[Knowledge and early detection of testicular germ cell cancer among adolescents and young adults]. / Kenntnisstand und Früherkennung maligner Keimzelltumoren des Hodens unter Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant testicular germ cell tumors are the most common tumor disease in young men, affecting not only the period of his reproductive phase but also creating a complex life situation. Therapy includes the risk of development of second neoplasia and sequelae. However, particularly in this age group, knowledge about this disease and risk factors is sparse, and preventive examinations are not available or are not or insufficiently used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to evaluate the state of knowledge on testicular tumors in adolescents, a knowledge survey was conducted at 6 high schools in Hamburg from January to April 2019 among pupils of grades 11 and 12. This was carried out with a questionnaire comprising 15 items, which was analyzed and also evaluated on a gender-specific basis. Only fully completed questionnaires were considered. RESULTS: The overall proportion of correctly answered questions was 60.04%. Broken down by gender, the proportion was 60.18% for female pupils and 59.14% for male pupils, while the gender ratio was 52.2 and 47.8% for female pupils. Special questions on testicular tumors were answered correctly by 59.71% of the female students and 54.8% of the male students, while general questions on the structure and function of the male sexual organs were answered 4.51% better by the male students with 64.9%. These were statistically significant in both cases. CONCLUSION: The survey shows a gender-specific knowledge deficit on testicular tumors, which is more pronounced among boys. As intensified knowledge transfer on this topic alone is insufficient, a preventive examination should be established especially for boys. This would enable individual, risk-commensurate and needs-adapted monitoring and early detection of testicular tumor disease, but also of other health issues in male adolescents.

[The "human factor" as a risk and a chance]. / "Human factor" ­ der Mensch als Risikofaktor und Chance.

Medical devices are subjected to very complex development and testing processes, in which comprehensive requirements are defined and controlled. However, this wide range of requirements is not taken into account or checked when employing medical personnel. Systematic requirement analyses and recognized competence deficits of graduate medical students show that more must be invested in training and selection in order to reduce the "human factor" as a risk and on the other hand to be able to use it positively.

Is there still a place for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in clinical stage 1 nonseminomatous testicular germ-cell tumours? A retrospective clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) ultimately lost its role as the standard management of clinical stage (CS) 1 nonseminomatous (NS) testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) in Europe when the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group released their recommendations in 2008. Current guide-lines recommend surgery only for selected patients but reasons for selection remain rather ill-defined. We evaluated the practice patterns of the management of CS1 patients and looked specifically to the role of RPLND among other standard treatment options. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the treatment modalities of 75 consecutive patients treated for CS1 NS at one centre during 2008-2017. The patients undergoing RPLND were selected for a closer review. Particular reasons for surgery, clinical features of patients, and therapeutic outcome were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: Twelve patients (16%) underwent nerve-sparing RPLND, nine surveillance, 54 had various regimens of adjuvant chemotherapy. Particular reasons for surgery involved illnesses precluding chemotherapy (n = 2), patients´ choice (n = 4), and teratomatous histology of the primary associated with equivocal radiologic findings (n = 6). Five patients had lymph node metastases, two received additional chemotherapy. Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in all cases. One patient had a grade 2 complication that was managed conservatively. All RPLND-patients remained disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: Primary RPLND is a useful option in distinct CS1 patients, notably those with concurrent health problems precluding chemotherapy, and those with high proportions of teratoma in the primary associated with equivocal radiological findings. Informed patient's preference represents another acceptable reason for the procedure. RPLND properly suits the needs of well-selected patients with CS1 nonseminoma and deserves consideration upon clinical decision-making.

[Plastic surgery reconstruction of the adult buried penis : Option or obligation?] / Plastisch-chirurgische Rekonstruktion des adulten "buried Penis" : Pflicht oder Kür?

The adult buried penis afflicts the patient with shame and is also potentially associated with considerable urogenital complications. Due to obesity, chronic urogenital lymphedema or subsequent inflammatory urogenital conditions, such as a lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, the clinical appearance of the adult buried penis is extremely variable. Epidemiological data are non-existent. Therapeutically, a combination of various plastic surgery procedures is often necessary for the best esthetic and functional results. The therapeutic strategy is highly individual and the therapy itself is interdisciplinary. This article provides an overview of the plastic surgery reconstruction of the adult buried penis.

Can germ cell neoplasia in situ be diagnosed by measuring serum levels of microRNA371a-3p?

PURPOSE: Diagnosing germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNis) can detect germ cell tumours (GCTs) at the pre-invasive stage. To date, testicular biopsy with the potential of surgical complications is the only way of safely diagnosing GCNis. Recently, microRNAs (miRs) 371-3, and miR 367 were shown to be valuable serum biomarkers of GCTs. We explored the usefulness of these candidate miRs as a marker for GCNis. METHODS: 27 patients with GCNis and no concomitant GCT were enrolled. All patients underwent measuring serum levels of miR-371a-3p and miR-367-3p before treatment, 11 had repeat measurement after treatment, 2 also had testicular vein blood examinations. Serum levels were measured by quantitative PCR. In addition, four orchiectomy specimens of patients with GCT were examined immunohistochemically and by in situ hybridization (ISH) with a probe specific for miR-371a-3p to look for the presence of this miR in GCNis cells. RESULTS: The median serum level of miR-371a-3p was significantly higher in patients with GCNis than in controls, miR-367 levels were not elevated. Overall, 14 patients (51.9%) had elevated serum levels of miR-371a-3p. The highest levels were found in patients with bilateral GCNis. Levels in testicular vein serum were elevated in both of the cases. After treatment, all elevated levels dropped to normal. In two orchiectomy specimens, miR-371a-3p was detected by ISH in GCNis cells. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring miR-371a-3p serum levels can replace control biopsies after treatment of GCNis. In addition, the test can guide clinical decision making regarding the need of testicular biopsy in cases suspicious of GCNis.

[Assessment of physicians? : Results of a sample analysis for the selection of physicians for staff positions]. / Assessment für Mediziner? : Ergebnisse einer Stichprobenanalyse zur Personalauswahl für Ärzte.

As in aviation and other organizations requiring high levels of safety, medical complications and errors can in most cases be traced back to the human factor as a main cause. The correct selection of medical students and physicians is therefore very important, especially in leadership and key positions. This is not only a necessary safety aspect but also the prerequisite for the stipulated efficiency of modern medicine.

[Ureteral stricture as a late complication of radiotherapy : Possible treatment options]. / Radiogene Harnleiterstrikturen : Mögliche Therapieoptionen.

Ureteral strictures are uncommon complications of radiotherapy which are often recognized late. Their consequences range from harmless dilatation of the ureter to loss of renal function and potential life-threatening urosepsis.Therapy of radiogenic ureteral stricture is a challenging task for every urologist. Several surgical strategies including minimally invasive procedures, reconstruction and partial or complete replacement of the ureter are available.This article provides an overview of the various options in the treatment of radiogenic stricture of the ureter, focusing on the use of ileum and colon segments for ureteral substitution.

[General and method-specific complications of sacrocolpopexy]. / Allgemeine und methodenspezifische Komplikationen der Sakrokolpopexie.

Sacrocolpopexy has remained standard procedure for correction of pelvic organ prolapse regardless of the affected compartment. Assuming the appropriate indication, it is characterized by an excellent long-term cure rate. Asymptomatic pelvic organ prolapse is no indication for surgery and should not be corrected in view of possible complications. This article summarizes general and method-specific complications of sacrocolpopexy, identifies causes, and allows error management to be tailored to each individual patient to increase treatment and outcome quality.

Contralateral biopsies in patients with testicular germ cell tumours: patterns of care in Germany and recent data regarding prevalence and treatment of testicular intra-epithelial neoplasia.

The precursor of testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs), called testicular intra-epithelial neoplasia (TIN/CIS), is safely diagnosed immunohistologically. Testicular biopsy provides a valuable tool for early detection of GCTs in risk groups. Although this knowledge is undisputed, testicular biopsies are utilized poorly. The patterns of care regarding the use of biopsies remain unknown. Uncertainty exists about the prevalence and specific treatment of TIN/CIS. We asked clinical urologists in Germany whether or not they employed contralateral biopsies in GCT patients. We evaluated the prevalence of contralateral TIN/CIS in a retrospective analysis of 780 consecutive GCT patients. All had contralateral double biopsies. Discordance of TIN/CIS findings among biopsy pairs as well as age, histology of the primary tumour and clinical stage was noted. Evaluation of data comprised descriptive statistical methods. To evaluate treatment options for TIN/CIS, we performed a literature search. 52.1% of German urologists always perform the biopsy, 17% do it mostly, 27.3% in select cases, 3.5% never. Curiously, there was a geographic north-south gradient regarding biopsy use. Contralateral TIN/CIS was found in 5%. The median ages of patients with TIN/CIS and those without were 31.8 and 34.9 years respectively (p = 0.02). The discordance rate among biopsy pairs was of 33%. Two-site biopsies provide a 17% gain in diagnostic sensitivity. Local radiotherapy with 20 Gy is the safest treatment of TIN/CIS failing in 2%. Chemotherapy has significantly lower efficacy. Contralateral testicular biopsies in GCT patients are well accepted among German urologists. The prevalence of contralateral TIN/CIS found in this series is in accordance with previous reports. Double biopsies should be the diagnostic standard because of their diagnostic superiority. Local radiotherapy with 20 Gy is the safest way of eradicating TIN/CIS. Failures occur in only 2%, usually many years after irradiation. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is dose dependent and less effective.

[Contralateral testicular biopsy in patients with germ cell tumors: practice patterns in Germany 2014]. / Kontralaterale Biopsie beim Hodentumor : Die Praxis in Deutschland 2014.

BACKGROUND: Contralateral testicular biopsy is a tool for early diagnosis of contralateral tumors in patients with testicular germ cell tumor (GCT). Though based on a high level of evidence, international guidelines do not unanimously recommend biopsies. We enquired the acceptance of contralateral biopsies among clinical urologists in Germany. METHODS: A total of 326 urologic departments were asked by a questionnaire whether they perform contralateral biopsy in all cases with GCT, in most, in select cases, or never. In addition we enquired for type and size of the department as well as the annual volume of GCT patients. To specify the hospital geographically, we noted the ZIP code. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: The response rate was 86.5%. Of the departments, 52.1, 17, 27.3, and 3.5% do the biopsy in all cases, in most of them, in select patients, and never, respectively. University departments have significantly lower acceptance of the procedure than general hospitals (50% versus 72.6%), even after adjusting for other hospital characteristics by multivariate analysis. There was no association of acceptance rate with hospital size and annual GCT volume. The biopsy is highly used in the northern parts of Germany and considerably under-used in southern regions. CONCLUSION: Contralateral testicular biopsy is well-established and widely accepted among clinical urologists in Germany. In other countries, biopsies remain controversial. Only in Denmark is it routinely employed. In Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland biopsies are done in selected patients. In view of the multination treatment consensus of GCT, explanations for the dissimilar biopsy rates in various countries remain elusive. Peculiar findings are the inferior acceptance rates in university departments and the north-south gradient within Germany.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and real-time elastography for the diagnosis of benign Leydig cell tumors of the testis - a single center report on 13 cases.

PURPOSE: To describe sonomorphological features in testicular Leydig cell tumors (LCTs) with a special focus on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and real-time elastography (RTE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a series of 186 patients with testicular surgery for neoplastic disease, 13 benign LCTs (in 12 patients) were histopathologically diagnosed. Preoperatively, all patients had been examined with a standardized protocol (high-resolution grayscale and color-coded ultrasonography, CEUS). 5 patients underwent RTE. In CEUS, the filling time of the lesion was compared to that of 14 size-matched germ cell tumors (GCT). RESULTS: 10/13 LCTs had a size of < 10 mm, and a sharply demarcated hypoechoic appearance was typical (10/13). Color-coded ultrasonography detected signals in 8 lesions, while CEUS showed clear hypervascularization in all. LCTs had a significantly shorter filling time than GCTs (p < 0.0005), with 9/13 LCTs being completely filled within 4 s. In RTE, all 5 examined lesions were clearly "harder" than the surrounding testicular tissue. CONCLUSION: Contrary to some earlier reports, we could demonstrate marked hypervascularization in LCTs. This feature clearly allows for the differentiation of a small LCT from focal scars. However, it may only be visible on CEUS. In CEUS, LCT is suggested by the findings of a short filling time or by a circumferential vessel with a rapid centripetal filling, combined with a "harder" appearance in RTE. These features along with the findings of a small and peripherally situated hypoechoic tumor would justify an operative strategy with frozen section examination and possibly organ sparing surgery instead of orchiectomy.

[Radical prostatectomy in a certified prostate cancer center: medical treatment and outcome]. / Radikale Prostatektomie in einem zertifizierten Prostatakarzinom-Zentrum : Medizinische Behandlungs- und Ergebnisqualität.

INTRODUCTION: Open radical prostatectomy (RPE) is a standardized surgical technique with good oncologic/functional results. Nevertheless, the postoperative quality of life can be affected significantly by urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Consequently, data of postoperative health-related quality of life come increasingly into public interest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper aims to evaluate the quality of care after radical RPE at a certified prostate cancer center. The oncological outcome, rate of complications, reintervention and transfusions as well as the rate of continence and potency of a total collective of nearly 400 patients was obtained in a standardized manner between January 2008 and June 2012 using the clinic's internal tumor documentation system and commonly used, validated questionnaires. Due to consistent methodology, partial results can finally be compared with data prior to establishment of the prostate cancer center. RESULTS: This study is the first German report demonstrating an improvement of treatment results in a certified prostate cancer center. The rate of complications, reintervention, transfusions, and R1 status were significantly lower than in the precenter era. The evaluation of potency is sobering compared to current published literature, whereas satisfactory results were obtained for continency. DISCUSSION: Evaluation of the data contributes to the quality of treatment and outcome of certified prostate cancer centers and allows reliable decision-making and honest patient education in the future.

[Employees in high-reliability organizations: systematic selection of personnel as a final criterion]. / Der Mensch in Hochzuverlässigkeitsorganisationen: Systematische Personalauswahl als entscheidendes Kriterium.

Employees represent an important safety factor in high-reliability organizations. The combination of clear organizational structures, a nonpunitive safety culture, and psychological personnel selection guarantee a high level of safety. The cockpit personnel selection process of a major German airline is presented in order to demonstrate a possible transferability into medicine and urology.

[Complications associated with inguinal orchiectomy and scrotal orchiectomy]. / Komplikationen bei inguinaler Ablatio testis und skrotaler Orchiektomie.

Inguinal excision of testis is technically an elementary surgical procedure. According to the indication (e.g., malignant tumors, infarction, inflammation), an inguinal or alternatively a transcrotal approach is possible. Despite its straightforwardness, surgery of the scrotum includes remarkable risks and complications such as postoperative hemorrhage, hematoma formation, infections, and disturbances of wound healing followed by insufficient unfavorable cosmetic results. Nerve injury may be accompanied by temporary or persistent paresthesias which have been documented in our patients undergoing orchiectomy.

[Urological dermatosis]. / Urologische Dermatosen.

Urologists are often confronted with venereal and dermatological diseases during clinical evaluation of the external genitals. Dermatosis of the male genitalia ranges from infectious (viral and bacterial) lesions and inflammatory conditions to neoplastic alterations. There are also more general skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis) which occur as genital manifestations. In this case they often show unusual characteristics or the genitalia might be involved only incidentally. This review highlights the clinical diagnosis and therapy of the most common genital skin disorders and demonstrates the medical features.

[Primary megaureter]. / Primärer Megaureter.

A primary megaureter is an anomaly with a prevesical or overall dilated ureter of more than 6 mm in diameter. It is important to distinguish between cases of primary non-refluxing and primary obstructive-refluxing megaureters, as the treatment of both is completely different. The basic diagnostic work-up includes ultrasonography and voiding cystourethrography. Diuretic renography is used to detect split renal function and the degree of upper urinary tract obstruction. In most cases of primary non-refluxing megaureter surgical treatment is unnecessary due to the high remission rate, whereas obstructive refluxing megaureters commonly only need to be corrected. Antibiotic prophylaxis may be indicated in infants with a primary obstructive megaureter during the first 6 months of life due to a higher risk of complications due to pyelonephritis especially in this age group.

[Catheterizable continence mechanisms for various urinary diversion reservoirs: serosa lined and tapered ileum]. / Katheterisierbarer Kontinenzmechanismus für verschiedene Harnableitungsreservoire : Getapertes, seroserös eingebettetes Ileum.

In a retrospective multicenter study of four clinics perioperative complications as well as incontinence and stoma stenosis of serosa-lined tapered ileum as catheterizable continence mechanisms for different urinary diversions were analyzed. Between 2008 and 2012 a total of 40 patients received a continent catheterizablestoma, 15 (37.5%) in combination with continent vesicostomy and closure of the bladder neck due to postoperative incontinence and recurrent stenosis including radical prostatectomy, transurethral resection (TUR) of the prostate, bladder neck incision (n=11), neurogenic bladder with reduced capacity and incontinence (n=2), interstitial cystitis (n=1) and recurrent urethral tumor following ileal neobladder (n=1). Of the patients 25 (62.5%) received this continence mechanism in combination with a modified Mainz pouch I, in 19 patients as primary and in 6 patients as secondary efferent segment for trouble shooting. The complications were subdivided according the Clavien classification. In 29 patients information concerning continence and stenosis were obtained, the median follow-up was 25 months (range 1-111 months). In patients with continent vesicostomy (n=11) the incontinence rate was 9.1% (1/11) and the stenosis rate 18.2% (2/11). In 18 patients with an ileocecal pouch, incontinence and stenosis rates were 0% and 11.1% (2/18), respectively. The presented technique is a safe continence mechanism for various catheterizable continent urinary diversions for both primary and secondary indications.