within the context of a holistic approach. AREAS COVERED: The authors review the literature on the available medications for PE, both officially registered and non-registered. Currently, only dapoxetine and an anesthetic spray containing lidocaine and prilocaine (Fortacin™) are officially approved, with the rest being used off-label. Herein, updated data regarding the efficacy and safety of the pharmaceutical agents are presented. EXPERT OPINION: On-demand dapoxetine is reportedly efficacious and safe in treating lifelong PE and is the first medication to be approved for this purpose. Fortacin has also shown considerable efficacy and may be reliably used on-demand. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) have been found to be effective in the treatment of PE and are therefore recommended either as monotherapy or combined with other therapies (i.e. dapoxetine). Adverse events of any therapy should be taken under consideration. Physicians should encourage patients to discuss their needs and expectations and grade any improvement of their condition with treatment.

Twenty-Four-Month Efficacy of Ureteroureterostomy Combined With Unilateral Nephrostomy Following Radical Cystectomy.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 24-month outcomes of ureteroureterostomy combined with unilateral nephrostomy following radical cystectomy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BC). Materials and methods This single-center study with prospectively collected data with retrospective data analysis was carried out between December 2018 and November 2021 and enrolled 36 patients, who underwent radical cystectomy combined with ureteroureterostomy and unilateral nephrostomy. Regular renal function assessment was carried out using serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and postoperative complications, endoscopic, ultrasound, and other radiological study findings were evaluated. The follow-up of the patients was carried out over a period of 24 months. Results After completion of the 24-month follow-up, the renal function proved to be slightly improved (mean serum creatinine and eGFR values of 1.38±0.72 mg/dL and 55.9±21.87 mL/min) compared to the first-year results (1.41±0.54 mg/dL and 52.10±19.64 mL/min). However, this improvement is statistically not significant (p=0.44, p=0.30). The 24-month follow-up imaging findings remained stable in 97.22% of patients compared to the first-year results, with preservation of bilateral ureteric dilatation and grade 1 dilatation of the non-drained kidney. No case of acute pyelonephritis was recorded after the completion of the second year of follow-up, in comparison to the eight patients (22.22%) of the 12-month follow-up, who suffered acute pyelonephritis. After completing of the 24-month follow-up, one patient was excluded from further analysis, due to the placement of a second permanent percutaneous nephrostomy in the non-drained kidney, due to ureteroureterostomy stenosis with consecutive hydronephrosis in the contralateral kidney and acute renal failure. No case of anastomotic leak was observed. Conclusions The function of the ureteroureterostomy combined with unilateral nephrostomy is proven to be a safe method of urinary diversion (UD) at 24 months, with minimal and easily manageable complications. Only one case of stenosis of the ureteroureterostomy with consecutive acute renal failure due to hydronephrosis in the non-drained kidney was observed. The renal function remained stable.

Uretero-Ureterostomy Combined With Unilateral Nephrostomy as a Method of Urinary Diversion Following Radical Cystectomy.

Introduction Uretero-ureterostomy combined with unilateral nephrostomy is a rarely performed urinary diversion following radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of the procedure. Materials and methods Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and poor performance status were enrolled in this retrospective, observational, single-centre study, carried out between December 2018 and November 2020. The patient's renal function was regularly assessed with serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Evaluation of peri- and postoperative complications was performed based on clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, ultrasound and other radiological studies findings. The patient's status was assessed for 12 months. Results Thirty-six patients with a mean age of 77.4±8.6 years were enrolled in the study. 86.11% of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists Score ≥3 and 91.66% had an age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index of ≥6. Slight deterioration of renal function, although not statistically significant, was observed. 36.11% of the patients developed permanent unilateral pelvic dilatation. Acute pyelonephritis, urosepsis, pyonephrosis and anastomotic leak were observed in 22.22%, 8.33%, 5.55% and 5.55% of patients, respectively; all were treated either conservatively and/or with minimally invasive procedures (nephrostomy, JJ-stent insertion) without any need for open surgical revision. Conclusions Ureteroureterostomy combined with unilateral nephrostomy is a safe and effective method of urinary diversion following radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer with easily manageable complications.

Atypical small acinar proliferation and its significance in pathological reports in modern urological times.

Atypical small acinar proliferation is a histopathological diagnosis of unspecified importance in prostate needle-biopsy reports, suggestive but not definitive for cancer. The terminology corresponds to some uncertainty in the biopsy report, as the finding might represent an underlying non-cancerous pathology mimicking cancer or an under-sampled prostate cancer site. Therefore, traditional practice favors an immediate repeat biopsy. However, in modern urological times, the need of urgent repeat biopsy is being challenged by some authors as in the majority of cases, the grade of cancer found in subsequent biopsy is reported to be low or the disease to be non-significant. On the other hand, high risk disease cannot be excluded, whereas no clinical or pathological factors can predict the final outcome. In this review, we discuss the significance of the diagnosis of atypical small acinar proliferation in the biopsy report, commenting on its importance in modern urological practice.