Usability and safety of the new 5 French air-charged catheter for performing urodynamic studies on pediatric patients.

AIMS: To assess the performance and safety of the T-DOC® 5 French air-charged urodynamic catheters in pediatric patients and obtain feedback from providers related to usability performance. METHODS: Patients ages 12 years and younger undergoing urodynamics were prospectively recruited from two institutions. The T-DOC® 5 French air-charged catheters were used. Issues with catheter placement, adverse events (AEs), and pain scores were assessed. A follow-up telephone call was made to assess for post-urodynamic AEs. Providers completed a clinical user questionnaire. Likert scale was used (1 = most negative and 5 = most positive response) and reported in mean (range). RESULTS: A total of 28 patients completed the study. The mean age was 55 months (5-130) (10 females, 18 males). One problem was noted with the insertion of an abdominal catheter, secondary to stool impaction. Catheters stayed in place on all subjects, except for one related to patient hyperactivity. There were no AEs during the studies. In total four reported post-urodynamics AEs (one hematochezia, three dysuria). Among nine patients, pain level on the bladder and abdominal insertion was 3.6/10 (0-10) and 3.1/10 (0-10). Five providers completed the questionnaire. The overall ease of use was rated 4.3/5 (3-5). The ease of insertion was 4.1/5 (2-5) and set-up/clean-up time was 4.4/5 (3-5). Tracing stability, subtraction accuracy, and artifact sensitivity were all perceived favorably (respectively 4.8/5 [4-5], 4.6/5 [4-5], and 4.4/5 [4-5]). CONCLUSIONS: The T-DOC® 5 French air-charged catheter was considered safe and effective in pediatric patients. No AEs occurred during the studies. Providers, using the catheters, reported favorably on catheter usage.

Validation of non-invasive transcutaneous measurement for glomerular filtration rate in lean and obese C57BL/6J mice.

AIM: The measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in experimental rodents is pivotal to understanding the progression of kidney disease and benefits of treatment strategies. A non-invasive clearance device has been developed, which measures transcutaneous decay of injected FITC-sinistrin in conscious rodents. The technique was validated against the well-established plasma clearance method in the same mice, but on consecutive days, using only models of uninephrectomy and polycystic kidney disease. We aimed to validate this widely used technique in the same lean or obese mice, at the same time. METHODS: Five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomised to a high fat diet (n = 12) or normal diet (n = 11) for 10 weeks. Transcutaneous and plasma clearance of FITC-sinistrin were measured simultaneously in each mouse. RESULTS: In lean mice, there was a positive correlation between transcutaneous and plasma derived GFR (P < .01, R2 = .704), although there was an approximate 40% underestimation by the transcutaneous method (P < .0001). In obese mice, no correlation was observed between transcutaneous and plasma derived GFR, nor elimination half-life which removes any effect of the conversion factor and injected dose. The limits of agreement in a Bland-Altman plot were narrower when we used new conversion factors derived from mice in the current study and, in lean mice, a generic conversion factor which assumes 20% extracellular volume. CONCLUSION: The non-invasive clearance device may be useful for serial GFR measurements in lean and healthy mice, provided validation studies have been carried out, but its utility in obesity requires further study.

Can the Penile Cuff Test Predict the Outcome of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate for Benign Prostatic Obstruction?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the penile cuff test can predict surgical outcomes prior to Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for benign prostatic obstruction. METHODS: Men scheduled to undergo Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate were enrolled in this study, and all patients underwent the penile cuff test prior to and 3 months after surgery. Patients were categorized as obstructed, nonobstructed, or uncertain by nomogram. Surgical outcomes were assessed by evaluating changes in their international prostate symptom score, quality of life index, and maximum flow rate preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. The proportion of patients with good outcomes was compared among nomogram-classified groups, and postoperative changes in position on the nomogram were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients were analyzed. After surgery, the overall treatment efficacy and symptomatic treatment efficacy were not different between obstructed and nonobstructed patients. However, the maximum flow rate and quality of life score were significantly higher after surgery in obstructed patients compared to nonobstructed patients. After surgery, 75.7% of patients with obstruction and 63.6% of patients categorized as uncertain for obstruction transitioned to the nonobstructed group, while 77.3% of nonobstructed patients remained in the nonobstructed group. CONCLUSION: The penile cuff test can be used in patients with bladder outlet obstruction to predict good functional outcome and improved quality of life following treatment with Holmium laser enucleation. After Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, the majority of patients were classified as nonobstructed.

Use of an occlusive penile clamp during filling cystometry in men with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: In severe post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urodynamics may not identify crucial parameters because of inadequate bladder filling. This study evaluated cystometry and pressure flow studies (PFS) in men in whom severe SUI during attempted filling necessitated application of a penile clamp to allow filling to reach cystometric capacity. Men who had undergone prior radical prostatectomy were identified from a database of patients attending for video urodynamic testing between 2012 and 2017. Symptom scores, bladder diary and free flow rate tests were retrieved. Measurements of the subgroup of men for whom a Thomson-Walker compression clamp was used to enable full urodynamic evaluation were evaluated. 166 patients were identified. In 30 patients (18%), severe SUI led to incomplete filling cystometry. Following application of the penile compression clamp, further filling was achieved in each case. Applying the clamp did not alter vesical filling or impede pressure recording. These men had a lower maximum urethral closure pressure (31.6 vs. 46.5 cm H2 O; P < 0.001), volume at strong desire to void (132 vs. 242 mL; P = 0.003) and cystometric capacity (226 mL with clamp applied vs. 310 mL; P < 0.001) than the overall post-prostatectomy incontinence population. Flow rates during PFS were comparable, but detrusor pressure at maximum flow was lower in the clamp group (11 vs. 22 cm H2 O; P = 0.009). A penile clamp applied at the time when leakage becomes excessive during filling cystometry avoids premature test termination in men with severe incontinence.

The accuracy of static pressure measurement with water-filled urodynamic systems.

AIMS: To quantify the inaccuracy of pressure measurement by water-filled systems, with a view to recommending better practice. METHODS: Papers examining quality of measurements were reviewed, and standards documents examined. Technical data from manufacturers were gathered and summarized. Measurements were made on two different urodynamic systems. Individual inaccuracies were combined using the root sum of squares method. RESULTS: The total inaccuracy in measurement may reach up to 9.6 cmH2 O on pdet , but with good practice this may be mitigated to 1.3 cmH2 O. CONCLUSIONS: Water-filled systems, while being the recommended method for urodynamic measurements, are subject to a potential inaccuracy during poor use of up to approximately 10 cmH2 O on pdet . Good practice can reduce this inaccuracy to a tolerable level, that is, approximately 1 cmH2 O.

Performance analysis of the T-DOC® air-charged catheters: An alternate technology for urodynamics.

AIMS: Urodynamics (UDS) is widely used for the diagnosis of lower urinary tract dysfunction. Air-Charged catheters (ACC), one of the newer technologies for UDS pressure recording, has been adopted in growing numbers around the world for the past 15 years. Currently, there is a lack of published studies characterizing specific performance of the ACC. Since linearity, hysteresis, pressure drift, and frequency response are important components in characterizing accuracy for catheter-manometer systems; this study aimed to assess these four aspects in ACC. METHODS: A total of 180 T-DOC® ACC were used in three different laboratory settings to assess pressure linearity and hysteresis (15 dual-sensor vesical and urethral and 30 single-sensor abdominal), pressure drift over 2 h (115 single-sensor), and frequency response (20 single-sensor). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: ACC showed linearity of 0.99 ± 0.01, 0.99 ± 0.01, and 1.01 ± 0.01; and hysteresis of 0.57 ± 0.3%, 0.76 ± 0.48%, and 1 ± 0.89% for the abdominal, vesical, and urethral sensors, respectively. A pressure drift of 2.2 ± 1.4% at 1 h and 4.4 ± 2.5% at 2 h were observed when compared to baseline pressures. The catheters did not show any amplification factor during the sweep from 1 to 30 Hz, and recorded signals up to 5 Hz attenuating higher frequency signals. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the T-DOC® ACC showed a linear performance with minimal hysteresis associated with acceptable pressure drift, and adequate frequency response to capture clinically relevant pressures. The accurate results observed in this study suggest that these catheters are technically suitable to be used as a measuring instrument for UDS.

Quantification of pelvic floor muscle strength in female urinary incontinence: A systematic review and comparison of contemporary methodologies.

AIMS: There remains no gold standard for quantification of voluntary pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength, despite international guidelines that recommend PFM assessment in females with urinary incontinence (UI). Methods currently reported for quantification of skeletal muscle strength across disciplines are systematically reviewed and their relevance for clinical and academic use related to the pelvic floor are described. METHODS: A systematic review via Medline, PubMed, CINHAL, and the Cochrane database using key terms for pelvic floor anatomy and function were cross referenced with skeletal muscle strength quantification from 1946 to 2016. Full text peer-reviewed articles in English having female subjects with incontinence were identified. Each study was analyzed for use of controls, type of methodology as direct or indirect measures, benefits, and limitations of the technique. RESULTS: A total of 1586 articles were identified of which 50 met the inclusion criteria. Nine methodologies of determining PFM strength were described including: digital palpation, perineometer, dynamometry, EMG, vaginal cones, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, urine stream interruption test, and the Colpexin pull test. Thirty-two percent lacked a control group. CONCLUSION: Technical refinements in both direct and indirect instrumentation for PFM strength measurement are allowing for sensitivity. However, the most common methods of quantification remain digital palpation and perineometry; techniques that pose limitations and yield subjective or indirect measures of muscular strength. Dynamometry has potential as an accurate and sensitive tool, but is limited by inability to assess PFM strength during dynamic movements.

Predictive role of Trimprob associated with multiparametric MRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the predictive value of TRIMprob test to detect prostate cancer (PCa) in patients referred to prostate biopsy (PB). Material and Methods Patients with PSA <10ng/mL and rectal exam without findings suggestive of prostate cancer were selected for TRIMprob evaluation. Exam was performed by a single operator through transperineal approach. Patients admitted for the study were submitted to TRIMprob and multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) and posteriorly to PB. Results In total, 77 patients were included. TRIMprob showed evidences of PCa in 25 (32.5%) and was negative in 52 patients (67.5%). The rate of detection of prostate cancer at biopsy was higher in patients with positive TRIMprob (16/25; 64.0%) than in patients with negative TRIMprob (11/52; 21.1%; p<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of TRIMprob were respectively 61.5%, 82.0%, 64.0%, 80.3% and 74.0%. ROC curve showed the following areas under the curve values for TRIMprob, mpMRI and combination of TRIMprob + mpMRI: 0.706; 0.662 and 0.741 respectively. At combined analysis, when both TRIMprob and mpMRI were negative for prostate cancer, accuracy was 96.3% or only 1 in 27 PB was positive (3.7%). Conclusions Trimprob had similar predictive value for PCa in patients submitted to PB as mpMRI. Combined TRIMprob and mpMRI showed higher accuracy than when performed singly.

Predictive role of Trimprob associated with multiparametric MRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the predictive value of TRIMprob test to detect prostate cancer (PCa) in patients referred to prostate biopsy (PB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with PSA <10ng/mL and rectal exam without findings suggestive of prostate cancer were selected for TRIMprob evaluation. Exam was performed by a single operator through transperineal approach. Patients admitted for the study were submitted to TRIMprob and multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) and posteriorly to PB. RESULTS: In total, 77 patients were included. TRIMprob showed evidences of PCa in 25 (32.5%) and was negative in 52 patients (67.5%). The rate of detection of prostate cancer at biopsy was higher in patients with positive TRIMprob (16/25; 64.0%) than in patients with negative TRIMprob (11/52; 21.1%; p<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of TRIMprob were respectively 61.5%, 82.0%, 64.0%, 80.3% and 74.0%. ROC curve showed the following areas under the curve values for TRIMprob, mpMRI and combination of TRIMprob + mpMRI: 0.706; 0.662 and 0.741 respectively. At combined analysis, when both TRIMprob and mpMRI were negative for prostate cancer, accuracy was 96.3% or only 1 in 27 PB was positive (3.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Trimprob had similar predictive value for PCa in patients submitted to PB as mpMRI. Combined TRIMprob and mpMRI showed higher accuracy than when performed singly.

A novel infusion-drainage device to assess lower urinary tract function in neuro-imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the applicability and precision of a novel infusion-drainage device (IDD) for standardized filling paradigms in neuro-urology and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of lower urinary tract (LUT) function/dysfunction. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS AND METHODS: The IDD is based on electrohydrostatic actuation which was previously proven feasible in a prototype setup. The current design includes hydraulic cylinders and a motorized slider to provide force and motion. Methodological aspects have been assessed in a technical application laboratory as well as in healthy subjects (n=33) and patients with LUT dysfunction (n=3) undergoing fMRI during bladder stimulation. After catheterization, the bladder was pre-filled until a persistent desire to void was reported by each subject. The scan paradigm comprised automated, repetitive bladder filling and withdrawal of 100 mL body warm (37 °C) saline, interleaved with rest and sensation rating. Neuroimaging data were analysed using Statistical Parametric Mapping version 12 (SMP12). RESULTS: Volume delivery accuracy was between 99.1±1.2% and 99.9±0.2%, for different flow rates and volumes. Magnetic resonance (MR) compatibility was demonstrated by a small decrease in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), i.e. 1.13% for anatomical and 0.54% for functional scans, and a decrease of 1.76% for time-variant SNR. Automated, repetitive bladder-filling elicited robust (P = 0.05, family-wise error corrected) brain activity in areas previously reported to be involved in supraspinal LUT control. There was a high synchronism between the LUT stimulation and the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes in such areas. CONCLUSION: We were able to develop an MR-compatible and MR-synchronized IDD to routinely stimulate the LUT during fMRI in a standardized manner. The device provides LUT stimulation at high system accuracy resulting in significant supraspinal BOLD signal changes in interoceptive and LUT control areas in synchronicity to the applied stimuli. The IDD is commercially available, portable and multi-configurable. Such a device may help to improve precision and standardization of LUT tasks in neuro-imaging studies on supraspinal LUT control, and may therefore facilitate multi-site studies and comparability between different LUT investigations in the future.

Prostate biopsies: Available technique, approaches and diagnostic accuracy / Biopsias prostáticas: técnica disponible, abordajes y precisión diagnostica

Despite advances in the diagnosis of prostate cancer over the past century, it remains a leading cause of cancer related death. A recent recommendation against screening has further complicated the diagnosis and management of this condition. It remains to be demonstrated if newer diagnostic modalities will have an impact on mortality rates. Most certainly, not all prostate cancers need to be diagnosed, and methods of accurately diagnosing those cancers that lead to death needs more work. In this review article, we describe the different techniques, approaches and diagnostic accuracies of the currently used biopsy methods

A pesar de los avances en el diagnóstico del cáncer de próstata durante el siglo pasado, éste sigue siendo una causa principal de muerte relacionada con cáncer. Una recomendación reciente contra el screening ha complicado más aún el diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta enfermedad. Sigue por demostrarse si las modalidades diagnósticas más nuevas tendrán un impacto sobre las tasas de mortalidad. Con toda certeza, no es necesario diagnosticar todos los cánceres de próstata, y es necesario seguir trabajando con los métodos que permiten diagnosticar con precisión los cánceres mortales. En este artículo de revisión describimos las diferentes técnicas, abordajes y precisión diagnóstica de los métodos de biopsia utilizados actualmente

A New Electrolytic Synthesis Method for Few-Layered MoS2 Nanosheets and Their Robust Biointerfacing with Reduced Antibodies.

We report an efficient method for the synthesis of few-layered MoS2 nanosheets and demonstrate their application in the label-free detection of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) cancer marker. As a novel strategy, the electro-dissolution of molybdenum metal sheets in the presence of Na(+) and S(2-) ions led to the formation of Na(+) intercalated MoS2. Further exfoliation by ultrasonication yielded the desired formation of few-layered MoS2 nanosheets. After comprehensive characterization, the synthesized MoS2 nanosheets were channeled in a field-effect transistor (FET) microdevice. Chemically reduced anti-PSA antibodies were immobilized on the MoS2 channel above the FET microdevice to construct a specific PSA immunosensor. The antibodies were deliberately reduced to expose the hinge-region disulfide bonds. This approach offered a robust and site-directed immunosensing device through biointerfacing of the sulfhydryl groups (-SH) in the reduced antibody with the surface S atoms of MoS2. This device was validated as an effective immunosensor with a low detection limit (10(-5) ng/mL) over a wide linear detection range (10(-5) to 75 ng/mL).

Urodynamic characteristics of awake rats under retrained versus freely moving condition: Using a novel model.

Urodynamic investigation in conscious rats is widely employed to explore functional bladder disorders of various etiologies and pathogeneses. Rats can be placed in restraining cages or wide cabinets where they are allowed to move freely during cystometry. However, the requirements of special devices hampered the application of urodynamic test in freely moving rats, and whether the restraint has any effects on urodynamic parameters in conscious rats remains obscure. In the present study, we described a novel approach for urodynamic investigation in both restrained and freely moving conscious rats. In addition, we for the first time systematically compared the urodynamic parameters of rats in the two conditions. With the current method, we successfully recorded stable and repeatable intravesical pressure traces and collected expected reliable data, which supported the idea that the restraint does not affect the activity of the micturition reflex in rats, provided sufficient and appropriate measures could be applied during cystometry. Fewer technique problems were encountered during urodynamic examination in restrained rats than in freely moving ones. Taken together, conscious cystometry in rats placed in restraining cages with proper managements is a reliable and practical approach for evaluating the detrusor activity and bladder function.

Biopsia prostática: de la biopsia del órgano a la biopsia de la lesión. Papel de la resonancia magnética y sistemas de biopsia basados en ella / Prostatic biopsy: From organ biopsy to lesion biopsy. The role of MRI and MRI based biopsy systems

OBJETIVO: La biopsia prostática ecodirigida continúa siendo el método de referencia para el diagnóstico del cáncer de próstata. Sin embargo la Resonancia Magnética multiparamétrica (RMmp) se ha situado como el mejor método de imagen en la identificación de los tumores clínicamente significativos. De esta nueva situación deriva la búsqueda del mejor método para poder biopsiar las lesiones que la RMmp identifica y que no resultan visibles en ecografía. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar el papel actual de la RM y las distintas modalidades de biopsia basadas en ella. MÉTODO: Revisión no estructurada de la literatura sobre el estado actual de la RMmp prostática y los diversos métodos de biopsiar las lesiones identificadas por ella: biopsia "in bore", biopsia cognitiva y los diversos software de fusión comerciales disponibles para la biopsia dirigida. RESULTADOS: Aunque los resultados en la literatura son muy heterogéneos, tanto la biopsia "in bore", la biopsia cognitiva en manos experimentadas, y los distintos software de "biopsia/fusión" permiten biopsiar de forma certera las lesiones identificadas en la RMmp, aumentando el rendimiento de cada muestra obtenida. Los sistemas de fusión no suponen una clara ventaja frente a la Biopsia Sistemática en la detección global de cáncer salvo en el subgrupo de pacientes con biopsia previa negativa. Sin embargo sí demuestran una mayor tasa de detección de tumores clínicamente significativos que se acentúa en pacientes con primera biopsia negativa. Su papel en los nuevos enfoques terapéuticos del cáncer de próstata, vigilancia activa y tratamientos focales, está todavía por definir pero será creciente y fundamental en un futuro próximo. CONCLUSIONES: La Resonancia Magnética multiparamétrica es ya una prueba imprescindible en los algoritmos diagnósticos del cáncer de próstata y los sistemas que permiten biopsiar las lesiones identificadas cada vez una herramienta más integrada en la rutina y procedimientos urológicos que nos permitirá un diagnóstico más exacto encaminado a un tratamiento personalizado de cada paciente

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound guided prostatic biopsy is still the reference method for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has become the best imaging method to identify clinically significant tumors. Form this new situation derives the search of the best method to enable the biopsy of the lesions identified by mpMRI and are not visible on ultrasound. The objective of this work is to review the current role of MRI and the various modalities of MRI based biopsies. METHODS: Non-structured literature review about the current status of prostatic mpMRI and the various methods of biopsy of the lesions identified with it: in bore, cognitive and different commercial fusion software biopsy methods available for directed biopsies. RESULTS: Although results in the literature are very heterogeneous, all three bore biopsy, cognitive biopsy in experienced hands and the various fusion/biopsy software platforms enable a precise biopsy of mpMRI identified lesions, increasing the yield of each sample obtained. Fusion systems do not imply a clear advantage in global detection over systematic biopsy, except in the subgroup of patients with previous negative biopsy. Nevertheless, they do demonstrate a higher detection rate for clinically significant tumors that increases in patients with a first negative biopsy. Its role in the new therapeutic approaches for prostate cancer is yet to be defined, but it will be growing and essential in a near future. CONCLUSIONS: Multiparametric MRI is already an essential test in diagnostic algorithms for prostate cancer and the systems that enable to biopsy the lesion identified are day by day a more integrated tool in the urological daily practice, and urological procedures that will enable a more precise diagnosis leading to a personalized treatment for each patient

Signal processing in urodynamics: towards high definition urethral pressure profilometry.

BACKGROUND: Urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) is used in the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) which is a significant medical, social, and economic problem. Low spatial pressure resolution, common occurrence of artifacts, and uncertainties in data location limit the diagnostic value of UPP. To overcome these limitations, high definition urethral pressure profilometry (HD-UPP) combining enhanced UPP hardware and signal processing algorithms has been developed. In this work, we present the different signal processing steps in HD-UPP and show experimental results from female minipigs. METHODS: We use a special microtip catheter with high angular pressure resolution and an integrated inclination sensor. Signals from the catheter are filtered and time-correlated artifacts removed. A signal reconstruction algorithm processes pressure data into a detailed pressure image on the urethra's inside. Finally, the pressure distribution on the urethra's outside is calculated through deconvolution. A mathematical model of the urethra is contained in a point-spread-function (PSF) which is identified depending on geometric and material properties of the urethra. We additionally investigate the PSF's frequency response to determine the relevant frequency band for pressure information on the urinary sphincter. RESULTS: Experimental pressure data are spatially located and processed into high resolution pressure images. Artifacts are successfully removed from data without blurring other details. The pressure distribution on the urethra's outside is reconstructed and compared to the one on the inside. Finally, the pressure images are mapped onto the urethral geometry calculated from inclination and position data to provide an integrated image of pressure distribution, anatomical shape, and location. CONCLUSIONS: With its advanced sensing capabilities, the novel microtip catheter collects an unprecedented amount of urethral pressure data. Through sequential signal processing steps, physicians are provided with detailed information on the pressure distribution in and around the urethra. Therefore, HD-UPP overcomes many current limitations of conventional UPP and offers the opportunity to evaluate urethral structures, especially the sphincter, in context of the correct anatomical location. This could enable the development of focal therapy approaches in the treatment of SUI.

A comparison between an in vitro ureteroscopic stone size estimation and the stone size measurement with the help of a scale on stone baskets.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic treatment of ureter stones and renal calculi relies on the surgeon's estimation of the stone size for both lithotripsy and removal of stones or stone fragments. We therefore compared precision and reliability of the endoscopic estimation of stone size by the surgeon with measurements on a scale on a stone basket. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two surgeons (one high experienced and one low experienced) first estimated, then measured the size of 12 stones differing in size and color using different stone baskets (2.5, 3.0, 4.0 Ch) each via a semirigid renoscope in an artificial ureter under water repeatedly on two different days. All together, we had 288 measurements and 288 estimations. RESULTS: On the whole, the accuracy of the estimation diminished with bigger stones. There is an increasing underestimation with increasing stone size. Factors, which significantly influence the estimation, are the operating surgeon, the color of the stone, the time sequence, and the size of the closed basket, which was held beside the stone. The accuracy of the measurement of the stone baskets is not as good as the estimation. The small 2.5-Ch basket is the most accurate in measuring big stones (>6 mm), the 3.5 Ch in intermediate stones (3-6 mm), the big basket (4.0 Ch) in small stones (<3 mm). CONCLUSION: This first attempt at validation of a scale on stone baskets shows different results for each basket which could be systematically improved. Until now, the estimation of the surgeons is better than the measurement, but it is also influenced by factors like the surgeon or the color of the stone.

Circumferential urinary sphincter surface electromyography: A novel diagnostic method for intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

AIMS: The diagnosis of intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is not well established. We explored the possibility of applying a new tool: minimally invasive circumferential sphincter surface electromyography (CSS-EMG) to assess the muscular integrity of the urethral sphincter in patients with SUI/ISD. METHODS: CSS-EMG of the urethral sphincter and urodynamic studies were performed in 44 women with SUI. A urethral pressure profile (UPP) was measured in four directions. Maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) <40 cm/H2 O or the presence of SUI without urethral hypermobility was used to define ISD. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients had urodynamic SUI, 23 had no SUI and 12 patients had ISD. The mean average rectified value (ARV) of the motor unit action potential (MUAP), an indicator of the strength of urethral rhabdosphincter, was estimated. ARV measured in the 12 o'clock quadrant during maximal contraction was the only CSS-EMG parameter that had significant predictive value for ISD. With an increase in the 12 o'clock ARV value, the likelihood of ISD decreases (Odds Ratio 0.36 95% confidence interval 0.67-0.92). In the ROC curve with ARV measured in the 12 o'clock quadrant during maximal contraction, the explained area was 0.794 (P = 0.02); implying that ARV measured at the 12 o'clock quadrant during maximal contraction was able to predict ISD significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Myogenic changes of the urethral sphincter that contribute to ISD can be assessed with CSS-EMG. This new concept for assessing the functionality of the female urethral sphincter may assist with better understanding of the pathophysiology, the diagnosis and the treatment of SUI.

[Indocyanine green fluorescent imaging in urology].

This paper gives an overview of the prospects for indocyanine green fluorescent imaging, which is used in different fields of surgery, transplantation and urology. This method offers new opportunities in angiography, lymphography; it allows measuring tissue perfusion and differentiating healthy tissue and tumors in real time. The safety of the method has been proven and its diagnostic value is being extensively studied.

Medicina personalizada y cáncer de próstata. La realidad de un cambio / Personalized medicine and prostate cancer. The reality of change

El cáncer de próstata (CaP) es un problema de salud pública en la población masculina y en particular en los países occidentales en base a su elevada incidencia y prevalencia. Actualmente acudimos a cambios en las técnicas diagnósticas que merecen especial atención y que una vez aplicadas permiten vislumbrar el camino hacia la medicina personalizada en CaP pudiendo integrarse en esta moderna tendencia actual de la patología oncológica. A pesar de la reconocida heterogeneidad de la enfermedad; clínica, patológica y de su expresión génica, así como de las limitaciones del PSA como biomarcador para determinar la agresividad biológica de la enfermedad tumoral, lo cierto es que la decisión terapéutica final se adopta en base a una información lejana a la deseada personalización y, además, traslada excesiva incertidumbre a los pacientes. En este sentido, la búsqueda de otras alternativas entre las que destacan las basadas en la identificación de alteraciones en la secuenciación genómica y su influencia en la caracterización molecular del cáncer de próstata es una constante en la investigación. Actualmente, la progresiva traslación a la clínica de información tumoral en CaP que del material genético o el de sus productos bioquímicos, aunque todavía en fase inicial, ya permite predecir cambios relevantes en la caracterización molecular del CaP, en la eventual disponibilidad de biomarcadores predictivos de susceptibilidad para padecer la enfermedad y en la estratificación personalizada del riesgo a través de la incorporación de nuevos e interesante biomarcadores moleculares e inmunohistoquimicos. Asimismo, de forma paralela, los avances en las perspectivas abiertas con el diagnostico, y la trascendencia en las decisiones de indicación biopsica que de ella se derivan, basado en la utilización con la correspondiente fusión de imágenes, de la resonancia magnética multiparametrica (mpMRI) y las nuevas imágenes ecográficas prostáticas transrectales con su evolución natural hacia tratamientos focales representan, a pesar de la reconocida compleja interpretación de las imágenes otra significativa transformación hacia la individualización e idealmente personalización de las decisiones clínicas frente a un determinado paciente con CaP. Acontecimientos todos ellos, más aún, si se consideran combinados que resultan muy prometedores y cuya integración nos acerca cada vez más a la realidad de una medicina personalizada en CaP cáncer de próstata como ya ocurre en otras, aunque todavía pocas, patologías neoplásicas. Todos los aspectos comentados se resumen y discuten en el presente artículo a la luz de los recientes datos comunicados a la literatura y de la reflexión y experiencia personal de los autores. En definitiva, persiguiendo como mejorar el manejo clínico y el tratamiento de los pacientes con CaP

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a public health problem in western male populations on the basis of it´s high incidence and prevalence. Nowadays we come to changes in the diagnostic technologies that deserve special attention and that once applied allow to show the way towards a personalized view of PCa being able to join this modern current trend of the oncologic pathology. In spite of the recognized heterogeneity of the disease; clinical, pathological and genetic variants in genes and the limitations of the PSA as a biomarker to determine the biological aggressiveness of PCa, the certain thing is that the therapeutic final decision is adopted on the basis of a distant information to the wished customization and it moves excessive uncertainty for patients. In this respect the search based on the identification of alterations on the genomic sequence and it´s influence in the molecular characterization of the PCa is a constant in the investigation since nowadays. Actually, the progressive adjournment to the clinic of information tumour information that comes from the diagnostic tests related genetic material or their biochemical products, though still in initial phase, already allows to predict relevant changes in molecular characterization of the prostate cancer, in the eventual availability of predictive biomarkers from susceptibility to suffer the disease and of the personalized stratification of risk across the incorporation of newly and interesting molecular and immunohistochemistry biomarkers. Likewise the advances in the perspectives opened with the diagnosis, and the relevance in the decisions of biopsy indications that stem from it are based on the utilization, with the corresponding merger of images, of the multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) and the new prostate ecographic transrectal images with it´s natural evolution towards focal treatments represent, in spite of the recognized complex interpretation of the images, another significant transformation towards the individualization and ideally customization of the clinical decisions opposite to a certain patient with PCa. Events all of them, even more, if they are considered to be combined turn out to be very promising and it´s integration brings us over to personalized medicine in PCa since already it happens in others, though still small, neoplastic diseases. All this aspects are summarized and discussed in the present article in the light of the recent communicated in formation and the reflection and personal experience of the authors. Finally chasing how to improve the clinical managing and the treatment for patients with PCa

INVESTIGATE-I (INVasive Evaluation before Surgical Treatment of Incontinence Gives Added Therapeutic Effect?): a mixed-methods study to assess the feasibility of a future randomised controlled trial of invasive urodynamic testing prior to surgery for stress urinary incontinence in women.

BACKGROUND: The position of invasive urodynamic testing in the diagnostic pathway for urinary incontinence (UI) is unclear. Systematic reviews have called for further trials evaluating clinical utility, although a preliminary feasibility study was considered appropriate. OBJECTIVES: To inform the decision whether or not to proceed to a definitive randomised trial of invasive urodynamic testing compared with clinical assessment with non-invasive tests, prior to surgery in women with stress UI (SUI) or stress predominant mixed UI (MUI). DESIGN: A mixed-methods study comprising a pragmatic multicentre randomised pilot trial; economic evaluation; survey of clinicians' views about invasive urodynamic testing; qualitative interviews with clinicians and trial participants. SETTING: Urogynaecology, female urology and general gynaecology units in Newcastle, Leicester, Swansea, Sheffield, Northumberland, Gateshead and South Tees. PARTICIPANTS: Trial recruits were women with SUI or stress predominant MUI who were considering surgery after unsuccessful conservative treatment. Relevant clinicians completed two online surveys. Subsets of survey respondents and trial participants took part in separate qualitative interview studies. INTERVENTIONS: Pilot trial participants were randomised to undergo clinical assessment with non-invasive tests (control arm); or assessment as controls, plus invasive urodynamic testing (intervention arm). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Confirmation that units can identify and recruit eligible women; acceptability of investigation strategies and data collection tools; acquisition of outcome data to determine the sample size for a definitive trial. The proposed primary outcome for the definitive trial was International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire (ICIQ) Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS) (total score) 6 months after surgery or the start of non-surgical treatment; secondary outcomes included: ICIQ-FLUTS (subscales); ICIQ Urinary Incontinence Short Form; ICIQ Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life; Urogenital Distress Inventory; EuroQol-5D; costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost per QALY, Short Form 12; 3-day bladder diary. RESULTS: Of 284 eligible women, 222 (78%) were recruited; 165/219 (75%) returned questionnaires at baseline and 125/200 (63%) who were sent questionnaires at follow-up. There were few missing data items in returned questionnaires, with individual outcome scales calculable for 81%-94%. Most women underwent surgery; management plans were changed in 19 (19%) participants following invasive urodynamic testing. Participant Costs Questionnaires were returned by 53% 6 months after treatment; complete data to undertake cost-utility analysis were available in 27% (intervention) and 47% (control). While insufficient to recommend changes in practice, the results suggest further research would be valuable. All clinicians responding to the survey had access to invasive urodynamic testing, and most saw it as essential prior to surgery in women with SUI with or without other symptoms; nevertheless, 70% considered the research question underlying INVESTIGATE important and most were willing to randomise patients in a definitive trial. Participants interviewed were positive about the trial and associated documentation; the desire of some women to avoid invasive urodynamic testing contrasted with opinions expressed by clinicians through both survey and interview responses. CONCLUSIONS: All elements of a definitive trial and economic evaluation were rehearsed; several areas for protocol modification were identified. Such a trial would require to 400-900 participants, depending on the difference in primary outcome sought. FUTURE WORK: A definitive trial of invasive urodynamic testing versus clinical assessment prior to surgery for SUI or stress predominant MUI should be undertaken. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN71327395. FUNDING: The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.