Salvage Radical Prostatectomy for Recurrent Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review (French ccAFU).

The aim of this study was to systematically review the current evidence regarding the oncological and functional outcomes of salvage radical prostatectomy (sRP) for recurrent prostate cancer. A systematic review was conducted throughout September 2022 using the PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase databases. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to identify eligible studies. A total of 55 studies (3836 patients) met our eligibility criteria. The vast majority of men included had radiation therapy (including brachytherapy) as their first-line treatment (n = 3240, 84%). Other first-line treatments included HIFU (n = 338, 9%), electroporation (n = 59, 2%), proton beam therapy (n = 54, 1.5%), cryotherapy (n = 34, 1%), focal vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (n = 22, 0.6%), and transurethral ultrasound ablation (n = 19, 0.5%). Median preoperative PSA, at the time of recurrence, ranged from 1.5 to 14.4 ng/mL. The surgical approach was open in 2300 (60%) cases, robotic in 1465 (38%) cases, and laparoscopic in 71 (2%) cases. Since 2019, there has been a clear increase in robotic versus conventional surgery (1245 versus 525 cases, respectively). The median operative time and blood loss ranged from 80 to 297 min and 75 to 914 mL, respectively. Concomitant lymph node dissection was performed in 2587 cases (79%). The overall complication rate was 34%, with a majority of Clavien grade I or II complications. Clavien ≥ 3 complications ranged from 0 to 64%. Positive surgical margins were noted in 792 cases (32%). The median follow-up ranged from 4.6 to 94 months. Biochemical recurrence after sRP ranged from 8% to 51.5% at 12 months, from 0% to 66% at 22 months, and from 48% to 59% at 60 months. The specific and overall survival rates ranged from 13.4 to 98% and 62 to 100% at 5 years, respectively. Urinary continence was maintained in 52.1% of cases. sRP demonstrated acceptable oncological outcomes. These results, after sRP, are influenced by several factors, and above all by pre-treatment assessment, including imaging, with the development of mpMRI and metabolic imaging. Our results demonstrated that SRP can be considered a suitable treatment option for selected patients, but the level of evidence remains low.

Prostatectomy Bed Image-guided Dose-escalated Salvage Radiotherapy (SPIDER): An International Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Management of macroscopic local recurrence (MLR) after radical prostatectomy is a challenging situation with no standardized approach. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy and safety of functional image-guided salvage radiotherapy (SRT) in patients with MLR in the prostate bed. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this international multicenter retrospective study across 16 European centers, eligible patients were initially treated by radical prostatectomy (RP) with or without pelvic lymph node dissection for localized or locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the prostate. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measured 4 wk after RP was <0.1 ng/ml. All patients presented a biochemical relapse after RP defined by an increase in PSA level of ≥0.2 ng/ml on two successive measures. Only patients with an MLR lesion in the prostatectomy bed visualized on functional imaging (multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography/computed tomography [PET/CT] choline, or PET/CT prostate-specific membrane antigen) were eligible. Patients with lymph node, bone, or visceral dissemination at restaging imaging (CT and/or bone scintigraphy and/or magnetic resonance imaging and/or PET) were excluded. Dose escalation was defined as a dose of >66 Gy prescribed to the prostate bed or to MLR. Toxicities were classified using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events scale, version 4.03. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcomes were metastasis-free survival (MPFS), biochemical progression-free survival, and overall survival. Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Between January 2000 and December 2019, 310 patients received at least one dose escalation on MLR and 25 patients did not receive any dose escalation. The median PSA level before SRT was 0.63 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR], 0.27-1.7). The median follow-up was 54 mo (IQR, 50-56). Five-year PFS and MPFS were 70% (95% confidence interval [CI]: [64; 75]) and 84% (95% CI: [78; 88]), respectively. Grade ≥2 GU and GI late toxicities were observed in 43 (12%) and 11 (3%) patients, respectively. When the prescribed dose on the MLR lesion was ≥72 Gy, an improvement in 5-yr PFS was found for patients received at least one dose escalation (73% [95% CI: 65-79]) vs 60% [95% CI: 48; 70]; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this contemporary study integrating functional imaging data, we found potential efficacy of SRT with dose escalation ≥72 Gy for patients with MLR in the prostate bed and with an acceptable toxicity profile. Prospective data exploring this MLR dose escalation strategy are awaited. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this report, we looked at the outcomes from salvage radiotherapy for prostate cancer and macroscopic relapse in a large European population. We found that outcomes varied with prostate-specific antigen at relapse, Gleason score, and dose escalation. We found potential efficacy of salvage radiotherapy with dose escalation for macroscopic relapse in the prostate bed, with an acceptable toxicity profile.

Diagnosis of early biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy in patients with prostate cancer: State of the art.

Biochemical recurrence after primary treatment in prostate cancer is not uncommon. A rising serum prostate-specific antigen level represents a first sign of disease relapse. At this time of low disease burden, imaging and particularly magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are essential to determine the localization of the recurrence, which may be local, in lymph nodes, and/or metastatic. Imaging results allow best determine modalities of salvage treatment, which can be local by using radiotherapy or other focal treatments or systemic using hormonotherapy. Current evidence suggests that multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, PET/CT with prostate specific membrane antigen and lympho-magnetic resonance imaging are effective and complementary to detect local recurrences and distant metastases.

Prevalence of alternative diagnoses in patients with suspected uncomplicated renal colic undergoing computed tomography: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Unenhanced computed tomography (CT) has become a standard imaging technique for uncomplicated renal colic in many countries. The appropriate timing of CT imaging has not been established, and guidelines recommend that this imaging be performed between 1 and 7 days of presentation. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of alternative diagnosis identified with low-dose unenhanced CT in the emergency department (ED) in patients with suspected uncomplicated renal colic. METHODS: This prospective single-centre study was carried out in a large university hospital ED. Over a 6-month period, all patients with clinically diagnosed renal colic and a plan to be discharged underwent low-dose unenhanced CT in the ED. Pregnant women, women of childbearing age not willing to have a pregnancy test, and patients who had already undergone diagnostic imaging were excluded. The primary outcome was the number and nature of the alternative diagnosis. Univariate analyses were performed to assess factors associated with the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients were screened, and 155 underwent CT in the ED. The mean age was 42.2 years; 69% were male. The diagnosis of uncomplicated renal colic was confirmed in 118 participants (76%); 27 (17%) had an inconclusive CT scan. Overall, 10 patients (6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3-10) had an alternative diagnosis, 5 of whom were subsequently hospitalized. CONCLUSION: Low-dose unenhanced CT in the ED detects alternative diagnoses in 6% (95% CI 3-10) of patients with suspected uncomplicated renal colic, half of whom are subsequently hospitalized. Our prospective findings, which were similar to those reported in retrospective studies, are a potential argument for a systematic approach to ED imaging in suspected renal colic. Future research involving intervention and control groups would be helpful.

Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System and Likert Scoring System: Multiparametric MR Imaging Validation Study to Screen Patients for Initial Biopsy.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance of the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-based Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) and a Likert scale in the detection of prostate cancer in a cohort of patients undergoing initial prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This institutional review board-approved two-center prospective study included 118 patients with normal digital rectal examination (DRE) results but elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (4-20 ng/mL) who were referred for initial prostate biopsies and had one suspicious (Likert scale score, ≥3) focus at prebiopsy 1.5-T multiparametric MR imaging performed with T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted [DW], and dynamic contrast material-enhanced imaging. Targeted core biopsies and random systematic core biopsies were performed. The elementary unit for analysis was the core. Relationships were assessed by using the Mann-Whitney U test. Yates corrected and Pearson χ(2) tests were used to evaluate categoric variables. A training set was randomly drawn to construct the receiver operating characteristic curves for the summed PI-RADS scores and for the Likert scale scores. The thresholds to recommend biopsy were obtained from the Youden J statistics and were tested in the remaining validation set in terms of predictive characteristics. Interobserver variability was analyzed by using weighed κ statistics in a random set of 50 patients. RESULTS: Higher T2-weighted, DW, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging PI-RADS scores were observed in areas that yielded cancer-positive cores. The percentage of positive cores increased with the sum of scores aggregated in five classes as follows: For summed PI-RADS scores of 3-5, the percentage of positive cores was 2.3%; for scores of 6-8, it was 5.8%; for scores of 9 or 10, it was 24.7%; for scores of 11 or 12, it was 51.8%; and for scores of 13-15, it was 72.1% (P for trend, <.0001). For the threshold of summed PI-RADS scores of 9 or greater, sensitivity was 86.6%, specificity was 82.4%, the positive predictive value was 52.4%, the negative predictive value was 96.5%, and accuracy was 83.2%. The respective data for Likert scale scores of 3 or greater were 93.8%, 73.6%, 44.3%, 98.1%, and 73.3%. Good interobserver agreement was observed for the Likert scale (κ = 0.80) and the summed PI-RADS (κ = 0.73) scoring systems. CONCLUSION: PI-RADS provided the site-specific stratified risk of cancer-positive cores in biopsy-naive men with normal DRE results and elevated PSA levels. There was no significant difference between summed PI-RADS scores of 9 or greater and Likert scale scores of 3 or greater in the detection of cancer in the peripheral zone.

Validation of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology scoring system for prostate cancer diagnosis on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in a cohort of repeat biopsy patients.

BACKGROUND: Wide variations in acquisition protocols and the lack of robust diagnostic criteria make magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection of prostate cancer (PCa) one of the most challenging fields in radiology and urology. OBJECTIVE: To validate the recently proposed European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) scoring system for multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the prostate. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: An institutional review board-approved multicentric prospective study; 129 consecutive patients (1514 cores) referred for mpMRI after at least one set of negative biopsies. INTERVENTION: Transfer of mpMRI-suspicious areas on three-dimensional (3D) transrectal ultrasound images by 3D elastic surface registration; random systematic and targeted cores followed by core-by-core analysis of pathology and mpMRI characteristics of the core locations. The ESUR scores were assigned after the procedure on annotated Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine archives. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Relationships between ESUR scores and biopsy results were assessed by the Mann-Whitney U test. The Yates correction and Pearson χ(2) tests evaluated the association between categorical variables. A teaching set was randomly drawn to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve of the ESUR score sum (ESUR-S). The threshold to recommend biopsy was obtained from the Youden J statistics and tested in the remaining validation set in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Higher T2-weighted, dynamic weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced ESUR scores were observed in areas yielding cancer-positive cores. The proportion of positive cores increased with the ESUR-S aggregated in five increments (ESUR-S 3-5: 2.9%; ESUR-S 6-8: 11.1%; ESUR-S 9-10: 38.2%; ESUR-S 11-12: 63.4%; and ESUR-S 13-15: 83.3%; p<0.0001). A threshold of ESUR-S ≥ 9 exhibited the following characteristics: sensitivity: 73.5%; specificity: 81.5%; positive predictive value: 38.2%; negative predictive value: 95.2%; and accuracy: 80.4%. Although the study was not designed to compare repeat biopsy strategies, more targeted cores than random systematic cores were found to be positive for cancer (36.3% compared with 4.9%, p<0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: In the challenging situation of repeat biopsies, the ESUR scoring system was shown to provide clinically relevant stratification of the risk of showing PCa in a given location.

[Imaging of the kidney]. / Imagerie rénale : anatomie radiologique et méthodes d'exploration.

Imaging of the kidney relies on three main imaging modalities: ultrasound, CT scan and MRI, on one hand, and scintigraphy, on the other hand. First intent ultrasound provides anatomic/vascular and functional information. Tissue perfusion assessment using ultrasound can be improved using contrast agents. Renal ultrasound is particularly useful but remains operator and tumor/patient-dependent (obese, ectopic kidney, type and site of tumor). It is cheap and does not irradiate. Ultrasound contrast agents can improve the sensitivity of ultrasound in many clinical situations. Intravenous urography has been replaced by CT scan. Multi-slice CT scan is indeed the main renal imaging modality: it allows for angiographic and urographic explorations. MRI provides anatomic and functional information. Renal failure must be looked for before performing CT scan or MRI so as to avoid iatrogenic complications. Severe renal failure is a contraindication to both. Each imaging modality has pros and cons and specific indications. CT scan is the mainstay of renal imaging provided that standardized injection protocols are used, that the dose is limited (low-dose protocol) and renal function is assessed. Dynamic renal scintigraphy can be used in situations where information on the function of each kidney is necessary.

Management of renal cell carcinoma in sigmoid kidney.

Crossed renal ectopia is a rare congenital malformation. We report a case in a 77-year-old man presenting with a left lower abdominal mass. Abdominal computed tomography showed a vascular lesion that developed in a right-to-left crossed-fused renal ectopia. The patient was treated with radical heminephrectomy. Appropriate preoperative imaging and surgical technique for the isthmusectomy are highlighted.

Renal angiomyolipoma associated with inferior vena cava thrombus.

A 57-year-old woman was found to have an inferior vena cava involvement of a known sinusal angiomyolipoma incompletely resected three years beforehand. Intravascular extension into the IVC of angiomyolipoma has rarely been reported. We present a new case and reconsider the literature about this uncommon complication of a benign renal tumor.

Estimation of urinary stone composition by automated processing of CT images.

The objective of this article was developing an automated tool for routine clinical practice to estimate urinary stone composition from CT images based on the density of all constituent voxels. A total of 118 stones for which the composition had been determined by infrared spectroscopy were placed in a helical CT scanner. A standard acquisition, low-dose and high-dose acquisitions were performed. All voxels constituting each stone were automatically selected. A dissimilarity index evaluating variations of density around each voxel was created in order to minimize partial volume effects: stone composition was established on the basis of voxel density of homogeneous zones. Stone composition was determined in 52% of cases. Sensitivities for each compound were: uric acid: 65%, struvite: 19%, cystine: 78%, carbapatite: 33.5%, calcium oxalate dihydrate: 57%, calcium oxalate monohydrate: 66.5%, brushite: 75%. Low-dose acquisition did not lower the performances (P < 0.05). This entirely automated approach eliminates manual intervention on the images by the radiologist while providing identical performances including for low-dose protocols.

Intestinal obstruction by an enterolith from a perforated giant Meckel's diverticulum: diagnosis with CT reconstructed images.

Complications caused by Meckel's enteroliths are very rare. Diagnosis is not usually made before surgery because symptoms are often of little value and imaging may be difficult to interpret. Computed tomography (CT) scanning, which is increasingly performed in emergency situations, could help make the diagnosis. We describe a 37-year-old man with intestinal obstruction caused by an enterolith resulting from a giant Meckel's diverticulum. The diagnosis was suggested preoperatively through the use of abdominal CT scanning with reconstructed pictures. A resection of the small bowel and diverticulum was performed with immediate anastomosis. The postoperative course was uneventful. Diagnosis of enterolith from Meckel's diverticulum can be suggested by CT frontal reconstructed sections in patients with small bowel obstruction and abdominal calcified opacities. This procedure could reduce the delay between onset of symptoms and adequate treatment before perforation and peritonitis occur.

Helical CT evaluation of the chemical composition of urinary tract calculi with a discriminant analysis of CT-attenuation values and density.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of helical CT using a combination of CT-attenuation values and visual assessment of stone density as well as discriminant linear analysis to predict the chemical composition of urinary calculi. One hundred human urinary calculi were obtained from a stone-analysis laboratory and placed in 20 excised pig kidneys. They were scanned at 80, 120 and 140 kV with 3-mm collimation. Average, highest and lowest CT-attenuation values and CT variability were recorded. The internal calculus structure was assessed using a wide window setting, and visual assessment of stone density was recorded. A stepwise discriminant linear analysis was performed. The following three variables were discriminant: highest CT-attenuation value, visual density, and highest CT-attenuation value/area ratio, all at 80 kV. The probability of correctly classifying stone composition with these three variables was 0.64, ranging from 0.54 for mixed calculi to 0.69 for pure calculi. The probabilities of correctly classifying calculus composition were: 0.91 for calcium oxalate monohydrate and brushite, 0.89 for cystine, 0.85 for uric acid, 0.11 for calcium oxalate dihydrate, 0.10 for hydroxyapatite, and 0.07 for struvite calculi. When the first two ranks of highest probability for the accurate classification of each calculus type were taken into account, 81% of the calculi were correctly classified. Assessment at 80 kV of the highest CT-attenuation value, visual density and the highest CT-attenuation value/area ratio accurately predicts the chemical composition of 64-81% of urinary calculi. When the first two ranks of highest probability for the accurate classification of each calculus type were taken into account, all cystine, calcium oxalate monohydrate and brushite calculi were correctly classified.