Survival outcomes of postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: A retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center in South India.

Introduction: Chemotherapy, postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (pcRPLND), and metastasectomy remain the standard of care for the management of advanced nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). Methods: We retrospectively studied 73 patients who had pcRPLND at a single tertiary-care center (2003-2022). Surgical and clinicopathological features and oncological outcomes are presented. Results: The mean age was 28.27 years (15-48). Three-fourths had Stage III disease at diagnosis. International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group risk stratification was 54.54% and 21.21% in intermediate risk, and poor risk, respectively. Sixty-two patients had Standard, 7 had Salvage and 4 underwent Desperation pcRPLND. Eleven patients (15.06%) required adjunctive procedures. Thirteen patients (17.8%) had ≥ class 3 Clavien-Dindo complications and postoperative mortality occurred in 5 (6.8%) patients. The histopathologies (HPE) of the pcRPLNDs were necrosis, teratoma, and viable tumor in 39.7%, 45.2%, and 15.1%, respectively. Seven patients underwent metastasectomy. An 85% size reduction in the size of RPLN predicted necrosis. There was 71.4% concordance between pcRPLND and metastasectomy HPEs. The median follow-up was 26.72 months (inter-quartile range - 13.25-47.84). The 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was 93% (95% confidence interval [CI]-83%-97%) and the overall survival (OS) rate was 90% (95% CI-80%-95%). This is the largest series of pcRPLND for NSGCT in India to our knowledge. Conclusion: Although most of the cohort belonged to stage III, an RFS and OS rate of >90% at 2 years was achieved. We believe that successful management of postchemotherapy residual masses in NSGCT is contingent on the availability of multidisciplinary expertise and is therefore best done at tertiary-care referral centers.

Is low-dose tadalafil better than tamsulosin? A randomized controlled trial in shockwave lithotripsy for solitary upper tract calculi.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether low-dose tadalafil (5 mg) is more efficient than tamsulosin (0.4 mg) in facilitating calculus expulsion in those receiving extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for solitary upper urinary tract calculi. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a triple-blinded, prospective, superiority, randomized controlled, single-centre trial. A total of 250 patients with solitary renal or ureteric calculus measuring 6-24 mm were randomized (1:1) to receive either 0.4 mg tamsulosin or 5 mg tadalafil daily for 30 days or until calculus clearance, whichever was earlier. RESULTS: There was no difference in the primary outcome, namely, calculus expulsion rate at 30 days (tamsulosin vs tadalafil, n (%) 99 [81.1%] vs 98 [80.3%] respectively, 95% confidence interval = 0.8% [-9.0, 10.7], P = 0.874). Similarly, a lack of difference was also noted in the secondary outcome, number of days to expulsion (tamsulosin vs tadalafil, geometric mean [SD] 13.59 [2.39] vs 13.74 [2.39] respectively, P = 0.928). Four patients discontinued the drug due to adverse drug reactions in the tadalafil group. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose tadalafil is not superior to tamsulosin in improving calculus expulsion when used as an adjunct to shockwave lithotripsy. In this study, we also noted that tadalafil was less tolerated.

End-of-Treatment FDG PET-CT (EOT-PET) in Patients with Post-Chemotherapy Masses for Seminoma: Can We Avoid Further Intervention?

Anjana JoelContext Patients with seminoma present with advanced disease. End-of-treatment (EOT) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is done to assess response and direct management of post-chemotherapy residual masses. Purpose This article assesses the utility of EOT PET-CT in the management of post-chemotherapy residual lymph nodal masses seminoma. Materials and Methods We analyzed all patients with seminoma who underwent an EOT PET-CT from January 2015 to January 2020 at our center and calculated the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of EOT PET-CT in the entire cohort of patients and among subgroups. Results A total of 34 male patients underwent EOT PET-CT. Fourteen (41.2%) were stratified as good risk and 20 (58.8%) as intermediate risk. The median follow-up was 23 months (interquartile range: 9.75-53 months). In 23 patients there were residual masses of size more than 3 cm at the EOT PET scan. EOT PET was positive as per the SEMPET criteria in 18 (78%) out of 23 patients. None underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. All four who underwent image-guided biopsy, showed only necrosis on pathology. One patient with positive mediastinal node (standardized uptake value 13.6) had granulomatous inflammation. There was no relapse or progression during this period of follow-up. The NPV for EOT PET-CT for the entire cohort, > 3 cm, and > 6 weeks cutoff were 100%, respectively. The PPV for EOT PET-CT for the entire cohort, > 3 cm residual mass, and > 6 weeks cutoff were 8.7, 11.11, and 6.67%, respectively. Conclusion EOT PET-CT has a low PPV and high NPV in predicting viable tumor in post-chemotherapy residual masses among patients with seminomatous germ cell tumors. If required, EOT PET positivity can be confirmed by a biopsy or reassessed with a repeat PET-CT imaging to document persistent disease prior to further intervention.

Efficacy of 1 versus 3 days of intravenous amikacin as a prophylaxis for patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate: A prospective randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: There are no uniform guidelines on the duration of antibiotic prophylaxis for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 1 day versus 3 days of intravenous amikacin as prophylaxis, before TURP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective randomized control trial, patients with sterile preoperative urine culture were randomized to receive either 1 day (Group A) or 3 days (Group B) of intravenous (IV) amikacin. All patients had their catheter removed on the 3rd day and a midstream urine culture was obtained on the 4th day. The follow-up was scheduled at 1 week and at 1 month. The rate of bacteriuria on the 4th postoperative day was analyzed as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI), its risk factors, and other complications at 1 month. RESULTS: Of the 338 patients randomized, 314 patients were evaluable until day 7 and 307 until 1 month. Bacteriuria rate at day 4 (Group A: 8.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2-13.2]; Group B: 4.4% [95% CI: 1.2%-7.7%], P = 0.124, Fisher's exact test) was similar in both the groups. At 1 month, the rate of symptomatic UTI was also similar in both the groups (3.5% [95% CI: 0.8-6.9] vs. 1.7% [95% CI: 0.2-4.2], P = 0.344, Fisher's exact test). Bacteriuria (colony-forming unit, >104/ml) at day 4 was a significant risk factor for developing symptomatic UTI (P = 0.006). Antibiotic resistance was higher in Group B (P = 0.002) (Group A: 7.1% [95% CI: 6.3-20] vs. Group B: [71%, CI: 38-104], P = 0.0021, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: One day is possibly noninferior to 3 days of IV amikacin as prophylaxis in patients undergoing TURP with respect to bacteriuria and symptomatic UTI, with an added advantage of lower antibiotic resistance.

Satisfaction and genital perception after orchiectomy for prostate cancer: does the technique matter? A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: Bilateral extracapsular or total orchiectomy (BEO) for prostate cancer is presumed to have psychological consequences after the surgery due to perception of an empty scrotum. Bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy (BSO) was designed to preserve perception of palpable testes. We compared the patients' satisfaction and genital perception following BEO and BSO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prostate cancer patients eligible for androgen deprivation therapy who opted for orchiectomy were enrolled in prospective randomized study. Patients with bleeding disorder or uncorrected coagulopathy, poor performance score, and psychiatric problems were excluded. Outlook to life and own health in-general, overall satisfaction to the procedure and genital perception was evaluated using modified Fugl-Meyer questionnaire (FMQ) which was administered before and after 3 months of the surgery. Patients were randomized to BEO and BSO groups at the time of surgery using block randomization. Primary outcome was to compare the genital perception of testicular loss and patients' satisfaction to BSO and BEO. Secondary outcomes included testosterone and PSA control, operative time, and complications. RESULTS: Total 35 patients were enrolled in each group which was comparable. There was no difference in PSA control at 3 months. Mean operative time and blood loss were significantly lesser in BEO group. FMQ score at 3 months did not show significant difference. Majority of the patients in both groups were satisfied with procedure and the aesthetic value of scrotum after surgery. However, 84% in BSO group did not feel that testes were removed on self-examination, as compared to 28% in BEO group. Majority patients in both groups did not report physical or psychological discomfort from change in scrotal content. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that patients' satisfaction and genital perception following BSO and BEO were similar. Feeling of remaining intrascrotal contents after BSO did not had added psychological advantage in terms of perception of genitalia.

Diagnostic accuracy of urinary aquaporin-1 as a biomarker for renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal patient selection plays a vital role in management of renal tumors with the introduction of nephron-sparing approaches and active surveillance. A reliable and accurate diagnostic biomarker will be a useful adjunct to decision-making. We studied the diagnostic accuracy of urinary aquaporin-1 (uAQP-1), an upcoming urinary biomarker, for renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective biomarker study, urine samples were obtained preoperatively from 36 patients with an imaged renal mass suggestive of RCC and 24 healthy age-matched controls, chosen from among voluntary kidney donors. uAQP-1 concentrations were estimated with a sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and normalized by estimation of urinary creatinine. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare differences between any two groups. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of uAQP-1 for RCC. RESULTS: The median uAQP-1 concentration among the cases and controls was 8.78 ng/mg creatinine (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.56-12.67) and 9.52 ng/mg creatinine (IQR: 5.55-12.45), respectively. There was no significant difference in uAQP-1 concentrations between the two groups. ROC analysis showed that, for a cutoff value of 8 ng/mg creatinine, the sensitivity and specificity of uAQP-1 as a diagnostic test were 47.2% and 66.7%, respectively, and area under the curve was 0.52 (95% confidence interval: 0.42-0.62). CONCLUSIONS: uAQP-1 concentrations did not discriminate between healthy individuals and patients with RCC. The results of this study suggest that uAQP-1 may not be a suitable diagnostic biomarker for RCC in the study population.

Post-transplant complications, patient, and graft survival in pediatric and adolescent kidney transplant recipients at a tropical tertiary care center across two immunosuppression eras.

BACKGROUND: We report pediatric PAKT patient and graft outcomes at a large tropical tertiary center spanning two transplant eras. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, all children ≤18 years who underwent kidney transplantation at our center between 1991 and 2016 were included. Data pertaining to their baseline characteristics, post-transplant events, and outcome were retrieved from transplant records and compared between transplant eras (1991-2005 and 2006-2016). RESULTS: A total of 139 children (mean age 15.2 ± 2.9 years) underwent PAKT during this period. The incidence of UTIs, CMV disease, BKVN, invasive fungal infections, new-onset diabetes after transplant, leucopenia, and recurrent NKD was higher in the 2006-2016 era (P < .001 for all), while 1-year cumulative BPAR was comparable (P = .100). Five-year graft and patient survival in the two eras were 89.9% and 94.2% (P = .365) and 92.1% and 95.3% (P = .739), respectively. Incidence of CMV disease, BKVN, graft loss, and death was lower in the calcineurin withdrawal group. Non-adherence accounted for 36% of graft loss; infections caused 43.7% of deaths. On multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, independent predictors for graft loss were UTIs and blood transfusion naïve status and for death were serious infections and glomerular NKD. CONCLUSIONS: PAKT in India has excellent long-term graft outcomes, though patient outcomes remain suboptimal owing to a high burden of infections. Current immunosuppression protocols need to be re-examined to balance infection risk, graft, and patient survival.

Can rectal catheters be avoided during paediatric urodynamic studies?

Objective: To determine if the interpretation of urodynamic studies (UDS) in children without a rectal catheter may be similar to multi-channel studies, as UDS in children are challenging and can sometimes be difficult to interpret. Patients and methods: In this retrospective pilot study, 115 paediatric pressure-flow studies were included. A blinded investigator was given two sets of UDS traces. The first set had the vesical trace of all children and the second set had the multi-channel trace. The agreement between the interpretations of both the sets was tested by Cohen's κ, and sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were expressed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The voiding pattern was compared and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyse the pressure at maximum urinary flow (Qmax). Results: The most common indications for UDS were neurogenic bladder and posterior urethral valves. The interpretation of compliance and detrusor overactivity by single-channel analysis had a positive predictive value of 92.1% (95% CI 84.7-96.1%) and 89.4% (95% CI 78.3-95.6%), respectively, and a negative predictive value of 100% and 97.1% (95% CI 89.5-99.2%) respectively, in comparison to multi-channel analysis. Children with underactive detrusor were identified reliably by analysing the straining pressure pattern and flow curve. Amongst children who voided, the pressure at Qmax showed a moderate correlation (Pearson's coefficient = 0.53) between the two groups. Conclusion: Rectal catheters may be avoided in a carefully selected group of children undergoing UDS who only need filling phase assessment. Abbreviations: DO: detrusor overactivity; EBC: expected bladder capacity; Pabd: abdominal pressure; Pdet: detrusor pressure; PUV: posterior urethral valve; (N)(P)PV: (negative) (positive) predictive value; Pves: vesical pressure; Qmax: maximum urinary flow rate; UDS: urodynamic studies; UI: urinary incontinence.

Tamsulosin and placebo vs tamsulosin and tadalafil in male lower urinary tract symptoms: a double-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin vs the combination of tamsulosin and tadalafil in male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a double-blinded, parallel-arm randomised controlled trial. Men aged >45 years with moderate LUTS and a maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) of 5-15 mL/s were included. One arm received 0.4 mg tamsulosin only (Group-A), while the second received 5 mg tadalafil with tamsulosin (Group-B). The primary outcome was the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Secondary outcomes were IPSS quality of life (QoL) score, five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score, Qmax , and post-void residual urine (PVR). Block randomisation was used. Placebo was used for blinding and allocation concealment. Intention-to-treat analysis was used for outcome measures. RESULTS: Of the 183 men screened, 140 were randomised (71 in Group-A, 69 in Group-B); 116 (82.85%) (61 in Group-A, 55 in Group-B) completed the study. Baseline characteristics were comparable. The improvements in the IPSS, IPSS QoL score, IIEF score and Qmax were -1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] -1.4 to -2.0), -0.70 (95% CI -0.60 to -0.80), 3.8 (95% CI 3.4-4.2) and 1.8 mL/s (95% CI 1.1-2.4) respectively, in favour of the combination group. The difference in PVR was not significant. There were no serious adverse events (AEs). The dropout rate due to AEs was 2.85%. Myalgia (five patients) was the commonest AE in the combination group. CONCLUSION: The combination of tamsulosin and tadalafil produced significantly better improvements in LUTS, QoL, erectile function and Qmax compared to monotherapy with tamsulosin, without an increase in AEs.

Sebaceous carcinoma of the penis: As aggressive as it is rare.

Malignant neoplasm of the penis is a rare cancer in industrialized countries but is not uncommon in India. Nearly 95% of penile cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Malignant neoplasms of the sebaceous glands, which are mostly confined to the head and neck region, are even rarer. We present a 74-year-old male with sebaceous cell carcinoma of the penis. He underwent excision of the primary lesion with bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

Attitude and perceived barriers towards the practice of evidence-based urology amongst urological trainees in India.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence-based medicine requires systematic access and appraisal of contemporary research findings, followed by their application in clinical practice. It assumes an even greater significance in the current era of aggressive, industry-driven marketing. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed combining the McColl questionnaire and Barrier scale with relevant modifications and was administered to the urology trainees attending a continuing urological education program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: The meeting was attended by 110 urological trainees from 55 urological training centers all over India. One hundred and three of them agreed to participate in the study. About 92% of the questionnaires were fully completed. Less than half of the participants (47%) had access to reliable urological literature at work. Only 11% of the respondents claimed to have been formally trained in evidence-based urology (EBU). The inability to understand statistical analysis was the most common (67.4%) perceived barrier to EBU. CONCLUSION: The urological trainees in India are positively inclined towards EBU. The lack of formal training in appraising the available literature and lack of protected time, and portals to access the literature at workplaces hinder them from improving their compliance to EBU.

The Impact of Narrow Band Imaging in the Detection and Resection of Bladder Tumor in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: A Prospective, Blinded, Sequential Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) in detection and resection of tumors during transurethral resection of bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single center randomized prospective interventional study with a sequential intervention design. Patients with bladder tumors were randomized into 2 arms where they were resected under white light (WL) first followed by NBI in arm A, or NBI followed by WL in arm B. The number of patients in whom additional lesions were detected by the second light source, in both arms, was analyzed. The feasibility of initial resection of tumor under NBI was also studied. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were randomized. Of 54 patients in arm A (WL first) additional lesions were identified at the second look in 20 patients (37%). In contrast, of 56 patients in arm B (NBI first), additional lesions were identified in 5(9%) patients. This difference of 28% was statistically significant (P value <.001). In arm B (NBI first), there were 7 breaches in protocol, and all these patients had high risk (more than or equal to 3 in number or 3 cm in size) tumors (P value <.002). CONCLUSION: Narrowband imaging is superior to WL in the detection of tumors, thus allowing a more complete resection. However, initial resection under NBI is difficult due to poor visibility, especially for high-risk tumors.

Can kidneys be saved in patients with urinary tuberculosis? A study in the era of modern chemotherapy and surgical armamentarium.

OBJECTIVE: To assess renal unit survival and factors affecting renal salvageability in a cohort of patients receiving modern medical and surgical therapy for urinary tuberculosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center study including all patients diagnosed and treated as urinary tuberculosis between 2005 and 2015 at Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. The primary outcome was time to renal unit non-salvageability (estimated glomerular filtration rate of <15 mL/min). RESULTS: A total of 128 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 37.7 ± 11.3 years, 33% had microbiological and 73% had histopathological confirmation in addition to radiological diagnosis. The estimated median survival of the involved renal units (n = 187) on Kaplan-Meier estimate was 75 months (95% CI 39-99). On multivariate analysis, renal units with initial split function >15 mL/min had fivefold the survival estimate as compared with those ≤15 mL/min (P < 0.001); the presence of one, two and three infundibular strictures had a 2.2-, 2.9- and fivefold higher hazard of renal unit loss respectively, and lower ureteric strictures had fivefold longer estimated survival (P = 0.015) after treatment. Renal units in the reconstruction group had 5.44-fold (95% CI 2.71-10.88, P < 0.001) longer survival than the permanent diversion group, with a mean change in split function of +0.76 (±16.11) mL/min, versus -5.61 (±10.87) mL/min respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of renal units is a function of time despite modern treatment. Baseline renal unit function, site of ureteric involvement and extent of infundibular involvement on imaging are helpful in predicting the duration of renal salvageability. When feasible, reconstruction is better at renal function preservation.

Renal transplantation into optimized abnormal lower urinary tract - Impact on graft outcomes, patient survival, and complications.

INTRODUCTION: Literature regarding the outcomes of renal transplant in patients with abnormal lower urinary tracts (LUTs) is conflicting. The study aimed to determine the graft outcomes and complications of renal transplantation in an optimized abnormal LUT as compared to those with a normal LUT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center retrospective-matched cohort study, we identified 31 patients with an optimized abnormal LUT in our transplant database between 2006 and 2016 (Group A) and selected an equal number of matched controls (Group B). The primary outcome was graft survival, and secondary outcomes were overall survival and complications. RESULTS: The median age was 24 years (range: 12-45), and the median duration of follow-up was 36 months in both groups. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the estimated mean graft survival was 106 months (confidence interval [CI]: 91-120) in Group A versus 128 months (CI:117-139) in Group B (P = 0.47, log-rank analysis). On subgroup analysis of Group A, augmented bladders had the poorest mean survival (81 months, CI: 56-106), P = 0.09). The mean estimated patient survival was comparable between Group A and B (109 months, CI: 96-122 versus 139 months, CI: 134-144), P = 0.13). Infective complications (27 episodes vs. 1) and re-admissions (77 vs. 30) were significantly higher in Group A (P = 0.04 and P < 0.01). Clean intermittent catheterization was a risk factor for infections (63% vs. 37%, P = 0.033, odds ratio: 5). CONCLUSIONS: The graft and overall survival was comparable at 3 years in both groups. Infective complications were higher in Group A.

Positive ureteric margins at radical cystectomy: Can it be predicted at initial transurethral resection of bladder tumour?

OBJECTIVE: To identify primary tumour-related factors at transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) that may predict positive distal ureteric margins (PUM) at the time of radical cystectomy (RC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, cohort study was conducted using our institution's data from June 2007 to June 2016. Patients who underwent TURBT followed by RC for non-metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder were identified. In all, 211 patients underwent RC for UC during the study period. The patients were divided into two groups: Group-I (n = 17) with PUM and Group-II (n = 194) with negative ureteric margins. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors of PUM. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, multifocality, tumours involving the ureteric orifice, trigonal tumours, presence of carcinoma in situ (CIS), and lymphovascular invasion at TURBT, were significantly more common in Group-I. On multivariate analysis, tumour involvement in the ureteric orifice(s) and presence of associated CIS significantly predicted PUM. CONCLUSIONS: Primary tumour-related factors on initial TURBT that predicted PUM (at RC) were involvement of the ureteric orifice(s) and presence of associated CIS. These results may help to select patients who can be selectively offered intraoperative frozen section analysis.

Is there a role for second transurethral resection in pTa high-grade urothelial bladder cancer?

INTRODUCTION: Evidence for second transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) for pTa high-grade lesions is limited. This study aims to examine the role of a second TURBT in the pTa high-grade group and to generate recurrence and progression data for this group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the clinical profiles and outcomes of all patients diagnosed with high-grade pTa lesions at first TURBT, between the years 2006-2015. Firstly, in patients who underwent a complete first TURBT, we calculated the proportion of patients with positive findings on second TURBT. Secondly, we assessed whether those who underwent a second TURBT had a longer recurrence-free survival compared to those who underwent a single TURBT. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve patients had a pTa high-grade urothelial bladder tumor (WHO 2004 classification) at first TURBT, out of whom 43 (38.3%) had a second TURBT. Indications for second TURBT were high-grade lesions (n = 36), absence of detrusor muscle (n = 2), and incomplete resection (n = 5). Out of the 36 patients who had a complete first TURBT and underwent a second look TURBT, 7 patients had positive findings (3 carcinoma in situ, 2 pTa low-grade lesions and 2 pTa high-grade lesions) and there was no upstaging. Of the 5 patients with an incomplete first TURBT, one upstaged to pT1 on second TURBT. Of the 81 patients who followed up with us, 25.9% had a recurrence and 8.6% progressed. The estimated median recurrence free survival was 60 months (95% CI 29.2-90.7) for the whole group and 76 months vs. 45 months for the second and single TURBT group respectively - a difference that was clinically, though not statistically, significant. Multiple (≥2) tumours had a lower recurrence free survival (HR of 4.60, CI 1.67-12.63, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Of the patients with pTa high-grade tumours who had a second TURBT after a complete first TURBT, 19.4% had a positive finding. Multiple tumours are four times as likely to recur as solitary tumours. The role of a second TURBT in this group needs to be studied in larger patient cohorts before a recommendation regarding its lack of clinical utility can be made conclusively.

Efficacy and role of Xpert® Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin assay in urinary tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to study the accuracy of Xpert® (Cepheid Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin (MTB/RIF) assay as compared to a composite gold standard (urine culture, imaging, and biopsy) and to asses its utility as the initial test compared to smear microscopy to diagnose urinary tuberculosis. METHODS: This prospective study included adult patients suspected to have urinary tuberculosis from March 2014 to December 2017. Three urine samples were collected from each patient and were subjected to Xpert MTB/RIF assay, acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear microscopy, and liquid media (BACTEC Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube [MGIT] 960) culture. Imaging and tissue biopsies were performed as clinically indicated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated using the bootstrap method for 95% confidence intervals for the Xpert assay. RESULTS: Xpert MTB/RIF assay was found to be superior to the currently best available light-emitting diode fluorescent smear microscopy as the initial test for urinary tuberculosis (sensitivity of 69.09% vs. 32.72%). The Xpert MTB/RIF polymerase chain reaction test was found to have a moderate sensitivity (69.09%) and high specificity (100%) as compared to the composite reference standard. The sensitivity of liquid AFB culture MGIT 960 as compared to the reference standard was 90.32%. CONCLUSIONS: Xpert MTB/RIF assay on an early morning first void urine specimen can replace smear microscopy as the initial diagnostic test for urinary tuberculosis.

Incision site metastasis: Adding insult to injury.

Incision site metastasis is a rare yet well-recognized complication of oncologic operations. We describe the case of a 60-year-old man with a large mass at the site of abdominal incision for a nephrectomy. The operation was performed for infection in an obstructed kidney, which in retrospect harbored malignancy. Percutaneous core biopsy of the mass revealed metastatic conventional renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Surgical resection was obviated by the presence of nodal disease on imaging. Palliative targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitor was initiated. RCC can not only mimic an inflammatory renal mass radiologically but also coexist with infective renal conditions. Diligent histopathological examination as a routine following nephrectomy for complicated diagnoses is imperative.