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To assess the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT), and of the combination of CT with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CT + CEUS), for the early evaluation of local response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with radiopaque drug-eluting microspheres (RO-DEMs). 30 HCC patients (55 target tumors) were treated with TACE with RO-DEMs (diameter: 70–150 μm) preloaded with 75 mg doxorubicin/2 ml of microspheres. Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT, followed by CEUS, were performed 1–3 days post-RO-DEMs-TACE. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) performed 1 month later served as the reference standard. Local tumor response was evaluated with modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). MR diagnosed 9 tumors with complete response and 46 with residual disease. Compared to MR, CT had 9 false negative and 1 false positive diagnosis for residual tumor. Potential causes for these misdiagnoses were the hyperdensities and associated artifacts (caused by the accumulation of RO-DEMs in the target tumors) and the small size of residual tumor. CT + CEUS had 3 false negative and no false positive diagnosis for residual tumor. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of CT for detection of residual tumor were, respectively: 80.4%, 88.9% and 81.8%, and for CT + CEUS: 93.5%, 100% and 94.5%, respectively. Agreement (kappa coefficient) in application of mRECIST between MR and CT was lower than between MR and CT + CEUS (0.508 vs. 0.757). CT evaluation of TACE with RO-DEMs is associated with limitations which can be partially overcome by combining CT with CEUS.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the clinical and predictive role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as the primary method for imaging evaluation of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Thirty-one patients with symptomatic BPH, treated with PAE from October 2016 until February 2018, were enrolled in this prospective, single-center study. Microspheres (100–700 μm) were utilized for PAE. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow (Qmax), prostatic volume (PV) and post void residual volume (PVR) were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post PAE. Unenhanced transabdominal US was utilized for PV and PVR measurements; prostatic enhancement was studied with transabdominal CEUS at baseline, during the procedure, 1 day and 1, 3, and 6 months post PAE. Technical success was defined as embolization of the PA of at least one pelvic side. Clinical success was based on the improvement of IPSS and QoL, with no need for any additional treatment. Follow-up time ranged from 6 to 18 months (mean, 9.7±4.3 months). Clinical success rates were calculated and changes in prostatic enhancement were correlated with the outcome parameters. RESULTS: Technical success rate was 90.3%. Clinical success rates at 3, 6, and 12 months post PAE were 85.7%, 85.7%, and 79.1% respectively. Improvement of outcome parameters (baseline vs. 6-month values) was statistically significant, with 12.4 points mean reduction of IPSS (50.4%, P = 0.003), 2.0 points mean reduction of QoL (45.4%, P < 0.001), 30.3 mL mean reduction of PV (30.2%, P < 0.001), 72.6 mL mean reduction of PVR (51.8%, P = 0.005) and 8.6 mL/s mean increase in Qmax (103%, P = 0.002). The most significant complications were bladder ischemia (n=1), and ischemic rectal ulcer (n=1), both attributable to nontarget embolization, with complete recovery. CEUS 1 day post PAE demonstrated prostatic infarcts in 26/28 (92.8%) patients. The percentage of prostatic infarction (pPI, defined as prostatic infarcted volume 1 day post PAE divided by baseline PV) was 1%–71%. There was a very strong positive correlation between pPI and prostate shrinkage (r=0.81, P < 0.001), but a weak correlation between pPI and the improvement of the other outcome parameters (r= 0.01–0.36; P = 0.093–0.965). However, in the subgroup of patients with indwelling bladder catheter (9/28 patients), successful removal of the catheter was achieved only in patients with pPI>10%. CONCLUSION: CEUS appears to be a practical method for the study of the local ischemic effect of PAE, with potential predictive value.

This is a report of a case of bladder ischemia which complicated bilateral prostatic artery embolization in an 80-year-old man with benign prostate hyperplasia and indwelling bladder catheter. Reflux of 100 μm microspheres into superior vesical arteries was the most likely cause. An unenhanced computed tomography (CT) scan performed immediately post-embolization showed retention of contrast in the left anterolateral bladder wall. Five days later, CT showed gas collections and dehiscence of the bladder wall at the same site, involving an area of 47 × 42 mm. Treatment included prolonged (6 weeks) bladder catheterization and antibiotics. Partial resolution of the CT findings and 43% reduction in the prostatic volume were noted after that period; no leakage was detected on ascending cystogram, and the patient was capable of spontaneous micturition.

Aims: To assess the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the context of intrahepatic progression (IHP) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).Material and methods:Sixty HCC patients were prospectively included in the study. They were treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)with doxorubicin-eluting microspheres (231 sessions). Imaging follow-up was performed 1 month after each session and at 3-6 month intervals after the last session of TACE and included CEUS and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (reference modality). The diagnosis of IHP was based on mRECIST criteria and the respective findings of MR and CEUS were recorded, categorized and correlated.Results: A total of 441 CEUS studies were compared with the corresponding MR studies. During a follow-up period of 5-82 months (mean: 22 months), MR diagnosed 51 cases of IHP in 34/60 (56.6%) patients. CEUS correctly diagnosed 12/14 (85.7%) cases of IHP of target tumors, 2/5 (40%) cases of IHP of non-target tumors, 13/18 (72.2%) cases of distal and 6/9 (66.6%) cases of proximal new lesions, and 5/5 (100%) cases of major vessel involvement. On a per-lesion basis, CEUS was significantly inferior to MR in the detection of new lesions (p=0.002). No false positive CEUS diagnoses of IHP were observed. 54% of the diagnostic failures of CEUS were considered clinically significant.Conclusion: In the long term evaluation of HCC post TACE, CEUS appears to have limitations in the detection of IHP, which are more prominent in the case of new lesions and of progressive non-target tumors.

Self-insertion of foreign bodies in the urethra is most commonly associated with sexual or erotic arousal of adolescents with mental health disorders. Rarely it may practiced by healthy adults for masturbation. Migration of foreign bodies used for the abovementioned purpose from the urethra to adjacent organs is a relatively uncommon urologic problem that may cause serious complications which arose tardive. Presentation includes a variety of acute or chronic symptoms that depend of the underlying complications. The method of extraction depends on the shape, size and nature of the object and should be tailored according to the condition of the patient. In the present article we present a case of a rubber tube inserted to the urethra for erotic arousal purposes which migrated to the bladder during masturbation.

The purpose of this study was to report on the 5-year survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with DC Bead loaded with doxorubicin (DEB-DOX) in a scheduled scheme in up to three treatments and thereafter on demand.173 HCC patients not suitable for curable treatments were prospectively enrolled (mean age 70.4 ± 7.4 years). Child-Pugh (Child) class was A/B (102/71 [59/41 %]), Okuda stage was 0/1/2 (91/61/19 [53.2/35.7/11.1 %]), and mean lesion diameter was 7.6 ± 2.1 cm. Lesion morphology was one dominant ≤5 cm (22 %), one dominant5 cm (41.6 %), multifocal ≤5 (26 %), and multifocal5 (10.4 %).Overall survival at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 93.6, 83.8, 62, 41.04, and 22.5 %, with higher rates achieved in Child class A compared with Child class B patients (95, 88.2, 61.7, 45, and 29.4 % vs. 91.5, 75, 50.7, 35.2, and 12.8 %). Mean overall survival was 43.8 months (range 1.2-64.8). Cumulative survival was better for Child class A compared with Child class B patients (p = 0.029). For patients with dominant lesions ≤5 cm 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year survival rates were 100, 95.2, 71.4, 66.6, and 47.6 % for Child class A and 94.1, 88.2, 58.8, 41.2, 29.4, and 23.5 % for Child class B patients. Regarding DEB-DOX treatment, multivariate analysis identified number of lesions (p = 0.033), lesion vascularity (p0.0001), initially achieved complete response (p0.0001), and objective response (p = 0.046) as significant and independent determinants of 5-year survival.DEB-DOX results, with high rates of 5-year survival for patients, not amenable to curative treatments. Number of lesions, lesion vascularity, and local response were significant independent determinants of 5-year survival.

To evaluate the limitations and the feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the assessment of tumor response shortly after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).Fifty seven patients (41 patients with hepatomas, 16 patients with metastases) were studied with CEUS before, 1 day after, and 30 days after TACE. A CEUS-efficiency score (CEUS-ES) was calculated, which evaluated: (a) the completeness of visualization of the target tumor(s) (2: good, 1: adequate, 0: poor) and (b) the quality of delineation of post-TACE necroses (2: good, 1: adequate, 0: poor). A CEUS study was considered as "diagnostic," if each of the aforementioned parameters was associated with grade 1 or 2.CEUS studies were "diagnostic" in 36/57 patients (63.1%). Patients with hepatomas were more likely to undergo "diagnostic" CEUS than patients with metastases (70.7% vs. 43.7%, P = 0.0728). Lesions' multiplicity, deep location, hypoenhancement on pretreatment CEUS, and diffuse growth had a statistically significant (P0.05) negative impact on CEUS-ES. Hyperechogenicity on pre-treatment, unenhanced US had a non-statistically significant (P = 0.176) negative impact. Differences between "diagnostic" CEUS studies and CT/MR regarding detection of residual tumor were insignificant (P = 0.8178).The percentage of lesions which are unsuitable for post-TACE evaluation with CEUS is not negligible. For the rest, the respective role of CEUS is promising.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis displays a variety of symptoms (mainly local pain exhibiting vari­ability in origin and intensity). These symptoms often persist despite bacterial eradication. The purpose of this article is to exam the role of phytotherapeutic agents as complementary treatment in patients with bacterial prostatitis.The material consisted of individuals with reported pelvic discomfort and genital pain with or without lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction visiting our department from March 2009 to March 2011. Patients underwent Stamey-Meares test (several cases underwent the two glass test). Depending on history and specific symptoms urethral smear and semen cultures were additionally obtained from several patients. All patients were randomized into two groups. Subjects in the first group (72 patients) received appropriate antibiotic (according to the sensitivity test) for 15 days, while subjects in the second group (72 patients) received phytotherapeutic agents for 30 days, additionally the conventional 15 days antibiotic treatment. The response was tested using laboratory and clinical criteria.We found no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding bacterial and symptom persistence rate, however, symptoms burden was lower in patients receiving combinational treatment.Phytotherapeutic agents may improve pain and prostatitis related difficulty in urination. Further randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed to substantiate safer conclusions.

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the combination of the modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (mRECIST) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as a tool for the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-seven hepatocellular carcinoma patients (80 target tumors suitable for mRECIST measurements) were studied. They were treated with scheduled transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin-eluting microspheres every 5-7 weeks. Imaging follow-up (performed one month after each transarterial chemoembolization) included a standard, contrast-enhanced modality (computed tomography [CT] in 12 patients or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] in 35 patients) and CEUS. The study focused on response evaluation after the third transarterial chemoembolization. CEUS required a bolus injection of an echo-enhancer and imaging with a dedicated, low mechanical index technique. The longest diameters of the enhancing target tumors were measured on the CEUS or CT/MRI, and mRECIST criteria were applied. Radiologic responses were correlated with overall survival and time to progression. RESULTS The measurements of longest diameters of the enhancing target tumors were easily performed in all patients. According to mRECIST-CEUS and mRECIST-CT/MRI, complete response was recorded in five and six patients, partial response in 22 and 21 patients, stable disease in 16 and 14 patients, and progressive disease in four and six patients, respectively. There was a high degree of concordance between CEUS and CT/MRI (kappa coefficient=0.84, P < 0.001). Responders (complete+partial response) according to mRECIST-CEUS had a significantly longer mean overall survival and time to progression compared to nonresponders (37.1 vs. 11.0 months, P < 0.001 and 24.6 vs. 10.9 months, P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION The mRECIST-CEUS combination is feasible and has prognostic value in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma following transarterial chemoembolization.

To evaluate the sonographic changes observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) post antiangiogenic treatment with sorafenib.Twenty one intermediate or advanced HCC patients (19 men, 2 women; mean age: 66.8 years; 32 target tumors-TTs) received sorafenib as monotherapy and were studied with unenhanced ultrasonography (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with a second generation echo-enhancer (SonoVue) at bimonthly intervals. Changes in lesional size, echotexture and enhancement were evaluated. Response was classified according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) and modified (m) RECIST.Cystic changes were detected on US in 4 patients (7 lesions); CEUS showed a significant (51-100%) decrease of viable, enhancing TTs in the aforementioned patients. Four additional patients (5 lesions) showed a 73-87% decrease of their viable TTs on CEUS, but no changes on US. 13/21 patients showed less than 30% decrease, no change, or increase of their viable TTs. Based on the last sonographic evaluation, response was as follows: RECIST- Complete Response, CR (n=0), Partial Response, PR (n=1), Stable Disease, SD (n=16), Progressive Disease, PD (n=4); mRECIST- CR (n=2), PR (n=6), SD (n=11), PD (n=2). The 8 responders (CR+PR) according to mRECIST had significantly longer mean overall survival (OS) compared to the 13 non-responders (21.5 vs 12.2 months, p=0.018, Kaplan-Meier method). However, statistical significance was reduced (p=0.065) after adjustment for BCLC and Child's class.US may occasionally detect changes indicative of the effect of sorafenib on HCC, but CEUS is required to evaluate and grade post-therapeutic reduction of tumoral enhancement. The latter is likely to correlate with OS.

To investigate the frequency of PSA-detected prostate cancer among non-symptomatic Greek males.A prospective study on prostate cancer (PC) screening was performed in a representative sample of asymptomatic Greek males aged 40-75 years in Eleusina, (Greece) between January and November 2001. Indication for prostate biopsy was a PSA value above 3.0 ng/mL on repeat examination. Patients found with PC at biopsy received the appropriate treatment. Ten years later, patients initially diagnosed with PC were surveyed between June and July 2011 by telephone interview, in order to evaluate PC screening effects. Outcomes examined included: overall survival, disease-free survival and cancer mortality.309 asymptomatic males were screened. The mean age of the study population was 62 years (median 62). The PSA median was 1.1 ng/mL with 90.2% presenting with3.0 ng/mL. Seven out of 29 patients found with a serum PSA value above 3.0 ng/mL (9.8%) were finally diagnosed with PC at biopsy. During the survey time the two patients with prostate carcinoma of low differentiation died despite aggressive treatment. Of the remaining 5 patients diagnosed with PC, one died of causes other than PC, 2 are disease-free while 2 patients are alive with the disease.The low PC detection rate questions the overall usefulness of PC screening in a geographical region where histological PC is not very common.

To describe the technique and to evaluate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with intraarterial administration of echo-enhancer (i.a CEUS) as a method for guidance of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).Twelve patients with 17 target liver tumors underwent superselective TACE, guided with i.a CEUS. After microcatheter placement in a (sub)segmental artery suspected as a tumor feeder, a diluted suspension of SonoVue was injected through the microcatheter, and imaging of the target tumor was performed with a low mechanical index technique and with contrast-specific software. If intraarterial injection of SonoVue was associated with immediate, strong tumoral enhancement, the injected artery was considered as tumor-feeding and TACE was performed, otherwise another artery was evaluated.From 25 segmental or subsegmental arteries evaluated i.a CEUS confirmed that 16 arteries were actually tumor feeders and unequivocal excluding 4 arteries as a tumor arterial supply. The remainder 5 arterial branches could not be safely characterized due to artifacts or technical limitations. In 8 patients in which tumoral vascular supply could not be elucidated by angiography alone, i.a CEUS increased the accuracy of supereselective embolization, and provided other clinically relevant information in 2 of these patients. No adverse effects were observed.For guidance of superselective TACE i.a CEUS is a safe and feasible method..

The present study was carried out to establish the accuracy of modern ultrasonographic techniques in the follow up of patients with superficial bladder carcinoma and to evaluate the patients tolerability of cystoscopy.Thirty-three patients with a history of superficial bladder carcinoma under active surveillance were initially examined using transabdominal ultrasound followed in the same day by cystoscopy.Fourteen out of the 33 subjects were found to have bladder carcinoma recurrence on cystoscopy. In 11 cases (78.57%) US accurately diagnosed the bladder carcinoma. Two out of the 3 patients in which, the US examination failed to clearly diagnose bladder carcinoma, were found with a tumor smaller than 3 mm while, in the remaining patient the tumor was located in the inner part of a diverticula. The sensitivity of modern ultrasonographic techniques in the diagnosis of bladder cancer recurrence was 78.5%, the specificity 100%, the positive predictive value 100% and the negative predictive value 86.3%. Regarding the patient tolerability for cystoscopy, 17 patients (51.5%) reported excessive discomfort-low tolerability, 9 (27.2%) moderate discomfort-intermediate tolerability and 7 (21.2%) reported no discomfort-high tolerability.The technological evolution has rendered ultrasonography more accurate in the diagnosis of bladder carcinoma and thus it can be incorporated in the follow up schedule of patients with superficial bladder carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the findings of unenhanced ultrasonography (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) when these modalities are applied during transarterial embolization (TAE) or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of liver tumors. Sixteen tumors (9 hepatocellular carcinomas, 5 metastases from colorectal cancer, and 2 hemangiomas) were treated with TAE with microspheres and/or TACE with drug-eluting beads. All of these lesions were studied with intraprocedural unenhanced US and 12 were studied with intraprocedural CEUS. For the latter, a second-generation echo-enhancer (SonoVue; Bracco, Milan, Italy) and a low mechanical index technique were used. Intraprocedural findings were classified according to an arbitrary scale and were compared with pretreatment imaging (CEUS and computed tomography or CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging), with postembolization angiography, and with follow-up results. On unenhanced intraprocedural US, 13 of 16 tumors demonstrated intralesional high-level echoes of varying extent. These feature correlated poorly (r = 0.33, p = 0.097) with and generally underestimated the actual extent of necrosis. Exceptionally, high-level echoes that occupied the largest part of the treated lesions were associated with >50% tumor necrosis. Intraprocedural CEUS clearly depicted immediate partial or complete disappearance of tumor enhancement as a result of TAE/TACE. Three of 6 tumors with complete devascularization on postembolization angiogram showed residual enhancement on intraprocedural CEUS. Intraprocedural CEUS findings correlated closely (r = 0.91, p = 0.002) with follow-up findings. Intraprocedural sonography, particularly with echo-enhancers, could be used for intraprocedural monitoring in selected cases of liver tumors that undergo TAE or TACE.

The purpose of this study was to assess the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and the sustained antitumor effect of drug-eluting beads used for transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ten patients with solitary, unresectable HCC underwent CEUS before, 2 days after, and 35 to 40 days after TACE using a standard dose (4 ml) of drug-eluting beads (DC Beads; Biocompatibles, Surrey, UK) preloaded with doxorubicin (25 mg doxorubicin/ml hydrated beads). For CEUS, a second-generation contrast agent (SonoVue, Bracco, Milan, Italy) and a low mechanical-index technique were used. A part of the tumor was characterized as necrotic if it showed complete lack of enhancement. The percentage of necrosis was calculated at the sonographic section that depicted the largest diameter of the tumor. Differences in the extent of early (2 days after TACE) and delayed (35 to 40 days after TACE) necrosis were quantitatively and subjectively assessed. Early post-TACE tumor necrosis ranged from 21% to 70% (mean 43.5% +/- 19%). There was a statistically significant (p = 0.0012, paired Student t test) higher percentage of delayed tumor necrosis, which ranged from 24% to 88% (mean 52.3% +/- 20.3%). Subjective evaluation showed a delayed obvious increase of the necrotic areas in 5 patients. In 2 patients, tumor vessels that initially remained patent disappeared on the delayed follow-up. A part of tumor necrosis after chemoembolisation of HCC with DEB seems to take place later than 2 days after TACE. CEUS may provide evidence for the sustained antitumor effect of DEB-TACE. Nevertheless, the ideal time for the imaging evaluation of tumor response remains to be defined.

Our objective is to underline the place of FAST (focus assessment by sonography for trauma) ultrasonography (US) in the investigation of blunt abdominal trauma. We retrospectively examined the ultrasound findings in 1,999 haemodynamically stable adult patients. These people were admitted to the emergency room (ER) for possible blunt abdominal trauma. All were stable at admission and a FAST ultrasound examination was made. Initial findings were compared with the clinical course after at least 24 h of observation time and CT results. Among the 1,999 US examinations, abnormalities were found in 109 (5.5%) cases. Among them, 102 had free peritoneal fluid, and in 58 examinations, ruptures, lacerations or haematomas were demonstrated. Despite its limitations, such as in cases involving uncooperative patients, excessive bowel gas, obesity and empty bladder, the FAST technique seems to be an accurate method to evaluate the possibility of abdominal blunt trauma in stable patients. Because of the high negative predictive value of the FAST technique in stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma, we recommend that a stable patient with negative ultrasound results at admission remain under close observation for at least 12 or preferably 24 h before being discharged.

Urethral stricture is a common condition that can lead to serious complications such as urinary infections and renal insufficiency secondary to urinary retention. Treatment options include catheterization and dilation, urethroplasty and endoscopic internal urethrotomy as well. Although treatment option depends on the type, length and aetiology of stricture, the choice can be influenced to varying degrees by the simplicity of the method, the preferences of the patient the available accoutrements and the patient health condition. Both urethroplasty and endoscopic internal urethrotomy require anaesthesia and thus are not suitable for many elder and unfit for surgical treatment patients. On the other hand, dilations are easy to perform in every day clinical practice however they have been associated with iatrogenic urethral trauma. In contrast, balloon dilation under vision dilates by radial application of forces against the stricture, avoiding the potentially shearing forces associated with sequential rigid dilation. Since it reduces the possibility of an iatrogenic urethral trauma and the subsequent spongiofibrosis may lead into improved therapeutic outcomes. In this report we describe a technique for the treatment of urethral strictures with balloon dilation in elder and unfit for surgical treatment patients.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the prostate is an extremely rare and highly aggressive neoplasm that accounts for less than 0.1% of primary prostate malignancies. Long-term survival rates for adult patients with prostate sarcomatoid carcinoma are poor. Surgical treatment seems to be the most effective therapeutic approach. In contrast radiation therapy alone has shown limited efficacy.The purpose of the study is to present a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the prostate treated with a combination of radiotherapy and TURP.A 76-year-old man treated with TURP due to acute urinary retention was finally diagnosed with sarcomatoid carcinoma upon pathology examination of the surgical specimen. Patient was initially treated with external beam radiotherapy. Six months later, he presented with urinary retention suggesting extension of the tumor into the bladder neck. Pathology report diagnosed prostate sarcomatoid carcinoma containing also large areas of necrosis. Patient underwent an extensive TURP and he received a second round radiotherapy. One year after the initial diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma, patient is free of symptoms and follow up investigation shows no evidence of metastatic disease.Radiation therapy in combination with extensive TURP may delay disease progression.