Abbotteskildsen1257

PURPOSE To describe bilateral microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in healthy individuals with long-term follow-up. METHODS Six cases of smear-positive bilateral microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis were diagnosed and followed up during the study period August 2017 to January 2019. Associated risk factors, clinical features, coexistence with adenovirus, clinical course, and recurrence were studied. RESULTS The mean age was 36.6 years (range 10-65 years). The mean duration of symptoms was 13.6 days (range 7-60 days). Predisposing risk factors were present in 4 of 6 cases. The best-corrected visual acuity at presentation was ≥20/30 in all eyes except in one. Typical microsporidial epithelial lesions were seen in only one case. Persistent lesions, clinically resembling Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis in both eyes, were observed in 3 cases. The lesions in 5 eyes resolved with topical lubricants, and the remaining 7 eyes were treated with topical steroids and tacrolimus 0.03%. learn more Complete resolution was seen in 5 eyes at the end of 1 month, and superficial scarring at the last follow-up was seen in 5 eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity was ≤20/30 in 3 eyes at the last follow-up. The mean duration of follow-up was 7.3 months (range 3-12 mo). CONCLUSIONS Bilateral microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in healthy patients has an atypical presentation with prolonged course. Microsporidia could be implicated as potential candidates in the etiopathogenesis of Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis.PURPOSE OF REVIEW Given the worldwide shortage of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), we review the efficacy of alternative BCG application schedules, doses or strains and intravesical chemotherapy in patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). RECENT FINDINGS Modifying BCG schedules by reducing the dose is preferable to reducing the frequency of BCG that increases recurrence rates and should be avoided if possible. Changing the BCG substrain represents a reasonable option, as current evidence does not suggest different oncological outcomes with specific BCG substrains. Mitomycin C (MMC) alone is inferior to BCG with maintenance, but promising results have been demonstrated when used with chemohyperthermia and electromotive drug administration. Several other intravesical chemotherapies including Gemcitabine and Epirubicin should be used when both BCG and MMC are in short supply. SUMMARY In case of BCG shortage, much will depend on the severity and length of the BCG shortage, but our review supports several solutions First, we recommend contacting the local pharmacist or BCG supplier to consider alternative BCG strains or sterile splitting of BCG doses. In the complete absence of BCG, consideration should be given to MMC with chemohyperthermia or electromotive drug administration where available or other intravesical chemotherapy. High-risk patients should be considered for cystectomy.PURPOSE OF REVIEW Patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) have a high risk of recurrent tumors, even in spite of contemporary guideline recommended therapy. Follow-up recommendations are also clear (cystoscopy with cytology and upper urinary tract imaging in high-risk patients), but frequency and duration of follow-up are well defined. However, recent developments in follow-up tools might be of interest for clinical practice. RECENT FINDINGS Enhanced endoscopy improves detection and treatment of recurrences, and it can help in tailoring follow-up. However, it remains an invasive procedure. Most recently cystoscopy augmented with artificial intelligence has shown some promising results. Active surveillance, frequently done in prostate cancer patients, is also gaining attention in NMIBC follow-up. Finally markers are being studied and launched. Although not recommended by guidelines, and not used in clinical practice, recent studies have shown marker combinations with very high negative predictive values for (high risk) recurrences in follow-up of NMIBC patients. SUMMARY New tools for follow-up such as enhanced cystoscopy and urinary markers might help to individualize follow-up, which will result in decreasing patient discomfort, workload and costs while quality of care is maintained.PURPOSE OF REVIEW The orthotopic neobladder and ileal conduit are the two most commonly utilized urinary diversions among patients undergoing radical cystectomy. Although orthotopic diversion offers several advantages, only 20% of patients nationally receive this diversion, with decreasing utilization over time. The purpose of this article is to review advantages of each diversion type and considerations in patient selection, review trends in diversion utilization and perioperative and functional outcomes, and examine recent studies evaluating methods of optimizing diversion selection and patient satisfaction and outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Decreasing utilization of orthotopic diversion has coincided with the increasing utilization of minimally invasive surgical techniques. A multicentre robotic series demonstrated a higher incidence of high-grade complications with intracorporeal diversion, reflecting the learning-curve associated with this technique. Patient satisfaction with urinary diversion is associated with informed decision-making and goal alignment. Ongoing quality of life studies is aiming to identify predictors of patient satisfaction with the selected urinary diversion and may help guide patient counselling. SUMMARY Given the potential advantages of orthotopic diversion, its decreasing use is a concerning trend. Elucidating patient goals and informed decision-making are critical to patient satisfaction. A patient-centred approach should be used when selecting the type of urinary diversion for a given patient.PURPOSE OF REVIEW To report the available information on the current status and future direction of the use of checkpoint inhibitors as novel immunotherapeutic agents in bladder cancer. RECENT FINDINGS In the past 3 years, five immunotherapies targeting programmed cell death 1 (Pembrolizumab and Durvalumab) or programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) (Atezolizumab, nivolumab and Avelumab) pathways have been approved in second-line setting for patients who progressed during or after cisplatin-based chemotherapy. According to the most recent update, these patients should be PD-L1-positive to be eligible for immunotherapy. The use of novel checkpoint inhibitors was also very promising in other settings Metastatic urothelial carcinoma without prior systemic treatment (IMvigor-130), as neoadjuvant treatment before radical cystectomy in patients with muscle invasive disease (PURE-01), and in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) refractory nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (KEYNOTE 057). SUMMARY Ongoing trials on the role of checkpoint inhibitors in bladder cancer may change our approach to different stages of bladder cancer.