Regional Histopathology and Prostate MRI Positivity: A Secondary Analysis of the PROMIS Trial.

Background The effects of regional histopathologic changes on prostate MRI scans have not been accurately quantified in men with an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and no previous biopsy. Purpose To assess how Gleason grade, maximum cancer core length (MCCL), inflammation, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or atypical small acinar proliferation within a Barzell zone affects the odds of MRI visibility. Materials and Methods In this secondary analysis of the Prostate MRI Imaging Study (PROMIS; May 2012 to November 2015), consecutive participants who underwent multiparametric MRI followed by a combined biopsy, including 5-mm transperineal mapping (TPM), were evaluated. TPM pathologic findings were reported at the whole-prostate level and for each of 20 Barzell zones per prostate. An expert panel blinded to the pathologic findings reviewed MRI scans and declared which Barzell areas spanned Likert score 3-5 lesions. The relationship of Gleason grade and MCCL to zonal MRI outcome (visible vs nonvisible) was assessed using generalized linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts for individual participants. Inflammation, PIN, and atypical small acinar proliferation were similarly assessed in men who had negative TPM results. Results Overall, 161 men (median age, 62 years [IQR, 11 years]) were evaluated and 3179 Barzell zones were assigned MRI status. Compared with benign areas, the odds of MRI visibility were higher when a zone contained cancer with a Gleason score of 3+4 (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% CI: 1.9, 4.9; P < .001) or Gleason score greater than or equal to 4+3 (OR, 8.7; 95% CI: 4.5, 17.0; P < .001). MCCL also determined visibility (OR, 1.24 per millimeter increase; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.33; P < .001), but odds were lower with each prostate volume doubling (OR, 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5, 0.9). In men who were TPM-negative, the presence of PIN increased the odds of zonal visibility (OR, 3.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 9.1; P = .004). Conclusion An incremental relationship between cancer burden and prostate MRI visibility was observed. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia contributed to false-positive MRI findings. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT01292291 © RSNA, 2022 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Harmath in this issue.

False Positive Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Phenotypes in the Biopsy-naïve Prostate: Are They Distinct from Significant Cancer-associated Lesions? Lessons from PROMIS.

BACKGROUND: False positive multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) phenotypes prompt unnecessary biopsies. The Prostate MRI Imaging Study (PROMIS) provides a unique opportunity to explore such phenotypes in biopsy-naïve men with raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and suspected cancer. OBJECTIVE: To compare mpMRI lesions in men with/without significant cancer on transperineal mapping biopsy (TPM). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: PROMIS participants (n=235) underwent mpMRI followed by a combined biopsy procedure at University College London Hospital, including 5-mm TPM as the reference standard. Patients were divided into four mutually exclusive groups according to TPM findings: (1) no cancer, (2) insignificant cancer, (3) definition 2 significant cancer (Gleason ≥3+4 of any length and/or maximum cancer core length ≥4mm of any grade), and (4) definition 1 significant cancer (Gleason ≥4+3 of any length and/or maximum cancer core length ≥6mm of any grade). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Index and/or additional lesions present in 178 participants were compared between TPM groups in terms of number, conspicuity, volume, location, and radiological characteristics. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Most lesions were located in the peripheral zone. More men with significant cancer had two or more lesions than those without significant disease (67% vs 37%; p< 0.001). In the former group, index lesions were larger (mean volume 0.68 vs 0.50 ml; p< 0.001, Wilcoxon test), more conspicuous (Likert 4-5: 79% vs 22%; p< 0.001), and diffusion restricted (mean apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]: 0.73 vs 0.86; p< 0.001, Wilcoxon test). In men with Likert 3 index lesions, log2PSA density and index lesion ADC were significant predictors of definition 1/2 disease in a logistic regression model (mean cross-validated area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve: 0.77 [95% confidence interval: 0.67-0.87]). CONCLUSIONS: Significant cancer-associated MRI lesions in biopsy-naïve men have clinical-radiological differences, with lesions seen in prostates without significant disease. MRI-calculated PSA density and ADC could predict significant cancer in those with indeterminate MRI phenotypes. PATIENT SUMMARY: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions that mimic prostate cancer but are, in fact, benign prompt unnecessary biopsies in thousands of men with raised prostate-specific antigen. In this study we found that, on closer look, such false positive lesions have different features from cancerous ones. This means that doctors could potentially develop better tools to identify cancer on MRI and spare some patients from unnecessary biopsies.

What Type of Prostate Cancer Is Systematically Overlooked by Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging? An Analysis from the PROMIS Cohort.

BACKGROUND: All risk stratification strategies in cancer overlook a spectrum of disease. The Prostate MR Imaging Study (PROMIS) provides a unique opportunity to explore cancers that are overlooked by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). OBJECTIVE: To summarise attributes of cancers that are systematically overlooked by mpMRI. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: PROMIS tested performance of mpMRI and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy, using 5 mm template mapping (TPM) biopsy as the reference standard. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Outcomes were overall and maximum Gleason scores, maximum cancer core length (MCCL), and prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD). Cancer attributes were compared between cancers that were overlooked and those that were detected. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Of men with cancer, 7% (17/230; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4-12%) had significant disease overlooked by mpMRI according to definition 1 (Gleason ≥ 4 + 3 of any length or MCCL ≥ 6 mm of any grade) and 13% (44/331; 95% CI 9.8-17%) according to definition 2 (Gleason ≥ 3 + 4 of any length or MCCL ≥ 4 mm). In comparison, TRUS-guided biopsy overlooked 52% (119/230; 95% CI 45-58%) of significant disease by definition 1 and 40% (132/331; 95% CI 35-45%) by definition 2. Prostate cancers undetected by mpMRI had significantly lower overall and maximum Gleason scores (p = 0.0007; p < 0.0001) and shorter MCCL (median difference: 3 mm [5 vs 8 mm], p < 0.0001; 95% CI 1-3) than cancers that were detected. No tumours with overall Gleason score > 3 + 4 (Gleason Grade Groups 3-5; 95% CI 0-6.4%) or maximum Gleason score > 4 + 3 (Gleason Grade Groups 4-5; 95% CI 0-8.0%) on TPM biopsy were undetected by mpMRI. Application of a PSAD threshold of 0.15 reduced the proportion of men with undetected cancer to 5% (12/230; 95% CI 2.7-8.9%) for definition 1 and 9% (30/331; 95% CI 6.2-13%) for definition 2. Application of a PSAD threshold of 0.10 reduced the proportion of men with undetected disease to 3% (6/230; 95% CI 1.0-5.6%) for definition 1 cancer and to 3% (11/331; 95% CI 1.7-5.9%) for definition 2 cancer. Limitations were post hoc analysis and uncertain significance of undetected lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, a small proportion of cancers are overlooked by mpMRI, with estimates ranging from 4.4% (lower boundary of 95% CI for definition 1) to 17% (upper boundary of 95% CI for definition 2). Prostate cancers undetected by mpMRI are of lower grade and shorter length than cancers that are detected. PATIENT SUMMARY: Prostate cancers that are undetected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are smaller and less aggressive than those that are detected, and none of the most aggressive cancers are overlooked by MRI.

Safety and efficacy of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients with previous transperineal biopsy (TPB): outcomes from a dual-centre case-control study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the surgical feasibility, safety and effectiveness of 50 W (low power) Holmium Laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients who have undergone previous template biopsy of the prostate (TPB). METHODS: Data encompassing pre-operative baseline characteristics, intra-operative measures and post-operative outcomes was collected for 109 patients undergoing HoLEP across two UK centres. Patients were stratified into two groups; group 1 (n = 24) had undergone previous TPB were compared with 'controls' (no previous TPB) in group 2 (n = 85). The primary outcome was successful HoLEP. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in either key baseline characteristics or mass of prostate enucleated between groups 1 and 2. There was no statistically significant difference in enucleation or morcellation times parameters between the two groups other than enucleation efficiency in favour of group 1 (p = 0.024). Functional outcomes improved, without any statistically significant difference, in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a previous TPB, HoLEP is surgically feasible, safe and effective. TPB should not be considered a contraindication to HoLEP. Our work provides a strong foundation for further research in this area.

Outcomes and Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Cystine Stones: a Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cystine stone patients can be difficult to manage with frequent recurrences. We performed a systematic review with a view to assessing interventions, compliance and their long-term outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Ten retrospective observational studies (253 patients) assessed the outcomes and long-term follow-up of cystine stone patients. The mean length of follow-up was 9.6 years (range 3.5-21.8 years). The overall mean number of surgical procedures/patient was 5.7 (range 2-9.8/patient) with the overall mean number of surgical procedures/patient/year at 0.59 (range 0.22-1.32/patient/year). While open surgery has decreased over the last decade and PCNL has been stable, there seems to be a rise of RIRS during this period. Patients with cystine stones need periodic interventions for stone recurrences despite medical management, with limited data showing the impact on renal function. While the management is individualised, wide variability exists with often poor and incomplete patient data.

Prolonged and Increased Usage of a Flexible Ureterorenoscope: The Maelor FURS Protocol.

We present our point of technique detailing the specific preoperative and postoperative steps used in our institution to prolong the use of a flexible ureterorenoscope, and discuss the potential cost-effectiveness of this protocol. We have used a single flexible ureterorenoscope, for 145 consecutive cases to date, using the protocol described in this article. This prolonged use has resulted in a calculated cost per case of £273.48 GBP. We have described our experience of a dedicated protocol to prolong the usage of a single flexible ureterorenoscope. We would consider recommending the technique described in this article, to prolong flexible ureterorenoscope usage in a cost-effective manner.

The Use of Cook Resonance Metallic Ureteral Stent in Cases of Obstructive Uropathy from Persistent Neoureteral Stenosis, Following Kidney Transplantation.

Introduction: Following kidney transplantation, persistent cases of obstructive uropathy from neoureteral stenosis, at the reimplantation site, may require management with permanent, long-term Double-J stenting, following failed open surgical and minimally invasive procedures. We report our experience of the use of Cook Resonance® metallic ureteral stent to manage such cases endourologically. Materials and Methods: Medium-term follow-up of two cases requiring long-term ureteral stenting. Medical records, operative details, and radiologic data were reviewed. Primary outcome was relief of obstructive uropathy, and secondary outcomes included clinicoradiologic complications and cost-effectiveness of the metallic stents compared with standard Double-J stents. Results: Case 1 was a 45-year-old lady with obstructive uropathy after kidney transplantation. To date, she has had four metallic stents, and on review of operative details and radiologic data, there was seen to be a 60% reduction in operation length from the first to fourth stent exchange. Radiation dose exposure saw an 80% reduction from 2852 to 556 CGy·cm2. Following 3 years of follow-up, relief of obstructive uropathy has been maintained, with no radiologic or clinical evidence of complications. Case 2 was a 44-year-old lady with obstructive nephropathy requiring long-term stenting after kidney transplantation. Two stent exchanges have been performed to date with a 38% reduction in operation length from 50 minutes to just 31 minutes. Radiation dose exposure saw a 41% reduction. No clinicoradiologic complications or stent-related symptoms have occurred. Discussion: In our experience, use of metallic stents in transplanted kidneys is safe and feasible, with both patients having effective and sustained relief of obstructive uropathy. This stent appears to be well tolerated and is associated with minimal clinicoradiologic complications. Metallic stent replacement is also cost-effective due to the fact that it only requires annual rather than 6-monthly stent changes.

Urolift - minimally invasive surgical BPH management.

INTRODUCTION: An ideal treatment option for symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) should relieve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and restore Quality of Life (QoL). Currently available medical therapies and surgical options for symptomatic BPH have side effects that adversely affects quality of life. Prostatic urethral lift (PUL) is a novel endourology procedure that promises to relieve LUTS without the aforementioned side effects. Areas covered: We diligently reviewed all the published literature on PUL, till July 2016 using standard search criteria. Expert commentary: There is good quality evidence to establish the efficiency of PUL in treating symptomatic BPH without adversely affecting the QoL. Based on the current literature, PUL can be considered as an option for those symptomatic BPH patients with small or medium size prostates (< 80 ml) without median lobe enlargement, who failed on medical therapy or are intolerant to it and wish to preserve their sexual function.

The first use of Resonance(®) metallic ureteric stent in a case of obstructed transplant kidney.

INTRODUCTION: To date, double JJ stent is the mainstay ureteric stent used in a transplant kidney. We herein report the first use of Resonance(®) metallic ureteric stent to manage ureteric obstruction in a transplant kidney. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 45-year-old lady underwent an uneventful living related donor renal transplantation. Due to post-operative pelvi-ureteric obstruction and recurrent obstruction following multiple distal stent migration and expulsion necessitated frequent nephrostomy insertion and antegrade stenting, she underwent challenging but successful retrograde insertion of a 12 centimetres long and size 6.0 French Cook Resonance(®) metallic ureteric stent which was performed under general anaesthesia. DISCUSSION: Metallic ureteric stents are a fairly recent introduction to modern urology and they have been successfully used in the management of benign and malignant obstruction of ureter. CONCLUSION: This is the first case of therapeutic metallic ureteric stent insertion in a transplant kidney.

A new training model for adult circumcision.

BACKGROUND: Adult circumcision is an extremely common surgical operation. As such, we developed a simple model to teach junior doctors the various techniques of circumcision in a safe, reliable, and realistic manner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A commonly available simulated model penis (Pharmabotics, Limited, Winchester, United Kingdom) is used, which is then covered with a 30-mm diameter, 400-mm long, double-layered simulated bowel (Limbs & Things, Bristol, United Kingdom). The 2 layers of the prepuce are simulated by folding the simulated bowel on itself. The model has been officially adopted in the UroEmerge hands-on practical skills course and all participants were asked to provide feedback about their experience on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = extremely unsatisfied and 10 = excellent). RESULTS: The model has been used successfully to demonstrate, teach, and practice adult circumcision as well as other penile procedures with rating by trainees ranged from 7 to 10 (median: 9), and 9 of 12 trainees commented on the model using expressions such as "life like," "excellent idea," or "extremely beneficial." CONCLUSIONS: The model is particularly useful as it is life like, realistic, easy to set up, and can be used to repeatedly demonstrate circumcision, as well as other surgical procedures, such as dorsal slit and paraphimosis reduction.

The 3-finger technique in establishing percutaneous renal access: a new and simple method for junior trainees.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Urology trainees may lack experience in gaining renal access during percutaneous nephrolithomy (PCNL). Establishing the correct depth of initial percutaneous needle insertion is one of the major obstacles. As such, we have identified an easy technique, which can be performed, to establish correct depth adjustment allowing easier access. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An initial attempt is made to insert the percutaneous needle into the desired posterior calyx in the antero-posterior (AP) plane. If the needle does not traverse into the desired calyx immediately, it is concluded that the needle track must be too shallow or too deep. The C-arm is then rotated 20 to 30 degrees from the vertical, in the axial plane, towards the operating surgeon and, using the image intensifier, very careful note is made of the end of the needle in this plane, compared with the end of the needle initially in the AP plane, to see if it has moved "medially" or "laterally." The 3-finger technique is then performed by the surgeon, to establish if the needle path is too deep or too shallow. This technique is currently being performed by trainees under direct consultant supervision with 13 successful cases so far. RESULTS: The 3-finger technique has been successfully used to demonstrate and teach PCNL access to urology trainees. In all 13 cases, percutaneous renal access was achieved successfully by trainees without immediate or late complications. Also, positive and encouraging feedbacks were received from those trainees, and all expressed willingness to continue using the same new technique in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Our new technique is cheap, safe, easy to learn and use, and of particular benefit to junior trainees who are beginning to perform PCNL access.

Incidental urinary tract pathologies in the one-stop prostate cancer clinic.

OBJECTIVE: We determined the prevalence of incidental urinary tract pathologies in patients referred to the one-stop suspected prostate cancer clinic and assessed the evaluation and outcome of these pathologies. METHODS: One hundred and ninety patients were referred to the one-stop suspected prostate cancer clinic over a 6-month period. The records of patients with incidental urinary tract pathologies were retrospectively reviewed for demographic characteristics, mode of clinical presentation, further investigations performed, the final diagnosis and the treatment given. RESULTS: Incidental urinary tract pathologies were detected in 12 patients (6.3%). Clinically significant pathologies were found in 4.7% patients (n = 9). Significant incidental findings included bladder cancers (n = 8) and renal cell carcinoma (n = 1). All of these patients had additional diagnostic investigations, required in-patient surgical treatment and have remained disease free at follow up. Trans-rectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies were only performed in three cases and a diagnosis of prostate cancer was only made in one patient. CONCLUSION: Incidental urinary tract pathologies among patients referred to the one-stop suspected prostate cancer clinic are common. This reflects the need for further investigating patients with lower urinary tract symptoms whenever necessary so avoid missing significant pathologies.

A new model for suprapubic catheterization: the MediPlus Seldinger suprapubic catheter.

Insertion of a suprapubic catheter is one of the essential skills that all surgeons should master. It provides an alternative way to drain the bladder in cases where urethral catheterization is contraindicated or deemed difficult. It also has a role in elective cases where long-term drainage of the bladder is required. In this article, we discuss the MediPlus suprapubic catheter kit, which offers a new and potentially promising technique for safe introduction of the catheter into the bladder.

Current status of robotic surgery in pediatric urology.

Robotic-assisted pediatric urological surgery has emerged as a valid and reliable surgical therapy, which maintains the advantages of the minimally invasive approach but avoids the restrictions of laparoscopic surgery. The ideal application of the robot in the Pediatric population is in procedures requiring delicate suturing such as pyeloplasty or partial nephrectomy although the use of robotic surgery has been reported in a wide range of other procedures, particularly the diverse reconstructive pediatric operations. In this article, we review the current indications and results of robotics in the management of pediatric pathology.

A training model for suprapubic catheter insertion: the UroEmerge suprapubic catheter model.

Suprapubic catheter insertion is a fundamental practical skill that all clinicians should be familiar with, yet there are great practical difficulties in training in this area. A training model was designed to facilitate teaching, and then this model was subsequently tested in an emergency urology practical skills course.

Long-term follow-up after retroperitoneal laparoscopic decortication of symptomatic renal cysts.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to present our long-term experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic decortication (RLD) for patients with severely symptomatic simple renal cysts. The feasibility, safety and efficacy of this technique is reported, along with immediate and long-term clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 6-year period, 22 consecutive patients with symptomatic simple renal cysts underwent RLD by a single surgeon. Demographic data, perioperative blood loss, length of operative procedure, length of hospital stay and complications were analyzed. Follow-up included clinical review and renal ultrasonography, at 6-monthly intervals for 1 year, and then annually. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 45 (range 31-63) years. RLD was successfully performed in all 22 patients - no open conversions were required. There was no mortality and there were no perioperative complications. Mean duration of surgery was 101.9 min (59-117 min) and operative blood loss was <150 ml in all cases (10-150 ml). Mean length of hospital stay was 3.2 (2-6) days and return to normal activities was achieved after a mean of 15 (10-30) days. At a mean follow-up of 60 (22-93) months, 17 patients (77%) were completely relieved of symptoms, while 5 (23%) patients complained of some pain not requiring any analgesia. Renal ultrasonography showed an absence of radiological recurrence of the symptomatic renal cyst in all cases. CONCLUSION: RLD is a safe and effective method to treat symptomatic renal cysts, with an immediate postoperative symptomatic relief, a short convalescence period and effective 5-year clinical and radiological outcome.

The artificial urinary sphincter.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is regarded as a major health issue affecting a large sector of the population. The International Continence Society defines UI as the complaint of involuntary leakage of urine that is objectively demonstrated and is a social and hygienic problem. It is caused by a wide range of factors and it has a great negative impact on the lifestyle of patients, as well as a burden on the healthcare system, since it affects an estimated 10 million patients in the USA. Approximately 50% of all nursing home residents and between 15 and 30% of women over the age of 65 years have UI. The treatment modalities vary according to the underlying causes and the results are often unsatisfactory. With the introduction of the artificial urinary sphincter there has been a dramatic change in the management of refractory cases of UI. The artificial urinary sphincter is a device, usually in the form of an inflatable silicone cuff, inserted around the bladder neck or around the bulbous urethra in adult males. It mimics the biological urinary sphincter by providing a competent bladder outlet during urinary storage and an open outlet to permit voluntary voiding. In this review we give an overview of UI and the artificial urinary sphincter as a method of treatment.