A Pilot Study of PSMA PET/CT and MRI Fusion for Prostate Cancer: Software to Replace PET/MRI Hardware.

: Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT), in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may enhance the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. Image fusion of separately acquired PET/CT and MRI images serve to facilitate clinical integration and treatment planning. This study aimed to investigate different PSMA PET/CT and MRI image fusion workflows for prostate cancer visualisation.

Reducing candidaemia risk in urology patients: Revised algorithm & Pharmacist-Led Implementation.

Background: Candidaemia is an invasive infection with high morbidity and mortality. All urology procedures carry risk of post-operative infection. Risk mitigation strategies include preoperative urine culture and treatment of cultured organism(s) regardless of symptoms.

Prostate volume analysis in image registration for prostate cancer care: a verification study.

Combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) may enhance diagnosis, aid surgical planning and intra-operative orientation for prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy. Although PET-MRI may provide these benefits, PET-MRI machines are not widely available. Image fusion of Prostate specific membrane antigen PET/CT and MRI acquired separately may be a suitable clinical alternative.

Secondary tumours in orthotopic neobladder using isolated gut segment post radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review.

Background: Urothelial carcinoma recurrence of an orthotopic neobladder created from bowel segment is a rare occurrence. The usage of bowel segments to create neobladder following cystectomy for urinary diversion is growing yet there still remains a large gap in the literature about recurrence in neobladder. We carry out the first systematic review to outline current details of urothelial cancer recurrences in a neobladder, diagnostic approach, management and long term prognosis.

The impact of single-use digital flexible cystoscope for double J removal on hospital costs and work organization: A multicentric evaluation.

Background: Isiris-α® is a single-use digital flexible cystoscope with an integrated grasper designed for double J (DJ) stent removal. Aim of this study was to conduct a multicentric evaluation of the costs and criticalities of stent removals performed with Isiris®-α in different hospitals and health systems, as compared to other DJ removal procedures.

Methods: After gathering 10 institutions worldwide with experience on Isiris-α®, we performed an analysis of the reported costs of DJ removal with Isiris-α®, as compared to the traditional reusable equipment used in each institution.

Penile strangulation due to metallic foreign body; A rare case report highlighting effective management strategies for clinicians.

Penile strangulation from a foreign body is a time critical and rare presentation to the emergency department. The rarity of the presentation leads to its management being haphazard by the treating clinicians leading to suboptimal outcomes. We present a 44-year-old male with nine metal rings strangulating his penis and scrotum who failed multiple attempts by the department to free the penis and required an industrial circular saw provided by the fire-brigade to successfully cut the rings.

Mineral content variations between Australian tap and bottled water in the context of urolithiasis.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the variations in mineral content of tap drinking water across major Australian cities, compared with bottled still and sparkling water, and discuss the possible implications on kidney stone disease (KSD).

Materials And Methods: The mineral composition of public tap water from 10 metropolitan and regional Australian cities was compared using the drinking water quality reports published from 2019 to 2021 by the respective water service utilities providers. Specifically, average levels of calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and sulphates were compared with published mineral content data from bottled still and sparkling drinking water in Australia.

Development of 3D Printed Biodegradable Mesh with Antimicrobial Properties for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

To address the increasing demand for safe and effective treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) due to the worldwide ban of the traditional polypropylene meshes, this study introduced degradable polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite meshes fabricated with melt-electrowriting (MEW). Two PCL/PEG mesh groups: 90:10 and 75:25 (PCL:PEG, wt%) were fabricated and characterized for their degradation rate and mechanical properties, with PCL meshes used as a control. The PCL/PEG composites showed controllable degradation rates by adjusting the PEG content and produced mechanical properties, such as maximal forces, that were higher than PCL alone.

Global Variations in the Mineral Content of Bottled Still and Sparkling Water and a Description of the Possible Impact on Nephrological and Urological Diseases.

Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a complex disease. Besides the high risk of recurrence, its association with systemic disorders contributes to the burden of disease. Sufficient water intake is crucial for prevention of KSD, however, the mineral content of water might influence stone formation, bone health and cardiovascular (CVD) risk.

Solitary castrate-resistant prostate cancer metastasis to adrenal gland with concordant intense avidity on PSMA and FDG PET.

Isolated prostate cancer metastasis to the adrenal gland is rare. We report a case of concordant high uptake in a solitary adrenal metastasis on both prostate-specific membrane antigen and fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography in a patient with castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Good initial biochemical response was achieved with laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

3D Printing Improved Testicular Prostheses: Using Lattice Infill Structure to Modify Mechanical Properties.

Patients often opt for implantation of testicular prostheses following orchidectomy for cancer or torsion. Recipients of testicular prostheses report issues regarding firmness, shape, size, and position, aspects of which relate to current limitations of silicone materials used and manufacturing methods for soft prostheses. We aim to create a 3D printable testicular prosthesis which mimics the natural shape and stiffness of a human testicle using a lattice infill structure.

Rapid Segmentation of Renal Tumours to Calculate Volume Using 3D Interpolation.

Small renal masses are commonly diagnosed with modern medical imaging. Renal tumour volume has been explored as a prognostic tool to help decide when intervention is needed and appears to provide additional prognostic information for smaller tumours compared with tumour diameter. However, the current method of calculating tumour volume in clinical practice uses the ellipsoid equation (π/6 × length × width × height) which is an oversimplified approach.

Global Assessment of Urological Endoscopic Skills (GAUES): development and validation of a novel assessment tool to evaluate endourological skills.

Objective: To develop and evaluate an assessment tool for endourological skills during simulation including cystoscopy, ureteroscopy (URS) and transurethral resection (TUR) procedures.

Methods: We designed a Global Assessment of Urological Endoscopic Skills (GAUES) tool, comprised of nine endourology task-specific and two global-rating skills items. The tool was developed through two rounds of the Delphi process.

Variability in accuracy of prostate cancer segmentation among radiologists, urologists, and scientists.

Background: There is increasing research in using segmentation of prostate cancer to create a digital 3D model from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for purposes of education or surgical planning. However, the variation in segmentation of prostate cancer among users and potential inaccuracy has not been studied.

Methods: Four consultant radiologists, four consultant urologists, four urology trainees, and four nonclinician segmentation scientists were asked to segment a single slice of a lateral T3 prostate tumor on MRI ("Prostate 1"), an anterior zone prostate tumor MRI ("Prostate 2"), and a kidney tumor computed tomography (CT) scan ("Kidney").

Three-dimensional printing versus conventional machining in the creation of a meatal urethral dilator: development and mechanical testing.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a promising technology, but the limitations are often poorly understood. We compare different 3D printing methods with conventional machining techniques in manufacturing meatal urethral dilators which were recently removed from the Australian market.

Methods: A prototype dilator was 3D printed vertically orientated on a low-cost fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printer in polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

Multi-colour extrusion fused deposition modelling: a low-cost 3D printing method for anatomical prostate cancer models.

Three-dimensional (3D) printed prostate cancer models are an emerging adjunct for urological surgical planning and patient education, however published methods are costly which limits their translation into clinical practice. Multi-colour extrusion fused deposition modelling (FDM) can be used to create 3D prostate cancer models of a quality comparable to more expensive techniques at a fraction of the cost. Three different 3D printing methods were used to create the same 3D prostate model: FDM, colour jet printing (CJP) and material jetting (MJ), with a calculated cost per model of USD 20, USD 200 and USD 250 respectively.

Worldwide survey of flexible ureteroscopy practice: a survey from European Association of Urology sections of young academic urologists and uro-technology groups.

Introduction: To understand the current practice of flexible ureteroscopy (fURS), we conducted a worldwide survey among urologists with a special interest in endourology.

Material And Methods: A 42-question survey was designed after an initial consultation with European Association of Urology young academic urologists (YAU) and uro-technology (ESUT) groups. This was distributed via the SurveyMonkey platform and an ESUT meeting to cover practice patterns and techniques in regard to ureteroscopy usage worldwide.

Current applications of three-dimensional printing in urology.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing or additive manufacturing is a new technology that has seen rapid development in recent years with decreasing costs. 3D printing allows the creation of customised, finely detailed constructs. Technological improvements, increased printer availability, decreasing costs, improved cell culture techniques, and biomaterials have enabled complex, novel and individualised medical treatments to be developed.

Trends in Upper Tract Stone Disease in England: Evidence from the Hospital Episodes Statistics Database.

Aims: The study aimed to determine the current trends in urolithiasis-related admissions and associated interventions in England between 2006/2007 and 2013/2014 utilizing Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) online data.

Material And Methods: Data was extracted from the online HES data set for each year from 2006/2007 to 2013/2014 inclusive. Admissions and procedural interventions were identified from their corresponding OPCS-4 and ICD-10 codes.

Tips and tricks of ureteroscopy: consensus statement. Part II. Advanced ureteroscopy.

Our "tips and tricks" focuses on all aspects of upper tract endourology and we hope these will be of use to all trainees and consultants who perform ureteroscopy. We report an "expert consensus view" from experienced endourological surgeons, on all aspects of advanced ureteroscopic techniques, with a particular focus on avoiding and getting out of trouble while performing ureteroscopy. In this paper we provide a summary of placing ureteric access sheath, flexible ureteroscopy, intra renal stone fragmentation and retrieval, maintaining visual clarity and biopsy of ureteric and pelvicalyceal tumours.

'Mini, ultra, micro' - nomenclature and cost of these new minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) techniques.

New minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) techniques have changed the management of renal stones. We discuss the technological advances in PCNL and explain the meaning, requirements and set up costs for each of these 'newer' techniques.

Tips and tricks of ureteroscopy: consensus statement Part I. Basic ureteroscopy.

Ureteroscopy is fast becoming the first line treatment option for the majority of urinary tract stones. Ureteroscopy training can be performed in a variety of ways including simulation, hands on ureteroscopy courses and supervised operative experience. We report an "expert consensus view" from experienced endourological surgeons, on all aspects of basic ureteroscopic techniques, with a particular focus on avoiding and getting out of trouble while performing ureteroscopy.

Intrarenal pressure and irrigation flow with commonly used ureteric access sheaths and instruments.

Introduction: Flexible ureterorenoscopy is becoming a first-line treatment for many intrarenal stones. Ureteric access sheaths are commonly used to aid access, stone removal and reduce intrarenal pressure. We evaluated the effects of two commonly used access sheaths on irrigation flow and intrarenal pressure during flexible ureterorenoscopy.