Athero-occlusive Disease Appears to be Associated with Slower Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth: An Exploratory Analysis of the TEDY Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The role of atherosclerosis in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare AAA growth in patients who did and did not have concurrent athero-occlusive disease (AOD). METHODS: Patients with an AAA measuring 35 - 49 mm in maximum diameter were recruited as part of the TElmisartan in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysm (TEDY) trial. TEDY participants who had infrarenal aortic volume and orthogonal diameter assessed by computed tomography at entry and at least one other time point during the trial (12 and/or 24 months) were included. AOD was defined by prior diagnoses of coronary heart disease, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease or an ankle brachial pressure index < 0.90. The increase in AAA volume and diameter from entry for participants who did and did not have AOD was assessed using linear mixed effects models; 131 of the 210 participants recruited to TEDY were included. RESULTS: In an unadjusted analysis, the mean (95% confidence interval) annual increases in AAA volume and diameter for participants with AOD were 3.26 (0.82 - 5.70) cm3 and 0.70 (0.19 - 1.22) mm slower than those without AOD, p = .008 and .007 respectively. The association between AOD and significantly slower AAA growth was maintained after adjusting for risk factors and medications, significantly unequally distributed between participants with and without an AOD diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In an exploratory analysis of a selective cohort from the TEDY trial, AOD was associated with slower AAA growth. Validation of these findings in other cohorts is needed.

Maximum tumor diameter adjusted to the risk profile predicts biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Currently, no consensus exists on the best method for tumor quantification in prostate cancer (PCA), and its prognostic value remains controversial. We evaluated how a newly defined maximum tumor diameter (MTD) might contribute to the prediction of biochemical recurrence (BCR) in a consecutive series of PCA patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients with PCA who underwent RP without neoadjuvant therapy at a single center were included for analysis. MTD was defined as the largest diameter of all identified tumors in all three dimensions (i.e., length, width, or depth) of the prostate ("Basel technique"). Cox regression models addressed the association of MTD with BCR in three risk groups (low risk-prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 10 ng/ml, pT2, and Gleason score (GS) ≤ 6; intermediate risk-PSA ≥ 10 and <20 ng/ml and/or pT2 and GS = 7; high risk-PSA > 20 ng/ml or pT3 or GS ≥ 8) and whole cohort. Within a median follow-up of 44 months (interquartile range (IQR) 23-66), 48 patients (9.4 %) in the intermediate-risk and high-risk groups experienced BCR. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, PSA, pathological stage (pT stage), GS, positive surgical margins (PSMs), and MTD > 19.5 mm were independent predictors for BCR (p < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, MTD as a nominal variable (<24.5 and >24.5 mm) was the only independent predictor of BCR in the intermediate-risk group (hazard ratio (HR) 9.933, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.070-47.665; p < 0.05). MTD is an independent risk factor of BCR in PC patients after RP. The combination of the MTD with other well-known prognostic factors after RP may improve decision-making concerning follow-up intensity or adjuvant treatment.

Seven hours to adequate antimicrobial therapy in urosepsis using isothermal microcalorimetry.

Urosepsis can progress toward severe sepsis, septic shock, and, ultimately, death. Rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing is crucial to decrease mortality and morbidity. This report shows that isothermal microcalorimetry can provide an antibiogram within 7 h with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 91% using Vitek-2 system as a reference.

Potential consequences of low biopsy core number in selection of patients with prostate cancer for current active surveillance protocols.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of the Epstein criteria and the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) criteria in the identification of patients eligible for active surveillance (AS) but treated with radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the baseline characteristics, final pathologic examination, and prostate-specific antigen follow-up (median 43 months, range 1-118) in a series of 492 consecutive patients with prostate cancer managed by radical prostatectomy without AS from 2001 to 2011 at a single institution. Using the postoperative histologic findings, multivariate analysis was used to identify the preoperative predictors of unfavorable AS selection (Gleason score >6 and/or greater than stage pT2c on the final pathologic examination). Biochemical recurrence-free survival was compared between favorably and unfavorably selected patients. RESULTS: Applying the Epstein and PRIAS criteria, 29.2% and 32.2% of the patients had Gleason score >6 or stage pT3 on final pathologic examination, respectively. After a median follow-up of 35.5 and 38 months, 4.2% and 4.3% of patients developed biochemical recurrence in the Epstein and PRIAS criteria groups, respectively. Patients with unfavorable selection had significantly worse biochemical recurrence-free survival than patients with favorable selection (P <.05). Although the median biopsy core number was 8, a biopsy core number <9 was a significant and independent predictor for unfavorable preoperative AS selection in the PRIAS group. CONCLUSION: We found a non-negligible risk of underestimating unfavorable cancer in patients theoretically qualifying for AS in our cohort. The current use of a sufficient number of biopsy cores might improve the selection process for AS.

Microbial biofilm formation and catheter-associated bacteriuria in patients with suprapubic catheterisation.

PURPOSE: Catheter-associated bacteriuria (CAB) with transurethral catheters is almost inevitable. Suprapubic catheters (SPCs) are widely considered to decrease the risk of CAB. However, SPCs are implants similarly prone to microbial biofilm formation. The spectrum of colonising pathogens has not been investigated. The aim of this prospective study was: (1) to assess the diversity of microbial suprapubic catheter colonisation (MSPCC), (2) to identify risk factors and (3) to investigate its association with CAB and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI). METHODS: A total of 218 SPCs from 112 patients were studied. Urine specimens were obtained after device replacement or removal. Sonication was performed to dislodge adherent microorganisms. Data of patient sex, age, indwelling time, and underlying disease were recorded. RESULTS: Sonicate-fluid culture (SFC) detected MSPCC in 95 %. Increasing indwelling time correlated with MSPCC (p < 0.05). Negative SFC was more frequent when antibiotic prophylaxis was applied at time of catheter placement (15 vs. 2 %, p < 0.05). Most commonly isolated were Enterobacteriaceae (45.8 %), followed by Enterococcus spp. (25.7 %) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.3 %). CAB and CA-UTI were observed in 95 and 11 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first analysis of MSPCC. Indwelling time increases, whereas antibiotic prophylaxis decreases the risk of MSPCC. The spectrum of pathogens is comparable to the one obtained from urethral catheter biofilms. Urine specimens could not demonstrate the microbial diversity of MSPCC. SPCs are not preferable to urethral catheters to reduce CAB. Whether the risk of CA-UTI could be minimised by SPCs remains to be clarified.

Standardization of isothermal microcalorimetry in urinary tract infection detection by using artificial urine.

PURPOSE: Isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) has recently been reported as a new method to rapidly detect urinary tract pathogens (UTP). However, further application of microcalorimetry in the clinical setting requires a standardized procedure. An important step toward such standardization is to use a reproducible growth medium. In this study, we investigated the potential of artificial urine in combination with microcalorimetry for detection of common UTP. METHODS: A microcalorimeter equipped with 48 channels was used. Detection was accomplished, and growth was monitored for four bacterial strains in artificial urine at 37 °C by measuring metabolic heat flow (µW = µJ/s) as a function of time. The strains were Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. RESULT: Bacterial growth was detected after 3-32 h with decreasing inoculums down to 1 CFU. The gram-negative strains grew and were detected faster than their gram-positive counterparts. The growth rates the different strains were 0.75 ± 0.11 for E. coli, 0.74 ± 0.10 for E. faecalis, 1.31 ± 0.04 for P. mirabilis, and 0.56 ± 0.20 for S. aureus. The shape of individual heat flow curves was characteristic for each species independent of its initial concentration. CONCLUSIONS: IMC allows rapid detection of UTP in artificial urine. Clearly, different heat flow patterns enable accurate pathogen differentiation. UTP detection after only 4 h is realistic. The rapid detection of UTP tested in standardized artificial urine proves the diagnostic potential of IMC and warrants further microcalorimetric studies in the clinical setting of urinary tract infections.

Growth of mycobacteria in urine determined by isothermal microcalorimetry: implications for urogenital tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections.

OBJECTIVE: To overcome the limitations of current urine-based diagnostic assays of urogenital tuberculosis, we used isothermal microcalorimetry to detect the metabolic activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other commonly neglected pathogenic mycobacteria in urine and accurately determine their growth parameters. METHODS: A microcalorimeter equipped with 48 channels was used. Detection was accomplished, and growth was monitored for 4 different Mycobacterium species in sterilized and modified urine at 37 °C by measuring metabolic heat flow (µW = µJ/s) as a function of time. These strains were M. smegmatis, M. phlei, M. kansasii, and M. tuberculosis. The data were integrated to perform curve fitting and extract the growth parameter from the raw data. RESULTS: In sterilized urine, M. smegmatis showed the fastest growth rate (0.089 ± 0.017 [h(-1)]), followed by M. phlei (0.072 ± 0.016 [h(-1)]) and M. kansasii (0.007 ± 0.001 [h(-1)]). No growth of M. tuberculosis was detected in sterilized urine. However, in serum-supplemented urine, growth of M. tuberculosis was observed within 3 weeks at a growth rate of 0.008 ± 0.001 [h(-1)]. Biofilm formation was enhanced in the serum supplemented urine. CONCLUSION: Isothermal microcalorimetry allows rapid and accurate detection of mycobacterial growth in urine. Given the absence of data on the mycobacterial growth in urine, isothermal microcalorimetry could be used to unravel key aspects of Mycobacterium physiology in the urinary tract and potentially contribute to improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of urogenital tuberculosis.

High NRBP1 expression in prostate cancer is linked with poor clinical outcomes and increased cancer cell growth.

BACKGROUND: We recently established the rationale that NRBP1 (nuclear receptor binding protein 1) has a potential growth-promoting role in cell biology. NRBP1 interacts directly with TSC-22, a potential tumor suppressor gene that is differently expressed in prostate cancer. Consequently, we analyzed the role of NRBP1 expression in prostate cancer cell lines and its expression on prostate cancer tissue microarrays (TMA). METHODS: The effect of NRBP1 expression on tumor cell growth was analyzed by using RNAi. NRBP1 protein expression was evaluated on two TMAs containing prostate samples from more than 1,000 patients. Associations with clinico-pathological features, the proliferation marker Ki67 and survival data were analyzed. RESULTS: RNAi mediated silencing of NRBP1 expression in prostate cancer cell lines resulted in reduced cell growth (P < 0.05). TMA analysis revealed NRBP1 protein expression in benign prostate hyperplasia in 6% as compared to 60% in both, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate cancer samples. Strong NRBP1 protein expression was restricted to prostate cancer and correlated with higher expression of the proliferation marker Ki67 (P < 0.05). Further, patients with strong NRBP1 protein expression showed poor clinical outcomes (P < 0.05). Analysis of matched localized cancer tissues before and after castration revealed that post-therapy-related repression of NRBP1 expression was significantly associated with better overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that expression of NRBP1 is up-regulated during the progression of prostate cancer and that high NRBP1 expression is linked with poor prognosis and enhanced tumor cell growth.

Rapid detection of urinary tract pathogens using microcalorimetry: principle, technique and first results.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Microcalorimetry has been applied in several microbiological studies, but never in a clinical urological context. In addition, basic knowledge on the growth of urinary pathogens in urine is still scarce and data regarding the growth rate of many urinary pathogens in urine are still not available. The study demonstrates that this innovative application of microcalorimetry is useful in (i) investigating the growth of urinary pathogens in sterilized urine and (ii) as a rapid tool for diagnosis of urinary infection as well as for further identification of the causative infectious agent. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) in the detection and differentiation of common urinary tract pathogens in urine. IMC is a non-specific analytical tool for the measurement of heat in the microwatt range. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A microcalorimeter equipped with 48 channels was used. Detection was accomplished, and growth was monitored for four bacterial strains in sterilized urine at 37 °C by measuring metabolic heat flow (µW = µJ/s) as a function of time. The strains were Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. RESULTS: Bacterial growth was detected after 3.1 to 17.1 h with decreasing inocula. The detection limit was 1 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL for E. coli, 10 CFU/mL for P. mirabilis and E. faecalis and 10(3) CFU/mL for S. aureus. The total heat was highest in P. mirabilis ranging from 10 to 12 J, followed by E. coli (3-4 J), S. aureus (2-3 J) and E. faecalis (1.3-1.5 J). The shape of the heat flow curves was characteristic for each species independent of its initial concentration. CONCLUSIONS: IMC allows rapid detection of bacteriuria, much faster than conventional culture. Urinary tract pathogen detection after only 3.1 h is realistic. Clearly different heat flow patterns enable accurate pathogen differentiation. Due to expeditious identification of urine samples that contain only low colony counts (i.e. less than 10(3) CFU/mL), IMC may become a valuable screening tool for detecting the presence of significant bacteriuria.

Can molecular markers stratify the diagnostic value of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia?

The diagnostic performance of isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in prostatic biopsies has recently been questioned, and molecular analysis of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia has been proposed for improved prediction of prostate cancer. Here, we retrospectively studied the value of isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and the immunohistochemical markers α-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase, Bcl-2, annexin II, and Ki-67 for better risk stratification of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in our local Swiss population. From an initial 165 diagnoses of isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, we refuted 61 (37%) after consensus expert review. We used 30 reviewed high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia cases with simultaneous biopsy prostate cancer as positive controls. Rebiopsies were performed in 66 patients with isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and the median time interval between initial and repeat biopsy was 3 months. Twenty (30%) of the rebiopsies were positive for prostate cancer, and 10 (15%) showed persistent isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Another 2 (3%) of the 66 patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer in a second rebiopsy. Mean prostate-specific antigen serum levels did not significantly differ between the 22 patients with prostate cancer and the 44 without prostate cancer in rebiopsies, and the 30 positive control patients, respectively (median values, 8.1, 7.7, and 8.8 ng/mL). None of the immunohistochemical markers, including α-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase, Bcl-2, annexin II, and Ki-67, revealed a statistically significant association with the risk of prostate cancer in repeat biopsies. Taken together, the 33% risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer after a diagnosis of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia justifies rebiopsy, at least in our not systematically prostate-specific antigen-screened population. There is not enough evidence that immunohistochemical markers can reproducibly stratify the risk of prostate cancer after a diagnosis of isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

The prognostic value of cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization in the follow-up of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer after intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy.

Molecular markers reliably predicting failure or success of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in the treatment of nonmuscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer (NMIBC) are lacking. The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of cytology and chromosomal aberrations detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in predicting failure to BCG therapy. Sixty-eight patients with NMIBC were prospectively recruited. Bladder washings collected before and after BCG instillation were analyzed by conventional cytology and by multitarget FISH assay (UroVysion, Abbott/Vysis, Des Plaines, IL) for aberrations of chromosomes 3, 7, 17 and 9p21. Persistent and recurrent bladder cancers were defined as positive events during follow-up. Twenty-six of 68 (38%) NMIBC failed to BCG. Both positive post-BCG cytology and positive post-BCG FISH were significantly associated with failure of BCG (hazard ratio (HR)= 5.1 and HR= 5.6, respectively; p < 0.001 each) when compared to those with negative results. In the subgroup of nondefinitive cytology (all except those with unequivocally positive cytology), FISH was superior to cytology as a marker of relapse (HR= 6.2 and 1.4, respectively). Cytology and FISH in post-BCG bladder washings are highly interrelated and a positive result predicts failure to BCG therapy in patients with NMIBC equally well. FISH is most useful in the diagnostically less certain cytology categories but does not provide additional information in clearly malignant cytology.

Prospective single-centre comparison of 120-W diode-pumped solid-state high-intensity system laser vaporization of the prostate and 200-W high-intensive diode-laser ablation of the prostate for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and short-term outcome of a new 980 nm high-intensity diode (HiDi) laser (Limmer Laser, Berlin, Germany) system in comparison to the diode-pumped solid-state laser high-performance system (HPS; GreenLight(TM), AMS, Minnetonka, MI, USA) for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a prospective non-randomized single-centre study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February to September 2007, 117 consecutive patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH were included; 62 patients were treated with 120-W HPS laser vaporization and 55 with 980-nm HiDi laser ablation of the prostate. We evaluated perioperative variables, and complications during and after surgery. Patients presenting for follow-up completed the International Prostate Symptom Score, and had their maximum urinary flow rate and postvoid residual urine volume measured. RESULTS: The mean (sd) age of the patients was 72.3 (8.8) years (HiDi) and 73.1 (10.8) years (HPS), with a mean preoperative prostate volume of 64.7 (29.7) and 67.4 (46.9) mL, respectively. The mean operative duration was comparable, at 56.4 (20.2) and 62.7 (36.3) min, respectively, whereas the mean energy delivery was significantly higher with the diode laser, at 313 (132) vs 187 (129) kJ (P < 0.001). For patients treated with the HPS the rate of visual impairment from bleeding was higher (0% vs 12.9%, P < 0.01), as was prostate capsule perforation (0% vs 4.8%, P > 0.05). Soon after surgery the rate of dysuria (23.6% vs 17.7%, P > 0.05) and transient urge incontinence (7.3% vs 0%; P < 0.05) was higher for the HiDi laser. During the follow-up there were higher rates of bladder neck stricture (14.5% vs 1.6%, P < 0.01), re-treatment (18.2% vs 1.6%, P < 0.01) and stress urinary incontinence (9.1% vs 0%; P < 0.05) for the HiDi laser group. CONCLUSION: Both systems investigated provide good tissue ablative properties. The HiDi laser at 980 nm is more favourable in terms of haemostasis. The penetration depths, resulting in coagulation necrosis and leading to increased re-treatment, bladder neck stricture and incontinence rates, were higher with the HiDi laser.

Tumour growth fraction measured by immunohistochemical staining of Ki67 is an independent prognostic factor in preoperative prostate biopsies with small-volume or low-grade prostate cancer.

Accurate prognostic parameters in prostate biopsies are needed to better counsel individual patients with prostate cancer. We evaluated the prognostic impact of morphologic and immunohistochemical parameters in preoperative prostate cancer biopsies. A consecutive series of prostate biopsies of 279 men (72% with clinical stage T1c and 23% with T2) who subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy was prospectively analysed for Gleason score, number and percentage of positive cores (NPC, PPC), total percentage of biopsy tissue with tumour (TPT), maximum tumour percentage per core (MTP), and expression of Ki67, Bcl-2 and p53. All biopsy features were significantly associated with at least one feature of the radical prostatectomy specimen. pT stage was independently predicted by PSA, seminal vesicle invasion by Ki67 LI, positive margins by PSA and MTP, large tumour diameter by PSA and PPC, and Gleason score by biopsy Gleason score, MTP, and Ki67 LI, respectively. Biopsy Gleason score, NPC (1 vs. >1), TPT (<7 vs. >or=7%), and Ki67 LI (<10 vs. >or=10%) were significant predictors of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (p < 0.01, each). KI67 LI was the only independent prognostic factor in case of a low TPT (<7%) or low Gleason score (<7), the hazard ratio being 6.76 and 6.44, respectively. In summary, preoperative Gleason score, NPC, TPT and Ki67 LI significantly predict the risk of recurrence after radical prostatectomy, and Ki67 is an independent prognosticator in biopsies with low-volume or low-grade prostate cancer. Analysis of Ki67 LI in these biopsies may help to better identify patients with clinically insignificant prostate cancer.

[Diagnosis and therapy of acute ureteral colic]. / Diagnostik und Therapie der Harnleitersteinkolik.

Acute ureteral colic presents with a complex of acute and characteristic flank pain that usually indicates the presence of a stone in the urinary tract. Diagnosis and management of renal colic have undergone considerable evolution and advancement in recent years. The application of noncontrast helical computed tomography (CT) in patients with suspected ureteral colic is one major advance in the primary diagnostic process. The superior sensitivity and specificity of helical CT allow ureterolithiasis to be diagnosed without the potential side effects of contrast media. Initial management is based on three key concepts: (A) rational and fast diagnostic process (B) effective pain control (C) and understanding of the impact of stone location and size on the natural course of the disease and definitive urologic management. These concepts are discussed in this review with reference to contemporary literature.

Comparison of potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser vaporization of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate: update of a prospective non-randomized two-centre study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the intermediate-term clinical efficacy and the rate of complications in 80 W photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with the potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser (Greenlight, (AMS, Minnetonka, MN, USA) compared with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in a prospective non-randomised two-centre study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From December 2003 to August 2006, 396 patients (PVP 269, TURP 127) with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia were included in the study. There was a significant difference in mean age (72 years for PVP vs 68 for TURP, P = 0.001). Patients were therefore stratified in age categories (<70, 70-80, >80 years) and compared for perioperative variables, functional outcome and complications, with a follow-up of up to 24 months. RESULTS: The mean prostate size was greater (overall, 62 vs 48 mL, P < 0.001) and mean operative duration longer (overall 72 vs 53 min; P = 0.001) for PVP in all age categories. The rate of intraoperative bleeding (3% vs 11%), blood transfusions (0% vs 5.5%) and capsule perforations (0.4% vs 6.3%), and early postoperative clot retention (0.4% vs 3.9%) was significantly lower for PVP. Hospitalization time was significantly shorter in the PVP group for patients aged <70 years (3.0 vs 4.7 days) and 70-80 years (4.0 vs 5.0 days; P = 0.001). The improvement of peak urinary flow rate was higher after TURP for any age category. The International Prostate Symptom Score and postvoid residual volume during the follow-up showed no significant difference. After 12 months the overall prostate size reduction was 63% (-30 mL) after TURP and 44% (-27 mL) after PVP. The rate of repeat TURP/PVP was higher in the PVP group (6.7% vs 3.9%, not significant) within the follow-up of up to 2 years. The incidence of urethral and bladder neck strictures was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: PVP was more favourable in terms of perioperative safety. Although patients assigned for PVP were older and had larger prostates, PVP resulted in a similar functional outcome. Further follow-up is needed to draw final conclusions about the long-term efficacy of PVP.

High expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase gene in prostate cancer.

Arginase 2, inducible- and endothelial-nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS and eNOS), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and TGF-beta, might impair immune functions in prostate cancer (PCA) patients. However, their expression was not comparatively analysed in PCA and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We evaluated the expression of these genes in PCA and BPH tissues. Seventy-six patients (42 BPH, 34 PCA) were enrolled. Arginase 2, eNOS and iNOS gene expression was similar in BPH and PCA tissues. TGF-beta1 gene expression was higher in BPH than in PCA tissues (p=0.035). IDO gene expression was more frequently detectable (p=0.00007) and quantitatively higher (p=0.00001) in PCA tissues than in BPH. IDO protein, expressed in endothelial cells from both BPH and PCA, was detectable in tumour cells in PCA showing evidence of high specific gene expression. In these patients, IDO gene expression correlated with kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in sera. Thus high expression of IDO gene is specifically detectable in PCA.

Endoscopic management of bisected hemidiaphragm during retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Retroperitoneoscopy is our preferred technique for renal surgery and is routinely performed for living donor nephrectomy. We report a case of a totally bisected left hemidiaphragm during left-sided retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy. This was most likely caused when creating the retroperitoneal working space by balloon dilation. Because the cardiopulmonary situation of the patient remained stable, retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed with the standard technique. This report describes for the first time the retroperitoneoscopic reconstruction of a diaphragmatic injury.

Complications of retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy: single center experience after 164 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy (RLDN) is used by only a few centers worldwide. Similar to laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy it offers the donor rapid convalescence and excellent cosmetic results. However, concerns have been expressed over the safety of endoscopic living donor nephrectomy. METHODS: We review the results of 164 consecutive RLDN from November 2001 to November 2007. Complications were classified into intra- and early postoperative. RESULTS: Mean donor age was 53.4 +/- 10.7 years (27-79). Left kidneys were harvested in 76% of cases. Mean operation time was 146 +/- 44 min (55-270), and warm ischemia time 131 +/- 45 s (50-280). In two patients (1.2%) conversion to open nephrectomy was necessary. The intraoperative complication rate was 3.0%. In the postoperative period we observed in 17.7% minor complications with no persisting impairments for the donor. The rate of major complications in the early postoperative period was 4.3%. Three patients (1.8%) necessitated revision, due to laceration of the external iliac artery in one patient and chyloretroperitoneum in two patients. Mean donor creatinine was 113.1 +/- 26.6 mg/dl (63-201) on the first postoperative day, and 102.0 +/- 22.2 mg/dl (68-159) on the fifth postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy can be performed with acceptable intraoperative and early postoperative morbidity. Operation times and warm ischemia times are comparable to the open approach.

GreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate: single-center experience and long-term results after 500 procedures.

BACKGROUND: Long-term data of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is scanty. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the long-term efficacy and the complication rate in 80-watt (W) PVP. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: 500 consecutive patients with LUTS secondary to BPH underwent PVP between September 2002 and April 2007. The mean follow-up was 30.6+/-16.6 (5.2-60.6) mo. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent 80-W PVP performed by seven surgeons. MEASUREMENTS: We evaluated perioperative parameters, including operation time, delivered energy, changes of hemoglobin and serum sodium, catheterization, and hospitalization time as well as intraoperative and postoperative complications. Patients presenting for follow-up had data assessed on the International Prostate Symptom Score and quality-of-life questionnaire (IPPS-QoL), maximal flow rate (Q(max)), and post-voiding residual volume (Vres). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Mean patient age was 71.4+/-9.6 (46-96) yr, with a mean preoperative prostate volume of 56.1+/-25.3 (10-180) ml. Mean operation time was 66.4+/-26.8 (10-160) min, and mean energy delivery was 206+/-94 (2.4-619.0) kJ. Despite ongoing oral anticoagulation in 45% of the patients (n=225), no severe intraoperative complications were observed. Mean catheterization and postoperative hospitalization time was 1.8+/-1.2 (0-10) and 3.7+/-2.9 (0-35) d, respectively. The mean IPSS after 3 yr was 8.0+/-6.2, the QoL score was 1.3+/-1.3, the Q(max) was 18.4+/-8.0 ml/s, and the Vres was 28+/-42 ml. The retreatment rate was 6.8%. Urethral and bladder neck strictures were observed in 4.4% and 3.6% of the patients, respectively. Localized prostate cancer was diagnosed during follow-up in six patients. CONCLUSION: PVP is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of LUTS secondary to BPH. Patients on ongoing oral anticoagulation can be safely operated on. PVP leads to an immediate and sustained improvement of subjective and objective voiding parameters. The late complication rate is comparable to that of transurethral electroresection of the prostate.

Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: initial experience.

INTRODUCTION: Nephrectomy for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has been reported to have significant morbidity and mortality. Because of the large kidney size, laparoscopic nephrectomy is technically demanding and there have been only few reports on this subject. We describe our retroperitoneoscopic technique and review the literature. METHODS: Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy was performed in 2 patients. A four-port retroperitoneal access was used, after hilar control the kidney was freed and extracted. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 155 min, the mean intraoperative blood loss was 125 ml. There were no intraoperative complications. A postoperative retroperitoneal hematoma in 1 of the patients was managed conservatively with transfusion. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for ADPKD is feasible. The main advantages of this technique compared to transperitoneal laparoscopy are the quick and easy access to the hilar vessels even in large polycystic kidneys and the strict extraperitoneal route.