Screening for asymptomatic nephrolithiasis in primary hyperparathyroidism patients is warranted.

Background: We aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and management of nephrolithiasis in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients.

Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy at a tertiary care hospital in British Columbia from January 2016 to April 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, laboratory results, imaging reports, and urologic consultations were examined.

Mechanisms of Pulse Modulated Holmium:YAG Lithotripsy.

This study aimed at answering three research questions: (1) Under the experimental conditions studied, what is the dominant mechanism of Holmium:YAG lithotripsy with or without pulse modulation? (2) Under what circumstances can laser pulse modulation increase crater volume of stone ablation per joule of emitted radiant energy? (3) Are BegoStone phantoms a suitable model for laser lithotripsy studies? The research questions were addressed by ablation experiments with BegoStone phantoms and native stones. Experiments were performed under three stone conditions: dry stones in air, hydrated stones in air, and hydrated stones in water. Single pulses with and without pulse modulation were applied.

Does early intervention improve outcomes for patients with acute ureteral colic?

Objectives: Early surgical intervention is increasingly employed for patients with ureteral colic, but guidelines and current practice are variable. We compared 60-day outcomes for matched patients undergoing early intervention vs. spontaneous passage.

Hydronephrosis severity clarifies prognosis and guides management for emergency department patients with acute ureteral colic.

Objective: In emergency department patients with ureteral colic, the prognostic value of hydronephrosis is unclear. Our goal was to determine whether hydronephrosis can differentiate low-risk patients appropriate for trial of spontaneous passage from those with clinically important stones likely to experience passage failure.

Methods: We used administrative data and structured chart review to evaluate a consecutive cohort of patients with ureteral stones who had a CT at nine Canadian hospitals in two cities.

Which Patients Should Have Early Surgical Intervention for Acute Ureteral Colic?

Purpose: Early surgical intervention is an attractive option for acute ureteral colic but existing evidence does not clarify which patients benefit. We compared treatment failure rates in patients receiving early intervention and patients offered spontaneous passage to identify subgroups that benefit from early intervention.

Materials And Methods: We used administrative data and structured chart review to study consecutive patients attending 9 emergency departments in 2 Canadian provinces with confirmed 2.

Pulse modulation with Moses technology improves popcorn laser lithotripsy.

Purpose: Moses™ technology has been developed to improve holmium laser fragmentation at 1-2 mm distance from the stone. Because popcorn lithotripsy is a non-contact technique, we compared short pulse (SP) and Moses distance (MD) modes in an in vitro model.

Methods: BegoStones were fragmented using a 120 W Ho:YAG laser (P120 Moses) and a 230 μm core fiber introduced through a ureteroscope.

Understanding the Popcorn Effect During Holmium Laser Lithotripsy for Dusting.

Objective: To assess low and high power settings for the popcorn technique, and relationship of laser fiber-to-stone distance and calyceal size on submillimeter fragmentation. Our in vitro findings may help guide strategies to improve a dusting technique for ureteroscopy.

Methods: BegoStones were fragmented in small (127 mm) and large (411 mm) sized bulbs to simulate calyces, using a 120 W Ho:YAG laser.

Variability of renal colic management and outcomes in two Canadian cities.

Background: Some centres favour early intervention for ureteral colic while others prefer trial of spontaneous passage, and relative outcomes are poorly described. Calgary and Vancouver have similar populations and physician expertise, but differing approaches to ureteral colic. We studied 60-day hospitalization and intervention rates for patients having a first emergency department (ED) visit for ureteral colic in these diverse systems.

Comparison of flexible ureteroscopy damage rates for lower pole renal stones by laser fiber type.

Objectives: Laser lithotripsy, often used during ureteronephroscopy (URNS), requires the Ho:YAG optical fiber transmit energy via total internal reflection (TIR). In critical lower pole deflections, energy may refract into the cladding causing fiber failure and scope damage. New optical fiber technology aims to have increased tolerance for high degrees of flexion.

Noninfectious Penile Lesions.

Noninfectious penile lesions are classified by clinical presentation as papulosquamous (e.g., psoriasis), inflammatory (e.

A multicenter comparison of the safety and effectiveness of ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy in obese and normal weight patients.

Objective: Surgical treatment of kidney stones in an obese patient (body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/m(2)) remains challenging as shockwave lithotripsy may not be an option due to weight limitations. We sought to determine the effectiveness of ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy in obese patients compared to nonobese controls.

Materials And Methods: Patients from 2004 to 2007 were retrospectively analyzed providing a group of 292 patients (163 obese, 76 overweight, 53 normal) who underwent ureteroscopic procedures for urolithiasis at four centers in the United States and Canada.

Evaluation of a new 240-μm single-use holmium:YAG optical fiber for flexible ureteroscopy.

Background And Purpose: Numerous holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser fibers are available for flexible ureteroscopy. Performance and durability of fibers can vary widely among different manufacturers and their product lines with differences within a single product line have been reported. We sought to evaluate a newly developed nontapered, single-use 240-μm fiber, Flexiva™ 200 (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA), during clinical use and in a bench-testing model.

Optimal power settings for Holmium:YAG lithotripsy.

Purpose: We determined the optimal Ho:YAG lithotripsy power settings to achieve maximal fragmentation, minimal fragment size and minimal retropulsion.

Materials And Methods: Stone phantoms were irradiated in water with a Ho:YAG laser using a 365 μm optical fiber. Six distinct power settings were tested, including 0.