Metachronous Primary Adenocarcinoma of Distal and Proximal Ureter within Two Years

Primary adenocarcinoma of the upper urinary tract, particularly of the ureter, is an extremely rare entity. We are reporting on the first case of metachronous appearance in one patient. The 71-year-old man underwent partial ureterectomy (R0 resection) for primary adenocarcinoma of the left distal ureter. 3 years later, nephroureterectomy had to be performed because of metachronous primary adenocarcinoma of the left proximal ureter. Extensive examinations revealed no evidence for further malignancies at both times. Primary adenocarcinoma of the upper urinary tract is rare but should be kept in mind, especially in patients with chronic inflammation and urinary tract obstruction. Due to the low incidence, there is a lack of data regarding its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and optimal treatment

Comparison of prostatic artery embolisation (PAE) versus transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia: randomised, open label, non-inferiority trial

OBJECTIVE To compare prostatic artery embolisation (PAE) with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia in terms of patient reported and functional outcomes. DESIGN Randomised, open label, non-inferiority trial. SETTING Urology and radiology departments of a Swiss tertiary care centre. PARTICIPANTS 103 patients aged ≥40 years with refractory lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomised between 11 February 2014 and 24 May 2017; 48 and 51 patients reached the primary endpoint 12 weeks after PAE and TURP, respectively. INTERVENTIONS PAE performed with 250-400 μm microspheres under local anaesthesia versus monopolar TURP performed under spinal or general anaesthesia. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary outcome was change in international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) from baseline to 12 weeks after surgery; a difference of less than 3 points between treatments was defined as non-inferiority for PAE and tested with a one sided test. Secondary outcomes included further questionnaires, functional measures, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and adverse events; changes from baseline to 12 weeks were compared between treatments with two sided tests for superiority. RESULTS Mean reduction in IPSS from baseline to 12 weeks was -9.23 points after PAE and -10.77 points after TURP. Although the difference was less than 3 points (1.54 points in favour of TURP (95% confidence interval -1.45 to 4.52)), non-inferiority of PAE could not be shown (P=0.17). None of the patient reported secondary outcomes differed significantly between treatments when tested for superiority; IPSS also did not differ significantly (P=0.31). At 12 weeks, PAE was less effective than TURP regarding changes in maximum rate of urinary flow (5.19 15.34 mL/s; difference 10.15 (95% confidence interval -14.67 to -5.63); P<0.001), postvoid residual urine (-86.36 -199.98 mL; 113.62 (39.25 to 187.98); P=0.003), prostate volume (-12.17 -30.27 mL; 18.11 (10.11 to 26.10); P<0.001), and desobstructive effectiveness according to pressure flow studies (56% 93% shift towards less obstructive category; P=0.003). Fewer adverse events occurred after PAE than after TURP (36 70 events; P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS The improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia seen 12 weeks after PAE is close to that after TURP. PAE is associated with fewer complications than TURP but has disadvantages regarding functional outcomes, which should be considered when selecting patients. Further comparative study findings, including longer follow-up, should be evaluated before PAE can be considered as a routine treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02054013

Ectopic Adrenocortical Tissue in the Spermatic Cord in a 44-Year-old Man

We report on a 44-year-old man who underwent microsurgical inguinal repair for symptomatic varicocele. As an incidental finding during surgery, a yellowish tumor (9 × 5 × 4 mm) was found in the spermatic cord. Histologic examination revealed ectopic adrenocortical tissue. Ectopic adrenocortical tissue in the spermatic cord is known to appear in children and adolescents but is extremely rare in adults. Surgical removal of the tissue is recommended, although malignant transformation or functional hormonal disorders are very unlikely

Aquablation versus holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in medium-to-large-sized prostates (ATHLETE): protocol of a prospective randomised trial

Introduction A novel method for the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) called Aquablation has become commercially available. Previous studies have been able to show similar functional results when compared with transurethral resection of the prostate and a high efficacy has been demonstrated when this approach is applied to patients with a prostate size of 80–150 cm3.Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a well-established procedure in the surgical treatment of BPH in prostate glands larger than 30 mL and a first-line therapy in glands over 80 mL. To date, no data are available whether Aquablation is non-inferior compared with HoLEP in the treatment of patients with medium-to-large-sized prostates regarding safety and efficacy.Methods and analysis This is a prospective, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial conducted at a Swiss centre of tertiary care. The primary outcome is assessment of non-inferiority of Aquablation compared with HoLEP in reducing lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic obstruction measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Randomisation will be performed using secuTrial, stratifying on age (&lt;70 years, 70+ years) and prostate volume (&lt;100 mL, 100+ mL). Both interventions are performed in an inpatient setting and regular follow-up controls starting 8 weeks after intervention and continuing up to 5 years will be performed. The primary outcome (change in IPSS from baseline to 6 months) will be tested for non-inferiority with a one-sided t-test. Secondary outcomes, such as efficacy parameters, several patient-reported outcome measures, and periprocedural and safety parameters will be described by calculating means or relative frequencies for each treatment group and testing differences with two-sided standard superiority tests.Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the local ethics committee (EKOS 2020-02353). Results of the primary endpoint and each of the secondary endpoints will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04560907)

Is intravesical stent position a predictor of associated morbidity?

PURPOSE: Temporary drainage of the upper urinary tract by use of internal ureteral stents is a common procedure that is often associated with a variety of symptoms. The role of intravesical stent position in associated morbidity is controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The German version of the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire (USSQ) was completed by 73 patients with an indwelling ureteral stent the day before stent removal. Intravesical stent position was classified into 3 categories by x-ray before stent removal. The influence of intravesical stent position on USSQ score was analyzed, including subscores and single items. RESULTS: Intravesical stent position showed no significant influence on associated morbidity. The median USSQ total score in all patients was 77.5 (range, 30-147). Patients with ipsilateral stents (69.0; range, 30-122) tended to have lower total scores than did those with tangential (86.5; range, 30-122) or contralateral (77.0; range, 31-147) stents, but the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.35). The USSQ subscores for urinary symptoms (p=0.80), body pain (p=0.80), general health (p=0.16), work performance (p=0.07), additional problems (p=0.81), and all of the USSQ single items of interest in the context of stent length also did not differ significantly between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical stent position did not significantly influence associated morbidity in our study. An appropriate stent length should be chosen to avoid dislocation. However, complex calculations of optimum stent length, time-consuming manipulations, and costly stock holding of various stent sizes to obtain the perfect stent position do not seem worthwhile

In-hospital cost analysis of prostatic artery embolization compared to transurethral resection of the prostate: Post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES To perform a post-hoc analysis of in-hospital costs incurred in a randomized controlled trial comparing prostatic artery embolization (PAE) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS In-hospital costs arising from PAE and TURP were calculated using detailed expenditure reports provided by the hospital accounts department. Total costs including those arising from surgical and interventional procedures, consumables, personnel, and accommodation were analysed for all of the study participants and compared between PAE and TURP using descriptive analysis and two-sided t-tests adjusted for unequal variance within groups (Welch t-test). RESULTS Mean total costs per patient (± SD) were higher for TURP at €9,137 ± 3,301 than for PAE at €8,185 ± 1,630. The mean difference (md) of €952 was not statistically significant (p=0.07). While the mean procedural costs were significantly higher for PAE (md €623 (p=0.009)), costs apart from the procedure were significantly lower for PAE with an md of €1,627 (p< 0.001). Procedural costs of €1,433 ± 552 for TURP were mainly incurred by anaesthesia, whereas €2,590 ± 628 for medical supplies were the main cost factor for PAE. CONCLUSIONS Since in-hospital costs are similar but PAE and TURP have different efficacy and safety profiles, the patient's clinical condition and expectations - rather than finances - should be taken into account when deciding between PAE and TURP. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved