Extraprostatic incidental findings on prostate mpMRI: A pictorial review from the ESUR junior network.

The role of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) in prostate cancer setting is increasingly consolidated and, as a result, its usage in clinical practice is in exponential growth. However, beyond the prostate gland, several key structures are included in the field of view of mpMRI scans. Consequently, various extra-prostatic incidental findings (IFs) belonging to different anatomical systems can be accidentally recognized. Therefore, it is mandatory for a radiologist to be familiar with the wide range of pathologies potentially encountered, to guide management and avoid patient anxiety and costs due to additional work-up prompted by clinically insignificant extra-prostatic findings. With this pictorial review, we aim to illustrate a wide range of IFs that can be detected when performing mpMRI of the prostate, focusing on their imaging characteristics, differential diagnosis, and clinical relevance. Additionally, we propose the CheckDEEP, the Checklist for DEtection of ExtraProstatic findings, to be used for a thorough evaluation of target areas within each anatomical system.

Microscopic hematuria and pelvic ultrasonography could rule out flexible cystoscopy during surveillance for T1-low grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Purpose: Cystoscopy (rigid/flexible [FC]) is the standard surveillance tool for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Nevertheless, it has its drawbacks. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of microscopic hematuria (MH), abdominal ultrasonography (US), and urine cytology (UC) as potential substitutes for FC in patients with T1-low-grade (T1-LG) NMIBC. Methods: Over a 12-month period, patients attending our tertiary referral center for T1-LG NMIBC follow-up underwent urine analysis for MH and UC, and then US and FC were performed as outpatient surveillance procedures. Those with positive findings underwent inpatient rigid cystoscopy under anesthesia and biopsy. The negative predictive values (NPV) and sensitivity of different combinations of MH, UC, US, and FC were compared with the standard histopathology. Results: In 218 evaluated patients, FC had the highest NPV (97.9%). However, this figure showed no statistically significant difference if compared with the combination of negative MH and US (93.8%) (difference = 0.04, p = 0.1) or the combination of MH, US, and UC (94.9%) (difference = 0.03, p = 0.2). The reported sensitivity results were similarly comparable between FC (94.2%) and the aforementioned combinations (90.4% and 92.3%; differences: 0.038 and 0.019; p = 0.4 and 0.7, respectively). Conclusions: During the surveillance of NMIBC for patients diagnosed with T1-LG disease, the combination of MH/US has comparable sensitivity and NPV with FC. This non-invasive combination could be considered the first station that might preclude the need for FC in a considerable percentage of this group of patients.

Can renal ultrasonography predict early success after pyeloplasty in children? A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the predictive value of 6 ultrasonographic (USG) parameters for early detection of children at risk of recurrent obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective nonrandomized study included all patients who underwent pyeloplasty between 2010 and 2012. All of the patients had completed at least 6 months of follow-up and preoperative and postoperative USG imaging data were available. The primary outcome was the correlation between USG and diuretic scintigraphic parameters. The secondary outcome was the predictive ability of the pelvicalyceal system parameters, measured by USG, of parenchymal growth after surgery. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were evaluated. The mean age was 3.6 years (range 0.1-12). The mean (± standard deviation) differential renal function improved from 37.4 ± 11 ml/min to 37.7 ± 14 ml/min, which was a difference of no statistical significance. On the other hand, the mean (± SD) half-time (T1/2) significantly improved. After constructing a linear regression model of the 4 USG parameters and the parenchymal growth, the model explained 57.2% of the variance in parenchymal growth after pyeloplasty. The calyx-to-parenchyma ratio change was the largest unique contribution for explaining the variance in parenchymal growth, followed by anteroposterior diameter and calyceal dilatation. CONCLUSION: We proved that calyx-to-parenchyma ratio, anteroposterior diameter and calyceal dilatation are independent predictors of early success after pyeloplasty.

Critical analysis of outcome after open dismembered pyeloplasty in ectopic pelvic kidneys in a pediatric cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional and morphologic outcome after open pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in ectopic pelvic kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent open pyeloplasty in ectopic pelvic kidneys was conducted. Records were evaluated with respect to age at presentation, preoperative imaging, surgical details, and postoperative course. Patients were followed up regularly for functional and morphologic outcome. Success was defined as symptomatic relief and radiographic improvement of obstruction at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2010, 680 patients with primary UPJO underwent open dismembered pyeloplasty at our center. Of these patients, 43 (6.3%) had UPJO in ectopic pelvic kidneys. No perioperative complications were encountered in the study group. Mean follow-up was 42 months (range, 18-90 months), and 5 patients were lost to follow-up. The overall success rate was 82.6%. Postoperative hydronephrosis was improved in 20 (52.6%), stable in 11 (29%), and worsened in 7 (18.4%). Postoperative renal function was improved in 12 (31.6%), stable in 19 (50%), and deteriorated in 7 (18.4%). Redo pyeloplasty was required in 4 patients and secondary nephrectomy in 3. Preoperative differential renal function and surgeon experience were statistically significant predictors of improvement in renal function after pyeloplasty. CONCLUSION: Open pyeloplasty for UPJO in ectopic pelvic kidneys is feasible, but varying degrees of hydronephrosis and radiologic obstruction persist after pyeloplasty that could be attributed to anatomy-related pelvocaliectasis, and so regular follow-up is warranted in this subpopulation.