Bacterial Interactions as Detected by Pooled Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (P-AST) in Polymicrobial Urine Specimens.

Introduction: Antimicrobial susceptibility is well characterized in monomicrobial infections, but bacterial species often coexist with other bacterial species. Antimicrobial susceptibility is often tested against single bacterial isolates; this approach ignores interactions between cohabiting bacteria that could impact susceptibility. Here, we use Pooled Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing to compare antimicrobial susceptibility patterns exhibited by polymicrobial and monomicrobial urine specimens obtained from patients with urinary tract infection symptoms.

Transvaginal Trigger Point Injections Improve Pain Scores in Women with Pelvic Floor Hypertonicity and Pelvic Pain Conditions.

Objectives: Chronic pelvic pain in women often requires multimodal treatment regimens. We describe our method of transvaginal trigger point injections (TPIs) and report outcomes using change in pain scores.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of women treated with in-office pelvic floor muscle injections from January 2012 to August 2015.

Does sex matter? A matched pairs analysis of neuromodulation outcomes in women and men.

Aims: To evaluate whether baseline symptoms and outcomes are influenced by gender in a matched cohort undergoing neuromodulation.

Methods: Patients in our prospective neuromodulation database that had a tined lead placed were reviewed. Those that had implantable pulse generator (IPG) placed were matched on age and urologic diagnosis.

Radiographic Misdiagnoses After Periurethral Bulking Agents.

Objectives: Injectable urethral bulking agents are commonly used to manage stress urinary incontinence. Urologic or other symptoms may prompt pelvic imaging at a later date, when bulking agents may be visualized and incorrectly interpreted. Our goal was to evaluate the incidence of misdiagnosis and which pathologies were the most common misinterpretations and their frequency.

The impact of prior back surgery on neuromodulation outcomes: A review of over 500 patients.

Aims: To evaluate neuromodulation outcomes in patients with prior back surgery.

Methods: Adults in our prospective observational sacral/pudendal neuromodulation study were retrospectively evaluated. History and operative details were reviewed, and outcomes were measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months with overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB q) symptom severity (SS)/health related quality of life (HRQOL), interstitial cystitis symptom/problem indices (ICSI - PI), voiding diaries, and global response assessments (GRA).

Outcomes of Sacral Neuromodulation in Patients with Prior Surgical Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation in patients with prior stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery.

Methods: Women in our prospective neuromodulation database were evaluated. Patients with a history of prior SUI/POP surgery were compared to those without.

Pelvic Prolapse Repair in the Era of Mesh.

Pelvic organ prolapse repair with mesh remains the gold standard for advanced prolapse. There are several surgical approaches available to the pelvic reconstructive surgeon. Prolapse repair can be performed vaginally or abdominally using native tissue or may be augmented with a biologic or mesh patch.

A multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: an ideal model of care.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a complex syndrome that has long been treated with bladder directed therapies, which often fail to address the multiple underlying etiologies that can contribute to this disease process. This disease often involves symptoms that extend beyond the bladder and involve the pelvic floor making it crucial for clinicians to approach the patient using a multidisciplinary team. This article will discuss the underlying etiologies for IC/BPS and describe the multidisciplinary approach which we have found to be extremely successful in managing this patient population.

Positive correlation between PEDF expression levels and macrophage density in the human prostate.

Background: In this study, we investigated the capacity of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) to modulate the recruitment and the differentiation of monocytes/macrophages both in vitro and in human prostate.

Methods: Using Boyden chambers, we assessed PEDF effect on the migration of monocytes and chemically activated RAW 264.7 macrophages.