Optimizing Upper-Tract Imaging for Non-Visible Haematuria.

INTRODUCTION: Non-visible haematuria (NVH) is associated with a small risk of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), though there is little consensus on its investigation, particularly with regard to upper-tract imaging. This study aimed to determine whether the presentation of UTUC can guide investigation of NVH in patients under 60 years old. METHODS: All patients investigated at our one-stop haematuria clinics under a cancer pathway were reviewed during a 5-year period, with all patients undergoing cystoscopy and upper-tract imaging. Retrospective analysis of all UTUC cases from our urological cancer multidisciplinary team meeting database over a 10-year period was also undertaken. RESULTS: 2,129 patients with a median age of 67 years underwent urgent investigation for haematuria between March 2015 and February 2020. 449 cases presented with NVH, of whom 124 (27.6%) were under 60. Out of 21 cases of UTUC, only 2 presented with NVH; both were over the age of 60 years. Factors that independently predicted diagnosis with urinary-tract malignancy were age ≥60 (OR 3.70, p < 0.001), visible haematuria (OR 2.50, p = 0.006), and suspicious cystoscopic findings (OR 58.06, p < 0.001). Review of all 119 UTUC cases over 10 years found 6 cases (5.0%) presenting with NVH, with one (0.8%) also presenting under 60 years. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis with UTUC is rare in patients presenting with NVH under the age of 60 years. Routine use of CTU in this low-risk group is best avoided, with ultrasonography constituting a safer first-line upper-tract imaging modality. Guidelines that risk-stratify NVH patients may be effective in reducing unnecessary investigations.

The use of internal stents in chronic ureteral obstruction.

PURPOSE: Despite the lack of a well delineated definition, chronic ureteral obstruction imposes significant quality of life loss, increased pathological morbidity and risk of mortality as well as substantial economic burden. Ureteral stenting serves as an important therapeutic option to alleviate obstruction. Thus, we assessed the recently published literature on chronic ureteral obstruction; treatment options; types, benefits and shortcomings of current ureteral stents; as well as outcomes and complications of chronic ureteral stenting, with the goal of providing concise management guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systemic literature review was performed on Embase™, PubMed®, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and Google Scholar™ on ureteral obstruction and internal ureteral stents. Relevant reviews, original research articles and their cited references were examined, and a synopsis of original data was generated on a clinically oriented basis. RESULTS: Chronic ureteral obstruction can be classified into compression that is either intrinsic or extrinsic to the ureteral wall, or obstruction that is of a benign or malignant origin. Patients with malignant ureteral obstruction generally have a poor prognosis and are often difficult to treat. The aim of stenting is to adequately drain the upper urinary tracts while minimizing hospitalization and the negative impact on quality of life. Facing the challenge of chronic ureteral obstruction, novel stents with new compositions, materials, coatings and designs have been developed. Metallic stents are emerging as efficacious and financially viable alternatives. Early stent related complications include iatrogenic injury, stent migration or patient discomfort, while late complications include infection, difficulties with stent exchange, hardware malfunction, infection and stent encrustation. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting in chronic ureteral obstruction is a complex and challenging problem. Much work is being done in this area and many options are being explored.

Very low risk T1a renal cell carcinoma presenting with pathological fracture caused by a solitary metastases to the contralateral arm.

BACKGROUND: Renal Cell Carcinomas are notorious for asynchronous metastases, atypical metastatic sites and late relapses even decades after nephrectomy. It is quite rare though for RCCs to present as metastatic, solitary and symptomatic bone lesions. Even more uncommon is a solitary bone metastasis much larger that the primary tumour caused by a low risk primary T1a RCC which would have otherwise been eligible for active surveillance. CASE PRESENTATION: An otherwise healthy 68-year-old female was seen by the orthopaedics for right shoulder and upper arm worsening pain. Imaging showed a pathological fracture caused by a 5.5 cm lytic lesion involving the coracoid process and proximal humerus. She underwent proximal humeral replacement and histology of the lesion showed metastatic RCC. Whole body CT scan revealed a primary tumour of the left kidney less than 4cm in diameter. The patient underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and diagnosis of a T1a, clear cell RCC without adverse pathological features was confirmed. She has been on systematic therapy with oral TKIs since and is free from recurrence at 12-months follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Even T1a RCCs without adverse pathological features can give rise to distant metastases following unpredictable patterns of spread thereby questioning the safety of active surveillance in healthy and fit patients.

Mixed histology bladder cancer as a complication of clam ileocystoplasty.

A 58-year-old woman with a previous clam ileocystoplasty was referred to the urology department for the investigation of haematuria. CT urogram showed a large left-sided soft tissue mass arising from the bladder. Histological analysis of the shavings from transurethral resection revealed a G3pT2 transitional cell carcinoma and T4N1Mx adenocarcinoma. The patient was referred to oncology for the discussion of palliative chemotherapy; however, in the interim she deteriorated and was admitted to hospital with a post-renal acute kidney injury. A right-sided nephrostomy was inserted relieving her obstruction and she subsequently made a good recovery. This case report illustrates the difficulties in the long-term follow-up of patients having undergone what is now a rarely performed procedure. In the absence of regular cystoscopic follow-up post ileocystoplasty, malignancy may present late and with complications from advanced disease.

Cystitis Cystica as a Large Solitary Bladder Cyst.

Background: In this case we describe the rare and not previously documented presentation of cystitis cystica as a large solitary cystic lesion within the bladder wall. Case Presentation: We present a case of a 46-year-old Russian male with a history of lower urinary tract symptoms and suprapubic pain. CT urogram showed a 5.8 cm filling defect/cystic mass related to the base of the bladder and prostate with 8 mm thick wall. The patient underwent cystoscopy and contrast study of bladder lesion with urethral dilatation and transurethral deroofing of bladder wall cyst under general anesthesia. A histologic diagnosis of cystitis cystica was made. Conclusion: This case described the rare presentation of a large solitary bladder cyst arising from the anterior bladder wall, identified histologically as cystitis cystica. Cystitis cystica presenting as a large cystic lesion of the bladder wall is rare; however, a diagnosis of cystitis cystica should be considered in unexplained cystic defects of the bladder wall.

The evolution of urolithiasis assessment and management in the new millennium.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this review was to identify trends and developments in basic research, epidemiology, diagnosis, conservative and surgical management of urinary stone disease, and to demonstrate the evolution of urolithiasis management in the new millennium. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a literature search on Medline according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement up to December 2015 using the following key words: urolithiasis prevalence, recurrent urinary stone, metabolic syndrome and urolithiasis, urinary stone/urolithiasis metabolic evaluation, shockwave lithotripsy, ureterorenoscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy/nephrolitholapaxy. The key words were chosen following consensus as the single most appropriate and descriptive terms that would yield maximal relevant results in a single search for each section. We then segregated only relevant articles in the English language of the highest quality evidence (systematic review/meta-analysis, prospective cohorts and prospective randomized trials, levels of evidence: 1A and 1B, respectively) as well as experimental research. The initial relevance screening was based on title and abstract, whereas further filtering included full text screening. The evidence is subsequently presented and discussed on each relevant section, preceded by seminal references that are used as a basis for comparison to formulate our conclusions. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: By using the key word "urolithiasis prevalence" we identified initially 1581 relevant articles. Following exclusion of duplicates and relevance screening, 154 articles were included for data extraction (9.77%). Of note, 31 articles focused on the pediatric population. By using the key words "metabolic syndrome and urolithiasis" we identified initially 127 relevant articles. Following exclusion of duplicates and relevance screening, 23 articles were included for data extraction (18.11%). It must be noted that the majority of studies are reviews, experimental models and prospective cohorts. By using the key words "urolithiasis metabolic evaluation" we identified initially 262 relevant articles. Following exclusion of duplicates and relevance screening, 179 articles were included for data extraction (68.32%). It must be noted that the majority of studies are reviews, experimental models and prospective cohorts. By using the key word "shockwave lithotripsy" we identified initially 695 relevant articles. Following exclusion of duplicates and relevance screening, 90 articles were included for data extraction (12.94%). By using the key word "ureterorenoscopy" we identified initially 2609 relevant articles. Following exclusion of duplicates and relevance screening, 186 articles were included for data extraction (7.12%). By using the key word "percutaneous nephrolithotomy" we identified initially 695 relevant articles. Following exclusion of duplicates and relevance screening, 381 articles were included for data extraction (10.42%). CONCLUSIONS: The management of urolithiasis has evolved greatly and in multiple directions in the past fifteen years. There is a definite compartmentalization of basic research, innovation and development focusing on distinct stages of the disease, from epidemiologic features to pathophysiology, medical and surgical aspects. Patients enjoy better delivery of care, having ever more effective options to deal with their condition. The multidisciplinary approach provides more reliable solutions and will continue to drive the development of better preventative and treatment strategies in the future.

Definitive identification of a patent processus vaginalis by intraoperative injection of methylene blue into the hydrocoele sac.

OBJECTIVE: Seven percent of patent processus vaginalis (PPVs) are obliterated at exploration. This potentially increases the risk of cord injury with a subsequent increased risk of testicular atrophy or reduced fertility. We report a modification of a technique to improve identification of the PPV and thus potentially minimise the risk to the cord. METHODS: Fifteen consecutive boys were operated on via a standard inguinal approach. The testicle was delivered and 0.2-0.5 ml of a 50% methylene blue/normal saline solution was injected into the hydrocoele sac. A PPV is identified as a blue line. RESULTS: Methylene blue injection identified all PPV. In a case with an encrusted hydrocoele of the cord and a hydrocoele this anatomy was clearly delineated. Dissection in a recurrent case was better facilitated. No testicular atrophy was recorded and there were no significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative injection of a methylene blue solution into a hydrocoele sac will aid identification of a difficult PPV, thus minimising the risk of cord damage. This is especially helpful in cases of recurrent hydrocoele.

Visually directed high-intensity focused ultrasound for organ-confined prostate cancer: A proposed standard for the conduct of therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a standard for the conduct of visually directed transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and to offer a formal description of the changes observed on B-mode ultrasonography (US) during this procedure. We describe our early experience of using two different treatment methods; algorithm-based HIFU and visually directed HIFU for the treatment of organ-confined prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 2004 and October 2005, 34 men were treated using the Sonablate-500 (Focus Surgery, Indianapolis, IN, USA) as primary therapy for T1 or T2 prostate cancer. None had had previous hormone therapy and all had > or = 3-month PSA nadirs recorded at the follow-up. Nine men were treated using an algorithm-based protocol (group 1) and 25 using visually directed therapy (group 2). The conduct of visually directed treatment was described and changes seen using B-mode US were categorized using three 'Uchida' grades. RESULTS The mean PSA nadir achieved in group 2 was 0.15 ng/mL, vs 1.51 ng/mL in group 1 (P < 0.005). In group 2, 21 of 25 men achieved PSA nadirs of < or = 0.2 ng/mL 3 months after treatment. Seven men achieved undetectable PSA values. The occurrence rate of treatment-related toxicity was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Visually directed, transrectal HIFU enables clinically important and statistically significantly lower PSA nadirs to be achieved than algorithm-based HIFU. This is the first reported experience of visually directed HIFU for the treatment of organ-confined prostate cancer. We think that this is the first attempt to standardize the conduct of therapy; such standardization facilitates teaching it, and makes it possible to derive quality standards. The standardization of the conduct of therapy is a key step in the process of health technology assessment.