Intravesical Prostatic Protrusion Does Not Influence the Efficacy of Prostatic Artery Embolization.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in patients with different intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) grades. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included 128 patients (aged 50-86 years) who underwent PAE from 2013 to 2017. IPP grades were classified as follows: grade I (<10 mm), grade II (10-19 mm), and grade III (≥20 mm). Nineteen patients (14.8%) had grade I [mean IPP 7.8 mm, prostatic volume (PV) 64.1 cm3], 77 (60.2%) had grade II (mean IPP 14.9 mm, PV 87.0 cm3), and 32 (25%) had grade III (mean IPP 26.2 mm, PV 132.6 cm3), P < .01. The outcomes, including PV, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), and quality of life (QoL), were compared between the IPP grades at the 12-month follow-up. Clinical failure was defined as IPSS >7 or QoL >2. RESULTS: IPP decreased (I: -8.2%, II: -27.3%, and III: -38.7%, P = .01), and all other endpoints improved (P < .01). Adjusted covariance analysis, considering baseline PV as a confounding factor, showed no correlation between the 12-month outcomes and baseline IPP. Clinical failure was observed in 17/128 patients (13.3%) and was similar in prevalence among the IPP groups (P = .20). Minor complications occurred in 43 patients (33.6%) and major in 3 (2.3%). There were statistical differences in the complications between IPP grades II and III (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: PAE was similarly effective in all the IPP grades at the 12-month follow-up, and there was no difference in the clinical failure between the groups. Complications in IPP grade III were more frequent than those in IPP grade II.

Prostatic Artery Embolization Using 100-300-µm Trisacryl Gelatin Microspheres to Treat Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributable to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Single-Center Outcomes Analysis with Medium-Term Follow-up.

PURPOSE: To report medium-term outcomes of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) using 100-300-µm trisacryl gelatin microspheres to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to evaluate how cone-beam computed tomography-measured prostate gland volume (PGV), median lobe enlargement (MLE), age, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) affect these results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four consecutive patients who underwent PAE from April 2014 through August 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients had International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >12, Quality of Life (QoL) score >2, prostate gland volume (PGV) >40 mL, age older than 45 years, and medical therapy failure. Twelve patients were excluded for bladder pathology or prostate cancer. Patients (n = 62, age = 71.8 ± 9.3 years, CCI = 3.5 ± 1.7, PGV = 174 ± 110 mL) had pre-procedure IPSS = 22.4 ± 5.6, QoL score = 4.4 ± 0.9, and post-void residual (PVR) = 172 ± 144 mL. Post-procedure values were compared to baseline at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Associations between outcomes and PGV, MLE, age, and CCI were evaluated. Adverse event recording used Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: One month after PAE (n = 37), IPSS improved to 7.6 ± 5.2 (P < .0001) and QoL score improved to 1.7 ± 1.4 (P < .0001). At 3 months (n = 32), improvements continued, with IPSS = 6.4 ± 5.1 (P < .0001), QoL score = 1.2 ± 1.2 (P < .0001), PVR = 53 ± 41 mL (P < .001), and PGV = 73 ± 38 mL (P < .0001). Results were sustained at 6 months (n = 35): IPSS = 6.4 ± 4.1 (P < .0001), QoL score = 1.2 ± 1.2 (P < .0001), PVR = 68 ± 80 mL (P < .0001), PGV = 60 ± 19 mL (P < .001). At 12 months, patients (n = 26) had IPSS = 7.3 ± 5.5 (P < .0001), QoL score = 1.2 ± 0.8 (P <.0001), PVR = 89 ± 117 mL (P < .0001), PGV = 60 ± 48 mL (P < .01). At 24 months, patients (n = 8) had IPSS = 8.0 ± 5.4 (P < .0001), QoL score = 0.7 ± 0.5 (P < .0001), PVR = 91 ± 99mL (P = 0.17), and PGV = 30 ± 5mL (P = .11). Improvements were independent of PGV, MLE, age, and CCI. Two grade II urinary infections occurred. CONCLUSIONS: PAE with 100-300-µm microspheres produced sustained substantial improvements in LUTS, PGV, and PVR, which were independent of baseline PGV, MLE, age, or CCI.

3-Year follow-up of temporary implantable nitinol device implantation for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To report 3-year follow-up results of the first implantations with a temporary implantable nitinol device (TIND® ; Medi-Tate Ltd., Or Akiva, Israel) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 32 patients with LUTS were enrolled in this prospective study. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee. Inclusion criteria were: age >50 years, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥10, peak urinary flow (Qmax ) <12 mL/s, and prostate volume <60 mL. The TIND was implanted within the bladder neck and the prostatic urethra under light sedation, and removed 5 days later in an outpatient setting. Demographics, perioperative results, complications (according to Clavien-Dindo classification), functional results, and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated. Follow-up assessments were made at 3 and 6 weeks, and 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after the implantation. The Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean (standard deviation, sd) patient age was 69.4 (8.2) years, prostate volume was 29.5 (7.4) mL, and Qmax was 7.6 (2.2) mL/s. The median (interquartile range, IQR) IPSS was 19 (14-23) and the QoL score was 3 (3-4). All the implantations were successful, with a mean total operative time of 5.8 min. No intraoperative complications were recorded. The change from baseline in IPSS, QoL score and Qmax was significant at every follow-up time point. After 36 months of follow-up, a 41% rise in Qmax was achieved (mean 10.1 mL/s), the median (IQR) IPSS was 12 (6-24) and the IPSS QoL was 2 (1-4). Four early complications (12.5%) were recorded, including one case of urinary retention (3.1%), one case of transient incontinence due to device displacement (3.1%), and two cases of infection (6.2%). No further complications were recorded during the 36-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The extended follow-up period corroborated our previous findings and suggests that TIND implantation is safe, effective and well-tolerated, for at least 36 months after treatment.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes of Prostatic Artery Embolization with 50-µm Plus 100-µm Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Particles versus 100-µm PVA Particles Alone: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) using the combination of 50-µm and 100-µm polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles versus 100-µm PVA particles alone in the treatment of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 5-year period, 120 patients treated with PAE for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BPH were randomized to undergo embolization with 50-µm plus 100-µm PVA particles (group A) or 100-µm PVA particles alone (group B). Mean follow-up time was 34 months (range, 12-57 mo). There were no differences between groups regarding baseline data. Primary outcome measurements included change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and incidence of adverse events. Secondary outcome measurements included procedure-associated pain, prostate ischemia measured on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging 1 week after PAE, and changes over time in quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual (PVR) volume, prostate volume (PV), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were evaluated. Recurrence of LUTS following PAE was defined as relief of LUTS temporally but increased IPSS ≥ 8 or QOL score ≥ 3 or decrease in Qmax to < 7 mL/s. RESULTS: Mean follow-up periods were 35 months ± 22 in group A and 33 months ± 25 in group B (P = .629). No differences between groups regarding procedural details, pain scores, or adverse events were noted (P > .05). At 24 month of follow-up, patients in group A had a greater decrease in mean IPSS (18.7 ± 12.5 vs 14.8 ± 13.5), QOL score (3.7 ± 1.5 vs 2.4 ± 1.8), Qmax (10.5 mL ± 9.5 vs 6.8 mL ± 5.0), PVR (92.0 mL ± 75.0 vs 60.0 mL ± 55.0), and PV (37.0 mL ± 19.5 vs 25.5 mL ± 15.0) compared with patients in group B (P < .05 for all). Mean ratios of prostate ischemic volume at 1 week after PAE were 70% ± 20 in group A and 41% ± 25 in group B (P = .021); mean PSA levels at 24 hour after PAE were 92.5 ng/mL ± 55.0 in group A and 77.5 ng/mL ± 45.0 in group B (P = .031); LUTS recurrence rates were 3.6% in group A and 14.6% in group B (P = .024). The mean IIEF-5 was not significantly different from baseline in either group. CONCLUSIONS: PAE with 50-µm plus 100-µm PVA particles resulted in greater improvement in clinical and imaging outcomes and no significant differences in adverse events compared with 100-µm PVA particles alone.

Association between oral frailty and lower urinary tract symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in community-dwelling individuals: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: We assessed the association between oral frailty risk and LUTS among middle-aged and older adults in a community-dwelling population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 586 subjects aged ≥ 40 years who participated in the Iwaki Health Promotion Project in Hirosaki, Japan. We used the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) to assess LUTS. LUTS was defined as an IPSS score of 8 or higher or meeting diagnostic criteria for OAB. Oral frailty risk was defined as experiencing two or more of the following: decreased chewing ability, decreased biting force, and dry mouth sensation. Physical performance (10-m gait speed and grip strength) was used for analysis. The association between oral frailty risk and LUTS was examined using multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The study included 218 men and 370 women, of whom 140 had LUTS. The mean age of this cohort was 59 years. Significant differences were observed between the LUTS and non-LUTS groups, including age, hypertension, history of CVD, depressive status, sleep disturbance, and 10 m gait speed. The prevalence of oral frailty risk was significantly higher in the LUTS group than in the non-LUTS group (26% vs. 11%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, male gender, and oral frailty risk (odds ratio: 2.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.57-4.51, P < 0.001) were independent factors for LUTS. Moreover, oral frailty risk was an independent factor in both participants aged < 65 years and participants aged ≥ 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: Oral frailty was independently associated with LUTS.

A novel animal model of underactive bladder: analysis of lower urinary tract function in a rat lumbar canal stenosis model.

AIMS: An animal model of neurogenic underactive bladder (UAB) has not been established. It was reported that a rat lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LCS) model created by cauda equina compression manifested intermittent claudication and allodynia. In this study, we examined the lower urinary tract function of the rat LCS model. METHODS: One small hole was drilled at the fifth lumbar vertebral arch (sham), and a rectangular piece of silicone rubber was inserted into the L5-L6 epidural space (LCS). Before and after surgery, a metabolic cage study was performed. After surgery, awake cystometry (CMG) and an in vitro muscle strip study were performed. Bladder morphology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: The LCS rats showed a significant decrease in voided volume and a significant increase in postvoid residual volume and residual urine rate compared with Sham rats. CMG showed that the postvoid residual urine volume and numbers of non-voiding contractions significantly increased, while the voided volume, threshold pressure, and maximum intravesical pressure during voiding significantly decreased. There were no significant differences between sham and LCS rats in response to carbachol. In contrast, there was a significant increase in response to field stimulation, especially at lower frequencies, in LCS rats. LCS rats showed no obvious difference in detrusor morphology. CONCLUSIONS: This rat model requires a relatively simple surgical procedure and has characteristics of neurogenic UAB. It seems to be useful in the pathophysiological elucidation of UAB and might have potential for assessment of pharmacotherapy of UAB.

Urodynamic findings in Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. / Hallazgos urodinámicos en pacientes con enfermedad de Charcot-Marie-Tooth con síntomas del tracto urinario inferior.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to describe the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urodynamic findings in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease patients referred to our Urology Department. METHODS: Retrospective study of those patients with CMT disease diagnosed at the Neurology Department of our Tertiary Hospital and referred to our Urology Department since 2008 due to LUTS. We reviewed their clinical charts regarding the age at CMT disease diagnosis, type of CMT disease and the presence of other comorbidities which could cause LUTS. We collected data on the characterization of LUTS, findings of neurological examination and urodynamic findings. RESULTS: Seven patients were referred to our department due to the presence of LUTS. They were 3 male and 4 female, with median age at the moment of LUTS onset of 55 (29-67) years and median time from the diagnosis of the neuropathy to the onset of LUTS was 14 (1-37) years. Voiding symptoms were referred by 5 patients and urinary incontinence by 3 patients. Two patients presented recurrent urinary tract infection. Six urodynamic tests were performed which showed a neurogenic acontractile detrusor in 2 patients, detrusor underactivity in one patient, a delayed opening time in one patient, a neurogenic detrusor overactivity in one patient and a urodynamic stress incontinence in one patient. In one patient the urodynamic test was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Most of CMT patients with LUTS complained from voiding symptoms. Several urodynamic findings could be observed mostly during the voiding phase. We recommend performing urodynamic tests in CMT patients presenting with LUTS seeking for treatment or in those with related complications.

Propiverine: a review of its use in the treatment of adults and children with overactive bladder associated with idiopathic or neurogenic detrusor overactivity, and in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Propiverine is a well established antimuscarinic agent with a mixed mode of action in the treatment of symptoms associated with overactive bladder (OAB). As well as blocking muscarinic receptors in the detrusor muscle, the drug also inhibits cellular calcium influx, thereby diminishing muscle spasm. In patients with symptoms of OAB resulting from idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) or neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), propiverine demonstrated dose-dependent efficacy and tolerability, with adverse events consistent with those associated with all antimuscarinic agents. In adults with IDO, propiverine demonstrated similar efficacy to that of other antimuscarinic agents (including solifenacin, tolterodine, oxybutynin and imidafenacin) and, in adults with NDO, propiverine and oxybutynin demonstrated similar efficacy. Propiverine was generally well tolerated in these patient populations, with a lower incidence of dry mouth than that associated with oxybutynin. In men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and in whom the presence of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) was implicated, propiverine administered as add-on therapy to an α(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist demonstrated similar or superior efficacy to that achieved with an α(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist alone, and combination therapy was particularly effective in patients with urinary storage symptoms. Combination therapy was generally well tolerated, but was associated with a higher incidence of adverse events than an α(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist alone. In children and adolescents with IDO/OAB or NDO, propiverine was generally more effective and better tolerated than oxybutynin. In conclusion, propiverine provides a valuable option for the treatment of adults and children with OAB associated with IDO or NDO, and in men with storage LUTS.