Kidney Stones

In this round-up of new urology products and services, learn about an app that helps moviegoers with OAB, a new mesh for sacrocolpopexy, and device/smartphone app that help women with pelvic floor exercises.

While there is no benefit from using tamsulosin (Flomax) versus placebo for the treatment of small ureteral stones, there is a potential upside of increased passage from using the drug to treat 5- to 10-mm stones, according to a study from Australia published online in the Annals of Emergency Medicine (July 13, 2015).

New findings based on pharmacy claims data show just how adherent patients are to a thiazide, alkali citrate, and allopurinol.

New study data suggest an answer to the problem of managing stones in pregnant women.

The first clinical trial of a novel ultrasound technology shows that it can safely reposition stones in situ to make them more amenable to natural passage and treatment.

Urology Times’ “Best of AUA 2015” report provides a guide to the meeting’s take-home messages in 15 therapeutic areas-an information-packed, condensed summary of the top papers and presentations.

A large, multicenter study “definitively demonstrates” the treatment’s infectiveness, one expert says.

Other products featured include: Radiosurgery collimator allows treatment of broad rang of tumors and Phi prostate cancer test and more.

Products in the pipeline for prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and much more.

In this Coding Q&A column, the Painters discuss the tricky question of whether you can bill for stone prevention counseling, and also answer a question about whether you can bill two instillation codes (51700) for one appointment.

Other products featured include a spacer system to protect men undergoing PCa radiotherapy, a pelvic floor exercise app, and more.

Blood vessel calcification may increase risk of heart disease in patients with recurrent kidney stones, according to a recent study.

New products and services from Samsung Electronics America, Syneron Medical, American Medical Systems, New Star, Buffalo Filter, Cook Medical, Endo International, Trimel BioPharma Metamark, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Ureteroscopy is being increasingly used for surgical management of nephrolithiasis in pediatric patients, and that trend appears to be associated with cost benefits, a recent study indicates.

Flexible ureteroscopy is a safe and highly effective approach for treating proximal ureteral stones measuring

Adding an anticholinergic medication to an alpha-blocker does not appear to improve ureteral stent-related discomfort compared to monotherapy with an alpha-blocker alone, according to research presented by investigators from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

In renal stones smaller than 1.5 cm diameter, ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) is associated with superior stone-free rates compared with shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), according to a recent study.

Other products discussed in this article include a prosthesis for underactive bladder, a prostate cancer test, and an erectile dysfunction drug.

In this blog post, Henry Rosevear, MD, challenges thought leaders to offer guidance on the proper radiographic evaluation of new-onset colicky flank pain.

Propulsion with low-intensity ultrasound is showing promise as a safe and effective method for noninvasive repositioning of kidney stones, according to the findings of a first human feasibility study being conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle.

A review of initial surgical management for patients with urolithiasis has identified an association between urologist self-referral and an increased likelihood of undergoing computed tomography imaging and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) compared with non-self-referring physicians.

Individuals with a history of kidney stones should increase their fluid intake to achieve at least 2 liters of urine per day to prevent recurrence, and if this fails, treatment with a thiazide diuretic, citrate, or allopurinol is recommended, according to a new clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians.

Other products featured include a 16-slice CT scanner, new generic testosterone gel, prostate cancer risk calculator, and more.

Urologists across the country describe treatment options for large kidney and ureteral stones.

Ultrasound should be the initial diagnostic imaging test utilized for diagnosing kidney stones in order to reduce the higher radiation exposure associated with computed tomography, say the authors of a recent study.