Circulating Plasma microRNA to Differentiate Cushing's Disease From Ectopic ACTH Syndrome.

Corticotropinomas and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting neuroendocrine tumors exhibit differential levels of some microRNAs (miRs) compared to normal tissue. Because miRs can be released from tissues into circulation, they offer promise as novel disease biomarkers. To evaluate whether miRs are differentially detected in plasma samples of patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS).

Prostatic Arterial Embolization vs Open Prostatectomy: A 1-Year Matched-pair Analysis of Functional Outcomes and Morbidities.

Objective: To evaluate 1-year surgical and functional results and morbidities of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) vs open prostatectomy (OP).

Patients And Methods: We undertook 1:1 matched-pair analysis (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS], peak flow [PF], postvoid residual [PVR], and prostate volume) of 287 consecutive patients treated for benign prostatic obstruction, including 80 OP and 80 PAE. Inclusion criteria were as follows: lower urinary tract symptoms or benign prostatic obstruction, IPSS ≥12, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <4 ng/mL, or PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL but negative prostate biopsy, total prostate volume >80 cm(3), and PF <15 mL/s.

Prostatic artery embolization for prostate volume greater than 80 cm3: results from a single-center prospective study.

Objective: To investigate clinical benefits and safety of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in patients with prostate volume ≥80 cm(3) and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≥2 and affected by benign prostatic obstruction (BPO).

Patients And Methods: From January 2009 to January 2012, PAE was performed in 88 consecutive patients affected by clinical BPO. Inclusion criteria were symptomatic BPO refractory to medical treatment, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥12, total prostate volume (TPV) ≥80 cm(3), Qmax <15 mL/s, and CCI ≥2.