Prostate biopsy quality is independent of needle size: A randomized single-center prospective study

Objective: To evaluate sample quality, prostate cancer detection rate and biopsy morbidity in transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy (PBx) using 16-or 18-gauge Tru-Cut needles. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing TRUS PBx were consecutively randomized with a 1:1 ratio into two study arms: group A (16-gauge needle) and group B (18-gauge needle). Core fragmentation and small specimen length (<10 mm) rate were the sample quality criteria. Three consecutive visual analog scale tests for pain and the Clavien surgical classification complications grading for rectal bleeding were used to evaluate TRUS PBx morbidity. Results: Overall, 250 patients were evaluated. No statistically significant difference between 16-and 18-gauge biopsy needles was recorded for cancer detection rate (29.6 vs. 30.4%, p = 0.890), core fragmentation rate (5 vs. 7%, p = 0.425) and shorter specimen (2 vs. 2%, p = 0.309). Pain control was similar in the two groups during the biopsy, 30 min after biopsy and the evening of the same day. Very small or absent bleeding was the more frequent complication observed in each group. Conclusion: Prostate detection rate and sample quality were not influenced by needle size. A 16-gauge needle biopsy does not increase TRUS PBx morbidity. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

Large entropy change accompanying two successive magnetic phase transitions in TbMn2Si2 for magnetic refrigeration

Structural and magnetic properties in TbMn2Si2 are studied by variable temperature X-ray diffraction, magnetization, electrical resistivity, and heat capacity measurements. TbMn2Si2 undergoes two successive magnetic transitions at around Tc1 = 50 K and Tc2 = 64 K. Tc1 remains almost constant with increasing magnetic field, but Tc2 shifts significantly to higher temperature. Thus, there are two partially overlapping peaks in the temperature dependence of magnetic entropy change, i.e., −ΔSM (T). The different responses of Tc1 and Tc2 to external magnetic field, and the overlapping of −ΔSM (T) around Tc1 and Tc2 induce a large refrigerant capacity (RC) within a large temperature range. The large reversible magnetocaloric effect (−ΔSM peak = approx. 16 J/kg K for a field change of 0-5 T) and RC (=396 J/kg) indicate that TbMn2Si2 could be a promising candidate for low temperature magnetic refrigeration

Intravesical treatment with highly-concentrated hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections: Results from a multicentre survey

We assess the effectiveness of intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) as a non-antibiotic treatment option for prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in female patients

Intravesical treatment with highly-concentrated hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections: Results from a multicentre survey

We assess the effectiveness of intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) as a non-antibiotic treatment option for prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in female patients

Contemporary monopolar and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate: prospective assessment of complications using the Clavien system

A modified version of the Clavien system has been recently suggested to allow a standardized assessment of complications associated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Aim of this multicentre study was to validate the use of this assessment tool in a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing monopolar or bipolar TURP. Consecutive patients undergoing TURP in five Italian institutions from April 2011 to March 2012 were prospectively included in this study. Complications occurring within first postoperative month were recorded and graded according to the modified Clavien system. Univariate and binary logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Two hundred and ninety-five patients were included in the study. Overall, 47 complications were recorded in 44 patients. There was no difference in terms of postoperative complications between those who underwent monopolar TURP (27 pts; 9.2 %) versus those who underwent bipolar TURP (17 pts; 5.2 %, p = 0.142). Overall perioperative morbidity rate was 15.5 %. Most of the complications were Clavien type I (37 cases; 78 %) and II (6 cases; 12 %). High-grade complications were few as follows: Clavien type IIIb in two cases (4 %) and IV in two cases (4 %). No TURP-related deaths were reported. In the monopolar TURP group, a longer-operative time (OR 1.024; 95 % CI 1.007-1.040, p = 0.004) is an independent predictors of postoperative complications. A modified Clavien system can be considered a practical and easily applicable tool in grading postoperative complications in patients undergoing TURP. Our findings confirm that TURP is a safe procedure associated with minimal perioperative morbidity