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Purpose: To describe the results of a polyethylene glycol-coated collagen patch, Hemopatch® on blood loss, surgical time and renal function in partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: Out of a single surgeon cohort of n = 565 patients undergoing conventional open PN (CPN) between 01/2015 and 12/2017 at the University of Munich a consecutive subgroup (n = 42) was operated on using a polyethylene glycol-coated collagen-based sealant Hemopatch® (Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, IL, USA) (HPN). Results: Median age was 65.2 years (range 12.7–95.2) with median follow-up of 9.43 months (0.03–49.15). Baseline renal function (CKD-EPI) was 78.56 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range 20.38–143.09) with a non-significant decline to 74.78 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range 3.75–167.74) at follow-up. In CPN 46% had low complexity, 33% moderate complexity and 20% high complexity lesions with 33% low, 40% moderate and 27% high complexity masses in HPN. Median tumor size was 4.3 cm (range 1–38 cm) in CPN with 4.8 cm (range 3.8–18.3 cm) with HPN, p = 0.293. Median blood loss and duration of surgery was significantly lower in the HPN group vs. CPN (146 ml ± 195 vs. 114 ml ± 159 ml; p = 0.021; 43 min ± 27 for HPN vs. 53 min ± 49; p = 0.035) with no difference in clamping time (12.6 min ± 8.6 for HPN vs. 12.0 min ± 9.5; p = 0.701). Conclusions: Hemopatch® supported renoraphy shows promising results compared to standard renoraphy in PN. No side effects were seen. Further studies should evaluate the prevention of arterio-venous or urinary fistulas. In complex partial nephrectomies Hemopatch® supported renoraphy should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tyrosine kinase (TKI) and checkpoint inhibitors (CI) prolonged overall survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Early prediction of treatment response is highly desirable for the individualization of patient management and improvement of therapeutic outcome; however, serum biochemistry is unable to predict therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, we compared 18F-PSMA-1007 PET imaging for response assessment in mRCC patients undergoing TKI or CI therapy compared to CT-based response assessment as the current imaging reference standard. Methods: 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT was performed in mRCC patients prior to initiation of systemic treatment and 8 weeks after therapy initiation. Treatment response was evaluated separately on 18F-PSMA-PET and CT. Changes on PSMA-PET (SUVmean) were assessed on a per patient basis using a modified PERCIST scoring system. Complete response (CRPET) was defined as absence of any uptake in all target lesions on posttreatment PET. Partial response (PRPET) was defined as decrease in summed SUVmean of > 30%. The appearance of new, PET-positive lesions or an increase in summed SUVmean of > 30% was defined as progressive disease (PDPET). A change in summed SUVmean of ± 30% defined stable disease (SDPET). RECIST 1.1 criteria were used for response assessment on CT. Results of radiographic response assessment on PSMA-PET and CT were compared. Results: Overall, 11 mRCC patients undergoing systemic treatment were included. At baseline PSMA-PET1, all mRCC patients showed at least one PSMA-avid lesion. On follow-up PET2, 3 patients showed CRPET, 3 PRPET, 4 SDPET, and 1 PDPET. According to RECIST 1.1, 1 patient showed PRCT, 9 SDCT, and 1 PDCT. Overall, concordant classifications were found in only 2 cases (2 SDCT + PET). Patients with CRPET on PET were classified as 3 SDCT on CT using RECIST 1.1. By contrast, the patient classified as PRCT on CT showed PSMA uptake without major changes during therapy (SDPET). However, among 9 patients with SDCT on CT, 3 were classified as CRPET, 3 as PRPET, 1 as PDPET, and only 2 as SDPET on PSMA-PET. Conclusion: On PSMA-PET, heterogeneous courses were observed during systemic treatment in mRCC patients with highly diverging results compared to RECIST 1.1. In the light of missing biomarkers for early response assessment, PSMA-PET might allow more precise response assessment to systemic treatment, especially in patients classified as SD on CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Best Practice Onkologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infections in children. The symptoms are not very specific and range from abdominal pain, poor feeding to nocturnal urinary incontinence. The technique of collecting urine plays an important role for securing the diagnosis. The best way to obtain urine in non-toilet-trained children is catheterization or suprapubic bladder aspiration. In toilet-trained children midstream urine is an acceptable alternative after cleaning the foreskin or labia. In the case of an infection a prompt empirical antibiotic therapy is necessary to reduce the risk of parenchymal scarring of the kidneys. There are different approaches to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux in different countries. The commonly used standard approach in Germany is voiding cystourethrography. In the case of reflux dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy should be performed additionally to exclude renal scarring (bottom-up approach). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Until recently, there was no approved adjuvant therapy (AT) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) unless sunitinib was approved in the US. We evaluated clinical opinion and estimated use regarding different treatment options and patient selection of AT in RCC patients based on current scientific data and individual experience in Germany. Methods: We conducted an anonymous survey during a national urology conference in 01/2017. Answers of 157 urologists treating RCC patients could be included. Questions were related to practice setting, treatment of RCC, follow-up strategy, physicians' personal opinion and individually different important parameters regarding S-TRAC and ASSURE-trial. Results: 82% were office based. 67% were located in larger cities. 83% reported that nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) was performed in tumors with diameter < 4 cm. Follow-up was done mainly in concordance with guideline recommendations. 68% treated an average of 2.9 patients/year with systemic therapy. Therapy was predominantly advocated using sunitinib (94%). Urologists were informed about S-TRAC and ASSURE-trial. For 47%, reported hazard ratio is the most important parameter to understand trial results followed by overall survival (OS) in 46%, disease-free survival in 38%, and results of other trials in 34%. The most convincing parameter to decide on AT is OS (69%). 62% placed their confidence in ASSURE over STRAC-trial. 44% would use AT for 12 months. Nodal involvement was the most common denominator for use of AT. 82% favor sunitinib as AT. Conclusions: A minority of urologists would use AT and are more confident in ASSURE-trial. Reluctance of prescribing AT mainly is based on lack of OS data and conflicting trial results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Onkologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is known as one of most common malignant tumors in the urogenital tract. Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in particular has a high recurrence rate and results in correspondingly high costs for the public health system.Methods: To improve the recurrence rate and the prognosis of NMIBC the diagnosis, resection technique, adjuvant instillation therapy and exact histopathological classification of tumor lesions are indispensable. This article gives an overview on the current developments in this field.Results: The current European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines and the preliminary version of the German S3 guidelines on bladder cancer list photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and narrow band imaging (NBI) as diagnostic procedures for tumors of the bladder. The trend for resection of bladder tumors is towards the use of en bloc resection using various techniques. Furthermore, an update of the WHO classification aims at a better identification and prognosis of the different risk groups of NMIBC.Conclusion: The treatment of NMIBC can only be improved by the combination of optimized diagnosis, precise tumor resection, improved adjuvant intravesical therapy and correct histopathological evaluation of tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men, which is increasingly diagnosed at a localized stage due to the widespread use of PSA (prostate-specific antigen)-screening.Method: Traditionally, definite treatment options for PCa include radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, or brachytherapy. However, treatment-related side effects such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are common. Alternatively, national and international guidelines recommend active surveillance (AS) as a treatment option for low-risk PCa. Organ-preserving surgery is commonly used in other organs, such as organ-conserving surgery for breast cancer. Focal therapy (FT) for PCa may close the gap between radical treatment options and active surveillance while reducing side effects.Aim: This article highlights the current therapy options for FT in Germany including their limitations and perspectives. Currently, different therapy options are available for FT in PCa. However, the use of FT is still embedded in clinical trials and has not been approved for routine use yet. Initial results seem to be promising, but most studies are currently enrolling or have not been published yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: National and international guidelines recommend radical prostatectomy (RP) and radiotherapy (EBRT) as standard treatment for intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. Survival benefit of RP in prostate cancer has been proven in prospectively randomized trials. In contrast, the benefit of EBRT as well as the direct comparison of EBRT and RP have been investigated in several retrospective analyses, but are limited by typical problems associated with retrospective studies.Results: Most of the studies comparing RP with EBRT favor RP with regard to overall survival and cancer-specific survival. Especially in young patients with high-grade prostate cancer, RP seems to be superior in comparison with EBRT. These patient are at high risk of a PSA recurrence and subsequently need an additional radiotherapy. Mortality and morbidity related to these both methods are low. Main complications of RP are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. In contrast, rectal sequelae, erectile dysfunction, and irritative urinary symptoms are the main cause for postinterventional morbidity in patients after EBRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Radiologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: According to current guidelines, radical cystectomy (RC) should be combined with an extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) as therapeutic and staging instrument. Objective of this study was to analyze the influence of PLND on survival rates and complication rates in a selected group of elderly patients with a minimum age of 80 years. Materials and methods: In this single-center retrospective analysis, we evaluated 102 patients who underwent RC due to UCB from 2004 to 2015 at our institution. In 74 patients (73%), RC was combined with PLND; in 28 cases (27%), RC was performed without PLND. Impact of PLND on cancer specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed using log-rank test and COX regression model. Results: In univariate analysis of the data, we were not able to show a significant impact of PLND on CSS ( p = 0.606), OS ( p = 0.979) or PFS ( p = 0.883). Also in multivariate analysis of the data, we were not able to identify PLND as an independent prognostic parameter on survival rates of patients undergoing RC, neither for CSS ( p = 0.912) nor OS ( p = 0.618) or PFS ( p = 0.900). Conclusions: Our small and single-center study was not able to demonstrate a significant independent influence of PLND on CSS, OS and PFS in octogenarians undergoing RC due to UCB. There is no doubt that RC should usually be combined with PLND, but the results of this small data set with a selected patient cohort indicate that RC without PLND might be an option in selected cases of elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Internist is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Novel minimally invasive treatment options for the management of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) aim to provide equal efficacy compared to standard techniques with a more favourable safety profile. The preservation of all aspects of male sexual function including antegrade ejaculation is increasingly important to patients. It should be ideally performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia to assure a short recovery time. Novel injectables for intraprostatic application (botulinum neurotoxin A, NX-1207, PRX302) have emerged and first phase III results could not confirm the promising initial data. For mechanical devices like Urolift® the early and mid-term benefits demonstrate a rapid and durable symptom relief without compromising sexual function. Novel innovative procedures like aquablation (AquaBeam®) are entering the scene, but their feasibility, efficacy and safety still need to be addressed in randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of dual-energy CT (DECT) in the detection of the chemical composition of urinary calculi in correlation with infrared spectroscopic stone analysis. Methods: We reviewed the CT scans of 255 patients who underwent DECT due to a clinical suspicion of urolithiasis. Out of this group, we included 64 patients with clinically symptomatic urolithiasis requiring stone removal. After surgical removal of the stone by ureterorenoscopy, chemical composition was analyzed with infrared spectroscopy. We correlated DECT stone characterization results with chemical stone composition based on dual-energy indices (DEI). A total of 213 renal and ureteral stones could be removed and chemically analyzed. Results: A total of 213 calculi were evaluated. Thirty eight out of sixty four (59 %) patients had >1 stone. DECT was used to differentiate stones by using DEI. Stones harboring calcium (CA) were color-coded in blue, while stones containing uric acid (UA) were colored red. Median DEI in UA-containing stones were 0.001. Non-UA-containing stones had a DEI between 0.073 for pure CA stones and 0.077 containing CA and other substances ( p = 0.001; p = 0.03, respectively). Sensitivity of DECT was 98.4 % for differentiation of UA from non-UA-containing calculi. Specificity was 98.1 %. Mean effective radiation dose of DECT was 4.18 mSv (0.44-14.27 mSv), thus comparable to conventional CT scans of the abdomen. Conventional measurement of Hounsfield units did not correlate with stone composition. Conclusion: DECT with image post-processing reliably discriminates UA-containing calculi from all other stones, but the study offered limitations. Discrimination within the non-UA stones cannot be reliably achieved but is clinically insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Different blood parameters have shown to be associated with patient's oncological outcome. There is only limited knowledge about the prognostic relevance of routine blood parameters in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the influence of preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Materials and methods: Preoperative CRP and Hb levels were available in 664 patients who underwent RC due to TCC from 2004 to 2013 at our institution. More men than women (77 vs. 23 %) underwent surgery with a median age of 70 years (35-97). Median follow-up time was 24 months (max. 108). Outcome was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox regression models. Results: Median CRP level was 0.5 mg/dl (0.1-28.3), and median Hb level was 13.4 g/dl (6.7-17.9). Patients with CRP value above the median died significantly earlier due to their disease than those with CRP below the median (median CSS 19 vs. 70 months; p < 0.001). Patients with preoperative Hb level below the median had significantly worse outcome than those with Hb level above the median (median CSS 25 vs. 78 months; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, CRP and Hb levels were independent prognostic parameters regarding CSS/OS (CRP p = 0.016/ p = 0.004; Hb p = 0.006/ p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions: In our single-center study, preoperative CRP and Hb levels were found to be independent prognostic factors, indicating impaired outcome in patients undergoing RC for TCC. These findings could be used for individual risk stratification and optimization of therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) is one of the most common urologic diseases in childhood. About every third child that presents with a urinary tract infection (UTI) has urinary reflux to the ureter or kidney. Demonstration of a backflow of urine into the ureters or kidneys proves vesicoureteral reflux. In unclear cases, a positioned instillation of contrast agent (PIC) cystogram might be performed and is able to prove vesico-ureteral reflux.Objectives: Since low-grade VUR has a high probability of maturation and self-limitation, infants with VUR should be given prophylactic antibiotics during their first year of life, reevaluating the status of VUR after 12 months. The aim of any treatment is to prevent renal damage.Therapy: The individual risk of renal scarring is decisive for the choice of adequate therapy. This risk is mainly dependent on reflux grade, age, and gender of the child as well as parental therapy adherence. In principle, therapeutic options include conservative as well as endoscopic or open surgical antireflux therapies.Conclusion: Decisions on treatment should be made individually with parents taking into account all the findings available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The number of outpatient surgeries for routine surgical interventions continues to increase, especially in adults. For many patients, there is no doubt that interventions like arthroscopy will be performed on an outpatient basis. Regarding urologic surgeries in adults (e.g., vasectomy, hydrecelectomy), outpatient treatment is well established. For adults such a procedure represents a well-calculable situation in most cases, as the patient can quite accurately imagine the events that will follow. In terms of pediatric outpatient surgery, the scenario is sometimes quite different. Parents are more anxious and uncertain because they must decide for the well-being of their children and they often do not exactly know what will happen during the procedure. In addition, they do not have to decide for themselves but for their children.Discussion: Unfortunately, parents often lack information prior to surgery. Therefore, all persons involved in the treatment of children (e.g., urologists, anesthesiologists, nurses) must be trained and educated in giving adequate and appropriate information especially for parents.Conclusion: The purpose of this article is to provide different starting points for an optimized preparation and care of children and parents concerning outpatient surgery in pediatric urology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radical prostatectomy is a curative therapy for prostate cancer with a lifetime follow-up because there is a high risk of recurrence, especially in the first years of follow-up. In our case disseminated metachronous pulmonary metastases were detected by imaging 4 years after prostatectomy because of elevated levels of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). After complete resection of the thoracic metastases the PSA levels have remained below the detection threshold with a recurrence-free survival of 24 months. This case demonstrates that the resection of pulmonary metastases may also be useful for specific individual patients with prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years there has been methodological improvement in established nuclear medicine procedures, such as renal and skeletal scintigraphy and new very specific probes for treatment and diagnosis of urological diseases have been introduced into the clinical routine. New diagnostic methods, such as positron emission tomography (PET) using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligands for highly accurate tumor localization in recurrent prostate cancer have become available in many centers. The very high and selective accumulation of these PSMA ligands in tumor tissue has shown promising therapeutic results. Moreover, since 2013 a new radiopharmaceutical agent, radium-223 dichloride, has been approved for treatment of symptomatic bone metastases of prostate cancer. Better knowledge of indications, benefits and limitations of these procedures will help clinicians to adequately introduce them into patient management. This article summarizes the state of the art in established nuclear medicine procedures for urological disorders and also reports on new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-sectional imaging modalities including multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the diagnostic standard in detection, characterization, and staging of renal masses due to their high sensitivity and specificity. Currently, most renal masses are incidentally diagnosed by imaging for other medical reasons. Recent developments have improved image acquisition with high resolution, while simultaneously reducing radiation dose. CT imaging is the most accessible cross-sectional imaging method and is, therefore, the standard technique. MRI is indicated in patients who are allergic to intravenous CT contrast medium, in patients with renal insufficiency, or in younger patients. Further characterization of renal masses is possible with functional imaging including dual energy CT, perfusion CT, or diffusion-weighted MRI. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound allows detection of even subtle enhancement in hypovascular lesions with high sensitivity and can add valuable information to CT and MRI studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasonography and functional cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are noninvasive and x-ray free tools, which are currently widely used in clinical diagnostics and scientific research of male and female urinary incontinence. The increasing use and improving techniques of modern imaging tools are closely linked to rapid development of minimally invasive surgery in patients with urinary incontinence and insights gained in continence mechanisms.Methods: Whereas ultrasonography is a cost-efficient and readily available diagnostic tool for a routine use, the more expensive functional MRI, as a tool with more precise visualization of functional interactions and spatial representation of anatomical structures of the pelvic floor, is suitable for complex diagnostic purposes and scientific research. Both tools are already well established for evaluations of the female pelvic floor. For evaluation of the male pelvic floor, and in particular postprostatectomy incontinence, perineal ultrasonography and functional cine MRI are becoming increasingly evident.Conclusion: Further development of both imaging tools will contribute to new insights into the continence mechanism and improve the techniques of radical prostatectomy and minimally invasive surgery of male and female urinary incontinence in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The erectile dysfunction (ED) with a prevalence of 19.2% and a steep age-related increase up to 53.4% in men over 70 years is a common sexual disorder. Especially after market launch of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors the possibility of an easy-to-use and well-tolerated therapy is available. In case of nonresponse, vasoactive substances can be applied in different forms. In case of an additional hypogonadism, testosterone substitution is indicated. Simultaneously the causes of ED should always be treated, including a change of lifestyle with elimination of exogenous noxa. The use of mechanic tools as single or combination therapy can lead to improved erection. This article provides a critical overview of the latest conservative therapy options, it explains previous unsuccessful therapeutic trials and gives an outlook into potential ED therapy concepts of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological data from recent years confirm the increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance not only for healthcare-associated, gram-positive pathogens but also for gram-negative bacteria. In particular, the progressive increase in resistance to third generation cephalosporins and carbapenems in Enterobacteriaceae is of great concern. With its contribution to infectious morbidity, mortality and financial costs to healthcare systems worldwide, multidrug-resistant pathogens emerge more and more as a public health issue of substantial socioeconomic importance. The Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) decided to formulate novel definitions for multidrug-resistance in order to develop hygiene measures for infections and colonization with multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palpable scrotal masses are common scenarios in any clinical practice. These tumors can be painful or painless, can be intratesticular or extratesticular and be cystic or solid. The distinction between benign and malignant tumors is of utmost importance to enable an adequate and differentiated therapy of patients. In clinical diagnostics besides the medical history, examination of the inguinoscrotal region, laboratory diagnostics and ultrasound examination of the inguinoscrotal area play a decisive role. During the last few years the increased use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound has helped clinicians in differentiating scrotal tumors. Malignant tumors are of particular importance because this entity is the most frequent malignant disease among younger men and according to the Robert Koch Institute there are approximately 3900 new patients in Germany each year (Robert Koch Institute, Krebs in Deutschland 2007/2008 and 2012). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary urethral carcinomas are rare tumors that can occur both in men and women. Histological patterns of these tumors are mixed, urothelial tumors occur as well as squamous cell tumors or adenocarcinomas.There are different clinical factors that define clinical prognosis, and the 1- and 5-year cancer-free survival is 75% and 54%. Therapy of locally limited disease is surgical resection, and organ-preserving treatment is possible if negative frozen sections prove complete surgical resection. However, in men a perineal urethrostomy might be necessary, and in women there is a high risk of urinary incontinence if more than 2 cm of the distal urethra is resected.In case of locally advanced tumors or tumors of the proximal urethra, a radical urethrectomy with supravesical urinrary diversion is necessary. In some cases neoadjuvant (radio-)chemotherapy may be an option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy is considered the gold standard in the primary investigation of a suspicious prostate-related finding. The procedure can be carried out with ten probes or more on the lateral side of the prostate, after administering antibiotic prophylaxis and applying local anesthesia. The indication for a biopsy depends on the results of the digitorectal examination, on the serum prostate-specific antigen level, on the individual patient's wish and on his comorbidities. Whether multiparametric imaging should be used before or during the course of a primary or repeated biopsy in order to identify suspicious prostate lesions is the subject of current investigations. Extended biopsy protocols require further clinical investigations before they can become the new standard in the diagnostic work-up. This review delivers an update on the indication for, and technique of, prostate biopsies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]