Analysis of the Causes of Newborn Priapism: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Priapism is a rare condition in the newborn. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic, etiologic and clinical features of neonatal priapism. We retrospectively analysed the data of 11 patients diagnosed with neonatal priapism in the neonatal intensive care unit between 2000 and 2019. Priapism was defined as an erection in the neonatal period, lasting more than 4 hours. Etiological examinations revealed polycythemia in one (9.09%) patient, D-dimer elevation in three patients, and heterozygous methyltetrahydrofolate 667 gene mutations in one patient. Other patients were considered idiopathic. Detumescence was achieved in all 11 (100%) patients during the follow-up period. The median hospitalization duration was 6 (IQR [4, 8]; range, 2-9) days. The median follow-up duration was 38 (IQR [30, 42]; range, 13-94) months for patients followed-up in our hospital after discharge. Neonatal priapism is a rare condition. Successful treatment results can be achieved with conservative methods. Data acquired from our study showed that diseases with a tendency to hypercoagulation belong to the etiology by damaging penile microcirculation and make the response to conservative treatment more challenging.

Value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting surgical intervention for hydronephrosis during pregnancy

Background:

We aimed to examine the hematological parameters of pregnant patients with ureteral stones that require intervention.

Methods:

Medical data of patients presenting to urology department between October 2018 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with flank pain associated with hydronephrosis were included in the study and divided into two groups according to whether an intervention was performed or not (Group-1, Group-2). Ureterorenoscopy (URS) or ureteral stent placement was performed as intervention. Demographic data, complete blood count (CBC), urine analysis, and ultrasonographic findings were collected. Gestational age (week), number of pregnancies, maternal age (years), Anteroposterior pelvis diameter (mm), VAS (Visual Analog Scale) (range 1–10) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were collected from the patient file. Inflammatory markers including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were computed.

Results:

About 35 patients were included in Group-1 and 52 patients in Group-2. Ureterorenoscopy was performed in 21/35 (60%) patients, and ureteral stents were placed in 14/35 (40%) patients. None of the patients experienced complications. There was no statistical difference between these two groups in terms of maternal age, gestational age, number of pregnancies, pelvis diameter, PLR, and MPV. VAS and NLR were statistically higher in group-1 ( p < 0.05). According to the Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis performed for the prediction of ureteral stone presence, the best cut-off point for the NLR 4.153 (sensitivity 80%, specificity 80.6%, area under curve (AUC): 0.824).

Conclusions:

We think that NLR can be used to determine the group that needs to be intervented due to ureteral stones in patients with symptomatic hydronephrosis during pregnancy.

Fluoroscopy-free RIRS on the second session after ureteral stent placement

Aim:

Fluoroscopy is used in some stages of the conventional Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) procedure and is beneficial. On the other hand, radiation exposure is its most obvious disadvantage. As a subgroup, we aimed to show that fluoroscopy-free technique is safe and effective in patients who underwent RIRS after passive dilatation.

Materials and methods:

Between October 2018 and April 2020, 54 cases of second session RIRS of renal stones performed by a single surgeon were retrospectively evaluated. Patients’ demographic characteristics (age, gender), stone features (laterality, size, number, volume, and location), mean operative time, and, perioperative and postoperative complications, as well as the stone-free rate (SFR), were all retrospectively evaluated. The results were classified as stone free, clinical insignificant residual fragments (CIRF), and presence of residual stones. Complications were graded using the Clavien–Dindo classification system. We used a modified surgical technique.

Results:

All of complications were minor. There were no major complications (Clavien grade III–IV). The stone-free rate was 70.3% (38/54) on the first day after surgery and 83.3% (45/54) 1 month afterward, respectively. If we accept the absence of residual stone as success, we can say that it is about 91% successful in the first month.

Conclusion:

This technique has a high stone-free success rate and a low complication rate without the use of radiation. For surgeons experienced in endourology, we can say that the fluoroscopy-free technique is safe and effective in secondary-session RIRS cases which passive dilatation was performed by inserting a ureteral catheter before.

External validation of the T.O.HO. score and derivation of the modified T.O.HO. score for predicting stone-free status after flexible ureteroscopy in ureteral and renal stones

OBJECTIVE

The T.O.HO. scoring system was developed to predict stone-free status after flexible ureterenoscopy (fURS) lithotripsy applied for ureter and renal stones. This study aimed to perform the external validation of the T.O.HO. score in the Turkish population and propose a modification for this system.

MATERIAL METHODS

Patients who underwent fURS for kidney and ureteral stones between January 2017 and January 2020 were retrospectively analysed. The patient and stone characteristics and perioperative findings were noted. The T.O.HO. score was externally validated and compared with the STONE score. Stone-free parameters were evaluated with the multivariate analysis. Based on the results of this analysis, the T.O.HO. score was modified and internally validated.

RESULTS

A total of 621 patients were included in the study. The stone-free rate was determined as 79.8% (496/621) after fURS. The regression analysis showed that stone area had better predictive power than stone diameter (P = .025). Lower pole (reference), middle pole [odds ratio (OR) = 0.492 P = .016] and middle ureteral (OR = 0.227, P = .024) localisations, stone density (OR = 1.001, P < .001), and stone volume (OR = 1.008, P < .001) were determined as independent predictive markers for stone-free status. Based on the effect size of the stone surface area in the nomogram, stone volume was divided into five categories, at 1-point intervals. The AUC values of the T.O.HO., STONE, and modified T.O.HO. score in predicting stone-free status were calculated as 0.758, 0.634, and 0.821, respectively. The modified T.O.HO. created by adding stone volume was statistically significantly superior to the original version (ROC curve comparison, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The T.O.HO. score effectively predicted stone-free status after fURS. However, modified T.O.HO. SS showed the best predictive performance compared with original T.O.HO. SS.

The presence of chronic inflammation in positive prostate biopsy is associated with upgrading in radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the predictive effect of the presence of chronic prostatitis associated with prostate cancer (PCa) in prostate biopsy on Gleason score upgrade (GSU) in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data of 295 patients who underwent open or robotic RP with a diagnosis of localized PCa following biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups with and without GSU following RP. Predictive factors affecting GSU on biopsy were determined. The impact of chronic prostatitis associated with prostate cancer on GSU was examined via logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Out of 224 patients with Gleason 3+3 scores on biopsy, 145 (64.7%) had Gleason upgrade, and 79 (35.2%) had no upgrade. Whilst comparing the two groups with and without Gleason upgrade in terms of patient age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, PSA density (PSAD), prostate volume (PV), neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, number of positive cores, percentage of positive cores, and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 score, no statistically significant difference was detected. The presence of chronic prostatitis associated with PCa was higher in the patient cohort with GSU in contrast to the other group (p < 0.001). According to the univariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of chronic prostatitis was identified to be an independent marker for GSU.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologists and urologists should be careful regarding the possibility of a more aggressive tumor in the presence of chronic inflammation associated with PCa because inflammation within PCa was revealed to be linked with GSU after RP.

The utility of De Ritis Ratio in predicting prognosis in testicular cancer

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the possible association between testicular cancer prognosis and De Ritis ratio (AST/ALT).

METHODS

The medical records of all patients who underwent radical inguinal orchiectomy at a single tertiary in Istanbul, Turkey between 2006 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Investigated parameters included patients' demographics, complete blood count and blood biochemistry results, pathology results, treatment schemes, imaging results, and survival. De Ritis ratio was calculated as follows: AST/ALT.

RESULTS

A total of 171 patients with a mean age of 32.6 ± 10.1 years were included in the study. 73 patients had T1, 83 had T2, 13 had T3 and 2 had T4 disease. Rete testis invasion was detected in 74 patients (43.3 %) as well as lymphovascular invasion in 93 (54.4 %) and tunica albuginea invasion in 80 (46.8 %) patients. The cut-off value for AST/ALT was set at 1.35 [Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.791 with a sensitivity of 80 % and specificity of 73 %]. No statistically significance was observed between patients with and without elevated AST/ALT according to rete testis invasion, lymphovascular invasion, tunica albuginea invasion, and tunica vaginalis invasion (p = .25, p = .63, p = 1.0 and p = 1.0, respectively). 28.2 % of patients with seminoma had AST/ALT > 1.35 however 41.9 % of patients with non-seminoma pathology had AST/ALT > 1.35 (p = .078). Mean estimated survival time of patients with AST/ALT > 1.35 was higher than those with AST/ALT < 1.35, 91.8 versus 70.4 months, p < .001). As seen in Kaplan-Meier analysis elevated AST/ALT is associated with early-term mortality.

CONCLUSION

De Ritis ratio was shown to be significantly associated with unfavorable prognosis. De Ritis ratio might serve as a prognostic biomarker in testicular tumor besides well-known tumor markers such as beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

An Unexpected Complication After Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: Emphysematous Pyelitis

Emphysematous urinary tract infections (UTI) are life-threatening conditions caused by gas-forming organisms. Emphysematous pyelitis (EP) is a rare, acute bacterial UTI characterized by gas formation only in the renal collecting system. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment was performed for 10-mm sized stone in the left renal pelvis in an 81-year-old female patient with no known comorbidities other than hypertension. In the 10th hour following ESWL treatment, the patient referred to the emergency department with fever and left flank pain. Gas was noticed in the left renal collecting system in non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT). A wide spectrum antibiotic was given to the patient due to EP diagnosis and a nephrostomy catheter was placed in the left renal pelvis. EP should be considered in the patient with fever and flank pain after ESWL and NCCT should be performed for further examination. Quick diagnosis, examination and treatment of these patients in the emergency department are important.

Comparison of Two Different Scoring Systems in Encrusted Ureteral Stent Management: A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE

To report our single-center experience in encrusted ureteral stent management and to compare the utility of two different scoring systems, KUB (Kidney, Ureter, Bladder) versus FECal (forgotten, encrusted, calcified), in patient management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all patients who were found to have encrusted/retained ureteral stent and underwent various procedures to remove encrusted ureteral stent in our clinic between May 2014 and December 2018. Encrusted stent grading was performed using KUB and FECal grading systems. KUB system score is the sum of the stone burden scores of 3 different parts of an encrusted stent within the kidney, ureter and bladder determined using a scale from 1 to 5 according to the maximal diameter of encrustation. FECal grading system is based on the stone size, location and degree of stent encrustation and scored from Grade 1 to Grade 5.

RESULTS

A total of 39 patients (29 males and 10 females) were included the study. The mean age of the patients was 46.4 ± 14.5 years, ranging from 13 to 71 years. The mean time from ureteral stent insertion to encrustation was 13.7 ± 26.4 months, varying between 2 and 120 months. The mean KUB score was 6.4 ± 2.4. According to FECal system, 53.8% of the patients were classified as Grade 1 and 15.4% as Grade 2. The encrusted ureteral stents of eight patients (20.5%) could be removed with the aid of a foreign body forceps inserted through a cystoscope. Fourteen patients (35.9%) underwent cystolithotripsy, seven (17.9%) underwent flexible ureterorenoscopy (URS), six (15.4%) underwent rigid URS, and three (7.7%) underwent combined percutaneous nephrolithotomy and URS beside stent removal. In multivariate regression analysis, largest encrustation diameter, FECal system grade and KUB score were found to be significant predictors of stone- and stent-free status (p<0.001 for all). Also, KUB score was found to be associated with the number of required procedures (r= .506, p= .001).

CONCLUSION

KUB encrusted stent scoring system might be useful in predicting the number of required procedures to achieve stone- and stent-free status. Pure intracorporeal endourologic procedures, percutaneous interventions or open surgery might be preferred according to the patient's situation and the surgeon's experience and preference.

Evaluation of factors affecting sexual dysfunction in female patients with diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Our objective in this study was to evaluate the factors predicting female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study included 149 women with DM. Sexual function was evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, in which total scores under 26.55 characterized the occurrence of FSD (Group 1 > 26.55, Group 2 < 26.55). We recorded the patients' demographic, metabolic, and hormonal data. Ophthalmologic, neurologic, and renal complications were also evaluated. The antioxidant status of the patients in both groups was determined by measuring the activity of the enzymes paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and arylesterase (ARE).

RESULTS

Based on the FSFI scores, 60 patients were allocated to Group 1 (26.6 ± 12.3) and 89 to Group 2 (22.6 ± 9.5). Group 2 compared with Group 1 had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean concentrations of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glucose, triglycerides, and insulin, along with higher rates of metformin use, smoking, retinopathy, and nephropathy. The mean serum ARE concentrations were significantly lower in Group 2 compared with Group 1 (p = 0.000), but the mean serum PON-1 concentrations were similar between both groups (p = 0.218). On multivariable regression analysis, age, ARE activity, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score, and menopause were significant independent predictors of FSD (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we evaluated the predictive factors determining FSD caused by DM. Despite the significant results found in our study, future randomized controlled studies with a long follow-up and a larger number of patients are required to determine how DM affects FSD.

Postrenal Acute Renal Failure Due to Giant Fecaloma-related Bilateral Hydronephrosis: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review

An 88-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal distention, fever, and constipation of about a week's duration. Laboratory tests showed impaired kidney function tests and fluid electrolyte values. Bilateral hydroureteronephrosis was observed on non-contrasted abdominal CT. Imaging revealed no intrinsic urological pathology (ureteral stones, etc.) that could lead to obstruction in the urinary system; however, excessively dilated and feces-loaded rectum and colon were observed. The patient was treated with conservative methods. Unfortunately, she passed away due to general condition disorder.

Gasless robotic perineal radical prostatectomy: Experience of the first 12 cases

OBJECTIVE

To present our results of first 12 patients on whom we performed gasless robotic perineal radical prostatectomy (r-PRP).

METHODS

We performed gasless r-PRP on 12 patients between August 2018 and October 2018. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging was performed forall patients to exclude local advanced disease. Demographic characteristics, technical details, and intra and postoperative data were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 62.6 ± 6years. The mean body mass index of the patients was 27 ± 4 kg/m2. Four patients had a history of major abdominal surgery. The mean preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 7.4 ± 2.5 ng/mL. The mean prostate volume was 40 ± 10.2 cc. The mean perineal dissection time was 45.6 ± 5.8 minutes. The mean console time and total operative time were 117.8 ± 28.1 and 163.3 ± 30.7 minutes, respectively. The mean urethral catheter removal time was 9.2 ± 1.9 days. The immediate continence rate was 25% after the urethral catheter removal and the continence rate was 75% and 91.67% at the 3rd and 6th month follow-up, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Gasless r-PRP is an efficient and safe method in prostate cancer surgery. However, prospective randomized and comparative studies are required with large patient series.

Gossypiboma: A Dramatic Result of Human Error, Case Report and Literature Review

Gossypiboma refers to a retained foreign object that was forgotten in the body cavity during an operation. It is a rare surgical complication that most commonly occurs after intraperitoneal abdominal emergency surgical procedures, but may also occur after virtually any type of operation. Gossypiboma can be confused with neoplastic lesions and abscess. Clinical examination and radiological findings may sometimes mislead the physician. We intend to present our cases, which is thought to be a kidney tumour and bladder cancer but resulted gossypiboma which is a condition that is caused by a forgotten sponge during the operation and it can mimic the cancer. During the operation, the team must work in coordination and be careful. Unnecessary operations in such situation can significantly increase the patient's morbidity.

Splenic Injury During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Case Report of a Rare Complication

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has often been the preferred method for large and complex kidney stones. During percutaneous access to the collecting system, we encounter organ injuries due to anatomic neighborhoods. However, splenic injury is a relatively rare complication. We aimed to report how the complication process was managed conservatively in our case with transsplenic access. Then, a brief literature review on management strategy in similar conditions is highlighted. 

Partial nephrectomy in horseshoe kidney: Primary carcinoid tumor

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the kidney is a rarely observed clinical condition because neuroendocrine cells are not found in kidney parenchyma. It’s not clinically and radiologically possible to distinguish from other kidney tumors. Incidence with horseshoe kidney anomaly, it should be considered as a definitive diagnosis for the patients with this condition. In this case report, we reported about a carcinoid tumor in horseshoe kidney in a 37-year-old woman.

A rare cause of acute post renal failure: Retroperitoneal fibrosis

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is an inflammatory process which may cause acute renal failure. In patients who admitted to emergency services with obstructive uropathy, retroperitoneal fibrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. We present our ten cases who admitted to emergency department with obstructive acute renal failure related to retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Comparison of cold-knife optical internal urethrotomy and holmium:YAG laser internal urethrotomy in bulbar urethral strictures

Introduction

To compare the results of cold-knife optical internal urethrotomy (OIU) and Holmium:YAG laser internal urethrotomy (HIU) in primary bulbar urethral strictures.

Material and methods

A total of 63 patients diagnosed with primary bulbar urethral stricture between August 2014 and September 2015 were assigned to the OIU (n = 29) and HIU (n = 34) groups. The demographic variables, biochemistry panels, and preoperative and postoperative uroflowmetry results including the maximum flow rate (Qmax) and mean flow rate (Qmean) values, retrograde urethrography, and diagnostic flexible urethroscopy findings were recorded prospectively. Demographic features and preoperative values were not statistically different between groups (p >0.05). Mean surgical times were 18.4 ±2.3 min for OIU and 21.9 ±3.8 min for HIU groups, which was statistically significant (p <0.05). There was no significant difference in complication rates in both groups (p = 0.618).

Results

Postoperative Qmax values were increased in both groups even though postoperative Qmax values were not significantly different between the two groups in the short- and long-term results at 3, 6, and 12 months (p >0.05). There was no recurrence in the first 3 months in either group. The urethral stricture recurrence rate up to month 12 was not statistically significant for the OIU group (n = 6, 20.7%) as compared to the HIU group (n = 11, 32.4%; p = 0.299).

At follow-up, the SFR and IFR was 96% and 88% at 3-months, and 82% and 71% at 12-months, respectively (p <0.001). While almost three-quarters of patients were stone and infection free at 12-months, the majority of those with stones recurrence also had recurrence of their UTI.

Conclusions

HIU is an alternative method to OIU, and it has similar success rates in the treatment of short segment bulbar urethral strictures.

Single plus one port robotic radical prostatectomy (SPORP); Initial experience

Objective: This article reports on patients with early stage prostate cancer treated with single plus one port robotic radical prostatectomy (SPORP). Materials and methods: Since January 2014, we performed SPORP in 8 patients with localized prostate cancer. Age of patients, clinical stage, operation time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, blood loss, histopathological evaluation, postoperative continence, serum level of PSA were evaluated. Results: Mean age of the 8 patients was 59.85 years. All operations were completed without conversion to standard robotic procedure or open surgery. No intra operative complications occurred. Mean operating time was 143 minutes; prostate excision 123 minutes and urethrovesical anastomosis 20 minutes. Mean blood loss was 45 ml. Preoperative Gleason scores were (3 + 4) in one patient and (3 + 3) in 7 patients. Postoperative Gleason scores were (3 + 4) in 2 patients, and (3 + 3) in 6 patients. All these 8 cases were in T1c clinical stage. Early postoperative complications were drain leakage (n = 1), atelectasis (n = 1), wound infection (n = 1) and fever (n = 1). There was no positive surgical margin. The serum level of PSA was less than 0.2 ng/ml and no other complications happened during the 4 to 12 months follow-up period. Postoperative continence and cosmetic results were excellent. Conclusions: It is relatively easy for urologists who are skilled in traditional laparoscopic and robotic surgeries to master SPORP. However long-term outcomes of this surgery need further investigations.

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy After Previous Prostate Surgery

Background and Objectives:

Our objective is to clarify the effect of previous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or open prostatectomy (OP) on surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods:

Between August 1, 2009, and March 31, 2013, 380 patients underwent RARP. Of these, 25 patients had undergone surgery for primary bladder outlet obstruction (TURP, 20 patients; OP, 5 patents) (group 1). A match-paired analysis was performed to identify 36 patients without a history of prostate surgery with equivalent clinicopathologic characteristics to serve as a control group (group 2). Patients followed up for 12 months were assessed.

Results:

Both groups were similar with respect to preoperative characteristics, as mean age, body mass index, median prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, clinical stage, the biopsy Gleason score, D'Amico risk, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification score, the International Prostate Symptom Score, continence, and potency status. RARP resulted in longer console and anastomotic time, as well as higher blood loss compared with surgery-naive patients. We noted a greater rate of urinary leakage (pelvic drainage, >4 d) in group 1 (12% vs 2,8%). The anastomotic stricture rate was significantly higher in group 1 (16% vs 2.8%). No difference was found in the pathologic stage, positive surgical margin, and nerve-sparing procedure between the groups. Biochemical recurrence was observed in 12% (group 1) and 11.1% (group 2) of patients, respectively. No significant difference was found in the continence and potency rates.

Conclusions:

RARP after TURP or OP is a challenging but oncologically promising procedure with a longer console and anastomosis time, as well as higher blood loss and higher anastomotic stricture rate.