Off-clamp robotic partial nephrectomy is a safe and effective approach for patients with T1b or greater renal tumors.

Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is a gold standard treatment for focal kidney tumors. Off-clamp RPN avoids prolonged ischemia times. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of off-clamp RPN in patients with renal tumors > 4 centimeters (cm). From 2007 to 2021, we examined patients who underwent RPN for cT1b-T2N0M0 renal tumors. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes were examined for patients who underwent on or off-clamp RPN. Patients with cT1b tumors (4-7 cm) who underwent either approach were retrospectively propensity-matched based on renal function and tumor size. Of 225 patients, on-clamp RPN was employed in 147 patients, while 78 patients underwent an off-clamp approach. Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower in the off-clamp group (p = 0.026). Mean nephrometry scores and mean tumor sizes were similar between cohorts. Average estimated blood loss (EBL) and operative times were similar. Major complication risk was 4.4% lower in the off-clamp group. Blood transfusion rate was 5.6% lower in the off-clamp group. Patients in the off-clamp cohort experienced a < 2% higher risk of positive margins. Postoperative eGFR was more favorable for off-clamp RPN following surgery at 1 year. The propensity-matched analysis demonstrated similar intraoperative outcomes. Blood transfusion rate was significantly lower at 1.5% for patients who underwent off-clamp RPN (p = 0.03). Risk of a major complication was 6.1% lower in the off-clamp RPN cohort, while postoperative eGFR and positive margin rates were similar between off and on-clamp groups. A non-inferior approach for patients with cT1b-T2N0M0 and moderately complex localized renal masses is off-clamp RPN.

A Hybrid Approach to Hood-Sparing Robotic Prostatectomy to Maximize Functional Outcomes and Maintain Early Oncologic Efficacy.

Background: We detail our approach and experience with a hybrid version of the endopelvic hood-sparing (HS) robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using the da Vinci robotic platform. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 200 patients who underwent RARP by a single surgeon. Patients were propensity-matched into three cohorts depending on biopsy and prostatectomy Gleason Grade Groups: traditional retropubic (RP) (n = 80), retzius-sparing (RS) (n = 40), and HS (n = 80). Patient characteristics and oncologic and functional outcomes were examined. Zero pads per day defined return of continence. Erections suitable for penetrative intercourse with/without medications defined return of sexual function. Results: Patient characteristics were similar between cohorts excluding prostate-specific antigen levels (p = 0.014), which were significantly lower in the RS cohort (7.1 ± 5.3 ng/mL) compared with RP (9.2 ± 9.3 ng/mL) and HS (8.8 ± 8.9 ng/mL). Clinically significant positive margin rates were significantly higher (p = 0.046) in the RS cohort (32.5%) compared with RP (17.5%) and HS (13.9%). Biochemical recurrence and metastasis rates were similar between all cohorts. Median time to continence was significantly lower for RS and HS-RARP (p < 0.001) compared with RP-RARP at 1.3, 1.6, and 5.4 months, respectively. Median time to return of sexual function was significantly lower for RS and HS-RARP (p < 0.001) compared with RP-RARP at 4.0, 7.7, and 15.1 months, respectively. Conclusions: Our hybrid HS-RARP approach provides functional outcomes similar to RS-RARP with the early oncologic control of traditional RP-RARP.

Comparing Bladder Neck Contracture Rate Between Robotic Intracorporeal and Extracorporeal Neobladder Construction.

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) has become more accessible to surgeons worldwide, and descriptions of intracorporeal urinary diversion techniques, such as orthotopic neobladder construction, have increased. In this study, we aim to compare the rate of bladder neck contracture (BNC) formation between RARC and two different urinary diversion techniques. We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database for patients with bladder cancer who underwent RARC with intracorporeal neobladder (ICNB) construction (n = 11) or extracorporeal neobladder (ECNB) construction (n = 11) between 2012 and 2020. BNC was defined by the need for an additional surgical procedure (e.g., dilatation, urethrotomy). Patients who underwent RARC with ICNB (n = 11) were compared to patients who underwent RARC with ECNB (n = 11) across patient characteristics and postoperative BNC formation rates. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated for freedom from BNC based on the neobladder approach and compared with the log-rank test. For patients who received an ECNB, 73% (8/11) developed a BNC; in comparison, none of the patients in the ICNB group experienced a BNC. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrates the ECNB group's median probability of freedom from BNC as 1.3 years, while the ICNB group was free of BNC over the study period (p < 0.001). RARC with ICNB creation demonstrated a significantly reduced BNC rate in contrast to RARC with ECNB construction. Longer-term follow-up is needed to assess the durability of this difference in BNC rates.

Single-port vs multi-port robot-assisted renal surgery: analysis of perioperative outcomes for excision of high and low complexity renal masses.

There is emerging but limited data assessing single-port (SP) robot-assisted surgery as an alternative to multi-port (MP) platforms. We compared perioperative outcomes between SP and MP robot-assisted approaches for excision of high and low complexity renal masses. Retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing robot-assisted partial or radical nephrectomy using the SP surgical system (n = 23) at our institution between November 2019 and November 2021. Renal masses were categorized as high complexity (7+) or low complexity (4-6) using the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system. Adjusting for baseline characteristics, patients were matched using a prospectively maintained MP database in a 2:1 (MP:SP) ratio. For high complexity tumors (n = 12), SP surgery was associated with a significantly longer operative time compared to MP (248.4 vs 188.1 min, p = 0.02) but a significantly shorter length of stay (1.9 vs 2.8 days, p = 0.02). For low complexity tumors (n = 11), operative time (177.7 vs 161.4 min, p = 0.53), estimated blood loss (69.6.0 vs 142.0 mL, p = 0.62), and length of stay (1.6 vs 1.8 days, p = 0.528) were comparable between SP and MP approaches. Increasing nephrometry score was associated with a greater relative increase in operative time for SP compared to MP renal surgery (p = 0.07) using best of fit linear modeling. SP robot-assisted partial and radical nephrectomy is safe and feasible for low complexity renal masses. For high complexity renal masses, the SP system is associated with a significantly longer operative time compared to the MP technique. Careful consideration should be given when selecting patients for SP robot-assisted kidney surgery.

Feasibility and safety of same-day discharge following single-port robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: The standard discharge pathway following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) involves overnight hospital admission. Models for same-day discharge (SDD) have been explored for multiport RALP, however, less is known regarding SDD for single-port RALP, especially in terms of patient experience. METHODS: Patient enrollment, based on preoperative determination of potential SDD eligibility, commenced March 2020 and ended March 2021. Day-of-surgery criteria were utilized to determine which enrolled patients underwent SDD. Differences in preoperative characteristics and perioperative outcomes between patients undergoing SDD and patients undergoing standard discharge were evaluated. A prospectively administered questionnaire was designed to characterize patient-centered factors informing SDD perception. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent SDD and 36 underwent standard discharge. Overall mean ± SD age and BMI were 63.6 ± 7.0 years and 29.7 ± 4.4 kg/m2, respectively. Mean operative time was shorter in the SDD cohort than the standard discharge cohort (188 min vs 217 min, p = 0.011). A higher proportion of cases that underwent SDD were performed using the Retzius-sparing approach, 80% (12/15) vs 33% (12/36) in the standard discharge cohort (p = 0.005). Rates of 90 day complication (p = 0.343), 90 day readmission (p = 0.144), and 90 day emergency department visits (p = 0.343) rates were all not significantly different between cohorts. Of questionnaire respondents undergoing standard discharge, 32% (8/25) cited pain as a reason for not undergoing SDD. CONCLUSIONS: With comparable outcomes to the standard discharge pathway, SDD is safe and effective in single-port RALP. Post-operative pain and perceptions of distance are implicated as patient-centered barriers to SDD; proactive pain management and patient education strategies may facilitate SDD.

Comparison of Three Approaches to Single-Port Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Our Institution's Initial Experience.

Background: We aimed to compare three robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) approaches-Retzius sparing (RS), extraperitoneal (EP), and transperitoneal (TP)-performed at our institution using the da Vinci® single-port (SP) platform (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 101 patients who underwent SP-RARP at our institution and stratified them into three cohorts based on the RARP approach: RS (n = 32), EP (n = 30), and TP (n = 39). Data regarding preoperative patient characteristics, perioperative characteristics, oncologic outcomes, and early functional outcomes were collected. The Fisher's exact test and chi-square tests were utilized for categorical variables, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was utilized for numerical variables. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were utilized for pairwise comparisons. A two-tailed p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: All three cohorts were largely similar in terms of preoperative patient characteristics. Operative time was significantly different between cohorts (p < 0.001), with the RS approach having a faster mean operating time than the TP approach (208 ± 40 minutes vs 248 ± 36 minutes, p < 0.001). Clinically significant margin rates did not differ significantly between cohorts (p = 0.861). Postoperative continence differed significantly between cohorts (p < 0.001); higher continence rates were observed in RS vs EP-94% (30/32) vs 52% (15/29), respectively, p < 0.001. Return of erectile function also differed significantly between cohorts (p = <0.001); higher erectile function recovery rates were observed in RS vs EP-88% (28/32) vs 41% (11/27), respectively, p < 0.001-and in RS vs TP-88% (28/32) vs 60% (22/37), respectively, p = 0.014. Median (IQR) follow-up time was 150 (88-377) days. Conclusions: RS SP-RARP is associated with improved early functional outcomes when compared with both EP and TP approaches. These benefits are achieved while maintaining equivalent oncologic outcomes. Further research is needed to optimize the patient selection paradigm for the SP-RARP approach.

Factors Associated with Ureteral Stent Failure in Patients with Malignant Ureteral Obstruction.

Introduction: Management of malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO) with ureteral stents remains a clinical challenge, often involving frequent stent exchanges attributable to stent failure or other urological complications. We report our institutional experience with ureteral stents for management of MUO, including analysis of clinical factors associated with stent failure. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients treated with indwelling ureteral stents for MUO in nonurothelial malignancies at our tertiary-care institution between 2008 and 2019. Univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to identify clinical variables associated with stent failure and stent-related complications. Stent failure was defined as need for unplanned stent exchange, placement of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN), or tandem stents. Results: In our cohort of 78 patients, the median (range) number of stent exchanges was 2 (0-17) during a total stent dwell time of 4.3 (0.1-40.3) months. Thirty-four patients (43.6%) developed a culture-proven urinary tract infection (UTI) during stent dwell time. Thirty-five patients (44.8%) had stent failure. Twenty-two patients (28.2%) underwent unplanned stent exchanges, 23 (29.5%) required PCN after initial stent placement, and 6 (7.7%) required tandem stents. Ten (28.6%) patients with stent failure were treated with upsized stents, which led to resolution in seven patients. Stent failure occurred with 20/44 (45.4%) Percuflex™, 15/27 (55.6%) polyurethane, and 2/3 (66.7%) metal stents. In patients with ≥2 exchanges (N = 45), median time between exchanges was 4.1 (2.0-14.8) months. Bilateral stenting and history of radiation predicted UTI development. Median overall patient survival after initial stent placement was 19.9 months (95% CI 16.5-37.9 months). Conclusions: Ureteral stent failure poses a significant medical burden to patients with MUO. Better methods to minimize stent-related issues and improve patient quality of life are needed. Using a shared decision-making approach, clinicians and patients should consider PCN or tandem stents early in the management of MUO.

Role of the androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors in adherent perinephric fat in robotic partial nephrectomy.

To determine whether androgen, estrogen, and/or progesterone signaling play a role in the pathophysiology of adherent perinephric fat (APF). We prospectively recruited patients undergoing robotic assisted partial nephrectomy during 2015-2017. The operating surgeon documented the presence or absence of APF. For those with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), representative sections of tumor and perinephric fat were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal antibody to estrogen α, progesterone, and androgen receptors. Patient characteristics, operative data, and hormone receptor presence were compared between those with and without APF. Of 51 patients total, 18 (35.3%) and 33 (64.7%) patients did and did not have APF, respectively. APF was associated with history of diabetes mellitus (61.1% vs 24.2%, p = 0.009) and larger tumors (4.0 cm vs 3.0 cm, p = 0.017) but not with age, gender, BMI, Charleston comorbidity index, smoking, or preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate. APF was not significantly associated with length of operation, positive margins, or 30-day postoperative complications but incurred higher estimated blood loss (236.5 mL vs 209.2 mL, p = 0.049). Thirty-two had ccRCC and completed hormone receptor staining. The majority of tumors and perinephric fat were negative for estrogen and progesterone while positive for androgen receptor expression. There was no difference in hormone receptor expression in either tumor or perinephric fat when classified by presence or absence of APF (p > 0.05). APF is more commonly present in patients with diabetes or larger tumors but was not associated with differential sex hormone receptor expression in ccRCC.

Initial Experience with Single-Port Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy: Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes Between Single-Port and Conventional Multiport Approaches.

Background: The surgical techniques and devices used to perform radical cystectomy have evolved significantly with the advent of laparoscopic and robotic methods. The da Vinci® Single-Port (SP) platform (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) is an innovation that allows a surgeon to perform robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) through a single incision. To determine if this new tool is comparable to its multiport (MP) predecessors, we reviewed a single-surgeon experience of SP RARC. Materials and Methods: We identified patients at our institution who underwent RARC between August 2017 and June 2020 by one surgeon at our institution (n = 64). Using propensity scoring analysis, patients whose procedure were performed with the SP platform (n = 12) were matched 1:2 to patients whose procedure was performed with the MP platform (n = 24). Univariable analysis was performed to identify differences in any perioperative outcome, including operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), lymph node yield, 90-day complication/readmission rates, and positive surgical margin (PSM) rates. Results: Patients who had an SP RARC on average had a lower lymph node yield than those who had an MP RARC (11.9 vs 17.1, p = 0.0347). All other perioperative outcomes, including operative time, EBL, 90-day complication rates, 90-day readmission rates, and PSM rates, were not significantly different between the SP and MP RARC groups. Conclusions: Based on their perioperative outcomes, the SP platform is a feasible alternative to the MP platform when performing RARC. The SP's perioperative outcomes should continue to be evaluated as more SP RARCs are performed.

Clustering of patients with overactive bladder syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder is a heterogenous condition with poorly characterized clinical phenotypes. To discover potential patient subtypes in patients with overactive bladder (OAB), we used consensus clustering of their urinary symptoms and other non-urologic factors. METHODS: Clinical variables included in the k-means consensus clustering included OAB symptoms, urinary incontinence, anxiety, depression, psychological stress, somatic symptom burden, reported childhood traumatic exposure, and bladder pain. RESULTS: 48 OAB patients seeking care of their symptoms were included. k-means consensus clustering identified two clusters of OAB patients: a urinary cluster and a systemic cluster. The systemic cluster, which consisted of about half of the cohort (48%), was characterized by significantly higher psychosocial burden of anxiety (HADS-A, 9.5 vs. 3.7, p < 0.001), depression (HADS-D, 6.9 vs. 3.6, p < 0.001), psychological stress (PSS, 21.4 vs. 12.9, p < 0.001), somatic symptom burden (PSPS-Q, 28.0 vs. 7.5, p < 0.001), and reported exposure to traumatic stress as a child (CTES, 17.0 vs. 5.4, p < 0.001), compared to the urinary cluster. The systemic cluster also reported more intense bladder pain (3.3 vs. 0.8, p = 0.002), more widespread distribution of pain (34.8% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.009). The systemic cluster had worse urinary incontinence (ICIQ-UI, 14.0 vs. 10.7, p = 0.028) and quality of life (SF-36, 43.7 vs. 74.6, p < 0.001). The two clusters were indistinguishable by their urgency symptoms (ICIQ-OAB, OAB-q, IUSS, 0-10 ratings). The two OAB clusters were different from patients with IC/BPS (worse urgency incontinence and less pain). CONCLUSIONS: The OAB population is heterogeneous and symptom-based clustering has identified two clusters of OAB patients (a systemic cluster vs. a bladder cluster). Understanding the pathophysiology of OAB subtypes may facilitate treatments.

Factors associated with higher prostate biopsy yield: when is software-assisted fusion MRI-targeting necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the addition of software-assisted fusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) targeted biopsy to systematic biopsy and determine clinical and imaging factors associated with improved prostate cancer (PCa) detection. METHODS: We analyzed 454 patients who had prostate MRI and underwent combined systematic and software-assisted fusion MRI-targeted biopsy at 2 academic centers between July 2015 and December 2017. For our analysis, we compared the Gleason grade group of cores obtained systematically to cores obtained using MRI-targeting. Using multivariable analysis, we examined clinical and imaging factors associated with higher grade group disease in MRI-targeted cores. RESULTS: Software assisted fusion MRI-targeted biopsy detected higher grade group disease in 18.3% of patients. Factors associated with higher grade group disease in MRI-targeted cores included anterior MRI lesion location (odds ratio [OR] 3.15, P< 0.01) and multiple lesions on MRI (OR 2.47, P = 0.01). Increasing prostate volume per cubic centimeter was noted to be negatively associated (OR 0.98, P = 0.02). Notably, factors not found to be associated with improved detection included PIRADS classification 5 compared to 3 (OR 2.47, P = 0.08), PIRADS classification 4 compared to 3 (OR 1.37, P = 0.50), previous negative biopsy (OR 1.48, P = 0.29), inclusion on an active surveillance protocol (OR 1.36, P = 0.48), transitional zone lesion location (OR 0.72, P = 0.45), and institution at which biopsy was performed (OR 1.81, P = 0.16). CONCLUSION: Adding software-assisted fusion MRI-targeting to systematic prostate biopsy offers benefit for men with an anterior and multiple MRI lesions. In absence of these factors, systematic biopsy alone or with cognitive fusion may be considered.

Positive Surgical Margins After Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy Predict Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes for Clinically Localized Renal Masses.

Introduction: For patients with clinically localized renal masses, positive surgical margins (PSMs) after robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) have been associated with a higher risk of disease recurrence, although some studies have challenged this conclusion. Owing to inconsistent reports and a lack of long-term robotic data, the clinical impact of PSM after RPN remains uncertain. We evaluate long-term (>6 years) survival outcomes after RPN in patients with clinically localized disease with respect to surgical margin status. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent RPN for clinically localized renal masses from June 2007 to December 2012 at Washington University School of Medicine. Disease recurrence and overall survival (OS) were stratified on the presence or absence of PSM. The cohort was analyzed to identify patient- and tumor-specific characteristics associated with PSM. Results: We identified 374 RPNs performed from 2007 to 2012 with a mean follow-up time of 77.7 months (SD 32.2 months). PSM was identified in 12 (3.2%) patients. Patients with PSM were at 14-fold increased risk for recurrence with no difference in OS (p < 0.001, p = 0.130, respectively). Patients with PSM had higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (25% vs 6.4%) and greater blood loss (425 mL vs 203 mL). Conclusion: With an extended follow-up period of 77 months after RPN, we found that PSM substantially increased the risk of recurrence without impacting OS. Our finding that PSM may occur more frequently in older patients with COPD must be confirmed in larger studies.

The Risks of Stone Diagnosis and Stone Removal Procedure After Different Bariatric Surgeries.

Introduction: Nephrolithiasis is common after malabsorptive bariatric surgery; however, the comparative risk of stone formation after different bariatric surgeries remains unclear. We seek to compare the risk of stone diagnosis and stone procedure after gastric banding (GB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), short-limb Roux-en-Y (SLRY), long-limb Roux-en-Y (LLRY), and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPDDS). Patients and Methods: Using an administrative database, we retrospectively identified 116,304 patients in the United States, who received bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2014, did not have a known kidney stone diagnosis before surgery, and were enrolled in the database for at least 1 year before and after their bariatric surgery. We used diagnosis and procedural codes to identify comorbidities and events of interest. Our primary analysis was performed with extended Cox proportional hazards models using time to stone diagnosis and time to stone procedure as outcomes. Results: The adjusted hazard ratio of new stone diagnosis from 1 to 36 months, compared to GB, was 4.54 for BPDDS (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.66-5.62), 2.12 for LLRY (95% CI 1.74-2.58), 2.15 for SLRY (95% CI 2.02-2.29), and 1.35 for SG (95% CI 1.25-1.46). Similar results were observed for risk of stone diagnosis from 36 to 60 months, and for risk of stone removal procedure. Male sex was associated with an overall 1.63-fold increased risk of new stone diagnosis (95% CI 1.55-1.72). Conclusions: BPDDS was associated with a greater risk of stone diagnosis and stone procedures than SLRY and LLRY, which were associated with a greater risk than restrictive procedures. Nephrolithiasis is more common after more malabsorptive bariatric surgeries, with a much greater risk observed after BPDDS and for male patients.

Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy is associated with significantly improved survival compared with open cytoreductive nephrectomy or targeted therapy alone.

The aim of the present study was to compare the survival outcomes for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who underwent laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) vs. open CN vs. targeted therapy (TT) alone at our institution. A retrospective chart review was performed at our institution for patients who underwent CN prior to TT (laparoscopic, n=48; open, n=48) or who were deemed unfit for surgery and received TT alone (n=36), between January 2007 and December 2012. Kaplan-Meier estimated survival and Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed. Laparoscopic CN was associated with significantly longer survival compared with open CN or TT alone (median survival 24 vs. <12 months, respectively; P<0.01). On multivariate analysis, laparoscopic CN was an independent predictor of survival [hazard ratio (HR)=0.48, P<0.01), controlling for preoperative risk factors, while survival was similar between open CN and TT alone (HR=0.85, P=0.54). In our experience, laparoscopic CN appears to be a significant predictor of survival in mRCC. Selection bias of the surgeon for patients with improved survival may account for clinical variables that were otherwise difficult to quantify. For patients who were not candidates for laparoscopic CN, open CN did not confer a survival benefit over TT alone, while it was associated with increased morbidity.

Ten-Year Experience with Percutaneous Cryoablation of Renal Tumors: Tumor Size Predicts Disease Progression.

Introduction: Percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) has emerged as an alternative to extirpative management of small renal masses (SRMs) in select patients, with a reduced risk of perioperative complications. Although disease recurrence is thought to occur in the early postoperative period, limited data on long-term oncologic outcomes have been published. We reviewed our 10-year experience with PCA for SRMs and assessed predictors of disease progression. Materials and Methods: We reviewed our prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent renal PCA from March 2005 to December 2015 (n = 308). Baseline patient and tumor variables were recorded, and postoperative cross-sectional imaging was examined for evidence of disease recurrence. Disease progression was defined as the presence of local recurrence or new lymphadenopathy/metastasis. Results: Mean patient age was 67.2 ± 11 years, mean tumor size was 2.7 ± 1.3 cm, and mean nephrometry score was 6.8 ± 1.7. At mean follow-up of 38 months, local recurrence and new lymphadenopathy/metastasis occurred in 10.1% (31/308) and 6.2% (19/308) of patients, respectively. Excluding patients with a solitary kidney and/or von Hippel-Lindau, local recurrence and new lymphadenopathy/metastasis occurred in 8.6% (23/268) and 1.9% (5/268) of cases, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimated disease-free survival was 92.5% at 1 year, 89.3% at 2 years, and 86.7% at 3 years post-PCA. Increasing tumor size was a significant predictor of disease progression (hazard ratio 1.32 per 1-cm increase in size, p = 0.001). Conclusions: PCA is a viable treatment option for patients with SRMs. Increasing tumor size is a significant predictor of disease progression following PCA.

Hunner Lesion Phenotype in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: We compared demographics, clinical presentation, comorbidities, urinary profiles, and treatment responses between patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome with and without Hunner lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature in PubMed® in February 2019. Publications were included if they compared data between patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome with and without Hunner lesions, yielding 59 articles. Meta-analysis was performed on a subset of clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Meta-analysis showed that patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome with Hunner lesions were significantly older (MD 6.7 years, 95% CI 2.0-11.3, p=0.005), reported higher urinary frequency (MD 3.2 per day, 95% CI 1.1-5.4, p=0.003), nocturia (MD 1.0 per night, 95% CI 0.1-2.0, p=0.034) and Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (MD 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.0, p <0.001), but lower cystometric bladder capacity (MD -113 ml, 95% CI -164 to -61 ml, p <0.001) compared to those with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome without Hunner lesions. There were no differences in pain scores (p=0.105), symptom duration (p=0.2) or sex (p=0.83) between the 2 groups. While some studies reported higher rates of comorbid pain syndromes (eg fibromyalgia) among patients without Hunner lesions, overall results were conflicting. Patients with Hunner lesions had higher urinary levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (CXCL10, NGF, IL-6, IL-8, MIF), luminal nitric oxide and responded well to endoscopic treatment of the Hunner lesions (eg fulguration or triamcinolone injection). In comparative studies patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome with Hunner lesions responded better to oral cyclosporine A than those without Hunner lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated significant differences in demographics, clinical presentation, urinary marker profiles, and treatment responses between patients with and without Hunner lesions, suggesting that they may represent 2 distinct clinical phenotypes. Studies are needed to investigate their mechanistic differences.

Accuracy and Variability of Prostate Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Interpretation Using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System: A Blinded Comparison of Radiologists.

BACKGROUND: Multiparametric (mp) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important tool for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. However, diagnostic accuracy is affected by variability between radiologists. OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and variability in prostate mpMRI interpretation among radiologists, both individually and in teams, in a blinded fashion. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A study cohort (n=32) was created from our prospective registry of patients who received prostate mpMRI with subsequent biopsy. The cohort was then independently reviewed by four radiologists of varying levels of experience, who assigned a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) classification, blinded to all clinical information. Consensus interpretation by teams of two radiologists was evaluated after a 12-wk wash-out period. Interpretive accuracy was calculated with various cutoffs for PI-RADS classification and Gleason score. Variability among individual radiologists and teams was calculated using the Fleiss kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Using PI-RADS 3+/Gleason 7+ (p<0.01) and PI-RADS 4+/Gleason 6+ (p=0.02) as cutoffs, significant differences in accuracy among the four radiologists were noted. At no cutoff for PI-RADS classification or Gleason score did a team read achieve higher accuracy than the most accurate radiologist. The kappa and ICC ranged from 0.22 to 0.29 for the individuals and from 0.16 to 0.21 for the teams (poor agreement). A larger sample size may be needed to adequately power differences in accuracy among individual radiologists. CONCLUSIONS: At various cutoffs for PI-RADS classification and Gleason score, we find significant differences in individual radiologist accuracy, as well as a poor agreement among individual radiologists. Consensus interpretations-as teams of two radiologists-did not improve accuracy or reduce variability. PATIENT SUMMARY: This study investigated radiologist variability and differences in accuracy using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Despite attempts to standardize interpretation within the field, we found substantial variability and significant differences in accuracy among individual radiologists.

Dual-frequency setting for urinary stone fragmentation during shock wave lithotripsy: an in vitro study.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is less invasive compared to the other invasive modalities of stone treatment that are gaining popularity. Hence, methods to improve the efficacy of SWL are desirable. We studied the effectiveness of dual frequency on the efficacy of stone fragmentation, but minimizing treatment time. A phantom 10 mm spherical BegoStone was fragmented in vitro in a kidney model using an electromagnetic lithotripter (Storz MODULITH®SLX-F2). A total of 78 stones were fragmented each with 3000 shocks at 60 Hz or 120 Hz or a dual frequency (DF) of 60-120 Hz. For the DF setting, the first 1000 shocks were delivered at 60 Hz and the next 2000 at 120 Hz. Total weight and number of significant fragments of > 3 mm (TWSF and TNSF, respectively) and also > 2 mm was measured. Results: The mean TWSF was 0.1, 0.16, and 0.08 g for 60 Hz, 120 Hz, and DF 60-120 Hz, respectively. The TWSF of DF 60-120 Hz was significantly lower than that of 120 Hz (p = 0.02), but same as the 60 Hz (p = 0.32). The mean TNSF of > 3 mm was 2.6, 3.0, and 2.0 for 60 Hz, 120 Hz, and DF 60-120 Hz, respectively, without significant differences between each setting. However, increasing trend of TWSF, TW2 mm and TN2 mm was seen in the order of DF, 60 Hz and 120 Hz (p = 0.019, p = 0.004 and 0.017, respectively). Treatment time for 60 Hz, 120 Hz, and DF 60-120 Hz was 50, 25, and 34 min, respectively. Dual-frequency setting produced effective stone fragmentation compared to the recommended 60 Hz, while decreasing treatment time. DF variation is one other factor that may be tailored for effective stone comminution and needs clinical evaluation.

Diagnostic Performance of Prostate Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in African-American Men.

OBJECTIVE: To compare test performance of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for detection of prostate cancer (PCa) in African-American men (AAM) and white men (WM) using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System in unmatched groups as well as a cohort matched for clinical factors. METHODS: We examined our database of men who underwent prostate mpMRI prior to biopsy between October 2014 and June 2017 (n = 601; 60 AAM, 541 WM). Test performance was defined using Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System classification 4 or 5 considered test positive and Gleason grade group 2 or greater from any biopsy core considered outcome positive. A subset analysis was performed using a propensity score caliper matching algorithm to match AAM to WM in a 1:2 ratio using the variables age, PSA, and PSA density. RESULTS: No significant differences in test performance were found with similar sensitivity (86.7% vs 83.6, P = 1.00), specificity (45.9% vs 49.1%, P = .71), positive predictive value (50.0% vs 46.9%), and negative predictive value (85.0% vs 84.8%, P = 1.00) for AAM and WM. Similar results were noted in our matched comparison. The rate of upgrading between targeted and systematic biopsy cores did not statistically differ between AAM and WM in both unmatched (12.2% vs. 15.8%, P = .66) and matched (12.2% vs 12.8%, P = .92) comparisons. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide supporting evidence that AAM have similar outcomes to WM in PCa detection using mpMRI. We suggest that mpMRI should not be withheld or offered preferentially on the basis of race when used for the detection of PCa.