To describe the metabolic risk factors and investigate the effect of prophylaxis based on these factors on long-term recurrence of urolithiasis in pediatric patients with hypocitraturia. One-hundred and twenty-nine pediatric patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy between January 2008 and June 2011 were evaluated for metabolic risk factors. The patients with hypocitraturia were enrolled in this study and the data were analyzed using statistical methods for a mean period of 2 years for metabolic abnormalities, stone type, and the effect of potassium citrate prophylaxis on stone recurrence. A 24-h urine metabolite analysis revealed one or more metabolic risk factors in 115 (89.2 %) of the patients, whereas 14 (10.8 %) of the patients had no metabolic abnormalities. Eighty-two (63.5 %) of 129 patients had hypocitraturia. Of them, 43 (52 %) were male and 39 (48 %) were female, with a mean age of 9.7 ± 4.9 and 6.7 ± 4.4 (1-16) years, respectively(p = 0.102). Thirty-five (42.7 %) had pure hypocitraturia, and 47 (57.3 %) had two or more metabolic abnormalities. The most common dual metabolic abnormality was hypocitraturia and hypomagnesuria. Seventy-one patients (87 %) with hypocitraturia received medical prophylaxis and continued regularly, whereas 11 (13 %) patients did not receive medical prophylaxis despite being advised to do so. After a mean follow-up of 26.5 ± 9.4 months, the rate of recurrence was 1.4 % in the patients with hypocitraturia who continued prophylaxis and occurred in all of the patients who did not receive prophylaxis (p < 0.001). Calcium oxalate stones (95.2 %) were the most commonly found stones in the stone analysis. Detailed clinical and laboratory evaluations should be performed in children with urolithiasis. Appropriate prophylactic treatment as potassium citrate, should be given to prevent reformation of stones in patient with hypocitraturia.

Background: We aimed to determine if the ratio of the upper to the lower diameter of the ureter could have any predictive value for ureteral stone impaction. Materials and methods: Patients who had a solitary unilateral ureteric stone, determined by noncontrast computerized tomography, were assessed if they had undergone ureteroscopic lithotripsy. A total of 111 patients, 84 males (76%), and 27 females (24%), were recruited to the study. Demographic data of the patients and preoperative radiological parameters based on noncontrast computerized tomography were recorded. The impaction status was also assessed during the operation. Results: Of the 111 patients, ureteral stones in 63 (57%) patients were determined to be impacted, and ureteral stones in 48 (43%) were nonimpacted. Impacted stones were more common in older patients, female patients, and patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 2. Conclusions: Significant relationships were found between the impaction status and transverse stone length, longest stone length, upper diameter of the ureter, ratio (upper diameter of the ureter/lower diameter of the ureter), and anteroposterior diameter of the pelvis. These parameters were higher in patients with impacted stones.

Objective: To assess the predictive role of hematological parameters on the results of prostate biopsies. Method: We evaluated patients who underwent ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies between January 2014 and April 2016. The patients were divided into two groups according to their histopathological results: as patients with and without established diagnosis of prostate cancer. White blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts, hemoglobin level, hematocrit, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and plateletcrit were analyzed before biopsy. Additionally, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios were calculated. These parameters were compared between the two groups and statistically analyzed. Results: Prostate cancer was detected in 38 (30.25%) patients, and benign conditions (prostatic hyperplasia or chronic prostatitis) were detected in 88 (69.85%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients with prostate cancer and patients with benign conditions according to the white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts, hemoglobin level, hematocrit, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width and plateletcrit. Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios. Conclusion: Hematological parameters do not play a significant role in predicting prostate biopsy results. More sophisticated studies are needed to further evaluate this issue.

Background: Evaluation of feasibility, safety and effectiveness of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in different age groups.Methods: Between July 1997-October 2012, 233 patients who were 65 years old and older were included in this study. These patients were divided into two age subgroups used in gerontology research. Group 1 was defined as patients 65-74 years old, Group 2 was older than 74 years old. Data from patient records, including demographic characteristics, preoperative evaluation, operative details, and complications were retrospectively analyzed and compared with control group data.Results: The mean age of 233 patients was 69.7±4.6 years. The mean operative times for Group 1, group 2 and the control group were 76.2±47.3mins, 92.9±47.6mins, 77±44mins, respectively and there was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2 and the control group (p>0.05). Twenty-eight of the 233 patients (12%) needed blood transfusion due to perioperative bleeding. The transfusion rates of groups 1 and 2 were 11.3% and 16.7%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups and control group for blood transfusion rates (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in complications between the study and control groups (p>0.05).Conclusions: In geriatric patients, stone-free rates, transfusion rates and other operation parameters are similar to younger populations when experienced surgeons perform PCNL. Despite comorbidities and decreased body reserve, PCNL can be performed without a significant increase in complications in different ages.