Is neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio a predictive factor for recurrence of urethral stricture?

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Due to spongiofibrosis and inflammatory processes underlying the pathogenesis of urethral stricture, it is possible that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may give essential information about the course of the disease and recurrence possibilities. Our study aims to evaluate the correlation between NLR and recurrence rates. METHODS A total of 512 patients who underwent direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) due to urethral stricture in our clinic between February 2010 and January 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS The median follow up for non-recurrent and recurrent groups after DVIU was 30 and 36 months, respectively. During the follow-up, 280 (54.7%) of the patients had recurrences, and 232 (45,3%) had no recurrences. The mean time for recurrence after DVIU was 6,5±1,4 months, with a range of 1-36 months. The mean NLR in the non-recurrence group was 2,02±0,87, with a median of 1.9, and 3,66±2,30, with a median of 3 in the recurrence group. A highly significant statistical difference was observed between two groups in terms of neutrophil count and NLR (p: 0.000 - both). The area under curve value for NLR was 0.767, with a standard error of 0.021 (95% CI 0.727-0.808). The cut-off value of NLR was determined as 2.25, with a 70% sensitivity and 67,7% specificity. CONCLUSION By using NLR, the inflammatory features of the urethral tissue can be predicted, and possible recurrences after surgery can be estimated. Consequently, open urethroplasty techniques can be used in cases with a significant NLR value instead of the recurrent endoscopic procedure.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO Devido à espongiofibrose e processos inflamatórios subjacentes à patogênese da estenose uretral, pode-se pensar que a relação de linfócitos neutrofílicos (NLR) pode fornecer informações essenciais sobre o curso da doença e as possibilidades de recorrência. O objetivo do nosso estudo é avaliar a correlação entre NLR e taxas de recorrência. MÉTODOS Quinhentos e doze pacientes submetidos à uretrotomia interna visual direta (DVIU) devido à estenose uretral em nossa clínica entre as datas de fevereiro de 2010 e janeiro de 2018 foram avaliados retrospectivamente. RESULTADOS A mediana de acompanhamento para os grupos não recorrentes e recorrentes após a DVIU foi de 30 e 36 meses, respectivamente. Durante o seguimento, 280 (54,7%) dos pacientes tiveram recidivas e 232 (45,3%) não tiveram recidivas. O tempo médio de recorrência após a DVIU foi de 6,5±1,4 mês, com variação de 1-36 meses. A média da RNL no grupo sem recorrência foi de 2,02±0,87 com mediana de 1,9 e 3,66±2,30 com mediana de 3 no grupo com recidiva. Uma diferença estatística altamente significativa foi observada entre dois grupos em termos de contagem de neutrófilos e NLR (p: 0,000 - ambos). A área sob o valor da curva para NLR foi de 0,767 com um erro padrão de 0,021 (IC 95% 0,727-0,808). Valor de corte de NLR determinado como 2,25 com uma sensibilidade de 70%, especificidade de 67,7%. CONCLUSÃO Ao utilizar a RNL, as características inflamatórias do tecido uretral podem ser previstas e possíveis recidivas após a cirurgia podem ser estimadas. Dessa forma, técnicas de uretroplastia aberta podem ser usadas em casos com valor significativo de NLR em vez de procedimento endoscópico recorrente.

Renal angiomyolipoma

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Angiomyolipoma is one of the most common benign solid renal tumors. We investigated the characteristics of renal angiomyolipomas and the clinical outcomes of patients in the last thirteen years. METHODS The medical records of the patients who underwent nephrectomy were reviewed retrospectively from July 2005 to May 2018. The laboratory data, radiology, and pathology reports were recorded. Patients diagnosed with angiomyolipoma were included in the study. RESULTS A total of 28 patients were included in the study, eight of them male. The mean age of the patients was 55.89+14.49 years. The patients were treated with open and laparoscopic techniques. Partial nephrectomy was performed in 12 patients(42.85%). After pathological examination, 23 patients were diagnosed as fat rich, four patients as fat poor, and one as epithelioid angiomyolipoma. There were no recurrences in the follow-up 91.21+48.31 months. CONCLUSION Angiomyolipoma is a rare renal tumor in daily urology practice. Clinicians must be aware of its complications and manage patients well.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O angiomiolipoma é um dos tumores renais benignos sólidos mais comuns. Investigamos as características dos angiomiolipomas renais e os desfechos clínicos dos pacientes nos últimos treze anos. MÉTODOS Os prontuários dos pacientes, para os quais a nefrectomia foi realizada, foram revisados retrospectivamente de 2008 a 2018. Os dados laboratoriais, relatórios de radiologia e patologia foram registrados. Os pacientes diagnosticados como angiomiolipoma foram incluídos no estudo. RESULTADOS Vinte e oito pacientes foram incluídos no estudo, oito deles do sexo masculino. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 55,89 + 14,49 anos. Os pacientes foram tratados com técnicas abertas e laparoscópicas. Nefrectomia parcial foi realizada em 12 pacientes (42,85%). Depois de exame patológico, 23 pacientes foram diagnosticados como ricos em gordura, quatro pacientes como gordurosos e um paciente como angiomiolipoma epitelioide. Nenhum paciente teve recorrências no seguimento. CONCLUSÕES O angiomiolipoma é um tumor renal raro na prática urológica diária. Os médicos devem estar cientes das complicações e gerenciar bem os pacientes.

The effect of urethroplasty surgery on erectile and orgasmic functions: a prospective study

ABSTRACT Objectives: to examine the effects of urethroplasty surgery on sexual functions by taking into account age, location of stenosis, length of stenosis and surgical technique parameters. Materials and Methods: The prospective study was conducted between January 2015 and August 2017 with 60 cases. Patients were categorized according to age groups (19-65 / 65-75 years), surgery technique and stricture localization and length. Before the urethroplasty operation and postoperative 6th month follow-up, the international index of erectile function (IIEF) form (15 questions), was filled, the relevant domains of sexual function; erectile function (Q1,2,3,4,5,15), orgasmic function (Q9,10) and overall satisfaction (Q13,14) were assessed. Results: The mean age of the cases is 54 ± 13. However, preoperative IIEF, sexual satisfaction and orgasmic function averages of patients with a stenosis segment length of 1-3 cm was found to be significantly higher than that of patients with a stenosis segment length of 4-7 cm. Between stenosis segment length groups, there was no statistical difference in terms of preoperative and postoperative sexual functions. And also, there was no statistically significant change in patients' preoperative and postoperative sexual function scores in terms of localization of stricture and surgery techniques. However, there were statistically significant change in the postoperative IIEF and sexual satisfaction averages according to preoperative averages. Conclusion: Our study suggests that urethroplasty surgery itself does not significantly affect erectile function, orgasmic function, and general sexual satisfaction regardless of the type of surgery, localization and length of stenosis. Besides, there was a significant decrease in erectile function in senior adults.