Kidney Stones

A preliminary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial supports the efficacy of a low-oxalate diet for reducing urinary oxalate excretion in patients with idiopathic hyperoxaluria, but shows little or no benefit for daily dietary supplementation with vitamin B6 25 mg/magnesium 400 mg or a diet-supplement combination.

Videos demonstrating ureteroscopy techniques, the debate over medical expulsive therapy, and research into ureteroscopy's possible effect on erectile function were among our most-read stone disease articles of 2017.

A 61-year-old female complains of acute-onset right-sided flank and abdominal pain. She describes associated nausea, but denied urinary symptoms, hematuria, fever, or chills.

Flexible ureteroscopy using a digital single-use flexible ureteroscope known as PUSEN achieves stone-free rates on par with reusable flexible ureteroscopes, with a total surgery time averaging 45 minutes.

Other products and services discussed in this round-up include a biosimilar for cancer, an American College of Surgeons manual on quality initiatives, a kidney cancer microsite, and more.

A new single-use digital flexible ureteroscope (LithoVue) compares favorably in performance to reusable scopes, at least for routine urteroscopy, with a possible advantage of being more economical.

Findings of a study investigating biomechanical stresses on the urologist while performing flexible ureteroscopy indicate that reusable and single-use digital ureteroscopes have a more favorable ergonomic profile than a reusable fiberoptic instrument.

A study analyzing variation in spending for patients undergoing ureteroscopy or shock wave lithotripsy for urinary stone disease is a step towards helping urologists understand cost reduction opportunities.

Men and women with gout are at 60% greater risk for nephrolithiasis than adults without gout, according to a study looking at not only the chronic kidney condition’s incidence but also potential risk factors for first-time nephrolithiasis in people with and without gout.

Other pipeline developments include an agent to control pain in IC/BPS patients, an antibody to treat prostate and bladder cancer, an injectable OAB treatment, and more.

Other products discussed include cancer tests, an app to connect patients with specialists, a revenue management system, and more

The safety and viability of outpatient percutaneous nephrolithotomy and predictors of success after shock wave lithotripsy were among the research highlights in endourology/stones at the AUA annual meeting.

Other pipeline developments include a new company formed to develop OAB treatments, a phase III urothelial cancer study meeting its primary endpoint, the formation of a partnership to study RCC treatment, and more.

Badar M. Mian, MD, discusses a recent study about the use of external physical vibration lithecbole for treating residual stones after retrograde intrarenal surgery.

Among ED visits within 30 days of elective ureteroscopy over the 6-month span, pain was the presenting complaint in about 60% of patients, Scott and White Medical Center researchers report.

Other pipeline developments include efficacy results for a bladder and prostate cancer drug, an infertility tool to predict sperm quality, the initiation of an immunotherapy combination for mUC, and more.

Urology Times reached out to four urologists (selected randomly) and asked them each the following question: How concerned are you about radiation exposure?

The results could have major diagnostic and treatment implications for pediatric kidney stone patients, a researcher says.

Researchers who are investigating burst-wave lithotripsy, a potential alternative treatment for kidney stones, report that magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound scans hold promise as tools to help scientists analyze related kidney injuries.

Results of a retrospective study raise concern that ureteroscopy may adversely affect erectile function.

In these videos, high-volume stone surgeons demonstrate novel approaches to classification, visualization, and treatment of stones.

Urology-related FDA approvals from 2016 encompassed drugs and devices for prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, stone disease, and more.

Other products discussed include an updated prostate tissue ablation device, a contrast agent for voiding ultrasonography, a bladder cancer test and more.

Despite the excruciating nature of kidney stones, many people can't manage to lower their risk by simply drinking more liquid. Now, a new study finds that one potential tool-a water bottle with a built-in consumption sensor and smartphone link-accurately tracks how much people drink.

A comparison of dusting versus basketing, the question of whether shock wave lithotripsy should be retired, and an expert interview on difficult stones were among the most-read Urology Times articles on stone disease in 2016.

Results of a study analyzing global trends in mortality attributable to urolithiasis show that the rate declined over a recent 20-year period.

Other pipeline developments discussed include an implantable device for OAB treatment, a subcutaneous hypogonadism treatment, efficacy results for an HPV drug, and the status of a device-based BPH treatment.

Whether or not medical expulsive therapy (MET) is a sound recommendation for patients with kidney or ureteral stones is a matter of debate.

Patients undergoing ureteroscopy while remaining on anticoagulant therapy may be at increased risk for bleeding complications, including significant bleeding events and unplanned returns to the operating room, according to a retrospective study