European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-07-14DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.06.013
David-Dan Nguyen, Naeem Bhojani, Quoc-Dien Trinh
{"title":"Re: Alessandro Uleri, Jean Nicolas Cornu, Andrea Gobbo, et al. Association of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors with Depression and Suicide: A Mini Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Eur Urol Focus. In press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2024.04.009.","authors":"David-Dan Nguyen, Naeem Bhojani, Quoc-Dien Trinh","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.06.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.06.013","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"1066-1067"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141598964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2025-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.12.007
Ilaha Isali, Thomas R Wong, Shari Tian
{"title":"Best Practice Guidelines for Collecting Microbiome Samples in Research Studies.","authors":"Ilaha Isali, Thomas R Wong, Shari Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.12.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microbiome research has the potential to provide valuable information regarding the complex relationship between microbial communities and the human body. To help facilitate the translation of this potentially revolutionary research to clinical medicine, common guidelines and best practices are necessary. These guidelines should be based on the key findings of recent research in the field and address the primary areas of discrepancy in the previously published literature. Based on this review's findings, future microbiome research should adopt a consistent and clear approach to nomenclature, using standardized terminology to mitigate confusion. Additionally, only sample collection methods proven to reduce the risk of contamination should be utilized. While sample storage often creates difficulty in microbiome research, there are proven techniques that can improve results. With the wide array of research methodologies in the literature, standardization of metadata collection, kits, and analysis software could also be beneficial. Finally, documentation and records are critical in ensuring reproducibility, as is the case with all basic research. This brief review provides a foundation for evidence-based guidelines in microbiome research. PATIENT SUMMARY: This report outlines general guidelines and best practices for conducting microbiome research, which could significantly advance the field of medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"909-913"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142983218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2025-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.12.005
Ceejay N Saenz, Michael L Neugent, Nicole J De Nisco
{"title":"The Human Urinary Microbiome and Its Potential Role in Urinary Tract Infections.","authors":"Ceejay N Saenz, Michael L Neugent, Nicole J De Nisco","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>After identifying a urinary microbiota, new insights have emerged into how urinary tract infections (UTIs) develop and recur in women. This review explores factors influencing the urinary microbiome, and its role in UTI susceptibility and recurrence. Age, menopausal status, estrogen, and prior UTIs can impact the urinary microbiome significantly, with estrogen promoting predominance of beneficial Lactobacillus species in women. Study of the urinary microbiome has identified anaerobic bacteria as emerging uropathogens, as well as microbiome species that are markers of recurrent UTI susceptibility. UTIs also impact microbiome functions, including disrupting microbiome scaffolding sites (ie, glycosaminoglycans) and enriching antibiotic resistance genes. A clear link is becoming established between the natural flora of the human urinary tract and UTI susceptibility, which is also impacted by aging and the menopausal transition. Deepening this understanding can lead to the development of a new generation of UTI therapeutic and preventative strategies aimed at modulating the urinary microbiome. PATIENT SUMMARY: A clear link is becoming established between the natural flora of the human urinary tract and urinary tract infection (UTI) susceptibility, which is also impacted by aging and the menopausal transition. Deepening this understanding can lead to the development of a new generation of UTI therapeutic and preventative strategies aimed at modulating the urinary microbiome.</p>","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"889-892"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143002887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-12-10DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.11.010
Jose Agudelo, Sromona Mukherjee, Mangesh Suryavanshi, Bernardita Ljubetic, Marcelo Mass Lindenbaum, Aaron W Miller
{"title":"Mechanism of Nephrolithiasis: Does the Microbiome Play a Role?","authors":"Jose Agudelo, Sromona Mukherjee, Mangesh Suryavanshi, Bernardita Ljubetic, Marcelo Mass Lindenbaum, Aaron W Miller","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.11.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.11.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nephrolithiasis imposes a significant health care burden around the world. In the past decade, there has been considerable interest in the human microbiota in relation to the onset of nephrolithiasis. Most of the research has focused on degradation of oxalate, a known causative factor for nephrolithiasis, by bacteria in the gut. More recently, the role of antibiotic exposure and changes to short-chain fatty acids have been investigated. Studies have revealed that the urinary tract, previously thought to be sterile, harbors resident microbial communities closely associated with nephrolithiasis. In this mini-review, we evaluate potential causative roles of the microbiome in the onset of nephrolithiasis and the development of novel therapies to prevent this disease. PATIENT SUMMARY: This mini-review discusses scientific evidence on the influence of bacteria in our intestines and urinary tract on the formation of kidney stones. We discuss possible therapies targeting these bacteria that could prevent kidney stones from forming.</p>","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"902-905"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11842203/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142812402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-06-05DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.05.009
Bruno Bucca, Luca M Gobbi, Orietta Dalpiaz, Vincenzo Asero, Carlo M Scornajenghi, Federico Alviani, Leslie Claire Licari, Eugenio Bologna, Christian Gozzi
{"title":"Suprapubic Transvesical Adenoma Resection of the Prostate (STAR-P): A Novel Technique for Surgical Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.","authors":"Bruno Bucca, Luca M Gobbi, Orietta Dalpiaz, Vincenzo Asero, Carlo M Scornajenghi, Federico Alviani, Leslie Claire Licari, Eugenio Bologna, Christian Gozzi","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.05.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.05.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Several minimally invasive treatments have been developed to treat benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) via a transurethral approach, with a non-negligible risk of complications such as urethral stricture and external sphincter damage. Our aim was to present the Gozzi surgical technique for suprapubic transvesical adenoma resection of the prostate (STAR-P) for BPO and to assess its safety, feasibility, and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective analysis of 44 consecutive patients who underwent STAR-P for BPO. All the procedures were performed in a single private hospital by one surgeon from 2020 to 2022. An innovative resectoscope designed by the surgeon was subsequently produced by Tontarra Medizintechnik (Wurmlingen, Germany) with a 42.06 Fr external sheath that allows the use of loops of three different sizes. The instrument is inserted into the bladder via suprapubic access, which ensures greater freedom of movement without compromising the external sphincter. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Preoperative and intraoperative variables, postoperative complications, and functional outcomes of the STAR-P procedure were assessed. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed.</p><p><strong>Key findings and limitations: </strong>No intraoperative complications were observed. Two patients (4.5%) experienced urinary urgency symptoms after catheter removal that resolved within 90 d. Median times were 105 min for surgery overall and 65 min for resection. All patients showed an improvement in voiding quality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and clinical implications: </strong>STAR-P is a safe, feasible, and cost-effective procedure that spares the bulbomembranous and penile urethra and the external urethral sphincter, and should be discussed with patients as a possible option for treatment of BPO.</p><p><strong>Patient summary: </strong>We describe a new, safe, and feasible technique for surgical treatment of urinary obstruction caused by a large prostate. Keyhole surgery is performed through the lower abdomen, which means that the urethra below the prostate is not damaged. Only a small scar of 2-3 cm in the lower abdomen is evident at the end of the healing process.</p>","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"991-998"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141260239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-05-24DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.05.010
Vineet Gauhar, Olivier Traxer, Daniele Castellani, Christian Sietz, Ben Hall Chew, Khi Yung Fong, Saeed Bin Hamri, Mehmet Ilker Gökce, Nariman Gadzhiev, Andrea Benedetto Galosi, Steffi Kar Kei Yuen, Albert El Hajj, Raymond Ko, Marek Zawadzki, Vikram Sridharan, Mohamed Amine Lakmichi, Mariela Corrales, Vigen Malkhasyan, Deepak Ragoori, Boyke Soebhali, Karl Tan, Chu Ann Chai, Azimdjon N Tursunkulov, Yiloren Tanidir, Satyendra Persaud, Mohamed Elshazly, Wissam Kamal, Tzevat Tefik, Anil Shrestha, Heng Chin Tiong, Bhaskar Kumar Somani
{"title":"Could Use of a Flexible and Navigable Suction Ureteral Access Sheath Be a Potential Game-changer in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery? Outcomes at 30 Days from a Large, Prospective, Multicenter, Real-world Study by the European Association of Urology Urolithiasis Section.","authors":"Vineet Gauhar, Olivier Traxer, Daniele Castellani, Christian Sietz, Ben Hall Chew, Khi Yung Fong, Saeed Bin Hamri, Mehmet Ilker Gökce, Nariman Gadzhiev, Andrea Benedetto Galosi, Steffi Kar Kei Yuen, Albert El Hajj, Raymond Ko, Marek Zawadzki, Vikram Sridharan, Mohamed Amine Lakmichi, Mariela Corrales, Vigen Malkhasyan, Deepak Ragoori, Boyke Soebhali, Karl Tan, Chu Ann Chai, Azimdjon N Tursunkulov, Yiloren Tanidir, Satyendra Persaud, Mohamed Elshazly, Wissam Kamal, Tzevat Tefik, Anil Shrestha, Heng Chin Tiong, Bhaskar Kumar Somani","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.05.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.05.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to evaluate the stone-free status (SFS) rate and complications after flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) for treatment of renal stones using a flexible and navigable suction (FANS) ureteral access sheath.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data for adults undergoing fURS in 25 centers worldwide were prospectively collected (August 2023 to January 2024). Exclusion criteria were abnormal renal anatomy and ureteral stones. All patients had computed tomography scans before and within 30 d after fURS with a FANS ureteral access sheath. SFS was defined as follows: grade A, zero fragments; grade B, a single fragment ≤2 mm; grade C, a single fragment 2.1-4 mm; and grade D, single/multiple fragments >4 mm. Data for continuous variables are presented as the median and interquartile range (IQR). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate predictors of grade A SFS.</p><p><strong>Key findings and limitations: </strong>The study enrolled 394 patients (59.1% male) with a median age of 49 yr (IQR 36-61). The median stone volume was 1260 mm<sup>3</sup> (IQR 706-1800). Thulium fiber laser (TFL) was used in 45.9% of cases and holmium laser in the rest. The median lasing time was 18 min (IQR 11-28) and the median operative time was 49 min (IQR 37-70). One patient required a blood transfusion and 3.3% of patients had low-grade fever. No patient developed sepsis. Low-grade ureteral injury occurred in eight patients (2%). The grade A SFS rate was 57.4% and the grade A + B SFS rate was 97.2%, while 2.8% of patients had grade C or D SFS. Eleven patients underwent repeat fURS. Multivariable analysis revealed that a stone volume of 1501-3000 mm<sup>3</sup> (odds ratio 0.50) and of >3000 mm<sup>3</sup> (odds ratio 0.29) were significantly associated with lower probability of grade A SFS, while TFL use was associated with higher SFS probability (odds ratio 1.83). Limitations include the lack of a comparative group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and clinical implications: </strong>fURS using a FANS ureteral access sheath resulted in a high SFS rate with negligible serious adverse event and reintervention rates.</p><p><strong>Patient summary: </strong>We looked at 30-day results for patients undergoing telescopic laser treatment for kidney stones using a special type of vacuum-assisted sheath to remove stone fragments. We found a high stone-free rate with minimal complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"975-982"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141092943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.004
Brian Sheng Yep Yeo, Dominic Wei Ting Yap, Nicole Kye Wen Tan, Benjamin Kye Jyn Tan, Yao Hao Teo, Yao Neng Teo, Alvin Lee, Anna See, Henry Sun Sien Ho, Jeremy Yuen-Chun Teoh, Kenneth Chen, Song Tar Toh
{"title":"The Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Urological Cancer Incidence and Mortality-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.","authors":"Brian Sheng Yep Yeo, Dominic Wei Ting Yap, Nicole Kye Wen Tan, Benjamin Kye Jyn Tan, Yao Hao Teo, Yao Neng Teo, Alvin Lee, Anna See, Henry Sun Sien Ho, Jeremy Yuen-Chun Teoh, Kenneth Chen, Song Tar Toh","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>While obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and urological cancer are both strongly associated with hypoxia, controversy exists regarding their association with each other. This study aims to summarize and synthesize evidence to clarify the association between OSA and urological cancer incidence and mortality.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>According to a prespecified protocol, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched from inception to November 16, 2023, for observational and randomized studies reporting the association of OSA with urological cancer incidence or mortality. We pooled maximally covariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) using a random-effects inverse variance-weighted model. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of evidence using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework.</p><p><strong>Key findings and limitations: </strong>From 1814 records, we included 12 studies comprising 9 290 818 participants in total, of which nine studies were analyzed quantitatively. OSA patients had an increased risk of kidney (HR: 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-2.53) and bladder (HR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.05-2.96) cancer. However, OSA was not associated with prostate cancer incidence (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 0.82-2.04). We systematically reviewed evidence surrounding OSA and testicular cancer incidence and urological cancer mortality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and clinical implications: </strong>OSA may be associated with a higher risk of kidney and bladder cancer, but not prostate cancer. Future work may help clarify the possibility of a dose-response relationship between OSA and urological cancer, and the effect of OSA treatment on urological cancer incidence or progression.</p><p><strong>Patient summary: </strong>This research highlights a potential longitudinal association between OSA and kidney and bladder cancer, but not prostate cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"958-971"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141874553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-06-26DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.06.007
Daniele Robesti, Marco Moschini, Nazario Pio Tenace, Giusy Burgio, Chiara Re, Riccardo Leni, Mario De Angelis, Pietro Scilipoti, Francesco Pellegrino, Donato Cannoletta, Giorgio Gandaglia, Nicola Fossati, Andrea Gallina, Claudio Doglioni, Maurizio Colecchia, Andrea Salonia, Francesco Montorsi, Alberto Briganti, Roberta Lucianò
{"title":"The Impact of Second Opinion Expert Pathology Review in Patient Management at the Time of Transurethral Resection of the Bladder.","authors":"Daniele Robesti, Marco Moschini, Nazario Pio Tenace, Giusy Burgio, Chiara Re, Riccardo Leni, Mario De Angelis, Pietro Scilipoti, Francesco Pellegrino, Donato Cannoletta, Giorgio Gandaglia, Nicola Fossati, Andrea Gallina, Claudio Doglioni, Maurizio Colecchia, Andrea Salonia, Francesco Montorsi, Alberto Briganti, Roberta Lucianò","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.06.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.06.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Pathological features in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer specimens are pivotal in determining correct patients' therapeutic management. Sparse data exist regarding the importance of second opinion performed by an expert uropathologist. This study aimed to assess the importance of a second opinion by an expert uropathologist in the management of bladder cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study relied on 272 bladder cancer specimens from 231 patients seeking a pathology second opinion after transurethral resection of the bladder for a clinical suspicion of bladder cancer, relapse, or second-look procedure. Pathology second opinion was offered by an experienced fellowship-trained uropathologist. Discrepancies were recorded considering primary tumor staging, the presence of muscularis propria, and the presence of histological variants. Cases were categorized as no significant discordance, major discordance without management change, and major discordance with management change according to the European Urology Association (EAU) guidelines.</p><p><strong>Key findings and limitations: </strong>Among 272 second opinion cases, 39% (108/272) had major discordance and 28% (75/272) had major discordance with change in management according to the EAU guidelines. Upstaging and downstaging were reported in 66 (24%) patients. Improper identification of the presence of muscularis propria was found in 46 (17%) cases, of which 11 (4%) were deemed clinically relevant. Differences regarding the presence of histological variants were diagnosed in 40 cases (15%), resulting in eight (3%) changes in clinical management. In ten specimens (4%), multiple clinically relevant discrepancies were found.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and clinical implications: </strong>The second opinion evaluation changed the clinical management in 25% of the cases. These results support the importance of specimen review by an expert uropathologist as a major driver in the correct bladder cancer management.</p><p><strong>Patient summary: </strong>We investigated the importance of a second opinion performed by an expert uropathologist in the management of bladder cancer. We found that 25% had their treatment plan changed due to the revised pathological report.</p>","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"1043-1048"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
European urology focusPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-07-12DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.003
Jin Kim, Chan Woo Kwak, Saangyong Uhmn, Junghoon Lee, Sangjun Yoo, Min Chul Cho, Hwancheol Son, Hyeon Jeong, Min Soo Choo
{"title":"A Novel Deep Learning-based Artificial Intelligence System for Interpreting Urolithiasis in Computed Tomography.","authors":"Jin Kim, Chan Woo Kwak, Saangyong Uhmn, Junghoon Lee, Sangjun Yoo, Min Chul Cho, Hwancheol Son, Hyeon Jeong, Min Soo Choo","doi":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Our aim was to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) system for detection of urolithiasis in computed tomography (CT) images using advanced deep learning capable of real-time calculation of stone parameters such as volume and density, which are essential for treatment decisions. The performance of the system was compared to that of urologists in emergency room (ER) scenarios.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Axial CT images for patients who underwent stone surgery between August 2022 and July 2023 comprised the data set, which was divided into 70% for training, 10% for internal validation, and 20% for testing. Two urologists and an AI specialist annotated stones using Labelimg for ground-truth data. The YOLOv4 architecture was used for training, with acceleration via an RTX 4900 graphics processing unit (GPU). External validation was performed using CT images for 100 patients with suspected urolithiasis.</p><p><strong>Key findings and limitations: </strong>The AI system was trained on 39 433 CT images, of which 9.1% were positive. The system achieved accuracy of 95%, peaking with a 1:2 positive-to-negative sample ratio. In a validation set of 5736 images (482 positive), accuracy remained at 95%. Misses (2.6%) were mainly irregular stones. False positives (3.4%) were often due to artifacts or calcifications. External validation using 100 CT images from the ER revealed accuracy of 94%; cases that were missed were mostly ureterovesical junction stones, which were not included in the training set. The AI system surpassed human specialists in speed, analyzing 150 CT images in 13 s, versus 38.6 s for evaluation by urologists and 23 h for formal reading. The AI system calculated stone volume in 0.2 s, versus 77 s for calculation by urologists.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and clinical implications: </strong>Our AI system, which uses advanced deep learning, assists in diagnosing urolithiasis with 94% accuracy in real clinical settings and has potential for rapid diagnosis using standard consumer-grade GPUs.</p><p><strong>Patient summary: </strong>We developed a new AI (artificial intelligence) system that can quickly and accurately detect kidney stones in CT (computed tomography) scans. Testing showed that this system is highly effective, with accuracy of 94% for real cases in the emergency department. It is much faster than traditional methods and provides rapid and reliable results to help doctors in making better treatment decisions for their patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12160,"journal":{"name":"European urology focus","volume":" ","pages":"1049-1054"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141598963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}