Background: This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of sextant and extended 12-core systematic biopsy within combined biopsy for the detection of prostate cancer. Methods: Patients who underwent combined biopsy targeting lesions with a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score of 3–5 were assessed. Two specialists performed all combined cognitive biopsies. Both specialists performed target biopsies with five or more cores. One performed sextant systematic biopsies, and the other performed extended 12-core systematic biopsies. A total of 550 patients were analyzed. Results: Cases requiring systematic biopsy in combined biopsy exhibited a significant association with age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25– 4.32; P = 0.008), PI-RADS score (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.25–4.32; P = 0.008), and the number of systematic biopsy cores (OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 2.11–6.44; P < 0.001). In patients with an index lesion of PI-RADS 4, an extended 12-core systematic biopsy was required (target-negative/ systematic-positive or a greater Gleason score in the systematic biopsy than in the targeted biopsy) (P < 0.001). Conclusion During combined biopsy for prostate cancer in patients with PI-RADS 3 or 5, sextant systematic biopsy should be recommended over extended 12-core systematic biopsy when an effective targeted biopsy is performed.

Purpose: To create a nomogram that can predict the probability of prostate cancer using prostate health index (PHI) and clinical parameters of patients. And the optimal cut-off value of PHI for prostate cancer was also assessed. Materials and Methods: A prospective, multi-center study was conducted. PHI was evaluated prior to biopsy in patients requiring prostate biopsy due to high prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Among screened 1,010 patients, 626 patients with clinically suspected prostate cancer with aged 40 to 85 years, and with PSA levels ranging from 2.5 to 10 ng/mL were analyzed. Results: Among 626 patients, 38.82% (243/626) and 22.52% (141/626) were diagnosed with prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer, respectively. In the PSA 2.5 to 4 ng/mL group, the areas under the curve (AUCs) of the nomograms for overall prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer were 0.796 (0.727–0.866; p<0.001), and 0.697 (0.598–0.795; p=0.001), respectively. In the PSA 4 to 10 ng/mL group, the AUCs of nomograms for overall prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer were 0.812 (0.783–0.842; p<0.001), and 0.839 (0.810–0.869; p<0.001), respectively. Conclusions Even though external validations are necessary, a nomogram using PHI might improve the prediction of prostate cancer, reducing the need for prostate biopsies.

Background: Recent reports have suggested that pneumonitis is a rare complication following vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).However, its clinical features and outcomes are not well known. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with vaccine-associated pneumonitis following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: In this nationwide multicenter survey study, questionnaires were distributed to pulmonary physicians in referral hospitals. They were asked to report cases of development or exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine. Vaccine-associated pneumonitis was defined as new pulmonary infiltrates documented on chest computed tomography within 4 weeks of vaccination and exclusion of other possible etiologies. Results: From the survey, 49 cases of vaccine-associated pneumonitis were identified between February 27 and October 30, 2021. After multidisciplinary discussion, 46 cases were analyzed. The median age was 66 years and 28 (61%) were male. The median interval between vaccination and respiratory symptoms was 5 days. There were 20 (43%), 17 (37%), and nine (19%) patients with newly identified pneumonitis, exacerbation of pre-diagnosed ILD, and undetermined pre-existing ILD, respectively. The administered vaccines were BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19/AZD1222 each in 21 patients followed by mRNA-1273 in three, and Ad26.COV2.S in one patient. Except for five patients with mild disease, 41 (89%) patients were treated with corticosteroid. Significant improvement was observed in 26 (57%) patients including four patients who did not receive treatment. However, ILD aggravated in 9 (20%) patients despite treatment. Mortality was observed in eight (17%) patients. Conclusion These results suggest pneumonitis as a potentially significant safety concern for vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Clinical awareness and patient education are necessary for early recognition and prompt management. Additional research is warranted to identify the epidemiology and characterize the pathophysiology of vaccine-associated pneumonitis.

Background: There has been no comparison of the determinants of admission route between acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We examined whether factors associated with direct versus transferred-in admission to regional cardiocerebrovascular centers (RCVCs) differed between AIS and AMI. Methods: Using a nationwide RCVC registry, we identified consecutive patients presenting with AMI and AIS between July 2016 and December 2018. We explored factors associated with direct admission to RCVCs in patients with AIS and AMI and examined whether those associations differed between AIS and AMI, including interaction terms between each factor and disease type in multivariable models. To explore the influence of emergency medical service (EMS) paramedics on hospital selection, stratified analyses according to use of EMS were also performed. Results: Among the 17,897 and 8,927 AIS and AMI patients, 66.6% and 48.2% were directly admitted to RCVCs, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that previous coronary heart disease, prehospital awareness, higher education level, and EMS use increased the odds of direct admission to RCVCs, but the odds ratio (OR) was different between AIS and AMI (for the first 3 factors, AMI > AIS; for EMS use, AMI < AIS). EMS use was the single most important factor for both AIS and AMI (OR, 4.72 vs. 3.90). Hypertension and hyperlipidemia increased, while living alone decreased the odds of direct admission only in AMI;additionally, age (65–74 years), previous stroke, and presentation during non-working hours increased the odds only in AIS. EMS use weakened the associations between direct admission and most factors in both AIS and AMI. Conclusions Various patient factors were differentially associated with direct admission to RCVCs between AIS and AMI. Public education for symptom awareness and use of EMS is essential in optimizing the transportation and hospitalization of patients with AMI and AIS.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of combining prostate health index (PHI) and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADSv2) for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent prostate biopsy for elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥2.5 ng/mL and/or abnormal digital rectal examination. Serum markers for PSA, free PSA (fPSA), and [-2] proPSA (p2PSA) were measured, and PHI was calculated as ([p2PSA/fPSA]×[PSA]1/2). Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging was performed using a 3.0T scanner and scored using PI-RADSv2. csPCa was defined as either grade group (GG) ≥2 disease or GG1 cancer detected in >2 cores or >50% of positive on biopsy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression modelling, along with receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to predict the probability of csPCa. Results: Of the total 358 patients, 159 (44.4%) were diagnosed with csPCa. On univariable analysis, age, PSA density (PSAD), PHI and PI-RADSv2 were associated with csPCa. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of baseline model incorporating age and PSAD was 0.663. The AUC of combining PHI and PI-RADSv2 to baseline model was higher than that of PHI alone to baseline model (0.884 vs. 0.807, p<0.0001) and PI-RADSv2 alone to baseline model (0.884 vs. 0.846, p=0.0002), respectively. If biopsy was restricted to patients with PI-RADS 5 as well as PI-RADS 3 or 4 and PHI ≥27, 36.0% of unnecessary biopsy could be avoided at the cost of missing 4.7% of csPCa. Conclusions The combination of PHI and PI-RADSv2 to baseline model incorporating age and PSAD had higher accuracy for detection of csPCa compared with PHI or PI-RADSv2 alone.

Purpose: The purpose of study was to compare oncologic outcomes (recurrence-free survival [RFS], cancer-specific survival [CSS], and overall survival [OS]) and early complication (within 30 days) after radical cystectomy (RC) between old patients (70–79 aged) and oldest-old patients (above 80). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed total 340 patients with urothelial carcinoma of bladder who received RC between November 1996 and December 2018. The patients were divided into 2 groups by age, 307 patients aged 70–79 and 33 patients aged above 80. Baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes and early complication were compared between the 2 groups. Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival analysis was used to estimate RFS, CSS, OS, and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify factors predicting RFS, CSS, OS. Results: The results of both groups did not statistically differ from each other in most clinicopathologic baseline characteristics and perioperative information. Both groups showed similar 30-day complication rates (59.3% vs. 60.3%, p=0.210). K-M showed 3-year survival rate, RFS was shorter in oldest-old group (41.4% vs. 56.7%) but not statistically different (p=0.063). Oldest-old group showed similar 3-year CSS (78.1% vs. 74.6%, p=0.779) but worse OS (51% vs. 58%, p=0.047) compared with the old group. Common factor affecting RFS, CSS, and OS were T stage and N stage (all p<0.05). Age is not factor affecting RFS, CSS, and OS. Conclusions Oldest-old who received RC had similar perioperative, oncologic outcome and complication compared with the seventies. RC could be considered treatment option for selected oldest-old patients.

Purpose: We investigated the predictive factors for acute urinary retention (AUR) after transperineal template-guided mapping biopsy (TTMB). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 459 patients who had undergone TTMB between May 2017 and July 2020. Overall complications after TTMB were analyzed and categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Factors that were likely to affect AUR were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Results: Overall complications after TTMB were observed in 95 of the 459 patients (20.7%), of which AUR was the most commonly reported (17.4%, n=80), followed by hematuria (3.1%, n=14). Hematuria in one patient was categorized as Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa. All remaining complications were Clavien-Dindo grade I. In the multivariate regression model, age ≥65 (odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42–4.17; p=0.001), prostate volume ≥30 mL (odds ratio, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.19–11.62; p<0.02), and number of biopsy cores ≥30 (odds ratio, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.29–6.43; p=0.01) were identified as the predictors for AUR after TTMB. Conclusions AUR is the most common complication after TTMB. Age ≥65 years, prostate volume ≥30 mL, and number of biopsy cores ≥30 were significant predictors of AUR following TTMB.

Purpose: We investigated the predictive factors for acute urinary retention (AUR) after transperineal template-guided mapping biopsy (TTMB). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 459 patients who had undergone TTMB between May 2017 and July 2020. Overall complications after TTMB were analyzed and categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Factors that were likely to affect AUR were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Results: Overall complications after TTMB were observed in 95 of the 459 patients (20.7%), of which AUR was the most commonly reported (17.4%, n=80), followed by hematuria (3.1%, n=14). Hematuria in one patient was categorized as Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa. All remaining complications were Clavien-Dindo grade I. In the multivariate regression model, age ≥65 (odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42–4.17; p=0.001), prostate volume ≥30 mL (odds ratio, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.19–11.62; p<0.02), and number of biopsy cores ≥30 (odds ratio, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.29–6.43; p=0.01) were identified as the predictors for AUR after TTMB. Conclusions AUR is the most common complication after TTMB. Age ≥65 years, prostate volume ≥30 mL, and number of biopsy cores ≥30 were significant predictors of AUR following TTMB.

Background and Objectives: Endoscopic prelacrimal recess approach (PLRA) was introduced to treat maxillary sinus inverted papilloma (IP) without sacrificing the inferior turbinate and nasolacrimal duct. This study aimed to compare surgical outcomes of prelacrimal recess approach with the conventional Caldwell-Luc approach (CLA) to remove IP of maxillary sinus and to evaluate the usefulness of the PLRA.Subjects and Method We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 51 patients who were treated in our institution for IP of nasal cavity and sinuses between March 2010 and June 2019. Twenty patients had maxillary sinus IP. Sixteen patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery combined with either CLA (n=8) or PLRA (n=8). Demographic data, surgical technique, site of IP origin, intra- and postoperative complications, duration of follow-up, recurrence rate and pathologic diagnosis were reviewed. Results: IP was the pathologic diagnosis for all 16 cases. Gross total removal was achieved in all cases. The mean follow-up period was 20.1 months in CLA group and 12.5 months in PLRA group. There was one case of massive bleeding during operation requiring transfusion and postoperative ICU care in CLA group. On postoperative follow-up, two patients from the CLA group had recurrence during the follow-up period. One patient had numbness around the gingival area, another patient had transient wound dehiscence, and another had persistent oro-antral fistula. In PLRA group, one patient had periorbital swelling after blowing nose; otherwise, no other patient from the PLRA group developed subjective complaints after surgery. Conclusion Endoscopic prelacrimal recess approach showed lower complication rates and recurrence rates compared to CLA. PLRA is a safe and effective method for the excision of primary maxillary sinus IP.

Purpose: Circulating cell-free single-stranded DNA (ccf-ssDNA) is extracellular DNA and it is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of tumors and predicting the prognosis of tumors. However, the clinical usefulness of ccf-ssDNA in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not well known. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of ccf-ssDNA in CRC. Methods: The study was conducted on 44 patients who had undergone surgery for CRC, and ccf-ssDNA level was measured before surgery and statistical analysis was performed on clinical factors. Results: The association between ccf-ssDNA level and clinicopathological factors was analyzed and compared, and these factors included age, sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9), tumor location, size, stage (TNM), recurrence, and death. The group with a ccf-ssDNA level of ≥ 7.5 ng/μL had a lower age (P = 0.010), and was associated with diabetes mellitus (P = 0.037) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.049). Multivariate analysis of disease-free survival showed that lymph node metastasis and ccf-ssDNA level (hazard ratio, 10.011; 95% confidence interval, 2.269–44.175; P = 0.002) were independent prognostic factors for recurrence. In terms of overall survival, there were no statistically significant results except for vascular invasion. Conclusion This study showed that ccf-ssDNA level in plasma in CRC patients was an independent prognostic factor that could predict recurrence non-invasively. In this regard, further evaluation with a prospective, large sample size study will be needed to obtain additional results.