Wireless Capsule Cystoscopy: How Near? How Far?

It is a fact that performing endoscopy using conventional methods requires substantial time and development of alternative diagnostic modalities. Replacement of rigid endoscopes with flexible and digital devices in time, faster performance of the procedures and reduced time for them to turn back to work brought about the expectancy. It was possible that easier and more reliable methods could exist. Idea of capsule endoscopy was born following examination of the gastrointestinal tract with an endoscope with shape of a capsule. Although idea of capsule endoscopy was suggested long years ago, it fell behind the advances in conventional step of the endoscopy, especially developmental speed of the flexible devices. Furthermore, three-dimensional (3D) organ views can be processed digitally by means of sophisticated software in the fields of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Thus, virtual cystoscopy of high resolution and specificity is possible by means of both methods. Wireless capsule endoscopy is still in the experimental stage. “Steerable independent intracorporeal endoscope” with feature of consecutive instillation in addition to its diagnostic utility is not a dream.

Efficacy and Safety of COX-2 Inhibitor Parecoxib for Rigid Cystoscopyrelated Pain Management in Male Patients:A Prospective,Randomized and Controlled Study

Using anesthetic gel may not sufficiently exclude pain perception during and after cystoscopy in male patients.To evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of intramuscular parecoxib(40 mg)for outpatient-based rigid cystoscopy,we performed a prospective,randomized and controlled study.Consecutive male patients requiring diagnostic cystoscopy in our hospital were divided into group A(1%tetracaine gel,n=50)and group B(parecoxib,n^5l)at random.Patients received intramuscular injections of either 2 mL sterile saline in group A or 40 mg parecoxib in group B 30 min before the procedure.Tetracaine gel was injected into the urethra 3 min before the procedure in group A,with patients receiving plain lubricant gel in group B at the same time.Cystoscopy-associated pain levels were evaluated using the Visual Analog Score(VAS)during the procedure.Post-procedure urethral pain and complications were recorded and analyzed.The results showed that male patients experienced significantly less pain in group B than in group A(2.70±1.36 V5.3.56±1.74,P=0.008).The percentage of patients with dysuria pain was not significantly different between the two groups.In addition,24 h after cystoscopy,the patients with no previous experience of cystoscopy were more likely to declare urethral pain(59.2%vs.33.3%,P=0.012,relative risk=1.78).No difference was observed in analgesic-related complications between the two groups.We conclude that intramuscular injection of 40 mg parecoxib may improve comfort for male patients undergoing rigid cystoscopy.

Modern advances in reducing anxiety and pain associated with cystoscopy:Systematic review

AIM:To investigate if music reduces anxiety and pain in the Veterans Affairs population undergoing flexible cystoscopy. METHODS:This study was reviewed and approved by the University of California,San Diego Human Research Protections Program Institutional Review Board. Patients were prospectively randomized to undergo flexible cystoscopy with or without music. Thirty-eight patients were randomized into either the No Music group(n = 24) or the Music group(n = 14). We used the state-trait anxiety inventory and the visual analog pain scale,respectively. Statistics were generated and compared using an independent t-test and chi-squared tests. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Outpatient cystoscopy is a safe and useful procedure employed frequently in Urology for diagnosis and evaluation of genitourinary pathologies. However,cystoscopy-related distress cannot be ignored. Three components of outpatient cystoscopy have been evaluated to improve the cystoscopic experience:local anesthetic control,cystoscopic equipment redesign and environmental modification. We reviewed the literature pertaining to these modifications. RESULTS:The mean age was 65.3 and 67.1 years for men in the No Music and Music groups,respectively.Although,the majority of patients in each group selfidentified as Caucasians(66%),African American,Hispanic and other ethnicities represented 13%,8% and 13% respectively. The majority of patients(68%) reported experiencing hematuria. Thirty-four percent had a history of bladder cancer,and eighteen percent had a history of prostate cancer. Ten patients(26%) admitted to taking antidepressants. Physiologic parameters that correlated to pain and anxiety(systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and heart rate) were statistically similar in both groups prior to and after flexible cystoscopy. The median delta anxiety between the No Music and Music groups were not significantly different(0.78 vs-1.46),and the pain scores between the No Music and Music groups(1.5 vs 1.6) were not statistically different(P = 0.28 and P = 0.92,respectively).CONCLUSION:Preliminary results demonstrate that music does not reduce anxiety or pain associated with flexible cystoscopy.

Autonomic Dysreflexia Severity between Urodynamics and Cystoscopy in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury above T6

Objective: The objective is to evaluate autonomic dysreflexia (AD) severity between urodynamics and cystoscopy in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) above thoracic 6 (T6). Design: It is a cross-sectional survey. Subject and methods: The study was carried out in 22 patients with SCI above T6 who underwent both procedures of urodynamics and cystoscopy;all patients developed episodes of AD. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured and recorded at the beginning and during the various stages of the two examinations. AD was defined as a rise in SBP above 20 mm Hg. Results: There was no significant difference in SBP and DBP at baseline before urodynamics and cystoscopy. Both urodynamics and cystoscopy triggered episodes of AD. The volume of water instilled during cystoscopy was typically standard and smaller (150 mL) in comparison with urodynamics, where volume varied depending on cystometric bladder capacity (the mean bladder volume in our study was 234.86 ± 139.06 mL). The SBP was significantly different between cystoscopy and urodynamics (49.23 ± 23.07 mm Hg and 35.14 ± 15.75 mm Hg, respectively;P = 0.023). Conclusions: Although bladder distension during cystoscopy was less than that in urodynamics, the severity of AD was more pronounced during cystoscopy. It is recommended that monitoring of cardiovascular parameters during these procedures should be routinely performed.

The Additional Value of Cystoscopy with Urodynamic Study in the Assessment of Patients with Urinary Incontinence

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is generally defined as the involuntary loss of urine from the bladder through the urethral meatus. Filling cystometry is the method by which the pressure/ volume relationship of the bladder is measured during bladder filling. Purpose: To determine the value of diagnostic cystoscopy in addition to Urodynamic study (UDS) in patients with primary urinary incontinence. Material and Methods: 200 patients with primary incontinence studied prospectively from January 2013 to June 2014. Their age ranges from (14 - 93 years), 86.5% were female, and 13.5% of them were male. In addition to physical, neurological examination and bio-chemical investigations, urine analysis and urine culture with Ultra-sound and Post void residual volume (PVRV), all patients underwent diagnosticflexible cystoscopy under local anesthesia, and urodynamic study. Result: 43.5% of patients age were between (34 - 53 years), (39%) between (54 - 73 years), (9%) between (14 - 33 years) and (8.5%) were between (74 - 93 years). Atonic bladder on UDS were (40.5%), Detrusor over activity (29%), patients with normal UDS were (22%) and patients that had DSD (Detrusor Sphincter Dyssynergia) were (8.5%). Eighty-four cases (42%) were found to have normal cystoscopy, those with grade-I-II bladder wall trabeculations were (49%) and patients with grade-III were (8.5%). Sixty-one patients (30.5%) with normal diagnostic cystoscopy have abnormal UDS (Atonic bladder, over-active bladder and DSD) while twenty-one (10.5%) patients with normal UDS had bladder wall trabeculations (grade-I-III) on diagnostic cystoscopy. Conclusion: Diagnostic cystoscopy in addition to urodynamic study will put in further knowledge in the assessment of patients with urinary incontinence. To some extent, it can predict the diagnosis.

The optimal stent pusher position to achieve successful ureteral stent insertion under fluoroscopic guidance

Objective: To examine factors to predict the optimal stent pusher position when inserting ureteral stents under fluoroscopy.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 327 patients who underwent ureteral stent insertion. We considered the pubic bone as a useful anatomical landmark to insert ureteral stents under fluoroscopic guidance. Thus, we categorized patients into three groups (proximal, middle, and distal groups) according to the position of the radiopaque tip of the push catheter when inserting the ureteral stent. Success was defined as a completely curled ureteral stent tail. We compared stent insertion success rates among the three groups. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting stent insertion success.Results: In men, 36 (63.2%) cases were deemed successful in the proximal group compared with 40 (80.0%) cases in the middle group and 12 (20.7%) cases in the distal group (p<0.001). In women, 26 (45.6%) cases were deemed successful in the proximal group compared with 54 (98.2%) cases in the middle group and 38 (76.0%) cases in the distal group (p<0.001). With the multivariate analysis, the stent pusher position was the most significant factor influencing successful stent insertion (men: odds ratio 6.00, 95% confidence interval 2.66-13.51, p<0.001;women: odds ratio 37.80, 95% confidence interval 4.94-289.22, p<0.001).Conclusion: The position of the stent pusher affects stent insertion success. The middle of the pubic symphysis is the optimal position for the radiopaque tip of the pusher when inserting ureteral stents under fluoroscopic guidance.

The use of blue-light cystoscopy in the detection and surveillance of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer

Nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer is associated with a high risk of recurrence as well as progression to muscle-invasive disease.Therefore,adequate visualization and identification of malignant lesions as well as complete resection are critical.Traditional white-light cystoscopy is limited in its ability to detect bladder cancer,specifically carcinoma in situ.Blue-light cystoscopy makes use of the intravesical instillation of a heme precursor to differentiate areas of malignancy from normal tissue.A narrative review of the literature on the use of blue-light cystoscopy in bladder cancer was conducted.Blue-light cystoscopy has been shown in several randomized clinical trials to increase detection of Ta,T1,and carcinoma in situ,as well as reduce risk of recurrence at 12 months as compared with traditional white-light cystoscopy.Research into the effects of blue-light cystoscopy on risk of disease progression has produced mixed results,in part due to changing definitions of progression.However,more recent research suggests a correlation with decreased risk of progression.Whereas the use of blue-light was initially limited to rigid cystoscopy in the operating room,results from a recent randomized clinical trial showing enhanced detection of recurrent disease using blue-light in-office surveillance flexible cystoscopy have led to expanded Food and Drug Administration approval.Overall,blue-light cystoscopy offers promise as an enhancement to white-light cystoscopy for the detection of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer and may yield additional benefits in reducing disease recurrence and progression.Further prospective research is needed to evaluate the true benefit of blue-light cystoscopy in terms of disease progression as well as the cost-effectiveness of this technique.

Effectiveness of the UroMentor virtual reality simulator in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy

Background Virtual reality （VR） has been recognized as a useful modality in the training of surgical skills. With respect to basic endoscopic skill training of urology, we sought to investigate the effectiveness of the UroMentorTM virtual reality simulator （VRS） in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy. Methods Urologists familiar with rigid cystoscopy procedures were selected to take part in a virtual training course of flexible cystoscopy. Changes in total operating time, frequency of injury, number of digital markers inside the bladder, and the global rating scale （GRS） scores were assessed following eight repeated training sessions on the UroMentorTM. Results Eighteen urologists voluntarily took part in the study. Total operating time was significantly lower after eight sessions of training by comparison （（111±10） seconds and （511±67） seconds, respectively; P〈0.001）. Additionally, the frequency of injury decreased with training from （12±2） times to （5±1） times （P〈0.001）, while the number of digital markers observed increased from 9±0 to 10±1 （P=0.005）. Finally, training with the UroMentor^TM resulted in a GRS increase from （1.3±0.2） points to （3.9±0.2） points （P〈0.001）. Conclusion the VRS UroMentorTM can improve urologists＇ ability to perform flexible cystoscopy and could be used as an effective trainina tool for trainees.

The natural course of bacillus Calmette-Guerin induced bladder lesions:A long-term follow-up study and systematic review

Objective:Bacillus Calmette-Gue´rin(BCG)instillation is the standard adjuvant treatment for intermediate-and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer after transurethral resection.Nevertheless,its toxicity often causes bladder complications.On follow-up cystoscopy,post-BCG bladder lesions can be pathologically benign,urothelial carcinoma recurrence,or other types of bladder malignancy.Only a small number of case reports have been published on post-BCG bladder lesions.Their clinical features,natural course,and management remain unknown.Methods:We retrospectively studied cystoscopic videos and medical records of BCG-treated bladder cancer patients at our center.During a long-term follow-up,we took biopsies on tumor-like lesions and described their changes.In addition,we summarized previous studies on post-BCG bladder lesions by systematic literature searching and review.Results:We described a series of three cases with post-BCG bladder lesions mimicking tumor recurrence from a total of 38 cases with follow-up data for more than 5 years.Those lesions could last,grow,or disappear spontaneously,and remain pathological benign for years.In systematic review,we identified and analyzed a total of 15 cases with post-BCG bladder lesions with detailed clinical information.Eleven of the 15 were benign and have a good prognosis with nephrogenic adenoma being the most common pathological type.Conclusion:Based on previous studies and our experience,benign lesions after BCG instillation cannot distinguish with cancer recurrence by cystoscopy alone,even under narrow band imaging mode.Nonetheless,given most of them have a good prognosis,random biopsy or transurethral resection might be spared in the patients with long-term negative biopsy and urine cytology.

Intra Uterine Device (IUD) Migration into the Bladder. Diagnosis Issues and Management

Background: Intra uterine device (IUD) is commonly used as contraceptive procedure. A mislocation is possible and may reduce quality of life. Aim: This paper aims to present a rare case report and emphasize on the difficulty of diagnosis. Case Presentation: A 40-year-old woman had a history of IUD implantation after her last delivery. Six years later, she visited a doctor for a pelvic pain going on for a long period. The diagnosis of mislocated intra uterine device (IUD) was made using imaging techniques. Conclusion: A pelvic pain in a woman, going on for a long period, should evoke a migrated IUD. Thorough exploration and management are required.

New horizons in the endoscopic ultrasonography-based diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions

Pancreatic cystic lesions(PCLs) are increasingly being identified because of the widespread use of highresolution abdominal imaging. These cysts encompass a spectrum from malignant disease to benign lesions, and therefore, accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the best management strategy, either surgical resection or surveillance. However, the current standard of diagnosis is not accurate enough due to limitations of imaging and tissue sampling techniques, which entail the risk of unnecessary burdensome surgery for benign lesions or missed opportunities of prophylactic surgery for potentially malignant PCLs. In the last decade, endoscopic innovations based on endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) imaging have emerged, aiming to overcome the present limitations. These new EUS-based technologies are contrast harmonic EUS, needle-based confocal endomicroscopy, through-the-needle cystoscopy and through-the needle intracystic biopsy. Here, we present a comprehensive and critical review of these emerging endoscopic tools for the diagnosis of PCLs, with a special emphasis on feasibility, safety and diagnostic performance.

Ectopic intrauterine device in the bladder causing cystolithiasis:A case report

BACKGROUND An intrauterine device(IUD)is a commonly used contraceptive among women in China.It is widely used because it is safe,effective,simple,economic,and reversible.Among the possible complications,an ectopic IUD in the bladder is rare.It occurs insidiously,has a long course,is associated with a high risk for injury,and is difficult to treat.CASE SUMMARY A 44-year-old woman was admitted for repeated episodes of urinary frequency,urgency,and dysuria over three months.Laboratory tests revealed significantly elevated urine leukocytes and bacteria.Urine culture suggested colonization with Enterococcus faecalis.Abdominal computed tomography images suggested an abnormally positioned IUD that was protruding into the bladder.Cystoscopy revealed a metallic foreign body with multiple stones on its surface in the left posterior bladder wall.The foreign body measured approximately 1 cm.Hysteroscopy revealed the arm of a V-type metal IUD embedded in the middle and upper sections of the anterior wall of the cervical canal.The majority of the IUD was located in the uterine cavity.Cystoscopy was performed,and a holmium laser was utilized to break the stones attached to the portion of the IUD in the bladder.The IUD was then removed through hysteroscopy.CONCLUSION Ectopic IUDs in the bladder can be diagnosed with thorough imaging and safely removed through cystoscopy or hysteroscopy.

Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections among Males with Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hos-pital, Kumasi, Ghana

Purpose: We describe the commonest pathology responsible for lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) and associated symptoms such as UTI, etc. among males at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi. Materials and Methods: Between January and December 2009, prospective cross sectional hospital based study was conducted involving 103 subjects. Patients with symptoms of LUTO and who were on short admission (up to 48 hours) at the accident and emergency unit of KATH were identified as potential study subjects. All the patients presented with acute retention of urine at the emergency unit of KATH and urethral catheterization was attempted to relieve them of the retention under sterile conditions. Those patients whose initial catheterization failed went through suprapubic cystostomy (suprapubic catheterization). Urine specimens for culture and sensitivity tests were then collected into sterile urine containers immediately after the catheterization (irrespective of type). Ultrasound Scan was requested for all the patients to assist in diagnosing enlargement of the prostate and other associated urological pathologies. Retrograde urethrogram was however, requested for those patients with suprapubic catheterization and which helped in the diagnosis of the urethral stricture. For a particular child, urethral catheter was passed under sterile condition and Micturicting Cysto-Urethrogram (MCUG) was done to assist in diagnosing posterior urethral valve and other conditions. Those subjects whose urinalysis revealed pyuria and positive urine culture and who had voluntarily agreed to enter the study were enrolled. Subjects whose urine culture had multiple bacteria growth that was deemed to be contaminants were excluded from the study. Results: The mean age for males with LUTO was 62 years. The youngest male with LUTO was aged 2 years whilst the maximum age was 93 years. LUTO due to prostatic hyperplasia was found in 79 (76.7%) men;23 (22.3%) had LUTO due to urethral stricture and 1 (1.0%) (youngest male). The mean age of patients that had LUTO due to urethral stricture was approximately 39 years. The youngest patient with LUTO due to urethral stricture aged 22 years whilst the maximum age was 72 years. Microbiological results indicated that Escherichia coli caused 53 (51.5%) of urinary tract infection (UTI) due to LUTO;Klebsiella = 23 (22.3%);Staphylococcus aureus = 14 (14.6%);Pseudomonas spp. = 8 (7.8%) Proteus = 2 (2.0%);Citrobacter = 1 (1.0%) and Salmonella spp. =1 (1.0%). Conclusion: The most common cause of lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) in Kumasi, Ghana is prostatic hyperplasia and the commonest causative organism of the associated UTI symptom is Escherichia coli.

Searching for the Lost Ostium: A Morphometric Analysis of the Ureteral Ostia Distribution in Normal and Thickened Bladders and Its Applications in Endourology

Introduction: The ureteral ostia may not be easily identified in urological endoscopic procedures, leading to an incomplete diagnosis of urinary tract diseases or a predisposition to iatrogenic lesions. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the anatomical distribution of ureteralostia in normal bladders and those with thickened walls. Materials and Methods: We dissected 30 vesical-prostate blocks from human cadavers and identified the ostia of the bladder trigone. A computerized morphometric analysis was performed to measure the thickness of the detrusor muscle, the distances between the ureteral ostia themselves and the distances between each ureteral ostium (left—LUO and right—RUO) and the internal urethral ostium (IUO). The angle formed between the IUO and LUO/RUO was also recorded as well as the volume of the prostates. Results: Fifteen bladders with a non-thickened detrusor (6 mm) were identified. The average prostatic volume of the dissected blocks was 23.7 cm3. The distance between ureteral ostia, the distance from IUO to LUO, the distance from IUO to RUO and the angle formed between IUO and LUO/RUO in normal and thickened bladder were, respectively, 1.9 cm/2.2 cm (p = 0.09), 1.6 cm/1.6 cm (p = 0.82), 1.6 cm/1.7 cm (p = 0.79) and 77/91 (p = 0.17). Conclusions: Our study shows that there is no significant difference in the position of bladder ostia in healthy and thickened bladders. We believe that our findings may facilitate locating the ureteral orifices in situations where endoscopic identification is difficult.

Cystitis Glandularis: A Rare Benign Condition Presenting as Bladder Tumor

Cystitis glandularis or glandular metaplasia of the urinary bladder, is a benignreactive metaplasia of the urothelium, which occurs in the context of chronic irritation, in less than 2% of the general population. It is a condition in most casesasymptomatic, but also characterized by nonspecific symptoms and paraclinical findings, which is why this condition is underdiagnosed. Its evolution is mainly focused on the risk of malignant degeneration. This condition affects men much more commonly than women. Two forms of cystitis glandularis are recognized: typical and intestinal form. They differ in their histology, incidence, difficulty of diagnosis, and possible association with adenocarcinoma of the bladder. Diagnosis of certainty is histological by careful analysis of chips from bladder endoscopic resection. This rare pathology is managed by endoscopic bladder resection, with repeated cystoscopy as a monitoring tool. Extensive surgical is needed in severe or recurrent cases. We present here-in a case of a female patient having cystitis glandularis presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms. We review equally data reported in literature. To the best of our knowledge our case represents the fourth case of cystitis glandularis affecting a female patient reported in the English literature so far.

Bladder cancer exosomes: Getting the message across

Bladder cancer is the seventh most common cancer in men and the seventeenth most common in women. It is also the most expensive cancer to treat over the lifetimeof a patient, partially due to the necessity of frequent cystoscopy to monitor for tumor recurrence. There have also been no new developments for the treatment of bladder cancer in the last several decades. Exosomes are small, secreted, membrane-bound vesicles representative of the donor cell. Increasing understanding of the role of exosomes in cancer biology has inspired interest in their potential use as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, prognostic markers and/or indicator of recurrence of bladder cancer, and even for use in the treatment of bladder cancer. Exosomes can be readily isolated from urine. Several groups have already demonstrated differences in the protein and micro RNA content of exosomes in bladder cancer patients compared to normal healthy volunteers. Furthermore, cancer cellderived exosomes mediate tumor progression through the delivery of their biologically active content to recipient cells. Exosomes may be useful for the delivery of targeted molecules for the treatment of bladder cancer.

MRI of the Bladder in Patients Suspected of Bladder Tumors

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the use of MRI for the detecting of bladder tumors and the T- stage using T2W, T1W and diffusion-weighted images (DWI). Material and methods: Twenty-eight consecutive patients (21 men, 7 women;age range, 20 - 82 years;mean age, 62.8 years) suspected of bladder tumors underwent MRI, flexible cystoscopy and transurethral resection (TURB). The presence of bladder tumor was confirmed by histopathology in 21 patients;18 patients had pTa, one pT1 and two pT2. The images were reviewed by two uroradiologists. They assigned the presence of a bladder tumor and whether the tumor was non-muscle invasive (Ta and T1) or muscle- invasive (T2, T3 or T4). Results: Compared to the histopathological results, the accuracy for identifying a bladder tumor was 60.7% and 53.7% for reviewer A and B, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 66.7%/61.9% and 57.1%/42.9%. Positive predictive values were 82.6%/ 76.5%. The overall staging was correct in 47.6%/52.5%, but improved on stage-by-stage up to 50%/66.7%. The agreement between the reviewers was moderate in the detecting, staging and location of the tumor (Kappa = 0.47 - 0.57). Conclusion: A simple MRI using no contrast media, but DWI, cannot replace flexible cystoscopy in the detection of new or recurrent bladder tumors.

A retrospective analysis of the factors associated with increased risk of readmission within 30 days after primary transurethral resection of bladder tumor

Background:Transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT)is associated with perioperative morbidity of 5%to 10%,which can lead to unplanned readmissions.In this study,we aimed to identify the factors that lead to an increased risk of unplanned readmissions within 30 days of primary TURBT.Materials and methods:A retrospective study was conducted to identify patients who underwent primary TURBT at our institute from 2011 to 2019.Clinical and demographic factors,history of smoking,antiplatelet drugs intake,comorbidities,tumor size(<3 or>3 cm),multifocality,and histopathological type were abstracted.Patients who were readmitted were identified,and reasons for admission were recorded.Results:A total of 435 patients were identified.The median age of the patients was 66 years.From 378 male patients(86.9%),110(25.3%)and 37(8.5%)had a history of smoking and antiplatelet agents intake,respectively.In the cohort,166 patients(38.2%)were diabetic,239(54.9%)were hypertensive,72(16.6%)had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,and 78(7.9%)had hypothyroidism.A total of 206 patients(47.4%)had a tumor>3 cm;multifocality was seen in 140(32.2%)patients,whereas muscle invasive tumors were present in 161 patients(37%).A total of 22 patients(5.06%)had readmissions within 30 days,with hematuria being the most common etiology.On univariate and multivariate analyses,a history of smoking(p=0.006 and p=0.008,respectively)or antiplatelet agents intake(p<0.001 and p<0.001,respectively)was significantly associated with increased unplanned readmission.Conclusions:Our study revealed smoking and antiplatelet agents intake as factors leading to an increased risk of unplanned readmissions.

Which objective emergency department parameters leads to expedited intervention in patients with acute urinary tract calculi

Objectives:To retrospectively determine which objective measurements had an increased likelihood of requiring immediate surgical intervention in patients presenting to the emergency department(ED)with acute ureteral calculi.Materials and methods:Employing our institution's electronic medical record system,we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 4366 patients who presented to the ED with an acute ureteral calculus over an 8-year period.Data consisting of relevant demographic information,vital signs,laboratory parameters,and interventional history was obtained and analyzed.Results:This study consisted of 4366 patients presenting to the ED with acute ureteral calculi,of whom 312(7%)required a procedure prior to being discharged.Of these 312 patients,290(6.6%)underwent cystoscopy with ureteral stent placement and 22(0.5%)were sent to interventional radiology for percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement.Patients who tested positive for nitrites in their urine had a relative risk of 3.48 of receiving intervention when compared to the nitrite negative group.Conclusions:Through this retrospective cohort study,we were able to find what objective measurements were associated with an increased need for immediate surgical intervention in patients who presented to the ED with acute ureteral calculi.With this data,urologists can be better equipped to identify the patients that present in the emergency setting that will require urgent intervention.