A randomized trial investigating clinical outcomes and stent-related symptoms after placement of a complete intra-ureteric stent on a string versus conventional stent placement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare stent-related symptoms (SRS) associated with conventional ureteric JJ stent (CUS) placement and SRS associated with placement of a modified complete intra-ureteric stent (CIUS) with extraction suture, designed to minimize SRS, using the validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomized 124 patients who had undergone uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy into a CIUS and a CUS placement group. USSQ scores were evaluated on postoperative days 1 and 7 (just before stent removal) and 4 weeks after stent removal (control values). Pain scores on a visual analogue scale (VAS) after stent removal were also recorded. Subdomain analysis of all SRS and stent-related complications were also compared. RESULTS: No significant intergroup differences were found in the domain scores for urinary symptoms (P = 0.74), pain (P = 0.32), general health (P = 0.27), work (P = 0.24), or additional problems (P = 0.29). However, a statistically significant difference was noted in VAS scores (P = 0.015). Analysis of subdomains of USSQ item scores showed the CIUS group had significantly better scores for urge incontinence (1.21 vs 1.00; P ≤ 0.001), discomfort on voiding (2.07 vs 1.50; P ≤ 0.001), difficulties with respect to light physical activity (1.131 vs 1.00; P ≤ 0.001), fatigue (1.84 vs 1.57; P = 0.002), feeling comfortable (3.68 vs 3.16; P = 0.003), need for extra help (1.96 vs 1.00; P ≤ 0.001), and change in duration of work (4.27 vs 1.86; P ≤ 0.001). However, the patients in the CIUS group were sexually inactive for the time during which the stent was indwelling (mean: 7.34 days). There was no difference in complication rates between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of a CIUS with strings after Ureteroscopy decreases SRS.

Super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) vs standard PCNL for the management of renal calculi of <2 cm: a randomised controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (sPCNL) and super-mini PCNL (SMP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 150 patients presenting with renal calculi of <2 cm were randomised to either sPCNL (Group 1) or SMP (Group 2). Randomisation was based on centralised computer-generated numbers. Variables studied included: stone-free rates (SFRs), operative time, intra- and postoperative complications, postoperative pain score, analgesic requirement, and hospital stay. Statistical analysis was performed using a t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables and chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Between September 2018 and April 2019, 75 patients were included in each group. The SFRs of the groups were similar (97.33 vs 98.66%, P = 0.56). The mean (sd) operative time was significantly longer in Group 2, at 36.40 (14.07) vs 23.12 (11.96) min (P < 0.001). The mean (sd) decrease in haemoglobin was significantly less in Group 2, at 3.0 (4.9) vs 7.5 (6.5) g/L (P < 0.001). The mean (sd) pain score at 24 h was significantly lower in Group 2, at 0.3 (0.46) vs 0.75 (0.53) (P < 0.001). The mean (sd) analgesic requirement was significantly less in Group 2, at 67 (22.49) vs 91.5 (30.56) mg tramadol (P < 0.001). The mean (sd) hospital stay was significantly less in Group 2, at 28.38 (3.6) vs 39.84 (3.7) h (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SMP is equally as effective as sPCNL for managing renal calculi of <2 cm, with improved safety. Although SMP is associated with a longer operative time, it has a significantly lower incidence of bleeding and postoperative pain, and a shorter hospital stay.

Pre-Use Ureteroscope Contamination after High Level Disinfection: Reprocessing Effectiveness and the Relation with Cumulative Ureteroscope Use.

PURPOSE: We assessed the frequency of preoperative and persistent microbial contamination of flexible ureteroscopes after reprocessing and the relation of contamination to cumulative ureteroscope use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the effectiveness of high level disinfection with peracetic acid as well as data on ureteroscope use for 20 new flexible ureteroscopes from December 2015 to December 2017 at a single center. In the operating room pre-use and postuse microbial samples of the ureteroscope shaft and working channel were collected to evaluate microbial contamination after reprocessing. Positive cultures were defined as 30 cfu/ml or greater of skin flora, or 10 cfu/ml or greater of uropathogenic microorganisms. A generalized estimating equation model was used to analyze whether cumulative ureteroscope use was associated with positive pre-use cultures. RESULTS: Microbial samples were collected during 389 procedures. Pre-use ureteroscope cultures were positive in 47 of 389 procedures (12.1%), of which uropathogens were found in 9 of 389 (2.3%) and skin flora in 38 of 389 (9.8%). Urinary tract infection symptoms did not develop in any of the patients who underwent surgery with a uropathogen contaminated ureteroscope. In 1 case the pre-use culture contained the same bacteria type as the prior postuse culture. Cumulative ureteroscope use was not associated with a higher probability of positive cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Microbial contamination of reprocessed ureteroscopes was found in an eighth of all procedures. Notably uropathogenic microorganisms were discovered in a small proportion of all procedures. Persistent ureteroscope contamination with uropathogens was only rarely encountered. Cumulative ureteroscope use was not associated with a higher probability of microbial contamination.

Systematic review and cumulative analysis of the managements for proximal impacted ureteral stones.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of different treatment options for the management of proximal impacted ureteral stones (PIUS). METHODS: A systematic literature search using Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted to obtain studies concerning different managements for PIUS up to Jan 2018. Summary odds ratios (ORs), standard mean differences (SMDs) or weighted mean differences with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare the efficacy and safety of all included treatment methods, registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42018092745. RESULTS: A total of 15 comparative studies with 1780 patients were included. Meta-analyses of final stone-free rate (SFR) favored percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) over ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL) (OR 10.35; 95% CI 5.26-20.35; P < 0.00001), laparoscopic ureterolithotomy over URL (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.05-0.25; P < 0.00001) and URL over extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.28-0.77; P = 0.003). As to complications, PCNL had a significantly higher blood transfusion rate (OR 7.47; 95% CI 1.3-42.85; P = 0.02) and a lower ureteral injury rate (OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.04-0.52; P = 0.003) compared with URL. It also shared a significantly lower stone-retropulsion rate (OR 0.03; 95% CI 0.01-0.15; P < 0.0001) and higher treatment costs (SMD = 2.71; 95% CI 0.71-4.70; P = 0.008) than URL. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggested that PCNL might be the best option for PIUS owing to its higher successful rate. Complications such as hemorrhage could be decreased by the application on mini-PCNL.

Analogous detection of circulating tumor cells using the AccuCyte® -CyteFinder® system and ISET system in patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can provide important information on patient's prognosis and treatment efficacy. Currently, a plethora of methods is available for the detection of these rare cells. We compared the outcomes of two of those methods to enumerate and characterize CTCs in patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). First, the selection-free AccuCyte® - CyteFinder® system (RareCyte® , Inc., Seattle, WA) and second, the ISET system (Rarecells Diagnostics, France), a CTC detection method based on cell size-exclusion. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 15 patients with metastatic PCa and processed in parallel, using both methods according to manufacturer's protocol. CTCs were identified by immunofluorescence, using commercially available antibodies to pancytokeratin (PanCK), EpCAM, CD45/CD66b/CD34/CD11b/CD14 (AccuCyte® - CyteFinder® system), and pancytokeratin, vimentin (Vim) and CD45 (ISET system). RESULTS: The median CTC count was 5 CTCs/7.5 mL (range, 0-20) for the AccuCyte® - CyteFinder® system and 37 CTCs/7.5 mL (range, 8-139) for the ISET system (P < 0.001). Total CTC counts obtained for the two methods were correlated (r = 0.750, P = 0.001). When separating the total CTC count obtained with the ISET system in PanCK+/Vim- and PanCK+/Vim+ CTCs, the total CTC count obtained with the AccuCyte® - CyteFinder® system was moderately correlated with the PanCK+/Vim- CTCs, and strongly correlated with the PanCK+/Vim+ CTCs (r = 0.700, P = 0.004 and r = 0.810, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results highlight significant disparities in the enumeration and phenotype of CTCs detected by both techniques. Although the median amount of CTCs/7.5 mL differed significantly, total CTC counts of both methods were strongly correlated. For future studies, a more uniform approach to the isolation and definition of CTCs based on immunofluorescent stains is needed to provide reproducible results that can be correlated with clinical outcomes.

An In-Depth Glycosylation Assay for Urinary Prostate-Specific Antigen.

The concentration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in serum is used as an early detection method of prostate cancer (PCa); however, it shows low sensitivity, specificity, and a poor predictive value. Initial studies suggested the glycosylation of PSA to be a promising marker for a more specific yet noninvasive PCa diagnosis. Recent studies on the molecular features of PSA glycosylation (such as antenna modification and core fucosylation) were not successful in demonstrating its potential for an improved PCa diagnosis, probably due to the lack of analytical sensitivity and specificity of the applied assays. In this study, we established for the first time a high-performance PSA Glycomics Assay (PGA), allowing differentiation of α2,6- and α2,3-sialylated isomers, the latter one being suggested to be a hallmark of aggressive types of cancer. After affinity purification from urine and tryptic digestion, PSA samples were analyzed by CE-ESI-MS (capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization coupled to mass spectrometry). Based on positive controls, an average interday relative standard deviation of 14% for 41 N-glycopeptides was found. The assay was further verified by analyzing PSA captured from patients' urine samples. A total of 67 N-glycopeptides were identified from the PSA pooled from the patients. In summary, the first PGA successfully established in this study allows an in-depth relative quantitation of PSA glycoforms from urine. The PGA is a promising tool for the determination of potential glycomic biomarkers for the differentiation between aggressive PCa, indolent PCa, and benign prostate hyperplasia in larger cohort studies.

Surgical teaching in urology: patient safety and educational value of 'LIVE' and 'SEMI-LIVE' surgical demonstrations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the opinion of urologists and their audience regarding patient safety and educational value of live surgical demonstrations (LSD) and semi-live surgical demonstrations (semi-LSD). METHODS: Following the '2017 Challenges in Endourology' meeting, a survey addressing patient safety and the educational value of LSD and semi-LSD was disseminated online to all participants. Survey outcomes of LSD and semi-LSD were compared. RESULTS: All 279 respondents attended both LSD and semi-LSD. Overall, 53% of said respondents stated that patient safety was always the highest priority for LSD, while 74% noted the same for semi-LSD. The complication risk in LSD was perceived equal by 57% of the respondents when compared to cases of similar difficulty in routine practice, while 38% perceived it as a greater risk. For semi-LSD, the complication risk was perceived equal by 84%, while 5% perceived it to be a greater risk in comparison to general practice. On a scale from 0 (no value) to 10 (highly valuable), the average educational value of LSD and semi-LSD was rated 8.4 and 8.3, respectively. A substantial percentage of the surgeons who perform LSD express concerns that live surgery is not the optimal setting to ensure patient safety. CONCLUSIONS: LSD remains a popular tool for surgical education among urologists and their audience. However, patient safety remains a concern and is perceived less of a concern for semi-LSD. The educational value of LSD and semi-LSD was scored equally high. Therefore, we should consider to advocate the use of semi-LSD more often.

New technologies for upper tract urothelial carcinoma management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Image enhancement techniques and optical diagnostic tools have emerged in the quest to improve diagnostics and treatment in patients with upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC). The aim of the present report is to describe their mechanisms of action and to assess the current evidence on applicability and utility in UTUC. RECENT FINDINGS: Image enhancement techniques including narrow band imaging, Image1 S, and photodynamic diagnosis aim at better visualization of malignant urothelium and especially flat tumours or carcinoma in situ which are often difficult to see with white light endoscopy. Conducted studies in the upper tract are scarce but first results show that tumour detection seems to be better for narrow band imaging and photodynamic diagnosis-guided inspection.Optical diagnostic tools as confocal laser endomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography aim at providing real time optical biopsies giving pathologic information. A pilot study of optical coherence tomography proved its feasibility to visualize, grade and stage low and high-grade UTUC. SUMMARY: Better visualization of suspect lesions and optical diagnostic techniques providing real time optical biopsies aim to facilitate in higher diagnostic precision and optimal individualized treatment of our patients with UTUC. As the disease is rare, studies are scarce but indispensable for future implication of these techniques.

Percutaneous Needle Based Optical Coherence Tomography for the Differentiation of Renal Masses: a Pilot Cohort.

PURPOSE: We determine the ability of percutaneous needle based optical coherence tomography to differentiate renal masses by using the attenuation coefficient (µOCT, mm(-1)) as a quantitative measure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutaneous needle based optical coherence tomography of the kidney was performed in patients presenting with a solid renal mass. A pathology specimen was acquired in the form of biopsies and/or a resection specimen. Optical coherence tomography results of 40 patients were correlated to pathology results of the resected specimens in order to derive µOCT values corresponding with oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma, and with the 3 main subgroups of renal cell carcinoma. The sensitivity and specificity of optical coherence tomography in differentiating between oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma were assessed through ROC analysis. RESULTS: The median µOCT of oncocytoma (3.38 mm(-1)) was significantly lower (p=0.043) than the median µOCT of renal cell carcinoma (4.37 mm(-1)). ROC analysis showed a µOCT cutoff value of greater than 3.8 mm(-1) to yield a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 86%, 75%, 97% and 37%, respectively, to differentiate between oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma. The area under the ROC curve was 0.81. Median µOCT was significantly lower for oncocytoma vs clear cell renal cell carcinoma (3.38 vs 4.36 mm(-1), p=0.049) and for oncocytoma vs papillary renal cell carcinoma (3.38 vs 4.79 mm(-1), p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the µOCT is significantly higher in renal cell carcinoma vs oncocytoma, with ROC analysis showing promising results for their differentiation. This demonstrates the potential of percutaneous needle based optical coherence tomography to help in the differentiation of renal masses, thus warranting ongoing research.

Focal vs extended ablation in localized prostate cancer with irreversible electroporation; a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Current surgical and ablative treatment options for prostate cancer (PCa) may result in a high incidence of (temporary) incontinence, erectile dysfunction and/or bowel damage. These side effects are due to procedure related effects on adjacent structures including blood vessels, bowel, urethra and/or neurovascular bundle. Ablation with irreversible electroporation (IRE) has shown to be effective and safe in destroying PCa cells and also has the potential advantage of sparing surrounding tissue and vital structures, resulting in less impaired functional outcomes and maintaining men's quality of life. METHODS/DESIGN: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT) on IRE in localized PCa, 200 patients with organ-confined, unilateral (T1c-T2b) low- to intermediate-risk PCa (Gleason sum score 6 and 7) on transperineal template-mapping biopsies (TTMB) will be included. Patients will be randomized into focal or extended ablation of cancer foci with IRE. Oncological efficacy will be determined by multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound imaging if available, TTMP and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) follow-up. Patients will be evaluated up to 5 years on functional outcomes and quality of life with the use of standardized questionnaires. DISCUSSION: There is critical need of larger, standardized RCTs evaluating long-term oncological and functional outcomes before introducing IRE and other focal therapy modalities as an accepted and safe therapeutic option for PCa. This RCT will provide important short- and long-term data and elucidates the differences between focal or extended ablation of localized, unilateral low- to intermediate-risk PCa with IRE. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov database registration number NCT01835977. The Dutch Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects registration number NL50791.018.14.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound parametric imaging for the detection of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-ultrasonography (US) and software-generated parametric maps in predicting biopsy outcome and their potential to reduce the amount of negative biopsy cores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 651 prostate biopsy locations (82 consecutive patients) we correlated the interpretation of DCE-US recordings with and without parametric maps with biopsy results. The parametric maps were generated by software which extracts perfusion parameters that differentiate benign from malignant tissue from DCE-US recordings. We performed a stringent analysis (all tumours) and a clinical analysis (clinically significant tumours). We calculated the potential reduction in biopsies (benign on imaging) and the resultant missed positive biopsies (false-negatives). Additionally, we evaluated the performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) on a per-prostate level. RESULTS: Based on DCE-US, 470/651 (72.2%) of biopsy locations appeared benign, resulting in 40 false-negatives (8.5%), considering clinically significant tumours only. Including parametric maps, 411/651 (63.1%) of the biopsy locations appeared benign, resulting in 23 false-negatives (5.6%). In the per-prostate clinical analysis, DCE-US classified 38/82 prostates as benign, missing eight diagnoses. Including parametric maps, 31/82 prostates appeared benign, missing three diagnoses. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 73, 58, 50 and 79%, respectively, for DCE-US alone and 91, 56, 57 and 90%, respectively, with parametric maps. CONCLUSION: The interpretation of DCE-US with parametric maps allows good prediction of biopsy outcome. A two-thirds reduction in biopsy cores seems feasible with only a modest decrease in cancer diagnosis.

Thermal Energy during Irreversible Electroporation and the Influence of Different Ablation Parameters.

PURPOSE: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) uses high-voltage electric fields to achieve cell death. Although the mechanism of IRE is mainly designated as nonthermal, development of secondary Joule heating is inevitable. The study purpose was to gain understanding of temperature development and distribution during IRE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IRE was performed in a transparent polyacrylamide gel resembling soft tissue. Mechanical effects, changes in temperature gradient, and absolute temperature changes were measured with three different optical techniques (high-speed, color Schlieren, and infrared imaging) to investigate the effect on temperature of variations in voltage, pulse length, active tip length (ATL), interelectrode distance, electrode configuration (parallel, convergent, and divergent), and sequential pulsing (pulse delivery interrupted by breaks). The total delivered energy was calculated. RESULTS: A temperature gradient, starting at the tips of both electrodes and expanding toward each other, developed immediately with pulse delivery. Temperatures increased with increasing voltage (by 2.5°C-40.4°C), pulse length (by 5.3°C-9.8°C), ATL (by 5.9°C-17.6°C), and interelectrode distance (by 7.6°C-21.5°C), in accordance with higher energy delivery. Nonparallel electrode placement resulted in heterogeneous temperature distribution with the peak temperature focused in the area with the shortest interelectrode distance. Sequential pulse delivery significantly reduced the temperature increase compared with continuous pulsing (4.3°C vs 11.7°C). CONCLUSIONS: Voltage, pulse length, interelectrode distance, ATL, and electrode configuration each have a strong effect on temperature development and distribution during IRE. Sequential pulsing reduces the extent and volume of thermal distribution and may prove beneficial with respect to procedural safety.

Prostate Cancer: Interobserver Agreement and Accuracy with the Revised Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System at Multiparametric MR Imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate accuracy and interobserver variability with the use of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2.0 for detection of prostate cancer at multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in a biopsy-naïve patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients for use of their imaging and histopathologic data in future research studies. In 101 biopsy-naïve patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels who underwent multiparametric MR imaging of the prostate and subsequent transrectal ultrasonography (US)-MR imaging fusion-guided biopsy, suspicious lesions detected at multiparametric MR imaging were scored by five readers who were blinded to pathologic results by using to the newly revised PI-RADS and the scoring system developed in-house. Interobserver agreement was evaluated by using κ statistics, and the correlation of pathologic results with each of the two scoring systems was evaluated by using the Kendall τ correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Specimens of 162 lesions in 94 patients were sampled by means of transrectal US-MR imaging fusion biopsy. Results for 87 (54%) lesions were positive for prostate cancer. Kendall τ values with the PI-RADS and the in-house-developed scoring system, respectively, at T2-weighted MR imaging in the peripheral zone were 0.51 and 0.17 and in the transitional zone, 0.45 and -0.11; at diffusion-weighted MR imaging, 0.42 and 0.28; at dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging, 0.23 and 0.24, and overall suspicion scores were 0.42 and 0.49. Median κ scores among all possible pairs of readers for PI-RADS and the in-house-developed scoring system, respectively, for T2-weighted MR images in the peripheral zone were 0.47 and 0.15; transitional zone, 0.37 and 0.07; diffusion-weighted MR imaging, 0.41 and 0.57; dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, 0.48 and 0.41; and overall suspicion scores, 0.46 and 0.55. CONCLUSION: Use of the revised PI-RADS provides moderately reproducible MR imaging scores for detection of clinically relevant disease.

The efficacy and safety of irreversible electroporation for the ablation of renal masses: a prospective, human, in-vivo study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Electroporation is a novel treatment technique utilizing electric pulses, traveling between two or more electrodes, to ablate targeted tissue. The first in human studies have proven the safety of IRE for the ablation of renal masses. However the efficacy of IRE through histopathological examination of an ablated renal tumour has not yet been studied. Before progressing to a long-term IRE follow-up study it is vital to have pathological confirmation of the efficacy of the technique. Furthermore, follow-up after IRE ablation requires a validated imaging modality. The primary objectives of this study are the safety and the efficacy of IRE ablation of renal masses. The secondary objectives are the efficacy of MRI and CEUS in the imaging of ablation result. METHODS/DESIGN: 10 patients, age ≥ 18 years, presenting with a solid enhancing mass, who are candidates for radical nephrectomy will undergo IRE ablation 4 weeks prior to radical nephrectomy. MRI and CEUS imaging will be performed at baseline, one week and four weeks post IRE. After radical nephrectomy, pathological examination will be performed to evaluate IRE ablation success. DISCUSSION: The only way to truly assess short-term (4 weeks) ablation success is by histopathology of a resection specimen. In our opinion this trial will provide essential knowledge on the safety and efficacy of IRE of renal masses, guiding future research of this promising ablative technique. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT02298608 . Dutch Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects registration number NL44785.018.13.

Technical solutions to improve the management of non-muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma: summary of a European Association of Urology Section for Uro-Technology (ESUT) and Section for Uro-Oncology (ESOU) expert meeting and current and future perspectives.

The aim of the present review was to compare state-of-the-art care and future perspectives for the detection and treatment of non-muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. We provide a summary of the third expert meeting on 'Optimising the management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, organized by the European Association of Urology Section for Uro-Technology (ESUT) in collaboration with the Section for Uro-Oncology (ESOU), including a systematic literature review. The article includes a detailed discussion on the current and future perspectives for TCC, including photodynamic diagnosis, optical coherence tomography, narrow band imaging, the Storz Professional Image Enhancement system, magnification and high definition techniques. We also provide a detailed discussion of future surgical treatment options, including en bloc resection and tumour enucleation. Intensive research has been conducted to improve tumour detection and there are promising future perspectives, that require proven clinical efficacy. En bloc resection of bladder tumours may be advantageous, but is currently considered to be experimental.

Lessons learned from the CROES percutaneous nephrolithotomy global study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to give an overview of the data derived from the CROES PCNL Global Study published previously in 25 articles. METHODS: A comprehensive overview of the outcome of the CROES PCNL Global Study was made, analysed and compared with the current literature and guidelines. RESULTS: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was predominately performed in prone position. Although the supine position claims to be favourable over the prone approach, the present study showed a longer operation time and lower stone-free rate (SFR). This might be explained by differences in definition in operation time and methods in the evaluation of residual stones. Ultrasound (US)-guided access proves beneficial in lowering puncture time and radiation exposure. Renal anomalies can safely be treated by PCNL and have similar outcomes to a normal situation. In patients with a solitary kidney, however, there is a lower SFR and more bleeding. Also, severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have less favourable outcome. Morbidity and complications following PCNL are dominated by fever (10.5%) and bleeding (7.8%). A matched control analysis confirmed that antibiotic prophylaxis gives a threefold lower post-operative fever rate. In a multivariate analysis, it was elegantly demonstrated that bleeding was directly related to the size of the dilatation: the larger the bore, the higher the chance for bleeding. Elderly patients are at higher risk of complications and longer hospital stay. Overall, obese patients have similar outcome as the general population; however, super-obese (BMI > 40) patients have a higher chance of more severe complications. For the first time, this database illustrated a significant relationship between results and complications of PCNL, and caseload volume. The optimal case volume per centre appears to be 120 PCNL's/year. Finally, a nomogram has been developed that enables better patient counselling and decision-making. CONCLUSION: The CROES PCNL Global Study is the largest real-life study providing new insights into general and special conditions. Because of the vast number of patients included, rare conditions including renal anomalies, solitary kidneys and patient characteristics like severe CKD, super obesity and old age could be analysed. Besides this information, a nomogram was developed. And for the first time, the influence of caseload volume was established.

Age-related prevalence of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and anticoagulation therapy use in a urolithiasis population and their effect on outcomes: the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Ureteroscopy Global Study.

PURPOSE: This study examined the prevalence of risk factors for urological stone surgery and their possible influence on outcome and complications following ureteroscopy (URS). METHODS: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Ureteroscopy Global Study collected prospective data on consecutive patients with urinary stones treated with URS at centers around the world for 1 year. The prevalence of common comorbidities and anticoagulation therapy and their relationship with complications and age were examined. RESULTS: Of 11,719 patients, 2,989 patients (25.8%) had cardiovascular disease, including 22.6% with hypertension, and 1,266 patients (10.9%) had diabetes mellitus. Approximately six percent of patients were receiving oral anticoagulation therapy, including aspirin (3.7%) and clopidogrel (0.8%). The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and the proportion of patients receiving anticoagulant medication and/or antidiabetes treatment increased with age. Elderly were more likely to develop a postoperative complication when they had diabetes, a cardiovascular disease or received anticoagulation therapy. Post-operative bleeding was higher in patients receiving anticoagulants than those not receiving them (1.1 vs. 0.4%; p < 0.01). Patients with risk factors for stone formation had more complications than those without (4.9 vs. 3.0%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study confirming in a global population that URS can effectively and safely be performed in a population with high comorbidity. The risk of a complication was highest among elderly patients presenting with comorbidities.

The 1-year decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after radical nephrectomy in patients with renal masses and matched living kidney donors is the same.

OBJECTIVES: To determine short-term differences in renal function evolution between patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) submitted to radical nephrectomy (RN) and living kidney donors matched for age and gender. To assess the role of co-morbidity as a risk factor for developing an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) . PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study patients undergoing Radical Nefrectomy (RN) between January 2000 and February 2011 for suspicion of localised RCC were matched by age and gender to living kidney donors. Renal function was compared between the groups using the Modification in Diet and Renal Disease (MDRD) equation at 1 year after RN. Charlson co-morbidity score, incidence of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease were compared and assessed as predictors for developing an eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) . RESULTS: In all, 196 patients were included, 98 in each group. The mean age was respectively 60.6 (RCC group) and 59.1 years (donors). The 1-year postoperative mean eGFR (available in 89 patients with RCC and 87 donors) was similar, at a mean (sd) of 56.7 (16.4) mL/min/1.73 m(2) in patients with RCC and 56.2 (9.8) mL/min/1.73 m(2) in donors (P = 0.83). In patients with RCC the incidence and severity of co-morbidities was significantly higher. A preoperative eGFR of 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m(2) was the only independent risk factor for developing a postoperative eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (odds ratio 4.4, confidence interval 2.1-9.5, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohorts with advanced age the 1-year follow-up eGFR was similar in both groups. Despite increased co-morbidity in the RCC group there was no increased decline in renal function. Only reduced preoperative eGFR could be identified as risk factor for developing a postoperative eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) .

Thermal ablation in renal cell carcinoma management: a comprehensive review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides an overview of recent developments in the field of thermal ablation for renal cell carcinoma and focuses on current standard techniques, new technologies, imaging for ablation guidance and evaluation, and future perspectives. RECENT FINDINGS: Emerging long-term data on cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) show marginally lower oncologic outcomes compared to surgical treatment, balanced by better functional and perioperative outcomes. Reports on residual disease vary widely, influenced by different definitions and strategies in determining ablation failure. Stratifying disease-free survival after RFA according to tumor size suggests 3 cm to be a reasonable cut off for RFA tumor selection. Microwave ablation and high-intensity focal ultrasound are modalities with the potential of creating localized high temperatures. However, difficulties in renal implementation are impairing sufficient ablation results. Irreversible electroporation, although not strictly thermal, is a new technology showing promising results in animal and early human research. SUMMARY: Although high-level randomized controlled trials comparing thermal ablation techniques are lacking, evidence shows that thermal ablation for small renal masses is a safe procedure for both long-term oncologic and functional outcomes. Thermal ablation continues to be associated with a low risk of residual disease, for which candidates should be properly informed. RFA and cryoablation remain the standard techniques whereas alternative techniques require further studies.