Urethral diverticulum: A systematic review.

Objective: To present a review of the current literature regarding the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of female urethral diverticula (UD). Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed database was performed to identify studies evaluating female UD. Article titles, abstracts and full-text manuscripts were screened to identify relevant studies, which then underwent data extraction and analysis. Results: In all, 50 studies evaluating the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of female UD were deemed relevant for inclusion. Almost all studies were retrospective single-arm case series. Female UD are outpouchings of the urethral lumen into the surrounding connective tissue. The presentation of female UD is diverse and can range from incidental findings to lower urinary tract symptoms, frequent urinary tract infections, dyspareunia, urinary incontinence (UI), or malignancy. Repair of UD begins with an accurate assessment and diagnosis, which should include adequate radiographic imaging, usually including magnetic resonance imaging. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the usual treatment is surgical excision and reconstruction, most often through a transvaginal approach. The principles of transvaginal urethral diverticulectomy include: removal of the entire urethral diverticulum wall, watertight closure of the urethra, multi-layered and non-overlapping closure of surrounding tissue with absorbable suture, and preservation or creation of continence. Results of surgical repair are usually excellent, although long-term recurrence of these lesions may occur. Complications of urethral diverticulectomy include urethrovaginal fistula, UI, and rarely urethral stricture. Conclusion: Whilst urethral diverticulectomy excision and reconstruction is a challenging procedure, it is ultimately satisfying for the patient and the surgeon when relief of bothersome symptoms is achieved. Adherence to principles of reconstructive surgery is important to ensure a satisfactory result. Abbreviations: PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; UD: urethral diverticulum/diverticula; UI: urinary incontinence; US: ultrasonography; VCUG: voiding cystourethrogram.

Outcomes of treatment of stress urinary incontinence associated with female urethral diverticula: A selective approach.

AIMS: To assess surgical outcomes of concomitant treatment of SUI at time of transvaginal urethral diverticulectomy (TVUD) based on a selective approach. METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, we identified patients with a UD and SUI who underwent TVUD between July 2004 and January 2016. SUI was documented before and after surgery using subjective and objective parameters. Autologous pubovaginal slings (APVS) were used selectively based on surgeon and patient preference. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients underwent surgical treatment of urethral diverticula; 39 patients with UD and concomitant SUI. Mean age was 53 years. Mean follow-up was 16.2 months. There were 24 patients (62%) with SUI that underwent concomitant APVS. There was resolution of SUI in 20 of 24 patients (83%) who underwent a simultaneous APVS compared to 8 of 15 patients (53%) who underwent TVUD without APVS. Surgery resulted in the improvement or resolution of the majority of preoperative symptoms including recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) (82% vs 15%), dyspareunia (64% vs 8%), and urgency (56% vs 13%) (preoperative vs postoperative). CONCLUSIONS: Female UD is often associated with SUI. Concomitant surgical treatment of UD and SUI often results in satisfactory control of bothersome SUI as well as other urinary symptoms such as UTI, dyspareunia and urgency. Treatment of SUI with APVS when undergoing TVUD is feasible with satisfactory outcomes.

Association of Human Development Index with global bladder, kidney, prostate and testis cancer incidence and mortality.

OBJECTIVES: To describe contemporary worldwide age-standardized incidence and mortality rates for bladder, kidney, prostate and testis cancer and their association with development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained gender-specific, age-standardized incidence and mortality rates for 184 countries and 16 major world regions from the GLOBOCAN 2012 database. We compared the mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) at national and regional levels in males and females, and assessed the association with socio-economic development using the 2014 United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). RESULTS: Age-standardized incidence rates were 2.9 (bladder) to 7.4 (testis) times higher for genitourinary malignancies in more developed countries compared with less developed countries. Age-standardized mortality rates were 1.5-2.2 times higher in more vs less developed countries for prostate, bladder and kidney cancer, with no variation in mortality rates observed in testis cancer. There was a strong inverse relationship between HDI and MIR in testis (regression coefficient 1.65, R2 = 0.78), prostate (regression coefficient -1.56, R2 = 0.85), kidney (regression coefficient -1.34, R2 = 0.74), and bladder cancer (regression coefficient -1.01, R2 = 0.80). CONCLUSION: While incidence and mortality rates for genitourinary cancers vary widely throughout the world, the MIR is highest in less developed countries for all four major genitourinary malignancies. Further research is needed to understand whether differences in comorbidities, exposures, time to diagnosis, access to healthcare, diagnostic techniques or treatment options explain the observed inequalities in genitourinary cancer outcomes.

Analysis of Complications of Pelvic Mesh Excision Surgery Using the Clavien-Dindo Classification System.

PURPOSE: We describe and categorize complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification system in patients who underwent vaginal mesh excision surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With institutional review board approval we retrospectively reviewed the records of 277 patients who underwent vaginal mesh extraction between 2007 and 2015 at a single institution. Surgical complications were stratified using the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Complications were perioperative (prior to discharge) or postoperative (within 90 days). Indications for initial mesh placement, mesh revision procedure, time to resolution and medical comorbidities were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 277 patients 47.3% had at least 1 surgical complication, including multiple complications in 7.2%. A total of 155 complications were identified, which were grade II in 49.0% of cases, grade I in 25.8%, grade IIIb in 18.7%, grade IIIa in 5.2% and grade IVa in 1.3%. No grade IVb or V complications were identified. The indication for initial mesh placement did not significantly affect complication frequency. Patients who underwent combined stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse mesh revision surgeries had an increased frequency of complications compared to those treated with mesh revision surgery for pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence alone (p = 0.045). Most complications occurred postoperatively and resolved by 90 days. Age, body mass index, smoking status and diabetes were not associated with increased complications. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the complexity of mesh revision surgery most complications are minor. Serious complications may develop, emphasizing the need for proper patient counseling and surgical experience when performing these procedures.

Approach to Androgen Deprivation in the Prostate Cancer Patient with Pre-existing Cardiovascular Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a mainstay of treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Several studies have reported an association between ADT and an increase in cardiovascular events, especially in those receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists compared to GnRH antagonists. We review the body of literature reporting the association of ADT and cardiovascular morbidity, and discuss the proposed mechanism of cardiovascular disease due to ADT including metabolic changes that may promote atherosclerosis and local hormonal effects that may increase plaque rupture and thrombosis. RECENT FINDINGS: GnRH agonists appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity by 20-25% in men on these agents compared those who do not receive ADT. GnRH antagonists may appear to have halve this risk while improving PSA progression-free survival. GnRH antagonists may be superior to GnRH agonists for patients with significant cardiovascular disease, significant metastatic disease burden, or severe lower urinary tract symptoms.

A snapshot of the adult spina bifida patient - high incidence of urologic procedures.

INTRODUCTION: To describe the urologic outcomes of contemporary adult spina bifida patients managed in a multidisciplinary clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients seen in our adult spina bifida clinic from January 2004 to November 2011 was performed to identify urologic management, urologic surgeries, and co-morbidities. RESULTS: 225 patients were identified (57.8% female, 42.2% male). Current median age was 30 years (IQR 27, 36) with a median age at first visit of 25 years (IQR 22, 30). The majority (70.7%) utilized clean intermittent catheterization, and 111 patients (49.3%) were prescribed anticholinergic medications. 65.8% had urodynamics performed at least once, and 56% obtained appropriate upper tract imaging at least every other year while under our care. 101 patients (44.9%) underwent at least one urologic surgical procedure during their lifetime, with a total of 191 procedures being performed, of which stone procedures (n = 51, 26.7%) were the most common. Other common procedures included continence procedures (n = 35, 18.3%) and augmentation cystoplasty (n = 29, 15.2%). Only 3.6% had a documented diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and 0.9% with end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Most adult spina bifida patient continue on anticholinergic medications and clean intermittent catheterization. A large percentage of patients required urologic procedures in adulthood. Patients should be encouraged to utilize conservative and effective bladder management strategies to reduce their risk of renal compromise.

Six Weeks of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Therapy for Patients With Elevated Serum Prostate-specific Antigen Is Not Clinically Beneficial: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate asymptomatic men with elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to determine whether a 6-week course of fluoroquinolone antibiotics lowers serum PSA and affects recommendations for prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, single-center prospective trial of 150 men with an initial elevated PSA was conducted. Patients were randomized to 6 weeks of ciprofloxacin or observation. Those patients with persistently elevated PSA were recommended to proceed with transrectal ultrasound-guided 12-core biopsy. Those with reduced PSA were offered transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy but could opt to continue serial digital rectal examination/PSA. Patients were followed an average of 4.6 years to assess trends in PSA and biopsy results. RESULTS: Of 136 men who completed the trial, 63 were in the treatment and 73 were in the observation group. The average PSA change from baseline was borderline statistically significant with a change of -0.68 ng/mL in the treatment arm and 0.01 ng/mL in the observation arm (P = .052). Of those who underwent biopsy, prostate cancer was diagnosed in the first biopsy in 24 (63%) of the treatment vs 27 (52%) of the observation group (P = .60) over follow-up. CONCLUSION: In a cohort of asymptomatic men with elevated PSA, there was only a borderline statistically significant change in serum PSA between patients randomized to a 6-week course of fluoroquinolones vs observation, and there was no difference in positive prostate biopsy results. Our clinical recommendation is one should not treat patients with elevated serum PSA with antibiotics in the absence of clinical symptoms of prostatitis.

Quality of life related to urinary continence in adult spina bifida patients.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the correlations of bladder management technique, ambulatory status and urologic reconstruction on quality of life (QOL) as affected by urinary symptoms in adult spina bifida (SB) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-six adult SB patients completed the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (mSF-36) and Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL). Demographic information, history of urinary reconstruction, and bladder management techniques were reviewed and analyzed with respect to survey scores. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 32.3 (SD ±7.2) years and 44 patients (66.7%) were female. Forty-five patients (68.2%) were mainly ambulatory, 21 (31.8%) use a wheelchair and 10 (15.2%) had urologic reconstruction, while 56 (83.3%) did not. Twelve patients (18.2%) void, 42 (63.6%) perform clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), 4 (6.1%) use an indwelling catheter, 3 (4.5%) have an ileal conduit (IC) and 5 (7.6%) mainly use diapers. Mean mSF-36 General Health score was 56.5 (SD ±22.9) and mean I-QOL Sum score was 50.9 (SD ±21.7), where lower scores reflect lower QOL. mSF-36 and I-QOL scores did not significantly correlate with bladder management technique, ambulatory status or urologic reconstruction. A correlation was noted between I-QOL scales and most mSF-36 scales (all p <0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort study of adult SB patients, bladder management technique and urologic reconstruction did not correlate with urinary (I-QOL) or general health (mSF-36) domains, although I-QOL and mSF-36 scores correlated closely, suggesting urinary continence is significantly related to general QOL. However, we are unable to identify a single factor that improves either urinary or general QOL.

Revisions of mid urethral slings can be accomplished in the office.

PURPOSE: Mid urethral slings occasionally require revision for obstructive voiding symptoms or vaginal extrusion. Our approach has been to offer revision in office or resection done under local anesthesia when the patient is agreeable and deemed an appropriate candidate. The results and complications of these procedures are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients from January 2003 to October 2010 to determine the subset with mid urethral sling insertion who subsequently underwent revision in the office or operating room, as identified through the Northwestern Medical Enterprise Data Warehouse. The CPT code for female sling insertion (57288) or revision/removal (57287) was used. RESULTS: A total of 41 revisions were performed in 28 of the 118 patients (23.7%) who underwent synthetic sling insertion. Reasons for adjustment were an intravesical sling (1 operating room case), extruded vaginal mesh (7 operating room and 19 office) and obstructive voiding symptoms (7 operating room and 7 office). Obstructive voiding symptoms in 6 of 7 operating room and 6 of 7 office patients improved immediately after sling release. There were no complications in either group but 3 office patients required repeat revision in the operating room due to inability to tolerate the procedure in 2 and to nonrelief of symptoms in 1. A total of 13 operating room adjustments were made according to surgeon preference while 2 patients elected the operating room, although adjustment in office was offered. CONCLUSIONS: Sling adjustment due to vaginal mesh extrusion or obstructive voiding symptoms can be successfully performed in the office with good result. When greater adjustment is needed, the operating room may be preferable. Surgeons should make these decisions based on their comfort level and patient preference.

Northwestern University pilot urology residency curriculum: impact of flexible training and residency electives on educational outcomes.

PURPOSE: We report on our first 4 years of experience with a pilot urology residency curriculum. This novel program was approved by the Urology Residency Review Committee and involves a flexible educational program for residents, incorporating elective time (4 months each in postgraduate years 2 and 4 of training) into the residency rotation schedule. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective assessment of the urology residency program overall, the electives chosen by the residents, and the impact on resident operative logs and in-service scores compared to residents completing residency before the implementation of the elective curriculum. Overall faculty and resident evaluation of the residency program and elective curriculum was collected, and categorized as positive, negative or neutral. RESULTS: When comparing the first 3 years of the pilot program to the 5 years before implementation of the program, the average final graduated resident case total increased by 232 (2,390 vs 2,158). Resident in-service scores (postgraduate years 3 to 5) trended higher since the elective program was instituted with a 5% increase in percentile scores compared to their peers (75% vs 72%). Subjective evaluations of the new residency program by residents and faculty were overwhelmingly positive. CONCLUSIONS: The pilot urology residency curriculum including elective time had a positive impact on the program based on resident and faculty feedback without a deleterious effect on urology index case logs or in-service scores.

Viral diversity in asthma.

Asthma exacerbations are precipitated primarily by respiratory virus infection and frequently require immediate medical intervention. Studies of childhood and adult asthma have implicated a wide variety of respiratory viruses in exacerbations. By focusing on both RNA and DNA respiratory viruses and some newly identified viruses, this review illustrates the diversity and highlights some of the uncertainties that exist in our understanding of virus-related asthma exacerbations.

A highly specific algorithm for identifying asthma cases and controls for genome-wide association studies.

Our aim was to identify asthmatic patients as cases, and healthy patients as controls, for genome-wide association studies (GWAS), using readily available data from electronic medical records. For GWAS, high specificity is required to accurately identify genotype-phenotype correlations. We developed two algorithms using a combination of diagnoses, medications, and smoking history. By applying stringent criteria for source and specificity of the data we achieved a 95% positive predictive value and 96% negative predictive value for identification of asthma cases and controls compared against clinician review. We achieved a high specificity but at the loss of approximately 24% of the initial number of potential asthma cases we found. However, by standardizing and applying our algorithm across multiple sites, the high number of cases needed for a GWAS could be achieved.