Predicting Sepsis in Patients with Ureteral Stones in the Emergency Department.

Background: In the absence of overt infection signs, clinical criteria for early intervention in patients with ureteral stones are poorly defined. We aimed to develop a model that can identify patients who are at risk for developing sepsis if discharged home from the emergency department (ED). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients between January 2010 and December 2019 who were discharged from the ED after diagnosis of ureteral stones. The primary outcome was sepsis requiring urgent surgical decompression. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of sepsis. We refined the model using backward stepwise regression with a threshold p-value of 0.05. Results: We identified 1331 patients who were discharged from the ED with ureteral stones. Of these patients, 22 (2%) subsequently developed sepsis requiring urgent decompression. In the initial multivariable model, female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 2.82, p = 0.039) and urine white blood cells (WBCs) (OR: 1.02 per cell count, p < 0.001) were predictive of sepsis. After performing backward stepwise regression, female gender, urine WBCs, and leukocytosis (WBCs >15,000/mm3) met criteria for inclusion in the model. A logistic model including these variables predicted sepsis with an internally cross-validated area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79. Among patients with urine cultures completed in the ED, rates of sepsis were 9% in patients with positive cultures and 1% in patients with negative cultures (p < 0.001). Antibiotic usage was not protective against developing sepsis. Conclusions: Sepsis is a rare complication among patients with ureteral stones selected for conservative management. The presence of elevated urine WBCs and female gender can help identify patients who are at risk of developing sepsis. Patients with risk factors should be managed with an increased index of suspicion for infection and may benefit from early intervention to reduce the risk of sepsis. Sepsis is more common in patients with positive urine cultures.

Impact of an Acute Care Urology Service on Timelines and Quality of Care in the Management of Nephrolithiasis.

Background: The acute care surgery model has led to improved outcomes for emergent surgical conditions, but similar models of care have not been implemented in urology. Our department implemented an acute care urology (ACU) service in 2015, and the service evolved in 2018. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the ACU model on the management of nephrolithiasis. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with urology consults in the emergency department for nephrolithiasis, who required surgical intervention from 2013 to 2019. Patients were divided into three cohorts based on date of consultation: Pre-ACU (2013-2014), Phase 1 (2015-2017), and Phase 2 (2018-2019). Results: We identified 733 patients with nephrolithiasis requiring intervention (162 pre-ACU, 334 Phase 1, and 237 Phase 2). Before ACU implementation, median time from consult to definitive intervention was 36 days. After ACU implementation, median time to intervention decreased to 22 days in Phase 1 (p < 0.001) and 15 days in Phase 2 (p < 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression, the hazard of definitive intervention improved in Phase 1 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.90, p < 0.001) and in Phase 2 (HR 1.80, p < 0.001). Rates of primary definitive intervention without initial decompression and loss to follow-up were also significantly improved, compared to the pre-ACU cohort. Conclusions: Implementation of a structured ACU service was associated with improved time to treatment for patients with acute nephrolithiasis, as well as increased primary definitive intervention and improved follow-up care. This model of care has potential to improve patient outcomes for nephrolithiasis and other acute urological conditions.

Increased Body Mass Index in Men With Varicocele Is Associated With Larger Spermatic Vein Diameters When Supine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of body mass index (BMI) and spermatic vein diameters (SVDs) in men treated for varicocele. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred fourteen men who underwent scrotal color duplex ultrasounds prior to microsurgical varicocelectomy were classified as normal (BMI = 18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), or obese (≥30). SVDs were measured with and without Valsalva, standing and supine. SVD, pre- and postoperative semen analyses (SA) were compared. RESULTS: Forty-six (40.4%) men had normal BMI, 54 (47.3%) were overweight, and 14 (12.3%) were obese. Higher BMI was associated with smaller left testis volume and larger left SVD when supine (with and without Valsalva). The association was absent when standing. Men with higher BMI had smaller differences between their left SVD Valsalva diameters when standing vs supine. There were no differences among BMI classes for right SVD measurements, preoperative SA, and postoperative SA improvement. CONCLUSION: Increased BMI is associated with larger left SVD while supine, suggesting that increased abdominal pressure while recumbent may contribute to varicocele pathology in this population. Interestingly, as in the general population, a majority of the men were overweight.

Multiphoton microscopy: applications in Urology and Andrology.

Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) enables real-time imaging of various cellular processes at submicron resolution. MPM is currently being used in neuroscience, oncology, and immunology. MPM has demonstrated promising results in urology. MPM has been used in the identification of spermatogenesis, evaluation of bladder cancer, and tissue identification in prostate cancer surgery. MPM has allowed the visualization of seminiferous tubules within the testis in a rat model and identified areas of spermatogenesis. MPM could potentially improve the efficacy of testicular sperm extraction. In bladder cancer evaluation, MPM has proven to be an effective imaging tool in identifying areas suspicious for malignancy. The imaging technology could be utilized in the future to provide urologists with an immediate impression of extracted bladder tissue, or as part of a cystoscopic device to evaluate the bladder in real time. Similarly, MPM has proven to be a useful imaging technique to evaluate prostate cancer. MPM could be utilized during a prostatectomy to help differentiate prostate from cavernous nerves that are closely adherent to the prostate. MPM uses a laser and safety studies will need to be performed prior to its utilization in the clinical setting.

The role of animal models in the study of varicocele.

Varicocele is the most common correctible cause of male infertility and is present in 15% to 20% of the male population. Despite its prevalence, the pathophysiology of varicocele remains under investigation. One of the largest obstacles in studying varicocele is that it is almost exclusively found in humans. This has necessitated the creation of an animal model of varicocele. The most commonly used animal model involves the creation of a varicocele in a rodent by partially occluding the left renal vein. This model has provided a significant amount of data on varicocele, and a modification of this model utilizing microsurgery appears even more promising. Animal models have proven critical to investigating the pathophysiology of varicocele.