Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Pelvicalyceal System of the Kidney Based on Native CT Images Are 1-Step Away from the Use of Contrast Agent.

OBJECTIVE: To describe special algorithm for the semi-autonomous 3-dimensional reconstruction of the pelvicalyceal system based on native computed tomography images of patients with upper urinary tract obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with renal colic fitting to inclusion criteria were enrolled. All patients underwent computed tomography urography to perform 3-dimensional reconstruction of the pelvicalyceal system on the affected size based on excretory phase representing "gold standard" and on native phase, which was performed via Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit program updated with the described algorithm. Five urologists estimated their similarities and the potential use of non-contrast models for interventional planning. Contralateral non-distended pelvicalyceal system was reconstructed to evaluate the viability of the proposed technology in such cases. Surface areas of contrast and non-contrast models were compared. Distended pelvicalyceal system of 1 patient was used to reconstruct virtual endoscopic view. Obtained 3-dimensional noncontrast pelvicalyceal system models were analyzed by an engineer for suitability for 3-dimensional printing. RESULTS: The average surface area of contrast and non-contrast models was 3513 and 3371 mm2 , respectively (P=.0818). Non-contrast 3-dimensional reconstruction was possible with all distended pelvicalyceal systems and with 9 non-distended cases. Properties of non-contrast models were estimated as 4.3 out of 5. Obtained models were suitable for their intraluminal reconstruction and potential 3-dimensional printing. CONCLUSION: Described semi-autonomous approach allows for 3-dimensional reconstruction of dilated pelvicalyceal system based on non-contrast computed tomography images.

Safety and mid-term surgical results of anterior urethroplasty with the tissue-engineered oral mucosa graft MukoCell® : A single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the mid-term efficacy and safety of anterior urethroplasty using an autologous tissue-engineered oral mucosa graft (MukoCell® ). METHODS: The data of 77 patients with anterior urethral strictures undergoing treatment with MukoCell® at a tertiary center from June 2016 to May 2019 were analyzed. Patients' characteristics, pre- and postoperative diagnostics, perioperative complications, and follow-up data were obtained. The overall stricture-free survival, outcomes of the different surgical techniques, stricture localizations, stricture length, early complications of the procedure and risk factors of recurrence were assessed. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 38 months (interquartile range 31-46). The overall recurrence-free rate of anterior urethroplasty using MukoCell® was 68.8%, 24 patients (31.2%) developed a recurrence of the stricture. The stricture recurrences were observed at a median of 7 months (interquartile range 3-13) only in patients with at least one previous surgery or repeated dilatations in their medical history. No oral-urethral adverse events related to the use of MukoCell® were observed, except for a urethrocutaneous fistula (1.3%) requiring reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior one-stage urethroplasty using MukoCell® showed in our hands a mid-term success rate of up to 68.8% without significant adverse events after a median follow-up period of 38 months. This procedure might be an alternative option for long-segment urethral reconstruction.

Preoperative Stating of Pelvic Lymph Nodes in Prostate Cancer Patients via Endorectal Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (e-MRI), as a preoperative staging modality in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, we analyzed data from N=168 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between 2004 and 2013 at two tertiary medical centres. Prior to RP all patients underwent an e-MRI. Inclusion criteria were: PSA levels >20 ng/ml or Gleason score >7. Examinations were performed on a closed 1.0-T system combined with an endorectal body phased-array coil, imaging results were correlated with histopathology. RESULTS: 10.7% (N=18 patients) had histologically-proven LNM. e-MRI was true-positive in N=6 (33.3%) and false-negative N=12 patients (66.6%). N=150 (89.3%) patients without LNM e-MRI were true-negative in 96% and false-positive in 4%. Sensitivity was 96%, specificity was 33%, accuracy was 64.5%. CONCLUSION: e-MRI can be considered a useful preoperative staging modality in diagnosis of LNM.

Anterior Urethroplasty Using a New Tissue Engineered Oral Mucosa Graft: Surgical Techniques and Outcomes.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether tissue engineered material may be adopted using standard techniques for anterior urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicenter study in patients with recurrent strictures, excluding those with failed hypospadias, lichen sclerosus, traumatic and posterior strictures. A 0.5 cm2 oral mucosa biopsy was taken from the patient cheek and sent to the laboratory to manufacture the graft. After 3 weeks the tissue engineered oral mucosal MukoCell® graft was sent to the hospital for urethroplasty. Four techniques were used, including ventral onlay, dorsal onlay, dorsal inlay and a combined technique. Cystourethrography was performed 1 month postoperatively. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine measurement every 6 months. When the patient showed obstructive symptoms, defined as maximum urine flow less than 12 ml per second, the urethrography was repeated. Patients who underwent further treatment for recurrent stricture were classified as having treatment failure. RESULTS: Of the 38 patients with a median age of 57 years who were included in study the strictures were penile in 3 (7.9%), bulbar in 29 (76.3%) and penobulbar in 6 (15.8%). Median stricture length was 5 cm and median followup was 55 months. Treatment succeeded in 32 of the 38 patients (84.2%) and failed in 15.8%. Success was achieved in 85.7% of ventral onlay, 83.3% of dorsal onlay, 80% of dorsal inlay and 100% of combined technique cases. No local or systemic adverse reactions due to the engineered material were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that a tissue engineered oral mucosa graft can be implanted using the same techniques suggested for anterior urethroplasty and native oral mucosa, and guaranteeing a similar success rate.

[Surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse]. / Chirurgische Therapie des urogenitalen Deszensus.

Female pelvic organ prolapse is a widely prevalent condition and is associated with variable morbidity. It encompasses a number of clinical conditions, including subvesical obstruction, overactive bladder symptoms, sexual dysfunction and urinary und fecal incontinence. The prevalence of pelvic insufficiency is estimated to be between 30 and 50 %. As life expectancy is increasing and the elderly population is growing, there will be an increased incidence of the condition and growing demand for pelvic floor treatment in the future. The incidence of recurrent pelvic floor prolapse is also growing. The goal of surgical management is the restoration of pelvic anatomy and bladder, vaginal and bowel function, resolution of patient symptoms and improvement in quality of life. The objective of this review is to present the main surgical procedures for different subtypes of genital prolapse and to evaluate their outcomes and complications. During the last ten years, technologies for the minimally invasive approach have advanced and robotic assisted sacrocolpopexy is now equivalent to classical vaginal and transabdominal procedures.

[Surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence]. / Operative Therapie der weiblichen Inkontinenz.

Stress urinary incontinence in women is a common problem in Germany, with approx. 5 million women suffering from incontinence symptoms. These numbers are increasing, due to demographic changes; the suspected numbers are even higher. Prior to treatment, an extended diagnostic approach - including urodynamics and cystoscopy when necessary - is essential for optimal treatment selection.Primary treatment should be conservative, with pelvic floor training as an essential part of a multi-modal treatment concept. If conservative treatment fails, surgery is necessary and an increasing number of women are being treated with sub-urethral slings. The use of classical and well-known reconstructive surgeries - such as colposuspensions - is decreasing. An artificial urinary sphincter is a seldom indication in women, but a feasible option if the patient is physically and manually fit enough. The following article will summarise current diagnostic approaches and treatment options.

[Vesicouterine fistula after caesarean section]. / Vesicouterine Fistel nach Sectio caesarea.

Vesicouterine fistulas (VUFs) are a pathological communication between uterus and urinary bladder, which are mainly related to iatrogenic lesions during caesarean sections or occur during vaginal deliveries after a previous caesarean section. The main symptoms are menstruation through the bladder (menouria), amenorrhea and urinary incontinence. Treatment can be conservative, hormonal or surgical; however, a spontaneous closure of the fistula is rare (5 %). We report a case of a female VUF with menouria after caesarean section with a successful surgical fistula excision. Based on this case report, we analyse the causes, symptoms, diagnostics and treatment of VUF as reported in the literature.

[Reconstructive urethral surgery]. / Rekonstruktive Chirurgie der Harnröhre.

Urethral strictures are independent of a patient's age and can happen in every life period. They are often iatrogenic, resulting from a transurethral surgical procedure or traumatic catheterisation. Endoscopic slotting is the surgery of choice; although this method is frequently associated with recurrence. Retrograde urethrography or cystourethrography continue to play a central role in diagnostic evaluation and treatment. There is no standardised procedure regarding the surgical technique, perioperative management, and postoperative follow-up. Evidence-based recommendations or guidelines do not exist. For a successful surgical treatment of the urethra it is important to have an excellent knowledge of the urethral and urogenital anatomy. The permanent removal of urethral strictures can only be achieved by open reconstructive surgery. Direct end-to-end urethroplasty is used, in general, for short bulbar urethral strictures, while urethroplasty with oral mucosa is used for longer bulbar and penile strictures. Urethral reconstruction using a patient-specific autologous cell transplant with MukoCell® is an alternative to the conventional transplantation with native oral mucosa. Urethral reconstruction should be performed in specialised centres with appropriate expertise.

[Female urethral diverticulum with calculus formation imitating stress incontinence]. / Weibliches urethrales Divertikel mit Steinbildung imitierend eine Belastungsinkontinenz.

A female urethral diverticulum (UD) is a rare condition with a prevalence of 0.6 - 4.7 %. Possible aetiologies include chronic infection of the periurethral glands, childbirth trauma, and iatrogenic lesions after urethral manipulation. The main symptoms are recurrent urinary tract infections, post-void dribbling and leakage of urine or purulent discharge by movement, which is caused by the emptying of the diverticular lumen (paradoxical incontinence). As this may imitate stress urinary incontinence, the final diagnosis is a challenge for urologists. We report the case of a female UD containing multiple calculi, which were diagnosed during diagnostic work-up of incontinence. Based on this case report, we want to present and analyse the symptoms as well as the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of UD as reported in the literature. Also we wish to emphasise that the differential diagnosis between a complicated diverticulum and stress urinary incontinence requires a precise knowledge of the symptoms and the diagnostic algorithm for the detection of a DU because the symptoms of these two conditions are similar.

Analysis of topographical distribution of prostate cancer and related pathological findings in prostatectomy specimens using cMDX document architecture.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the topographical distribution of prostate cancer (PCa) foci is necessary to optimize the biopsy strategy. This study was done to develop a technical approach that facilitates the analysis of the topographical distribution of PCa foci and related pathological findings (i.e., Gleason score and foci dimensions) in prostatectomy specimens. MATERIAL & METHODS: The topographical distribution of PCa foci and related pathologic evaluations were documented using the cMDX documentation system. The project was performed in three steps. First, we analyzed the document architecture of cMDX, including textual and graphical information. Second, we developed a data model supporting the topographic analysis of PCa foci and related pathologic parameters. Finally, we retrospectively evaluated the analysis model in 168 consecutive prostatectomy specimens of men diagnosed with PCa who underwent total prostate removal. The distribution of PCa foci were analyzed and visualized in a heat map. The color depth of the heat map was reduced to 6 colors representing the PCa foci frequencies, using an image posterization effect. We randomly defined 9 regions in which the frequency of PCa foci and related pathologic findings were estimated. RESULTS: Evaluation of the spatial distribution of tumor foci according to Gleason score was enabled by using a filter function for the score, as defined by the user. PCa foci with Gleason score (Gls) 6 were identified in 67.3% of the patients, of which 55 (48.2%) also had PCa foci with Gls between 7 and 10. Of 1173 PCa foci, 557 had Gls 6, whereas 616 PCa foci had Gls>6. PCa foci with Gls 6 were mostly concentrated in the posterior part of the peripheral zone of the prostate, whereas PCa foci with Gls>6 extended toward the basal and anterior parts of the prostate. The mean size of PCa foci with Gls 6 was significantly lower than that of PCa with Gls>6 (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The cMDX-based technical approach facilitates analysis of the topographical distribution of PCa foci and related pathologic findings in prostatectomy specimens.

How to Perform Image-guided Prostate Biopsy: In-bore and Fusion Approaches.

The integration of magnetic resonance imaging into urologic routine may be highly beneficial and change our standards for prostate cancer treatment.

Does postoperative radiation therapy impact survival in non-metastatic sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma? A SEER-based study.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of adjuvant radiation therapy on survival in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC) with no evidence of distant metastasis remains unclear. METHODS: Subjects diagnosed with non-metastatic sRCC were identified using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) (2004-2012) database and divided into groups based on their surgical treatment (ST): no surgery or radiation therapy (NSR); partial nephrectomy (PNE); radical nephrectomy with ureterectomy and bladder cuff resection (RNE + UE + BLAD); and radical nephrectomy (RNE). Certain radical nephrectomy cases also received adjuvant external-beam radiation therapy (RNE + RAD). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS). A multivariable competing risks regression analysis was used to calculate disease-specific survival (DSS) probability and to determine factors associated with cause-specific mortality (CSM). RESULTS: A total of 408 patients were included in this study. The 5-year OS and predicted DSS were significantly higher in the patients who underwent STs (i.e., PNE, RNE + UE + BLAD, RNE, and RNE + RAD) (20.1-54.0 and 20.1-59.9 %, respectively) than in the NSR group (9.0 and 11.6 %, respectively) (P < 0.001). ST was independently associated with a decreased CSM (P < 0.0001). No significant differences in OS or the 1-, 3-, or 5-year DSS probabilities between the RNE and RNE + RAD groups were observed. RNE + RAD was not significantly associated with a decrease in 1-year CSM [subhazard ratio (SHR) 0.95; 95 % CI 0.23-3.96; P = 0.947]. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant external-beam radiation therapy did not increase OS in non-metastatic sRCC patients.

Linkage of data from diverse data sources (LDS): a data combination model provides clinical data of corresponding specimens in biobanking information system.

To provide sufficient clinical data for corresponding specimens from diverse databases established before the implementation of biobanks for research purposes with respect to data privacy regulations. For this purpose, we developed a data model called "linkage of data from diverse data sources (LDS)". The data model was developed to merge clinical data from an existing local database with biospecimen repository data in our serum bank for uro-oncology. This concept combines two data models based on XML: the first stores information required to connect multiple data sources and retrieve clinical data, and the second provides a data architecture to acquire clinical and repository data. All data were anonymized and encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard. X.509 certificates were applied to secure data access. Furthermore, we tested the feasibility of implementing these models in the information management system for biobanking. The data concept can provide clinical and repository data of biospecimens. Only authorized receivers can access these data. Sensitive and personal data are not accessible by the data receivers. The data receiver cannot backtrack to the individual donor using the data model. The acquired data can be converted into a text file format supported by familiar statistical software. Supplementary tools were implemented to generate and view XML documents based on these data models. This data model provides an effective approach to distribute clinical and repository data from different data sources to enable data analysis compliant with data privacy regulations.