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To determine the utility of diagnostic 18F-DCPyL PSMA-PET/CT to aid management of men with highly suspicious multiparametric MRI prostate (PIRAD 4-5 lesions) and discrepant negative prostate biopsy.A multicentre prospective consecutive case series was conducted (2018-2021), recruiting men with prior mpMRI prostate PIRADS 4-5 lesions and negative prostate biopsy. All men had 18F-DCPyL PSMA-PET/CT with subsequent management based on the concordance between MRI and PET: (1) Concordant lesions were biopsied using in-bore MRI targeting; (2) PSMA-PET/CT avidity without MRI correlate were biopsied using cognitive/software targeting with ultrasound guidance and (3) Patients with negative PET/CT were returned to standard of care follow-up.29 patients were recruited with 48% (n = 14) having concordant MRI/PET abnormalities. MRI targeted biopsy found prostate cancer in six patients, with grade groups GG3 (n = 1), GG2 (n = 1), GG1 (n = 4) found. Of the 20 men who PSMA-PET/CT avidity and biopsy, analysis showed higher SUVmax (20.1 vs 6.8, p = 0.036) predicted prostate cancer. Of patients who had PSMA-PET avidity without MRI correlate, and those with no PSMA-PET avidity, only one patient was subsequently found to have prostate cancer (GG1). The study is limited by small size and short follow-up of 17 months (IQR 12.5-29.9).PSMA-PET/CT is useful in this group of men but requires further investigation. Avidity (higher SUVmax) that correlates to the mpMRI prostate lesion should be considered for targeted biopsy.

Objective To review the utility of vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA)-directed biopsy in the setting of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (PCa) in patients who have undergone evaluation by gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography with computed tomography (68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT). Methods We completed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained dataset from January 2015 to August 2020. Patient demographics were recorded for those who experienced BCR, as defined by a rise in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level to above 0.2 ng/mL, who had a 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT that did not demonstrate recurrence within the prostate bed, and who subsequently underwent a transperineal ultrasonography (TPUS)-guided biopsy directed at the VUA. Histological reporting of the biopsies was undertaken in order to determine whether the benefits of salvage radiation therapy (SRT) could be justified by the presence of cancer cells. Results Eighteen patients who had a 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT and underwent VUA-directed biopsy were identified as having BCR. 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT scans demonstrated avidity at the VUA in none of the patients, although two out of 18 patients showed avidity in the seminal vesicles and two out of 18 patients showed avidity within regional lymph nodes. Histology from the TPUS-guided, VUA-directed biopsies demonstrated no prostatic tissue in six out of 18 and presence of prostatic tissue in 12 out of 18 of patients, respectively. In 7 out of 18 cases, there was histological evidence of recurrent PCa at the VUA in the absence of a positive 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT scan. Conclusion This study highlights the potential value of VUA-directed biopsy. We are reminded that a negative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT does not exclude local recurrence and that the addition of a VUA-directed biopsy may aid in the decision-making process for patients with BCR following RP, especially when 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT is locally negative. When the result of both 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT and VUA-directed biopsy are negative, it should encourage clinicians to share decision-making in regard to undertaking SRT vs continuing BCR surveillance. This may delay the possible side effects associated with SRT, despite its excellent PSA failure-free survival rate.

The relationship between serial changes in soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNFR1) levels and an early decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline remains to be defined. We found that in patients with an early decline in renal function (n = 30), soluble TNFR1 values increased (2,595 ± 683 vs 3,596 ± 1,203 pg/mL, P

The use of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radiotracer in positron emission tomography (PET) has been successfully incorporated into the clinical management of prostate cancer. However, PSMA tracer uptake is not limited to prostate cancer tissue. We reviewed studies exploring PSMA expression beyond the prostate gland using techniques of 68 Ga-PSMA PET imaging and immunohistochemistry. PSMA expression has been associated with a variety of solid tumours, and the vasculature associated with neoplastic disease, suggesting that this trans-membrane glycoprotein may be involved in the neovascularisation process in malignancy. These studies demonstrate the need for more research into the potential utility for 68 Ga-PSMA PET imaging in patients with non-prostatic cancers.

Purpose: To examine the incidence of infective complications post Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy (TRUSPB), after transition to preoperative administration of single dose oral ciprofloxacin. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 766 consecutive patients undergoing TRUSPB at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne (2002–2016). Antibiotic prophylaxis between 2002–2014 consisted of 3 days of perioperative oral norfloxacin±intravenous (IV) antibiotics (Group A, n=687). From November 2014 patients received a single dose of oral 750 mg ciprofloxacin pre-biopsy (Group B, n=79), to align with the American Urological Association (AUA) and a Cochrane Database Systematic Review on Antibiotic Prophylaxis for TRUSPB. Groups were compared for all postoperative complications requiring representation and/or readmission within 30 days of biopsy. Results: In Group A, 10 of 687 patients (1.5%) re-presented with post-procedural fever (temperature >38℃), requiring readmission and IV antibiotic treatment, compared to 4 of the 79 patients (5.1%) in Group B (p=0.02). Positive blood cultures were isolated in 0.9% (n=6, Group A) versus 3.8% (n=3, Group B) (p=0.02). The 4 infectious readmissions in Group B had no prior genitourinary infections, no recent travel and all had a Charlson Comorbidity Index scores

Background Within the cohort of surgical patients, 10–15% have diabetes (Barker, 2015). These patients are at an increased risk of perioperative complications due to their often unrecognised hyperglycaemia and poor perioperative management (Sampson, 2007). The current guidelines by the 2011 National Health Service (NHS) Diabetes is that glycaemic control should be checked for these patients via a haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at the time of referral to surgery (Barker, 2015), with elective surgery being deferred if it is greater than 8.5%. However, as yet, there is no universal guideline regarding this. At Western Health -a single hospital system in Victoria, Australia- new guidelines have been implemented as of 2018, mandating that HbA1c is measured within 3 months of a patient's surgery and that elective surgery is delayed if the value is greater than 9.0%. As this is a recent initiative, it may not reflect nation-wide practice and we assume many institutions are yet to implement their own guidelines. We therefore aim to investigate what the standard practice was prior to these guidelines, by recording the levels at which HbA1c was documented before a patient's surgery, as our primary outcome. This is with the assumption that these results may still reflect patterns in a number of hospitals nation-wide. Using these levels as a baseline, we will then be able to compare the results in a future investigation, following the implementation of the guidelines, and assess institutional compliance. The hypothesis is that pre-operative HbA1c is not measured in diabetic patients, within 3 months of their major surgery. As a secondary outcome, we will also explore whether a physician's decision to measure a patient's HbA1c is influenced by whether or not they are receiving insulin therapy. Methods We identified all adult patients aged 45 years and older, with diabetes, who underwent major surgery at Western Health during 2016. Fifty patients were then collected from four surgical specialities including vascular, general surgery, urology and orthopaedics, and it was noted whether their HbA1c was measured within 3 months of their surgery. Results Of 200 patients, only 71 had a measured HbA1c within 3 months, with noticeable variation among the specialities. HbA1c was measured for 22% of urology patients, 28% for orthopaedics, 36% for general surgery and 56% for vascular. There was also a strong association showing if a patient is on insulin therapy they are more likely to have a measured HbA1c. Conclusions HbA1c is not measured for the majority of patients within 3 months of their surgery and this decision is based on a clinician's judgement. There is therefore a need for formal institutional guidelines.

Introduction: A limitation of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL) is the narrow working channel of mini-nephroscopes, typically restricting instrumentation to 5 F or smaller. We evaluated the efficacy of the 1.5 mm Swiss Lithoclast® Trilogy (Trilogy) rigid probe and compared the results to consecutive cases performed with a 30 W Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser. Methods: A retrospective review of 30 consecutive mPCNL cases using the Trilogy and 30 W Holmium laser was performed. A 12-French (F) MIPS nephroscope with a 16.5 F access sheath and 6.7 F working channel was used for all mPCNL cases. The Trilogy was used with a disposable 1.5 mm x 440 mm probe with dual ultrasonic and ballistic energy. The Ho:YAG laser was used with a 550 micron fibre and a maximum of 30 W. Stone clearance time (SCT) was defined by the total time interval between activation of the lithotripter until insertion of the nephrostomy tube and measured in mm2/minutes. SCT included time for fragment retrieval, equipment adjustments, and rigid and flexible nephroscopy during and after lithotripsy. Results: Eleven cases using a 1.5 mm Trilogy probe and 16 cases using a Ho:YAG laser met final inclusion criteria. Three cases using the Trilogy were excluded from final analysis due to conversion to alternative energy sources — two of those were upsized to standard PCNL and one was converted to laser. Mean stone diameter and density in the final Trilogy cohort was 26.7 mm and 1193 Hounsfield units (HU). Mean diameter and density in the laser cohort was 25.2 mm and 1049 HU. The mean stone area clearance time for Trilogy was 4.7±1.8 mm2/minute vs. 3.4±0.7 mm2/minute with Ho:YAG laser (p=0.21). For hard stones, defined as density >1000 HU, the Trilogy averaged 3.7±1.6 mm2/minutes, while the laser averaged 3.1±1.3 mm2/minutes (p=0.786). For soft stones, defined as

Introduction and Objectives: A variety of irrigation systems are available during ureteroscopy. We sought to compare gravity-driven pressure bags with hand-operated irrigation pumps in terms of pos...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Pressured irrigation is routinely utilised in treatment of urinary calculi by uretero-renoscopic surgery. Although this can be in multiple forms, standardised pneumatic p...

​We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with an incidental finding on CT of a ‘large adrenal mass’. The mass, which was intimately related to the left adrenal, was enhancing but not metabolically active. CT showed a 40×32 mm mass adjacent to the left adrenal and medial border of the spleen, 32 Hounsfield units (HU) precontrast and 116 HU postcontrast, consistent with a solid enhancing mass. The patient had no previous history of acute pancreatitis or any history of trauma. The patient proceeded to a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy; intraoperatively, a well-circumscribed lesion was identified intimately related to the splenic artery and able to be peeled away easily from the left adrenal. The lesion was unable to be dissected from the splenic artery and consequently the splenic artery was divided in order to completely resect this lesion. Histopathology identified the lesion as a ‘non-pancreatic fibrous pseudocyst’, with a thick calcified wall, the absence of epithelial lining and widespread inflammatory change.

Context The use of video in surgical education and training is an innovative means to teach and expose learners to surgical procedures. The accessibility of YouTube provides a favourable platform for educational content; however, the current lack of peer review may mean that content is lacking or inaccurate. Objective We reviewed articles that examined the quality of videos describing surgical procedures, and especially those found on the sharing platform “YouTube”. In particular, studies investigating videos for their benefit to surgical trainees were included. Evidence acquisition A literature review was performed to determine the educational quality of surgical videos found on YouTube. Evidence synthesis Articles were included, which reviewed the quality of videos describing surgical procedures, their accuracy, and their utility for surgical trainees to complement traditional surgical education. Conclusions The studies reviewed suggested that there is a lack of comprehensive material currently found on YouTube across multiple surgical disciplines. However, the popularity of YouTube among surgical trainees suggests that it is in the interest of surgical colleges and surgical educators to participate in sharing videos on this platform. Patient summary YouTube videos are inevitably used as supplementary tools in surgical education. To harness the popularity and accessibility of YouTube for educational purposes, a peer-reviewed YouTube video library may be necessary.

We report a case of rapidly growing sarcoma that resulted in mortality only 6 years after radiotherapy for low-grade prostate cancer. At the age of 69 years and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that had risen to 9.0 µg/L, transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate found a single core of Gleason 3+3 disease involving 4 mm of a 10 mm core. The patient declined active surveillance and completed 78 Gy of external beam radiotherapy over 39 fractions to a prostate volume of 46 mL. His PSA nadir was 0.62 µg/L 1-year postradiation; however, in April 2017, his PSA began to rise satisfying the definition of biochemical recurrence. He underwent cystoscopy, biopsy favoured an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Restaging scans (CT/bone scan) were completed showing no metastasis, and repeat MRI showed rapid growth of the lesion in 3 months. He underwent palliative pelvic exenteration, however, 1 month later presented with large volume tumour recurrence and was subsequently palliated and died.

We present a case of intractable acute ischaemic priapism occurring secondary to newly commenced olanzapine. It demonstrates rapid intervention in a stepwise approach aiming to restore penile flaccidity in order to prevent chronic damage to the corpora cavernosa. After an unsuccessful conservative approach, our patient underwent two formal distal penile shunt procedures with no effective penile detumescence. Subsequently, bilateral proximal penile shunts were performed comprising a right corpus cavernosum to corpus spongiosum anastomosis and a left saphenous vein to left corpus cavernosum anastomosis. The patient remained an inpatient for observation, and detumescence was gradually achieved over several days after this procedure. However, follow-up revealed erectile dysfunction, and it was explained to the patient that he was unlikely to achieve further erections and that a penile implant was the only realistic option.