Kidney Stones

Trends in percutaneous nephrolithotomy may reflect other stone treatment trends, study authors say.

To guide you through the 2016 AUA annual meeting and help maximize your time, Urology Times’ editorial board has reviewed the program to identify the key trends and noteworthy research at this year’s meeting.

Once considered a primary option for kidney stone treatment, shock wave lithotripsy appears to be losing traction. Many urologists say its outcomes aren’t as reliable as those from ureteroscopy. But others say it remains an option that works well with proper patient selection and technique and offers what ureteroscopy doesn’t: a noninvasive option.

Two-thirds of patients attending a urology clinic for the management of urolithiasis failed to meet physical activity guidelines. In addition, patients with recent symptomatic urolithiasis were significantly more likely to be current smokers than those without recent symptomatic urolithiasis, according to a recent study.

"With better education and research, our stone patients can decrease their disease risk and improve their overall health sooner rather than later," writes Stephen Y. Nakada, MD.

In this interview, Dr. Wong describes difficult stones, discusses the skills and training required to treat them, and outlines the role of different treatment modalities.

Despite ureteroscopy's high success results, there is still a role for shock wave lithotripsy in treating stones, urologists say.

Check out the latest new products. From Single-use ureteroscope addresses shortcomings of reusable scopes, to an App that helps IC, chronic prostatitis patients choose the right foods and much more.

The authors sought to identify factors associated with 30-day emergency department visits and readmission following URSLL.

Other pipeline products discussed in this article include an immunotherapy for metastatic bladder cancer, a treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH, and an investigational clear cell renal cell carcinoma treatment.

Learn more about these products as well as a powered exam table and an app that measures, monitors, and helps improve fertility in men.

When it comes to urinary stone disease, it appears that prescribers know what they’re doing. According to a study presented at the World Congress of Endourology and SWL in London, non-adherence to kidney stone medications led to a significant increase in adverse health outcomes.

Findings from preclinical studies evaluating the performance of an investigational single-use digital flexible ureteroscope (Lithovue, Boston Scientific) support it as a viable alternative to current non-disposable flexible digital and fiberoptic ureteroscopes, said Brian H. Eisner, MD, at the World Congress of Endourology and SWL in London.

Other pipeline products discussed in this article include agents for urinary catheter blockage, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and overactive bladder.

Novel ultrasound-based techniques for propelling and breaking kidney stones could soon join ESWL and URS in the urologist’s treatment armamentarium. In this interview, Michael Bailey, PhD, discusses how these technologies work, what they’re capable of, and where they are in development.

Other products highlighted in this slideshow include a trial system for incontinence therapy, a compact catheter, a wearable digital technology solution for continence care assessment and management, and laser fiber and sheath system.

A prostate cancer vaccine and an infertility diagnostic tool are among the other pipeline products discussed in this round-up.

Brian Howard Eisner, MD, examined antibiotic use in ureteroscopy and PCNL in two studies presented at the AUA annual meeting in New Orleans. He discusses the studies’ findings with Urology Times.

Researchers compared artery thickness in children with and without kidney stones.

In this round-up of new urology products and services, learn about the FDA approving an oral agent for HSDD, an app that helps men with erectile dysfunction, and more.

In this installment of "Product Preview," also look for information on products in the pipeline for renal cell carcinoma and interstitial cystitis.

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.