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Background Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a dangerous complication after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). We aimed to review the diag...

Penile dislocation following a traumatic pubic bone fracture is a very rare condition. Only a few cases are reported in the literature and the presentation mechanism is still not completely understood. The impact energy on the pelvis usually causes a displaced fracture with concomitant withdrawal of the pubic bone. The retraction of the pubic bone pulls the penis by its suspensory ligament leading to penile dislocation. We describe a rare case of a “hidden” penis 2 months after a blunt pelvic trauma following a motor vehicle accident. Clinical examination revealed a retracted penile skin. The penis was not visible, neither palpable in the expected position. Micturition took place by dripping urine from the opening of the prepubic skin where urine got trapped in the surrounding skin. He also complained of not having erections. A magnetic resonance imaging that showed invaginated penis, located in the anterior pelvic wall, adjacent to the right inguinal canal. Surgical repair was performed trough an inverted “V” suprapubic incision that allowed exploring the pubic area. The degloved penile shaft was identified and isolated from fibrotic adhesions to the surrounding tissue. The invaginated penile skin that was thin and retracted. The point of fixation was located deeply in the right pubic area where the subcutaneous tissue and skin were firmly attached to a spike of the fractured pubic bone. This adhesion was sharply resected and the penis and its skin were restored in their anatomical position. The suspensory ligament was partially detached. Erection was simulated using saline solution injection into the corpora cavernosa to exclude penile curvature. Postoperative course was uneventful. One year after surgery, the penis had a normal appearance without retraction and sexual function was completely restored. Our case pointed out the importance of genitalia evaluation by practitioners involved in the care of pelvic trauma patients.

Bladder neck stenosis (BNS) is a long-term complication of surgical procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We performed a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis of the incidence of BNS after transurethral procedures for BPH. We performed a systemic literature review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Controlled Register of Trials. We accepted only randomized trials comparing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) vs. other transurethral surgery for BPH that were grouped in Ablation vs. Enucleation modalities. The incidences of BNS were pooled using the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel Method with the random effect model and expressed as Risk Ratios, 95% Confidence Intervals, and p values. Study heterogeneity was assessed utilizing the I2 value. 72 studies were identified for meta-analysis, 46 comparing TURP vs. Ablation and 26 TURP vs. Enucleation. The pooled incidence of BNS was 1.3% after TURP, 0.66% after enucleation and 1.2% after Ablation. The incidence of BNS was higher after TURP than after Enucleation but the difference was not statistically significant (RR 1.75 95% CI 0.81–3.79, p = 0.16). There was no significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 0%, Chi2 4.11, p = 0.90). The incidence of BNS was higher after TURP than after Ablation, but the difference was not statistically significant (RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.82–2.11, p = 0.26) with no significant heterogeneity (I2 0%, Chi2 21.1, p = 0.51). Our study showed no difference in the rate of BNS incidence among randomized trials comparing TURP vs. Ablation vs. Enucleation and can be used as a reference to counsel patients undergoing BPH surgery.

Introduction: According to the Urology guidelines, in selected cases of distal upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) segmental ureterectomy (SU) can be offered. There is no consensus in the surgical technique of preference. Robot-assisted SU could be an option to overcome all the limitations of open and laparoscopic techniques. We describe our first experience of robot assisted SU with psoas hitch ureteral reimplantation (RAPHUR). Materials and methods: 11 patients underwent RAPHUR for distal UTUC between 2013 and 2017 in a single centre. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative outcomes were assessed. Conventional imaging was performed after 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year from surgery as follow up protocol. We retrospectively evaluated the technical feasibility, oncological and functional outcomes. Results: Median age was 71 years (57-91). The median length of the ureteral defect was 23 mm (10-40). Median preoperative creatinine level was 1.22 mg/dl (0.7-1.85) and median eGFR was 57.5 ml/min/1.73m2 (31-80). Five (45.5%) patients were symptomatic and 7 (63.6%) had hydronephrosis. Median operative time was 185 min (120-240), with a median blood loss of 100 ml (50-300). No case required conversion to open surgery. Overall, only 1 (9%) patient developed Clavien Dindo ≥ 3 postoperative complications. Average hospital stay was 7 (2-9) days. Mean postoperative creatinine was 1.05 mg/dl (0.8-1.85) and mean postoperative eGFR was 72 (36-83). During a median follow up time of 25.5 months (12-53), 4 (36.4%) patients experienced recurrence of urothelial cancer at conventional imaging follow up and 2 (18.2%) died due to its progression. Conclusions: In our initial experience RAPHUR can be proposed to selected cases of distal ureteral carcinoma with optimal perioperative and functional outcomes. However, cancer control may be undermined compared to nephroureterectomy. Thus, further prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Objectives: The aim of this review is to summarize, following a timeline, the current knowledge regarding the effects of the Sars-cov2 virus on male fertility, researching the pathological and clinical results of the studies published in the last year. Methods: A systematic research was performed on the major international online databases; Thirty-five articles were selected. Results: A statistically significant reduction in testosterone levels and sperm quality in subjects with COVID-19 has been highlighted in several papers; however, in many cases the tests have been conducted in patients with active disease and long-term consequences are still not known. Some studies have confirmed the presence of the virus in the testis in a low percentage of patients; viral presence in sperm has only been found in one study. Testicular discomfort, which could indicate viral orchitis, was highlighted in several works, with an incidence of up to 19% percent of patients. The presence of inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrates, IgG and inflammatory cytokines have been documented in several works; pathological signs of inflammation were found in 60.9% of testicular biopsies performed in one study. The entry of the virus into the testis cells, both stromal and seminal cells appeared to be Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2) mediated, as it also occurs in other tissues. DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, autoantibody production and ACE2 mediated effect have all been hypothesized as cause of cellular damage. Conclusions: The results on effects of COVID-19 infection on the male reproductive system are currently insufficient as they are based on a small number of patients and therefore are often contradictory.Certain mechanisms of testicular damage are still to be assessed, as any risk categories like age, ethnicity, or others. As for the transmission of the virus through sperm, there is insufficient evidence to ensure that this cannot happen.

The objective of this study was to test Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) classification on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and MRI-derived prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) in predicting the risk of reclassification in men in active surveillance (AS), who underwent confirmatory or per-protocol follow-up biopsy.Three hundred eighty-nine patients in AS underwent mpMRI before confirmatory or follow-up biopsy. Patients with negative (-) mpMRI underwent systematic random biopsy. Patients with positive (+) mpMRI underwent targeted fusion prostate biopsies + systematic random biopsies. Different PSAD cutoff values were tested (0.10, 0.10-0.20, ≥ 0.20). Multivariable analyses assessed the risk of reclassification, defined as clinically significant prostate cancer of grade group 2 or more, during follow-up according to PSAD, after adjusting for covariates.One hundred twenty-seven (32.6%) patients had mpMRI(-); 72 (18.5%) had PI-RADS 3, 150 (38.6%) PI-RADS 4, and 40 (10.3%) PI-RADS 5 lesions. The rate of reclassification to grade group 2 PCa was 16%, 22%, 31%, and 39% for mpMRI(-) and PI-RADS 3, 4, and 5, respectively, in case of PSAD 0.10 ng/mLPSAD ≥ 0.20 ng/mL

Purpose:We compared the use of 11C-choline and 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen in men undergoing salvage lymph node dissection for nodal recurrent prostate cancer.Materials and Methods:The ...

Worldwide, we have witnessed an expansion of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) and thanks to the global adoption of high-resolution diagnostic imaging technologies, an increased incidence of newly diagnosed prostatic, renal and bladder cancers has been recorded with concurrent second primary urological cancer diagnoses increasing by 1.5%. Diverse authors have reported their findings concerning synchronous multi-visceral malignances robotic treatment within the scientific literature. The aim of this study is to comprehensively review all reported articles describing concurrent upper and lower RALS using a singular robotic port scheme within the same intervention for renal malignances and concomitant prostatic or bladder cancers. To the best of our knowledge and vigorous literature search, this is the first study that comprehensively evaluates and reports all combined upper and lower urinary tract surgeries published so far. In carefully selected patients, thanks to multidisciplinary preoperative assessment and surgical planning a combined robotic approach can reduce the morbidity, complications, hospital admissions and the overall length of hospitalization.

The presence of multinucleated cells has never been demonstrated in renal tissue, although, polyploid cells were recently observed in the tubules of normal and pathological human kidney. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to identify and quantify, by electron microscopy, multinucleated cells in the cortical tissue of normal human kidney i.e., in the three compartments of renal tubule: the proximal tubule (PT), the distal tubule (DT), and the collecting duct (CD), as well as, in the glomerulus (podocytes). The percentage of the multinucleated cells observed was 5% (95%CI: 3.6%-6.7%) in renal cortical tubules with distribution in each tubular compartment of 6% in PT, 4% in DT and 3% in CD with no statistically significant difference in the distribution of multinucleated cells according to tubular compartments. Four percent of analysed podocytes (in total 149 podocytes) were multinucleated (95%CI: 1.5%-8.6%). In conclusion, multinucleated cells were identified and quantified in functionally normal kidneys, as previously demonstrated in other organs such as the liver.

Our purpose was to review and analyse the impact of pyrethroids and organophosphates exposure on human semen parameters. A comprehensive literature search was performed through MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus and Webscience. Only cohort studies examining semen parameters in workers or general populations exposed to pyrethroids or organophosphates were included. Ejaculate volume, sperm count, concentration, motility, viability, normal morphology and seminal pH alterations were pooled using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel Method with the random effect model and expressed as weighted mean difference, risk ratios, 95% confidence intervals and p-values. Seven cross-sectional studies regarding pyrethroids were included. Four of them were eligible for meta-analysis. The only parameter affected by pyrethroid exposure was normal sperm morphology (WMD-7,61%, 95%CI -11,92 to -3,30;p = 0,0,005). Nine studies were selected to evaluate the impact of organophosphates on semen parameters with six of them eligible for meta-analysis. A significant reduction was detected for the following: ejaculate volume (WMD -0,47ml, 95%CI -0,69 to -0,25; p < 0,0001), sperm count (WMD-40,03, 95%CI -66,81 to -13,25;p = 0,003), concentration (WMD-13,69 x10⁶/mL, 95%CI -23, 27 to-4,12;p = 0,005) and motility (WMD -5,70%, 95%CI -12,89 to 1,50;p = 0,12). Despite the increase in sperm abnormality, it has been shown that pyrethroids are unrelated to reduced sperm quality. However, the negative association of organophosphates with spermatogenesis is noteworthy.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the trends and outcomes of retrograde intrarenal surgery for treatment of urolithiasis in anomalous kidneys in a large international multicenter series. MATERIALS AND METHODS We designed a multicentric retrospective study. Nineteen high-volume centers worldwide were included. Pre-, peri- and postoperative data were collected, and a subgroup analysis was performed according to renal anomaly. RESULTS We analyzed 414 procedures: 119 (28.7%) were horseshoe kidneys, 102 (24.6%) pelvic ectopic kidneys, 69 (16.7%) malrotated kidneys and 50 (12.1%) diverticular calculus. The average size (SD) of the stone was 13.9 (+/- 6) millimeters and 193 (46.6%) patients had a pre-operative stent. In 249 cases (60.1%) a disposable scope was used. A UAS (ureteral access sheath) was used in 373 (90%) patients. A Holmium laser was used in 391 (94.4%) patients. The average (SD) operating time was 65.3 (+/- 24.2) minutes. Hematuria, caliceal perforation and difficulty in stone localisation were mostly seen in diverticular stones and difficulty in UAS placement and lithotripsy in the cases of renal malrotation. The overall complication rate was 12%. Global stone-free rate was 79.2%. Residual fragments (RF) were significantly lesser in the pre-stented group (P

Prostate cancer is the most frequent non-cutaneous malignancy in men in the United States. In the last few years, many recommendations have been made available from the 2014 International Society of Urologic Pathology consensus conference, 2016 World Health Organization blue book and 2018 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System. Here, we focus on four topics which are considered relevant on the basis of their common appearance in routine practice, clinical importance and ‘need to improve communication between pathology reports and clinicians’: prostate cancer classification, prostate cancer grading, prostate cancer staging, and current definition of clinically significant prostate cancer. Tissue biomarkers that can predict significant disease and/or upgrading and tissue-based genomics for the purpose of diagnosis and prognosis are mentioned briefly.

To assess functional outcomes after surgical correction of congenital and acquired penile curvatures using Yachia's technique (YT) with degloving (DG) and without degloving (WDG) of the penis.A penile deformity with angle ≥30°, difficulty in vaginal penetration, and severity of erectile dysfunction secondary to penile curvatures were the indications for a surgical treatment with YT. The preoperative characteristics of the patients, postoperative outcomes (change in angulation, palpation of sutures, penile shortening, and patient satisfaction), operative time, and hospital stay were recorded. A total of 64 patients were included in this review and divided into 2 groups: 34 in group I (YT with DG) and 30 in group II (YT-WDG).The mean operative time was 65.87 ± 21.32 minutes for group I and 48.17 ± 23.82 minutes for group II (P.02). The mean hospital stay was 3.09 ± 0.96 and 2.87 ± 0.93 days in DG and WDG, respectively (P = .324). There were no significant differences in recurrence rates and complications (palpation of sutures: group I: 14.7% vs. group II: 13.3%; penile shortening: group I: 8.9% vs. group II: 10%). At follow-up of 20.8 months, all treated patients were able to insert the penis in the partner's vagina, were satisfied overall with sexual intercourse.The outcomes of the DG and WDG techniques were similar, even if the YT-WDG presents better results in terms of less healing and operative time.

Uretero-iliac artery fistulae (UIAF) are the consequence of chronic inflammatory events that create a fibrous and poorly vascularized uretero-vascular adhesion. They often occur in patients with a history of surgery, pelvic radiotherapy, and chronic ureteral stenting. The presentation is usually massive gross hematuria with acute anemia unto to hemorrhagic shock, representing a life-threatening condition. High mortality rate is reported (7–23%). We present four cases in three patients, treated in our Institution from 2013 to 2018, and reviewed the published literature. UIAF was defined as the ratified presence of an abnormal communication between the ureter and any artery. In all patients, the UIAF was initially evaluated by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) angiography. The management strategy was defined individually based on the specific risk profile of each patient. In all cases, ureteral-iliac artery fistula occurred in female patients with previous surgery or radiation and with presence of indwelling ureteral stent. In every case the hematuria was massive and life-threatening. Diagnosis was delayed because of the poor diagnostic accuracy of CT scan, leading to over-treatment. Angiography resulted the best diagnostic tool. The endovascular treatment proved good outcomes in terms of early complications, with no case of mortality. In case of gross hematuria during ureteral stent change in female patients with history of previous pelvic surgery and radiation, UIAF must be suspected and immediately treated, since it represents a urological emergency. Angiography can be useful to confirm the diagnosis and endovascular treatment with vascular endoprosthesis is the best therapeutic option.

Purpose We report an unclamped sutureless laparoscopic simple enucleation (LSE) technique for renal tumors with low nephrometry score and analyze complication rates as well as functional and oncologic outcomes. Patients and Methods We reviewed the data of 143 consecutive patients who underwent sutureless laparoscopic tumor enucleation with zero ischemia by a single experienced laparoscopic surgeon. The inclusion criteria for LSE with zero ischemia were tumor size ≤ 5 cm and RENAL nephrometry score of 4 to 6. The following data were collected: age, gender, body mass index, tumor side, renal function, tumor characteristics, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, operative time, positive surgical margins, estimated blood loss, and surgical complications. Results The median RENAL score of patients was 4.7. Median tumor size was 2.7 cm. Conversion to open surgery and hilum vessels clamped were not necessary in any patient. There were no changes in postoperative creatinine values and estimated glomerular filtration rate. The median operation duration time was 78.2 minutes, and median estimated blood loss was 110.2 mL. The median hospital stay was 3.8 days. A total of 2.8% of the patients had positive surgical margins at pathologic examination. Of the 143 patients, 7% developed fever after surgery requiring an adequate antibiotic regimen, 1.4% developed postoperative bleeding requiring blood transfusions, and 0.7% had postoperative urinary leakage from the drainage requiring double-J stent position. Conclusion The unclamped sutureless LSE is a rational and safe approach to renal tumors with a low nephrometry score. This surgical technique does not increase the complication rate despite the reduction in parenchymal mass excised and the absence of hilar control.

Approximately 23% of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers (mCRPC) harbor deleterious aberrations in DNA repair genes. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) therapy has shown improvements in overall survival in patients with mCRPC who harbor somatic and/or germline alterations of homology recombination repair (HRR) genes. Peripheral blood samples are typically used for the germline mutation analysis test using the DNA extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes. Somatic alterations can be assessed by extracting DNA from a tumor tissue sample or using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) extracted from a plasma sample. Each of these genetic tests has its own benefits and limitations. The main advantages compared to the tissue test are that liquid biopsy is a non-invasive and easily repeatable test with the value of better representing tumor heterogeneity than primary biopsy and of capturing changes and/or resistance mutations in the genetic tumor profile during disease progression. Furthermore, ctDNA can inform about mutation status and guide treatment options in patients with mCRPC. Clinical validation and test implementation into routine clinical practice are currently very limited. In this review, we discuss the state of the art of the ctDNA test in prostate cancer compared to blood and tissue testing. We also illustrate the ctDNA testing workflow, the available techniques for ctDNA extraction, sequencing, and analysis, describing advantages and limits of each techniques.

Up to 19% of patients with renal cell carcinoma present with a venous thrombus at diagnosis and 1% have a thrombus extending above the diaphragm. The higher the thrombus level, the more challenging the surgery. Cavoatrial tumor thrombus usually requires circulatory arrest and sometimes cardiopulmonary by-pass. We present a case of non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma with a cavoatrial tumor thrombus in a patient who was unfit for cardiac surgery. Eight months of targeted molecular therapy downsized the tumor thrombus to inferior vena cava and allowed us to perform a radical nephrectomy with minimal cavothomy for thrombus resection.

This collection includes some unusual cases and how they were diagnosed and treated. Case 1: A case of a patient with primary hyperthyroidism presenting with a submucosal ureteral stone after endoscopic lithotripsy was described. After multiple endoscopic treatment, the stone was successfully removed by open ureterolithotomy recovering ureteral patency and normal renal function. Case 2: A case of burned-out testicular cancer with atypical lymphatic spread (stage II A) was presented. After right orchiectomy and complete remission of tumor markers, due to atypical metastases location and uncertain histology, the patient was treated with systemic therapy based on bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (PEB). At re-staging after chemotherapy computed tomography showed reduction of all node metastases and an observation protocol was proposed. Case 3: A patient was readmitted to hospital after 12 days from an uneventful Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer due to lower abdominal pain plus abdominal distension, nausea and constipation not responsive to medical therapy. Computed Tomography showed colon and small bowel dilatation without any evidence of anatomical or mechanical obstruction. Laparoscopic abdominal exploration confirmed bowel distension without evidence of obstructing lesions. Ogilvie’s Syndrome or acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) was diagnosed. The patient fully recovered and was discharged six days after the procedure. Case 4: A case of recurrent Acute Idiopathic Scrotal Edema (AISE) was diagnosed on clinical signs together with the decisive help of pathognomonic ultrasound findings as the “fountain sign”. Case 5: Small bilateral testicular nodules were diagnosed in a 30-years old patient undergoing scrotal ultrasound in follow up of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ultrasound guided testis sparing surgery was performed demonstrating Leydig cell tumors.

Reasons why significant prostate cancer is still missed in early stage were investigated at the 22nd National SIEUN (Italian Society of integrated diagnostic in Urology, Andrology, Nephrology) congress took place from 30th November to 1st December 2020, in virtual modality. Even if multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) has been introduced in the clinical practice several, limitations are emerging in patient with regular digital rectal examination (DRE) and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels approaching the normal limits. The present paper summarizes highlights observed in those cases where significant prostate cancer may be missed by PSA or imaging and DRE. The issue of multidisciplinary interest had been subdivided and deepened under four main topics: biochemical, clinical, pathological and radiological point of view with a focus on PI-RADS 3 lesions.

Context An oligometastatic state is an early event during tumor metastatic spread and is rarely reported in patients with genitourinary tumors. In this condition, the primary tumor has low capacity for distal dissemination because its aggressiveness has not yet reached a maximum. Objective To review recent findings on the diagnosis and treatment of oligometastatic disease in patients with genitourinary tumors. Evidence acquisition To identify relevant studies, we reviewed articles in PubMed from January 1966 to September 2017. The search was conducted by combining the words "oligometastasis" or "oligometastatic disease" with "bladder cancer", "genitourinary tumor", "prostate cancer", and "renal cancer". Evidence synthesis In renal cell carcinoma (RCC), tumors from patients with multiple metastases showed a different gene signature compared to oligometastatic RCC. In addition, an oligometastatic state was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). Otherwise, the characteristics of oligometastases from bladder cancer remain unclear, as do the clinical and prognostic significance of metastasectomy in this setting. However, patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer have longer recurrence-free survival and OS and seem to benefit from local metastasis-directed therapies. Conclusions Early detection of oligometastatic disease in patients with genitourinary tumors is fundamental in improving outcomes by identifying patients who would benefit from local approaches with potentially curative rather than palliative intent.

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) catalyzes the N-methylation reaction of nicotinamide, using S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the methyl donor. Enzyme overexpression has been described in many non-neoplastic diseases, as well as in a wide range of solid malignancies. This review aims to report and discuss evidence available in scientific literature, dealing with NNMT expression and the potential involvement in main urologic neoplasms, namely, renal, bladder and prostate cancers. Data illustrated in the cited studies clearly demonstrated NNMT upregulation (pathological vs. normal tissue) in association with these aforementioned tumors. In addition to this, enzyme levels were also found to correlate with key prognostic parameters and patient survival. Interestingly, NNMT overexpression also emerged in peripheral body fluids, such as blood and urine, thus leading to candidate the enzyme as promising biomarker for the early and non-invasive detection of these cancers. Examined results undoubtedly showed NNMT as having the capacity to promote cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness, as well as its potential participation in fundamental events highlighting cancer progression, metastasis and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. In the light of this evidence, it is reasonable to attribute to NNMT a promising role as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of urologic neoplasms, as well as a molecular target for effective anti-cancer treatment.

Background:Bladder cancer (BC) represents the most common neoplasm of the urinary tract. Although cystoscopy and urine cytology represent the gold standard methods to monitor BC, both procedures have limitations. Therefore, the identification of reliable biomarkers for early and noninvasive detection of BC is urgently required.Methods:In this study, we analyzed nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) expression in urine samples from 55 BC patients and 107 controls, using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to identify the best cutoff value to discriminate BC patients from healthy donors, and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a urine-based NNMT test.Results:The results demonstrated that urinary NNMT expression was significantly (pConclusions:Our data indicate that NNMT is a promising biomarker that could be used to support the early and noninvasive diagnosis of BC.

Purpose: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It is usually considered a contraindication to transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSBx). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of TRUSBx in a small cohort of patients with CD. Methods: We queried our institutional database clinical data of patients with a diagnosis of CD undergoing TRUSBx, and a retrospective prospective study of 5 patients was planned. All patients enrolled were in the remission phase of CD and asymptomatic. They received the same antibiotic prophylaxis and a povidone-iodine aqueous solution enema before the procedure. A standardized reproducible technique was used with using a ultrasound machine equipped with a 5-9 MHz multifrequency convex probe “end-fire”. The patients were treated under local anaesthesia, and a 14-core biopsy scheme was performed in each patient as first intention. After the procedure each patient was given a verbal numeric pain scale to evaluate tolerability of TRUSBx. Results: TRUSBx was successfully completed in all patients. The number of biopsy cores was 14 (12-16). Of the 5 biopsy procedures performed 40% revealed prostatic carcinoma (PCa) with a Gleason score 6 (3+3). No patients required catheterization or admission to the hospital for adverse events after the procedure. The most frequent adverse event was hematospermia (60%), while hematuria was present in 20% of patients and a minimal rectal bleeding in 20% of the patients. No patients reported severe or unbearable pain (score ≥ 8). Conclusions: This study suggests that CD may not be an absolute contraindication to TRUSBx for prostate cancer detection, but still requires a careful patients selection.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare in pregnant women. However, this is one of the most reported urologic tumors during pregnancy. The aim of this review was to evaluate RCC during pregnancy in terms of epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, natural history of disease, and the safety of laparoscopic approach in the management of this tumor. RCC presentation is frequently made incidentally during an ultrasonography performed for other reasons, such as hydronephrosis owing to non-neoplastic causes. The optimal time for surgery during pregnancy and the consequences of surgery on the maternal and fetal well-being are major considerations. Risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes should be explained, and the patient's decision about pregnancy termination should be considered. Ultrasound is good in diagnosing renal masses, with a sensitivity comparable to that of computed tomography only for exophytic masses larger than 3 cm. Magnetic resonance imaging is reproducible and a good, though expensive, alternative to computed tomography scans for the evaluation of renal lesions in pregnant women. Radical nephrectomy or nephron-sparing surgery are essential treatments for management of RCC. Laparoscopic surgery has historically been considered dangerous during pregnancy and avoided whenever possible, because of concerns regarding surgery-related risks, such as uterine injury, miscarriage, teratogenesis, preterm birth, and hypercapnia. The laparoscopic treatment during pregnancy is becoming increasingly accepted where feasible with low morbidity. However, the combination of a multidisciplinary approach, multi-specialty communication, and skilled surgeons can give the best possible outcomes for mother and fetus.

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Aim of the study: IDENTIFY is an international prospective multicenter study aiming to investigate the management of patients referred for suspicious urinary tract cancers. Our aim was to describe the main features of patients undergoing investigation for suspected urothelial cancer (UC) in Italy. Materials and methods: IDENTIFY project started in December’17, recruiting patients that underwent a cystoscopy to exclude urothelial cancer. We included patients until May 2018. A history of previous urological cancer or a previous cystoscopy were criteria for exclusion. Data were prospectively collected online (redcap.org) from 5 urological departments in Italy. Clinical condition, familial and environmental risk factors (smoking, exposure to chemicals, ongoing drugs), characteristics of hematuria and of urine analysis, blood test and imaging were collected, as well as pathologic reports of UC. Results: Over 618 patients were recorded at the time of analysis. Of these, 181 were excluded because of incomplete results and 437 were finally included. Cystoscopies were performed due to macroscopic and microscopic-hematuria in 73,2% and 6,2% whilst in the remnant 20,6% no hematuria was present. Sex ratio (M/F) was 351/86, mean age was 70 (median 72); 80% of the patients were over 60. The overall incidence for malignant UC was 50,1% (219/437 – 85% TCC); 20,4% (89/437) had benign disease, the remnant 29,5% had irrelevant findings. Malignant UC was more frequent in males, n = 189/351 (53,8% p,05). Among the n = 115 with a positive family history for any cancer, n = 68 (59,1%) developed a malignant UC (p,05). The most frequent benign causes of hematuria were: 42% prostatic, 19% stones and 15% UTI and among the malignant, the most frequent cancers were: bladder 88%, renal pelvis 4,5% and prostate 3,8%. Table 1 shows the features of the cohort and results of Chi^2 test over the different incidence between groups. Discussion: In this preliminary independent analysis of the Italian cohort of the IDENTIFY study hematuria is undeniably associated with UC, even if benign a cause is frequent. An undelayed check-up of all the urinary tract is mandatory especially in subgroups at a higher incidence of UC. The IDENTIFY study definitive analysis is awaited to confirm our findings.

A 70-year-old man was referred to the Urology Service of our University Hospital for an irregular thickening of the left anterior–lateral urinary bladder wall found in a computed tomography scan following gross haematuria. In particular, the computed tomography scan showed irregularity of the mucosal aspect and an irregular thickening of the bladder wall in close proximity of an inguinal hernia. The computed tomography exam also showed an unusual little fatty seizure in the parietal planes. A magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the thickening in the same area as the hernia with a mainly extraluminal presentation and extension in the perivesical adipose tissue. Cystoscopy did not show alteration of the mucosal surface. Urine cytology showed normal urothelium cells. At the time of the left inguinal hernia repair, the bladder was isolated from the inguinal hernia fat tissue and then opened with median cystotomy. Biopsy of the anterior–lateral bladder wall showed normal urothelium and an abundant component of mature lobules of adipose tissue in the sub-epithelial connective tissue extending among the muscle bundles of muscularis propria, compatible with a diagnosis of lipomatosis, a very rare lesion in the urinary bladder.

Aim of the study: The most common symptom of bladder cancer (BCa) is haematuria. Although macroscopic haematuria has long been assumed to be the earliest and most frequent symptom of BCa, its effect on current urologic practice deserves better investigation because of some novel epidemiologic and clinical findings. Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy (AAT) represents one of the most widely used treatments in medical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether patients taking AAT might experience haematuria at an earlier stage or grade of BCa in the setting of IDENTIFY study: the largest ever prospective, international, multicentre study of patients referred to secondary care, with or without haematuria, for the investigation of suspected urinary tract cancer. Materials and methods: Data were collected prospectively from five Italian tertiary referral centers including 618 consecutive patients undergoing cystoscopy because of urothelial cancer suspicion and with no history of previous urological tumours, from December 2017 to May 2018. For the purpose of this sub-analysis patients with subsequent diagnosis of BCa were divided into two groups: patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy (AAT) and patients who are not receiving it at the moment of enrollment. Results: We included 109 patients with complete follow up and histopathology. 34 (31,2%) of patients took AAT at the time of enrollment. The mean age of the population was 72.3 years (±11.4, SD) and the majority of patients were males (88.9%). Distribution of data in BMI, smoke habits, family history of urological cancer, tumour focality, tumor size, tumour location, final pT stage, grading according to WHO and histologic variants of BCa was homogenous (all p > 0.05). Data regarding mean age at recruitment (p < 0.0001), gender (p = 0.02), type of haematuria (visible or not, p < 0.0001) were statistically significantly different between the two populations. A multivariable binomial logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, tumour size, tumour focality, active smoke habit and AAT confirmed the absence of statistically significant differences in predict high grade or stage BCa at final pathology report (p = 0.43). Discussion: In this preliminary independent analysis of the Italian cohort of the IDENTIFY study, patients without history of urological malignacies undergoing cystoscopy because of suspicious urothelial cancer do not seem to experience haematuria significantly earlier (regarding pT stage and or grading) if using AAT. Whilst IDENTIFY definitive results are awaited to confirm our findings, investigation for suspect urothelial cancers should not differ from the standard in these patients.

At present, uniformity does not exist with regard to the indication criteria of seminal vesicle (SV) biopsies. The aim of this study was to define the ultrasonographic (US) patterns observed in SV invaded by prostate cancer (PCa), and propose an extended prostate biopsy protocol when SV invasion (SVI) is suspected. We reviewed 1.252 patients who underwent an initial transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy for suspicious PCa. We performed a 14-core biopsy scheme, as first intention, including 1 SV sample on each side when SVI is suspected: a nodule at the base of prostate (determined by digital rectal examination or US) and/or an US pattern that suggests a SVI. US patterns of SVs were classified as abnormal by a variation of the body anterior-posterior diameter, asymmetry of the volume, parietal thickness, distance between the SVs and the rectal surface, and altered echogenicity of SVs and the base of the prostate. Of the 137 biopsies performed in SVs, the SVI by PCa was diagnosed in 66.5% of candidate patients. The overall prevalence of SVI was 28.5%. No significant difference was noted between the patients with SVI and without SVI, when comparing age, prostate volume, and total core length, except for preoperative PSA serum levels. The sensitivity of any abnormal finding on transrectal ultrasound for the presence of SVI by PCa is 90.8%, whereas the specificity is 96%. We believe that an extended prostate biopsy protocol to provide the possibility of taking one biopsy core of each SV when SVI is suspected should be considered a complementary procedure for PCa staging.