Ahmed Fouad Kotb

Safety of no bowel preparation before ileal urinary diversion

Study Type – Harm (case series)

Prognostic Factors for the Development of Biochemical Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in Western countries and is associated with a considerable risk of mortality. Biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy is a relatively common finding, affecting approximately 25% of cases. The aim of our paper was to identify factors that can predict the occurrence of biochemical recurrence, so the patient can be properly counselled pre- and postoperatively. Medline review of the literatures was done followed by a group discussion on the chosen publications and their valuable influence. Preoperative serum total PSA and clinical stage, together with prostatectomy Gleason grade, tumour volume, and perineural and vascular invasions, were the most important variables found to influence outcome.

Percutaneous silicon catheter insertion into the IVC, following percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) exchange

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) has been widely used to drain an infected, obstructed kidney. Few major complications have been associated with it. Few publications have reported the misplacement of nephrostomy tube into the inferior vena cava (IVC), following percutaneous nephrolithotomy. We report a case of a misplaced silicon catheter, through the left renal vein, extending into the IVC, following nephrostomy tube exchange. Our case was safely managed, and we concluded that although PCN and nephrostomy tube exchange are relatively simple procedures, they should be done cautiously, by a well-trained urologist, and preferably under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance.

Optimizing prophylactic antibiotic regimen in patients admitted for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies: A prospective randomized study

Background Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies (TRUSBx), in spite of being one of the most frequently performed urological office procedures, are associated with a spectrum of complications, most significantly including infection. The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria in rectal swabs from our local population prior to TRUSBx and to identify risk factors among a patient population harboring fluoroquinolone-resistant organisms. Methods We prospectively included 541 men who were submitted for TRUSBx in our center from March 2011 to June 2015. The indications for TRUSBx were an elevated prostate-specific antigen level and/or abnormal digital rectal exam. All patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 279 cases) who received standard empirical prophylactic antibiotics and Group 2 who received targeted prophylaxis based on a rectal swab culture and susceptibility result. Differences in risk factors between quinolone-resistant and nonresistant patients were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent potential risk factors associated with fluoroquinolone-resistant rectal flora. Results Sixteen out of 271 men developed infectious complications after TRUSBx in the group receiving standard empirical prophylaxis (5.7%). No men in the group who received targeted prophylactic antibiotic guided by rectal swab developed infectious complications. Among the 262 patients who underwent prebiopsy rectal swab cultures, 76 men (29%) displayed fluoroquinolone-resistant rectal flora (29%). In the multivariate analysis, a history of antibiotic exposure before prostate biopsy was the only independent factor associated with an increased risk of fluoroquinolone resistance. Conclusion Determining the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in rectal flora has important implications in the selection of targeted prophylactic antibiotic regimens. Antimicrobial profiles guided by rectal swabs may prove useful to optimize prophylaxis prior to TRUSBx; this strategy is effective at reducing the rates of infectious complications, including sepsis, especially in men at higher risk of infectious complications.

Fosfomycin antimicrobial prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate: A prospective randomised study.

Abstract Objectives: To compare the incidence of infectious complications after single-dose fosfomycin vs. standard fluoroquinolone (FQ)-based prophylaxis in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate (TRUSBx), as there is an alarming trend worldwide of increasing resistance to FQs limiting their suitability as appropriate prophylaxis for TRUSBx. Patients and methods: A prospective study was conducted in 412 consecutive patients undergoing TRUSBx between February 2012 and June 2015. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Group 1 (202 patients) who received single-dose fosfomycin (3 g, orally) 1–2 h before TRUSBx and Group 2 (210 patients) who received routine empirical prophylaxis in the form of oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg and metronidazole 500 mg at least 1 h before TRUSBx and continued this twice daily for 3 days before TRUSBx. We recorded all febrile and afebrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) within the 4 weeks after the procedure. Results: There was no difference in baseline demographics between the two groups. Total infectious complications occurred in four (1.9%) and 18 (8.5%) patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, which was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Escherichia coli was the most common isolated pathogen from urine cultures in all patients with infectious complications (68%). The other isolated bacterium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, was detected in four patients (18%). Urine cultures revealed FQ-resistant strains (73%), all of which were extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Conclusions: Single-dose fosfomycin before TRUSBx significantly reduces infectious complications when compared with standard therapy. Fosfomycin is an effective agent for antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing TRUSBx, particularly in populations where FQ resistance is common.

Correlation between the Presentation of Renal Cell Carcinoma and its Prognosis

Introduction: The increased use of modern imaging modalities has led to a significant increase in the discovery of incidental renal tumours.Many reports have reported local symptoms due to renal cell carcinoma to be of prognostic impact. The aim of our review is to discuss important publications correlating patients’ presentations with the clinical and survival outcomes. Methods: Medline review by two independent researchers, using keywords (incidental, flank pain, mass, hematuria) in combination with renal cell carcinoma was accomplished. Results: Few publications including an accepted number of papers was agreed upon to be included in our review. Conclusion: Patients with renal cell carcinoma presenting with symptoms in the form of pain, mass or hematuria have worse clinical and pathological outcomes than patients diagnosed incidentally.

Unusual presentations of prostate cancer: A review and case reports.

Abstract Objective: To report our institutional experience with some rare presentations of prostate cancer, as prostate cancer is a common problem and affects a large group of men during their lifetime, but a few studies report unusual presentations of metastatic prostate cancer. Methods: All possible clinical and pathological data were collected for six relevant patients with prostate cancer and unusual metastases who were identified at our institution. PubMed was searched for unusual presentations of prostate cancer in the last 20 years (1982–2012) and all relevant publications were assessed. The authors discussed the reports and selected those articles of major clinical significance to include in a review. Results: We identified 19 reports of major clinical significance and reviewed them. As in the cases from our institution, supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, isolated upper ureteric obstruction and severe obstructing constipation were some of the rare presentations encountered at other institutions, and reported mostly as sporadic case-reports. Conclusion: Prostate cancer should be always considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly men presenting with supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, hydroureteronephrosis or constipation, even in the presence of a normal digital rectal examination and low serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. PSA immunohistochemical staining should be used in doubtful cases.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: the role of an antifungal regimen.

Introduction The role of fungal infection as a causative factor for prostatitis is currently underestimated. The aim of our work was to evaluate the response to an antifungal regimen in the setting of patients presenting with symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome that have been refractory to treatment with antibiotics and alpha–blockers. Material and methods We included 1,000 consecutive patients. The inclusion criteria included failure of response to four consecutive weeks of antibiotic and alpha–blockers. The antifungal regimen was continued for two weeks. It included a low carbohydrate diet, the alkalinization of urine, and administration of fluconazole. Results The mean age of the patients was 34 years. Mean serum total PSA and PSA density (PSAd) were 0.6 ng/ml and 0.03 ng/ml/gram, respectively. The mean age, PSA, prostate volume, and PSAd for patients that showed good response were 33, 0.5, 17, and 0.031, respectively. Values for patients that did not show good response were 36, 0.8, 23, and 0.037, respectively (p <0.0001 for all of the variables). Improvement was observed in 80% of cases treated with the antifungal regimen. Conclusions Antifungal regimen should be considered for the majority of young adult men, presenting with chronic prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome and incomplete response to antibiotics.

High Coexpression of Runt-related Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2) and p53 Independently Predicts Early Tumor Recurrence in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma Patients.

Conventional prognostic factors for bladder cancer are inadequate to predict tumor recurrence and/or progression successfully; thus, the identification of adjunctive novel prognostic biomarkers is of paramount importance. In this study, the immunohistochemical expression patterns and clinical significance of RUNX2, WWOX, and p53 were investigated in a tissue microarray of 87 primary urothelial carcinomas and 17 control cases. We found that RUNX2, WWOX, and p53 were significantly correlated and overexpressed in urothelial carcinoma cases compared with the control group. RUNX2 and p53 were significantly upregulated in association with high-grade, nonpapillary pattern, and bilharziasis. Muscle-invasive tumors significantly overexpressed RUNX2. WWOX overexpression was significantly associated with high-grade tumors and inversely correlated with age. In a bivariate analysis, the risk of early tumor recurrence and progression was significantly associated with RUNX2 and p53 overexpression and bilharziasis. A multivariate Cox regression analysis proved that RUNX2 and p53 were independent predictors of early tumor recurrence. The ROC curve analysis showed that combined RUNX2 and p53 high expression (scores >3 and >5, respectively) had the highest accuracy (73.6%) for the prediction of early tumor recurrence. We conclude that RUNX2 and p53 might be functionally related and are likely involved in bladder tumor carcinogenesis and aggressiveness, which provides a new perspective for targeted therapy. RUNX2 and p53 independently predict early tumor recurrence in bladder carcinoma patients, with the highest prediction accuracy being achieved on their combined high expression. The role of WWOX in bladder urothelial carcinoma and its relationship with RUNX2 and p53 remains unclear and warrants further investigation.

Open adrenalectomy for medium sized adrenocortical tumour: How I do it?

INTRODUCTION The aim of our work was to report our experience in managing cases with medium-sized adrenocortical carcinoma by the high retroperitoneal extra pleural approach. METHODS During the past 2 years, 10 patients with suspected adrenocortical carcinoma were managed by our technique: the high supra 10th rib, retroperitoneal extra pleural approach. We included cases with 5 to 10 cm adrenal masses, suspected as adrenocortical carcinoma. RESULTS The mean patient age was 38 years (range: 26-44), the median tumour volume was 7 cm (range: 5-8). Of the 10 patients, 7 were female. Of the patients, 6 had right- and 4 had left-sided tumours. Intraoperatively, all cases had proper surgical removal, with no apparent residual tumour tissue. No single patient required a chest tube or developed respiratory problems. There were no major vascular injuries during surgery. We did not compare our findings to the standard lateral or subcostal approaches, as in our institution we adopt this high lateral approach for medium-sized tumours, while managing larger tumours with transperitoneal subcostal approach and smaller tumours laparoscopically. CONCLUSION The high supra 10th lateral retroperitoneal, extra pleural approach is a safe, doable technique, allowing easy access to medium-sized suprarenal tumours and its vasculature, for cases suspected to be adrenocortical carcinoma.