Current Urology Reports最新文献

Purpose of review: The management of noninfectious cystitis continues to evolve as new treatments continue to be developed and investigated. This review aims to synthesize the most recent data regarding management strategies for noninfectious cystitis focused on non-ulcerative, ulcerative, eosinophilic, and ketamine-induced cystitis.

Recent findings: Several novel treatments have shown promise as management options including combination antihistamine therapy, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, alpha lipoic acid supplements, and onabotulinumtoxin A. Recent studies have also found pentosan polysulfate sodium to have adverse ophthalmologic effects. For patients with ulcerative cystitis, recent research has shown that fulguration with or without triamcinolone injections should not be delayed. The treatment of noninfectious cystitis should be patient specific based on factors including etiology and symptom profile. Multimodal regimens are often the most effective. Treatment should be started with conservative options and escalated as necessary to oral treatments, intravesical options, or procedural management.

Purpose of review: This review aims to highlight background of contributing factors for suboptimal nutrition in individuals with spina bifida and introduce strategies for amelioration.

Recent findings: Recent studies demonstrate increased risk of metabolic syndrome by neurosegmental level, which is associated with truncal obesity and reduced mobility. From the neonatal intensive care stay, which may disrupt breast feeding and the developing microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract, to early childhood various insults may lead to suboptimal feeding practices, preferences and dietary intake. Family coping skills, financial stressors may lead to food insecurity and/or residence in an area with limited availability of fresh food. As children grow, weakness and challenging transfers may lead to more sedentary lifestyle and weight gain despite limited linear growth. Body habitus changes including atrophy of the lower extremities may lead to decreased muscle mass and reduced energy expenditure, with predisposition to truncal obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Purpose of review: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prevalent in nearly 70% of men over the age of 60, leading to significant clinical challenges due to varying symptom presentations and treatment responses. The decision to undergo surgical intervention is not straightforward; the American Urological Association recommends consideration of surgical treatment after inadequate or failed response to medical therapy. This review explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning and deep learning models, in enhancing the decision-making processes for BPH management.

Recent findings: AI applications in this space include analysis of non-invasive imaging modalities, such as multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound, which enhance diagnostic precision. AI models also concatenate serum biomarkers and histopathological analysis to distinguish BPH from prostate cancer (PC), offering high accuracy rates. Furthermore, AI aids in predicting patient outcomes post-treatment, supporting personalized medicine, and optimizing therapeutic strategies. AI has demonstrated potential in differentiating BPH from PC through advanced imaging and predictive models, improving diagnostic accuracy, and reducing the need for invasive procedures. Despite promising advancements, challenges remain in integrating AI into clinical workflows, establishing standard evaluation metrics, and achieving cost-effectiveness. Here, we underscore the potential of AI to improve patient outcomes, streamline BPH management, and reduce healthcare costs, especially with continued research and development in this transformative field.

Purpose of review: The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance clinical decision-making in Peyronie's disease (PD) has generated significant interest. This review explores the current landscape of AI in PD evaluation.

Recent findings: Recent advances in 3D modeling offer a more sophisticated approach to assessing PD deformities; however, the implementation of 3D modeling in clinical practice faces challenges, including the need for specialized equipment and time-consuming data processing, sometimes taking several hours of labor. AI holds promise for overcoming these hurdles through its ability to efficiently process large volumes of data and to perform accurate predictions based on such data. Future integration of AI with 3D modeling techniques could revolutionize PD evaluation by improving patient counseling, surgical planning, and clinical decision-making. Significant gaps in the literature have yet to be addressed, including the absence of robust evidence that incorporating such technology is superior to standard diagnostics.

Purpose of the review: The estimation of penile curvature is an essential component in the assessment of both Peyronie's disease and hypospadias-associated congenital penile curvature, as the degree of curvature can significantly impact treatment decision-making. However, there is a lack of standardization in curvature assessment and current methodologies are prone to inaccuracies. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in urology, new research has explored its applications in penile curvature assessment. This review aims to evaluate the current uses of AI and other automated platforms for assessing penile curvature.

Recent findings: Several novel and promising tools have been developed to estimate penile curvature, some utilizing AI-driven models and others employing automated computational models. These platforms aim to improve curvature assessment in various settings, including at-home evaluation of Peyronie's disease, in-office assessments using three-dimensional (3D) methodologies, and preoperative evaluations for hypospadias repair. In general, these new platforms produce highly accurate and reproducible angle estimates in non-clinical studies, however their effectiveness and relation to patient outcomes has had limited evaluation in clinical settings. Significant advancements have been made in the assessment and estimation of penile curvature in both Peyronie's and pediatric patients, largely driven by AI and other automated platforms. Continued research is needed to validate these findings in clinical studies, confirm their efficacy, and assess their feasibility for real-world applications.

Purpose of Review

This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention strategies, and management options for radiation cystitis.

Recent Findings

Recent studies have shed light on the pathophysiology of radiation cystitis, highlighting the role of inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular damage. Emerging preventive measures like stem cell therapy offer promise, alongside novel treatments such as amniotic bladder therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Summary

This review outlines the latest research on radiation cystitis, covering its pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, and management. Major findings include insights into the mechanisms of RC development, promising preventive and therapeutic approaches, and the importance of standardized treatment pathways. Future research should focus on identifying genetic risk factors, improving treatment efficacy, and enhancing patient outcomes. This review offers valuable insights for clinicians and researchers, guiding future investigations into radiation cystitis management.

Purpose of review: Traditional surgical management for urinary incontinence and vesicoureteral reflux often requires complex reconstructive surgery and extended hospitalizations. Since the introduction of endoscopic bulking agents in 1973, there has been increasing interest in the use of endoscopic injection (EI) and bulking for the treatment of a variety of pediatric urologic disorders. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent literature addressing the use of bulking agents in pediatric urology.

Recent findings: The most recent literature has focused primarily on the use of EI of bulking agents at the bladder neck for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Other uses of EI of bulking agents has focused on the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in patients with anatomic abnormalities or treatment of incontinence catheterizable channels. The development of advanced techniques for endoscopic injection along with safe, stable bulking agents has allowed for the treatment of a variety of urologic conditions. This minimally invasive procedure offers an additional tool for the pediatric urologist's armamentarium in the treatment of urinary incontinence and VUR.

Purpose of review: Urology programs are considering maintaining the virtual format for residency interviews after COVID-19. This article explores the benefits and possible risks of this decision, as well as ways the application process can be improved.

Recent findings: Virtual interviews save students and programs time and money, attracting a more diverse pool of applicants. Most applicants believe that faculty interviews are well replicated virtually; however, it is difficult to represent the culture of the program and city. Program directors are concerned about adequate evaluation of applicants virtually. There is also concern of over-application by candidates and inequities surrounding away rotations. Virtual interviews have become mandated in Urology over the last several years, with some notable benefits. Ongoing analysis of the advantages, and potential threats, of this policy is essential to developing an equitable and functional interview process for students and programs alike, in the post-pandemic era.

Purpose of review: The goal of this paper is to provide a summary of the recent research, evaluation, work-up, and treatment recommendations regarding erectile dysfunction in adolescents and young adults to better equip pediatric urologists to manage patients with this condition.

Recent findings: The latest research regarding erectile dysfunction in this population includes organic and psychogenic etiologies, correlations between the COVID-19 pandemic, and online pornography consumption. In our large pediatric urology practice, we found an 31x increase of adolescent males presenting with erectile dysfunction since 2014. The majority of cases are attributed to a psychogenic etiology such as anxiety or depression. It is likely that with stress from anxiety and depression, cortisol levels rise, increasing vascular resistance and leading erectile dysfunction in this population. Most patients want to be reassured of normal testosterone levels, offered cognitive behavioral therapy, and be rehabilitated with tadalafil starting at 5 mg p.o. daily until tapered.

Purpose of review: Although financial wellness is a predictor of physician burnout, we are yet to optimize financial education or wellness of Urology trainees. We assessed existing studies, compared them to those of other specialties, and discussed resources and methods to address this deficiency.

Recent findings: Urology residents tend to be less fiscally savvy (carry significant debt, and lack retirement savings or disability insurance), and 90% of trainees and young Urologists do not feel comfortable with the business of practice, including skills like coding and billing, contract negotiation, and self-value assessment. Financial and business literacy are deficiencies of Urology training, as in other specialties. Eventually, the goal should be universal adoption of a formal curriculum that is graded in nature. In the interim, we need to propose and endorse adoption of a formal curriculum, and we should support trainees by promoting a space for easily accessible and transparent information regarding best practices in personal finance and the business of healthcare.