Baseline Tumor Burden Assessed With AI-Guided PET/CT Total Metabolic Tumor Volume (TMTV) and LDH Levels Predict Efficacy of CAR-T in Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma.

Disease burden is a critical determinant of outcomes in CAR-T therapy for B-cell lymphomas, and one of the most widely used techniques for its assessment is Total Metabolic Tumor Volume (TMTV) measured via [F]FDG PET/CT. Biological parameters may further refine the risk profile. We analyzed baseline [F]FDG PET/CT scans from 40 patients treated with CAR-T, using an AI-based automated segmentation algorithm to determine TMTV.

Atypical Presentation of Splenic Tissue Mimicking Neuroendocrine Tumor Relapse.

A 61-year-old man underwent splenopancreasectomy for a 3-cm neuroendocrine tumor of the body of the pancreas (G2, pT1 pN0, Ki67 3%). Five months after surgery 68 Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT showed increased radiotracer uptake in a solid tissue of the splenic fossa, possibly referring to a splenosis nodule. After 19 months, a further 68 Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT showed a significant functional and dimensional increase of the previously detected tissue and the appearance of a new finding in the left lateral abdominal wall.

Human cytomegalovirus-related gastrointestinal disease after kidney transplantation: A systematic review.

Background: Human-cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection involving the gastrointestinal tract represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among kidney transplant (KT) recipients (KTRs). Signs and symptoms of the disease are extremely variable. Prompt anti-viral therapy administration and immunosuppression modification are key factors for optimizing management.

Vacuum erection device for erectile function rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy: which is the correct schedule? Results from a systematic, scoping review.

Vacuum erection device (VED), for its capacity to improve the peak flow and elasticity of cavernous arteries, is a well-known tool to improve recovery of erectile function (EF) after radical prostatectomy. Aim of this study is to compare the different therapeutic schemes proposed in literature to find the most effective timing for VED treatment and to evaluate its efficacy alone or associated with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i). We performed a systematic review of Literature in October 2022 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Controlled Register of Trials to retrieve all articles dealing with EF rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy (excluding non-English papers, reviews, or meeting abstracts).

The role of PET/CT in connective tissue disorders: systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Advanced imaging techniques are needed to help clinicians in the diagnosis, in the choice of the right time for therapeutic interventions or for modifications and monitoring of treatment response in patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases. Nuclear medicine imaging, especially PET/CT and PET/MRI, may play an important role in detecting disease activity, assessing early treatment response as well as in clarifying the complex mechanisms underlying systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome or systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, [F]FDG PET/CT may help in excluding or detecting coexisting malignancies.

Does Heparin Affect Tc-MAA In Vitro Stability?

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) can be diagnosed by perfusion lung scintigraphy using human albumin macroaggregates labelled Tc (Tc-MAA). When PE is suspected, subcutaneous Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) should be administered even before the results of the PE diagnostic flowchart. In our study, we aimed to evaluate a possible interaction (in vitro interference) between Tc-MAA and LMWH.

Prostate Cancer Peripheral Blood NK Cells Show Enhanced CD9, CD49a, CXCR4, CXCL8, MMP-9 Production and Secrete Monocyte-Recruiting and Polarizing Factors.

Natural killer (NK) cells, effector lymphocytes of the innate immunity, have been shown to be altered in several cancers, both at tissue and peripheral levels. We have shown that in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and colon cancer, tumour associated circulating NK (TA-NK) and tumour infiltrating NK (TI-NK) exhibit pro-angiogenic phenotype/functions. However, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the phenotype of peripheral blood (PB) NK (pNK) cells in prostate cancer (PCa).

Validation of the effectiveness of a modified Studer orthotopic neobladder in a single center after 3 years of its application.

Introduction And Objective: In this study, we reported the 2 years outcomes of orthotopic neobladder diversion according to the Studer modified technique described by Bianchi G. et al. This technique improves the stability of the reservoir and the urine-storage capacity.

Predictive factors for progression of patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder at long-term follow-up: pure versus non-pure CIS.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors for progression defined as any event that shifted the management of the disease from a bladder sparing approach, by comparing patients with pure versus non-pure carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out in consecutive patients affected by newly-diagnosed pure CIS and non-pure CIS (excluding cases with concomitant muscle invasive cancer). All patients were enrolled a in our institution from 1998 to 2010.

New perineal tensive transobturator tape (T-TOT) for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.

Unlabelled: Bulbourethral transobturator sling data from other investigators report a success rate from 53% to 85%. Since the degree of sling tension and its adjustment seems to be important for achieving complete urinary continence we present results on the first consecutive 12 patients, with mild post prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence--defined as--less than 500 ml, who underwent a new perineal tensive transobturator polypropylene tape (T-TOT) procedure at our institution.

Results: Pre-operative mean abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) was 23 cm H2O (sd +/- 10), retrograde leak point pressure (RLPP) was 24 cm H2O (sd +/- 6) and the mean pad test was 324 g (sd +/- 176).

The new transperineal-prerectal approach in posterior urethroplasty.

Objective: A new posterior urethroplasty is suggested for patients with pelvic fracture urethral distraction defect (PFUDD).

Methods: 12 men, with PFUDD were treated with an anastomotic urethroplasty, using a transperineal-prerectal approach. All patients had a suprapubic tube in place and were impotent after pelvic trauma.

Soft prosthesis implant and relaxing albugineal incision with saphenous grafting for surgical therapy of Peyronie's disease: a 5-year experience and long-term follow-up on 145 operated patients.

Introduction: Most surgical therapies used to date for Peyronie's disease produce good results but cause penis retraction. The authors propose a personal surgical technique that makes use of an intracavernous cylinder, soft but axially rigid in consistency, in association with tunical relaxing incisions and saphenous vein grafting, in this exact sequence.

Methods: Between March 1997 and March 2003, 145 patients presenting with Peyronie's disease underwent this 3-phase personal surgical procedure.

[Urethro-autoplasty: scrotal in-lay, mesh-graft, buccal on-lay].

The surgical therapy of the urethral strictures is still controversial as it interests the choice of an appropriate technique among many methods. In cases of complex urethral strictures, urethroplasties using genital or extragenital tissue for reconstruction are indicated. Scrotal in-lay was popular some years ago, but the complications rate was high.