Robert Sabbagh

Increasing Risk of Infectious Complications After Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Biopsies: Time to Reassess Antimicrobial Prophylaxis?

BACKGROUND An increasing risk of infectious complications following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy (PNB) has been observed recently in some centers. OBJECTIVE To delineate the risk factors associated with post-PNB bacteremia and/or urinary tract infection (UTI) and determine why this risk has risen over time. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A case-control study in a Canadian tertiary-care center. Cases were all patients who developed bacteremia and/or UTIs after PNB between 2002 and 2011; controls were randomly selected among patients who underwent a PNB without such complications. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Crude and adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS A total of 5798 PNBs were performed during the study period, following which there were 48 cases of urinary sepsis (42% with bacteremia). The incidence increased from 0.52 infections per 100 biopsies in 2002-2009 to 2.15 infections per 100 biopsies in 2010-2011 (p<0.001). Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen (75% of cases). Among 42 patients whose post-PNB infection was caused by aerobic or facultative Gram-negative rods, 22 patients (52%) were infected by pathogens resistant to ciprofloxacin. Independent risk factors for post-PNB infection were diabetes, hospitalization during the preceding month, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and performance of the biopsy in 2010-2011. In 2010-2011, the minimal inhibitory concentrations for ciprofloxacin increased compared with 2002-2009 (p<0.03). The major limitation of the study was its retrospective hospital-based nature, which hampered data collection on outpatient antibiotic prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS In the past 2 yr, ciprofloxacin resistance contributed to the increasing incidence of post-PNB infections in our center. Novel antibacterial prophylaxis approaches need to be evaluated.

Long‐term anatomical and functional results of laparoscopic promontofixation for pelvic organ prolapse

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

Expression and role of the angiotensin II AT2 receptor in human prostate tissue: In search of a new therapeutic option for prostate cancer

Evidence shows that angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockers may be associated with improved outcome in prostate cancer patients. It has been proposed that part of this effect could be due to angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) activation, the only active angiotensin II receptor in this situation. This study aimed to characterize the localization and expression of AT2R in prostate tissues and to assess its role on cell morphology and number in prostatic epithelial cells in primary culture.

Transfer of Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Skills From Bench Model to Animal Model: A Prospective, Single-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study

PURPOSE Learning laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis is a crucial step in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Previously we noted that practice on a low fidelity urethrovesical model was more effective for trainees than basic suturing drills on a foam pad when learning laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis skills. We evaluated learner transfer of skills, specifically whether skills learned on the urethrovesical model would transfer to a high fidelity, live animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 28 senior residents, fellows and staff surgeons in urology, general surgery and gynecology were randomized to 2 hours of laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis training on a urethrovesical model (group 1) or to basic laparoscopic suturing and knot tying on foam pads (group 2). All participants then performed timed laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis on anesthetized female pigs. A blinded urologist scored subject videotaped performance using checklist, global rating scale and end product rating scores. RESULTS Group 1 was significantly more adept than group 2 at the laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis pig task when measured by the checklist, global rating scale and end product rating (each p <0.05). Time to completion was similar in the 2 groups. No statistically significant difference was noted in global rating scale and checklist scores for laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis performed on the urethrovesical model vs the pig. CONCLUSIONS Training on a urethrovesical model is superior to training with basic laparoscopic suturing on a foam pad for performing laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis skills on an anesthetized female pig. Skills learned on a urethrovesical model transfer to a high fidelity, live animal model.

Chylous ascites as a complication of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LLDN) is a minimally invasive technique for kidney procurement and was developed with the hope of reducing the disincentives associated with live renal donation. Compared with open donor nephrectomy (ODN), this alternative has many advantages including less postoperative pain and earlier return to work. Unfortunately, these benefits are sometimes negated by postoperative complications. Among these, chylous ascites (CA) is a rare but serious problem that is usually managed conservatively. We report the case of a living donor who developed CA refractory to initial conservative management and surgical treatment. We also discuss the role of surgery in the treatment of CA following LLDN.

Renal cell carcinoma associated with peritumoral sarcoid-like reaction without intratumoral granuloma

Non-necrotizing epithelioid granulomas have been described in association with many primary tumors. In such cases, they are designated as sarcoid-like reaction. Although it is more seen in carcinomas than in sarcomas, it is very rarely reported in renal carcinoma. Here, we describe a rare association of prominent peritumoral sarcoid-like reaction without intratumoral granulomas and conventional clear cell renal carcinoma in a 62-year-old-male, without clinical or laboratory finding of sarcoidosis. At 30 months follow-up, he had no recurrence.Virtual SlidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/4054525336657922

Inhibition of DHCR24/Seladin-1 impairs cellular homeostasis in prostate cancer†‡§

Seladin‐1 belongs to a subgroup of androgen‐dependent genes associated with anti‐proliferative, pro‐differentiation, and pro‐apoptotic functions and plays a protective role against oncogenic stress. The present study aims to investigate the localization and expression of Seladin‐1 protein in normal and tumoral human prostatic tissues as well as to explore its role in proliferation and steroid secretion in androgen‐dependent (LnCaP) and androgen‐independent (DU145) cell lines and in human prostate primary cell culture.

Renal histopathology features according to various warm ischemia times in porcine laparoscopic and open surgery model

BACKGROUND Thirty minutes has been considered as the threshold for tolerable warm ischemic time (WIT). Recent reports demonstrate recovery of renal function after longer WIT. We assessed renal histology according to different WIT in a 2-kidney porcine model. METHODS Twelve female pigs were randomized to an open or laparoscopic group. Each pig was further randomized within each group to clamping the left renal artery for 5, 15, 30, 45, 60 or 180 minutes. Preclamping left renal biopsies were performed on each pig. The contralateral kidney in each animal was used as an individual control. On postoperative day 14, all animals underwent bilateral nephrectomies. Preclamping left renal biopsies and all renal specimens were evaluated by a blinded veterinary pathologist. RESULTS One pig died in the open group after 180 minutes of clamping. Histopathology did not show any significant changes between the two groups and across clamp times from 5 to 60 minutes. After 180 minutes of laparoscopic clamping, there was evidence of diffuse necrosis. INTERPRETATION Sixty minutes of ischemia did not show any permanent renal damage in both groups. Further studies are needed to verify these findings in humans. A prolonged ischemic time without permanent renal damage would be helpful in partial nephrectomy. Warm ischemic time of 180 minutes exceeded the renal ischemic burden based on histological features.

Relationship Between Blood- and Cerebrospinal Fluid–Bound Neurotransmitter Concentrations and Conditioned Pain Modulation in Pain-Free and Chronic Pain Subjects

UNLABELLED Descending pain inhibition is an endogenous pain control system thought to depend partially on the activation of bulbospinal monoaminergic pathways. Deficits in descending pain inhibition have been reported in numerous human chronic pain conditions, but there is currently no consensus regarding the neurochemical correlates responsible for this deficit. The aims of this study were to 1) assess the efficacy of descending pain inhibition in pain-free and chronic pain subjects, 2) screen for changes in centrally (ie, cerebrospinal fluid) and peripherally (ie, plasma) acting monoamine concentrations, and 3) explore the relationship between descending pain inhibition and monoamine neurotransmitter concentrations. Our results clearly show a deficit in pain inhibition, along with lower plasma norepinephrine and metanephrine concentrations in chronic pain subjects, compared to pain-free subjects. No differences were found in cerebrospinal fluid neurotransmitter concentrations. Finally, our results revealed a positive relationship between blood-bound norepinephrine and metanephrine concentrations and the efficacy of descending pain inhibition. Thus, basal monoamine levels in blood were related to descending pain inhibition. This finding supports the emerging idea that individual differences in descending pain inhibition may be linked to individual differences in peripheral processes, such as monoamines release in blood, which are possibly related to cardiovascular control. PERSPECTIVES This article presents psychophysical and neurochemical findings that indicate that the latent potential of descending pain inhibitory responses is associated with differential activity in peripheral processes governed by monoamine neurotransmitter release, bringing insights into the relationship between descending pain inhibition and cardiovascular control in humans.

Renal lymphangiectasia presenting with hypertension and polycythemia.

We report a very rare case of renal lymphangiectasia, an accumulation of lymph in the renal lymphatic system secondary to obstruction. Our patient presented to his family doctor for an annual check-up which resulted with high blood pressure and polycythemia. An ultrasound was performed and revealed a large right perirenal collection. A year later, a controlled abdominal computed tomography scan showed a progression and compression of perirenal collection on the right kidney, as well as apparition of a left perirenal collection. Percutaneous drainage of both collections was unsuccessful. Laparoscopy-guided marsupialisation was performed and successful. Blood pressure lowered to normal range without medication. The patients hemoglobin level decreased within normal range after 3 additional phlebotomies postoperatively.