Urology

The health-care crisis in India – Can urology remain untouched? Arabind Panda Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):177-178

Round up Apul Goel Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):179-182

What's inside Rajeev Kumar Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):183-184

The Urological Society of India Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Nonneurogenic Urinary Incontinence in Adults (Executive Summary) Sanjay Sinha, Mayank Mohan Agarwal, Pawan Vasudeva, Nikhil Khattar, Vijay Kumar Sarma Madduri, Shirish Yande, Kalyan Sarkar, Anita Patel, Ajit Vaze, Shailesh Raina, Amita Jain, Manu Gupta, Nagendranath Mishra Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):185-188

The resurgence of estrogens in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer H Krishna Moorthy, GG Laxman Prabhu, P Venugopal Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):189-196 Use of exogenous estrogens in manipulating the androgenestrogen equilibrium was one of the earliest therapeutic strategies developed to treat prostate cancer which followed close on heels the discovery of hormone dependence of this tumor. Despite its well-documented benefit, estrogen therapy fell out of favor with the advent of other forms of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as the former registered a higher incidence of cardiovascular complications and poorer overall survival. Clearer understanding of the mechanism of action of estrogen coupled with the adoption of alternative routes of administration has triggered a renewed interest in estrogen therapy. Since then, many studies have not only proved the therapeutic benefit of estrogens but also explored the ways and means of minimizing the dreaded side effects deterring its use. Further, the fact that estrogen therapy offered a clear advantage of reduced cost of treatment over other treatments has led many countries to readopt it in the treatment of advanced prostatic cancer. We reviewed the published data on the use of estrogens in CRPC, which may affect its revival as an efficacious treatment option having minimal side effects, with modified dosage and route of administration. Estrogen therapy would be a less expensive option having equivalent or even better therapeutic effect than ADT in advanced carcinoma of prostate.

Development of an innovative intrarenal pressure regulation system for mini-PCNL: A preliminary study Ashish V Rawandale-Patil, Arvind P Ganpule, Lokesh G Patni Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):197-201 Introduction: Miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) requires saline irrigation at high-pressures to maintain visual clarity. However, this may raise the intrarenal pelvic pressures (IRPs) beyond a safe range and may result in a higher complication rate. The aim of this study was to make and validate an automated pressure saline irrigation system to regulate IRPs during mini-PCNL. Materials and Methods: A ureteric catheter was connected to an urodynamic machine and the minimum, maximum, and average IRPs reached during a standard 15 Fr mini-PCNL were measured in ten cases. Next, an intrarenal pressure regulation system (IPRS) was conceptualized, designed, patented, and constructed. IPRS was then tested on a mannequin model using the routine instruments. Lastly, the IPRS was evaluated on – five cases of 15 Fr mini-PCNL. The mean maximum IRP as recorded in the baseline data was set as the maximum permissible pressure on IPRS. The efficacy of IPRS was assessed by measuring the IRP, recorded in parallel, on both the IPRS and the urodynamic machine at various stages of the procedure. Results: The mean maximum IRP reached during baseline evaluation was 25 cm of water which was set as the maximum permissible limit of the IPRS. Evaluation of the IRPS on mannequin models and validation clinical cases showed that IPRS measured the IRP accurately and prevented the pressure surge above the set limits Overall, higher IRPs were recorded during stone pulverization as compared to the other surgical steps. Conclusions: The current IPRS is the first of its kind open platform, portable, automated pressure saline irrigation system. It precisely monitors and controls the IRP and has the potential to reduce the irrigation pressure-related complications.

Comparison of percentage free PSA, MRI and GaPSMA PET scan for diagnosing cancer prostate in men with PSA between 4 and 20 ng/ml Niraj Kumar, Siddharth Yadav, Sandeep Kumar, Kumar Saurav, Vishnu Prasad, Pawan Vasudeva Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):202-207 Introduction: We compared the diagnostic accuracy of percentage free prostate-specific antigen (PSA), multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (Ga-PSMA PET) to detect cancer prostate in men with PSA between 4 and 20 ng/ml in prebiopsy settings. Materials and Methods: This prospective study evaluated men with PSA values between 4 and 20 ng/ml, and all patients underwent percentage free PSA estimation, mpMRI, and Ga-PSMA PET scan, followed by cognitive fusion/registration biopsy along with systematic 12-core biopsy to detect cancer prostate. The diagnostic accuracy of percentage free PSA, mpMRI, and Ga-PSMA PET scan was compared with results of cognitive fusion/registration biopsy. Results: A total of 15 patients were included, of which 11 had an identifiable lesion on imaging and 9 had malignancy on the final histopathology report. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy of mpMRI were 62.5%, 71.4%, 71.4%, 62.5%, and 66.6%, respectively, and that of Ga-PSMA PET scan were 88.8%, 66.6%, 80%, 80%, and 80%, respectively. The sensitivity of detection of clinically significant cancers for Ga-PSMA was higher (100%) compared to MRI (33.3%). However, Ga-PSMA also detected a greater number of insignificant lesions as compared to MRI. Conclusion: Ga-PSMA PET scan has high NPV and accuracy in predicting presence of cancer and can also be used to direct specific biopsy cores during systematic biopsy.

MRI - ultrasound fusion guided biopsy of the prostate: lesion volume as a predictor of cancer in patients with repeat biopsies Scott Alan Blaine, Haidar M Abdul-Muhsin, Nicholas J Jakob, Paul E Andrews, Robert G Ferrigni, Stephen S Cha, Ashkahn Golshani, Alvin C Silva, Akira Kawashima, Mitchell R Humphreys Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):208-212 Introduction: The objective was to analyze the diagnostic value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prostate lesion volume (PLV) and its correlation with the subsequent MRI–ultrasound (MRI-US) fusion biopsy results. Materials and Methods: Between March 2014 and July 2016, 150 men underwent MRI-US fusion biopsies at our institution. All suspicious prostate lesions were graded according to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) and their volumes were measured. These lesions were subsequently biopsied. All data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. The PLV of all suspicious lesions was correlated with the presence of cancer on the final MRI-US fusion biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. Results: There were 206 suspicious lesions identified in 150 men. The overall cancer detection rate was 102/206 (49.5%). The mean PLV for benign lesions was 0.63 ± 0.94 cm3 versus 1.44 ± 1.76 cm3 for cancerous lesions (P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference between the PLV of PIRADS 5 lesions when compared to PIRADS 4, 3, and 2 lesions (P < 0.0001, < 0.0001, and 0.006, respectively). The area under the curve for volume in predicting prostate cancer (PCa) was 0.66. The optimal volume for predicting PCa was 0.26 cm3 with a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 80.7%, 42.7%, 41.2%, and 74.6%, respectively. Conclusion: PLV may serve as a useful measure to triage patients prior to MRI-US fusion biopsy and help better understand the limits of this technology for individual patients.

Clinicopathological features and outcomes of adrenocortical carcinoma: A single institution experience Lekha Madhavan Nair, KM Jagathnath Krishna, Aswin Kumar, Susan Mathews, John Joseph, Francis Vadakkumparambil James Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):213-217 Introduction: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with aggressive behavior. Most of our knowledge about this rare tumor is based on retrospective case series. This study aimed at analyzing the clinicopathological features and outcomes of patients treated at a tertiary cancer center in India. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with ACC registered from January 2006 to December 2015. Results: Thirty-seven patients were included in the study, 20 males and 17 females. Median age was 49 (18–78) years. Hormonal overproduction was noticed in 27% of patients. Median tumor size was 10 cm (2–22). Seventeen patients had metastatic disease and 20 patients were localised at diagnosis. Median follow-up was 22 months and median overall survival (OS) was 23.46 months. OS at 2 years and 5 years was 46.1% and 21%, respectively. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 20 months. DFS at 2 years and 5 years was 45% and 24%, respectively. Age, sex, tumor size, hormonal overproduction, tumor laterality, and stage of the disease did not influence survival. However, advanced stage was associated with higher risk for recurrence. (P = 0.03). Conclusion: ACC is a rare endocrine malignancy with very poor survival rates. Rate of recurrence is high even after complete surgery. Systemic treatment options are limited. Newer agents are needed to improve outcome.

Native ureteroureterostomy in renal allograft recipient surgery: A single-center 5-year experience Vipin Tyagi, Saurabh Jain, Mahendra Singh, Mrinal Pahwa, Sudhir Chadha, Shahnawaz Rasool Indian Journal of Urology 2019 35(3):218-221 Introduction: In renal transplant, surgeons use a myriad of ureteral anastomotic techniques. Although ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) using Lich-Gregoir extravesical anastomosis is used most commonly, ureteroureterostomy with native ureter has its own importance in certain situations. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients who underwent renal transplantation at our center from March 2011 to February 2016. Records of patients who underwent ureteroureterostomy with the native ureter were reviewed for the indications and complications of the procedure. Results: Of 1050 renal transplants during the study period, 32 patients underwent native ureteroureterostomy. Among these 32 patients, 20 patients were planned preoperatively for native ureteroureterostomy (elective), and intraoperative decision was made in 12 patients (emergency). On follow-up, only one patient had ureteral obstruction due to kink just distal to ureteroureterostomy and was managed by double-J stenting. Other patients had an expected postoperative course. Conclusion: In our experience, ureteroureterostomy with native ureter is technically and functionally good option for ureteric reimplantation in kidney transplant patients. It can be used selectively for elective and emergency situations where UNC is not possible. Hence, the kidney transplant surgeon should be well versed with both techniques.