[Lasers in urology : Relevant principles].

A fundamental understanding of the physical properties is necessary for the application of lasers in medicine in order to be able to understand and appreciate the biological effect. The most important parameters are emission mode, wavelength of the laser and power output measured in watts. Pulsed lasers can be used for the treatment of stones and soft tissues, whereby in urology this essentially applies to the prostate gland and to a lesser extent also for the ureter, urethra, bladder and kidneys.

Is There a Role for Functional MRI for the Assessment of Extracapsular Extension in Prostate Cancer?

Background/aim: Exctracapsular extension (ECE) in prostate cancer has a high impact on treatment decision. MRI might predict presence of ECE non-invasively.

Patients And Methods: Triplanar T2w-sequences, DWI (diffusion weighted imaging) and DCE (dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging) of 34 patients with PCa were analyzed to prior prostatectomy.

Microvascular invasion of testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: implications of separate evaluation of lymphatic and blood vessels.

Purpose: We separately evaluated the lymphatic and blood vascular systems to assess the diagnostic accuracy of microvascular invasion and identify predictive markers for occult metastasis of testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

Materials And Methods: Tissue samples of 86 patients treated for testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (stage 1 in 48 and stage greater than 1 in 38) were stained using the lymphatic endothelial cell specific marker LYVE-1 and the blood vessel endothelial cell marker von Willebrand factor. We assessed lymph vessel density in LYVE-1 stained sections and blood vessel density in von Willebrand factor stained sections.

During twenty years of Cisplatin-based therapy the face of nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors is still changing: an evaluation of presentation, management, predictive factors and survival.

Purpose: To assess the changing presentation and treatment of nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSGCT) and to investigate predictive factors for the status of metastasis at diagnosis and on relapse and death.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective record review of 147 patients that underwent inguinal orchiectomy from 1987-2007. Follow-up data was available for 102 patients (median follow-up: 80 months (0-243); 96 patients alive).

The role of lymph vessel density and lymphangiogenesis in metastatic tumor spread of nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of lymph vessel density (LVD) and lymphangiogenesis in nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSGCT) using the specific lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) marker LYVE-1.

Materials And Methods: NSGCT specimens of 77 patients (32 with and 45 without metastases) were stained immunohistochemically using a LYVE-1 antibody. LVD was measured in different representative areas by the standardized "hot spot" method.

Standardized comparison of prostate morcellators using a new ex-vivo model.

Background And Purpose: Transurethral laser enucleation of the prostate is a common therapeutic option for the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. Evacuation of the enucleated tissue from the bladder is usually performed by electric morcellators. Until now, a standardized evaluation of the different morcellator settings does not exist.

Lymph vessel density in seminomatous testicular cancer assessed with the specific lymphatic endothelium cell markers D2-40 and LYVE-1: correlation with pathologic parameters and clinical outcome.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of lymph vessel density (LVD) and lymphangiogenesis in seminomatous testicular cancer (STC) by using the lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers LYVE-1 and D2-40.

Methods And Materials: Paraffin embedded tumor specimens from 40 patients with STC were stained by specific D2-40 and Lyve-1 antibodies. LVD was measured in different representative and standardized areas.

Changes of stage, predictive factors and adjuvant treatment modalities in seminomatous testicular cancer from 1987 to 2007 and their impact on the status of metastasis, recurrence-free and overall survival: a single-center analysis.

Introduction: To observe the changing presentation of seminomatous testicular cancer (STC), placing particular emphasis on predictive factors with a view to evaluating their impact on the status of metastasis, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OAS).

Materials And Methods: 180 patients with STC were evaluated retrospectively. Four study periods were generated and compared for changes.

Initial experience with a newly developed antirefluxive ureter stent.

The objective of this study was to assess the functional efficacy of newly developed antirefluxive ureter stents (DJ), by performing immediate post-stenting cystograms on patients with acute ureteral obstruction requiring a DJ stent, and assessing stent-related symptoms by means of ureteral stent symptoms questionnaire (USSQ). Patients with acute hydronephrosis requiring internal drainage were randomized to receive either an antirefluxive DJ or a conventional DJ (7 Fr., 26 cm, polyurethane, Urovision(®), Germany).

Thulium:YAG laser enucleation (VapoEnucleation) of the prostate: safety and durability during intermediate-term follow-up.

Purpose: Thulium:YAG (Tm:YAG) VapoEnucleation has been introduced and relief of obstruction was demonstrated. The aim of this study was to proof durability of the outcomes in patients with an postoperative follow-up >12 month.

Methods: VapoEnucleation was performed using a 70 Watt continuous-wave-laser.

Thulium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser prostatectomy in men with refractory urinary retention.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of thulium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (YAG) laser prostatectomy in patients with an indwelling transurethral catheter due to recurrent urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic obstruction.

Patients And Methods: Preoperative data and postoperative outcome, as well as complications, were recorded in 65 patients with a history of recurrent urinary retention before surgery (group A), who were compared with a group of 143 men with no recurrent urinary retention (group B).

Results: The mean (sd) volume of the prostate was 45.

[The influence of "differentiated trandurethral resection" in the recurrence and progression of superficial bladder cancer].

Objectives: Experimental data show the relationship between the area of injured urothelium and recurrence rates in superficial bladder cancer. Tumor cell adherence is increased by the exposure to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Transurethral resection uncovers the ECM and might lead to recurrent tumors.

5-year-follow-up of patients with clinically insignificant residual fragments after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.

Objectives: After SWL treatment, many patients have residual fragments in the kidney or ureter. Fragments View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Validation of computer-based training in ureterorenoscopy.

Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of training both urological novices and experts, using the recently developed UroMentor (Simbionix Ltd, Israel) trainer, that provides a realistic simulation of rigid and flexible ureterorenoscopy (URS).

Subjects And Methods: Twenty experienced urologists (total number of previous flexible URSs 21-153) were monitored during simulated flexible URS for treating a lower calyceal stone, and the outcome was correlated with individual experience. A score was compiled based on the variables recorded, including total operation time, stone contact time, complications such as bleeding or perforation, and treatment success.

Diverticular carcinoma of the urinary bladder: diagnosis and treatment problems. A case report.

Objectives: To report a case of a primary carcinoma arising in a vesical diverticulum.

Clinical Presentation And Intervention: A 59-year-old male patient presented with painless macrohematuria. A primary carcinoma arising in a vesical diverticulum was detected with cystoscopy and confirmed with rectal endosonography and computer tomography.