Alexander Combes

Dr. Alexander Combes


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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26 October 2022 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ACAlexander Combes
Alexander Combes
CPCatalina A. Palma
Catalina A. Palma
RCRoss Calopedos
Ross Calopedos
LWLingfeng Wen
Lingfeng Wen
Henry WooHenry Woo
Henry Woo
SLScott Leslie
Scott Leslie
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. The imaging assessment and treatment of prostate cancer has vastly improved over the past decade. The introduction of PSMA PET-CT has improved the detection of loco-regional and metastatic disease. PSMA PET-CT also has a role in the primary diagnosis and staging, in detecting biochemical recurrence after curative treatment and in metastasis-directed therapy. In this paper we review the role of PSMA PET-CT in prostate cancer.

1 March 2023 in Research and Reports in Urology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ACAlexander Combes
Alexander Combes
SMSimon McQueen
Simon McQueen
CPCatalina Alejandra Palma
Catalina Alejandra Palma
DBDavid Benz
David Benz
SLScott Leslie
Scott Leslie
RWRichard Waugh
Richard Waugh
Purpose: Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is the most common benign renal tumor. Whilst generally asymptomatic, they can cause life-threatening bleeding. Selective angioembolization (SAE) may be used to treat large symptomatic and asymptomatic AMLs. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SAE for symptomatic and asymptomatic renal AMLs and determine characteristics that predict spontaneous bleeding. Patients and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from a prospectively maintained database from July 2011 to April 2022. Patients were included if AML was > 4cm and they underwent subsequent SAE. Follow-up imaging was analyzed to calculate mean reduction in AML size. Clinical notes were reviewed to analyze lesion characteristics including vascularity, fat content and presence of aneurysm as well as post-procedural complications. Results: 26 patients with 30 AMLs were identified. Interval of follow-up imaging ranged from 1 to 60 months. 25 AMLs were embolized electively with 5 emergency embolizations performed for bleeding. Mean reduction in AML volume was 41% at 3 months (p=0.013) and 63% at 12 months (p=0.007). All 5 bleeding AMLs had a rich vascularity with 60% also having either aneurysms or a low fat content. Complications included post-embolic syndrome (n=9), segmental renal parenchyma devascularization (n=3), acute bleeding requiring re-embolization (n=2), nephrectomy for ongoing bleeding (n=1) and delayed bleeding managed conservatively (n=1). No deterioration in renal function was observed. Conclusion: SAE is an effective procedure for managing symptomatic and asymptomatic renal AML, with minimal significant complications. AML vascularity, fat content and aneurysms may be useful characteristics to assess future risk of bleeding in patients with renal AML.

27 February 2023 in Clinical Transplantation
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Journal Article
Closed access
SJStuart Jackson
Stuart Jackson
ACAlexander Combes
Alexander Combes
ELEdward Latif
Edward Latif
MTMinh Tran
Minh Tran
SLSusanna Lam
Susanna Lam
AVArthur Vasilaras
Arthur Vasilaras

12 December 2019 in Anz Journal of Surgery
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Journal Article
Closed access
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ACAlexander Combes
Alexander Combes
ALAlexandra Limmer
Alexandra Limmer
KVKurt Verschuer
Kurt Verschuer

1 December 2020 in Anz Journal of Surgery
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Journal Article
Closed access
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ACAlexander Combes
Alexander Combes
MMMark Magdy
Mark Magdy
DMDavid L. Morris
David L. Morris

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HWHenry Wang
Henry Wang
SAShravankrishna Ananthapadmanabhan
Shravankrishna Ananthapadmanabhan
JSJeremy Saad
Jeremy Saad
ACAlexander Combes
Alexander Combes
JSJarrah Spencer
Jarrah Spencer
ADAnkur Dhar
Ankur Dhar
Background/Objectives: Penile fractures are a rare urological emergency, defined as the traumatic rupture of the tunica albuginea. They are classically diagnosed on clinical grounds, requiring urgent operative repair, most commonly by penile degloving. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a promising tool in the management of penile fractures. Often recommended in the setting of equivocal clinical diagnoses, MRI can help diagnose, as well as localise, the site of injury. Furthermore, it also holds potential in differentiating penile fractures from mimicking conditions, thereby possibly preventing unnecessary surgical procedures. This study is aimed at evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for penile fractures. Furthermore, it seeks to explore MRI’s effectiveness in guiding the surgical approach through precise localisation of the injury site. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1995 to December 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and a total of 246 cases from 32 studies were identified. Results: Pooled results for MRI use in penile fracture diagnosis resulted in a positive predictive value of 97.8%, a negative predictive value of 87.0%, a sensitivity of 98.6%, and a specificity of 80%. MRI can accurately guide localised incisions, due to its ability to accurately identify the exact site of injury, with no additional reported complications or conversions to degloving. Considerable heterogeneity was observed within MRI parameters and protocols used in the studies identified. Conclusions: This review suggests that MRI is an accurate imaging modality for penile fractures and should be considered as a first-line investigation for equivocal cases. Its application may refine clinical management by avoiding unnecessary surgeries in cases mimicking penile fractures and improve pre-operative planning through precise injury localisation. This study is limited by heterogeneity in MRI protocols and the small sample sizes and retrospective nature of many included studies. The future standardisation of MRI protocols could enhance its utility and reliability in the clinical setting. Additionally, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes following the repair of small fractures detected on MRI and following MRI-guided localised incisions during surgical repair. Level of Evidence: 2.