[Focal HIFU vs robot-assisted total prostatectomy: Functionnal and oncologic outcomes at one year]. / Traitement focal par HIFU versus prostatectomie radicale robot-assistée pour cancer de la prostate localisé : résultats carcinologiques et fonctionnels à 1 an.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the functional and oncologic outcomes at one year of focal therapy with HIFU compared with total prostatectomy in patients with localised prostate cancer (PCa). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective and monocentric study from 2008 to 2014 comparing 2 cohorts of patients with localised PCa (T1/T2 clinical stage, Gleason score≤3+4=7 and PSA<15ng/mL), one treated by focal therapy (HIFU-F group), one by robot-assisted total prostatectomy (RATP group). Primary outcome was a trifecta defined as: absence of urinary incontinence, erectile function with sexual relations without treatment, negative PSA with negative surgical margins (RATP group) or negative biopsy cores (HIFU-F group). RESULTS: The 53 patients included in the "HIFU-F" group and the 66 patients in the "RATP" group were similar in terms of preoperative PSA, D'Amico risk group, erectile function but were different in terms of age, prostatic volume, length of cancer, Gleason score. Complication rate was not different. In multivariate analyse with propensity score, "HIFU-F" group achieved a better trifecta score than "RATP" group (OR=8,3, p=0,005). CONCLUSION: In case of low or intermediate risk localised PCa, "HIFU-F" group had better functional outcomes than initial learning curse "RATP" group, at one year. A long-term evaluation by a common endpoint is necessary to judge the oncological equivalence of both techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Improved outcomes with advancements in high intensity focused ultrasound devices for the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the association between long-term clinical outcomes and morbidity with high intensity focused ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included patients with stage T1c-T3N0M0 prostate cancer who were treated with Sonablate® (SB) devices during 1999 to 2012 and followed for more than 2 years. Risk stratification and complication rates were compared among the treatment groups (ie SB200/500 group, SB500 version 4 group and SB500 tissue change monitor group). Primary study outcomes included overall, cancer specific and biochemical disease-free survival rates determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis (Phoenix definition). Secondary outcomes included predictors of biochemical disease-free survival using Cox models. RESULTS: A total of 918 patients were included in the study. Median followup in the SB200/500, SB500 version 4 and the SB500 tissue change monitor groups was 108, 83 and 47 months, respectively. The 10-year overall and cancer specific survival rates were 89.6% and 97.4%, respectively. The 5-year biochemical disease-free survival rate in the SB200/500, SB500 version 4 and SB500 tissue change monitor group was 48.3%, 62.3% and 82.0%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The overall negative biopsy rate was 87.3%. On multivariate analysis pretreatment prostate specific antigen, Gleason score, stage, neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy and high intensity focused ultrasound devices were significant predictors of biochemical disease-free survival. Urethral stricture, epididymitis, urinary incontinence and rectourethral fistula were observed in 19.7%, 6.2%, 2.3% and 0.1% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term followup of patients with high intensity focused ultrasound demonstrated improved clinical outcomes due to technical, imaging and technological advancements.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for definitive treatment of prostate cancer.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Novel therapeutic methods have emerged in recent years as 'focal' treatment alternatives in which cancer foci can be eradicated and greatly reducing the associated side-effects of radical treatment. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) seems to result in a well fitted technology, which has proven short- to medium-term cancer control, with a low rate of complications comparable with those of established therapies. This is an up-to-date review of the available literature on HIFU as a definitive treatment of prostate cancer. It describes the technique in a comprehensive approach in terms of technical features, procedure, indications, and gives an overview of its historical background; finally, we present the future applications of HIFU and its development trend. OBJECTIVES: • To provide an up-to-date review of the available literature on high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a definitive treatment of prostate cancer. • To present the technique in a comprehensive approach, comparing the available devices according to the existing evidence in terms of technical features, procedure, indications, and to give an overview of its historical background; and finally, to discuss future applications of HIFU and its development trend. MATERIALS AND METHODS: • A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE via Ovid databases (January 2000 to December 2011), to identify studies on HIFU for treatment of prostate cancer. • Only English-language and human-based full manuscripts that reported on case series studies with >50 participants, patient characteristics, efficacy and safety data were included. RESULTS: • No randomised controlled trials were identified by the literature search. We identified 31 uncontrolled studies that examined the efficacy of HIFU as primary treatment and two studies that examined the efficacy of HIFU as salvage treatment. • Most treated patients had localised prostate cancer (stage T1-T2); Gleason scores of 2-10 and mean prostate specific antigen (PSA) values of 4.6-12.7 ng/mL. The mean age range of the patients was 64.1-72 years. The mean follow-up ranged from 6.4 to 76.8 months. Negative biopsy rates ranged from 35 to 95%. PSA nadirs ranged from 0.04 to 1.8 ng/mL. The 5-year disease-free survival rates ranged from 61.2 to 95%; 7- and 8-year disease free survival rates ranged from 69 to 84%. • The most common complications associated with the HIFU procedure as the primary treatment included: urinary retention (<1-20%); urinary tract infections (1.8-47.9%); stress or urinary incontinence (<1-34.3%); and erectile dysfunction (20-81.6%). • Recto-urethral fistula was reported in <2% of patients. • Treatment-related morbidity appeared to be reduced by the combination of transurethral resection (TURP) of the prostate and HIFU. CONCLUSIONS: • Novel therapeutic methods have emerged in recent years as 'focal' treatment alternatives, in which cancer foci could be eradicated by greatly reducing the associated side-effects of radical treatment. • HIFU seems to result in short- to medium-term cancer control, with a low rate of complications comparable with those of established therapies. • However, longer-term follow-up studies are needed to evaluate cancer-specific and overall survival. If available promising results on HIFU for definitive treatment of prostate cancer are confirmed in future prospective trials, focal therapy could start to challenge the current standard of care.

A comparative study of the sonographic appearance and anatomy of the obturator internus in normal males.

The aim of this study was to compare the appearance of the normal male obturator internus on transrectal ultrasound with anatomical examination to advance the knowledge of the male pelvic muscles. This information may help to provide a new imaging method for observation of the normal male obturator internus and may facilitate the treatment of obturator internus abscesses and various other types of interventional therapies. Ten formalin-fixed male cadavers were dissected to examine the appearance and structure of the obturator internus and its relationship with the structures in close proximity. The obturator internus was also observed in five fresh male cadavers using transrectal ultrasound, after which the anatomy of the muscle was confirmed by dissection and its thickness measured. The visible fusiform was observed by sonography. The measurements of obturator internus thickness were 13.33 ± 0.32 mm on the right and 13.41 ± 0.26 mm on the left; in the formalin-fixed fresh cadaver, the measurements were 13.16 ± 0.21 mm on the right and 13.17 ± 0.22 mm on the left. Using transrectal ultrasound to recognize and observe the obturator internus is a new imaging method that will provide a foundation for the recognition of its abnormalities in the future.

[Salvage high energy focalized ultrasound (HIFU) in prostate cancer after radiotherapy]. / Ultrasonidos focalizados de alta energía (HIFU) de rescate en el cáncer de próstata después de radioterapia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as salvage treatment after radical radiotherapy in prostate cancer (PC). METHODS: We reviewed the literature through databases and published articles that refer to this treatment between 2000 and 2010. We evaluated oncological results and adverse effects, compared with those published in conjunction with other therapies. RESULTS: We evaluated the different series, which include the results of the two devices currently available, all with their initial results and those that are in the process of dose adjustment. Generally, it can be said that the biggest problem of all is that initial morbidity is reduced as the surgeon gains experience with the treatment. We must stress the importance of the short series that are evaluated, especially in follow-up time and number of patients. Also, except for a recently published systematic review, no prospective studies are published. The results from different series are compared with existing literature regarding to other PC treatments. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of published results, the treatment with HIFU for prostate cancer recurrence after radiotherapy is an option that should be considered. Especially considering that, it is important to delay the development of the disease in these patients, and there are no other alternatives that have proven to be effective. Further research is needed to explore the use of HIFU in the treatment of PC. Anyway, it is essential to publish comparative prospective series and series with more patients and longer follow-up to draw definitive conclusions.

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

INTRODUCTION: Curative treatments for localized prostate cancer, from least invasive to most invasive, include brachytherapy, cryosurgery, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, external beam radiation therapy, and radical prostatectomy. A patient with localized, low risk or intermediate risk prostate cancer who is diagnosed at an early age and receives one of these treatments has only an approximately 50% chance of maintaining an undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, good spontaneous erections, and total continence by 5 years after treatment. OBJECTIVE: This article discusses transrectal high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer using the Sonablate 500 (Focus Surgery, Indianapolis, IN, USA) device, which the author has adopted in favor of the Ablatherm (EDAP, TMS S. A., Lyons, France) device, the other HIFU device approved for use in Canada. METHOD: Characteristics of the ideal prostate cancer include stage T1-T2b, less than 40 cc in size, and with an anterior-posterior dimension of up to 35 mm high. The anterior zone of the prostate is treated before the posterior zone. The procedure involves 2 to 3 second bursts of ultrasound energy, followed by 3 second cooling cycles. In each treatment lesion, the physician achieves a temperature of 100 C at the focal point. The device allows for real-time visualization of tissue response following the delivery of ultrasound energy. CONCLUSION: HIFU is a minimally invasive, outpatient treatment for localized prostate cancer that provides similar short term and medium term cure rates and considerably less morbidity and side effects than other treatments. Although the effectiveness of HIFU has not yet been demonstrated in large, long term studies, this treatment option should be discussed with patients who have just been diagnosed with low risk or intermediate risk prostate cancer and desire aggressive, noninvasive, curative therapy, with potentially a lower incidence of side effects compared to conventional therapy.

Transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound for local treatment of prostate cancer: current role.

Attractivity of robotic high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is based largely on the non-invasive, extremely precise nature of this high-tech robotic therapy as well as its clean, radiation free, surgical, but nevertheless, bloodless character. Today, in urological oncology, HIFU is used clinically as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of prostate cancer. Experimentally it is investigated for therapeutic use in kidney and breast cancer. Transrectal treatment of localized prostate cancer with HIFU has been under investigation since the 1990s and it is meanwhile an actively used therapy for the disease in many urological departments worldwide. Since 2000 HIFU is mostly used in combination with transurethral resection of the prostate in order to reduce prostate gland size, to facilitate effective tissue destruction and to avoid side effects. Palliative and salvage indications as well as focal therapy of prostate cancer are under investigation to extend the spectrum of HIFU indications for non invasive prostate cancer therapy.

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for prostate cancer: current clinical status, outcomes and future perspectives.

Two devices are currently available for the treatment of prostate cancer with HIFU: Sonablate® and Ablatherm®. The outcomes achieved for primary-care patient are very promissing with mid- and long-term progression-free survival rates around 70%, negative postoperative prostate biopsies almost 85%, and an excellent morbidity profile. Moreover, HIFU has a considerable potential for local recurrence after radiation failure. Recently, some early experiences on focal therapy suggest that HIFU could be an excellent option for highly selected patient.

Utility of a 3-dimensional transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy system for prostate cancer detection.

The 3-D transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy system is a novel device that allows precise needle placement in a template fashion. We evaluate its utility for prostate cancer (PCa) detection. A retrospective analysis was performed evaluating 68 prospective patients at the Duke Prostate Center who underwent a prostate biopsy using a 3-D TRUS-guided system. After creation of a three-dimensional map of the prostate, a computer algorithm identified an ideal biopsy scheme based on the measured dimensions of the prostate. The system then used a fixed template that allowed prostate biopsy at specific locations with the ability to target the same region of the prostate in the future if needed. For all patients, a 12-core biopsy pattern was used to cover medial and lateral areas of the base, mid-gland, and apex. In total, 68 patients underwent 3-D TRUS-guided prostate biopsies between April 2006 and November 2007 for prostate cancer detection. The indication for prostate biopsy was PSA > or = 4.0 ng/ml in 47 (69%) patients, abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) in 17 (25%), and atypia on previous biopsy in 4 (6%) patients. Prostate cancer was detected in 18 patients (26.5%) and 7 (10.3%) had atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP). The highest frequency (55.5%) from all cases of cancer detected was identified when 3-D TRUS biopsy was used as the initial biopsy. This study demonstrates that a 3-D TRUS-guided biopsy system translates to a more frequent detection of prostate cancer among patients undergoing an initial prostate biopsy than a subsequent one. More comprehensive studies are warranted to corroborate and extend the results of this study.

Transrectal-HIFU as primary minimally-invasive option for localized prostate cancer. Is spinal anaesthesia cost-effective? A single centre experience in over 100 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The management of Prostate cancer (PC), since PSA testing has been introduced in the clinical practice, has been significantly spoiled by a "leading-time bias" effect. As a consequence, this has brought to a dramatic diagnosis anticipation at the 4th-5th decade of life in sexually active and otherwise asymptomatic men. Standard options as radical prostatectomy or EBRT are hampered by a significant negative impact on patient's QoL. More recently several alternative minimally-invasive ablative treatment modalities have been proposed with promising results. Among these, TR-HIFU (Trans-Rectal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is playing a growing role in the treatment of localized low-intermediate risk PC, although long-term oncologic outcome are still awaited. In order to achieve an optimal result, a specific TR-HIFU's requirement is given by an unchanging target throughout the whole procedure. Therefore, the ideal anaesthesia should be either minimally-invasive and allow to get a motionless target up to 3-4 hours. A retrospective evaluation of efficacy and safety of a spinal anaesthesia in this patient's setting was done. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 107 patients with localized prostate cancer treated in our institution from October 2004 to December 2007 with TR-HIFU procedure received a subarachnoidal anaesthesia with combined administration of 0.5% normobaric racemic bupivacaine (15 to 17.5 mg) and sufentanil 5 microg. RESULTS: This technique allowed covering the whole TR-HIFU procedure (analgesia and motor blockade up to 4-5 hours). It was well tolerated by patients who only rarely required additional sedative or analgesics. A low anaesthesia-related side effects rate, as arterial hypotension, nausea and vomiting, and no severe side effects of intrathecal opioids, as deep sedation, bradycardia, myosis, bradypnea and oxygen desaturation, occurred. Intraoperative employment of sedatives and postoperative need of analgesics was low. CONCLUSIONS: Using a low-dose intrathecal sufentanil an effective spinal block either on the sensitive and motor pathways was provided. Patients' tolerance to the procedure was good and the side-effect rate low. No adverse reactions to intrathecal sufentanil 5 microg were observed. In our experience TR-HIFU can be performed with neuraxial block in most of the cases and it's associated to a favorable cost-benefit rate.

Risk of infections associated with improperly reprocessed transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy equipment.

OBJECTIVE: A hospital discovered a lapse in the reprocessing procedures for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy equipment. An investigation was initiated to assess the risks of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and bacteria during prostate biopsies. METHODS: We offered testing for HBV, HCV, and HIV infection to patients who had undergone prostate biopsies from January 30, 2003, through January 27, 2006. We reviewed their medical records and obtained information on the reprocessing procedures that were in use at the time for the prostate biopsy equipment. SETTING: A healthcare facility in Maine. RESULTS: Of the 528 patients exposed to improperly reprocessed prostate biopsy equipment, none tested positive for HIV or HCV. Sixteen patients (3%) tested positive for past HBV infection but had no prebiopsy HBV serologic test results available (ie, transmission from improperly reprocessed biopsy equipment was possible), and 11 (2%) had evidence of postbiopsy bacterial infections. The number of cases of HBV and bacterial infections were within reported ranges for this population and were not clustered in time. Review of the reprocessing procedures in use at the time revealed that the manufacturer-recommended brushes for cleaning the reusable biopsy needle guide were never used. Brushes did not come with the equipment and had to be ordered separately. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of evidence of pathogen transmission in this investigation, it is critical to review the manufacturer's reprocessing recommendations and to establish appropriate procedures to avert potential pathogen transmission and subsequent patient concerns. This investigation provides a better understanding of the risks associated with improperly reprocessed transrectal ultrasound prostate biopsy equipment and serves as a methodologic tool for future investigations.

The feasibility and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound as salvage therapy for recurrent prostate cancer following external beam radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the use of minimally invasive high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a salvage therapy in men with localized prostate cancer recurrence following external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of 31 cases treated using the Sonablate 500 HIFU device, between 1 February 2005 and 15 May 2007, was carried out. All men had presumed organ-confined, histologically confirmed recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma following EBRT. RESULTS: The mean (range) age was 65 (57-80) years with a mean preoperative PSA level of 7.73 (0.20-20) ng/mL. The patients were followed for a mean (range) of 7.4 (3-24) months. Side-effects included stricture or intervention for necrotic tissue in 11 of the 31 patients (36%), urinary tract infection or dysuria syndrome in eight (26%), and urinary incontinence in two (7%). Recto-urethral fistula occurred in two men, although one was due to patient movement due to inadequate anaesthesia, so the 'true' rate is 3%. Half of the patients had PSA levels of <0.2 ng/mL at the last follow-up. Three patients had metastatic disease whilst another two had only local, histologically confirmed, failure. A further four patients had evidence of biochemical failure only. Overall, 71% had no evidence of disease following salvage HIFU. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage HIFU is a minimally invasive daycase procedure that can achieve low PSA nadirs and good cancer control in the short term, with comparable morbidity to other forms of salvage treatment. The issue of accurate staging at the time of recurrence is still problematic, as a proportion of these men will harbour microscopic metastases undetected by conventional staging investigations.

Emerging role of HIFU as a noninvasive ablative method to treat localized prostate cancer.

The use of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a method for ablation of a localized tumor growth is not new. Several attempts have been made to apply the principles of HIFU to the treatment of pelvic, brain, and gastrointestinal tumors. However, only in the past decade has our understanding of the basic principles of HIFU allowed us to further exploit its application as a radical and truly noninvasive, intent-to-treat, ablative method for treating organ-confined prostate cancer. Prostate cancer remains an elusive disease, with many questions surrounding its natural history and the selection of appropriate patients for treatment yet to be answered. HIFU may play a crucial role in our search for an efficacious and safe primary treatment for localized prostate cancer. Its noninvasive and unlimited repeatability potential is appealing and unique; however, long-term results from controlled studies are needed before we embrace this new technology. Furthermore, a better understanding of HIFU's clinical limitations is vital before this treatment modality can be recommended to patients who are not involved in well-designed clinical studies. This review summarizes current knowledge about the basic principles of HIFU and its reported efficacy and morbidity in clinical series published since 2000.

[HIFU in urological oncology]. / HIFU in der Uro-Onkologie.

The growing interest in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology is mainly due to its many potential applications as a new energy source and as noninvasive therapy. It has been introduced to urological oncology as a transrectal treatment for prostate cancer and as extracorporeal treatment for kidney cancer. Although its application in the kidney is still at the clinical feasibility phase, HIFU technology is currently being used in daily practice in Europe for the treatment of prostate cancer. Reports in the literature describing results of HIFU for prostate cancer are mainly based on monocentric, prospective clinical studies. The latest published results suggest that HIFU treatment is a valuable option for well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumors, as well as for local recurrence after external beam radiation. Two different devices for transrectal treatment of prostate cancer are available, which are essentially different in technology, application mode, published results, and side effects.HIFU in locally recurrent cancer after surgery, as well as adjuvant HIFU for local debulking in locally advanced or metastatic disease, shows promising first results for reducing local disease-induced morbidity and for delay of progression.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): a useful alternative choice in prostate cancer treatment. Preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) represents an alternative choice in mini-invasive treatment of prostate cancer. The technology of the device used to perform the treatment allows to exactly destroy a pre-selected area and to save all the tissues around it. We report our experience on the effectiveness and complications of this tecnique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2006 to April 2007, 25 patients with prostate cancer were treated through Ablatherm (EDAP France) in spinal anesthesia. In the first six patients HIFU and TUR-P (Trans-Urethral Resection of Prostate) were performed in the same session and a suprapubic catheter was placed. In the other 14 patients HIFU was afterwards performed. In these patients a trans-urethral catheter was placed. All patients were divided into three groups: low risk (17 patients), intermediate risk (6 patients) and high risk (2 patients). The follow-up consisted in PSA evaluation after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months and in transrectal biopsy after six months. Complications related to the treatment, and symptomatological and sexual life tests were evaluated before and after the treatment. RESULTS: HIFU overall success rate was 84% (biochemical relapses in only 4 patients out of 25). Success rate was represented as follows: 94.2% in the low risk group, 83.4% in the intermediate risk group and 0% in the high risk group. No complications occurred during the treatment nor in the immediately post-operative time. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that HIFU represents a useful alternative choice in mini-invasive therapy of prostate cancer. Particularly, results are remarkable in localized (low-intermediate risk) and low morbility prostate cancer. The role of this procedure in high risk patients needs to be further evaluated. Transrectal HIFU represents a mini-invasive therapeutic option that makes the treatment of prostate cancer possible in 84% of cases. Our results agree with the literature data and demonstrate that the success of the procedure depends on the correct indication of treatment and is strictly related to progression risk parameters.

[Locally recurrent prostatic adenocarcinoma after exclusive radiotherapy: results of high intensity focused ultrasound]. / Adénocarcinome prostatique en récidive locale après radiothérapie exclusive: résultats du traitement par ultrasons focalisés.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and adverse effects of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of local recurrence of prostate cancer after exclusive external beam radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients with histologically and biologically documented local recurrence after radiotherapy were treated by HIFU. The mean age was 68.27+/-5.93 years, and mean PSA was 6.64+/-7.26ng/ml. Thirty patients were treated according to standard parameters and 42 according to specific parameters. ASTRO 2005 criteria, specific for salvage therapy (Phoenix consensus), were used to define recurrence. Progression-free survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 39+/-28 months. The negative biopsy rate was 80% and the median nadir PSA was 0.10ng/ml. Specific survival was 94% at three years and 90% at five years, and progression-free survival was 50% at three years and 44% at five years. The urinary incontinence rate was 44% (grade 1 : 12%, grade 2/3 : 32%) and the urethral stricture or bladder neck stenosis rate was 30%. The use of specific parameters reduced the incidence of severe incontinence (19% versus 50, P=0.005) and stenosis (24% versus 40). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with HIFU achieved a five-year progression-free survival of 44%, but patients must be clearly informed about the high rate of adverse effects.

Disinfection of a probe used in ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies are among the most common outpatient diagnostic procedures in urology clinics and carry the risk of introducing pathogens that may lead to infection. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of procedures for disinfecting a probe used in ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. METHOD: The effectiveness of disinfection was determined by inoculating 10(7) colony forming units (cfu) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the following 3 sites on the probe: the interior lumen of the biopsy needle guide, the outside surface of the biopsy needle guide, and the interior lumen of the ultrasound probe where the needle guide passes through the transducer. Each site was investigated separately. After inoculation, the probe was immersed in 2% glutaraldehyde for 20 minutes and then assessed for the level of microbial contamination. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that disinfection (ie, a reduction in bacterial load of greater than 7 log(10) cfu) could be achieved if the needle guide was removed from the probe. However, if the needle guide was left in the probe channel during immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde, disinfection was not achieved (ie, the reduction was approximately 1 log(10) cfu). CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for probe disinfection are provided and include disassembling the device and immersing the probe and the needle guide separately in a high-level disinfectant.

Intensity modulated high-dose-rate brachytherapy boost complementary to external beam radiation for intermediate- and high-risk localized prostate cancer patients--how we do it in Lübeck/Germany.

The Kiel University technique of intensity modulated brachytherapy boost implantations complementary to external beam radiation used in the treatment of prostate cancer patients was improved by involving real-time three-dimensional transrectal ultrasound analysis of the prostate gland both before implantation and after the implantation but before capture of the transrectal ultrasound images for real-time dynamic treatment planning. Implantation technique, treatment planning procedure, and dose delivery are described as practiced at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Lübeck, Germany.

Experimental study on the effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) using Sonablate-500 in the ablation of canine prostate.

To investigate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the ablation of canine prostate, 20 dogs were divided randomly into 5 groups. Sixteen canine prostates were treated with the third-generation transrectal HIFU device (Sonablate-500). Transrectal ultrasound images of the prostate and prostatic urethra were observed preoperatively and postoperatively. Serial study was performed 30 min, 30 days, 60 days and 180 days after the therapy. The rectum, periprostatic tissues, and prostate were excised en bloc and the tissues were fixed for gross and histological analysis. Our results showed that the average maximal diameter of prostatic urethra was 0.59+/-0.11 cm before the operation and 2.57+/-0.98 cm 60 days after the operation. The volume of prostate was 6.5+/-3.12 cm(3) before the treatment while the volume was 4.13+/-0.23 cm(3) 60 days after the treatment and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Histologically, there was a clear demarcation between the necrotic area of the treated tissues and the unaffected surrounding tissues. All the necrotic tissues in the targeted zone broke off and the prostatic urethra became cavitary 60 days later. The more frequent complications were urinary retention and frequency and hematuria. No rectal injury occurred during the treatment. It is concluded that the third-generation transrectal HIFU is capable of destroying prostatic tissue, substantially increasing the width of the prostatic urethra without causing injury to the adjacent tissues. The risk of postoperative complications associated with HIFU was low. HIFU may become a safe, effective and minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of prostatic diseases.

Sonablate-500 transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for benign prostatic hyperplasia patients.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), serial studies were conducted in 150 BPH patients before and 30 min, 1, 2, 6 and 12 month(s) after Sonablate-500 HIFU treatment. A silicon-coated indwelling 16F latex catheter was placed during the determination of the therapy zone. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations were made by using the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), uroflowmetric findings and transrectal ultrasound, and incidence of complications. The cystourethrography was done in 23 patients within 1 year postoperatively. The results showed that after HIFU treatment, IPSS and QOL scores were significantly decreased at 1, 2, 6 and 12 month(s) (P<0.01). Maximum urine flow rate (6.0 to 17.2 mL/s, P<0.01), PVR (75.0 to 30.3, P<0.01) and prostatic volume (65.0 to 38.1 mL, P<0.05) were significantly improved 12 months after the operation. Recurrent urinary retention (n=2) and urethrorectal fistula (n=1) occurred at the 15(th) postoperative day. The duration of the HIFU prostate ablation was 25-90 min. The mean time for an indwelling catheter was 3-19 days. These data demonstrate that treatment of BPH with Sonablate-500 HIFU is safe and effective.