Role of CuCl PET/CT in Detecting and Staging Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Comparison with Contrast-Enhanced CT and F-FDG PET/CT.

Molecular imaging of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MBC) is restricted to its locoregional and distant metastases, since most radiopharmaceuticals have a urinary excretion that limits the visualization of the primary tumor. CuCl a positron-emitting radiotracer with nearly exclusive biliary elimination, could be well suited to exploring urinary tract neoplasms. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of CuCl-based staging of patients with MBC; furthermore, we compared the diagnostic capability of this method with those of the current gold standards, that is, contrast-enhanced CT (ceCT) and F-FDG PET/CT.

Practical implications of androgen receptor inhibitors for prostate cancer treatment.

Antiandrogens have been used for the treatment of prostate cancer as a single agent or in combination with hormone deprivation therapy. New generation antiandrogens act like androgen receptor inhibitors (ARIs). Their binding complex blocks the pathways of cellular proliferation and differentiation of the prostate.

Improving Patient Outcomes in Abdominal Surgery.

Post-operative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) is a frequent complication described in 15% of non-cardiac surgeries, 30% of cardiac surgeries, and 52% of patients requiring intensive post-operative care [...

Perioperative Intravenous Amino Acid Infusion in Major Urologic Surgery.

Post-operative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) is a serious complication that may occur after major abdominal surgery. The administration of intravenous perioperative amino acids (AAs) has been proven to increase kidney function and has some beneficial effects to prevent PO-AKI. The aim of this study was to establish if the perioperative infusion of AAs may reduce the incidence of PO-AKI in patients undergoing major urological minimally invasive surgery.

Application of a protocol for enhanced recovery after radical cystectomy: a before-and-after cohort study.

Purpose: Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion is a major urological surgery burdened both by a high rate of short- and long-term complications and by a high emotional and psychological impact. Post-operative recovery is extremely important and the application of ERAS protocols can facilitate the return to functional autonomy. The aim of the present study was to verify the efficacy of our ERAS programme on outcomes of recovery after surgery of patients undergoing radical cystectomy with various urinary diversions.

Low Intra-Abdominal Pressure with Complete Neuromuscular Blockage Reduces Post-Operative Complications in Major Laparoscopic Urologic Surgery: A before-after Study.

Most urological interventions are now performed with minimally invasive surgery techniques such as laparoscopic surgery. Combining ERAS protocols with minimally invasive surgery techniques may be the best option to reduce hospital length-of-stay and post-operative complications. We designed this study to test the hypothesis that using low intra-abdominal pressures (IAP) during laparoscopy may reduce post-operative complications, especially those related to reduced intra-operative splanchnic perfusion or increased splanchnic congestion.

Feasibility and safety of renal artery closure with advanced bipolar energy device during nephrectomy.

Introduction: Many devices are available to control the renal pedicle during nephrectomy but the gold standard is still a matter of debate. Nanotechnology has evolved to include vessel-sealing systems; companies guarantee an efficacy for vessels until 7 mm. The aim of our study is to evaluate feasibility and safety of closure of the renal artery with radiofrequency energy during nephrectomy.

Two-stage functional and aesthetic reconstructive surgery in melanoma in situ of the glans penis and urethra.

Melanoma in situ including glans penis and fossa navicularis is unique and represents a challenging dilemma since surgery should not be very aggressive. We present a case of melanoma in situ treated with a two-stage penile and urethral reconstructive surgery, with emphasis on functional and aesthetic results. At the first-stage surgery an anatomic glansectomy was perfomed, and combined preputial and full-thickness skin grafts were used to prepare the urethral plate and restore the aesthetic aspect of the corpora cavernosa.

Management of Prostate Cancer with Systemic Therapy: A Prostate Cancer Unit Perspective.

The scenario of systemic therapy for prostate cancer is rapidly evolving, with new drugs and new treatment options. To update the background knowledge of shared uro-oncologic practice, we reviewed current statements and landmarks in systemic therapy. A number of new agents are under investigation in non-metastatic and metastatic disease.

Non-invasive removal of self-locking entrapped nephrostomy tubes.

Introduction: The removal of an encrusted nephrostomy tube can be a challenging maneuver. Urological literature is very bare in detailing techniques for removal of entrapped percutaneous catheters. We present a simple, safe and non-invasive technique of nephrostomy removal using a vascular introducer sheath, useful to manage complicated situations such as nephrostomies blocked for severe encrustations or disabled in their self-locking system.

Non-secreting adrenal myelolipoma in a middle-aged male patient manifesting with sudden onset of severe lower back pain.

Adrenal myelolipoma (AML) is a rare benign tumor, usually non-functioning and asymptomatic until it reaches large size. AML is mostly detected incidentally by imaging and is composed of adipose tissue and hematopoietic elements. Only symptomatic tumor needs surgical excision.

Functional and oncological outcomes of 3D clampless sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumors with low nephrometry score.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma still represents 2-3% of all tumors but its mortality is decreased in the last decades due to the early detection of small masses and to the innovative surgical techniques. The aim of our study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of clampless and sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (CSLPN) in terms of intra- and postoperative functional results, complication rate and oncological outcome.

Methods: We evaluated patients undergoing CSLPN between July 2013 and December 2019.

[Flexible cystoscope for the treatment of urinary stones in intestinal reservoirs.].

Objective: Stones are common mid- and long-term complications in urinary diversions built with bowel. However the reservoir intestinal loops can lead to difficult endoscopic approach.

Methods: We report two challenging cases with unfavourable anatomy successfully treated by gently handling a flexible cystoscope in a low pressure system.