A multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-based virtual reality surgical navigation tool for robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Increased computational power and improved visualization hardware have generated more opportunities for virtual reality (VR) applications in healthcare. In this study, we test the feasibility of a VR-assisted surgical navigation system for robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prostate, all magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visible tumors, and important anatomic structures like the neurovascular bundles, seminal vesicles, bladder, and rectum were contoured on a multiparametric MRI using an in-house segmentation software. Three-dimensional (3-D) VR models were rendered and evaluated in a side room of the operating room. While interacting with the VR platform, a real-time stereo video capture of the in situ prostate was obtained to render a second 3-D model. The MRI-based model was then overlaid on the real-time model by using an automated alignment algorithm. RESULTS: Ten patients were included in this study. All MRI-based VR models were examined by surgeons immediately prior to surgery and at important steps where visualization of the tumors and their proximity to surrounding anatomic structures were critical. This was mainly during the preparation of the prostatic pedicles, neurovascular plexus, the apex, and bladder neck. All participants found the system useful, especially for tumors with locally aggressive growth patterns. For small and centrally located tumors, the system was not considered beneficial due to lack of integration into the robotic console. A fully integrated system with real-time overlays within the robotic stereo viewer was found to be the ideal scenario. CONCLUSION: We deployed a preliminary VR-assisted surgical navigation tool for robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies.

The Treatment of Genitoperineal Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Review of the Literature.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the axilla, genitals, perineum, and perianal regions. The pathophysiology of hidradenitis suppurativa is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment involving medical and surgical management when indicated. We describe our multidisciplinary protocol for treatment, which includes rheumatology-monitored immunotherapy, medical management, wide surgical resection, wound care, and reconstruction. The multidisciplinary care team includes rheumatology, wound care, and reconstructive urologic surgery. Surgical management includes wide local surgical resection, negative pressure dressing, delayed reconstruction, and perioperative immunotherapy. Multimodal treatment with surgical, medical, wound, and immunotherapy care is vital to successful treatment.

Lymph node imaging of pediatric renal and suprarenal malignancies.

Pediatric renal and suprarenal cancers are relatively rare malignancies, but are not without significant consequence to both the patient and caretakers. These tumors are often found incidentally and present as large abdominal masses. Standard of care management involves surgical excision of the mass, but contemporary treatment guidelines advocate for use of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced stage disease, such as those cases with lymph node involvement (LNI). However, LNI detection is based primarily on surgical pathology and performing extended lymph node dissection can add significant morbidity to a surgical case. In this review, we focus on the use and performance of imaging modalities to detect LNI in Wilms' tumor (WT), neuroblastoma, and pediatric renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We report on how imaging impacts management of these cases and the clinical implications of LNI. A literature search was conducted for studies published on imaging-based detection of LNI in pediatric renal and suprarenal cancers. Further review focused on surgical and medical management of those cases with suspected LNI. Current imaging protocols assisting in diagnosis and staging of pediatric renal and suprarenal cancers are generally limited to abdominal ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging, mainly computed tomography (CT). Recent research has investigated the role of more advance modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), in the management of these malignancies. Special consideration must be made for pediatric patients who are more vulnerable to ionizing radiation and have characteristic imaging features different from adult controls. Management of pediatric renal and suprarenal cancers is influenced by LNI, but the rarity of these conditions has limited the volume of clinical research regarding imaging-based staging. As such, standardized criteria for LNI on imaging are lacking. Nevertheless, advanced imaging modalities are being investigated and potentially represent more accurate and safer options.

Comparison of Elastic and Rigid Registration during Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy: A Multi-Operator Phantom Study.

PURPOSE: The relative value of rigid or elastic registration during magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasound fusion guided prostate biopsy has been poorly studied. We compared registration errors (the distance between a region of interest and fiducial markers) between rigid and elastic registration during fusion guided prostate biopsy using a prostate phantom model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four gold fiducial markers visible on magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound were placed throughout 1 phantom prostate model. The phantom underwent magnetic resonance imaging and the fiducial markers were labeled as regions of interest. An experienced user and a novice user of fusion guided prostate biopsy targeted regions of interest and then the corresponding fiducial markers on ultrasound after rigid and then elastic registration. Registration errors were compared. RESULTS: A total of 224 registration error measurements were recorded. Overall elastic registration did not provide significantly improved registration error over rigid registration (mean ± SD 4.87 ± 3.50 vs 4.11 ± 2.09 mm, p = 0.05). However, lesions near the edge of the phantom showed increased registration errors when using elastic registration (5.70 ± 3.43 vs 3.23 ± 1.68 mm, p = 0.03). Compared to the novice user the experienced user reported decreased registration error with rigid registration (3.25 ± 1.49 vs 4.98 ± 2.10 mm, p <0.01) and elastic registration (3.94 ± 2.61 vs 6.07 ± 4.16 mm, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in registration errors between rigid and elastic registration overall but rigid registration decreased the registration error of targets near the prostate edge. Additionally, operator experience reduced registration errors regardless of the registration method. Therefore, elastic registration algorithms cannot serve as a replacement for attention to detail during the registration process and anatomical landmarks indicating accurate registration when beginning the procedure and before targeting each region of interest.

Added Value of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Clinical Nomograms for Predicting Adverse Pathology in Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: We examined the additional value of preoperative prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and transrectal ultrasound/multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging fusion guided targeted biopsy when performed in combination with clinical nomograms to predict adverse pathology at radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent 3 Tesla multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging prior to fusion biopsy and radical prostatectomy. The Partin and the MSKCC (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) preradical prostatectomy nomograms were applied to estimate the probability of organ confined disease, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and lymph node involvement using transrectal ultrasound guided systematic biopsy and transrectal ultrasound/multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging fusion guided targeted biopsy Gleason scores. With radical prostatectomy pathology as the gold standard we developed multivariable logistic regression models based on these nomograms before and after adding multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging to assess any additional predictive ability. RESULTS: A total of 532 patients were included in study. When multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging findings were added to the systematic biopsy based MSKCC nomogram, the AUC increased by 0.10 for organ confined disease (p <0.001), 0.10 for extraprostatic extension (p = 0.003), 0.09 for seminal vesicle invasion (p = 0.011) and 0.06 for lymph node involvement (p = 0.120). Using Gleason scores derived from targeted biopsy compared to systematic biopsy provided an additional predictive value of organ confined disease (Δ AUC 0.07, p = 0.003) and extraprostatic extension (Δ AUC 0.07, p = 0.048) at radical prostatectomy with the MSKCC nomogram. Similar results were obtained using the Partin nomogram. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging alone or in addition to standard clinical nomograms provides significant additional predictive ability of adverse pathology at the time of radical prostatectomy. This information can be greatly beneficial to urologists for preoperative planning and for counseling patients regarding the risks of future therapy.

"Super-active surveillance": MRI ultrasound fusion biopsy and ablation for less invasive management of prostate cancer.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate has allowed clinicians to better visualize and target suspicious lesions during biopsy. Targeted prostate biopsies give a more accurate representation of the true cancer volume and stage so that appropriate treatment or active surveillance can be selected. Advances in technology have led to the development of MRI and ultrasound fusion platforms used for targeted biopsies, monitoring cancer progression, and more recently for the application of focal therapy. Lesions visualized on mpMRI can be targeted for ablation with a variety of energy sources employed under both local and general anesthesia. Focal ablation may offer an alternative option for treating prostate cancer as compared to the well-established interventions of whole-gland radiation or prostatectomy. Focal ablation may also be an option for patients on active surveillance who wish to be even more "active" in their surveillance. In this review, we describe the advancements and development of fusion biopsies, the rationale behind focal therapy, and introduce focal ablative techniques for indolent prostate cancers ("super-active surveillance"), including cryoablation and focal laser ablation (FLA) and the subsequent MRI/biopsy surveillance.

The disappearing PI-RADS 5 prostate lesion.

Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) identifies prostate cancer on the basis of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI). As an assessment tool, it correctly predicts clinically significant cancer in the vast majority of cases. In this light, we report a rare patient, for whom a PI-RADS 5 lesion vanished over the course of 13 months.

A Retroperitoneal Serous Cystadenoma of Müllerian Origin Masquerading as a Massive Renal Cyst.

A 78-year-old woman presented to the urology clinic with a large, symptomatic left-sided abdominal cyst that was believed to be renal in etiology for many years and that had been percutaneously drained 3 times previously with persistent regrowth. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of this mass, which proved to be a completely distinct retroperitoneal cystic structure and was not renal in nature. Pathologic analysis ultimately revealed a rare occurrence: a benign retroperitoneal Müllerian serous cystadenoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such an entity "disguised" as a renal cyst.

A new and automated method for objective analysis of detrusor rhythm during the filling phase.

INTRODUCTION: There is growing acceptance that the detrusor muscle is not silent during the filling phase of the micturition cycle but displays low-amplitude phasic contractions that have been associated with urinary urgency. Unfortunately, there is currently no standardized methodology to quantify detrusor rhythm during the filling phase. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop an automated computer algorithm to analyze rat detrusor rhythm in a quick, accurate, and reproducible manner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Strips of detrusor smooth muscle from rats (n = 17) were placed on force transducers and subjected to escalating doses of PGE2 to generate contractile rhythm tracings. An automated computer algorithm was developed to analyze contractile frequency, amplitude, and tone on the generated rhythm tracings. Results of the automated computerized analysis were compared to human (n = 3) interpretations. Human interpreters manually counted contractions and then recounted the same data two weeks later. Intra-observer, inter-observer, and human-to-computer comparisons were performed. RESULTS: The computer algorithm quantified concentration-dependent changes in contractile frequency, amplitude, and tone after administration of PGE2 (10(-9)-10(-6)M). Concentration-response curves were similar for all contractile components with increases in frequency identified mainly at physiologic concentrations of PGE2 and increases in amplitude at supra-physiologic concentrations. The computer algorithm consistently over-counted the human interpreters, but with less variability. Differences in inter-observer consistency were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our computerized algorithm accurately and consistently identified changes in detrusor muscle contractile frequency, amplitude, and tone with varying doses of PGE2. Frequency counts were consistently higher than those obtained by human interpreters but without variability or bias. Refinements of this method may allow for more standardized approach in the study of pharmacologic agents on filling phase rhythmic activity.

Prostaglandin E2mediates spontaneous rhythmic contraction in rabbit detrusor muscle.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if prostaglandin E2(PGE2) is produced by rabbit detrusor free of urothelium and demonstrate that PGE2 is responsible for the generation of spontaneous rhythmic contraction (SRC). METHODS: A bioassay was performed in which contraction frequency in strips of rabbit detrusor was compared before and after addition of superfusate from incubating sections of rabbit detrusor. Specificity was determined by testing the effects of SC-51089, a PGE2(EP1) antagonist. Effects on development of tension were determined in artery segments after treatment with increasing doses of PGE2, PGF2α, and TXA2, and a section of femoral artery was used as a negative control. Confirmation of PGE2 production was then determined using EIA kits. RESULTS: Increased rhythmic frequency was identified after superfusate from a section of rabbit detrusor free of urothelium was added to strips of detrusor from the same animal. Additional experiments demonstrated that rhythmic frequency generated after treatment with PGE2 was significantly reduced after treatment with SC-51089. In artery smooth muscle, prostaglandin dose response experiments demonstrated that only TXA2 induced contraction at physiologic doses (<10⁻7M). As a negative control, subsequent treatment of a section of femoral artery with detrusor superfusate failed to increase tension, confirming a lack of TXA2 production. EIA confirmed that PGE2 production increased by 4.8-fold in strips of detrusor free of urothelium after 15 minutes of incubation and that this production was blocked by ibuprofen and a COX-1 inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: Rabbit detrusor produces PGE2 which is the most likely mediator of SRC.