Journal Reviews
Reliability of grading of VUR and other findings on VCUG
The gold standard for diagnosing VUR is still the voiding cycstogram (VCUG). These authors looked at the inter observer variability of grading of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) using a VCUG and highlight the implications for treatment and prognosis as a results....
Active surveillance for intermediate-risk prostate cancer
In this review, Klotz and Dall’Era summarise available data from the Toronto, UCSF, ERSPC, PASS and Royal Marsden active surveillance cohorts, looking specifically at outcomes of patients classed as intermediate risk. Cancer specific survival in men managed initially with active...
Abiraterone acetate in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer
With emerging results from the Stampede and Latitude studies, abiraterone has taken the forefront in the management of metastatic prostate cancer while researchers try to identify the ideal timing for administration. It is a potent inhibitor of CYP17 which results...
Transfer to tertiary paediatric hospitals for patients with testicular torsion
Although this articles comes from a tertiary centre in Columbus, USA, there are similarities with the current controversies in the UK. The authors carried out a five-year retrospective review looking at the surgical transfer of 125 patients (mean age 13.4,...
Morbidity and mortality after surgery for LUTS
The market for bladder outflow obstruction surgery is currently wide open with new technologies such as Urolift® emerging. One of the key selling points of new technologies is the comparative safety and efficacy compared to traditional techniques such as transurethral...
Performance of non-invasive tests in diagnosing BOO in men with LUTS
A large proportion of urology involves the treatment of bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) in men. Yet BOO in men is very difficult to accurately quantify with the only regular non-invasive test being uroflowmetry. Pressure flow urodynamics may be considered the...
Which is better – laparoscopic or open paediatric pyeloplasty?
In an attempt to answer the above question, Gatti et al. undertook a randomised controlled trial between 2005 and 2014. All children aged 1 to 18 years of age requiring surgery for pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction were enrolled. A total...
Is AS in SRM more convincing than in prostate cancer?
This article reviews active surveillance (AS) in the management of small renal masses (SRM), the role of renal tumour biopsy (RTB), patient selection, tumour growth kinetics, and outcomes. SRMs which are defined as masses ≤4 cm in diameter and enhance...
The role of acupuncture in managing overactive bladder
Overactive bladder (OAB) affects 17% of American men and women and represents a burden in terms of both quality of life and finances. Alternative therapies may be sought for this condition as there is a high drop-out rate with regards...
Does maternal exposure during pregnancy to higher ambient temperature increase the risk of hypospadias?
The search for the causes of hypospadias continues at a pace. These authors from Turkey extrapolated other findings about the higher incidence of congenital anomalies in babies during summer months’ gestation to studying the risks of high ambient temperature during...
Nomograms – is it hide and seek?
Everyday new decision-making aids are being developed due to various advances in software technology. This article from the UK makes very interesting reading. The word ‘nomogram’ is derived from the Greek word translated as ‘law line’ or ‘alignment chart’. The...
Radium-223 treatment outcomes after multiple lines of mCRPC therapy in clinical practice: implication of pre-treatment spinal epidural disease
There are a number of treatments now available to patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, the optimal timing and order in which they are given is less clear. Radium-223 was FDA-approved for mCRPC patients with symptomatic bone metastases...
