How many cores should be taken from each region of interest when performing a targeted transrectal prostate biopsy?

Background: The number of core biopsies required per region of interest (ROI) is controversial, as is the localization of the core to be taken from a lesion. This study aimed to determine the ideal biopsy core number and location in a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging guided targeted prostate biopsy (TPB), without reducing the clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC) detection rate. Materials and methods: Data of patients who had PI-RADS ≥3 lesions on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and underwent a TPB in our clinic between October 2020 and January 2022 were reviewed, retrospectively. The first and second cores were taken from the central part of the ROI, whereas the third and fourth cores were taken from the right and left peripheries of the ROI. We compared the csPC detection success of single-, 2-, 3-, and 4-core samplings. Results: Software-based transrectal TPB was performed on 251 ROIs in a total of 167 patients. Internal Society of Urological Pathology Grade Group ≥2 cancer was detected in at least one core in 64 (25.4%) lesions. Moreover, csPC was detected in 42 (65.6%) ROIs in first-core biopsies; in 59 (92.2%) ROIs in first- and second-core biopsies; in 62 (96.9%) ROIs in first-, second-, and third-core biopsies; and in 64 (100%) ROIs in first-, second-, third-, and fourth-core biopsies. Using McNemar's test for comparison, a significant difference was found in terms of csPC detection success between performing first-core and second-core biopsies (65.6 - 92.2%, p < 0.001); by contrast, no significant difference was observed in csPC detection success between 2-core and 3-core biopsies (92.2% - 96.9%, p = 0.24). Furthermore, no significant difference existed between performing second-core and fourth-core biopsies in terms of csPC detection success (92.2%-100%, p = 0.07). Conclusion: We concluded that taking 2-core biopsies from the center of each ROIs during a transrectal TPB is sufficient for diagnosing csPC.

Small Cell Carcinomas of the Bladder Highly Express Somatostatin Receptor Type 2A: Impact on Prognosis and Treatment--A Multicenter Study of Urooncology Society, Turkey.

Small cell carcinoma (SmCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder. Neuroendocrine carcinomas expressing somatostatin receptors (SSTR) in other viscera such as lung, pancreas, and gastrointestinal system respond to therapy with somatostatin analogs. In the present study, expressions of SSTRs 1 to 5 including type 2A are investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and their relationship with clinicopathologic factors was evaluated. Hundred primary bladder SmCC cases were collected from 12 centers in Turkey. Forty-three cases were pure SmCC. Other cases had mostly papillary urothelial carcinoma as a second component. The percentage of the SmCC component ranged from 5% to 100%. SSTR-2A expression was membranous, whereas the other receptors showed cytoplasmic staining. The percentages of positive cases for SSTR-1, SSTR-2A, SSTR-3, SSTR-4, and SSTR-5 were 4% (3/75), 61.4% (54/88), 2.4% (2/84), 24.4% (20/82), and 6.25% (5/80), respectively. The percentage of SmCC component was positively correlated with the percentage of SSTR-2A expression (P=0.003) while negatively correlated with patient age (P=0.032). SSTR-2A expression was correlated with survival as a bad prognostic factor (P=0.018). SSTR-1, SSTR-3, SSTR-4, and SSTR-5 expressions did not show any statistical significance with any parameter. In conclusion, although the limited number of cases with adequate term follow-up, SSTR-2A expression could be a prognostic factor and somatostatin analogs therapeutic candidate for SmCCs of the bladder as these tumors show high percentage of SSTR-2A expression.

Fibrinogen storage disease and cirrhosis associated with hypobetalipoproteinemia owing to fibrinogen Aguadilla in a Turkish child.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fibrinogen gene mutations can rarely result in hepatic fibrinogen storage disease (HFSD). Herein, we report on the first Turkish family carrying the mutation p.Arg375Trp (fibrinogen Aguadilla) in the γ-chain of the fibrinogen (FGG) gene. METHODS: Clinical, laboratory and histopathological findings of the patient were documented. Molecular study of fibrinogen gene was performed in the patient and her family members. RESULTS: The proband was 5 years old girl presenting with advanced liver fibrosis of unknown origin. The child had very low plasma levels of fibrinogen and hypobetalipoproteinemia. Immunomorphologic and electron microscopic studies showed selective and exclusive accumulation of fibrinogen within the endoplasmic reticulum in liver biopsy of the patient. Patient, mother, two sisters and one brother carried p.Arg375Trp mutation (fibrinogen Aguadilla) in FGG gene. The patient was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid and carbamazepine. After 3 months, carbamazepine was suspended upon family decision and unresponsiveness of carbamazepine. CONCLUSIONS: HFSD is characterized by hypofibrinogenemia and accumulation of abnormal fibrinogen within hepatocytes. In addition, hypofibrinogenemia is associated with hypobetalipoproteinemia in Aguadilla mutation.

Assessment of chronic renal allograft nephropathy using contrast-enhanced MRI: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Renal allograft function monitoring has traditionally relied on functional markers such as creatinine level. Such markers are insensitive, and invasive ultrasound-guided protocol biopsies are used for allograft evaluation. This pilot study evaluates the association between renal perfusion measured noninvasively with contrast-enhanced MRI and the histologic severity of chronic allograft nephropathy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Chronic allograft nephropathy severity was estimated from protocol biopsy specimens using the chronic allograft damage index. We prospectively selected four patients considered to have severe chronic allograft nephropathy (chronic allograft damage index score > 4) and six patients considered to have stable allograft function (chronic allograft damage index score 4 than in the other patients (1.94 vs 2.43 mL/min/g, respectively; p = 0.03). The effect size for this difference was large (d = 1.7). The R(2) for the linear regression model was 0.53. CONCLUSION: We observed an association between contrast-enhanced MRI renal perfusion and chronic allograft nephropathy severity. Further studies are needed to confirm this preliminary finding and to evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced MRI renal perfusion as a screening test for allograft dysfunction and potential utility in patient management.