Current Urology Reports最新文献

Purpose of review: Miniaturized PCNL (mi-PCNL) for stone disease is performed under a general anesthesia. However, the role of loco-regional anesthesia in mi-PCNL and its outcomes are not well defined yet. Here, we review the outcomes and complications of loco-regional anesthesia for mi-PCNL. A Cochrane-style review was performed in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews to evaluate the outcomes of loco-reginal anesthesia for URS in stone disease, including all English language articles from January 1980 and October 2021.

Recent findings: Ten studies with a total of 1663 patients underwent mi-PCNL under loco-regional anesthesia. The stone-free rate (SFR) for mi-PCNL under neuro-axial anesthesia ranged between 88.3 and 93.6%, while it ranged between 85.7 and 93.3% for mi-PCNL under local anesthesia (LA). The conversion rate to another anesthesia modality was 0.5%. The complications ranged widely between 3.3 and 85.7%. The majority were Grade I-II complications and none of the patients had grade V complications. Our review shows that mi-PCNL under loco-regional anesthesia is feasible with good SFR and a low risk of major complications. The conversion to general anesthesia is needed in a small minority, with the procedure itself being well tolerated and a big step towards establishing an ambulatory pathway for these patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarise the literature on laser safety during endourological practice. RECENT FINDINGS: Holmium and Thulium Fiber laser are the two main energy sources in the current clinical practice. The latter may have superior properties, but more clinical studies are needed to formally establish this. Laser injury to urothelium is more dependent on user experience rather than laser type. Smaller laser fibres allow for lower intra-renal temperature profiles. Operators should pay close attention to laser technique including maintaining the safety distance concept and only firing the laser when tip is clearly in view. When adjusting laser settings, pay close attention to resultant power given the associated heat changes. Prolonged periods of laser activation are to be avoided for the same reason. Outflow can be manipulated such as with access sheath to mitigate temperature and pressure changes. There is still limited evidence to support the mandate for compulsory use of eye protection wear during laser lithotripsy. Lasers are the gold standard energy source for stone lithotripsy. However, the safe clinical application of this technology requires an understanding of core principles as well as awareness of the safety and technical aspects that can help in protecting patient, surgeon and operating staff.

Purpose of review: To discuss role of different diagnostic imaging modalities in differentiation of benign testicular masses from seminomatous germ cell tumors (SGCTs) and non-seminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs).

Recent findings: New modalities of ultrasonography, including contrast enhancement and shear wave elastography, may help differentiate between benign and malignant intratesticular lesions. Ultrasonography remains the recommended imaging modality for initial evaluation of testicular masses. However, MRI can be used to better define equivocal testicular lesions on US.

Purpose of review: We aimed to examine the role of low-dose CT (LDCT) in the diagnostic work-up for suspected urolithiasis in pregnancy. We reviewed contemporary urologic recommendations for CT in pregnancy, its utilization for suspected urolithiasis, and explored barriers to its use.

Recent findings: National urologic guidelines and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend the judicious use of LDCT imaging in pregnancy when necessary. We noted inconsistencies in review article management pathways and recommendations for CT imaging for suspected urolithiasis in pregnancy. Overall CT utilization in pregnancy for suspected urolithiasis is low. Proposed barriers to LDCT use in pregnancy include fears of litigation and misperceptions of the harm of diagnostic radiation. Recent advancements in imaging technologies for urolithiasis in pregnancy are limited. More specific diagnostic pathway recommendations from national urologic guideline bodies for when to use LDCT to investigate renal colic in pregnancy may reduce diagnostic and intervention delays.

Purpose of review: Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is an emerging minimally invasive technique for lower urinary tract symptom reduction from benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). While the technique is becoming increasingly popular with patients and interventional radiologists, most urologists remain skeptical of the PAE's long-term efficacy and comparative success to the gold standard transurethral resection of the prostate.

Recent findings: PAE has been found in multiple meta-analyses to perform similarly to the gold standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with regard to patient-driven measures like IPSS and IPSS-QoL, while also performing favorably in objective measurements including Qmax and PVR out to at least 12 months post intervention. Furthermore, PAE has a demonstrated shorter hospital length of stay and fewer adverse events when compared to TURP. PAE provides patients with an alternative to transurethral options for the management of LUTS in the setting of bladder outlet obstruction. While long-term evidence demonstrating the durability of PAE is still forthcoming, the procedure has been demonstrated to be safe according to multiple meta-analyses. Patients deserve to be counseled on PAE as an alternative to surgery and made aware that while the overall treatment effect may not be as robust or durable, the procedure carries a favorable adverse event profile that is attractive to patients wishing to avoid a trans-urethral approach.

Purpose of review: We wanted to analyse the outcomes of surgical (SWL, URS, PCNL) and medical management of cystine stones in the paediatric population in terms of stone-free status and complication rates, based on all the available literature evidence.

Recent findings: A systematic review of literature was performed for all studies with paediatric cystine stone management. Twelve studies met the eligibility criteria, of which 4 analysed outcomes of SWL, 2 of URS and 3 of PCNL and 3 focused on the effect of either alkalising agents (potassium citrate, citric acid) or cysteine-binding thiol (CBT) agents (tiopronin, penicillamine). The reported SFR in studies ranged from 50 to 83%, 59 to 100% and 63 to 80.6%, with a complication rate of 2.8-51%, 14-27% and 12.9-15.4% with SWL, URS and PCNL, respectively. Paediatric cystine stones treatment should aim at complete stone clearance, preservation of renal function and prevention of further recurrences. SWL achieves inferior results in case of cystine stones. URS and PCNL are safe and effective procedures in the paediatric population, with a low rate of major complications. Adherence to medical prevention therapies may prolong recurrence-free periods.

Purpose of review: The prevalence of uric acid (UA) urolithiasis contributes significantly to global disease burden, due to high rates of recurrence and diagnostic challenges. Dissolution therapy plays a valuable role in the conservative management of UA calculi, reducing the requirement for surgical intervention. This review summarises the existing evidence for the efficacy of medical dissolution of uric acid urolithiasis.

Recent findings: A systematic search was conducted of worldwide literature according to PRISMA methodology and Cochrane standards for systematic review. Studies were included if they reported outcome data for the administration of medical therapy for the dissolution of UA calculi. A total of 1075 patients were included in the systematic review. Complete or partial dissolution of UA calculi was observed in 80.5% of patients (865/1075 patients), with 61.7% (647/1048 patients) achieving complete dissolution and 19.8% (207/1048 patients) achieving partial dissolution. A discontinuation rate of 10.2% (110/1075 patients) was noted, and 15.7% (169/1075 patients) required surgical intervention. Dissolution therapy is a safe and effective method of conservatively managing uric acid stones in the short term. Despite the significant disease burden of UA calculi, current guidelines are limited by deficiencies in the existing body of research. Further research should be undertaken to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of UA urolithiasis.

Purpose of review: Small renal stones in the lower pole are often difficult to treat. The angle of the lower pole to the renal pelvis (lower pole angle) is a limiting factor to rendering the patient stone free. This review explores the definitions of the lower pole angle, the various treatment options available, and how outcomes are influenced by the angle.

Recent findings: It is clear the lower pole angle definition varies widely depending on described technique and imaging modality. However, it is clear that outcomes are worse with a steeper angle, especially for shock wave lithotripsy and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has similar reported outcomes to RIRS, and there is limited evidence it may be superior for steeper angles over RIRS. Lower pole stones can be technically challenging and adequate assessment prior to choosing operative approach is key.

Purpose of review: There is no consensus on preoperative functional testing prior to surgeries for benign prostatic obstruction causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Recent findings: Surgical management offers definite benefits, but the results are not always satisfactory. The urodynamic study (UDS) is the gold standard for assessing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) which is the best predictor of surgical success. Yet, it is not recommended by our urologic societies as standard testing prior to surgery. In this narrative review of the literature, we report recent findings and controversies regarding the benefits and downside of UDS, and the use of other less-invasive approaches to achieve this goal. The lack of strong evidence for or against performing UDS was surprising. Prospective UDS data may not predict surgical outcomes if there is no consensus on criteria that directs surgical intervention. However, confirming the presence of BOO and characterizing the bladder function to identify detrusor over- and underactivity may help counselling and setting patient's post-operative expectations. Urocuff, a non-invasive testing offers promising results to address this problem with a less-invasive assessment of BOO. We emphasize better pre-operative characterization of patients to confirm BOO and better define subgroups to improve surgical decision-making.