Determining the clinicopathological significance of the VI-RADS ≧4 group: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) is widely used for predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). This study aimed to determine the clinicopathological significance of the VI-RADS ≧4 (VI≧4) group.

METHODS

Patients who underwent transurethral resections of bladder tumors during the study period and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging were considered. The patients were pathologically diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma (UC). We first compared the results of patients with VI-RADS scores of 3 and 4 to determine the cut-off score for MIBC; thereafter, the patients were divided into the VI≧4 and VI-RADS ≦3 (VI≦3) groups using VI-RADS. The clinicopathological significance of the VI≧4 group was examined retrospectively by comparing the characteristics of each group.

RESULTS

In total, 121 cases were examined, of which 28 were pathologically diagnosed with MIBC. Of the 28 MIBC cases, three (10.7%) had a VI-RADS score of ≦3, and 25 (89.3%) had a VI-RADS score of ≧4. Of the 93 NMIBC cases, 86 (92.5%) had a VI-RADS score of ≦3, and seven (7.5%) had a VI-RADS score of ≧4. The diagnostic performance of the VI-RADS with a cut-off score of 4 was 89.3% for sensitivity, 92.5% for specificity, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91. Contrastingly, for a cut-off score of 3, the sensitivity was 89.3%, specificity was 62.0%, and AUC was 0.72. A VI-RADS score of ≥ 4 could predict MIBC. In the VI≧4 group, 30 of 32 (93.8%) patients had high-grade tumors. The VI≧4 group had significantly more high-grade bladder cancers than the VI≦3 group (p < 0.001 OR = 31.77 95%CI:8.47-1119.07). In addition, the VI≧4 group had more tumor necrosis (VI≧4 vs VI≦3, p < 0.001 OR = 7.46 95%CI:2.61-21.34) and more UC variant cases (VI≧4 vs VI≦3, p = 0.034 OR = 3.28 95%CI:1.05-10.25) than the VI≦3 group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that VI-RADS has a high diagnostic performance in predicting MIBC and that VI-RADS could diagnose high-grade tumors, necrosis, and UC variants.

Vesicocutaneous fistula due to vesical diverticulitis with stones: A case report and literature review

Introduction

We encountered an extremely rare case of a vesicocutaneous fistula due to vesical diverticulitis with stones.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old male patient presented to our department with complaints of suppurative discharge in the suprapubic area. Computed tomography revealed an enlarged prostate, a vesical diverticulum with stones located on the ventral side, and an aberrant connection between the anterior bladder wall and the external surface of the skin. The patient was diagnosed with a vesicocutaneous fistula due to vesical diverticulitis and was successfully treated with a multidisciplinary approach including vesical diverticulectomy with stone removal and nonviable tissue debridement. The patient continues to receive regular outpatient follow-ups with urinary catheter changes.

Conclusion

Vesicocutaneous fistulas due to vesical diverticulitis with stones are extremely rare. We should be aware that a vesical diverticulum with stones located on the ventral side might pose a high-risk factor for the formation of a vesicocutaneous fistula in elderly patients.

Differential diagnosis and prognosis of small renal masses: association with collateral vessels detected using contrast-enhanced computed tomography

Background

Active surveillance (AS) is one of the treatment methods for patients with small renal masses (SRMs; < 4 cm), including renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). However, some small RCCs may exhibit aggressive neoplastic behaviors and metastasize. Little is known about imaging biomarkers capable of identifying potentially aggressive small RCCs. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) often detects collateral vessels arising from neoplastic angiogenesis in RCCs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between SRM differential diagnoses and prognoses, and the detection of collateral vessels using CECT.

Methods

A total of 130 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed non-metastatic SRMs (fat-poor angiomyolipomas [fpAMLs; n = 7] and RCCs [n = 123]) were retrospectively enrolled. Between 2011 and 2019, SRM diagnoses in these patients were confirmed after biopsy or surgical resection. All RCCs were surgically resected. Regardless of diameter, a collateral vessel (CV) was defined as any blood vessel connecting the tumor from around the kidney using CECT. First, we analyzed the role of CV-detection in differentiating between fpAML and RCC. Then, we evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of RCC diagnosis based on CV-detection using CECT. We also assessed the prognostic value of CV-detection using the Fisher exact test, and Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of CV-detection for the diagnosis of small RCCs was 48.5, 45.5, 100, 100, and 9.5% respectively. Five of 123 (4.1%) patients with RCC experienced recurrence. CV-detection using CECT was the only significant factor associated with recurrence (p = 0.0177). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was significantly lower in patients with CV compared with in those without CV (5-year RFS 92.4% versus 100%, respectively; p = 0.005). In addition, critical review of the CT images revealed the CVs to be continuous with the venous vessels around the kidney.

Conclusions

The detection of CVs using CECT is useful for differentiating between small fpAMLs and RCCs. CV-detection may also be applied as a predictive parameter for small RCCs prone to recurrence after surgical resection. Moreover, AS could be suitable for small RCCs without CVs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09971-w.

Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS)

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Background: The VI-RADS has been widely used as diagnostic criteria for MRI to predict muscle-invasive of bladder cancer (MIBC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS in our hospital and the clinicopathological features of true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN), and false negative (FN) cases to identify possible factors for misdiagnosis. Methods: Of the 286 patients who underwent TURBT at our hospital from January 2019 to October 2020, we selected 129 consecutive cases who had performed preoperative enhanced mpMRI and diagnosed as urothelial carcinoma pathologically. We defined VI-RADS score ≥4 as positive for MIBC. The clinicopathological features of TP, FP, TN, and FN groups were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U test were used for the test between the two groups. Results: VI-RADS score in MIBC cases were 2 cases for ≤3 and 22 for ≥4, and in non-MIBC cases 91 cases for ≤3 and 14 for ≥4. The diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for MIBC was 92% for sensitivity, 87% for specificity, 61% for positive predictive value, 98% for negative predictive value, 88% for accuracy and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.89. There were no statistical differences of age and %male cases between TP (22 cases), FP (14), TN (91) and FN (2) groups. Pathological features of the (TP, FP, TN, FN) groups were shown (table). TP had significantly larger tumor size than the other three groups, and higher %G3, %tumor necrosis and %variant+ than FP and TN. FP group had significantly larger tumor size than the TN. Conclusions: VI-RADS showed high diagnostic performance in predicting MIBC. Our study showed that larger tumor size was a significant factor for overestimation, suggesting the need for improved accuracy in cases with large tumor size.[Table: see text]

Prognostic impact of serum cytokeratin 19 fragments in patient with metastatic urothelial cancer treated with immune checkpoint inihibitors

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Background: Recent clinical trials such as Keynote-045, EV-201 and Javelin bladder100 have provided new therapeutic agents for metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). However, the only tool that can evaluate the therapeutic responses is a radiological criteria, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) in mUC. In the clinical practice, biomarkers that can predict the efficacy and prognosis of various agents are essential to treat these patients, and the search for such biomarkers is urgently needed. We reported that Performance status ≥ 1, liver metastasis and elevated serum cytokeratin 19 fragments (sCYFRA) are the prognostic factors for first-line cytotoxic cheomotherapy (CTC) for mUC. In this study we evaluated pretreated clinical biomarkers including sCYFRA that can predict overall survival (OS) in patients with mUC treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Methods: Thirty four patients with mUC received pembrolizuab (PB) from February 2018 to July 2020 at our institution. We retrospectively collected performance status, metastasis site, blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), hemoglobin (Hb), and serum levels of lactose dehydrogenase (LD), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), C-reacted protein (CRP), total protein, albumin, corrected calcium (Ca), carbohydrate antigen19-9, sCYFRA before PB was administered. OS rate were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was carried out using the Cox hazards model. Objective Response rate (ORR) was evaluated based on RECIST (version 1.1). Results: Of 34 patients (Pts), with median age of 73(31-86), during the median follow-up period of 25 (7-126) months, 21patients (65%) had died. Median OS was 9.2 months (0.2-33.4), A 1-year OS rate was 33%. ORR was 33% and 9 Pts was SD (27%) and 14 pts (40%) was progressive disease. On univariate analysis, bone metastasis (p=0.028), LD (p=0.003), ALP (p=0.001), Ca (p=0.003) and sCYFRA (p=0.001) were the significant prognostic factor for OS. On multivariate analysis, ALP (HR9.2, 95%CI [2.89-135.9], p=0.002), Ca (HR7.3, (95%CI [2.36-22.49], p=0.001), sCYFRA (HR 5.0, 95%CI [1.63-15.55], p=0.005) were the significant prognostic factor for OS. Based on these 3 factors we divided pts into three groups, good risk (G1,0 factor), intermediate risk (G2, 1 factor) and poor risk (G3, 2-3 factors)3. There was a significant difference between the three groups for OS on K-M curve (G1 vs G2, p=0.001, G2vs G3, p=0.009). Conclusions: sCYFRA, ALP and Ca were the independent prognostic factors for OS in patients with mUC treated with ICI. sCYFRA was the independent prognostic factor for OS in the 1st line CTC and 2nd line ICI and it can be a prognostic factor though those therapies.

Prognostic impact of serum cytokeratin 19 fragments in patient with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) treated with first-line chemotherapy

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Background: Even today, when several immune checkpoint Inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC), cytotoxic chemotherapy (CTC) still remains the mainstay for first-line treatment. We believe that the prognostic factors for the first-line CTC have become more important again and need to be re-analyzed. Current guidelines do not yet provide recommendations for any serum tumor markers in patients with mUC. Previous studies have shown that serum cytokeratin 19 fragments levels (sCK) were correlated with depth of tumor invasion and metastatic burden in patients with bladder cancer. In this study we evaluated whether sCK, and other clinical parameters could predict overall survival (OS) in patients with mUC treated with CTC. Methods: Two hundreds fifty two patients with mUC received CTC from December 2006 to 2016 at our institution. sCK had been measured in 128 patients at diagnosis of mUC. OS rate were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier curves and log–rank test. Multivariate analysis was carried out using the Cox hazards model. Tumor burden (TB) was measured based on Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumor (version 1.1). Results: Of 128 patients, with median age of 72 (44-93), 36 (28%) had lung metastasis, 11 (9%) had bone metastasis, 10 (8%) had liver metastasis (LM). Ninety five (74%) patients received platinum based chemotherapy as a first-line treatment. During the median follow-up period of 19 (1-89) months, 72 patients (70%) had died. A 1-year (1y) OS was 51% and a 2y-OS was 36%. On univariate analysis, performance status (PS) (HR2.0, p<0.005), sCK (HR3.9, p<0.001), CRP (HR4.0, p<0.001), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (HR1.9, p<0.049), LM (HR2.0, p=0.042) and TB (HR2.4, p<0.001) were the significant prognostic factors for OS. On multivariate analysis, PS (HR2.0, 95%CI (1.05-3.85) p=0.036 ), sCK (HR3.1, 95%CI (1.3-8.3), p=0.011), and LM (HR3.0, 95%CI (1.06-6.98), p=0.022) were the independent prognostic factors for OS. Based on these 3 factors we divided patients into three groups, good risk (G, 0 factor), intermediate risk (I, 1 factor) and poor risk (P, 2-3 factors). There was a significant difference between the three groups. (G vs I: p<0.001, I vs P: p=0.001). Conclusions: PS, sCK, and LM were the independent prognostic factors for OS in patients with mUC receiving CTC. For the patients in good or intermediate risk with this score, early exposure of ICIs should be performed after CTCs. Treatment strategy should be changed in patients with poor risk since CTC is primary refractory in such population.

[Changes in the management of urolithiasis: endourologic treatment of calculi in the upper urinary tract]

Three hundred seventy cases with calculi in upper urinary tract were treated by endourology, 210 cases were subjects of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL) and 160 cases of transurethral ureterolithotripsy (TUL), in Nara Medical University Hospital and 13 affiliated hospitals. Of the PNL cases, PNL was completed in 184 cases (87.6%) and not completed in 16 cases (12.4%). 168 cases (80.0%) had successful results by PNL alone, stone-free or stone fragments less than 5 mm, in spite of the stone location and size. No serious adverse effect was experienced throughout the study. However, changes like a scar formation or fibrosis around the nephrostomy tract were revealed as a late complication by excretory urography, computed tomography and renal scanning. Of the 160 TUL cases, TUL was successful in 132 cases (82.5%) and unsuccessful in 28 cases (17.5%). The results of TUL for the calculi above the upper iliac cresta were not favorable, success rate for stone 6-10 mm in diameter was 70.3% and that for stones larger than 11 mm 37.5%. However, the results of TUL for the calculi below the upper ileac cresta were favorable, the success rate for the 6-10 mm calculi was 91.5% and for the calculi larger than 11 mm 88.4%. Of 28 TUL failures, 7 cases underwent PNL and 21 cases received open surgery. Throughout our endourologic treatments, the most problematic stone was calculi impact in the ureter. The indication of endourology for the calculi in upper urinary tract is discussed with consideration of ESWL which is becoming the main stream of stone treatment.

Decrease in the c-myb gene transcript during differentiation of mouse teratocarcinoma stem cells

Transcript of the c-myb gene, one of the proto-oncogenes, was clearly detected in undifferentiated mouse F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells, but not in terminally differentiated mouse parietal endoderm PYS-2 cells. As F9 cells can be induced to differentiate into parietal endoderm-like cells by the addition of retinoic acid and dibutyryl cAMP, we examined levels of the c-myb transcript under this experimental condition and found that the c-myb transcript was decreased significantly. Thus, a decrease in the c-myb transcript is probably related to early differentiation of mammalian cells.

[Clinical analysis of primary vesicoureteral reflux in children]

The retrospective analysis of 64 patients between 1 month and 14 years old with 87 primary vesicoureteral units with reflux was reviewed. They were followed-up for a period of 3 to 60 months. Thirty one patients were managed conservatively by chemotherapy (group A) and 28 patients were treated surgically. As the anti-reflux operation the Politano-Leadbetter procedure was used in 27 patients and the modified Politano-Leadbetter procedure in 1 patient (group B). Five patients were not treated (group C). In 13 of the 30 renal units of group A, the vesico-ureteral reflux disappeared spontaneously and in group B the post-operative cystourethrography revealed cure of reflux in all the renal units. In 2 of the 21 renal units of group A excretory urography (IVP) revealed improvement and in 3 deterioration. Post-operative IVP revealed improvement in 13 of 39 renal units of group B and in 2 deterioration. In 3 of the 22 renal units of group A the renogram revealed improvement and in 3 deterioration. The post-operative renogram revealed improvement in 8 of the 28 renal units of group B and deterioration in renal units. Analysis was also made according to the vesicoureteral reflux grade.

Isolation and characterization of the cDNAs corresponding to mRNAs abundant in undifferentiated mouse embryonal teratocarcinoma stem cells, but not in differentiated mouse parietal endoderm cells

As retinoic acid (RA) and dibutyryl cAMP (cAMP) treatment induces differentiation of mouse teratocarcinoma F9 cells into parietal endoderm cells in vitro, we initiated studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying early mammalian cell differentiation in this system. We constructed cDNA libraries on the poly(A)+RNAs extracted from the undifferentiated F9 cells, and screened for cDNA sequences expressed abundantly in F9 cells, but not in terminally differentiated mouse parietal endoderm PYS-2 cells. Six different cDNA clones were isolated and characterized. The levels of RNAs hybridizable to these clones were at most 5 to 24% in the PYS-2 cells when compared with those in the undifferentiated F9 cells. The six clones were classified into two groups on the basis of their responses to the RA and cAMP treatment. In F9 cells, the levels of RNAs hybridizable to the first group, which contained four clones, were decreased within 72 h after the addition of RA and cAMP, while those of the second group, which contained the remaining two clones, did not decrease significantly. One of the first group clones, named pF9-1, corresponded to the mouse "early transposon-like elements" and another, named pF9-4, hybridized to multi-size RNAs extracted from the undifferentiated F9 cells. The mouse genomic DNA sequences hybridizable to pF9-4 were repeated approximately 5,000 times, and comprise a new gene family, the expression of which is developmentally regulated in mouse F9 cells.

Urinary bladder tumors induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine in dogs

Clinicopathological, radiological, and histological studies were performed on urinary bladder neoplasia induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) in five adult beagle dogs and in ten adult mongrel dogs. Tumors of the urinary bladder developed in dogs given various daily doses of BBN p.o. for different periods. The latent period of tumor induction was 4 years in dogs receiving a daily dose of 80 mg of BBN, 2 to 2.5 years in dogs receiving a daily dose of 160 mg of BBN, and 1.5 years in dogs receiving a daily dose of 240 mg of BBN. The total dose of BBN ingested by the dogs until the first tumors were observed by urological examinations was nearly the same in all groups, 100 to 140 g. These results suggest that there is a correlation between dose and induction time, but further dose-response studies are required. Histologically, tumors of the urinary bladder were transitional cell papillomas or transitional cell carcinomas resembling morphologically those found in human cases. It is possible to observe the process of development of urinary bladder tumors from initial lesions to invasive tumors using routine urological examinations. We believe that this experimental model is valuable for clinicopathological studies of urinary bladder tumors.