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Introduction: To evaluate the detection rate for prostate cancer (PCa) performing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) fusion targeted biopsy (TPBx) combined only with ipsilateral systematic prostate biopsy (SPBx). Materials and Methods: From January 2023 to December 2023, 495 men with clinical suspicion of PCa underwent transperineal SPBx plus TPBx in the presence of PI-RADS score lesions ≥ 3. Results: In 250/495 men (50.5%) a PCa was found, while 36/250 (14.4%) men had negative mpMRI. In comparison to TPBx, SPBx diagnosed a higher number of indolent PCa, 38.5 vs. 5.8%, respectively; conversely, SPBx demonstrated a higher detection rate for clinically significant PCa (97.3 vs. 85.4%) in the presence of ISUP Grade Group 2 (GG2). In details, rates were higher in the presence of GG2 (100 vs. 76%), GG3 (85.7 vs. 75.8%) and GG4 (100 vs. 86.4%) tumors. However, in GG5, both SPBx and TPBx diagnosed 100% of csPCa. Furthermore, 89.4% of the cases showed csPCa on the negative mpMRI side. Conclusions: SPBx combined with TPBx maximized csPCa diagnosis; the use of reduced biopsy scheme limited to ipsilateral side of mpMRI lesion plus TPBx missed 11.6% csPCa. Only in the presence of PI-RADS score 5 SPBx and TPBx diagnosed both 100% of csPCa.

Introduction: To evaluate the accuracy of PSMA PET/CT in men with mpMRI PI-RADS score 5 negative biopsy histology. Materials and methods: From January 2011 to January 2023, 180 men with PI-RADS score 5 underwent systematic plus mpMRI/TRUS biopsy; 25/180 (13.9%) patients had absence of cancer and six months from biopsy were submitted to: digital rectal examination, PSA and PSA density exams, mpMRI and 68GaPSMA PET/CT evaluation (standardized uptake value “SUVmax” was reported). Results: In 24/25 (96%) patients PSA and PSA density significantly decreased, moreover, the PI-RADS score was downgraded resulting < 3; in addition, median SUVmax was 7.5. Only 1/25 (4%) man had an increased PSA value (from 10.5 to 31 ng/ml) with a confirmed PI-RADS score 5, SUVmax of 32 and repeated prostate biopsy demonstrating a Gleason score 9/ISUP Grade Group 5 PCa. Conclusions: The strict follow up of men with PI-RADS score 5 and negative histology reduce the risk of missing csPCa especially if PSMA PET/CT evaluation is in agreement with downgrading of mpMRI (PI-RADS score < 3).

Introduction: To evaluate the accuracy of PSMA PET/CT in the diagnosis and clinical staging of prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma (DAC). Materials and methods: Two Caucasian men 58 and 62 years old were admitted to our Department for dysuria: the patients had not familiarity for prostate cancer (PCa), PSA values were 5.6 and 2.8 ng/ml, digital rectal examination was positive, multiparametric magnetic resonance image (mpMRI) showed for both the presence of an index lesion PIRADS score 5. The patients underwent extended transperineal prostate biopsy combined with four mpMRI/TRUS fusion biopsy under sedation and antibiotic prophylaxis; biopsy histology demonstrated the presence of a mixed PCa characterized by DAC and acinar PCa (Grade Group 4/Gleason score 8). The patients underwent clinical staging performing lung and abdominal CT, bone scan and fluoride 18 (18F) PSMA PET/CT. Results: Conventional imaging was negative for distant metastases; 18F-PSMA PET/CT showed in both patients an intraprostatic lesion characterized by a standardized uptake value (SUVmax) equal to 4.6 and 4.9 in the absence of distant lesions suspicious for metastases. Following multidisciplinary evaluation, the patients underwent radical prostatectomy plus extended pelvic lymphadenectomy. Definitive specimen showed the presence in both cases of a mixed pT3bN1 PCa (ductal plus acinar pattern Grade Group 4) with positive surgical margins, neuronal invasion, and nodes metastases (5/20 and 6/24, respectively). Post-operative PSA in the two patients was 0.8 and 0.3 ng/ml, therefore patients underwent adjuvant therapy. Conclusions: Conventional imaging and PSMA PET/CT could result inadequate in clinical staging of DAC, the use of more imaging data (i.e. mpMRI and/or F-18 FDG) could improve overall accuracy.

Introduction: To evaluate the accuracy of 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa: Grade Group ≥ 2) in men enrolled in Active Surveillance (AS) protocol. Materials and methods: From May 2013 to December 2021 200 men aged between 52 and 74 years (median age 63) with very low risk PCa were enrolled in an AS protocol study. During the follow up 48/200 (24%) men were upgraded and 10/200 (5%) decided to leave the AS protocol. After five years from confirmatory biopsy (range: 48-60 months) 40/142 (28.2%) consecutive patients were submitted to mpMRI and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging examinations before scheduled repeated biopsy. All the mpMRI (PI-RADS ≥ 3) and 68Ga-PET/TC standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ≥ 5 index lesions underwent targeted cores (mpMRI-TPBx and PSMA-TPBx) combined with transperineal saturation prostate biopsy (SPBx: median 20 cores). Results: Multiparametric MRI and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed 18/40 (45%) and 9/40 (22.5%) lesions suspicious for PCa. In 3/40 (7.5%) men a csPCa (GG2) was found; 68Ga-PSMA-TPBx vs. mpMRI-TPBx vs. SPBx diagnosed 2/3 (66.6%) vs. 2/3 (66.6%) vs. 3/3 (100%) csPCa, respectively. In detail, mpMRI and 68Ga-PSMA PET/TC demonstrated 16/40 (40%) vs. 7/40 (17.5%) false positive and 1 (33.3%) vs. 1 (33.3%) false negative results. Conclusion: Although 68PSMA PET/CT did not improve the detection for csPCa of SPBx (1 false negative result equal to 33.3% of the cases), at the same time, would have spared 31/40 (77.5%) scheduled biopsies showing a better diagnostic accuracy in comparison with mpMRI (83.3% vs. 70.2%).

Introduction: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomog-raphy (PET/CT) vs. multiparametric magnetic resonance imag-ing (mpMRI) targeted biopsy (TPBx) in the diagnosis of clinical-ly significant prostate cancer (csPCa: Grade Group ≥ 2). Materials and methods: From January 2021 to June 2022, 100 patients (median age: 66 years) with negative digital rectal examination underwent transperineal prostate biopsy for abnor-mal PSA values (median 7.5 ng/ml). Before prostate biopsy, all patients underwent mpMRI and 68Ga-PET/CT examinations and mpMRI (PI-RADS version 2 ≥ 3) or 68Ga-PET/CT index lesions suspicious for cancer (SUVmax > 5 g/ml) underwent cognitive targeted cores (mpMRI-TPBx and PSMA-TPBx: four cores) com-bined with extended systematic prostate biopsy (eSPBx: median 18 cores). The procedure was performed transperineally using a tru-cut 18-gauge needle under sedation and antibiotic prophy-laxis. Results: PCa was found in 58/100 (58.0%) men; in detail, 44/58 (75.9%) were csPCa; mpMRI and 68Ga-PSMA showed 66/100 (66%) and 62/100 (60%) lesions suspicious for PCa, respective-ly. 68Ga-PSMA-TPBx vs. mpMRI-TPBx vs. eSPBx diagnosed 42 (95.4%) vs. 36 (81.8%) vs. 30 (68.2%) csPCa, respectively; mpMRI-TPBx vs. 68Ga-PSMA-TPBx showed a diagnostic accuracy of 76.9% vs. 84.9% in diagnosing csPCa. Conclusions: 68GaPSMA PET/CT TPBx demonstrated good accuracy in the diagnosis of csPCa, which was not inferior to mpMRI TPBx (84.9% vs. 76.9%) improving the detection rate for cancer of systematic biopsy.

Introduction: The reclassification rate for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in men enrolled in Active Surveillance (AS) as been prospective-ly evaluated. Patients and methods: One hundred patients with very low risk PCa underwent after 8 years a scheduled transperineal prostate biopsy (SPBx = 20 cores) combined with additional mpMRI/TRUS fusion biopsies (4 cores) of lesions PI-RADS scores ≥ 3. All the patients, after initial diagnosis, previously had mpMRI evaluation combined with transperineal saturation prostate biopsy (confirmatory and 3-year scheduled biopsy). Risk reclassification at repeat biopsy triggering the recommen-dation for active treatment was defined as over 3 or more than 10% of positive cores, Gleason score > 6/ISUP Grade Group ≥ 2, greatest percentage of cancer (GPC) > 50%. Results: Multiparametric MRI was suspicious (PI-RADS ≥ 3) in 30 of 100 cases (30.0%); 70 (70.0%) vs. 20 (20.0%) vs. 10 (10.0%) patients had a PI-RADS score ≤ 2 vs. 3 vs. 4, respec-tively. Two (2.0%) patients with PI-RADS score 3 and 4 were upgraded (ISUP Grade Group 2); SPBx and MRI/TRUS fusion biopsy diagnosed 100% and 0% of csPCa, respectively. Conclusions: Transperineal SPBx combined with mpMRI at ini-tial confirmatory biopsy allow to select an high number of men at very low risk of reclassification during the AS follow up (2.0%of the cases at 8 years from diagnosis); these data could be use-ful to reduce the number of scheduled repeated prostate biopsy during the AS follow up.

Introduction: To evaluate clinical complications following transperineal prostate biopsy in 8.500 patients. Materials and methods: From January 2000 to January 2022, 8,500 men (median age: 62.8 years) underwent transperineal prostate biopsy; since 2011, 1,850 patients were submitted to mpMRI and in the presence of a PI-RADS score ≥ 3, a transperineal targeted biopsy was added to systematic prostate biopsy (4 cores). All patients underwent antibiotic prophylaxis (2000-2011: levoxacin 500 tablet; 2012-2022: 2 grams intravenous of cefazolin). Among 8.500 men 1.350 (15.8%) vs. 4.520 (53.3%) vs. 2.630 (30.9%) underwent 12 vs. 18 vs. > 24 needle cores, respectively. The prostate biopsy-related complications were evaluated within 20 days from prostate biopsy; the number of patients who needed hospital admission or emergency department visit (EDV) was recorded. Results: Prostate cancer was found in 3.150/8.500 (37.1%) patients; overall, hospital admission and EDV were equal to 1.5% and 8.9% and the side effects were directly correlated with the number of needle cores resulting equal to 17.4% (12 cores), 38.7% (18 cores) and 55.3% (> 24 cores) (p = 0.001). Hospital admission and EDV in men who underwent 12 vs. 18 vs. > 24 cores occurred in 1.5% and 7.4% vs. 1.4% and 8.7% vs. 1.7% and 10.6% (p > 0.05), respectively. Conclusions: Clinical complications following transperineal prostate biopsy involved 35.9% of the patients but only 1.5% of them required hospital admission; urinary tract infection with fever was the most frequent cause of hospital recovery (33.4% of the cases), but none of the patients developed sepsis.

Introduction: The incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa) submitted to hypofractionated radiotherapy (HRT) has been prospectively evaluated. Materials and methods: From April 2018 to September 2020, 56 patients (median age 70 years) with cT1c PCa were treated by HRT directed to the prostate and seminal vesicle. Median PSA was 8.3 ng/ml; 20 patients (35.7%) vs. 28 (50%) vs. 8 (22.3%) had a PCa Grade Group 1 vs. 2 vs. 3, respectively. All patients underwent hydrogel injection of Space OAR and intraprostatic fiducials before HRT. The prescription dose was 60 Gy in 20 fractions 5 days/week over 4 weeks. During the follow up, PSA, genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were evaluated. The sexual function was evaluated by International Index of Erectile Function - 5 (IIEF-5) before, 6 and 18 months from HRT; 32/56 (57.1%) men referred a normal sexual activity before HRT (median IIEF-5 score: 22). Results: Median PSA level at median follow up of 18 months was 0.92 ng/ml and none used adjuvant therapy. One man (1.8%) referred a tardive grade 1 GU complication. At a median follow up of 6 and 18 months, 20/32 (62.5%) kept pretreatment sexual potency (median IIEF-5 score: 21). The 12/32 men who worsened the sexual function following HRT had a median age higher than patients without ED (78 vs. 67 years). Conclusions: The use of hydrogel injection and intraprostatic fiducials followed by HRT allowed to kept pretreatment sexual potency in 62.5% of the cases.

Introduction & objectives: We tested the role of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in disease reclassification and whether the combination of mpMRI and clinicopathological variables could represent the most accurate approach to predict the risk of reclassification during active surveillance. Materials & methods: Three-hundred eighty-nine patients (pts) underwent mpMRI and subsequent confirmatory or follow-up biopsy according to the Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance (PRIAS) protocol. Pts with negative (−) mpMRI underwent systematic random biopsy. Pts with positive (+) mpMRI [Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System, version 2 (PI-RADS-V2) score ≥3] underwent targeted + systematic random biopsies. Multivariate analyses were used to create three models predicting the probability of reclassification [International Society of Urological Pathology ≥ Grade Group 2 (GG2)]: a basic model including only clinical variables (age, prostate-specific antigen density, and number of positive cores at baseline), an Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) model including only the PI-RADS score, and a full model including both the previous ones. The predictive accuracy (PA) of each model was quantified using the area under the curve. Results: mpMRI negative (−) was recorded in 127 (32.6%) pts; mpMRI positive (+) was recorded in 262 pts: 72 (18.5%) had PI-RADS 3, 150 (38.6%) PI-RADS 4, and 40 (10.3%) PI-RADS 5 lesions. At a median follow-up of 12 months, 125 pts (32%) were reclassified to GG2 prostate cancer. The rate of reclassification to GG2 prostate cancer was 17%, 35%, 38%, and 52% for mpMRI (−), PI-RADS 3, 4, and 5, respectively (P

Abstract Pregnant women affected by Alport syndrome often struggle with worsening of renal function during pregnancy. We focused the attention on the optimal management of the kidney disease in these women in order to avoid maternal‐fetal complications.

A 16-year-old man presented to our Emergency hospital for a major traumatic scalp injury of pubic and scrotal region; this occurred as a consequence of an autonomous motorcycle accident. Early surgical esploration showed the bilateral section of spermatic cord in correspondence of the abdominal-pelvic tract; a conservative management was adopted and the patient underwent bilateral intratesticular sperm biopsy for cryopreservation. In the presence of extensive scalp injury of the pubic and scrotum skin a early surgical exploration should be performed and the multidisciplinary decision making should take in account comorbidity, age and impact on the quality of life.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to report the stone free rate (SFR) and clinical complications in patients submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Materials and methods: A total of 571 procedures of upper urinary stones treated using flexible ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy from January 2014 to February 2020 have been analyzed. Overall SFR was evaluated after 3 months following the procedure by means of a non-contrast computed tomography. Success was considered as stone-free status or ≤ 0.4 cm fragments. Results: The overall SFR was 92.3% in group 1 (stone size: < 1 cm), 88.3% in group 2 (stone size: > 1 ≤ 2 cm), 56.7% in group 3 (stone size: 2-3 cm) and 69.6% in group 4 (multiple stones). Post-operative complications, according to the Clavien- Dindo (CD) classification system, were recorded in 32 (5.6%) procedures. The major complications recorded were: one case of subcapsular hematoma (SRH) associated with pulmonary embolism two days after the procedure (CD Grade IIIa) treated conservatively and one case of hemorrhagic shock 2 hour with multiple renal bleedings requiring urgent nephrectomy (CD Grade IVA). Conclusions: The RIRS is an effective and safe procedure with a high SFR significantly correlated with the stone size; at the same time, RIRS could be characterized by severe clinical complications that require rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Introduction: The detection rate for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in men with mpMRI PI-RADS score 3 diagnosed by affiliated radiology centers vs radiological reference center was evaluated. Materials and methods: From January 2017 to December 2020, 950 men (median age 64 years) underwent mpMRI for abnormal PSA values (median 6.3 ng/ml). Among the 950 patients who underwent mpMRI 500 were evaluated by a reference center and 450 by outpatient radiological affiliated centers. All the mpMRI index lesions characterized by a PI-RADS 3 underwent targeted cores combined with extended prostate biopsy. Two radiologists of the radiological reference center revised all the mpMRI lesions 3. Results: Overall, 361/950 (38%) patients had a mpMRI lesion PI-RADS score 3: 120/500 cases (24%) vs 241/450 cases (53.5%) were diagnosed by reference vs affiliated radiological centers. The detection rate for cT1c csPCa was equal to 26.7% (35/120 cases) vs 16.6% (40/241 cases) in men with PI-RADS 3 lesions diagnosed in the reference vs the affiliated radiological centers (p < 0.05). Among the 241 PI-RADS score 3 lesions diagnosed by affiliated radiological centers 86/241 (35.7%) and 36/241 (15%) were downgraded (PI-RADS scores < 3) and upgraded (PI-RADS score 4) by the dedicated radiologists of the reference center. Conclusions: In our series, about 35% and 15% of PI-RADS score 3 lesions diagnosed by affiliated radiological centers were downgraded and upgraded when revised by experencied radiologists, therefore a second opinion is mandatory especially in men enrolled in active surveillance protocols in whom mpMRI is recommended to reduce the number of scheduled repeated prostate biopsies.

A 48-year-old woman submitted to anterior exenteration plus ileal-cutaneous conduit for metastatic cervical cancer during the change of the ureteral stent showed massive bleeding in the left ureter. A selective intra-arterial angiography showed a fistula between the ureter and the left common iliac artery that the interventional radiologist quickly repaired by inserting a vascular endoprosthesis. Six months later, gross hematuria secondary to right ureter-iliac fistula occurred again and a second endoprosthesis was inserted. Asynchronous bilateral ureteric stent-related vascular fistula is an uncommon scenario, but it should be suspected in the presence of hematuria following ureteral stent replacement.

A Caucasian man 84 years old was admitted to our Department for acute renal failure secondary to severe bilateral hydronephrosis; moreover, the patient referred chronic fatigue and was anuric from two days. Serum creatinine and PSA values were equal to 9.6 mg/dl and 4.8 ng/ml and digital rectal examination was highly suspicious for prostate cancer. In emergency, the patient underwent bilateral application of percutaneous renal nephrostomies to restore kidney function and, after three days, was submitted to ultrasound-guided extended transperineal biopsy; the histology showed the presence of a prostatic small cell carcinoma (SCC) fulfilling the World Health Organization criteria. The patient underwent clinical staging including chest and abdominal computed tomography evaluation and total body scan that did not demonstrated distant metastases and/or others primitive tumors; in addition, cystoscopy and urinary cytology were negative. The patient underwent multidisciplinary evaluation, but he died 20 days from the diagnosis for progressive clinical worsening (physical and cognitive impairments) before beginning oncological treatment. In conclusion, primitive SCC represents a very rare cancer provided of poor prognosis; only the execution of prostate biopsy combined with an accurate specimen analysis allow to make the correct diagnosis and therapeutic treatment.

We report a case of giant retrovesical adenoma originating from ectopic prostatic tissue. A 73-year-old man presented with progressive dysuria, increasing PSA values, and acute urinary retention. One year before presentation, the patient had undergone retropubic prostatic adenomectomy for benign prostate hyperplasia. At last admission, PSA value was 23 ng/ml; mpMRI demonstrated a dysomogeneus retrovesical mass of 8 cm in diameter. Biopsy histology demonstrated acute prostatitis of the residual parenchyma and a prostatic adenoma in the retrovesical mass. After antibiotics and restored spontaneous urination, the patient was discharged and refused surgical lesion removal. After three months, the patient remains asymptomatic.

Introduction: To evaluate the imaging accuracy in the diagnosis and clinical management of penile injury. Materials and methods: From January 2010 to January 2020, 20 men (median age 40.2 years) were admitted to our Emergency Department with the diagnosis of penile injury; the penile trauma was related to sexual intercourse in 16 cases, masturbation in 3 cases and injury caused by the partner in 1 case. All the patients underwent accurate medical history, clinical examinations and diagnostic imaging. Color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) evaluation was performed by Logiq E9 ecograph (General Electric; Milwaukee, WI) supplied with a linear probe small (7.5-10 MHz); magnetic resonance image (MRI) examination was performed within 3-24 hours from the trauma using a 1.5 Tesla scanner, (ACHIEVA 3T; Philips Healthcare Best, the Netherlands) performing pre-contrast and post-contrast multi-planar turbo spin-echo T1 and T2-weighted sequences. Results: 15/20 (75%) men with high suspicion of the tunica albuginea rupture underwent surgical exploration; conversely, 5/20 (25%) patients underwent conservative management. CDU detected 11/15 (73%) fractures of the penis and in 8 of them the length of the rupture was underestimated (more than 5 millimeters). On the contrary, MRI diagnosed all the albuginea ruptures showed by surgical exploration, but underestimated the length of the lesions in 9/15 (60%) cases. The IIEF-5 score administered six months later penile trauma demonstrated a good performance in all the patients. Conclusions: In our series, all the patients with a tunica albuginea rupture < 5 mm. diagnosed by MRI were submitted to conservative management with a complete functional restitutio ad integrum.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNAs that act as key regulators in various physiological and pathological processes as prostate cancer (PCa). In this study we describe molecular evaluation of 132 and 212 miRNAs expression, by Real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), in a Caucasian man 64-year-old with locally advanced PCa (PSA 160 ng/ml, Gleason score 4+3/ISUP Grade Group 3, clinical stage T3NXM0) who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy plus extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (LAD) as first step of a multimodal therapeutic treatment. A normal prostate of a 67-year-old man removed by post mortem autopsy was used as a control in the study. The mRNA for this study was conducted on paraffined prostatic sections of: a) index case of PCa; b) metastatic lymph node of index case; c) normal prostate. MiRNA-132, miRNA- 212 and Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (as reference gene) assays were obtained. Definitive specimen showed a pT3bN1R1 stage: acinar cells adenocarcinoma with involvement of the seminal vesicles, multifocal positive surgical margins, Gleason score 8 (4+4/ISUP Grade Group 4), metastases in 5/25 iliac lymph nodes. An increased expression of miRNA-132 and miRNA-212 in index case of prostatic adenocarcinoma compared to normal prostate tissue was found; moreover, a lower expression of miR-132 and miR-212 in metastatic lymph node compared to primitive PCa and normal prostate tissue was demonstrated. Although a greater number of patients should be evaluated, these data suggest that the biology of the primary PCa, in our clinical case, was different from metastatic lymph node.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of multiparametric transrectal ultrasound (contrast- enhanced ultrasound plus elastosonography) in the detection of the suspicious area diagnosed by multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI). Materials and methods: From June 2018 to June 2019 60 men (median age 63 years) with persistent suspicion of cancer underwent repeat saturation biopsy following pelvic mpMRI and the lesions characterized by a PI-RADS (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System) score ≥ 3 were submitted to 4 additional cores by transperineal cognitive fusion biopsy (TPBx). All patients, before prostate biopsy, underwent contrast- enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) following intravenous administration of a bolus of Sonovue® (2.4 mg of nonpyrogenic suspension of phospholipid/sulphur hexaphloride); in addition, a transrectal elastosonography (TRES) was done to evaluate prostate tissue elasticity. The accuracy of multiparametric ultrasound to detect the mpMRI lesions was evaluated. Results: In 27/60 (45%) of men a T1c prostate cancer (PCa) was diagnosed by TPBx and 21 (77.8%) of them were classified as clinically significant cancer (csPCa); in detail, 16/21 (76.2%) vs. 5/21 (23.8%) csPCa were located in the peripheric and anterior zone of the gland, respectively. Median total PSA was 10.3 ng/ml (range: 4.9-51 ng/ml). TRES and CEUS were positive for csPCa only in 6/21 (28.5%) and 13/21 (62%) of TPBx showing an increased accuracy directly related with the PI-RADS scores Conclusions: Multiparametric ultrasound using TRES and CEUS after Sonovue® administration did not improve the accuracy of TPBx in diagnosing csPCa.

Introduction: The detection rate for significant prostate cancer of extended vs saturation vs mMRI/TRUS fusion biopsy was prospectively evaluated in men enrolled in active surveillance (AS) protocol. Mterials and methods: From May 2013 to September 2016 75 men aged 66 years (median) with very low risk PCa were enrolled in an AS protocol and elegible criteria were: life expectancy greater than 10 years, cT1C, PSA below 10 ng/ml, PSA density < 0.20, 2 < unilateral positive biopsy cores, Gleason score (GS) equal to 6, greatest percentage of cancer (GPC) in a core < 50%. All patients underwent 3.0 Tesla pelvic mpMRI before confirmatory transperineal extended (20 cores) or saturation biopsy (SPBx; 30 cores) combined with mpMRI/TRUS fusion targeted biopsy (4 cores) of suspicious lesions (PI-RADS 3-5). Results: 21/75 (28%) patients were reclassified by SPBx based on upgraded GS ≥ 7; mpMRI lesions PI-RADS 4-5 vs PI-RADS 3-5 diagnosed 9/21 (42.8%) vs 16/21 (76.2%) significant PCa with 2 false positives (6.5%). The detection rate for significant PCa was equal to 76.2% (mpMRI/TRUS fusion biopsy) vs 81% (extended) vs 100% (SPBx) (p = 0.001); mpMRI/TRUS targeted biopsy and extended biopsy missed 5/21 (23.8%) and 4/21 (19%) significant PCa which were found by SPBx (p = 0.001) being characterised by the presence of a single positive core of GS ≥ 7 with GPC < 10%. Conclusions: Although mpMRI improve the diagnosis of clinically significant PCa, SPBx is provided of the best detection rate for PCa in men enrolled in AS protocols who underwent confirmatory biopsy.

A Caucasian man 64 years old was admitted to our department for fever, strangury, frequency and pain in the perineum secondary to the relapse of Cowper’s gland abscess previously treated by antibiotic therapy and trans-perineal ultrasound-guided aspiration. At admission, the clinical parameters were suggestive of sepsis; moreover, the trans-perineal ultrasound detected an hypoechoic mass suspicious for the recurrence of Cowper’s gland abscess. A suprapubic catheter was positioned and a targeted antibiotic therapy (Colistin 9000.000 U intravenously every day for 8 days plus meropenem 500 mg intravenously every 8 hours for 10 days) was administered. The patient during the follow up presented long fibers of mucus in the urine and recurrent positive urine culture, therefore two months later underwent trans-perineal surgical asportation of the left Cowper’s gland. One month after surgery the patient was readmitted for the presence of a urinary fistula between bulbar urethra and perineum. A new suprapubic catheter was positioned and after three months was removed because a complete restitutio ad integrum was shown by retrograde cystourethrogram and uroflowmetry. In conclusion, the abscess of Cowper’s gland could represent a very rare but severe clinical event that need aggressive therapy and close follow up for its potentially high rate of early and late clinical complications; in the presence of recurrence the surgical asportation of the Cowper’s gland should be considered.

Introduction: Azoospermia causes about 10% of male infertility and the best therapeutic option is the retrieval of sperm from testis or epididymis. Material and methods: From Juanary 2008 to June 2016, 92 men (median 36 years; range: 25-54 years) were submitted in 47 cases to TESE (testicular sperm extraction) and in 45 cases to PESA (percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration) for secretory and obstructive azoospermia, respectively; moreover, all the patients previously underwent color Doppler ultrasound of the testis and transrectal ultrasound of the prostate. Results: Serum FSH values were 9.4 ml/UI and 36.4 ml/UI (median 18.2 ml/UI) with an estimated volume of the testis equal to 5 ml; 40 men had the mutation for cystic fibrosis with bilateral agenesis of the deferentia vasa, 4 men had a cyst of the prostatic utricle, 1 man had retrograde ejaculation, 7 had an epididymis cyst and 2 had anejaculation secondary to traumatic neurologic spinal cord injury. The retrieval of sperm was performed in 39 (83%) and 36 (80%) of the patients submitted to TESE and PESA, respectively. The pregnancy rate was equal to 28% and 33% in men with secretory and obstructive azoospermia, respectively. Discussion: Assisted reproduction technology with a multidisciplinary team is provided of a pregnancy rate equal about 30% in men with azoospermia; ultrasound allows to evaluate abnormalities of the testis and prostate improving the percentage of pregnancy.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Detection rate for anterior prostate cancer (PCa) in men who underwent initial and repeat biopsy has been prospectively evaluated. Materials and Methods: From January 2013 to March 2014, 400 patients all of Caucasian origin (median age 63.5 years) underwent initial (285 cases) and repeat (115 cases) prostate biopsy; all the men had negative digital rectal examination and the indications to biopsy were: PSA values > 10 ng/mL, PSA between 4.1-10 or 2.6-4 ng/mL with free/total PSA≤25% and ≤20%, respectively. A median of 22 (initial biopsy) and 31 cores (repeat biopsy) were transperineally performed including 4 cores of the anterior zone (AZ) and 4 cores of the AZ plus 2 cores of the transition zone (TZ), respectively. Results: Median PSA was 7.9 ng/mL; overall, a PCa was found in 180 (45%) patients: in 135 (47.4%) and 45 (36%) of the men who underwent initial and repeat biopsy, respectively. An exclusive PCa of the anterior zone was found in the 8.9 (initial biopsy) vs 13.3% (repeat biopsy) of the men: a single microfocus of cancer was found in the 61.2% of the cases; moreover, in 7 out 18 AZ PCa the biopsy histology was predictive of significant cancer in 2 (28.5%) and 5 (71.5%) men who underwent initial and repeat biopsy, respectively. Conclusions: However AZ biopsies increased detection rate for PCa (10% of the cases), the majority of AZ PCa with histological findings predictive of clinically significant cancer were found at repeat biopsy (about 70% of the cases).

Introduction. Multiparametric pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) accuracy in prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis was evaluated. Materials and Methods. From June 2011 to December 2013, 168 patients (median 65 years) with negative digital rectal examination underwent repeat transperineal saturation biopsy (SPBx; median 28 cores) for persistently high or increasing PSA values, PSA >10 ng/ml or PSA values between 4.1-10 o r 2.6-4 ng/ml with free/total PSA < 25% and < 20%, respectively. All patients underwent mpMRI using a 3.0 Tesla scanner equipped with surface 16 channels phased-array coil and lesions suspicious for PCa were submitted to additional targeted biopsies. Results. A T1c PCa was found in 66 (39%) cases; SPBx and mpMRI-suspicious targeted biopsy diagnosed 60 (91%) and 52 (78.8%) cancers missing 6 (all of the anterior zone) and 14 cancers (12 and 2 of the lateral margins and anterior zone), respectively; in detail, mpMRI missed 12 (18.1%) PCa charaterized by microfocal (1 positive core with greatest percentage of cancer and Gleason score equal to 5% and 6, respectively) disease at risk for insignificant cancer. The diameter of the suspicious mpMRI lesion was directly correlated to the diagnosis of PCa with poor Gleason score (p < 0.05); detection rate of cancer for each suspicious mpMRI core was 35.3%. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of mpMRI in diagnosing PCa was 75.7%, 82.5%, 71.8%, 78.9%, 87.9%, respectively. Conclusion. Multiparametric pMRI improved SPBx accuracy in diagnosing significant anterior PCa; the diameter of mpMRI suspicious lesion resulted significantly predictive of aggressive cancers.

Introduction. The effect of a prolonged oral anti-inflammatory therapy on PSA values in patients with persistent abnormal PSA values after negative prostate biopsy (PBx) was evaluated. Material and methods. From September 2011 to September 2012, 70 patients (medi- an age 62 years), with persistent abnormal PSA values after negative extended PBx, were given an herbal extract with anti-inflammatory activity for 3 months (Lenidase®; 1 tablet daily constituted of baicalina, bromelina and escina). All patients were submitted to prostate biopsy for: abnormal DRE; PSA > 10 ng/mL, PSA values between 4.1-10 or 2.6-4 ng/mL with free/total PSA < 25% and < 20%, respectively. Three months after the end of anti-inflammato- ry therapy all patients were revaluated; indication for repeat saturation biopsy (SPBx) and detection rate for PCa were compared with those previously recorded in our Department using the same inclusions criteria for biopsy. Results. Oral administration of Lenidase® was well tolerated and no side effects were observed; PSA values decreased in 54 (77.8%) out 70 patients with a median PSA reduction of 20.5% (from 8.8 to 7 ng/mL) and remained unchanged in 16 patients (22.2%); the repeat SPBx rate resulted significantly lower (22.8% vs 35.5%; p < 0.05) showing a superimposable detection rate for PCa (3 cases) in comparison with our previous data (18.7% vs 22%). Conclusions. In our preliminary data a prolonged oral anti-inflammatory therapy reduced PSA levels in patients with negative PBx and persistent suspicious for PCa decreasing the indication to perform repeat SPBx (about 30% of the cases).

PURPOSE: To compare PCA3 score cut-off of 35 vs 20 in PCa diagnosis in patients undergoing repeated saturation prostate biopsy (SPBx). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to May 2011, 118 patients (median 62.5 years) with primary negative extended biopsy underwent a transperineal SPBx (median 30 cores) for persistent suspicion of PCa. The indications for repeated biopsy were: persistently high or increasing PSA values; PSA > 10 ng/mL, PSA values between 4.1-10 or 2.6-4 ng/mL with free/total PSA ≤ 25% and ≤ 20%, respectively; moreover, before performing SPBx urinary PCA3 score was evaluated. RESULTS: All patients had negative DRE and median PSA was 8.5 ng/mL (range: 3.7-24 ng/mL). A T1c PCa was found in 32 patients (27.1%): PCA3 score was 59 (median; range: 7-201) in the presence of PCa and 35 (median; range: 3-253) in the absence of cancer (p < 0.05). In the presence of ASAP and HGPIN median PCA3 score was 109 (range: 42-253) and 40 (range: 30-140), respectively. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of PCA3 score cut-off of 20 vs 35 in PCa diagnosis were 44.9 vs 50%, 90.6 vs 71.9%, 27.9 vs 41.8%, 31.9 vs 31.5% and 88.9 vs 80%, respectively. ROC analysis demonstrated an AUC for PCA3 ≥ 20 vs ≥ 35 of 0.678 and 0.634, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that PCA3 is more useful as an exclusion tool; moreover, setting a PCA3 cut-off at 20 vs 35, would have avoided 22.9 vs 38.1% of biopsies while missing 9.4% and 28% diagnosis of PCa.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) incidence following repeat saturation prostate biopsy (SPBx) was evaluated. Materials and methods: From January 2011 to June 2012 295 patients underwent repeat transperineal SPBx (median 28 cores) under sedation. The indications for biopsy were: abnormal DRE, PSA > 10 ng/mL or included between 4.1-10 with free/total PSA < 25%. All patients were prospectively evaluated with the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months from SPBx. Results: 100/200 men with benign histology and normal sexual activity completed the study; median IIEF-5 score before and after SPBx was equal to 18.3 (baseline) vs 17.8 (1 month later) vs 18 (3 months later) vs 18.1 (6 months later) (p > 0.05); in detail, 1 month from biopsy 5 (5%) men referred a mild ED that disappeared at 3 and 6 months evaluation. Conclusions: Repeat transperineal SPBx under sedation did not significantly worsened erectile function; the minimal risk of temporary post-biopsy ED could be previously discussed (not emphasised) with potent patients.

A Caucasian man (73 years old) six years from radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer (PCa) showed biochemical recurrence (BCR); the follow up based on PSA evaluated every 6 months was negative (0.1 ng/ml) for 5 years, but in the last year PSA increased to 0.3 vs 0.5 ng/ml. The patient was asymptomatic and underwent 3.0 Tesla mpMRI equipped with surface 16 channels phased-array coil placed around the pelvic area; multiplanar turbo spin-echo T2-weighted (T2W), axial diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), axial dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) and spectroscopy were performed. Pelvic mpMRI demonstrated the presence of a nodular tissue with a diameter of 10 mm. located on the left of the prostatic fossa near the rectum that was higly sospicious for local PCa recurrence. The patient underwent salvage RT (64 Gy); one year from RT PSA was 0.1 ng/ml suggesting that the patient was free from recurrence. In conclusion, mpMRI could be combined with PSA kinetics in the evaluation of men with BRC also in the presence of PSA values < 1 ng/ml.

Acute scrotum constitutes the most common urological emergency secondary to spermatic cord torsion, testicular trauma, orchiepididymitis and hernias. We report a very rare case of unique traumatic spermatic cord hematoma following scrotum injury occurred during a football match. Clinical exam showed an increased volume of the left spermatic cord; the color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) demonstrated left testicular ischemia secondary to a large spermatic cord hematoma that needs surgical exploration. Spermatic cord hematoma rarely induces acute scrotum, however it could be treated conservatively surgery is mandatory when pain is persistent or testicular ischemia is confirmed by CDU.

Ischemic complications of the glans penis are rare and commonly result from trauma, inadvertent administration of vasoconstrictive solutions, diabetes mellitus, circumcision and vasculitis; we refer about a young man with severe ischemia of the glans penis following circumcision. The patient had undergone circumcision 5 days before in a surgery department under local anesthesia (1% mepivacaine hydrochloride). The patient noticed a brownish color and edema of the glans penis at 24 h after he opened the wound dressing, but arrived to our hospital only 5 days after circumcision because these findings had progressed. Physical examination revealed the black color or necrotic appearance of the glans penis, and edema on the dorsal penile skin. The patient underwent antibiotic, antiplatatelet, corticosteroid and iperbaric therapy achieving a complete restitutio ad integrum.

Extrauterine leiomyoma is a very rare clinical condition; we report a case of leiomyoma of the Retzius space in a 49-year-old women who suffered for two years from bladder voiding symptoms characterized by dysuria, feeling of incomplete emptying, and pelvic pain. Clinical evaluation and abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound suggested the presence of a voluminous (about 10 cm in diameter) fibromyoma of the anterior uterus surface. The urodynamic evaluation demonstrated the presence of bladder outlet obstruction (voiding pressure greater than 20 cm H2O and maximum flow rate less than 12 mL/s) with a postvoiding urine residual equal to 80 mL; moreover, the presence of cystocele and urethral stricture was ruled out performing clinical evaluation, cystography, and cystourethroscopy. The patient underwent laparotomy to remove the uterine fibromyoma. Intraoperatively, a voluminous soft mass arising from the Retzius space was found; it was firmly adhered to the uterus with obliteration of vesicouterine pouch owing to severe adhesion to the anterior surface of uterus. The tumour was isolated, enucleated from the prevesical space, and removed; moreover, the patient became asymptomatic after surgery. In conclusion, leiomyoma of the Retzius space is a very rare benign tumour that should be considered in the presence of severe bladder voiding symptoms.