Surgical outcome predictor analysis following hand-assisted or pure laparoscopic transperitoneal nephroureterectomy using the Taiwan upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma database.

Purpose: Taiwan has a high incidence of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes following transperitoneal hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (TP-HALNU) and transperitoneal pure laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (TP-LNU) from the Taiwan nationwide UTUC collaboration database using different parameters, including surgical volumes. Materials and methods: The nationwide UTUC collaboration database includes 14 hospitals in Taiwan from the Taiwan Cancer Registry. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 622 patients who underwent laparoscopic nephroureterectomy between July 1988 and September 2020. In total, 322 patients who received TP-LNU or TP-HALNU were included in the final analysis. Clinical and pathological data and oncological outcomes were compared. Results: Of the 322 patients, 181 and 141 received TP-LNU and TP-HALNU, respectively. There were no differences in clinical and histopathological data between the two groups. No differences were observed in perioperative and postoperative complications. There were no significant differences in oncological outcomes between the two surgical approaches. In the multivariate analysis, the cohort showed that age ≥70 years, positive pathological lymph node metastasis, tumors located in the upper ureter, and male sex were predictive factors associated with an increased risk of adverse oncological outcomes. A surgical volume of ≥20 cases showed a trend toward favorable outcomes on cancer-specific survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0.154, p = 0.052] and marginal benefit for overall survival (HR 0.326, p = 0.019) in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Although different approaches to transperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy showed no significant differences in surgical outcomes, age, sex, lymph node metastasis, and tumor in the upper ureter in the following period were predictive factors for oncological outcomes. Higher surgical volume did not impact disease-free survival and bladder recurrence-free survival but was associated with improved overall survival and cancer-specific survival. Exploration of unknown influencing factors is warranted.

External validation of the Simplified PADUA REnal (SPARE) nephrometry system in predicting surgical outcomes after partial nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pentafecta is a major goal in the era of partial nephrectomy (PN). Simplified PADUA REnal (SPARE) nephrometry system was developed to evaluate the complexity of tumor. However, the predictive ability in pentafecta of SPARE system is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to externally validate the applicability of SPARE nephrometry system in predicting pentafecta achievement after partial nephrectomy, and to examine inter-observer concordance. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of 207 consecutive patients who underwent PN between January 2012 and August 2018 at a tertiary referral center. We obtained SPARE, R.E.N.A.L., and PADUA scores and evaluated correlations among the nephrometries and surgical outcomes including pentafecta by Spearman test. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of pentafecta outcomes. We compared the nephrometries to determine the predictive ability of achieving pentafecta using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Fleiss' generalized kappa was used to assessed interobserver variation in the SPARE system. RESULTS: Based on the SPARE system, 120, 74, and 13 patients were stratified into low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. Regarding the individual components of pentafecta, there were significant differences in the complication rate (p = 0.03), ischemia time (p < 0.001), and percent change of eGFR (p < 0.001) among the three risk groups. In addition, higher tumor complexity was significantly associated with a lower achievement rate of pentafecta (p = 0.01). In Spearman correlation tests, SPARE nephrometry was correlated with ischemia time (ρ:0.37, p < 0.001), operative time (ρ:0.28, p < 0.001), complication rate (ρ:0.34, p < 0.001), percent change of eGFR (ρ:0.34, p < 0.001), and progression of chronic kidney disease stage (ρ:0.17, p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that SPARE significantly affected pentafecta (OR: 0.67, p < 0.001). In ROC curve analysis, SPARE showed fair predictive ability in the achievement pentafecta (AUC: 0.71). The predictive ability of pentafecta was similar between nephrometries (SPARE vs. R.E.N.A.L., p = 0.78; SPARE vs. PADUA, p = 0.66). The interobserver concordance of SPARE was excellent (Kappa: 0.82, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: SPARE system was a predictive factor of surgical outcomes after PN. This refined nephrometry had similar predictive abilities for pentafecta achievement compared with R.E.N.A.L. and PADUA.

A retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma arising from the gonadal vein: A case report.

RATIONALE: Cavernous hemangioma (CH) is not commonly found within the abdomen or the retroperitoneum. We report the first case of CH originating from the gonadal vein. DIAGNOSIS: A retroperitoneal tumor was found incidentally in a 57-year-old female patient. The differential diagnoses from the initial imaging studies included gastrointestinal stromal tumor, carcinoid tumor, neurogenic tumor, metastasis, lymphadenopathy, or another rare tumor. INTERVENTIONS: A surgical en-bloc excision was performed via a subcostal incision and intravenous CH arising from a gonadal vein was diagnosis by the urological pathologist. OUTCOMES: After the surgery, no complications were noted. A computed tomography scan was performed after 3 months follow-up and no tumor recurrence was found. LESSONS: This case reminds us that CH should be listed as one of the differential diagnoses for a retroperitoneal tumor. A definite diagnosis of CH relies on surgical resection. The prognosis is well if adequate resection is performed.

Internal hernia from the interureteric space after robot-assisted radical cystectomy and urinary diversion: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion remains the definite management for muscle invasive bladder urothelial cancer. Internal herniation caused by ureteral adhesion is an extremely rare complication after the procedure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of small bowel obstruction and internal herniation occurring between bilateral ureters and urinary diversion after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 64-year-old woman presented with symptom of small bowel obstruction such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal fullness after RARC and Indiana pouch. Another 61-year-old man presented with left obstructive hydronephrosis and recurrent pyelonephritis after RARC and ileal conduit. DIAGNOSIS: Both patients received computed tomography scans and the results were suggestive of small bowel herniation between bilateral ureters and urinary diversion. INTERVENTIONS: The 2 patients underwent open ureterolysis and internal hernia reduction. During the operation, bowel loop herniation between the interureteral spaces were found. OUTCOMES: Both patients recovered smoothly after second operation. LESSONS: The incidence of internal herniation may increase by the growing use of RARC. Suitable stoma position, appropriate length of ureter dissection, and retroperitonealization can help prevent this complication.

Outcomes of stage II-IV upper-tract urothelial carcinoma and adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced cancer.

The present retrospective study aimed to examine the outcomes of stage II-IV upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy is a beneficial treatment for patients with locally advanced UTUC (specifically, stage III-IV). The analysis included 126 patients with muscle-invasive UTUC who were treated between June 2003 and June 2012. All patients underwent laparoscopic or open nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were assessed. Outcomes were compared between groups of patients with stage II (high-stage localized) disease, stage III-IV (high-stage locally advanced) disease treated with chemotherapy, and stage III-IV disease not treated with chemotherapy. Among patients with high-stage locally advanced UTUC (stage III-IV), those who received adjuvant chemotherapy had significantly better rates of OS (67.1 vs. 33.7%; P=0.004), DFS (70.2 vs. 46.0%; P=0.030) and DMFS (86.3 vs. 65.2%; P=0.048) at 5-years compared with those who did not undergo adjuvant chemotherapy. However, there was no significant difference between the 5-year LRFS rates in these two groups (78.2 vs. 62.5%; P=0.525). Importantly, the survival curve of patients with high-stage UTUC who received adjuvant chemotherapy was similar to that of patients with low-stage UTUC who underwent surgery only. Multivariate analysis revealed that adjuvant chemotherapy was an independent risk factor for OS [without adjuvant chemotherapy vs. with adjuvant chemotherapy: Hazard ratio (HR), 0.29; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.129-0.654; P=0.003] and DFS (without adjuvant chemotherapy vs. with adjuvant chemotherapy: HR, 0.381; 95% CI, 0.168-0.865; P=0.021). In conclusion, adjuvant chemotherapy may improve the outcome for patients with high-stage locally advanced UTUC.

Prostate Health Index (PHI) improves prostate cancer detection at initial biopsy in Taiwanese men with PSA 4-10 ng/mL.

In this study, we aimed to validate the Prostate Health Index (PHI) for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa). We prospectively enrolled patients aged 50-75 years with a serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of 4-10 ng/mL undergoing transrectal biopsy of the prostate between April 2016 and May 2017. The primary outcome was the diagnostic performance of various PSA derivatives (total PSA, free PSA, %fPSA, p2PSA, %p2PSA, and PHI) to predict PCa. The secondary outcome was comparisons of PSA derivatives between patients with a Gleason score (GS) ≤6 and GS ≥7. PCa was diagnosed in 36 of 154 (23.4%) patients, and 26 (16.9%) had a GS ≥7. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were significantly greater in %p 2PSA and PHI than in PSA (0.76 vs. 0.57, p = 0.015 and 0.77 vs. 0.57, p = 0.004, respectively). Patients with a GS ≥7PCa had marginally higher %p2PSA and PHI than those with a GS of 6 (17.8 vs. 12.73, p = 0.06; 46.58 vs. 31.55, p = 0.05). At a PHI cutoff value of 29.6, the sensitivity and specificity were 77.8% and 67.8% in detecting PCa, respectively. In addition, 57.1% of the patients avoided an unnecessary biopsy, while three patients (1.9%) with GS 7 PCa were missed. In conclusion, the ability of %p2PSA and PHI to predict prostate biopsy outcome was better than that of PSA and %fPSA in the initial biopsy in Taiwanese men with serum PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL.

An unresectable retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma: A case report.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is most commonly observed in the extremities and the trunk but rarely in retroperitoneum. The present case report documents a 64-year-old man who was admitted with an abdominal palpable mass for 6 months. After a thorough investigation, a tumor of the retroperitoneum was identified adhered to adjacent organs and vessels. The patient experienced mild hydronephrosis and hydroureter as a result of the tumor compression. A number of previous surgeons considered the tumor unresectable and suggested palliative treatment. En bloc resection of the tumor was attempted but incomplete surgery was performed initially as the tumor was friable and prone to bleeding. Therefore, a biopsy of the tumor was performed and a double J ureteral stent was set for hydronephrosis. Histopathological examination confirmed the tumor was an MFH. The patient received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with 4 cycles of mesna, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine (MAID). A computed tomography scan demonstrated that the tumor had reduced in size following chemotherapy. En bloc resection of the tumor was arranged again 6 months later. The tumor exhibited a complete response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy after the formal pathological evaluation. The patient survives without tumor recurrence >5 years without recurrence.

A Mathematical Method to Calculate Tumor Contact Surface Area: An Effective Parameter to Predict Renal Function after Partial Nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: We proposed a mathematical formula to calculate contact surface area between a tumor and renal parenchyma. We examined the applicability of using contact surface area to predict renal function after partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed this retrospective study in patients who underwent partial nephrectomy between January 2012 and December 2014. Based on abdominopelvic computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, we calculated the contact surface area using the formula (2*π*radius*depth) developed by integral calculus. We then evaluated the correlation between contact surface area and perioperative parameters, and compared contact surface area and R.E.N.A.L. (Radius/Exophytic/endophytic/Nearness to collecting system/Anterior/Location) score in predicting a reduction in renal function. RESULTS: Overall 35, 26 and 45 patients underwent partial nephrectomy with open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches, respectively. Mean ± SD contact surface area was 30.7±26.1 cm(2) and median (IQR) R.E.N.A.L. score was 7 (2.25). Spearman correlation analysis showed that contact surface area was significantly associated with estimated blood loss (p=0.04), operative time (p=0.04) and percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (p <0.001). On multivariate analysis contact surface area and R.E.N.A.L. score independently affected percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (p <0.001 and p=0.03, respectively). On ROC curve analysis contact surface area was a better independent predictor of a greater than 10% change in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to R.E.N.A.L. score (AUC 0.86 vs 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Using this simple mathematical method, contact surface area was associated with surgical outcomes. Compared to R.E.N.A.L. score, contact surface area was a better predictor of functional change after partial nephrectomy.

Spontaneous ureteral rupture and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous ureteral rupture is defined as non-traumatic urinary leakage from the ureter. This is a diagnosis that, although uncommon, is important for emergency physicians to know about. The literature is relatively sparse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients who were diagnosed with spontaneous ureteral rupture. From 2006 to 2012, 18 patients were diagnosed by radiography (computed tomography or intravenous urogram) with spontaneous ureteral rupture. These cases all showed extravasation of the contrast outside the excretory system. We evaluated underlying causes, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and outcomes. RESULTS: There were 9 men and 9 women with a median age of 59 years (range, 22-82 years). In 56% of patients, a ureteral stone was the cause; in 17% of, a ureteral stricture; in 1 patient, a ureteral tumor; and in the remaining 22%, no cause was identified. In 13 patients (72.2%), primary ureteroscopy to place D-J stents was performed. The average duration of ureteral catheter stenting was 21 days (range, 8-45 days). The other 5 patients (27.8%) were managed conservatively with antibiotic treatment and the outcome was good. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral stones most commonly cause spontaneous ureteral rupture. In our experience, most patients received ureteroscopy and Double-J stenting. Conservative management with antibiotics also had good outcomes. Most patients had sudden onset of abdominal or flank pain. Spontaneous ureteral rupture should be kept in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute abdominal or flank pain in the emergency department.