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Introduction: In the present study, a prospective systematic assessment of the clinical utility of the Ambu® aScopeTM 4 Cysto Reverse Deflection with regard to image quality, maneuverability, and navigation in an outpatient and inpatient setting was performed. Materials and Methods: A prospective multicenter study was performed for evaluation of the instrument during routine cystoscopy. We evaluated the clinical performance of the instruments using a standardized user questionnaire in different categories including image quality, treatment success, imaging of all areas of the urinary bladder, quality of navigation, flexibility of the endoscope, and satisfaction with the device. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS using the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests. A p value of p ≤ 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results: A total of 200 cystoscopies were performed, and the questionnaire response rate was 100%. The image quality was rated as very good in 65.5% (n = 131), good in 30.5% (n = 61), and neutral in 4% (n = 8) of cases. The criteria for poor or very poor were not mentioned. The characteristic “treatment success based on image quality” was also evaluated as very good in 49% (n = 98) and good in 50.5% (n = 101). The analysis revealed a very good or good overall impression of the examiners in all cases. Replacement of the cystoscope was not necessary during any of the examinations. However, in 3 cases, technical difficulties were documented. Further analysis of the data showed that physicians with less professional experience rated the visualization of the urinary bladder (p = 0.007) and the treatment success with regard to image quality significantly worse (p = 0.007). Conclusion: The Ambu® aScope™ 4 Cysto Reverse Deflection shows high satisfaction values among users in clinical routine. In analogy to other studies with flexible endoscopes, urologists with more professional experience show higher satisfaction values than examiners with less training in flexible endoscopy.

No algorithm exists for structured follow-up of urolithiasis patients.To provide a discharge time point during follow-up of urolithiasis patients after treatment.We performed a systematic review of PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and reference lists according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. Fifty studies were eligible.From a pooled analysis of 5467 stone-free patients, we estimated that for a safety margin of 80% for remaining stone free, patients should be followed up using imaging, for at least 2 yr (radiopaque stones) or 3 yr (radiolucent stones) before being discharged. Patients should be discharged after 5 yr of no recurrence with a safety margin of 90%. Regarding residual disease, patients with fragments ≤4 mm could be offered surveillance up to 4 yr since intervention rates range between 17% and 29%, disease progression between 9% and 34%, and spontaneous passage between 21% and 34% at 49 mo. Patients with larger residual fragments should be offered further definitive intervention since intervention rates are high (24-100%). Insufficient data exist for high-risk patients, but the current literature dictates that patients who are adherent to targeted medical treatment seem to experience less stone growth or regrowth of residual fragments, and may be discharged after 36-48 mo of nonprogressive disease on imaging.This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that stone-free patients with radiopaque or radiolucent stones should be followed up to 2 or 3 yr, respectively. In patients with residual fragments ≤4 mm, surveillance or intervention can be advised according to patient preferences and characteristics, while for those with larger residual fragments, reintervention should be scheduled.Here, we review the literature regarding follow-up of urolithiasis patients. Patients who have no stones after treatment should be seen up to 2-3 yr, those with large fragments should be reoperated, and those with small fragments could be offered surveillance with imaging.

Die Prävalenz der Urolithiasis nimmt weltweit bei beiden Geschlechtern stetig zu. Ernährung und Lebensstil, wie die zunehmende Prävalenz der Adipositas und weitere Komponenten des metabolischen Syndroms, gelten als Schlüsselfaktoren für diese Entwicklung. Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede als Ergebnis der interventionellen Therapie der Urolithiasis wurden bisher nicht beobachtet. Iatrogene Verletzungen der männlichen Harnröhre gelten jedoch als häufigster Grund für Harnröhrenstrikturen nach endourologischer (Stein)therapie. Dagegen wird eine Sepsis, als Hauptursache der harnsteinbedingten Mortalität, nach Ureterorenoskopie und perkutaner Nephrolithotomie häufiger bei Frauen konstatiert. Zudem bestehen Unterschiede in der Häufigkeit verschiedener Steinarten zwischen Männern und Frauen. Kalziumoxalat- und Harnsäuresteine werden häufiger bei Männern beobachtet, während Karbonatapatit und Struvit bevorzugt bei Frauen diagnostiziert werden. Die Harnsteinanalyse ist daher die wichtigste Voraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Rezidivprävention. Die Diagnostik richtet sich nach der Zuordnung der Patienten zur Niedrig- oder Hochrisikogruppe. Die ernährungsmedizinischen und pharmakologischen Maßnahmen zur Therapie der jeweiligen Steinart orientieren sich dabei an den Risikofaktoren im 24-h-Harn. Ein personalisierter Ansatz, der geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede berücksichtigt, könnte Therapie und Entscheidungen zur Rezidivprävention von Harnsteinen weiter verbessern.

Context Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiST) has emerged as an effective treatment for pain in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), and it has been postulated that LiST may also be effective in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Objective To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental and clinical studies exploring the effect of LiST on LUTS in an attempt to provide clinical implications for future research. Evidence acquisition We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases from inception to March 2021 for relevant studies. We provided a qualitative synthesis regarding the role of LiST in LUTS and performed a single-arm, random-effect meta-analysis to assess the absolute effect of LiST on LUTS only in patients with CP/CPPS (PROSPERO: CRD42021238281). Evidence synthesis We included 23 studies (11 experimental studies, seven nonrandomized controlled trials [non-RCTs], and five RCTs) in the systematic review and seven in the meta-analysis. All experimental studies were performed on rats with LUTS, and the clinical studies recruited a total of 539 participants. In patients with CP/CPPS, the absolute effect of LiST on maximum flow rate and postvoid residual was clinically insignificant. However, the available studies suggest that LiST is effective for the management of pain in patients with either CP/CPPS or interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Additionally, LiST after intravesical instillation of botulinum neurotoxin type A may enhance its absorption and substitute botulinum neurotoxin type A injections in patients with overactive bladder. Furthermore, the available evidence is inconclusive about the role of LiST in patients with benign prostatic obstruction, stress urinary incontinence, or underactive bladder/detrusor hypoactivity. Conclusions LiST may be effective for some disorders causing LUTS. Still, further studies on the matter are necessary, since the available evidence is scarce. Patient summary Low-intensity shockwave therapy represents a safe, easily applied, indolent, and repeatable on an outpatient basis treatment modality that may improve lower urinary tract symptoms.

Summary Background PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors are active in metastatic urothelial carcinoma, but positive randomised data supporting their use as a first-line treatment are lacking. In this study we assessed outcomes with first-line pembrolizumab alone or combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy for patients with previously untreated advanced urothelial carcinoma. Methods KEYNOTE-361 is a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial of patients aged at least 18 years, with untreated, locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of up to 2. Eligible patients were enrolled from 201 medical centres in 21 countries and randomly allocated (1:1:1) via an interactive voice-web response system to intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for a maximum of 35 cycles plus intravenous chemotherapy (gemcitabine [1000 mg/m2] on days 1 and 8 and investigator's choice of cisplatin [70 mg/m2] or carboplatin [area under the curve 5] on day 1 of every 3-week cycle) for a maximum of six cycles, pembrolizumab alone, or chemotherapy alone, stratified by choice of platinum therapy and PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS). Neither patients nor investigators were masked to the treatment assignment or CPS. At protocol-specified final analysis, sequential hypothesis testing began with superiority of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the total population (all patients randomly allocated to a treatment) for the dual primary endpoints of progression-free survival (p value boundary 0·0019), assessed by masked, independent central review, and overall survival (p value boundary 0·0142), followed by non-inferiority and superiority of overall survival for pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in the patient population with CPS of at least 10 and in the total population (also a primary endpoint). Safety was assessed in the as-treated population (all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment). This study is completed and is no longer enrolling patients, and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT02853305 . Findings Between Oct 19, 2016 and June 29, 2018, 1010 patients were enrolled and allocated to receive pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (n=351), pembrolizumab monotherapy (n=307), or chemotherapy alone (n=352). Median follow-up was 31·7 months (IQR 27·7–36·0). Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy did not significantly improve progression-free survival, with a median progression-free survival of 8·3 months (95% CI 7·5–8·5) in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group versus 7·1 months (6·4–7·9) in the chemotherapy group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·78, 95% CI 0·65–0·93; p=0·0033), or overall survival, with a median overall survival of 17·0 months (14·5–19·5) in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group versus 14·3 months (12·3–16·7) in the chemotherapy group (0·86, 0·72–1·02; p=0·0407). No further formal statistical hypothesis testing was done. In analyses of overall survival with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy (now exploratory based on hierarchical statistical testing), overall survival was similar between these treatment groups, both in the total population (15·6 months [95% CI 12·1–17·9] with pembrolizumab vs 14·3 months [12·3–16·7] with chemotherapy; HR 0·92, 95% CI 0·77–1·11) and the population with CPS of at least 10 (16·1 months [13·6–19·9] with pembrolizumab vs 15·2 months [11·6–23·3] with chemotherapy; 1·01, 0·77–1·32). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse event attributed to study treatment was anaemia with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (104 [30%] of 349 patients) or chemotherapy alone (112 [33%] of 342 patients), and diarrhoea, fatigue, and hyponatraemia (each affecting four [1%] of 302 patients) with pembrolizumab alone. Six (1%) of 1010 patients died due to an adverse event attributed to study treatment; two patients in each treatment group. One each occurred due to cardiac arrest and device-related sepsis in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group, one each due to cardiac failure and malignant neoplasm progression in the pembrolizumab group, and one each due to myocardial infarction and ischaemic colitis in the chemotherapy group. Interpretation The addition of pembrolizumab to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy did not significantly improve efficacy and should not be widely adopted for treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma. Funding Merck Sharp and Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck, Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

The prevalence of urolithiasis is steadily increasing worldwide in both genders. Diet and lifestyle, such as the rising prevalence of obesity and other metabolic syndrome traits, are considered key factors in this trend. Gender differences as a result of interventional therapy for urolithiasis have not been observed. However, iatrogenic injury to the male urethra is considered the most common reason for urethral strictures after endourologic (stone) therapy. In contrast, sepsis, as the major cause of urinary stone-related mortality, is more frequently reported in women after ureterorenoscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. There are also differences in the frequency of various types of stones between men and women. Calcium oxalate and uric acid stones are more commonly observed in men, while carbonate apatite and struvite are diagnosed more often in women. Urinary stone analysis is therefore paramount for successful recurrence prevention. Diagnosis is based on the assignment of patients to the low-risk or high-risk group. The medical nutrition and pharmacological measures for the therapy of the respective type of stone are based on the risk factors in 24 h urine samples. A personalized approach that accounts for gender differences could further improve treatment, and recurrence prevention decisions for urinary stones.Die Prävalenz der Urolithiasis nimmt weltweit bei beiden Geschlechtern stetig zu. Ernährung und Lebensstil, wie die zunehmende Prävalenz der Adipositas und weitere Komponenten des metabolischen Syndroms, gelten als Schlüsselfaktoren für diese Entwicklung. Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede als Ergebnis der interventionellen Therapie der Urolithiasis wurden bisher nicht beobachtet. Iatrogene Verletzungen der männlichen Harnröhre gelten jedoch als häufigster Grund für Harnröhrenstrikturen nach endourologischer (Stein)therapie. Dagegen wird eine Sepsis, als Hauptursache der harnsteinbedingten Mortalität, nach Ureterorenoskopie und perkutaner Nephrolithotomie häufiger bei Frauen konstatiert. Zudem bestehen Unterschiede in der Häufigkeit verschiedener Steinarten zwischen Männern und Frauen. Kalziumoxalat- und Harnsäuresteine werden häufiger bei Männern beobachtet, während Karbonatapatit und Struvit bevorzugt bei Frauen diagnostiziert werden. Die Harnsteinanalyse ist daher die wichtigste Voraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Rezidivprävention. Die Diagnostik richtet sich nach der Zuordnung der Patienten zur Niedrig- oder Hochrisikogruppe. Die ernährungsmedizinischen und pharmakologischen Maßnahmen zur Therapie der jeweiligen Steinart orientieren sich dabei an den Risikofaktoren im 24-h-Harn. Ein personalisierter Ansatz, der geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede berücksichtigt, könnte Therapie und Entscheidungen zur Rezidivprävention von Harnsteinen weiter verbessern.

Die Zunahme des medizinischen Wissens, technische Neuerungen gemeinsam mit demographischem Wandel und Zunahme an Steinpatienten in der urologischen Praxis stellen eine Herausforderung an die Neukonzeption von Leitlinien und klinischen Studien dar. Es gibt zunehmende Tendenzen interdisziplinarer Zusammenarbeit in der Steintherapie. Dies zeigt sich auch an der Anzahl beteiligter Fachgruppen und Arbeitsgemeinschaften in der Erstellung des neuen Leitlinienupdates. Am folgenden Fallbeispiel werden Therapieoptionen bei einem symptomatischen Patienten mit beidseitiger Urolithiasis und metabolischem Risikofaktor exemplarisch dargestellt. Entscheidungshilfen fur Therapie- und Metaphylaxemasnahmen werden auf Basis von Expertenmeinungen und der verfugbaren Evidenzgrundlagen aus der Literatur aufgezeigt.

Background: The first interim analysis of the KEYNOTE-564 study showed improved disease-free survival with adjuvant pembrolizumab compared with placebo after surgery in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma at an increased risk of recurrence. The analysis reported here, with an additional 6 months of follow-up, was designed to assess longer-term efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab versus placebo, as well as additional secondary and exploratory endpoints. Methods: In the multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial, adults aged 18 years or older with clear cell renal cell carcinoma with an increased risk of recurrence were enrolled at 213 hospitals and cancer centres in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Eligible participants had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, had undergone nephrectomy 12 weeks or less before randomisation, and had not received previous systemic therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) via central permuted block randomisation (block size of four) to receive pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo intravenously every 3 weeks for up to 17 cycles. Randomisation was stratified by metastatic disease status (M0 vs M1), and the M0 group was further stratified by ECOG performance status and geographical region. All participants and investigators involved in study treatment administration were masked to the treatment group assignment. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival by investigator assessment in the intention-to-treat population (all participants randomly assigned to a treatment). Safety was assessed in the safety population, comprising all participants who received at least one dose of pembrolizumab or placebo. As the primary endpoint was met at the first interim analysis, updated data are reported without p values. This study is ongoing, but no longer recruiting, and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03142334. Findings: Between June 30, 2017, and Sept 20, 2019, 994 participants were assigned to receive pembrolizumab (n=496) or placebo (n=498). Median follow-up, defined as the time from randomisation to data cutoff (June 14, 2021), was 30·1 months (IQR 25·7–36·7). Disease-free survival was better with pembrolizumab compared with placebo (HR 0·63 [95% CI 0·50–0·80]). Median disease-free survival was not reached in either group. The most common all-cause grade 3–4 adverse events were hypertension (in 14 [3%] of 496 participants) and increased alanine aminotransferase (in 11 [2%]) in the pembrolizumab group, and hypertension (in 13 [3%] of 498 participants) in the placebo group. Serious adverse events attributed to study treatment occurred in 59 (12%) participants in the pembrolizumab group and one (

Introduction: Androgen receptor variant 7 (AR-V7) plays an important role in the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and has shown potential as a predictive biomarker in circulating tumour cells (CTCs) isolated from the bloodstream in terms of a liquid biopsy. Studies have shown that AR-V7 is a potential surrogate for selecting drug classes for systemic treatment by detecting nuclear AR-V7 by immunofluorescence or measuring AR-V7 messenger RNA by quantitative PCR. Here, we assessed the predictive value of AR-V7 detected by classical immunohistochemistry (IHC) for treatment response. Methods: CTCs were isolated by cell separation by density gradient centrifugation from patients with metastatic CRPC (n = 26) before, while, and after undergoing a new therapy with chemotherapy (cabazitaxel or docetaxel) or antiandrogen (enzalutamide or abiraterone). CTCs were sequentially cytospun on object slides, and AR-V7 status was then detected by IHC based on a staining regime established on a 22Rv1 cell line with antibodies against CK8/18 und AR-V7. Results: AR-V7 status detected by IHC showed no predictive value for progression-free survival (PFS). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that there was no difference in PFS between patients found positive or negative for AR-V7. Discussion/Conclusion: AR-V7 detected by classical IHC has no predictive value for treatment response in the described setting. The future role of AR-V7 in CTCs as a biomarker in clinical routine remains elusive.

For patients with prostate cancer, validated and reliable instruments are essential for measuring patient-reported outcomes. The aim of this study was to validate the German version of the widely established Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite with 26 items (EPIC-26). A German translation of the original questionnaire was tested in 3094 patients with localized or locally advanced (any T, any N and M0) prostate cancer with treatment intent (including radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy, active surveillance, watchful waiting). They completed the EPIC-26 questionnaire before treatment. A total of 521 of them also completed a questionnaire 12 months afterward. Internal consistency, sensitivity to change, and construct validity were assessed. The internal consistency of all domains was sufficient (Cronbach’s alpha between 0.64 and 0.93). Item-to-scale correlation coefficients showed acceptable associations between items and their domain score (all > 0.30), with the lowest scores for “bloody stools” (r = 0.37) and “breast problems” (r = 0.32). Confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis confirmed the five-dimension structure of the EPIC-26 (comparative fit index 0.95). Psychometric evaluation suggests that the German version of the EPIC-26 is a well-constructed instrument for measuring patient-reported health-related symptoms in patients with prostate cancer.

Bladder stones (BS) constitute 5% of urinary stones. Currently, there is no systematic review of their treatment.To assess the efficacy (primary outcome: stone-free rate [SFR]) and morbidity of BS treatments.This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the European Association of Urology Guidelines Office. Database searches (1970-2019) were screened, abstracted, and assessed for risk of bias for comparative randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomised studies (NRSs) with ≥10 patients per group. Quality of evidence (QoE) was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool.A total of 2742 abstracts and 59 full-text articles were assessed, and 25 studies (2340 patients) were included. In adults, one RCT found a lower SFR following shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) than transurethral cystolithotripsy (TUCL; risk ratio 0.88, p=0.03; low QoE). Four RCTs compared TUCL versus percutaneous cystolithotripsy (PCCL): meta-analyses demonstrated no difference in SFR, but hospital stay (mean difference [MD] 0.82d, p0.00001) and procedure duration (MD 9.83min, p0.00001) favoured TUCL (moderate QoE). Four NRSs comparing open cystolithotomy (CL) versus TUCL or PCCL found no difference in SFR; hospital stay and procedure duration favoured endoscopic surgery (very low QoE). Four RCTs compared TUCL using a nephroscope versus a cystoscope: meta-analyses demonstrated no difference in SFR; procedure duration favoured the use of a nephroscope (MD 22.74min, p0.00001; moderate QoE). In children, one NRS showed a lower SFR following SWL than TUCL or CL. Two NRSs comparing CL versus TUCL/PCCL found similar SFRs; catheterisation time and hospital stay favoured endoscopic treatments. One RCT comparing laser versus pneumatic TUCL found no difference in SFR. One large NRS comparing CL techniques found a shorter hospital stay after tubeless CL in selected cases; QoE was very low.Current available evidence indicates that TUCL is the intervention of choice for BSs in adults and children, where feasible. Further high-quality research on the topic is required.We examined the literature to determine the most effective and least harmful procedures for bladder stones in adults and children. The results suggest that endoscopic surgery is equally effective as open surgery. It is unclear whether stone size affects outcomes. Shock wave lithotripsy appears to be less effective. Endoscopic treatments appear to have shorter catheterisation time and convalescence compared with open surgery in adults and children. Transurethral surgery, where feasible, appears to have a shorter hospital stay than percutaneous surgery. Further research is required to clarify the efficacy of minimally invasive treatments for larger stones and in young children.

To assess the efficacy of prophylaxis for urinary tract infections (UTI) in a two-year follow-up in women with StroVac compared to a therapy with Nitrofurantoin over three months. All patients with documented recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) were offered vaccination with StroVac or therapy with three months Nitrofurantoin 100 mg once daily for three months at patient’s choice. Only patients with a follow-up of at least 24 months were included. All episodes with signs of UTI were documented and urine culture was performed. Success was defined as one or none UTI per 12 months, documented by urine culture. StroVac booster injection was offered 12 months after primary vaccination at patient’s choice. 173 patients were included in this study, 124 in the StroVac group, 49 chose Nitrofuratoin. In the first 12 months, 86.8% of patients in the StroVac group and 91.8% in Nitrofurantoin group were successful (p = 0.22). Side effects were noted in 2.3% in the StroVac group causing discontinuation of therapy, whereas in the Nitrofurantoin group 18.4% stopped medication premature, mostly due to mild diarrhoea. In the second year 79.3% of patients in the StroVac group were still successful, most of them had undergone booster injection. In contrast, in the Nitrofurantoin group only 59.2% of patients were still successful (p = 0.03). StroVac is an effective and lasting non-antibiotic prophylaxis for rUTI, easy to administer with low rates of adverse events and should be offered to patients with rUTI.

Simple Summary: Penile cancer is a rare but aggressive malignancy characterized by rapid tumor growth as well as prompt metastasis in groin lymphatics. While localized diseases can be successfully cured by surgery in most cases, no truly effective treatment options have been established for metastatic diseases as of yet. In the current investigation, we assessed the value of selected members of the PI3K/mTOR/AKT pathway to serve as tumor markers or therapeutic targets for this disease. Higher expression of AKT was significantly more prevalent in high-grade tumors and independently predictive of the worse survival parameters, while increased expression of pmTOR was associated with an inferior prognosis as well. Treatment with the pan-AKT inhibitor capivasertib in PeCa cell lines induced significant reduction of cell viability and movement capacity. These findings might aid in the understanding of the molecular tumor background as well as development of novel treatment options for advanced penile cancer. Abstract: The PI3K/mTOR/AKT pathway might represent an intriguing option for treatment of penile cancer (PeCa). We aimed to assess whether members of this pathway might serve as biomarkers and targets for systemic therapy. Tissue of primary cancer from treatment-naïve PeCa patients was used for tissue microarray analysis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with antibodies against AKT, pAKT, mTOR, pmTOR, pS6, pPRAS, p4EBP1, S6K1 and pp70S6K. Protein expression was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics as well as overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS). AKT inhibition was tested in two primarily established, treatment-naïve PeCa cell lines by treatment with capivasertib and analysis of cell viability and chemotaxis. A total of 76 patients surgically treated for invasive PeCa were included. Higher expression of AKT was significantly more prevalent in high-grade tumors and predictive of DSS and OS in the Kaplan–Meier analysis, and an independent predictor of worse OS and DSS in the multivariate regression analysis. Treatment with pan-AKT inhibitor capivasertib in PeCa cell lines induced a significant downregulation of both total AKT and pAKT as well as decreased cell viability and chemotaxis. Selected protein candidates of the mTOR/AKT signaling pathway demonstrate association with histological and survival parameters of PeCa patients, whereas AKT appears to be the most promising one.

Purpose of review In the recent past, there were numerous and promising technological developments in the field of endourology leading to tremendous changes in the management of urolithiasis. This review will try to weave ancient stone therapy with the very modern advent of flexible ureteroscopy and recent developments in robotic systems. Recent findings In the broad field of flexible ureteroscopy for stone surgery, new disposable scopes have been developed and established. The use of robotic instruments is also a new and interesting concept. Additionally, clinical research on the understanding of laser features leads to a specific and appropriate use of lasers for lithotripsy, both holmium, and nowadays also interestingly thulium. Summary Disposable, digital flexible ureteroscopes for the treatment of both ureteric and kidney stones are taking an essential role in the medical field. Until recently, the clinically relevant laser systems for stone surgery during ureteroscopy are mainly based on Holmium laser YAG (Ho:YAG) devices, but a new thulium variant with promising features is giving interesting results. Additional research in laser features will guide to a better, more effective and safer treatment algorithm. Robotic technologies are promising but their definitive role still needs to be determined.

The purpose of the study was to define clinical factors for successful treatment response and re-exposure to docetaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). An mCRPC database of patients receiving first-line docetaxel and rechallenge courses was established. Several clinical factors were evaluated for prediction of treatment response. Multivariate cox-regression analysis was used to define pre-treatment and treatment factors for survival. Between 2005 and 2013, 94 patients with mCRPC were treated with docetaxel. Full data set and follow-up were available for 62 patients. Median follow-up was 84 m [interquartile range (IQR) 64–104 m]. Median biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) and overall survival under docetaxel were 9 m (IQR 5–16 m) and 20 m (IQR 16–26 m), respectively. Partial PSA-response at first docetaxel-sequence (n = 62), rechallenge (n = 32), and third-sequence (n = 22) docetaxel was 48.4%, 31.6%, and 34.8%, respectively. Time from start of primary androgen deprivation to CRPC > 47 m was the only independent pre-treatment parameter to predict improved overall survival (Hazard Ratio 0.48, p = 0.015). Interestingly, there was a strong trend for improved overall survival in patients with high Gleason Score (Hazard Ratio 0.58; p = 0.08). Partial PSA-response at docetaxel-rechallenge (Hazard Ratio 0.31; p = 0.008) and treatment-free interval > 3 m (Hazard Ratio 3.49; p = 0.014) were the only independent predictive factors under taxane treatment for overall survival. Despite novel hormonal drugs, docetaxel still plays an important role in the treatment of mCRPC. Patients with partial-PSA-response at rechallenge or a treatment-free interval > 3 m benefit most from docetaxel re-exposure.

The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical outcomes and costs of single-use flexible ureterorenoscopes in comparison with reusable flexible ureterorenoscopes in a tertiary referral center. Prospectively, 68 flexible ureterorenoscopies utilizing reusable (Flex-X2S, Flex-XC, Karl Storz) and 68 applying single-use flexible ureterorenoscopes (LithoVue, Boston Scientific) were collected. Clinical outcome parameters such as overall success rate, complication rates according to Clavien-Dindo, operation time and radiation exposure time were measured. Cost analysis was based on purchase costs and recurrent costs for repair and reprocessing divided by number of procedures. In each group 68 procedures were available for evaluation. In 91% of reusable and 88% of single-use ureterorenoscopies stone disease was treated with a mean stone burden of 101 ± 226 and 90 ± 244 mm2 and lower pole involvement in 47 and 41%, respectively (p > 0.05). Comparing clinical outcomes of reusable vs. single-use instruments revealed no significant difference for overall success rates (81 vs. 87%), stone-free rates (82 vs. 85%), operation time (76.2 ± 46.8 vs. 76.8 ± 40.2 min), radiation exposure time (3.83 ± 3.15 vs. 3.93 ± 4.43 min) and complication rates (7 vs. 17%) (p > 0.05). A wide range of repair and purchase costs resulted in total to $1212-$1743 per procedure for reusable ureterorenoscopy whereas price of single-use ureterorenoscopy was $1300-$3180 per procedure. The current work provided evidence for equal clinical effectiveness of reusable and single-use flexible ureterorenoscopes. Partially overlapping ranges of costs for single-use and reusable scopes stress the importance to precisely know the expenses and caseload when negotiating purchase prices, repair prices and warranty conditions.

Introduction We investigated the incidence, clinical course and risk factors for symptomatic lymphoceles after radical retropubic prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. Moreover, we explored parameters for the failure of percutaneous lymphocele drainage. Methods The incidence of symptomatic lymphoceles in patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection in our department between 2008 and 2013 was investigated retrospectively. The occurrence of lymphoceles was correlated with several clinical and histopathological parameters. In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the value of independent variables with regard to the development of symptomatic lymphoceles and failure of percutaneous drainage. Results A total of 599 consecutive patients treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection were included in the study, of whom symptomatic lymphocele had developed in 5%. Median time to diagnosis of symptomatic lymphocele was 22.5 days. Median time of percutaneous drainage was 16 days. Overall 43% of patients required surgical unroofing. On multivariate analysis age greater than 67 years (OR 3.27, p=0.005) and removal of more than 10 lymph nodes (OR 2.57, p=0.018) were independent predictors for the development of symptomatic lymphoceles. A significantly increased risk of percutaneous drainage failure was observed in patients who had a body mass index greater than 27 kg/m2 (OR 7.0, p=0.03), followed by a trend for those with a drainage volume of more than 375 ml 24 hours after puncture (OR 3.89, p=0.12). Conclusions Symptomatic lymphocele will develop in 1 of 20 patients after radical retropubic prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. The number of lymph nodes removed constitutes an independent risk factor. Percutaneous drainage failure is associated with high body mass index and high drainage volume within the first 24 hours after puncture.

Nach der Einfuhrung der extrakorporalen Stoswellenlithotripsie (ESWL) Anfang der 1980er-Jahre wurde diese relativ schnell die Therapie der Wahl fur Harnsteinpatienten. Heutzutage ist die ESWL immer noch die einzige nicht-invasive Therapieform fur Harnsteine jeglicher Lokalisation. Neue multifunktionale Lithotripter haben diese Technik weltweit erhaltlich gemacht, allerdings hat sich die Indikationsstellung ebenfalls gewandelt. Durch den rasanten technischen Fortschritt in der Endourologie einhergehend mit hohen Steinfreiheitsraten und durch veranderte Abrechnungsmodalitaten ist die ESWL in den westlichen Industrielandern im letzten Jahrzehnt eher ins Hintertreffen geraten. Nichtsdestotrotz wird die ESWL in den gangigen Leitlinien immer noch als ebenburtige Erstlinientherapieoption fur Konkremente in den meisten Lokalisationen im Harntrakt gefuhrt. In dieser Ubersichtsarbeit wird der aktuelle Stellenwert der ESWL fur die Therapie von Harnsteinen anhand der technischen Neuerungen der letzten Jahre und veranderter Therapieregimes in Zusammenschau mit den aktuellen Leitlinienempfehlungen beleuchtet. Technische Fortschritte wie verschiedene Energiequellenkonzepte, Stoswellengenerierung und Fokussierung sowie Fortschritte in der Steinlokalisierung werden erortert. Auserdem werden Versuche, die Effizienz der ESWL zu steigern, aufgezeigt und verschiedene Therapieregimes besprochen. Ein besseres Verstandnis der Pathophysiologie und Physik von Stoswellen konnte dem Anwender helfen, zukunftig bessere Therapieergebnisse zu erzielen. Dies konnte die ESWL in Zeiten des rasanten Fortschritts in der Endourologie wieder erstarken lassen.

Objective To report our experience of radical resection of secondary cancers after ureterosigmoidostomy. Ureterosigmoidostomy was the most common continent urinary diversion before the era of continent cutaneous diversion and neobladders, specifically in children. When performed for bladder exstrophy, patients will live with this kind of diversion for quite a long time. As a result, urologists will be confronted with patients presenting with an adenocarcinoma in their ureterosigmoidostomy. In most cases reported in the literature, an ileal conduit was used for urinary conversion. However, nowadays an ileal loop must not be the only solution for patients with a long life expectancy. Materials and Methods Between 2004 and 2015, 6 patients were treated for an adenocarcinoma in their ureterosigmoidostomy. All patients underwent radical resection of the tumor-bearing sigmoid colon. After thorough preoperative informed consent concerning the choice of future urinary diversion, such as conversion to an ileal conduit, construction of a continent catheterizable pouch, or repeat continent anal diversion, 4 patients chose a repeat continent anal urinary diversion. Results Up to this date, no complications or recurrences were seen after a median follow-up of 35 months. Conclusion In patients with secondary malignancy of the colon, radical resection of the tumor-bearing bowel segment is mandatory. A repeat continent anal urinary diversion appears to be a feasible alternative to secondary urinary diversion after resection of the tumor-bearing sigmoid colon. However, a longer follow-up is required to determine whether the risk of secondary malignancy remains unchanged, and whether the risk is increased or decreased.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of paediatric urolithiasis are required to avoid long term sequelae of renal damage.To systematically review the literature regarding the diagnostic imaging modalities and treatment approaches for paediatric urolithiasis.PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched from January 1980-January 2019. 76 full-text articles were included.Ultrasound and Kidney-Ureter-Bladder radiography are the baseline diagnostic examinations. Non-contrast Computed Tomography (CT) is the second line choice with high sensitivity (97-100%) and specificity (96-100%). Magnetic Resonance Urography accounts only for 2% of pediatric stone imaging studies. Expectant management for single, asymptomatic lower pole renal stones is an acceptable initial approach, especially in patients with non-struvite, non-cystine stones7 mm. Limited studies exist on medical expulsive therapy as off-label treatment. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is the first-line treatment with overall stone free rates (SFRs) of 70-90%, retreatment rates 4-50% and complication rates up to 15%. Semi-rigid ureteroscopy is effective with SFRs of 81-98%, re-treatment rates of 6.3-10% and complication rates of 1.9-23%. Flexible ureteroscopy has shown SFRs of 76-100%, retreatment rates of 0-19% and complication rates of 0-28%. SFRs after first and second-look percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) are 70.1-97.3% and 84.6-97.5%, respectively with an overall complication rate of 20%. Open surgery is seldom used, while laparoscopy is effective for stones refractory to SWL and PNL. Limited data exist for robot-assisted management.In the initial assessment of paediatric urolithiasis, US is recommended as first imaging modality, while non-contrast CT is the second option. SWL is recommended as first line treatment for renal stones20 mm and for ureteral stones10 mm. Ureteroscopy is a feasible alternative both for ureteral stones not amenable to SWL as well as for renal stones20 mm (using flexible). PNL is recommended for renal stones20 mm.

Purpose Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) may require extensive X-ray usage. We evaluated the impact of preoperative surgeon briefing regarding the inclusion and evaluation of fluoroscopy time (FT) and dose area product (DAP) in a multicenter study on the applied X-ray usage. Methods A prospective multicenter study of 6 tertiary centers was performed. Each center recruited up to 25 prospective patients with renal stones of any size for RIRS. Prior to study´s onset, all surgeons were briefed about hazards of radiation and on strategies to avoid high doses in RIRS. Prospective procedures were compared to past procedures, as baseline data. FT was defined as the primary outcome. Secondary parameters were stone-free rate (SFR), complications according to the Clavien, SATAVA and postureteroscopic lesion scale. Results were analyzed using T test, chi-squared test, univariate analysis and confirmed in a multivariate regression model. Results 303 patients were included (145 retro- and 158 prospective). Mean FT and DAP were reduced from 130.8 s/565.8 to 77.4 s/357.8 (p p p = 0.569), prestenting (p = 0.419), nor surgeons’ experience (> 100 RIRS) had a significant impact on FT. Significant univariate parameters were confirmed in a multivariate model, revealing X-ray training to be radiation protective (OR − 44, p = 0.001). Conclusions Increased surgeon awareness of X-ray exposure risks has a significant impact on FT and DAP. This “awareness effect” is a simple method to reduce radiation exposure for the patient and OR staff without the procedures´ outcome and safety being affected.

Introduction: It is unclear whether endoscopic assessment of the stone-free rate after flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) is as effective as assessment with low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan. Methods: Prospective documentation of patients with kidney stones > 10 mm diameter from 2 different centers (Freiburg, Regensburg), who underwent fURS and were declared to be endoscopically completely stone-free. Low-dose CT control performed 4–8 weeks postoperatively. Results/Conclusion: Thirty-eight patients were treated between October 2015 and August 2016 (12 F, 26 M). Average age was 55.9 years (range 19–82, SD 17.24), and body mass index was 29.7 kg/m2 (range 23.5–42.5, SD 4.37). There were 2.0 (range 1–7, SD 1.55) stones with a mean diameter of 15 mm (range 10–40, SD 6.78) per kidney. Mean surgery time was 74 min (range 38–124, SD 24.28), and lithotripsy was necessary in 33 cases. CT was performed 5.4 weeks afterwards (range 4–8, SD 1.43). One patient had a 2 mm residual which was extracted by URS. Strictly speaking, endoluminal stone removal control failed in only that patient, yielding a negative predictive value of 97%. A routine postoperative CT scan would thus appear unnecessary in the case of negative endoscopic control for residual fragments and should be avoided to reduce radiation exposure. Further investigations with larger patient populations are necessary.

PURPOSE: The aim of this review was to provide current best evidence for evaluation, dietary, and medical management of patients with urolithiasis.METHODS: Literature addressing evaluation, dietary, and medical management of urolithiasis was searched. Papers were analyzed and rated according to level of evidence (LOE), whereupon a synthesis of the evidence was made. Grade of recommendation (GOR) was judged from individual clinical experience and knowledge of the evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine.RESULTS: It is obvious that different stone diseases influence the life of stone-forming individuals very differently, and that evaluation and medical management should be personalized according to risk of recurrence, severity of stone disease, presence of associated medical conditions, and patient's motivation. With regard to evaluation, dietary and medical management of patients with urolithiasis evidence from the literature suggest that selective metabolic evaluation may lead to rational dietary and medical management. Statements based on LOE and GOR are provided to guide clinical practice.CONCLUSION: The provided evidence for evaluation of patients with urolithiasis aims at defining patients at high risk for recurrent/complicated stone disease. Based on this approach, evidence-based dietary and medical management regimes are suggested.

To investigate prognostic parameters for the oncological outcome of patients treated for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) in comparison with patients treated for clear cell RCC (ccRCC) using propensity score matching for survival analysis.From 1969 to 2009, we identified 1010 from 3567 patients with RCC. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimate for histological subtypes including 109 chRCC and 901 ccRCC. Uni- and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences in patient characteristics among histological subgroups.The median follow-up was 61 months (range 0-289). chRCC showed longer OS (5 year, 90.1%; 10 year, 74.2%; 15 year, 61.4%) and CSS (94.2%, 89.7%, 89.7%) compared with ccRCC (OS 75.7%, 54.9%, 46.1% and CSS 84.7%, 75.4%, 72.2%; P = .002). Multivariate Cox regression revealed histology as a significant prognostic factor. Propensity score matching showed a difference in 72.4% (OS) and 87.2% (CSS) of matching attempts confirming the significant impact of histology. Univariate Cox regression showed nephron sparing surgery, no metastasis and no symptoms at presentation, age65, eosinophilic features, low American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and Charlson Comorbidity Index to be beneficial for CSS. Only age at surgery, metastasis at presentation, and American Society of Anesthesiologists and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were significant factors for OS in chRCC patients.ChRCC appears to have a favorable outcome compared with ccRCC. Even after adjustment for differences in characteristics known to have an influence on survival by propensity score matching, histology remains a significant prognostic factor.

Background Urolithiasis is a widespread disease. Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the evaluation and management of patients with suspected urolithiasis. Furthermore, modern imaging methods may provide information on stone location, size, fragility and composition aiding the urologist to determine the appropriate treatment modality. Purpose Based on the current literature and guidelines, this review reports on the various new and established diagnostic imaging modalities. Results Ultrasound should always be the initial imaging modality. Following ultrasound, noncontrast CT-principally using a low-dose protocol-is the imaging modality of choice in the evaluation of patients with acute flank pain and suspected urolithiasis. New imaging modalities like dual energy CT, Uro Dyna CT and digital tomosynthesis are currently under investigation but not yet part of daily clinical practice. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to detect obstruction caused by urinary stones but is not a first-line imaging modality.

Struvite stones have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality, yet there has not been a report on the medical management of struvite stones in almost 20 years. We report on the contemporary outcomes of the surgical and medical management of struvite stones in a contemporary series.A retrospective review of patients who were treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for struvite stones at Duke University Medical Center between January 2005 and September 2012 identified a total of 75 patients. Of these, 43 patients had adequate follow-up and were included in this analysis. Stone activity, defined as either stone recurrence or stone-related events, and predictors of activity were evaluated after combined surgical and medical treatment.The study included 43 patients with either pure (35%) or mixed (65%) struvite stones with a median age of 55±15 years (range 21-89 years). The stone-free rate after PCNL was 42%. Stone recurrence occurred in 23% of patients. Postoperatively, 30% of patients had a stone-related event, while 60% of residual stones remained stable with no growth after a median follow-up of 22 months (range 6-67 mos). Kidney function remained stable during follow-up. Independent predictors of stone activity included the presence of residual stones0.4 cm(2), preoperative large stone burden (10 cm(2)), and the presence of medical comorbidities (P0.05).Struvite stones can be managed safely with PCNL followed by medical therapy. The majority of patients with residual fragments demonstrated no evidence of stone growth on medical therapy. With careful follow-up and medical management, kidney function can be maintained and stone morbidity can be minimized. Initial large stone burden, residual stones after surgery, and associated medical comorbidities may have deleterious effect on stone recurrence or residual stone-related events.

Jeder 10. Bundesburger wird im Laufe seines Lebens zumindest einen Harnstein bilden. Die Diagnostik, Therapie und Nachsorge der Urolithiasis gehort daher zum taglich Brot aller Urologen in Klinik und Praxis, aber auch vieler anderer Fachdisziplinen wie Allgemeinmedizinern, Internisten, Nephrologen oder Padiatern. Wahrend Diagnostik und Therapie in den letzten 10 Jahren erhebliche Veranderungen erfahren haben, fristen die Moglichkeiten einer metabolischen Diagnostik und Sekundarpravention von Risikopatienten leider vielerorts – zu Unrecht – ein Schattendasein. Die vorliegende S2k-Leitlinie, welche erstmals aus einem interdisziplinaren Konsensusprozess hervorging, stellt die aktuellen Empfehlungen praxisnah dar und verwendet wann immer moglich Tabellen und Algorithmen, um ein rasches Nachschlagen bei der taglichen Arbeit zu erleichtern. Nicht zuletzt die Masnahmen zur Metaphylaxe werden hierdurch deutlich vereinfacht.

Zusammenfassung: Die Zunahme des medizinischen Wissens, technische Neuerungen gemeinsam mit demographischem Wandel stellen eine Herausforderung an die Neukonzeption von Leitlinien und klinischen Studien dar. Die vorliegende S2k-Leitlinie, die sich ausschlie ss lich mit Nieren- und Harnleitersteinen beschaftigt, soll die Behandlung von Harnsteinpatienten in Klinik und Praxis unterstutzen, aber auch Patienteninformationen zur Urolithiasis geben. Die zunehmende interdisziplinare Zusammenarbeit in der Steintherapie zeigt sich auch an der Anzahl beteiligter Fachgruppen und Arbeitsgemeinschaften in der Erstellung des neuen Leitlinienupdates. Die vorliegende, aus einem interdisziplinaren Konsensusprozess hervorgegangene S2k-Leitlinie stellt die aktuellen Empfehlungen praxisnah dar und gibt Entscheidungshilfen fur Diagnostik-, Therapie- und Metaphylaxema ss nahmen auf Basis von Expertenmeinungen und verfugbaren Evidenzgrundlagen aus der Literatur. Abstract: The increase of medical knowledge and technical innovations together with the demographic change represent a challenge for the new conception of guidelines and clinical studies. The present S2k guidelines, which are exclusively concerned with kidney and ureteral stones, should support the treatment of urolithiasis in hospitals and private practices and provide information on urolithiasis for patients. Increasing interdisciplinary collaboration in stone treatment is also demonstrated in the number of professional and working groups participating in the update of the new guidelines. The present S2k guidelines emerged from a consensus process and demonstrate the current recommendations in step with actual practice. They provide decision-making guidance for diagnostics, treatment and metaphylactic measures based on expert opinions and available published fundamental evidence from the literature.

To compare open simple prostatectomy, endoscopic enucleation and laparoscopic, robot-assisted enucleation of high-volume prostate in terms of operation time, blood loss, transfusion and complication rates and early continence rates.Patients with BPH treated endoscopically (ThuVEP, Hamburg and Hannover) or robotically (Mainz) were evaluated prospectively for prostate size, free flow and validated questionnaires (IPSS, QoL). 35 patients were matched to patients after open prostatectomy (Mainz) for age, prostate size, IPSS and QoL scores. Operation time was noted from the first cut to the last suture; blood loss was estimated by the drop of haemoglobin preoperatively and one day after surgery. Transfusion rates were documented. Early continence was estimated by pad use over the first 24 h after catheter removal. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22.0.No significant differences in prostate size, age and preoperative questionnaires were found (p 0.3). Postoperative flow and the results of the questionnaires were significantly improved (all p 0.05), without difference between the approaches (p 0.8). Endoscopic surgery showed superiority in operation time (both p 0.05); blood loss and transfusion rates were significantly lower compared to open surgery (both p 0.01) and lower than in robotic surgery without reaching significance (p = 0.18, p = 0.36). Similar results were seen in early continence rates.Due to our results, endoscopic surgery should be considered as first-line therapy unless there are comorbidities like diverticula and/or bladder calculi that can be easily treated simultaneously by robotic surgery. Against the background of these findings, indications favouring open surgery are getting sparse.

Urinary incontinence in men after radical prostatectomy affects strongly quality of life. If conservative treatment fails, surgical treatment consists of implantable devices. If the requirement of manual dexterity in the artificial sphincter is to be avoided, the ProACT system offers a readjustable system, which shows good continence, but also high revision rates. Aim of our single-centre, single-surgeon study was to evaluate the success and revision rates of ProACT over long-term follow-up and if repeat ProACT implantation after failure would be a reasonable strategy.In May 2017, follow-up of all patients who underwent ProACT implantation between 2003 and 2013 was obtained. Parameters were numbers of pads used, filling volume of balloons, and patient-reported satisfaction. Furthermore, revisions were noted.Between 2003 and 2013, 134 patients were implanted a ProACT system. Median age was 71 years; median follow-up was 118 months. 112 implantations were successful (82.6%) and the number of pads used decreased significantly (p 0.005). 63 patients were revised and 49 were successful (77.8%). No differences in success rate, pads used, or filling volume were seen (all p 0.8). In a second revision, again, no differences in success rate or pads used were noted (all p 0.7). Patients' personal satisfaction was high despite the high revision rate.In the hands of an experienced surgeon, ProACT is a safe and effective therapy for post-prostatectomy incontinence especially if mayor surgery is to be avoided. Revision rates are high, but the results of ProACT reimplantation are comparable to the results after the first implantation.

Uric acid (UA) calculi can be referred to chemolitholysis rather than invasive treatment. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) may be able to distinguish between UA and non-UA (NUA) calculi. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of third-generation DECT for the first time and to investigate whether combining DECT with clinical parameters can increase its predictive accuracy. All patients who presented to our emergency department between January 2015 and March 2017 with urinary stones were prospectively included in this observational study and underwent DECT with subsequent interventional stone removal. Stone composition was analyzed using infrared spectrometry as the gold standard. Predictive accuracy of DECT and clinical covariates was computed by assessing univariate and multivariate areas under the curve (AUCs). Of 84 patients with 144 urinary stones, 10 (11.9%) patients had UA stones according to infrared spectrometry, and the remaining stones were NUA or mixed stones. DECT had a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98.5% for UA stones. The AUC for urine pH alone was 0.71 and 0.97 for DECT plus urine pH. No UA stones were found in patients with a urine pH above > 5.5. Mean DLP was 225.15 ± 128.60 mGy*cm and mean effective dose was 3.38 ± 1.93 mSv. DECT is a safe method for assigning patients to oral chemolitholysis. Clinical preselection of patients based on urinary pH (

Hintergrund: Die robotisch assistierte partielle Nephrektomie (RAPN) zeigt im Gegensatz zur konventionellen laparoskopischen Nierenteilresektion eine steile Lernkurve und kurzere warme Ischamiezeiten (WIZ). Dies ermoglicht es Patienten mit einem Nierentumor im Stadium cT1a, bei vergleichbaren onkologischen Ergebnissen, die Vorteile eines minimalinvasiven Operationsverfahrens zukommen zu lassen. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, das perioperative Outcome unserer Patienten nach RAPN zu untersuchen und die Lernkurve anhand charakteristischer Werte, wie z. B. der WIZ, zu illustrieren. Material und Methode: Die Daten von 109 Patienten, die in unserer Klinik von Januar 2010 bis April 2015 einer RAPN zugefuhrt wurden, wurden retrospektiv, hinsichtlich operativen, laborchemischen und onkologischen Outcomes, analysiert. Die Komplikationen bis 30 Tage postoperativ wurden erfasst. Das groste Patientenkollektiv, welches von einem Operateur versorgt wurde, wurde hinsichtlich signifikanter Unterschiede der WIZ, Operationszeit, Verlust der pra- und postoperativen glomerularen Filtrationsrate (GFR), sowie des Blutverlustes zwischen den ersten und den zweiten 30 Fallen im Kollektiv untersucht. Ergebnisse: Die durchschnittliche WIZ lag bei 18,4 min (SD±10,2), die durchschnittliche Operationszeit betrug 199 min (SD±20). Der durchschnittliche Blutverlust wurde mit 657 ml (SD±715 ml) angegeben. Der durchschnittliche Verlust der GFR betrug 4,99 mg/dl/1,73 m2 (SD±15,44). Es wurden 83 (76%) maligne Lasionen entfernt. 11(10%) Patienten hatten einen R1 Status, 1 Patient hatte einen R2 und 2 einen Rx Status. Die Gesamtkomplikationsrate lag bei 22%. Intraoperative Komplikationen traten bei 2 der Patienten auf. Nach Clavien-Dindo klassifiziert traten Grad 1 und 2 Komplikationen bei 6% und Grad 3 und Grad 4 Komplikationen bei 13% der Patienten postoperativ auf. Die WIZ war signifikant mit der Erfahrung des Operateurs nach 30 operierten Fallen verknupft. Fur die Operationszeit, den Verlust an GFR oder Blut ergab sich kein signifikanter Zusammenhang. Schlussfolgerung: Die erhobenen Daten decken sich mit den in der Literatur beschriebenen Ergebnissen. Die RAPN ist ein sicheres Operationsverfahren mit einer steilen Lernkurve. Unserer Erfahrung nach sind 30 Falle ausreichend, um ein gutes perioperatives Ergebnis zu erzielen. Einschrankungen bestehen im retrospektiven Design der Untersuchung mit zum Teil unvollstandiger Dokumentation einiger Daten.

Zertifizierte Prostatazentren proklamieren die Deckungsgleichheit von Prozess- und Ergebnisqualitat ihrer Prostatakarzinombehandlung. Leitliniengetreue Therapie nach Vorstellung des Patienten in der interdisziplinaren Konferenz und regelmasig dokumentierte Nachsorge sind indes keine Garantie fur eine gute Ergebnisqualitat (Komplikationsfreiheit, Kontinenz, erektile Funktion, negative Absetzungsrander, biochemische Rezidivfreiheit), welche von nicht im Rahmen der Zertifizierung erfassten Faktoren masgeblich beeinflusst wird. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen dem Uberschreiten der Mindestoperationszahlen und einer Qualitatssicherung besteht, wenn uberhaupt, nur vage und rechtfertigt auf keinen Fall die fur die Zertifizierung notwendigen absoluten Zahlen. Obschon gute Messinstrumente fur eine Pentafecta-Analyse zur Verfugung stunden, erschopft sich die Erfassung der Ergebnisqualitat des Zentrums funktionell in Fragebogen und onkologisch in der undifferenzierten Einforderung einer pT2R1-Rate von

The prevalence of kidney stones is increasing worldwide. Asymptomatic non-obstructing kidney stones are increasingly detected as an incidental finding on radiologic imaging, which has been performed more frequently over the last decades. Beside the current interventional treatment modalities such as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterorenoscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), active surveillance of asymptomatic kidney stones has been a focus of discussion lately, not only for attending physicians, but even more so for patients. The current German and European guidelines recommend active surveillance for patients with asymptomatic kidney stones if no interventional therapy is mandatory because of pain or medical factors. Herein we review the current literature on risks and benefits of active surveillance of asymptomatic non-obstructing kidney stones.