Transurethral enucleation of the prostate combined with laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy.

OBJECTIVE: We present a one-session procedure for treating bladder diverticula combined with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2015 and April 2019, transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (TUEP) followed by laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy (LD) were performed in 12 patients at our institution, in four of them combined with bladder stone(s) and in one patient combined with diverticular tumor. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: The mean size of the prostate was 137.3 ± 96.3 (65.5-403.3) ml. The mean maximal diameter of the diverticulum was 8.0 ± 2.7 (3.2-12.0) cm. The mean total operation time was 214.2 ± 69.0 (120-300) min, and the mean enucleation time was 23.2 ± 6.4 (12-35) min. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 52.1 ± 14.9 (30-80) ml. The average pre- and post-operative maximum flow rate was 5.1 ± 1.4 (2.4-8.5) ml/s and 12.8 ± 2.3 (9.6-17.1) ml/s. Except for urinary infection in one patient, no other severe peri- or postoperative complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: TUEP accompanied by LD in one session provides an effective and minimally invasive surgical treatment for bladder diverticula combined with BPH, with or without bladder stones, and permits reasonable operation time and rapid discharge.

Urological Problems in Patients with Menkes Disease.

BACKGROUND: Menkes disease (MD) is a rare X-linked hereditary multisystemic disorder that is caused by dysfunction of copper metabolism. Patients with MD typically present with progressive neurodegeneration, some connective tissue abnormalities, and characteristic "kinky" hair. In addition, various types of urological complications are frequent in MD because of underlying connective tissue abnormalities. In this study, we studied the clinical features and outcomes of MD, focusing on urological complications. METHODS: A total of 14 unrelated Korean pediatric patients (13 boys and 1 girl) with MD were recruited, and their phenotypes and genotypes were analyzed by retrospective review of their medical records. RESULTS: All the patients had early-onset neurological deficit, including developmental delay, seizures, and hypotonia. The girl patient showed normal serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels as well as milder symptoms. Mutational analysis of the ATP7A gene revealed 11 different mutations in 12 patients. Bladder diverticula was the most frequent urological complication: 8 (57.1%) in the 14 patients or 8 (72.7%) in the 11 patients who underwent urological evaluation. Urological imaging studies were performed essentially for the evaluation of accompanying urinary tract infections. Four patients had stage II chronic kidney disease at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Urologic problems occurred frequently in MD, with bladder diverticula being the most common. Therefore, urological imaging studies and appropriate management of urological complications, which may prevent or reduce the development of urinary tract infections and renal parenchymal damage, are required in all patients with MD.

Computed tomographic retrograde positive contrast cystography and computed tomographic excretory urography characterization of a urinary bladder diverticulum in a dog.

A one-year-old intact male German shepherd dog was referred with a 3-month history of dysuria and pollakiuria. Physical examination revealed a large firm mass in the caudal abdomen. Findings from survey radiography, negative contrast cystography, computed tomographic (CT) retrograde positive contrast cystography, and CT excretory urography were consistent with a large urinary bladder diverticulum. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a normal wall appearance in the ventral compartment (true bladder) and marked thinning of the wall in the dorsal compartment (diverticulum). Both ureters inserted into the ventral compartment. The dorsal compartment was excised and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of urinary bladder diverticulum.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate is an effective treatment in patients with concomitant bladder diverticula and outlet obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder diverticula can be congenital or secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia with bladder outlet obstruction, and be a source of high postvoid residuals prompting surgical intervention. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of patients with bladder diverticula undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for bladder outlet obstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed HoLEP patients with at least one bladder diverticulum at two high volume institutions. All cases were performed in similar fashion. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative patient variables were obtained and assessed. RESULTS: Of 2746 HoLEP patients, 51 were diagnosed with bladder diverticula before surgery. Mean prostate size was 80.8 ± 50.0 g and mean diverticulum size (largest if multiple) was 5.5 ± 2.6 cm. Preoperatively, urinary retention requiring catheterization was present in 28 (55%) patients. In the remainder, mean preoperative AUASI was 19.7, peak flow 7.2 ml/s, and post-void residual (PVR) 365 ml. At most recent follow-up (mean 12.2 months), mean total AUASI was 8.6, peak flow 27.1 ml/s, and PVR 145 ml with 71, 276, and 221% improvement, respectively. All patients were voiding and none required catheterization. Only three (6%) patients required diverticulectomy at a mean of 15.2 months after HoLEP for the following indications: hematuria (one patient) and urinary retention (two patients). CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP is an effective method of outlet obstruction treatment in patients with bladder diverticula. Most patients, even with large diverticula, do not require further treatment after the outlet obstruction has been relieved and can avoid more invasive surgical interventions.

Sequential transurethral enucleation of the prostate and laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy.

Transurethral endoscopic technique and standard laparoscopic technique are surgical options for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) associated with urinary bladder diverticuli (UBD). In this article, we report laparoscopic diverticulectomy (LD) and transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (TUEP) in the same patient sequentially. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of LD combined with TUEP. An 82-year-old patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia and two secondary large bladder diverticuli underwent sequential TUEP and LD. After completion of the TUEP procedure, the detached adenoma was pushed into the bladder as a whole. Then laparoscopic transperitoneal extravesical diverticulectomy assisted by cystoscopic transillumination was performed immediately, and the enucleated prostate was removed via the neck of the diverticulum. The enucleation time and diverticulectomy time was 18 minutes and 108 minutes, respectively. The catheter was removed on the tenth postoperative day. Transurethral endoscopic surgery combined with LD is a good choice in treating BPH and UBD in one session. But the combined procedure is time-consuming, especially for fragmentation of the prostate. TUEP can greatly reduce the operative time of the combined procedure.

Management of multiple giant bladder diverticula: a comprehensive approach - a case report.

Introduction and importance: Bladder diverticula are commonly due to obstruction of the bladder outlet and are typically treated conservatively. However, the rarity and complexity of multiple giant diverticula require a tailor-made surgical approach. Case presentation: We report on a 72-year-old male who presented with severe urinary symptoms and lumbar pain, diagnosed with multiple giant bladder diverticula, including one compressing the ureter. The complex presentation of the patient, including his age and comorbidities, added layers of complexity to the clinical decision-making process. Interventions and outcomes: The patient underwent a two-stage surgery consisting of transurethral prostate resection followed by resection of three diverticula. Postoperatively, the patient showed a remarkable improvement in urinary symptoms, resolution of hydronephrosis, and, more importantly, no complications, demonstrating the efficacy and safety of the surgical strategy chosen. Relevance and impact: This case underscores the challenges in managing complex bladder diverticula, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment strategies and further research in atypical urological conditions. Furthermore, this case highlights the need to increase awareness and research on rare urological conditions. By sharing detailed insights from this case, we aim to enrich the clinical knowledge base, ultimately improving patient outcomes in similar challenging scenarios.

Lower urinary tract involvement in Ehlers-Danlos and Joint Hypermobility syndromes: Review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Joint Hypermobility syndrome (JHS) are still poorly understood, with a prevalence of 1/5000 for EDS and 1/500 for JHS. They are characterized by multisystem involvement. Urological involvement has been little studied. The aim was to carry out a review of the literature on the urological involvement of EDS and JHS. METHOD: A review of the literature was carried out using the following databases: Pubmed, Canadian Hospitals and EMBASE. Search terms were "Ehlers-Danlos" or "Joint Hypermobility" associated with "Urology", "Bladder", "Pelvic Organ Prolapse", "Urinary Retention", "Leak", "Leakage", "Urinary Incontinence", "Urinary Tract Infection" and "Urdodynamic", no filters were added. RESULTS: Seventy-three articles were included for a total of 259 found. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in EDS is estimated at 50-60%, and that of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) at 29-75%. Bladder diverticula are also frequently reported. For JHS, the prevalence of urinary incontinence is estimated between 40 and 73%, that of POP increased with 73% of stage greater than 2, g-JHS patients are almost 3 times more affected by prolapses (OR=2.37) which seem more severe. Patients with vesicoureteral reflux, most often severe, are more affected by joint hypermobility (OR=2.79). Few studies have been carried out on urological assessment and treatment modalities. CONCLUSION: EDS patients often have urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse or bladder diverticula. JHS patients frequently have urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and vesicoureteral reflux.

Robotic-Assisted Bladder Diverticulectomy: Indications, Technique, and Outcomes-A Case Series.

Purpose: This case series describes the experiences and outcomes of multiple Australian surgeons performing robotic-assisted bladder diverticulectomy (RABD), highlighting the procedural effectiveness and safety, for both benign and malignant indications for diverticulectomy. Methods: Outcomes were analyzed from 13 experienced Australian urologists who performed RABD between 2016 and 2023. Retrospective analysis was performed on prospectively collected data, which included patient demographics, diverticulum characteristics, surgical approaches, and post-operative outcomes. Surgical techniques included the extravesical and intravesical approaches, with the focus on maintaining oncological principles in cases of malignancy. Results: A total of 28 patients underwent RABD, with the majority being male and a mean age of 63.9 years. All surgeons utilized a four-port transperitoneal approach and opted for the extravesical dissection of the diverticular neck; one case utilized both an extravesical and a trans-diverticular approach. Functional outcomes demonstrated symptomatic resolution in patients with nonmalignant diverticula, whereas oncological outcomes indicated clear margins in 90% of malignant cases. The average length of the procedure was 106 minutes, with minimal blood loss and a mean hospital stay of 2.67 days. Early complications occurred in 14% with the majority Clavien-Dindo grade II. Conclusion: Robotic bladder diverticulectomy, predominantly via the transperitoneal extravesical approach, has emerged as a safe, effective, and reliable surgical intervention for both malignant and nonmalignant bladder diverticula. The consistent surgical approach and excellent outcomes demonstrated in this case series reinforce the procedure's potential as a safe option, even in the setting of malignancy within a diverticulum.

Three rare etiologies of urinary retention in pediatrics: A case series and review of the literature.

Etiology of urinary retention in pediatric age differs significantly from adults and the elderly. Therefore, a comprehensive diagnosis is crucial before specific treatment. Every effort must be made to minimize invasive procedures as far as possible in children.

Look Beyond Syncope: A Positive Outcome in the Management of Multiple Bladder Diverticuli-Associated Enterococcus faecium Urinary Tract Infection.

Enterococcus faecium is a Gram-positive flora bacterium home to the gastrointestinal tracts of humans. A true ubiquitous pathogen and a member of the intestinal microbiome, formerly known as group D streptococci, this pathogen has been around for over 10 centuries. Enterococcus faecium thrives in the presence of stool and sewage. The ability to cause endocarditis and urinary tract infections (UTIs) has led to morbidity and mortality in the adult population. We report a case of an elderly woman who presented with multiple falls to our trauma bay area. She was initially managed as trauma during multiple visits with superficial scalp lacerations. However, with multiple falls, she was subsequently transferred to medicine to rule out cardiogenic versus neurogenic syncope. She was admitted to the telemetry unit, and a cardiologist was consulted. Orthostatic vitals were negative, and she had no fever or leukocytosis. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) done as part of the standard trauma workup revealed an interesting finding of multiple bladder diverticula.

Large congenital bladder diverticula in children.

OBJECTIVE: Large congenital bladder diverticula (LCBD), congenital bladder diverticula (CBD) larger than 2 cm diameter, is a rare anomaly. The aim of this study was to report long-term surgical and clinical outcomes of children with LCBD. METHODS: Medical charts of all children who were diagnosed with LCBD at our institution between April 2005 and December 2017, with at least 2 year follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' demographics, symptoms, operative technique, diverticulum size and localization, surgical outcomes and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with 18 LCBD, all male and age between 7 and 240 months (mean age: 53.5 months) were included in the study. Urinary tract infection was the main complaint in 10. Vesicoureteral reflux was detected in eight patients. Diverticula were 2-5.5 cm (mean 3.3 cm) in size. All diverticulectomies were performed transvesically and ureteroneocystostomy was added in 12 patients, 5 of whom were bilateral. No postoperative infection or recurrent reflux were observed. The median follow-up period was 4.5 years (2-12 years). CONCLUSION: Treatment of LCBD is mostly surgical and transvesical approach for diverticulectomy was found to be a safe and effective surgical procedure in long term follow-up.

Evaluating the impact of pop-off mechanisms in boys with posterior urethral valves.

Introduction: Posterior urethral valves are urethral leaflets that cause Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO) in boys and are associated with congenital renal dysplasia and abnormal bladder function. They affect 1:4,000 to 1:25,000 births and can be responsible for End-Stage Renal Failure in childhood. There have been several studies on the effect of pop-off mechanisms in boys with posterior urethral valves, but results are contradictory. We aimed to assess and discuss the effect of pop-off mechanisms on renal function in a large cohort of patients. Patients and method: Boys with PUV with and without pop-off mechanisms (urinoma, VURD or giant bladder diverticula) were divided into three severity groups for renal function according to their nadir creatinine (low-risk NC < 35 µmol/L, intermediate-risk NC between 35 and 75 µmol/L, and high-risk NC > 75 µmol/L). We compared children with and children without pop-off mechanisms for mean renal function as well as patient distribution within each severity group. Results: We included 137 boys of which 39 had a pop-off mechanism. Patients had complete data for at least 5 years follow-up. Though there was no significant statistical difference in mean renal function between the pop-off and non-pop-off group, patient distribution within each severity group varied according to whether patients had a pop-off mechanism or not. Conclusion: Though there was no significant difference in mean renal function between boys with and without pop-off mechanisms, it is possible that these are two different patient populations and direct comparison is not possible.

TERT Promoter Mutations in Keratinizing and Nonkeratinizing Squamous Metaplasia of the Urinary Tract.

We identified urothelial tract biopsy and resection specimens with keratinizing squamous metaplasia (KSM), nonkeratinizing squamous metaplasia (NKSM), and urothelial and squamous carcinomas over a 20-yr period, focusing on cases with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) and/or those with spatial or temporal variation in sampling. TERT promoter mutations as assessed via allele-specific polymerase chain reaction were surprisingly common in our testing cohort, identified not only in 15 (94%) invasive cancer foci but also in 13 (68%) examples of KSM and seven (70%) examples of NKSM. TERT promoter mutations were present in 23 foci from NLUTD specimens and 11 foci from bladder diverticula, including in foci of KSM, NKSM, and unremarkable urothelium from cases with no clinical association with previous, concurrent, or subsequent cancer. Our demonstration of temporally and spatially persistent TERT promoter mutation in examples of KSM and NKSM in cases of bladder cancer and in morphologically benign cases with neurogenic dysfunction suggests a molecular mechanism by which such pre-neoplastic lesions can potentially progress and develop into overt carcinoma. Given the interest in TERT promoter mutations as a potential biomarker for the development of bladder cancer, these findings possibly explain the association between conditions with chronic urinary bladder injury (such as the natural history of NLUTD) and higher risk of bladder cancer. TERT promoter mutations may represent an early event in bladder cancer tumorogenesis, and our findings expand on the clinical ramifications and predictive value of TERT promoter mutations in this context. PATIENT SUMMARY: Mutations in the TERT gene are the most common genetic changes in bladder cancer. We found that these mutations are also sometimes present in patients with chronic bladder irritation such as neurogenic bladder dysfunction and changes to the lining of the bladder that pathologists would consider "benign." This finding might explain why such conditions are associated with the development of bladder cancer.

Prenatal hydronephrosis revealing a bladder diverticulum.

Bladder diverticula can be either congenital or acquired. They are the formation of a urothelial hernia through the muscle wall fibers of the bladder. Congenital bladder diverticula are rare and there are no previous reports showing them to have been found through an antenatal ultrasound exam revealing the presence of hydronephrosis. Here we describe the case of a large congenital bladder diverticulum revealed through an antenatal hydronephrosis diagnosis and whose proximity to the ureter led to its removal and a ureteral reimplantation.

Multiple Large Prostatic Stones Causing Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Case Report.

Apart from a few cases, prostatic stones are asymptomatic and found incidentally on routine evaluation. Current knowledge about the significance of prostatic stones in urological symptoms and chronic pelvic pain syndrome is limited. Although prostatic stones are rare, they are frequently present in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome and increase inflammation and duration of symptoms in these patients. We report an unusual case of a 70-year-old male who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms and chronic pelvic pain with large multiple prostatic stones and urinary bladder diverticula, which was managed endoscopically.

Multiple bladder diverticula with Williams-Beuren syndrome: a case report.

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a gene deletion on chromosome 7q11.23. Patients with WBS usually show a group of features such as developmental delay, cardiovascular anomalies, mental retardation, and characteristic facial appearance. It occurs in 1:7,500 live births and affects males and females equally. Recent studies showed that lower urinary tract symptoms were also frequent in WBS patients. However, there is extremely rare study report non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis as the main manifestation of Williams syndrome in children. We reported a child with non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and multiple bladder diverticula as the main implications of Williams syndrome. A 7.6-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to frequent micturition, urgency, and nocturnal enuresis for 4 years, and B ultrasound of urinary system revealed multiple bladder diverticula. The patient was found to have 7q11.23 deletion that involves the elastin gene for WBS. Multiple bladder diverticula in WBS patients can lead to many lower urinary tract symptoms. The treatment for the lower urinary tract symptoms in WBS patients with multiple bladder diverticula is lacking. Lower urinary tract symptoms should be considered as a significant indicator of the clinical diagnosis of WBS and have a significant negative impact on patient's quality of life.

Multiple bladder diverticula treated with robotic approach-assisted with cystoscopy.

A bladder diverticulum (BD) is a herniation of the bladder urothelium through the muscular bladder wall. As a result, BD presents as a thin walled bag, urine filled connected to bladder lumen through a neck or ostium. The clinical problem with bladder diverticula is their poorly empty during micturition which results in multiple lower urinary tract symptoms as well as recurrent urinary tract infections. Bladder diverticula can be grossly classified in two groups as follows: congenital or acquired with different age presentation and etiological factors in each one. Vast majority of BD occur in adults especially in men. Acquired BD, are commonly diagnosed in the setting of neurogenic dysfunction or bladder outlet obstruction, they use to be multiple, associated with trabeculated bladder and prostatic enlargement.

Robotic bladder diverticulectomy: step-by-step extravesical posterior approach - technique and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of robotic extravesical posterior surgical bladder diverticulectomy for treatment of symptomatic bladder diverticula (BD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from patients with posterior BD who consecutively underwent robotic bladder diverticulectomy (RBD) from 2013 to 2016 in Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes including operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), postoperative transfusion rate and length of hospital stay (LOS), and early (30 days) and late (90 days) postoperative complications were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: Six patients underwent RBD. Storage, voiding and postvoiding lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were reported by 33.3%, 100% and 33.3% of patients, respectively. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] BD diameter was 7.1 (5.5-9.5) cm; median (IQR) preoperative postvoiding residual volume (PVR) was 300 (90-395) ml. The median (IQR) OT was 112.5 (83.7-133.7) min and median (IQR) EBL was 25.8 (0-50) ml. The median (IQR) LOS was 7 (4.7-9.0) days. One patient (16.7%) reported early minor postoperative complication. No patient showed early or late major postoperative complications. At 2 month follow-up, all patients underwent a lower abdomen ultrasound and minimal or no postoperative PVR was found. At 6 month follow-up no LUTS were reported. CONCLUSIONS: RBD appears to be a safe treatment for posterior BD with excellent perioperative and functional outcomes. The three-dimensional visualization, greater magnification and wristed instrumentation with seven degrees of freedom allow precise dissection of BD and reconstruction of the bladder wall.

Incisional Hernia as a Cause of Blader Outlet Obstruction: A Case Report.

Incisional hernia usually contains intra peritoneal organs as its content. Extra peritoneal structures like bladder as a content of incisional hernia are relatively uncommon. We managed a young male with an incisional hernia containing a large bladder diverticulum as its content. The bladder diverticulum was going up to the base of scrotum along the posterolateral surface of penile corpora. The patient was diagnosed pre operatively with radiological investigations and underwent exploration with release of diverticulum from corpora and pubic arch followed by diverticulectomy and herniorraphy. To the best of our knowledge and available literature search, there isn't any similar reported case.

Double chamber right ventricle in Williams syndrome: a rare cardiac anomaly reported.

Cardiovascular abnormality is the most consistent finding and occur in almost 80 % of all Williams syndrome (WS). Although a number of cardiovascular defects are common to WS, the majority presents in some form of arterial stenosis whereas supravalvular aortic stenosis is the most common one. Here we describe a 12 year old boy with elfin facies, presenting with urinary incontinence and a systolic murmur in right upper parasternal region. Echocardiography showed presence of double chambered right ventricle (DCRV) along with supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) and coronary artery aneurysms, left pulmonary artery stenosis and multiple bladder diverticula in CT abdomen. With the clinical suspicion the diagnosis of WS was made and confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) study showing deletion in 7q11.23. Though different forms of arterial stenosis at multiple sites have been demonstrated in WS, DCRV in Williams syndrome is not reported till date in medical literature.