Background and objectives: XX male syndrome is part of the disorders of sex development (DSD). The patients generally have normal external genitalia and discover their pathology in adulthood because of infertility. There are no guidelines regarding XX male syndrome, so the aim of our study was to evaluate the literature evidence in order to guide the physicians in the management of these type of patients. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review of the available literature in September 2018, using MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar database to search for all published studies regarding XX male syndrome according to PRISMA guidelines. The following search terms were used: “46 XX male”, “DSD”, “infertility”, “hypogonadism”. Results: After appropriate screening we selected 37 papers. Mean (SD) age was 33.14 (11.4) years. Hair distribution was normal in 29/39 patients (74.3%), gynecomastia was absent in 22/39 cases (56.4%), normal testes volume was reported in 0/14, penis size was normal in 26/32 cases (81.2%), pubic hair had a normal development in 6/7 patients (85.7%), normal erectile function was present in 27/30 cases (90%) and libido was preserved in 20/20 patients (100%). The data revealed the common presence of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. All patients had a 46,XX karyotype. The sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene was detected in 51/57 cases. The position of the SRY was on the Xp in the 97% of the cases. Conclusions: An appropriate physical examination should include the evaluation of genitalia to detect cryptorchidism, hypospadias, penis size, and gynecomastia; it is important to use a validated questionnaire to evaluate erectile dysfunction, such as the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Semen analysis is mandatory and so is the karyotype test. Abdominal ultrasound is useful in order to exclude residual Müllerian structures. Genetic and endocrine consultations are necessary to assess a possible hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Testicular sperm extraction is not recommended, and adoption or in vitro fertilization with a sperm donor are fertility options.

Background and Objectives: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA PET) are some examples of how the advancement of imaging techniques have revolutionized the diagnosis, staging, and consequently management of patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Although with less striking results, novel radiological modalities have also been proposed for bladder cancer (BCa) in recent years. Micro-ultrasound (MUS) is an imaging examination characterized by high real-time spatial resolution, recently introduced in the urological field. This article aimed to describe the current evidence regarding the application of MUS for the diagnosis and staging of PCa and BCa. Materials and Methods: We designed a narrative review. A comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Articles in English-language and published until July 2022 were deemed eligible. Retrospective and prospective primary clinical studies, as well as meta-analyses, were included. Results: MUS-guided prostate biopsy showed high sensitivity (0.91, 95% CI, 0.79–0.97) in the diagnosis of clinically significant PCa (csPCa). It was associated with a higher detection rate of csPCa than a systematic biopsy (1.18, 95% CI 0.83–1.68). No significant difference was found between MUS and mpMRI-guided biopsy in the total detection of PCa (p = 0.89) and in the detection of Grade Groups ≥ 2 (p = 0.92). The use of MUS to distinguish between non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive BCa was described, highlighting an up-staging with MUS only in a minority of cases (28.6%). Conclusions: Promising findings have emerged regarding the feasibility and accuracy of MUS in the diagnosis and staging of PCa and BCa. However, the available evidence is limited and should be considered preliminary.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common male sexual dysfunction that can cause significant distress in the patient and partner. This study aimed to compare the current international guidelines on PE to highlight their similarities and differences. We examined the latest guidelines from the European Association of Urology (EAU), American Urological Association/Sexual Medicine Society of North America (AUA/SMSNA), and International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM) by comparing definitions, classifications, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and recommendations on diagnosis and therapy. The quality of guidelines was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) Global Rating Scale (GRS). We found significant variations in the definitions of PE and recommendations on management of patients. The EAU guidelines were the most recent, the AUA/SMSNA guidelines lacked detail in some areas, and the ISSM guidelines were the most complete but also the least updated. The search for a unified definition and the development of standardized diagnostic and therapeutic pathways remain concrete issues to improve the management of patients with PE worldwide.

Background/Objectives: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence, defined as a postoperative PSA level ≥ 0.1 ng/mL measured within 4–8 weeks after radical prostatectomy (RP), predicts biochemical recurrence (BCR) and adverse oncological outcomes. The influence of nerve-sparing (NS) surgical techniques on PSA persistence remains debated, especially among patients with high-risk pathological features. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of NS techniques on PSA persistence following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), considering tumor characteristics, surgical parameters, and patient-specific factors. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 779 patients who underwent RARP at a single institution between January 2002 and December 2015. The inclusion criteria consisted of histologically confirmed prostate cancer with available preoperative and postoperative data, including PSA measurements taken 4–8 weeks after surgery. PSA persistence served as the primary outcome. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariable logistic regression models to identify predictors of PSA persistence, and Spearman’s correlation along with the Kruskal–Wallis H test to evaluate associations. Results: Of the 779 patients included, 55% underwent NS surgery (51% unilateral, 49% bilateral). The mean preoperative PSA was 11.85 ng/mL (SD: 7.63), while the mean postoperative PSA was 0.70 ng/mL (SD: 4.42). An elevated postoperative PSA was associated with a larger tumor size (r = 0.1285, p < 0.001), advanced pathological stages (χ² = 45.10, p = 3.79 × 10⁻⁹), and higher Gleason scores (χ² = 24.74, p = 1.57 × 10⁻⁴). NS surgery correlated with a lower postoperative PSA (mean: 0.20 ng/mL) compared to non-NS procedures (mean: 0.65 ng/mL), with slight differences between unilateral (mean: 0.30 ng/mL) and bilateral (mean: 0.35 ng/mL) NS approaches. Multivariable regression analysis identified advanced pathological stage (coefficient = 1.16, p = 0.04) as an independent predictor of PSA persistence, while NS techniques had no significant independent effect (coefficient = −0.01, p = 0.99). Conclusions: Nerve-sparing surgical techniques do not independently predict PSA persistence after RARP when adjusting for tumor-related factors and confounders. Advanced pathological stage, particularly stage pT3b, primarily determines PSA persistence. These findings highlight the necessity of personalized surgical planning informed by preoperative imaging and patient-centered decision making to optimize oncological and functional outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Patients undergoing cystoscopy can experience discomfort or pain during the procedure. In some cases, a urinary tract infection (UTI) with storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may occur in the days following the procedure. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of D-mannose plus Saccharomyces boulardii in the prevention of UTIs and discomfort in patients undergoing cystoscopy. Materials and Methods: A single-center prospective randomized pilot study was conducted between April 2019 and June 2020. Patients undergoing cystoscopy for suspected bladder cancer (BCa) or in the follow-up for BCa were enrolled. Patients were randomized into two groups: D-Mannose plus Saccharomyces boulardii (Group A) vs. no treatment (Group B). A urine culture was prescribed regardless of symptoms 7 days before and 7 days after cystoscopy. The International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS), 0–10 numeric rating scale (NRS) for local pain/discomfort, and EORTC Core Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) were administered before cystoscopy and 7 days after. Results: A total of 32 patients (16 per group) were enrolled. No urine culture was positive in Group A 7 days after cystoscopy, while 3 patients (18.8%) in Group B had a positive control urine culture (p = 0.044). All patients with positive control urine culture reported the onset or worsening of urinary symptoms, excluding the diagnosis of asymptomatic bacteriuria. At 7 days after cystoscopy, the median IPSS of Group A was significantly lower than that of Group B (10.5 vs. 16.5 points; p = 0.021), and at 7 days, the median NRS for local discomfort/pain of Group A was significantly lower than that for Group B (1.5 vs. 4.0 points; p = 0.012). No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in the median IPSS-QoL and EORTC QLQ-C30 was found between groups. Conclusions: D-Mannose plus Saccharomyces boulardii administered after cystoscopy seem to significantly reduce the incidence of UTI, the severity of LUTS, and the intensity of local discomfort.

Background/Objectives: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is the standard adjuvant treatment for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but treatment-related urinary toxicity may compromise quality of life (QoL) and adherence. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of systemic inflammation, has been linked to oncologic outcomes in bladder cancer, but its association with urinary symptom burden during BCG therapy remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether baseline NLR is associated with early deterioration in urinary symptoms and urinary QoL following BCG induction. Methods: This prospective study included male patients with NMIBC treated with intravesical BCG. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and urinary symptoms were recorded. Patients were stratified into two groups according to baseline NLR (<3 vs. ≥3). Urinary outcomes were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the IPSS-related QoL item. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 96 patients were analyzed. Median baseline NLR was 2.6 (IQR: 2.1–3.8). Patients with NLR ≥ 3 (n = 34) and NLR < 3 (n = 62) had comparable baseline characteristics and urinary scores. At 8 weeks, patients with NLR ≥ 3 experienced a greater worsening of urinary symptoms (median IPSS 24 vs. 21, p = 0.02; median change +5 vs. +2, p = 0.01) and QoL (median 5 vs. 4, p = 0.03). Univariable regression confirmed the association of NLR ≥ 3 with worse QoL (β = +0.74; p = 0.003) and higher IPSS (β = +2.20; p = 0.021). Modeled as a continuous variable, each one-unit increase in NLR corresponded to a +0.20 worsening in QoL (p = 0.008). In the multivariable analyses adjusted for baseline IPSS and concomitant CIS, NLR remained independently associated with QoL decline. Conclusions: Baseline NLR was independently associated with worsening urinary symptoms and QoL during BCG induction in NMIBC patients. NLR may represent a simple and accessible biomarker for early risk stratification during BCG induction, warranting validation in larger, longer-term prospective trials.