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INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess rates of depression in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy and identify its predictors. METHODS: Depressive symptoms in 42 consecutive patients were evaluated using the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) on the day prior to surgery, postoperative day (POD) 6, six weeks after surgery, and 12-18 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (36%) presented with BDI scores =10 before the operation; this rate increased to 64% on POD 6 and 69% at six weeks post-surgery. Depression score rose from a preoperative median of seven to 11 on POD 6 (p=0.003) and to 15 at six weeks after surgery (p=0.001). Patients who arrived with a BDI score of <10 had a higher increase in the BDI at six weeks compared to patients with depressive symptoms prior to surgery (average increase of 9.8 vs. 0.8, p<0.01). Age, gender, type of diversion, and complications were not associated with depression at presentation or progression of depression. Patients who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy tended to be at increased risk for depression progression (57.1% vs. 14.3%, p=0.093). Twenty-four patients completed a fourth questionnaire 12-18 months postoperatively. The median BDI score was eight; three patients with disease recurrence had a higher increase in the BDI score (average 12.7 vs. -5.2, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Depression among patients facing cystectomy is high, and postoperative progression is substantial. Patients without depressive symptoms preoperatively are at increased risk of developing postoperative depression. After 12-18 months, the most influential risk factor for depression is recurrence. These findings highlight the need to consider interventions in selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The aim of the study is to review the continence and volitional voiding rate in a single center cohort of exstrophy–epispadias patients following Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction and to explore factors which predict continence. Materials and Methods Children who underwent Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction as a final stage of repair in a large single low-volume center in a small-population country between 1997 and 2019 were included. Demographic and clinical details were extracted from the patients' charts. The primary end point was continence and volitional voiding. Patients were categorized as incontinent, socially continent (daytime dry intervals > 3 hours, wet nights) and fully continent (daytime dry intervals > 3 hours, dry nights). Results The study cohort included 27 patients whose median age at reconstruction was 5 years, and median follow-up was 7.8 years (interquartile range [IQR] 6–11.2). The cohort included 24 classic exstrophy patients (89%, 17 males and 7 females) and 3 isolated complete epispadias patients (11%, 1 male and 2 females). Nine (33%) patients achieved full continence and social continence was achieved by nine (33%) patients, for an overall social continence rate of 67%. Preoperative bladder capacity of 110 mL or more was associated with achieving social continence (odds ratio = 6.4, p = 0.047). The overall volitional voiding rate was 67%. Conclusion Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction yielded rates of 33% for full continence and 67% for social continence and volitional voiding. These rates are comparable to those of large high-volume centers. A preoperative capacity of 110 mL or more was the sole predictor of social continence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Current guidelines don't support the use of pretreatment imaging in patients with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) is more accurate than conventional imaging for preoperative staging. We aimed to evaluate whether pretreatment 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT is beneficial for identifying pathological lymph node involvement (LNI) and adverse pathology among patients with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Methods: We reviewed 88 patients with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer who underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT prior to radical prostatectomy and lymph node dissection from 2016-2020. The primary endpoint was the presence of pathological LNI. Association between pretreatment characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. Results: Preoperative 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed suspicious uptake in lymph nodes in 4/88 patients (5%), hence, 20 patients would need to be scanned to identify a patient with a positive lymph node on imaging. Two patients had pathological LNI, only one of whom showed 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT uptake prior to surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for identifying LNI were 50%, 97%, 25%, and 99%, respectively. After surgery, four patients had evidence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence. The rate of PSA persistence was higher among patients with LNI on preoperative 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT (2/4, 50% vs. 2/84, 2%, p=0.009). Conclusions: Preoperative imaging of favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients using 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed a low yield for identifying patients at higher risk. Consistent with current guidelines, our findings do not support the routine use of PET/CT in this group of patients. Future prospective studies are needed to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients hospitalized due to gross hematuria frequently complete evaluation in the outpatient setting. The use of office flexible cystoscopy during hospitalization may lead to prompt diagnosis and treatment but can be limited due to low visualization and artifacts that can hamper diagnostic ability. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess flexible cystoscopy findings and yield performed in patients hospitalized due to gross hematuria. Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent flexible cystoscopy while hospitalized during September 2018–December 2019 were reviewed. Cystoscopic findings were categorized into (1) suspicious mass in the bladder or prostate, (2) nonsuspicious changes in the bladder, and (3) nondiagnostic exam. Descriptive statistics were used to report the clinical characteristics of the study cohort and the findings of cystoscopy. Univariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of malignant findings. Results: The study cohort consisted of 69 patients (median age of 76 years). Initial cystoscopy findings were suspicious for malignancy in 26/69 patients (38%), nonsuspicious for malignancy in 34/69 patients (49%), and nondiagnostic in 9/69 patients (13%). The median follow-up time was 9 months (range 4–14 months). Twenty patients (29%) were diagnosed with malignancy (sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 78%). The procedure led to either diagnosis or treatment of 39 patients (57%). However, in 30 patients (43%), the initial cystoscopy did not aid in the diagnosis, led to misdiagnoses, or required a follow-up cystoscopy. On univariate analyses, none of the precystoscopy variables were predictive of bladder malignancy. Conclusion: Flexible cystoscopy in the setting of acute hematuria requiring hospitalization did not lead to diagnosis or treatment in over 40% of cases. In this setting, consideration should be given to performing an upfront cystoscopy under anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of testicular microlithiasis and its association with sperm retrieval rates and histopathology in men with non‐obstructive azoospermia. Methods: A total of 120 men underwent scrotal ultrasonography prior to microsurgical testicular sperm extraction. Sperm retrieval rate, testicular histopathology, testicular size, reproductive hormones, karyotyping, Y chromosome microdeletion analyses, and presence of varicoceles and hydroceles were compared between men with and without testicular microlithiasis. Results: The total sperm retrieval rate was 40%. Ten men with normal spermatogenesis were excluded. The remaining 110 men with non‐obstructive azoospermia were analyzed and testicular microlithiasis was detected in 16 of them (14.5%). The sperm retrieval rate in that subgroup was only 6.2% (1/16) as opposed to 39.4% (37/94) in men with non‐obstructive azoospermia and no evidence of microlithiasis (P = 0.009). The mean right and left testicular diameters were significantly lower in the microlithiasis group (P = 0.04). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of mictolithiasis (odds ratio 7.4, 95% confidence interval 2.3, 12.2; P = 0.01) was the only independent predictor of unsuccessful sperm retrieval. The 15 patients with microlithiasis and without successful sperm extraction were diagnosed by histopathology as having Sertoli cells only. The 16th patient with successful sperm retrieval had a histopathology of mixed atrophy and was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. Conclusion: The presence of testicular microlithiasis is associated with low sperm retrieval rates among our cohort of men with non‐obstructive azoospermia undergoing scrotal ultrasonography prior to microsurgical testicular sperm extraction. Larger, prospective studies should be conducted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Concurrent systematic biopsies during image-guided targeted biopsies of the prostate were found to improve the detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPC). However, these biopsies do not routinely include anterior or apical sampling. We aimed to evaluate the significance of anterior and apical samplings during combined biopsies.Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval we identified 303 consecutive patients who underwent transperineal combined biopsies of the prostate between 2017-2020. Systematic biopsies were obtained from the peripheral zone, anterior zone, and apex. Study outcomes included CSPC and any cancer on anterior or apical biopsies. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between pre-biopsy characteristics and study outcomes.Results: Median prostatic-specific-antigen value was 6.8 ng/dL. Most patients had stage T1c disease (77%). Overall, combined biopsies detected CSPC in 87 patients (29%). Any cancer and CSPC in the anterior zone were found in 54 (18%) and 19 (6%) patients, respectively. Any cancer and CSPC in the apex were found in 54 (18%) and 16 (5%) patients, respectively. Anterior/apical samplings upgraded the pathological result in 19 patients (6%). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that PI-RADS 5 lesions predicted the presence of CSPC in both the anterior zone (OR = 8, 95%CI = 3-22, P <0.001) and apex (OR = 4, 95%CI = 1-10, P = 0.01).Conclusions: Avoiding anterior and apical samplings during prostate biopsy does not result in substantial under-diagnosis of significant cancer. However, these areas are easily accessible using the transperineal approach and should be sampled in selected patients, particularly those with PI-RADS 5 lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusions The value of post‐operative pelvic drain placement after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for the purpose of diagnosing post‐operative complications is undetermined. The aim of this study was to assess the yield of pelvic drain outputs in predicting post‐operative early‐onset urinary leaks from a vesicourethral anastomosis.We conducted a retrospective analysis of 204 consecutive patients who underwent RARP in our institution between 2018 and 2022. The daily outputs of the drain and the urinary catheter were measured, and patients with early‐onset anastomotic urinary leak were compared with those who were free of any leak. The association between post‐operative drain output and the presence of urinary leak was investigated by regression analyses.Post‐operative early‐onset leak was present in six patients (3.4%) whose baseline characteristics were not different from those of patients with no leak. The median pelvic drain output on post‐operative day 1 (D‐POD1) was 80 mL (interquartile range [IQR] 51–150 mL) and 122 mL (IQR 62–200 mL) on D‐POD2. The median D‐POD1 of patients with a leak was significantly higher than those without one (250 mL vs 80 mL, respectively; P < .001). The threshold to predict an anastomotic urinary leak was 227 mL on D‐POD1 (area under the curve 0.88; P < .001), and an association between D‐POD1 >227 mL and the presence of urinary leak (odds ratio 35; P < .001) was found.Pelvic drain output on POD1 can predict early‐onset urinary leak. Given the relatively low rate of this complication via a robotic approach, however, we consider that, unless otherwise indicated, the routine placement of a pelvic drain may be safely avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Most men diagnosed with very-low and low-risk prostate cancer are candidates for active surveillance; however, there is still a misclassification risk. We examined whether PI-RADS category 4 or 5 combined with ISUP 1 on prostate biopsy predicts upgrading and/or adverse pathology at radical prostatectomy., Materials and Methods: A total of 127 patients had ISUP 1 cancer on biopsy after multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and then underwent radical prostatectomy. We then evaluated them for ISUP upgrading and/or adverse pathology on radical prostatectomy., Results: Eight-nine patients (70%) were diagnosed with PI-RADS 4 or 5 lesions. ISUP upgrading was significantly higher among patients with PI-RADS 4-5 lesions (84%) compared to patients with equivocal or non-suspicious mpMRI findings (26%, p < 0.001). Both PI-RADS 4-5 lesions (OR 24.3, 95% CI 7.3, 80.5, p < 0.001) and stage T2 on DRE (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.2, 29.4, p = 0.03) were independent predictors of upgrading on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Men with PI-RADS 4-5 lesions also had significantly more extra-prostatic extension (51% vs. 3%, p < 0.001) and positive surgical margins (16% vs. 3%. p = 0.03). The only independent predictor of adverse pathology was PI-RADS 4-5 (OR 21.7, 95% CI 4.8, 99, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: PI-RADS 4 or 5 lesions on mpMRI were strong independent predictors of upgrading and adverse pathology. Incorporating mpMRI findings when selecting patients for active surveillance must be further evaluated in future studies.

Background: Preoperative identification of the bowel on imaging is essential in planning renal access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and avoiding colonic injury. We aimed this study to assess which noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) window setting provides the optimal colonic identification for PCNL preoperative planning. Methods: Ten urologic surgeons (four seniors, six residents) reviewed 22 images of NCCT scans in both abdomen and lung window settings in a randomized blinded order. Colonic area delineation in each image was performed using a dedicated, commercially available area calculator software. A comparison of the marked colonic area between the abdomen and lung window settings was performed. Results: Overall, the mean marked colonic area was greater in the lung window compared with the abdomen window (8.82 cm 2 vs 7.4 cm 2 , respectively, p < 0.001). Switching the CT window from abdomen to lung increased the identified colonic area in 50 cases (50%). Intraclass correlation showed good agreement between the senior readers and among all readers (0.92 and 0.87, respectively). Similar measurements of the colonic area in both abdomen and lung windows were observed in 26/44 (60%) of the seniors cases and in 7/66 (10%) of the resident cases ( p = 0.002). Conclusion: Lung window solely or in combination with abdomen window appears to provide the most accurate colonic identification for preoperative planning of PCNL access and potentially reduce the risk of colonic injury. This pattern is more evident among young urologists, and we propose to introduce it as a standard sequence in PCNL preplanning.

Introduction: Current guidelines do not support the use of pretreatment imaging in patients with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. 68 Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) is more accurate than conventional imaging for preoperative staging. We aimed to evaluate whether pretreatment 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT is beneficial for identifying pathological lymph node involvement (LNI) and adverse pathology among patients with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer., Methods: We reviewed 88 patients with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer who underwent 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT prior to radical prostatectomy and lymph node dissection from 2016-2020. The primary endpoint was the presence of pathological LNI. Association between pretreatment characteristics and outcomes were evaluated., Results: Preoperative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed suspicious uptake in lymph nodes in 4/88 patients (5%), hence, 20 patients would need to be scanned to identify a patient with a positive lymph node on imaging. Two patients had pathological LNI, only one of whom showed 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT uptake prior to surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT for identifying LNI were 50%, 97%, 25%, and 99%, respectively. After surgery, four patients had evidence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence. The rate of PSA persistence was higher among patients with LNI on preoperative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT (2/4, 50% vs. 2/84, 2%, p=0.009)., Conclusions: Preoperative imaging of favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients using 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed a low yield for identifying patients at higher risk. Consistent with current guidelines, our findings do not support the routine use of PET/CT in this group of patients. Future prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.