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Background: One of the most prevalent complications of Partial Nephrectomy (PN) is Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which could have a negative impact on subsequent renal function and occurs in up to 24.3% of patients undergoing PN. The aim of this study was to predict the occurrence of AKI following PN using preoperative parameters by applying machine learning algorithms., Methods: We included all adult patients (n = 723) who underwent open PN in our department since 1995 and on whom we have data on the pre-operative renal function. We developed a random forest (RF) model with Boolean satisfaction-based pruned decision trees for binary classification (AKI or non-AKI). Hyper-parameter grid search was performed to optimize the model's performance. Fivefold cross-validation was applied to evaluate the model. We implemented a RF model with greedy feature selection to binary classify AKI and non-AKI cases based on pre-operative data., Results: The best model obtained a 0.69 precision and 0.69 recall in classifying the AKI and non-AKI groups on average (k = 5). In addition, the model's probability to correctly classify a new prediction is 0.75. The proposed model is available as an online calculator., Conclusions: Our model predicts the occurrence of AKI following open PN with (75%) accuracy. We plan to externally validate this model and modify it to minimally-invasive PN., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Our aim was to report the positive surgical margin (PSM) rate of Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) in an unselected, real-life cohort of patients treated at a fellowship-training urological department., Materials and Methods: Demographic, clinical and pathological data of 529 consecutive patients who underwent RS-RARP between January 2017 and December 2020 were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively in a hospital-approved audit in a European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section (ERUS)-approved fellowship program. Overall PSM rates were reported for the entire cohort and for pT2 and pT3 patients separately. We defined clinically significant PSM as any length of > 3 mm or multiple PSMs regardless of length., Results: Median patient age was 64 years. More than 97% of the patients had intermediate or high-risk disease. The pathological stages were T2 (66.5%) and T3 (33.5%). Overall PSM was reported in 13.3% of pT2 patients and 28.9% of pT3 patients. Clinically significant PSM was reported in 43 patients (8.1%), and most of them (27 patients) had pT3 disease. Only 2.6% positive margins were reported at the apex and 0.7% on the anterior surface and bladder neck. Immediate continence (defined as no pads or 1 safety pad a day) rate was 65%., Conclusions: PSM rates of RS-RARP are acceptable and are higher in pT3 disease compared to pT2.

Introduction: Ureteral strictures could be a chronic illness that leads to severe side effects and poor quality of life. A treatment with an Allium ureteral stent (URS), a self-expanding, large-caliber URS, was implemented in our department for ureteral stricture. Our study aim was to report the long-term results, including success rate, complications, and adverse effects., Methods: We retrospectively collected data on all patients who were treated with an Allium URS in our department between January 2017 and January 2021. Demographic, clinical, radiological, and perioperative parameters were retrieved and analyzed. The primary outcome was stricture resolution rates following stent removal., Results: Our cohort included 17 patients, 9 men and 8 women. The etiology of ureteral strictures was urolithiasis in 76.5% and pelvic procedure injury in 17.6%. The overall success rate was 35.29% in an average follow-up of 10.42 ± 2.39 months after stent removal. A higher failure rate was observed in the urolithiasis etiology group (90% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.38). The mean indwelling time of the Allium stent was 14.29 ± 1.29 months., Conclusions: Although an Allium URS could be considered as a feasible and attractive treatment of ureteral strictures, due to its minimal invasiveness, the success rate of this treatment is relatively low. Therefore, this option should be carefully considered and should be discouraged in young and fit patients and reserved for older unfit patients who are unwilling to undergo surgical repair of ureteral strictures., (© 2022 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: Our previous studies showed elevated levels of Semaphorin3a (Sema3A) in the urine of patients with urothelial cancer compared to healthy patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the extent of Sema3A expression in normal and malignant urothelial tissue using immune-staining microscopic and morphometric analysis., Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven paraffin-embedded bladder samples were retrieved from our pathology archive and analyzed: 14 samples of normal urothelium, 21 samples containing low-grade urothelial carcinoma, 13 samples of patients with high-grade urothelial carcinoma, 7 samples containing muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma, and 2 samples with pure urothelial carcinoma in situ. All samples were immunostained with anti Sema3A antibodies. The area of tissue stained with Sema3A and its intensity were analyzed using computerized morphometry and compared between the samples' groups., Results: In normal bladder tissue, very light Sema3A staining was demonstrated on the mucosal basal layer and completely disappeared on the apical layer. In low-grade tumor samples, cells in the basal layer of the mucosa were also lightly stained with Sema3A, but Seama3A expression intensified upon moving apically, reaching its highest level on apical cells exfoliating to the urine. In high grade urothelial tumors, Seama3A staining was intense in the entire thickness of the mucosa. In samples containing carcinoma in situ, staining intensity was high and homogenous in all the neoplastic cells., Conclusions: Sema3A may be serve as a potential non-invasive marker of urothelial cancer.

Objectives: To quantitatively compare the functional renal volume loss, following nephron sparing surgery (NSS) between patients in whom tumor bed closure was done by biological tissue adhesive and those who were managed by standard suture technique., Methods: From our institutional NSS database we retrospectively collected patients who had two sequential quantitative single-photon emission computed tomography of 99m Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake studies, the first study immediately before surgery and the second one 3-6 months following surgery. The study group included 69 patients: 26 (37.7%) patients in the sealant group (BioGlue®) and 43 (62.3%) patients in the standard suture group., Results: No statistically significant differences were noted in the baseline clinical and pathological characteristics of the studied groups. However, there were several statistically significant differences in operative variables: patients in the suture group had larger amount of blood loss (3-fold), longer ischemia time (26.6 vs. 21 minutes,) and slightly longer operation time. Patients in whom tumor bed was closed by sutures had nearly 3-fold higher parenchymal loss compared to patients managed by sealant (26.28 vs. 8.92 ml, p = 0.048)., Conclusions: The use of tissue sealant during tumor bed reconstruction is associated with reduced devascularized parenchymal mass loss and should be considered among modifiable surgical factors during NSS., (Copyright © 2019 by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Common bile duct (CBD) stones are common. However, they are known to pass spontaneously, which obviates the need for ERCP., Aim: The aim of this study is to identify specific predictors for spontaneous passage of CBD stones., Methods: Data was retrospectively collected for all patients who were hospitalized with clinical, laboratory, or ultrasonographic evidence of choledocholithiasis and who underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in Hadassah Medical Center between 2005 and 2011. The patients were classified into 4 groups: group A (positive MRCP and positive ERCP), group B (positive MRCP but negative ERCP), group C (positive MRCP but did not undergo ERCP), and group D (negative MRCP that did not undergo ERCP) for choledocholithiasis. All positive MRCP-groups (A+B+C) were further grouped together into group E. We compared groups A versus B and groups E versus D., Results: Comparing groups A versus B, only gamma-glutamyl transferase predicted spontaneous passage of stones from CBD, as the level was significantly higher in group A (677±12.1) versus group B (362.4±216.2) (P=0.023). Patients with small stone diameter (P=0.001), distal stones (P=0.05), and absence of intrahepatic dilatation (P=0.047) tend to pass their stones spontaneously. Comparing groups D versus E, it was found that male gender (P=0.03), older age (P<0.001), high levels of GGT (P=0.022), high levels of alkaline phosphatase (P=0.011), high levels of total bilirubin (P=0.007), and lower levels of amylase (P<0.001) are predictors for positive MRCP studies for CBD stones., Conclusion: Identification of specific predictors is important to avoid unnecessary invasive endoscopic intervention.

Purpose: Recurrent and metastatic Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is often incurable. There are large gaps in the understanding of the clinical course, biology and genetic biomarkers of OSCC which could help us identify patients with high-risk of recurrence who may benefit from intensified therapy or novel targeted therapy trials. The purpose of this study was to identify significant clinical, pathological and genomic risk factors for local recurrence in OSCC., Patients and Methods: Molecular data sets and clinicopathological characteristics of 159 head and neck carcinoma patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data portal and analyzed using the Genome Data Analysis Center and cBioPortal to find significant risk factors for tumor recurrence., Results: The local recurrence rate was 24%. OSCC originating from the buccal mucosa composed 13% of all the tumors in the recurrent group, making it a statistically significant risk of recurrence (P value = 0.03). Likewise, positive surgical margins, pathological T staging, and alcohol consumption were found to be significantly associated with recurrence (P value < 0.05). Genetic profiling revealed the top 5 mutated genes (using the MutSigCV analysis). Only one of these genes, CASP8 was the only gene that was significantly altered only in the recurrent group (Q value = 8.7 × 10 -11 ). The fingerprint of 5 mutated genes was found in 97% of the patients in the recurrence group. Moreover, copy number alterations in cytoband 5p15.33, which involved amplification in telomerase reverse-transcriptase (TERT) gene, was found to be significant only in the recurrent group., Conclusions: In the current study, we found several clinical and genetic characteristics that could define patients with high-risk of OSCC recurrence. This provides a means of identifying patients that may benefit from intensified therapy or novel targeted therapy trials., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aims to prospectively evaluate the ability of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to forecast recurrence in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This is a continuation of our two previous retrospective studies that indicated the NLR > 2.5 criterion as a predictor of recurrence in patients with NMIBC., Methods: Since December 2013, all patients admitted to our department for TUR-BT and agreed to participate, had a blood drawn for cell count and differential 24 h prior to surgery. Patients with pathological NMIBC were followed prospectively for disease recurrence. The end-point of the follow up was either a cancer recurrence or the termination of the study. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were performed to assess the NLR > 2.5 predictive capability for recurrence, versus and in conjunction to the pathologically based EORTC score, among additional statistical analyses., Results: The study cohort included 96 men and 17 women with a median age of 72 years. Sixty-four patients (56.6%) have had a recurrence during the study occurring at the median time of 9 months (IQR 6, 13), while the median follow-up time for patients without recurrence was 18 months (IQR 10, 29). Univariate Cox regressions for recurrence demonstrated significance for NLR > 2.5 for the whole cohort (p = 0.011, HR 2.015, CI 1.175-3.454) and for the BCG sub-group (p = 0.023, HR 3.7, CI 1.2-11.9), while the EORTC score demonstrated significance for the 'No Treatment' subgroup (p = 0.024, HR 1.278, CI 1.03-1.58). When analyzed together as a multivariate Cox model, the NLR > 2.5 and EORTC score retained their significance for the aforementioned groups, while also improving the EORTC score significance for the whole cohort., Conclusion: NLR > 2.5 was found to be a significant predictor of disease recurrence and demonstrated high hazard ratio and worse recurrence-free survival in patients with NMIBC, especially in those treated with BCG. Additionally, our data demonstrated statistical evidence that NLR > 2.5 might have an improving effect on the EORTC score's prediction when analyzed together.

Background: The aim of this study was to report the impact of patients' baseline characteristics on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) for localized kidney cancer., Patients and Methods: Data from our kidney cancer database were retrospectively extracted to include 402 patients who underwent NSS between March 2000 and June 2016, and had sufficient data. Definition of AKI was based on the postoperative serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) magnitude, which were measured during the 72 h after surgery., Results: Based on RIFLE and AKIN criteria, the overall rate of postoperative AKI was 35%. The average decrease in eGFR among patients who developed AKI was 20% as compared with the non-AKI subgroup (2%). In univariate analysis, variables that were associated with AKI included right-sided tumors ( p = 0.014), male sex ( p = 0.01), hypertension ( p = 0.003), baseline eGFR ( p = 0.009) and history of nephrolithiasis ( p = 0.039). However, multivariate analysis revealed that the only independent predictors of postoperative AKI were hypertension ( p = 0.009) and cigarette smoking ( p = 0.024)., Conclusion: AKI is a common complication of NSS affecting about one-third of the patients. The most important risk factors are hypertension and smoking., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to examine the influence of tumor complexity and operative variables on the degree and rate of post-nephron sparing surgery (NSS) acute kidney injury (AKI)., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 477 patients who underwent NSS for enhancing renal masses in our institution. AKI was determined using the latest definition by AKIN and RIFLE criteria. Serum creatinine was assessed daily starting from day 1 post-surgery and until discharge (usually on postoperative day 3). Estimated glomerular filtration was determined using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation., Results: Overall, 191 patients (40%) developed postoperative AKI, and most of them (88%) were grade 1. Multivariate analysis revealed that the most significant and independent variables associated with AKI were operation time (p = 0.02), ischemia time (p = 0.02), and the use of tissue adhesive for tumor bed closure (p = 0.02). Other important factors (by univariate analysis) were the need for blood transfusion (p = 0.003) and estimated blood loss (p = 0.007)., Conclusions: Operative time, ischemia, and tumor bed closure method are independent predictors of post-NSS AKI. Efforts should be made to limit prolonged ischemia and to reduce viable parenchymal loss. Further studies concerning the functional impact of AKI in these patients will be required., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Stents are widely use in endoscopic urological procedures. One of the most important indications is the treatment of urinary tract strictures. Allium™ Medical has introduced several types of stents for the treatment of different types of urinary tract strictures, based on anatomic location. All the stents are made of nitinol and coated with a co-polymer that reduces encrustations. These stents are self-expandable and have a large caliber and a high radial force. They have different shapes, designed especially for the treatment of each type of stricture. One of the most important features of Allium-manufactured stents is the ease of removal, due to their special unraveling feature. The company has introduced the Bulbar Urethral Stent (BUS) for treatment of bulbar urethral strictures; a rounded stent available in different lengths. Initial data on 64 patients with bulbar urethral stricture treated with the BUS showed a significant improvement in symptoms, with minimal complications and few adverse events. For treatment of prostate obstruction in patients unfit for surgery or unwilling to undergo a classical prostatic surgery, the Triangular Prostatic Stent (TPS) was introduced, which has a triangular shape that fits in the prostatic urethra. Its body has a high radial force attached to an anchor (which prevents migration) through a trans-sphincteric wire (which reduces incontinence rate). Initial data on 51 patients showed significant improvement in symptoms and in urinary peak flow rate, with a relatively small number of complications. The Round Posterior Stent (RPS) was designed for treatment of post radical prostatectomy bladder neck contracture. This short, round stent has an anchor, which is placed in the bladder neck. This stent being relatively new, the clinical data are still limited. Ureteral strictures can be treated with the Ureteral Stent (URS), which is round-shaped, available in different lengths, and has an anchor option (for very distal or very proximal strictures). We have previously published data on 107 URSs inserted in patients with ureteral stricture due to several etiologies, including patients who failed previous treatment. All patients were asymptomatic for a long period of follow-up after stent removal, with only one case of re-stenosis. In this paper, we review the urological "covered" stents produced by Allium Medical with the relevant clinical data available at the present time.

Objective: To characterize patients who develop late obstruction after subureteral injection of bulking agent for the treatment of pediatric vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of all patients who underwent endoscopic injection for the correction of VUR during 2008-2015 in 2 centers in Israel: Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, and Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva. Nine patients who developed late-onset obstruction were included in the study, and their data were reviewed and analyzed., Results: Three boys and 6 girls with mean age of 3 years were included in the study. All patients had moderate-to-high grade VUR. Following injection, all children had a radiographic evidence showing resolution of the reflux. During follow-up, patients were diagnosed with late obstruction in a mean time of 13.4 months. All patients underwent open re-implantation., Conclusion: Late-onset obstruction may develop in patients treated with subureteral injection for VUR. Patients with high grade reflux and dilated ureters are at risk of late obstruction. Long-term follow-up with ultrasound is mandatory following endoscopic treatment of VUR., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: To present the operative and post-operative comparison between patients who underwent tumor-bed closure with sutures compared with bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde (BioGlue ® ) tissue sealant only., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from our ongoing database of 507 eligible patients who underwent open NSS nephron-sparing surgery in our department between January 1995 and May 2014. Patients had tumor-bed closure with sealant adhesive (255 patients) or standard suture technique (252 patients). Demographic, clinical and perioperative data were compared between the two groups, by Chi-square test or by Fisher-Irwin exact test for categorical variables, and by t test for differences in means or by Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables. A multivariate analysis was also done., Results: Patients' baseline characteristics showed similar distribution of the analyzed parameters among both groups, with few differences: younger age in the sealant group (65.4 versus 68.4 years, p = 0.01) and slightly larger mass size in the suture group (4.0 versus 3.9 cm, p = 0.03). Ischemia time was significantly shorter in the sealant group (21.8 versus 27.0 minutes, p = 0001). Blood loss and transfusion rate (0.8% versus 11.9%, p = 0.0001) were significantly less in the sealant group. A multivariate analysis showed date of surgery and blood loss as the major parameters affecting transfusion rate., Conclusions: Closing the tumor bed with BioGlue ® tissue adhesive is feasible, safe, can shorten ischemia time and potentially reduce transfusion rate., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

We report on an artificially intelligent nanoarray based on molecularly modified gold nanoparticles and a random network of single-walled carbon nanotubes for noninvasive diagnosis and classification of a number of diseases from exhaled breath. The performance of this artificially intelligent nanoarray was clinically assessed on breath samples collected from 1404 subjects having one of 17 different disease conditions included in the study or having no evidence of any disease (healthy controls). Blind experiments showed that 86% accuracy could be achieved with the artificially intelligent nanoarray, allowing both detection and discrimination between the different disease conditions examined. Analysis of the artificially intelligent nanoarray also showed that each disease has its own unique breathprint, and that the presence of one disease would not screen out others. Cluster analysis showed a reasonable classification power of diseases from the same categories. The effect of confounding clinical and environmental factors on the performance of the nanoarray did not significantly alter the obtained results. The diagnosis and classification power of the nanoarray was also validated by an independent analytical technique, i.e., gas chromatography linked with mass spectrometry. This analysis found that 13 exhaled chemical species, called volatile organic compounds, are associated with certain diseases, and the composition of this assembly of volatile organic compounds differs from one disease to another. Overall, these findings could contribute to one of the most important criteria for successful health intervention in the modern era, viz. easy-to-use, inexpensive (affordable), and miniaturized tools that could also be used for personalized screening, diagnosis, and follow-up of a number of diseases, which can clearly be extended by further development., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Introduction: A relatively high proportion of patients who undergo partial or radical nephrectomy for enhancing renal mass actually have oncocytoma, a benign renal tumor. Several parameters have been shown to be typical for oncocytoma, but only a small number of patients present with these parameters. The aim of our study was to report the clinical, operative and postoperative characteristics of patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery in our center with a histopathological diagnosis of oncocytoma compared to patients with malignant renal tumor., Patients and Methods: Sixty-three out of 530 patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery for enhancing renal mass were diagnosed with oncocytoma. Clinical and radiological features and operational data of these patients were compared with patients who had malignant renal tumors., Results: Mean age of patients with histologically proven non-malignant oncocytoma was significantly higher than that in patients with malignant renal cell carcinoma (66.7 vs. 61.4 years). All other analyzed variables showed no significant difference between the 2 groups., Conclusions: No reliable clinical, operative or radiological parameters can differentiate preoperatively between oncocytoma and malignant renal neoplasms., (© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Pathology of urothelial carcinoma may vary in different populations at diagnosis. Our aim was to evaluate the histopathologic differences between Jewish and Arab patients in Israel at first diagnosis of urothelial cancer., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively collected data of all patients with confirmed urothelial cancer, treated at our department between January 2010 and January 2015. We examined the distribution of the histopathologic data among the studied populations. To compare the categorical variables we used the Chi-Square Pearson test. Comparison of independent variables was made by Student's t -test. P value below 0.05 was considered significant., Results: The study group included 413 patients, 345 Jews and 68 Arabs. The major differences were that Arab patients were younger (62.61 versus 68.55 years, P = 0.001), had more aggressive tumors that were detected at a more advanced stage, and had also a higher rate of metastatic disease (7.4% versus 3.2%, P = 0.05). Nonurothelial cell tumors were 2.3 times more prevalent in Arab population. Unlike Jewish population, Arab women had higher rate of invasive/metastatic disease compared with Arab men (40% versus 22.4%)., Conclusion: At time of diagnosis the tumors were more aggressive in Arab patients, especially in Arab women. The reasons for those differences constitute a target for a separate research. These results should have an impact on prevention medicine and education of physicians treating mixed populations.

Urethral stents were first introduced in 1988, and since then, they have undergone significant improvements. However, they did not gain a wide popularity and their use is limited to a small number of centers around the world. Urethral stents can be used in the entire urethra and for various and diverse indications. In the anterior urethra, it can be used to treat urethral strictures. In the prostatic urethra, they can be used for the treatment of prostatic obstruction, including benign, malignant and iatrogenic prostatic obstruction. Moreover, although not widely used, it can be also applied for the treatment of posterior urethral stricture and bladder neck contracture, usually resulting in urinary incontinence and the need for subsequent procedures. Our main experience are with Allium urethral stents, and as such, we provide the latest updates in urethral stents with special emphasis on the various types of Allium urethral stents: bulbar, prostatic and bladder neck stents.

Introduction: Several prostatic stents were developed in the last three decades, none of which were able to provide a real alternative in patients unfit or unwilling to undergo classical prostatic surgeries. In this study, we report the results of the use of a newly developed prostatic stent--the Allium™ Triangular Prostatic Stent (TPS)., Patients and Methods: The Allium TPS is a highly flexible, nitinol-built polymer-covered stent, which prevents tissue ingrowth and reduces encrustations. Between 2008 and 2014, at two centers (Israel and Turkey), the stent was inserted under local or regional anesthesia in 51 patients with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) who are unwilling or unfit for surgery. Patients were followed for 12 months from surgery. The primary outcome was symptom improvement as measured by the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and improvement in peak urinary flow., Results: Stent insertion was successful in all patients. The mean IPSS decreased from 26.4 to 7.7 on the last follow-up. The mean peak flow increased from 5.5 mL/second before stent insertion to 16.0 mL/second 1 year thereafter. The main adverse effect was transient pain in nine patients. No stent migration or obstruction was seen. Patients reported satisfaction and improvement in quality of life., Conclusion: Our short-term results show that Allium TPS is safe and effective for the treatment of patients with BPO.

Introduction: The increase in the use of imaging studies led to an increase in the diagnosis of small renal masses. However, most of the small renal masses are asymptomatic, grow slowly, and will not metastasize due to their relative benign biology. We still cannot differentiate malignant from benign masses using imaging studies, hence there is a dilemma between excision and follow-up., Objective: To report our intermediate-term results of active surveillance in patients with small renal masses in our urology department at the Bnai-Zion Medical Center., Patients and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 70 patients diagnosed at our department with renal mass < 4cm in its maximal diameter between 2003 and 2012. The maximal diameter of the masses at diagnosis was measured using computed tomography and diameter was recorded during follow-up., Results: Seventy patients with 78 small renal masses met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at diagnosis was 68 years. The mean folow-up period was 34 months; 54 of 78 masses grew in size, of them 8 were excised. All patients who had surgery had a nephron-sparing procedure. The growth rate and the size at diagnosis were both higher in the group of patients who underwent surgery., Conclusion: Most of the small renal masses can be managed safely by active surveillance., Discussion: Only 4% of the masses were upstaged, and none to stage > 2. None of the patients developed metastasis or died from renal cancer during the follow-up period., Summary: Active surveillance is a safe and reliable option for some patients with small renal mass.

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has a high tendency for recurrence and progression. Currently, all known intravesical agents are associated with adverse effects (AEs) and limited efficacy. The combination of hyperthermia (HT) with intravesical Mitomycin C (MMC) chemotherapy has been shown to improve outcomes. The added efficacy of HT to MMC was first shown in preclinical studies. The reports on patients with NMIBC have indicated that the treatment is safe and well tolerated. Several clinical studies reported the efficacy of radiofrequency-induced chemotherapy effect (RITE) in the treatment of patients with NMIBC. This modality was shown to be superior to MMC alone. RITE was effective also in patients with high-risk NMIBC, including those who failed Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). This study provides an updated review of literature regarding the use of RITE in patients with NMIBC.

Introduction: Chronic ureteral stricture and ureteral fistula are treated with urinary diversion using percutaneous nephrostomy or double pigtail stent. Both of these techniques require replacement of the tube every few months in order to prevent encrustations and obstruction., Objectives: To report the long-term efficacy of the new Allium Ureteral Stent (URS) in the treatment of ureteral stricture and fistula., Methods: The Allium URS is a newly-developed ureteral stent made of nickel-titanium (Nitinol), which is inserted in a small diameter and spontaneously expands into and preserves a large-caliber. The stent is coated with a biochemical co-polymer which prevents tissue ingrowth and incrustations. The stent is inserted antegradely or retrogradely with intraoperative x-ray guidance after dilation of the stricture. The Allium URS stent was inserted into 107 ureters of 92 patients in 5 different centers worldwide; 69 patients carried a percutaneous nephrostomy before the procedure and 38 patients had a ureteral stent. The etiologies underlying the strictures were: gynecological cancer (with or without irradiation), bladder cancer, iatrogenic stricture, ureteroileal stenosis, stricture following uretero-pelvic junction obstruction repair and iatrogenic ureteral fistula., Results: During a mean follow-up of 27 months, only one stent was obstructed after eleven-indwelling months; 21 patients died of their primary disease carrying the stent. Stent migration was seen in 11 patients within 8 months after its insertion, and these stents were removed. In 4 patients with early stent migration, the stents were replaced. In 18 patients the stents were removed as planned after one year of indwelling time, and these patients were asymptomatic in a follow-up period of up to 59 months., Conclusion: The results of our study show that the use of Allium URS for the treatment of ureteral strictures is feasible, safe and effective. The relative ease of its insertion could encourage its use in a wide range of other indications., Discussion: Due to its unique structure, the Allium URS is superior to the regular pigtail stents in the treatment of ureteral strictures. Stent migration was seen in only 10.7% of the patients, mainly in patients with stricture of the mid-ureter., Summary: The use of the Allium URS stent in the treatment of proximal and distaL ureteral strictures is safe and effective.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED), a common problem in males of all ages, can be of organic, psychogenic or combined etiology. Organic ED is mainly caused by vascular and neurological disorders. One of the available tests for differentiating organic from inorganic ED is measuring penile tumescence and rigidity during the REM phase of sleep. However, this test lacks the ability to differentiate between a vascular and non-vascular cause of organic ED., Objectives: To compare the results of the EndoPAT test and the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test in patients with erectile dysfunction., Methods: Twenty patients with ED were recruited for the study. Each participant was evaluated by the SHIM score, RigiScan during polysomnography, and two EndoPAT tests (at the beginning and end of the study)., Results: Seventeen patients had a SHIM score 21; 4 of them had organic ED with a mean EndoPAT score of 1.49, significantly lower than the 1.93 mean EndoPAT score of the 11 patients in the psychogenic ED group (P = 0.047). Two participants had a neurological impairment (spinal trauma and herniated disk). The average SHIM score in the vascular organic group was 6.25 points as compared to 11.69 for the psychogenic group (P = 0.027). The positive predictive value was 43% and the negative predictive value 90%., Conclusions: EndoPAT could be helpful in excluding organic ED.

Objective: To present our long-term functional and oncological outcomes in open nephron-sparing surgery for complex renal masses., Patients and Methods: We enrolled 584 patients who underwent open partial nephrectomy between January 1995 and May 2014 at our institution; 108 (18.4%) patients had hilar or completely intraparenchymal tumors or both. We compared change in renal function, perioperative complications, and survival outcomes between complex and noncomplex renal masses., Results: Mean tumor diameter was 4.3 and 3.5cm in patients with hilar and completely intraparenchymal lesions, respectively. R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores were significantly higher in patients with complex tumors as compared with patients with exophytic tumors. There was no significant difference between mean estimated glomerular filtration rate at last follow-up compared with preoperative mean estimated glomerular filtration rate in any of the groups. The incidence of perioperative complications was similar across all patients groups. Estimated 10-year cancer-specific survival probabilities were 100% in patients with hilar and intraparenchymal tumors. The 10-year recurrence-free survival probabilities were 96% and 95% in patients with hilar and intraparenchymal tumors, respectively. The main limitations include retrospective design and the lack of kidney-specific functional scan., Conclusion: Open nephron-sparing surgery should be considered for complex renal masses yielding excellent functional and oncological outcomes without higher incidence of complications., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Angiosarcoma of the urinary bladder is an extremely rare and poorly characterized tumor. We are presenting the 13th reported patient who was an 89-year-old man initially presented with massive hematuria. His past medical history included external-beam radiation for prostate cancer 12 years ago. His PSA was 0.26 ng/dL. His CT-Urography demonstrated a highly vascular mass originating from the bladder base. The mass was partially resected, transurethrally. The pathology was consistent with primary angiosarcoma of the urinary bladder. Bone scan and CT-U showed metastasis to spine. The patient was treated with palliative radiotherapy for back pain due to metastasis, and he refused chemotherapy. The patient died 3 months after his initial diagnosis.

Aim. To describe the natural history of small renal mass on active surveillance and identify parameters that could help in predicting the need for intervention in patients with small renal masses undergoing active surveillance. We also discuss the need for renal biopsy in the management of these patients. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 78 renal masses ≤4 cm diagnosed at our Urology Department at Bnai Zion Medical Center between September 2003 and March 2012. Results. Seventy patients with 78 small renal masses were analyzed. The mean age at diagnosis was 68 years (47-89). The mean follow-up period was 34 months (12-112). In 54 of 78 masses there was a growth of at least 2 mm between imaging on last available follow-up and diagnosis. Eight of the 54 (15%) masses which grew in size underwent a nephron-sparing surgery, of which two were oncocytomas and six were renal cell carcinoma. Growth rate and mass diameter on diagnosis were significantly greater in the group of patients who underwent a surgery. Conclusions. Small renal masses might eventually be managed by active surveillance without compromising survival or surgical approach. All masses that were eventually excised underwent a nephron-sparing surgery. None of the patients developed metastases.

Introduction: In endometriosis, urinary tract involvement occurs in 1–5.5% of cases, where the ureter is affected in 9–23%. Unfortunately, endometriosis may remain asymptomatic even with significant anatomical progression. A delay in the diagnosis and treatment of ureteral endometriosis may result in hydronephrotic kidney damage and functional impairment. Methods: We present a case of a 36-year-old woman with a left ureteral stricture caused by deep infiltrating endometriosis accompanied by severe kidney-induced arterial hypertension. In March 2022, the patient underwent both laparoscopic excision/evaporation of deep infiltrating endometriosis from the left ovarian fossa and left ureterolysis, followed by an ureterorenoscopic dilatation of the left ureter via the placement of an Allium self-expandable stent. Results: This stent was successfully removed 18 months later. A computed tomography check-up confirmed normal ureteral patency with no signs of endometriosis. Elevated blood pressure also resolved. Conclusions: Deep infiltrating endometriosis can lead to asymptomatic yet serious complications. A successful treatment of ureteral endometriosis may require multidisciplinary management, including a simultaneous laparoscopic and ureterorenoscopic approach. Ureteral stent placement is a minimally invasive state-of-the-art solution for ureteral stricture(s) and should be considered the first choice in women of reproductive age suffering from ureteral deep infiltrating endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effectiveness of metallic stents in treating ureteral strictures following surgery and radiotherapy for gynecological tumors is currently uncertain. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of thermo-expandable metallic stent (Memokath) in the treatment of ureteral stricture after radiotherapy for gynecological tumors. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 27 patients with ureteral stricture were treated with Memokath stent after gynecological tumor radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy that was admitted to our hospital from August 2021 to August 2023. Clinical data on efficacy, safety, and complications during stent insertion and indwelling were analyzed. Results: The successful insertion of thirty-three stents in twenty-seven patients studied. The stenosis length was 10.14 ± 6.76 cm, and the hospitalization was 4.43 ± 1.83 days. One patient has died from the primary disease carrying a patency stent. The Kaplan-Meier graph showed that the cumilative patency rate of patients with thermo-expandable metallic stent were 92.4% (SD = 5.2%) in eight months, 77.4% (9.1%) in 12 months and 67.7% (SD = 12%) in 29 months, while the cumilative survival rate was 87.5% (SD = 11.5%) in 29 months. The stent patency was 81.48% and later complications of stent indwelling were 5/27, including refractory urinary tract infection (UTI) in three cases, stent migration, and stent intolerance respectively. The creatinine levels, hydronephrosis degree, and glomerular filtration rate improved after the operation, and the first two indicators were statistically significant. Conclusion: Memokath stent is a safe and effective treatment for ureteral stricture after surgery and radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for gynecological tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To conduct a scoping review of the existing literature and recent developments on prostatic stents for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)., Methods: A comprehensive search was performed on Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science to identify English literature on prostatic stents for the treatment of BPH. Additional studies and upcoming devices were identified through grey literature search and expert consultation. Study characteristics and stent information were extracted and tabulated narratively., Results: Of the 1171 search results, 64 studies were included in this review. iTiND was the prostatic stent with the most long-term evidence. iTiND is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for BPH that preserves sexual function. Adverse events are mild and transitory. Emerging stents (e.g. Zenflow, Butterfly, Urocross, and Exime) had 7/64 eligible studies, where no studies had long-term follow-up. These newer stents show promising results for quality of life and BPH symptom management; however, long-term monitoring and head-to-head comparisons are needed., Conclusion: Over the last 50 years, prostatic stents have evolved and demonstrated improved clinical efficacy. iTiND provides a safe and effective outpatient treatment of LUTS secondary to BPH preserving erectile and ejaculatory function. Emerging prostatic stents are a promising, effective, and safe intervention in well-selected patients interested in its benefits., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: This study analyzed the risk factors associated with positive surgical margins (PSM) and five-year survival after prostate cancer resection to construct a positive margin prediction model. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 148 patients treated with prostatectomy. The patients were divided into PSM group and Negative surgical margins (NSM) group. Several parameters were compared between the groups. All patients were followed up for 60 months. The risk factors for PSM and five-year survival were evaluated by univariate analysis, followed by multifactorial dichotomous logistic regression analysis. Finally, ROC curves were plotted for the risk factors to establish a predictive model for PSM after prostate cancer resection. Results: (1) Serum PSA, percentage of positive puncture stitches, clinical stage, surgical approach, Gleason score on puncture biopsy, and perineural invasion were significantly associated with the risk of PSM (P < 0.05). Serum PSA, perineural invasion, Gleason score on puncture biopsy, and percentage of positive puncture stitches were independent risk factors for PSM. (2) Total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) by puncture, nutritional status, lymph node metastasis, bone metastasis, and seminal vesicle invasion may be risk factors for five-year survival. Lymph node metastasis and nutritional status were the main risk factors for the five-year survival of patients with prostate cancer. (3) After plotting the ROC curve, the area under the curve (AUC) [AUC: 0.776, 95%, confidence interval (CI): 0.725 to 0.854] was found to be a valid predictor of PSM; the AUC [AUC: 0.664, 95%, confidence interval (CI): 0.576 to 0.753] was also a valid predictor of five-year survival (P < 0.05). (4) The scoring system had a standard error of 0.02 and a cut-off value of 6. It predicted PSM after prostate cancer resection with moderate efficacy. Conclusions: Serum PSA, perineural invasion, puncture biopsy Gleason score, and percentage of positive puncture stitches were independent risk factors for positive surgical margins (PSM). Also, lymph node metastasis and nutritional status were the main risk factors for the five-year survival of patients with prostate cancer. Overall, the prediction efficacy of this scoring system concerning the risk of PSM after prostate cancer resection was moderate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the five-year overall survival (OS) rate and postoperative survival time of patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), as well as examine the clinical and pathological factors influencing survival outcomes in OSCC patients. Methods: Data were collected from OSCC patients who underwent their first radical surgical intervention in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between April 2014 and December 2016. Follow-up was conducted until March 2022. Results: The study included a total of 162 patients. The observed 5-year OS rate was 59.3%. Approximately 45.7% of OSCC patients experienced postoperative recurrence or metastasis, with a 5-year overall disease-free survival rate of 49.4%. There was no significant difference in the impact of sex, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, primary tumour location, depth of invasion or primary tumour size on the 5-year survival rate (p > 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that clinical stage (Hazard Ratio = 2.239, p = 0.004), perineural invasion (PNI) (Hazard Ratio = 1.712, p = 0.03), lymph node metastasis (pN) (Hazard Ratio = 2.119, p = 0.002), pathological differentiation (Hazard Ratio = 2.715, p < 0.001), and recurrence or metastasis (Hazard Ratio = 10.02, p < 0.001) were significant factors influencing survival. Multivariate analysis further indicated that pathological differentiation (Hazard Ratio = 2.291, p = 0.001), PNI (Hazard Ratio = 1.765, p = 0.031) and recurrence or metastasis (Hazard Ratio = 9.256, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of survival. Intriguingly, 11 OSCC patients were diagnosed with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) within 1-4 years following surgery. Conclusion: The survival prognosis of OSCC patients is significantly associated with clinical stage, PNI, lymph node metastasis, pathological differentiation, and recurrence or metastasis. Pathological differentiation, PNI and recurrence or metastasis are independent risk factors affecting survival. Routine clinical screening for ESCC may be recommended for OSCC patients with a history of alcohol consumption and tobacco use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mitomycin-C (MMC) chemotherapy is a well-established anti-cancer treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, despite comprehensive biological research, the complete mechanism of action and an ideal regimen of MMC have not been elucidated. In this study, we present a theoretical investigation of NMIBC growth and its treatment by continuous administration of MMC chemotherapy. Using temporal ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to describe cell populations and drug molecules, we formulated the first mathematical model of tumor-immune interactions in the treatment of MMC for NMIBC, based on biological sources. Several hypothetical scenarios for NMIBC under the assumption that tumor size correlates with cell count are presented, depicting the evolution of tumors classified as small, medium, and large. These scenarios align qualitatively with clinical observations of lower recurrence rates for tumor size ≤ 30[mm] with MMC treatment, demonstrating that cure appears up to a theoretical x[mm] tumor size threshold, given specific parameters within a feasible biological range. The unique use of mole units allows to introduce a new method for theoretical pre-treatment assessments by determining MMC drug doses required for a cure. In this way, our approach provides initial steps toward personalized MMC chemotherapy for NMIBC patients, offering the possibility of new insights and potentially holding the key to unlocking some of its mysteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Common bile duct (CBD) stones may pass spontaneously without any intervention. Assessment of the predictors of spontaneous passage can contribute to avoiding unnecessary endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) implementation. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to spontaneous passage of CBD stones. Methods: From January 2021 to August 2023, patients with naïve papilla who had undergone biliary ERCP and with CBD stones detected by MRCP before the procedure were analyzed retrospectively. Subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence of stones during the ERCP procedure: the spontaneous passage group and the non-passage group. Groups were compared in terms of demographic, laboratory, and radiological data. Results: A total of 236 patients, including 26 in the spontaneous passage group and 210 in the non-passage group, were involved. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that only stone size was significantly associated with spontaneous passage. From ROC curve analysis, stone size with a cut-off value of 4.3 mm predicted spontaneous passage with 58% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Conclusions: Stones with a size of less than 4.3 mm are more likely to pass spontaneously without endoscopic intervention. Paying attention to the stone diameter before ERCP procedures can contribute to avoiding unnecessary ERCP implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though the literature on unregistered economic activity is growing at an increasing rate, we commonly encounter simple ordinary least squares methods and panel regressions, largely ignoring the recent rapid developments in machine learning methods. This study provides a new approach to more accurately estimate the size of the non-observed economy using machine learning methods. Compared to two currency demand-based models used to estimate the size of the non-observed economy, we show that a Random Forest algorithm can more accurately estimate the demand for currency, which is known to provide a fair estimation of the unregistered economic activity. The proposed approach shows superior forecasting capabilities compared to the current state-of-the-art linear regression-based methods dedicated to estimating non-observed economic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]