Are polymorphisms of the β(3)-adrenoceptor gene associated with an altered bladder function?

Aims: As the presence of a Trp64Arg polymorphism of the gene encoding the β(3)-adrenoceptor (B3AR) has been linked to the presence of overactive bladder, we investigated whether additional polymorphisms are detectable in this gene and explore their relationships parameters related to lower urinary tract function.

Methods: The coding region and adjacent stretches of the B3AR gene was sequenced in 91 patients. In total, 1015 patients from a single academic hospital were genotyped for the presence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Angiogenesis in prostate cancer: onset, progression and imaging.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Today, angiogenesis is known to play a key role in cancer growth and development. Emerging cancer treatments are based on the suppression of angiogenesis, and modern imaging techniques investigate changes in the microvasculature that are caused by angiogenesis. As for other forms of cancers, angiogenesis is well recognised as a fundamental process in the development of prostate cancer.

Partial nephrectomy: is there an advantage of the self-retaining barbed suture in the perioperative period? A matched case-control comparison.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the self-retaining barbed suture (SRBS) in renal defect repair during partial nephrectomy (PN), by assessing perioperative outcomes.

Methods: From June 2010 on we have been using the SRBS for superficial layer closure during open and laparoscopic PN in two European centers. These data were collected prospectively and matched with historical PN cases performed with conventional suture.

Transurethral distal ureter balloon occlusion and detachment: a simple means of managing the distal ureter during radical nephroureterectomy.

Distal ureter bladder cuff (DUBC) excision is an essential part of radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), but the technique to accomplish it remains controversial. We describe a novel technique of transurethral distal ureter balloon occlusion before detachment (TUDUBOD) whereby the affected ureter is occluded with a 5F Fogarty balloon catheter and circumferentially incised until the perivesical fat to detach it from the bladder. In the 13 patients who were treated between May 2005 and May 2010, mean surgical time for TUDUBOD was 21.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy and chronic kidney disease: results from the CROES PCNL Global Study.

Purpose: We compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the CROES (Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society) Global Study according to preoperative renal function.

Materials And Methods: Prospective data on consecutive patients treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a 1-year period were collected from 96 participating centers. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula based on preoperative serum creatinine measurement.

Does imaging modality used for percutaneous renal access make a difference? A matched case analysis.

Objective: To assess perioperative outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for percutaneous access.

Methods: A prospectively collected international Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) database containing 5806 patients treated with PCNL was used for the study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the methods of percutaneous access: ultrasound versus fluoroscopy.

Postoperative infection rates in low risk patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy with and without antibiotic prophylaxis: a matched case control study.

Purpose: Current guidelines recommend prophylactic antibiotic therapy for all patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. We examined the effects of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy with negative preoperative urine cultures.

Materials And Methods: Of the 5,803 patients in the CROES (Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society) Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Global Study database, a group of 162 patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy with a negative baseline urine culture who did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis were matched on preoperative nephrostomy, the presence of staghorn calculi and diabetes status with an equal number of patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis.

Focal therapy in the management of small renal masses.

Purpose Of Review: Focal therapy has gained attention in the treatment of small renal masses. However its use is encased by scarce data on long-term outcomes and low evidence regarding perioperative complications. Our purpose is to review the emerging data in the past 18 months.

Exit strategies following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): a comparison of surgical outcomes in the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PCNL Global Study.

Purpose: To compare the characteristics and outcomes of exit strategies following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PCNL Global Study database.

Materials And Methods: Two matched data sets were prepared in order to compare stent only versus NT only and TTL versus NT only. Patients were matched on the exit strategy using the following variables: case volume of the center where they underwent PCNL, stone burden, the presence of staghorn stone, size of sheath used at percutaneous access, the presence of bleeding during surgery, and treatment success status.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for definitive treatment of prostate cancer.

Unlabelled: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Novel therapeutic methods have emerged in recent years as 'focal' treatment alternatives in which cancer foci can be eradicated and greatly reducing the associated side-effects of radical treatment. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) seems to result in a well fitted technology, which has proven short- to medium-term cancer control, with a low rate of complications comparable with those of established therapies. This is an up-to-date review of the available literature on HIFU as a definitive treatment of prostate cancer.

Clinical, pathologic, and functional outcomes after nephron-sparing surgery in patients with a solitary kidney: a multicenter experience.

Background And Purpose: Surgical management of a renal neoplasm in a solitary kidney is a balance between oncologic control and preservation of renal function. We analyzed patients with a renal mass in a solitary kidney undergoing nephron-sparing procedures to determine perioperative, oncologic, and renal functional outcomes.

Patients And Methods: A multicenter study was performed from 12 institutions.

Current status of transrectal ultrasound techniques in prostate cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Present the current status of transrectal ultrasound imaging in prostate cancer (PCa) and discuss the latest techniques now under preclinical evaluation.

Recent Findings: Three-dimensional ultrasound and quantification techniques are superior to two-dimensional ultrasound in visualizing PCa and can be beneficial in staging prior to operation. Doppler-guided biopsies are more likely to yield positive results, especially when high Gleason scores are present.

The CROES percutaneous nephrolithotomy global study: the influence of body mass index on outcome.

Purpose: In addition to more commonly forming stones, obese patients present a number of challenges when undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. We evaluated percutaneous nephrolithotomy outcomes in 3,709 patients stratified by body mass index.

Materials And Methods: A prospective database administered by CROES (Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society) captured data on 5,803 patients treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy between November 2007 and December 2009.

TachoSil(®) sealed tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy to reduce urine leakage and bleeding: outcome of a randomized controlled study.

Purpose: We determined the efficacy and safety of TachoSil(®) in sealing the tract after percutaneous nephrolithotomy compared to nephrostomy tube placement.

Materials And Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients scheduled for percutaneous nephrolithotomy were randomized 1:1 to receive a 16Fr nephrostomy tube (group 1) or TachoSil in the tract (group 2). All patients received a mono-J ureteral catheter.

Age and gender related differences in renal cell carcinoma in a European cohort.

Purpose: We evaluated the influence of age on gender related differences in the renal cell carcinoma presentation of patients operated on between 1995 and 2005 in a European country. We also assessed the trend of missing pathological data.

Materials And Methods: Data on all patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma during 1995 to 2005 in The Netherlands were retrospectively collected from the prospective PALGA (Pathological Anatomical National Automated Archive) database.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children in different age groups: data from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Global Study.

Objectives: To present the overall results of paediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) compared with adults. To present the indications, complications and outcomes of patients treated in the participating centres in the PCNL Global Study, as categorised in different age groups.

Patients And Methods: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) Study was conducted from November 2007 to December 2009, and included 96 centres and >5800 patients.

Differentiation between normal renal tissue and renal tumours using functional optical coherence tomography: a phase I in vivo human study.

Objective: To determine the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in differentiating human renal tumours in an in-vivo setting by assessing differences in attenuation coefficient (µ(OCT); mm(-1)) as a quantitative measurement.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing nephrectomy (partial/radical) or cryoablation for an enhancing solid renal tumour were included in our centre between October 2010 and May 2011. In vivo OCT images were obtained from renal tumour and normal parenchyma during surgery.

Prospective comparison of outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in elderly patients versus younger patients.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to prospectively compare operative and postoperative characteristics and outcomes in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) compared with younger patients.

Patients And Methods: Prospectively collected data from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) Global PCNL Study database were used. Elderly patients were defined as those aged 70 years and above, while younger patients were those between 18 and 70 years of age.

Categorisation of complications and validation of the Clavien score for percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Background: Although widely used, the validity and reliability of the Clavien classification of postoperative complications have not been tested in urologic procedures, such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Objective: To validate the Clavien score and categorise complications of PCNL.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Data for 528 patients with complications after PCNL were used to create a set of 70 unique complication-management combinations.

Role of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in focal therapy of prostate cancer: report from a Consensus Panel.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Focal therapy techniques are emerging in prostate cancer treatment. However, several key questions about patient selection, treatment and monitoring still have to be addressed. The concept of focal therapy is barely discussed in current urological guidelines.

Impact of case volumes on the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated relationships between case volumes and outcomes in surgery. Little is known about the impact of case volumes on the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Objective: To investigate the influence of case volumes on the efficacy and safety outcomes of PCNL.

Conservative and radiological management of simple renal cysts: a comprehensive review.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Simple renal cysts are a common entity, which may need observation and follow-up or treatment. The study, for the first time, systematically reviews the indications for follow-up or radiological treatment of simple renal cysts. To review the conservative and radiological management of simple renal cysts a systematic literature review was performed.

Urinary tract infections and post-operative fever in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: To review the incidence of UTIs, post-operative fever, and risk factors for post-operative fever in PCNL patients.

Materials And Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, consecutive PCNL patients were enrolled from 96 centers participating in the PCNL Global Study. Only data from patients with pre-operative urine samples and who received antibiotic prophylaxis were included.