Blue light cystoscopy with hexylaminolevulinate: Our 7 years experience.

AIM: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of hexylaminolevulinate (HAL) blue light cystoscopy compared with standard white light cystoscopy (WLC) in daily practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, comparative, controlled (within patient) study was carried out at our Center. 61 consecutive patients with suspected or confirmed bladder cancer were recruited for the study from January 2008 until January 2015. Patients with suspected bladder cancer (positive cytology with negative WLC) or history of previous high-grade NMIBC or CIS were included in the study. Biopsies/resection of each positive lesion/suspicious areas were always taken after the bladder was inspected under WLC and BLC. Diagnoses of bladder tumor or CIS were considered as positive results, and the presence of normal urothelium in the biopsy specimen as negative result. RESULTS: 61 BLC were performed. 15/61 (24.5%) with suspected initial diagnosis of NMIBC and 46/61 (75.5%) with a history of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We performed a total of 173 biopsies/TURBT of suspicious areas: 129 positive only to the BLC and 44 both positive to WLC and BLC. 84/173 biopsies/TURBT were positive for cancer. All 84 NMIBC were positive to the BLC, while 35/84 were positive to the WLC with a sensitivity of BLC and WLC respectively of 100% and 41.7%. Sensitivity of WLC for highgrade NMIBC and CIS was 34.1% and 39% respectively while sensitivity of BLC for high-grade NMIBC and CIS was 100%. The specificity of the WLC was 79.9% compared to 48.5% of the BLC. The positive predictive value of BLC and WLC were respectively 48% (95% CI: 0.447-0.523) and 79% (95% CI: 0.856-0.734). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm those reported in the literature: BLC increases the detection rate of NMIBC particularly in high risk patients (history of CIS or high grade). BLC is a powerful diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of bladder cancer if malignancy is suspected (positive urine cytology) and if conventional WLC is negative.

Reassessing the role of subclinical varicocele in infertile men with impaired semen quality: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the seminal, hormonal, and spontaneous pregnancy outcome after percutaneous embolization of the internal spermatic vein in infertile men with left-sided subclinical varicocele and one or more abnormal semen parameters. METHODS: A total of 218 patients underwent percutaneous embolization, and 119 patients were included as the observation group. All patients were followed up prospectively for 39.4 ± 6.5 months. Semen parameters and hormonal levels were evaluated before any procedure and 6 months after. RESULTS: Significant improvement in the mean sperm concentration, total motility, and lower follicle-stimulating hormone levels was noted in those who underwent varicocele embolization as compared with those not treated. After 39.4 ± 6.5 months, pregnancy rates were 46.3% for the treated group and 11.8% for the control group (P = .011). CONCLUSION: In infertile men, small varicoceles, even subclinical ones, should be identified and treated.

Plication corporoplasty for congenital penile curvature: our results with long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of the long-term follow-up in patients who underwent corporoplasty-straightening treatment for congenital penile curvature (CPC). METHODS: Between 1989 and 2012, a total of 60 patients underwent corporoplasty-straightening surgery using penile plication for CPC. We followed up on all the correction of the curvature; (a) any penile shortening; (b) sexual function; (c) complications. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was of 98 months. Complete correction of the curvature was obtained in 54 patients (90 %). Shortening of the penis (1.5 to not more than 3 cm) occurred in 16 patients (26.6 %). All patients had good erectile function (IIEF-5 > 21). The most frequent complication was the sensitivity reduction of the glans in five patients (8.3 %), which was resolved with in about a year after surgery (mean 11 months) and the shortening of the penis in 16 patients (26.6 %), which, however, did not result in problems during sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Corporoplasty using penile straightening plication is a safe procedure whose results are maintained even after many years after surgery. It is a procedure that can be applied to any type of curvature. Any reduction in the length of the penis, as a result of the surgery procedure, does not lead to difficulties in sexual intercourse.

Testicular microlithiasis and dyspermia: is there any correlation?

BACKGROUND: Testicular microlithiasis (MT) is an uncommon sonographic finding (prevalence in the literature: 0.7 to 6%). Several studies have highlighted its possible correlation with an increased risk of testicular cancer, but few studies have investigated its possible link with dyspermia. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to investigate in our series the number of patients with microlithiasis, diagnosed by ultrasound, and compare the quality of their sperm with that of patients in a control group with normal testicular ultrasound exam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 277 consecutive testicular ultrasound examinations from January 2012 to July 2012. Among all these, we selected 86 patients that showed no pathological elements at echography and 11 patients affected by MT, to one or both testicles. Each patient was also submitted to a short-term semen analysis using the WHO2010 parameters for sperm evaluation. RESULTS: Among 11 patients with MT, 7 (63.63%) were dyspermic and 4 (36.36%) were normospermic. Among the 86 patients with normal testicular ultrasound 51 (59.3%) were dyspermic, 4 (4.65%) were azoospermic, while the remaining 31 (36.05%) were normospermic. Comparing the results of the two groups we obtained an odds ratio of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.27 to 3.64, p: 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: This study, although preliminary, with a low number of participants, shows that sperm quality is not affected by the presence of testicular microlithiasis, because the results of spermiograms are almost comparable between the two groups.

Biopsy follow-up in patients with isolated atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) in prostate biopsy.

The incidence of prostate cancer (PCA) was evaluated in 155 patients with isolated Atypical Small Acinar Proliferation (ASAP) found on initial prostate biopsy, after a medium-term follow-up (40 months) with at least one re-biopsy. Clinical and histological data were analysed. Cancer was detected in 81 of 155 (52.3%). The cancer detection rate was 71.6%, 91.3%, 97.5%, 100% at the 1st re-biopsy, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rebiopsy respectively. At the uni- and multivariate analyses, prostate volume (≤ 30 cc), transition zone volume (≤ 10 cc), small core length at the initial biopsy (≤ 10 mm) and few number of cores at initial biopsy (≤ 8) are predictive of cancer. Furthermore, tumour characteristics on the whole surgical specimens was assessed in 30 men: 13 of 30 (43 %) had clinically relevant cancer (volume > 0.5 ml or/and Gleason score ≥ 7, or pT3). Most of relevant cancers were detected in the distal apex, anterior gland and midline. These anatomical sites could be under-sampled at the initial biopsy using the transrectal approach. Our data suggest that follow-up biopsy is recommended in all cases of isolated ASAP detected after biopsy using endfire transrectal probe. The re-biopsy strategy should increase the number of cores (or a saturation biopsy), focusing on area of ASAP in the initial biopsy, but also including the under-sampled areas (anterior gland, distal apex and midline) to detect clinically relevant cancers.

Improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual activity after open simple prostatectomy: prospective analysis of 50 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the improvement of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) and Erectile Function (EF) evaluated before and after Open Simple Prostatectomy, focusing on which patients this procedure allows better outcomes in term of sexual activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 men with large size benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) greater than 80 gr were prospectively evaluated before and 6 months after Open Simple Prostatectomy (Freyer procedure) between October 2012 to September 2013. Patients had a pre-operative transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) for volume evaluation and filled pre and post operative questionnaires for International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score. RESULTS: Mean patients age was 71 years (D.S. 3,5), mean prostate volume results 103 ml (D.S. 23,7); regarding LUTS and EF, mean improvement of IPSS score was 15,3 (D.S. 4) and mean increase of IIEF-5 score was 3,4 (D.S.3). This study highlights a correlation between patients' age and increase of IIEF-5 score; no correlation with prostate size was found. CONCLUSION: According to the EAU Guidelines 2014, large size BPH (over 80-100 mL) with LUTS refractory to medical management continue to have open prostatectomy as the treatment of choice. In our experience we found not only an reduction of LUTS after the procedure but also an improvement of erectile function; this improvement was related with patient's age.

The impact of repeated prostate biopsies on sexual function and urinary symptoms in patients with diagnosis of Atypical Small Acinar Proliferation (ASAP): can ecoDoppler reduce side effects?

OBJECTIVES: To establish whether repeated trans-rectal ultrasound-guided Prostate Needle Biopsies (PNBx) performed in men with diagnosis of Small Acinar Atypical Proliferation (ASAP) predispose these subjects to Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and to evaluate if EcoColorDoppler (ECD) can help to reduce this side effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study regarding 190 men with diagnosis of ASAP detected between January 2001 and December 2011, who underwent to repeated prostate needle biopsies (PNBx). These patients were investigated about Erectile Function (EF) and Lower Urinary tract Symptoms (LUTS) using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaires before the first PNBx and 3 months after each other one. In particular, among the 89 men without ED before first PNBx, we compared IIEF-5 score between 64 patients who underwent to standard PNBx and 25 patients submitted to a PNBx done with in addition ECD ultrasound imaging. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 65 years (SD 7.7); mean follow-up was 3.2 years (SD 1.8) and the mean number of re-biopsies completed was 2 (SD 1.5). Among the 143 men considered, only 89 resulted with a normal EF (IIEF-5 score > 21): in this group incidence of ED (IIEF-5 score < 21) among patients who underwent to standard PNBx was 4/64 (6.25%) while in patients submitted to a PNBx with ECD was 1/25 (4%). A greater decrease of EF was observed in patients undergone to 3 or more biopsies; no relationship between IPSS score and re-PNBx was identified. CONCLUSION: Repeated PNBx done in patients with diagnosis of ASAP appear to get worse EF; number of biopsies seems to increase the risk of ED. Use of ECD in transrectal ultrasound- guided PNBx may have a role to avoid neurovascular bundles (NVBs) and preserve EF; anyway further studies are highly recommended to validate this hypothesis.

Comparison of tamsulosin vs tamsulosin/sildenafil effectiveness in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients affected by type III chronic prostatitis.

AIM: We evaluated the effectiveness of tamsulosin monotherapy versus tamsulosin plus sildenafil combination therapy on erectile dysfunction (ED) in young patients with type III chronic prostatitis and ED by using symptom score scales. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 44 male patients were divided into 2 groups: the first group (20 patients) was treated with tamsulosin 0,4 mg monotherapy and the second one 24 patients) was treated with tamsulosin 0,4 mg plus sildenafil 50 mg combination therapy. "International Prostate Symptom Score, "National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index" (NIH-CPSI) and "International Index of Erectile Function" (IIEF-5) were investigated in each group of patients, and scores calculated during the first medical examination. Both groups were treated with tamsulosin once daily for 60 days, while sildenafil 50 mg was given on demand (at least 2 times per week) for 60 days. During the second medical examination IPSS, NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5 scores were analyzed once more. Afterwards, the alterations of scores among medical examinations in each group and between both groups were statistically compared. RESULTS: The age average of the 44 cases included was 32.04 3.15 years. Both groups present a statistically significant decrease, between the first and the second medical examination, in IPSS, NIH-CPSI scores and statistically significant increase in IIEF-5 score. In addition, there is no statistically significant difference, in all scores, between mono and combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS: tamsulosin monotherapy, as well as a combination therapy (tamsulosin plus sildenafil) has an improving effect on symptoms and on ED in patients with type III prostatitis. In the near future alpha-blockers monotherapy could be used in the treatment of chronic prostatitis and ED cases instead of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors combination therapy.

Comparison between WHO (World Health Organization) 2010 and WHO 1999 parameters for semen analysis - interpretation of 529 consecutive samples.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify how many men with normal semen according to WHO (WHO - World Health Organization) 1999 criteria, should be considered with abnormal semen according to 2010 criteria and vice versa; to study which parameter of volume, concentration, motility and morphology is the most responsible of this change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied, using WHO 1999 parameters, 529 consecutive semen samples from 427 men, collected in our Department from January 2008 to December 2009, then we re-evaluated those results using WHO 2010 parameters; we also studied each parameter to understand how changed the classification from normal (defined normal by all parameters) to abnormal (defined abnormal by at least one parameter) using the two WHO criteria. RESULTS: 3 men (0.56%) were azoospermic. Among the remaining 526 samples, 199 (37.83%) were considered normal and 246 (46.76%) abnormal both according to WHO 1999 and WHO 2010 criteria; we found that none of the samples classified normal according to the previous criteria was classified abnormal according the more recent criteria, while 82 (15.58%) evaluated as abnormal according 1999 criteria changed to normal according 2010 criteria. The concordance between 1999 and 2010 evaluation was 84.44%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we noted that the changes from WHO 1999 to WHO 2010 criteria did not modify the interpretation of semen quality, because comparing the two classifications we demonstrated that there is a substantial agreement, considering the three parameters (count, motility and morphology) all together, and also considering each single parameter. Anyhow, almost 16% of the patients considered infertile according to the old criteria, should be evaluated normal by the new classification and they should not need any treatment for infertility.

[Repeated injection of botulinum toxin a in patients with neurogenic bladder: our experience]. / Iniezioni ripetute di tossina botulinica a in pazienti con vescica neurologica: la nostra esperienza.

BACKGROUND: In literature, the majority of data about treatment with botulinum toxin A are based on the results of a single treatment. We evaluate the safety and effectiveness in the medium term of the use of botulinum toxin type A in patients with neurogenic bladder, taking into consideration the clinical and urodynamic parameters, particularly in cases with repeated injections. METHODS: 25 patients were divided into 2 groups: a first group of patients with detrusor overactivity, and a second with overactive sphincter. We performed 20-30 injections (Dysport), at a dose ranging between 500 and 1000 U. The first group was treated with infiltration in the detrusor and in the detrusor and trigone. The second group received injections in the perisphinteric zone, and in the perisphinteric zone and bladder neck. Of the 25 patients, 12 received a retreatment: the first group of patients kept a daily voiding diary to record the number of bladder emptying, incontinence episodes, nycturia and urgency of urination. The urodynamic parameters and symptoms pre-treatment and 4 months after the treatment were compared in both groups. RESULTS: In the first group there were significant changes in the cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure, and in the post-void residual urine 4 months after treatment. These patients were satisfied with the treatment because of the improvement of incontinence and episodes of urgency. In 9 out of 15 retreated patients, the therapeutic results were similar to the first treatment. The second group reported significant improvements in maximum urinary flow rate, post-void residual urine and maximum detrusor pressure. 3 out of 10 patients were retreated even in this group; the new therapeutic results were similar to the first treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results in 25 patients with neurogenic bladder showed a concordance with the literature data. The treatment of detrusor and sphincter neurogenic overactivity with botulinum toxin A is effective and safe. Also in the 12 patients with repeated injection treatment, it has been proven safe and effective.

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and TRUS-biopsy accuracy in potential candidates for PRIAS active surveillance protocol.

AIM: Evaluate the transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and TRUS-guided Biopsy (TRUS-Bx) accuracy in patients with low risk prostate cancer (PCA) that were potential candidate for PRIAS active surveillance (AS) protocol but underwent to immediate radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: 616 men were extracted from our institutional RP database. We selected the patients who met PRIAS inclusion criteria. The primary outcome was to evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) and the specificity of suspected lesions at TRUS. The secondary outcome was to evaluate the TRUS-Bx accuracy in term of pathological upstaging and pathological upgrading with respect of RP specimen pathology report. RESULTS: 147 men of 616 (23.8%) in our RP database met PRIAS criteria; in this group we found 66 suspected lesions at TRUS examination (66/147: PPV 44.8%). Prostate cancer was really present in the biopsy specimen in only 32/66 of suspected lesions; in 28/66 the suspect lesion at TRUS was in the same position of the index lesion at final pathology. TRUS/biopsy specificity was 48% and TRUS/surgical specimen specificity 39%. TRUS-Bx staging accuracy: upgrading between biopsy and RP was recorded in 57/147 (38%) whereas 30/147 (20%) were upstaged on final pathology up to N1. CONCLUSIONS: TRUS and TRUS-Bx are insufficient tools to detect the grade, the location and the extent of PCA. New emerging techniques, such as US-MRI fusion biopsy and 3D template-guided transperineal saturation biopsy are promising to minimize the risk of misclassification and therefore to better select the best option of treatment (radical treatments or focal therapies or active surveillance) in each patient with low risk prostate cancer.

[Isolated hydatid cyst of the kidney]. / Fistola cutanea da cisti idatidea isolata del rene: case report.

BACKGROUND: A hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Kidney involvement represents 4% of all cases, and is rare compared to that in the liver or lung, even more as an isolated site of infection. We present a case report of a woman with septic status, cutaneous fistula and a renal cystic mass revealed to be a solitary hydatid cyst of the kidney. METHODS: A 60-year-old woman was referred acutely by another hospital to our department because of septic fever, cutaneous lumbar fistula and a left kidney cystic mass of 10 x 8 cm. We suspected a renal abscess and the patient underwent immediate left nephrectomy. RESULTS: We performed an extraperitoneal nephrectomy with a lumbar access under the 12th rib with complete resection of the fistula. The histopathological examination revealed it to be a hydatid cyst involving 2/3 of the kidney. After surgery a medical therapy with albendazol was administrated for 6 months, and the patient did not have any other localization 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: An isolated renal hydatid cyst presenting as cutaneous fistula with a septic status is a very rare condition. A pre-surgical diagnosis is not always possible as in this case. The surgical therapy (nephron-sparing or radical) is the key of the success and a medical therapy after surgery is recommended to prevent other localizations of this parasitic disease.