Young urologists and kidney transplantation training: A survey designed by the French Transplantation Committee of the French Association of Urology (CTAFU) and the French Association of Urologists in training (AFUF).

OBJECTIVE: In France, kidney transplantations (KT) are mainly performed by urologist. Young urologists and residents are involved in this activity mostly performed in emergency. How do they feel about KT training? Is KT an attractive part of the urologist activity? METHODS: This survey has been designed in the form of a questionnaire by the French Committee of Kidney Transplantation (CTAFU) and the French Association of Urologists in training (AFUF). It has been sent by e-mail to all the AFUF members. Interest in KT and performance of the training were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 126 members filed the form. Among the residents, 51.5% feel secure to perform KT at the end of their residency. KT is considered as an interesting surgery for 92.1% of the participants: 76.5% are willing to get involved in KT during their residency/fellowship. Among the participants, 44% are willing to continue a long-term involvement. Among the residents, 65.9% consider their practical training insufficient: 56.8% have been supervised for a KT performance during their residency and 86% declare a lack of practical training and had a patient-based learning. Among the residents, 92.1% declare an insufficient theorical training. Among the residents, 33.3% say the schedules of transplantation limit their interest in KT. Among the participants, 34.4% receive a transplant bonus in addition to the usual on-call salary. CONCLUSION: Young urologists wish to continue their involvement in KT activity, but improved theoretical and practical training are essential. In addition, the conditions under which this activity is performed and remunerated are a matter of concern.

[Current state of knowledge of urology residents and fellows on the neuro-urological management of spina bifida patients in France]. / État des lieux des connaissances des internes et chefs de clinique d'urologie sur la prise en charge neuro-urologique des patients spina bifida en France.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the current knowledge of French urology residents and fellows about neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and their management in patients with spina bifida. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A 7-question questionnaire, covering the responder's experience and the various stages in the neuro-urological management of spina bifida, was drafted by an expert urologist. Responses were collected within 5days of being e-mailed to members of the Association française des urologues en formation (AFUF), and a descriptive analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Of the 448 members, 155 completed the questionnaire. Of the participants, 83.8% said they knew the definition of spina bifida, and 76.8% had already had to care for a spina bifida patient. Of the participants, 48.4% correctly estimated the number of spina bifida patients in France. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction to look for and the specificities of management seemed to have been acquired by a majority of respondents (correct response rates of 70.7% and 75.4%, respectively), unlike the extra-urological aspects (53.9%), and the choice of examinations useful for the initial work-up and follow-up (55.8%). CONCLUSION: While the expected neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and the specificities of therapeutic management of spina bifida patients appear to be well known to urologists in training, knowledge of extra-urological symptoms and the choice of examinations could be improved. These results could be used to adjust the teaching given to French urologists in training on the urological management of spina bifida patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Grade 4.

Impact of newly diagnosed prostate cancer at time of evaluation for renal transplantation.

Systematic screening for prostate cancer is widely recommended in candidates for renal transplant at the time of listing. There are concerns that overdiagnosis of low-risk prostate cancer may result in reducing access to transplant without demonstrated oncological benefits. The objective of the study was to assess the outcome of newly diagnosed prostate cancer in candidates for transplant at the time of listing, and its impact on transplant access and transplant outcomes according to treatment options. This retrospective study was conducted over 10 years in 12 French transplant centers. Patients included were candidates for renal transplant at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis. Demographical and clinical data regarding renal disease, prostate cancer, and transplant surgery were collected. The primary outcome of the study was the interval between prostate cancer diagnosis and active listing according to treatment options. Overall median time from prostate cancer diagnosis to active listing was 25.0 months [16.4-40.2], with statistically significant differences in median time between the radiotherapy and the active surveillance groups (p = .03). Prostate cancer treatment modalities had limited impact on access and outcome of renal transplantation. Active surveillance in low-risk patients does not seem to compromise access to renal transplantation, nor does it impact oncological outcomes.

18 F-FDOPA PET/CT of Paraganglioma in the Spermatic Cord.

ABSTRACT: A 53-year-old man with chronic kidney failure was referred to perform an 18 F-FDOPA PET/CT to characterize a mass located on the right spermatic cord. Previously, the pathological analysis of CT-guided biopsies suggested paraganglioma or metastatic lesion of pheochromocytoma. Serum normetanephrine and serum metanephrine values were respectively 2- and 1.5-fold greater than the normal upper limit, which could be explained by the chronic kidney failure. PET/CT images revealed intense 18 F-FDOPA uptake of the mass without any other pathological findings, suggesting the diagnosis of paraganglioma. Pathological examination of surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma of the spermatic cord, which is exceptional.

Relationship between uterine veins, ureter, and hypogastric nerve for uterine transplantation: An anatomic study.

Uterine transplantation is on the rise worldwide. In contrast to its arterial anatomy, venous drainage of the uterus is poorly defined in the literature. Our aim was to provide a standardized description of uterine veins through a multimodal approach to establish anatomical landmarks for the uterine transplantation surgeon. Data were obtained from: (1) an anatomical study of eight fresh female cadavers (16 hemipelves) studied separately by an extra fascial dissection from the iliac bifurcation to the uterine pedicle, with analysis of the urinary tract and nerve structures and (2) a virtual anatomical study from the Anatomage® Table comprising a high-fidelity virtual reconstruction of two deceased female subjects by imaging and anatomical methods. An inconstant duality of uterine veins was identified: a deep uterine vein of larger caliber and a superficial uterine vein observed in 25% of cases. A close relationship of the ureter passing posterior to the superficial uterine vein and anterior to the deep uterine vein was evident in the parametrium. The inferior hypogastric plexus was identified in all cases immediately behind the deep uterine vein. The data obtained from the fresh female cadavers were validated by the Anatomage® Table. We describe the close relationship of the uterine veins with the ureter and the inferior hypogastric plexus. This knowledge represents a surgical landmark to support the success of uterine transplantation by respecting both the graft and the safety of the living donor by limiting the risk of injuries during uterus procurement.

Encrusted Urinary Tract Infections Due to Corynebacteria Species.

INTRODUCTION: Encrusted pyelitis and cystitis are peculiar disorders characterized by the calcification of the vesical, the pyelic, and/or the ureteral walls. These calcifications are composed of struvite and calcium carbonate‒apatite due to the presence of Corynebacterium urealyticum. METHODS: We have identified the clinical features and outcomes of 17 patients with encrusted pyelitis (n = 15) or encrusted cystitis (n = 2). Diagnosis was based on computed tomography scan and sonography including thickening and calcified lesions of the urinary tract. RESULTS: The main clinical presentation was suggestive of subacute urinary tract infection with fever and urologic symptoms, mostly gross hematuria. Biologic features were characterized by the presence of struvite crystals and alkaline urine. Acute kidney injury was reported in 70.6% of cases. Predisposing factors were mostly due to urologic background (82.4%) with a history of urologic procedure (71%) and prior exposure to antibiotics (59%). All patients received appropriate antibiotherapy and 15 were treated with topical urinary acidification. A significant reduction of encrusted calcifications was observed in 88% of cases. Renal function improved in 71% of the patients. Nevertheless, poor tolerance of the treatment and side effects were common, affecting 71% of patients, with Gram-negative bacilli urinary tract infections (53%) being the most frequent. At last follow-up, 4 patients (23.5%) progressed to end-stage renal disease and only 1 had a clinical relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Encrusted urinary tract infections are rare, characterized by a severe renal and overall prognosis in the absence of appropriate treatment. Topical urinary acidification and appropriate antibiotherapy are efficient but may be burdened by significant adverse events.

Contrast-enhanced CT Texture Parameters as Predictive Markers of High-risk Urodynamic Features in Adult Patients with Spina Bifida.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate computed tomography (CT) texture analysis of the bladder wall as a predictor of urodynamics findings in adult patient with spina bifida. METHODS: A single-center prospective trial was conducted from March 2015 to March 2017 including all consecutive adult spina bifida patients seen for urodynamic testing. A contrast-enhanced abdominal CT was systematically performed in all patients during the same visit. Texture features of the bladder wall related to the gray-level histogram and gray-level co-occurrence were evaluated on CT images. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of poor bladder compliance and detrusor overactivity among clinical and texture parameters. RESULTS: Fourty patients were included. The Lasso penalized logistic regression analysis identified 2 texture parameters as potential predictors of poor bladder compliance: Skewness (coefficient weight, -1.81) and S.1.1.SumVarnc (coefficient weight, -3.52). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed skewness (odds ratio [confidence interval 95%] = 0.40 [0.14, 0.97], P = .04) as an independent predictor of poor bladder compliance. The Lasso penalized logistic regression analysis identified one texture parameters as potential predictor of detrusor overactivity: Kurtosis (coefficient weight, -3.52), which was confirmed in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [confidence interval 95%] = 1.12 [1.01, 1.55], P = .02). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that CT texture analysis of the bladder wall might be an interesting tool to identify spina bifida patients with high risk urodynamic features.

Renal outcome after simultaneous heart and kidney transplantation.

Simultaneous heart-kidney transplant (HKTx) is a valid treatment for patients with coexisting heart and renal failure. The aim of this study was to assess renal outcome in HKTx and to identify predictive factors for renal loss. A retrospective study was conducted among 73 HKTx recipients: Donors' and recipients' records were reviewed to evaluate patients' and renal transplants' survival and their prognostic factors. The mean follow-up was 5.36 years. Renal primary non-function occurred in 2.7%, and complications Clavien IIIb or higher were observed in 67.1% including 16 (22%) postoperative deaths. Five-year overall survival and renal survival were 74.5% and 69.4%. Among survivors, seven returned to dialysis during follow-up. The postoperative use of ECMO (HR = 6.04, P = 0.006), dialysis (HR = 1.04/day, P = 0.022), and occurrence of complications (HR = 31.79, P = 0.022) were independent predictors of postoperative mortality but not the history of previous HTx or KTx nor renal function prior to transplantation. History of KTx (HR = 2.52, P = 0.026) and increased delay between the two transplantations (HR = 1.25/hour, P = 0.018) were associated with renal transplant failure. HKTx provides good renal transplant survival and function, among survivors. Early mortality rate of 22% underlines the need to identify perioperative risk factors that would lead to more judicious and responsible allocation of a scarce resource.

Does tumour effraction during robotic partial nephrectomy have any impact on recurrence?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of accidental surgical incision into the tumour (ASIT) on oncological outcomes in patients undergoing RPN for a malignant tumour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database was performed to identify all patients who underwent RPN for a localized RCC between June 2010 and July 2016. We stratified our cohort into two groups according to the presence of an ASIT. Perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the variables associated with ASIT. Recurrence-free survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between groups with the log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients were identified. 32 (14%) ASIT were observed. Patients' characteristics were similar in the two groups. Most of intraoperative outcomes were comparable between the two groups, but patients in the ASIT group had greater EBL (475 vs. 300 mL; p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, tumour size (p = 0.02), RENAL score (p = 0.02), EBL (p = 0.05) and low surgeon experience (p = 0.03) were all predictive factors of ASIT. 15 (6%) of recurrences were observed over a median follow-up of 36 months. There was no difference in recurrence-free survival between the two groups (p = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, accidental surgical incision into the tumour during RPN was a common event that did not appear to compromise oncological outcome.