ABSTRACT
Background: Lithotripsy with holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser is the current gold standard for treating stones of the upper urinary tract (UUT). The recently introduced thulium fiber laser (TFL) has the potential to be more efficient and as safe as Ho:YAG. Objective: To compare the performance and complications between Ho:YAG and TFL for UUT lithotripsy. Design setting and participants: This was a prospective single-center study of 182 patients treated between February 2021 and February 2022. In a consecutive approach, laser lithotripsy was performed via ureteroscopy with Ho:YAG for 5 mo, and then with TFL for 5 mo. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Our primary outcome was stone-free (SF) status at 3 mo after ureteroscopy with Ho:YAG versus TFL lithotripsy. Secondary outcomes were complication rates and results regarding the cumulative stone size. Patients were followed at 3 mo with abdominal imaging (ultrasound or computed tomography). Results and limitations: The study cohort comprised 76 patients treated with Ho:YAG laser and 100 patients treated with TFL. Cumulative stone size was significantly higher in the TFL than in the Ho:YAG group (20.4 vs 14.8 mm; p = 0.01). SF status was similar in both groups (68.4% vs 72%; p = 0.06). Complication rates were comparable. In subgroup analysis, the SF rate was significantly higher (81.6% vs 62.5%; p = 0.04) and the operative time was shorter for stones measuring 1-2 cm, whereas the results were similar for stones <1 cm and >2 cm. The lack of randomization and single-center design are the main limitations of the study. Conclusions: TFL and Ho:YAG lithotripsy are comparable in terms of the SF rate and safety for the treatment of UUT lithiasis. According to our study, for a cumulative stone size of 1-2 cm, TFL is more effective than Ho:YAG. Patient summary: We compared the efficiency and safety of two laser types for the treatment of stones in the upper urinary tract. We found that stone-free status at 3 months did not significantly differ between the holmium and thulium lasers.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The 3D Navigo™ system is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion device for prostate targeted biopsies (TB). Our aim was to evaluate the clinically significant prostate cancer (CSC) detection rate of TB using the 3D Navigo™ system. METHODS: Patients who underwent TB with the 3D Navigo™ system in our center between June 2014 and May 2018 were prospectively included, excluding those who have previously received treatment for prostate cancer. A 3-Tesla MRI imaging was performed before biopsies; findings were reported according to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PIRADS). CSC was defined by an ISUP score ≥ 2. RESULTS: 304 patients underwent TB. Median age was 66 years (51-84). Median PSA was 7.75 ng/ml (0.6-70.0). Median prostate volume was 45.0 ml (15.9-221.7). PCa and CSC were found in 70.4% (214/304) and 47.7% (145/304) of the patients, respectively. The proportion of patients diagnosed with CSC among those with PCa was 67.8% (145/214). There was a significant risk of having a CSC in case of PIRADS score ≥ 4 and 5 (OR 5.0, 95% CI [2.7-9.2], P < 0.001; OR 3.2, 95% CI [1.8-5.5], P < 0.001). PIRADS score was an independent risk factor of having a CSC (OR 4.19, 95% CI [2.49-7.05], P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between pathological outcomes of TB and RP in paired analysis (P = 0.892). There was a correlation between TB and RP specimens for PCa detection (r = 0.60, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Detecting CSC with MRI-TRUS fusion targeted biopsies using the 3D Navigo™ system is feasible and safe. We found a positive correlation between TB and RP for ISUP scores.
