Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on timing and outcomes of treatment for acute testicular torsion in adults: a single institution experience.

INTRODUCTION: The worldwide spread of SARS-COV2 had led to a delay in treatment of numerous urological pathologies, even in emergency conditions. We therefore sought to determine whether the timing of diagnosis and treatment and the postoperative outcome of patients with testicular torsion had been changed during the COVID pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We considered all patients evaluated in the emergency department (ED) for testicular torsion from February 2018 to August 2019 (pre-COVID period) and from February 2020 to August 2021 (during COVID pandemic). All patients underwent clinical and ultrasound evaluation and subsequently scrotal exploration. Primary outcomes were the time differences from pain onset to ED presentation and from ED presentation to surgical treatment. We also investigated whether the number or orchiectomies required changed during the pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients were divided in two groups: 40 patients in pre-COVID-19 group and 14 in the COVID-19 cohort. Mean time from symptoms onset to ED access was longer during the pandemic (4.2 ± 5.7 versus 39.6 ± 37.3 hours, p = 0.009). Mean time from ED access to surgery was similar (2.9 ± 1.1 versus 4.2 ± 2.3, p = 0.355). In addition, the number of orchiectomies was higher in COVID-19 group (2.5% versus 28.6%, p < 0.01), compared to a lower number of detorsions (97.5% versus 71.4%, p < 0.01). Elapsed time from pain onset to surgery was directly correlated with the increased white blood cell (WBC) count after surgery (r = 0.399, p = 0.002). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The current study identifies a significant delay in presentation of testicular torsion which resulted in a significant increase in orchiectomies with the expected decreased in detorsion/orchiopexy. In addition, there was an increase in the WBC at presentation associated with delayed presentation.

[Contraindications to vaccinations: no news is good news]. / Controindicazioni alle vaccinazioni: nessuna nuova, buona nuova.

Contraindications to vaccinations represent an extremely debated topic. In this paper the literature revision is presented, taking into account different vaccines and aspects related to allergies. There were no significant differences compared to the Guide to contraindications to vaccinations, edited in 2009. Therefore, only a revision including new available vaccines and an updating of the citations would be necessary. This revision should be intended as an opportunity to renovate the Guide, transferring it on an informatics platform. This should enhance the usability and facilitate a constant update of the Guide.

[Acute Kidney Injury, Type - 3 cardiorenal syndrome, Biomarkers, Renal Replacement Therapy]. / Aki (Acute Kidney Injury) e patologia cardiovascolare: dai dati epidemiologici alle strategie terapeutiche.

Cardiovascular disease and major cardiovascular events represent main cause of death in both acute and chronic kidney disease patients. Kidney and heart failure are common and frequently co-exist This organ-organ interaction, also called organ cross-talk, leads to well-known definition of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Here we will describe cardiovascular involvement in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Also known as Type-3 CRS or acute reno-cardiac CRS, it occurs when AKI contributes and/or precipitates development of acute cardiac injury. AKI may directly or indirectly produces an acute cardiac event and it can be associated with volume overload, metabolic acidosis and electrolytes disorders such as hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia, coronary artery disease, left ventricular dysfunction and fibrosis which has been also described in patients with AKI with the consequence of direct negative effects on cardiac performance.