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Prostate abscess

Prostate abscess (PA) is a relatively uncommon clinical condition which is often difficult to diagnose because clinical symptoms are non-specific. It may be associated with a significant fatality rate, estimated to be between 3% and 30%, which may reflect its...

Shared decision-making – minimising the mismatch

In Western countries, we are spoilt for choice in almost every aspect of our lives, but does that reflect also in healthcare? While we have taken some big strides towards shared decision-making with our patients, the age-old physician dominance remains...

Metabolic stone disease for urology trainees

Urolithiasis continues to be a heavy burden on the worldwide medical infrastructure with an estimated 106 million cases recorded internationally in 2021 [1]. Whilst incidence rates have started to decline across Europe and high-income North America, there are emerging hotspots...

Can dogs smell prostate cancer?

For centuries we have known that man’s best friend has an exceptional sense of smell. ‘Sniffer’ dogs are found in a wide range of roles, including drug and explosive detection as part of airport security, helping emergency services locate survivors...

Small renal masses – diagnosis and management

Renal cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the UK and accounts for about 3% of all new cancer diagnoses [1]. The incidence rates are steadily rising, with the highest rates being in older men and women. This rise...

Post-Brexit deal welcomed but leaves future relationship with EU far from settled

This article was originally published EYE NEWS VOLUME 27 ISSUE 6 APRIL/MAY 2021 Rod McNeil breaks down the impact of the Brexit deal on healthcare in the UK, including medicines regulation, research funding, sharing of information and the ability to...

Renal calculi: the role of imaging in pregnancy

Nephrolithiasis is the most common cause of non-obstetric abdominal pain in pregnancy. Accurate diagnosis is imperative as stone related complications can lead to pre-eclampsia, urosepsis, and premature labour [1,2]. In the general population, non-contrast cross sectional imaging is recommended by...

Hard flaccid syndrome

Chronic pelvic pain is defined as pain present below the level of the umbilicus with a duration of more than six months [1,2]. Chronic pelvic pain syndromes (CPPS) are highly prevalent in Western society, affecting both males and females. Studies...

Challenges of upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Upper tract uroepithelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a fairly common disease which traditionally had poorer outcomes compared to bladder cancer. This is due to various factors leading to delayed diagnosis and problems in risk stratification. Continuing efforts have focused on early...

Bladder cancer: where are we with intravesical therapies?

In the United Kingdom, almost 10,500 new cases of bladder cancer were identified in 2013, with over 5000 deaths in 2012 [1]. Seventy percent of new cases will be non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) at diagnosis and therefore will be...

The impact of FGM on the genitourinary system: a 2021 perspective

Awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) in European countries has increased over recent decades as a result of globalisation and migration of populations. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes FGM as procedures that involve partial or total removal of the...