INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Which ureteral stone can pass spontaneously? It is hard to answer this question exactly. The size and location of the stone are the most important predictors. However, there is still a considerable gray zone that needs to be clarified. We try to identify the role of stone volume in the prediction of spontaneous passage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with a solitary ureteral stone were retrospectively evaluated. Ureter stone volume measurements were taken in three planes and were calculated using the following formula: V = (X)x(Y)x(Z)x0.52. Stone volumes and the longest diameters were compared between patients who passed stones spontaneously and those who needed intervention. RESULTS: The stone volumes and longest diameters were significantly lower in patients who passed stones spontaneously than in patients who required intervention (41.2 ± 35.5 mm3 vs. 128.1 ± 91.1 mm3, p = 0.001; 5.7 ± 1.8 mm vs. 7.4 ± 1.7 mm, p = 0.001). The optimum cutoff values were 7.0 mm and 52.6 mm3 for the longest diameter and stone volume, respectively. For those stones of ≤ 7 mm, the volumes of the stones that could and could not pass did not differ significantly. However the volume of the stones > 7.0 mm that could pass was significantly higher than of those that could not. Spontaneous passage (SP) was 30.6% for stones > 7 mm; however, when we removed the stones > 52.6 mm3, SP increased to 75% for stones higher than 7 mm (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: To classify ureteral stones using only one parameter such as stone diameter may lead to heterogeneity within the group. Stone volume may be used in addition to size to determine a more definite, homogeneous group in order to predict spontaneous passage more precisely.

Background/Objectives: Sepsis is a high-mortality syndrome characterized by organ dysfunction resulting from a dysregulated host response to infection. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), a stress-inducible cytokine, as a biomarker in patients diagnosed with urosepsis. Methods: A total of 13 patients diagnosed with urosepsis, based on an increase of ≥2 points in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and positive urine culture, were included in the study. Daily blood samples were collected from patients for 10 days, and serum levels of GDF15, procalcitonin (PCT), and presepsin (P-SEP) were measured by ELISA. C-reactive protein (CRP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, and neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were determined using autoanalyzers. Temporal changes were analyzed using the Friedman test, and correlations were analyzed using Spearman’s test. Results: GDF15 levels began to decrease from Day 3, with a significant decline observed from Day 7 compared to Day 1 (p < 0.001). Similar decreasing trends were observed in CRP and PCT levels, whereas presepsin levels did not exhibit significant changes. Significant positive correlations were identified between GDF15 and CRP (r = 0.65, p = 0.015), BUN (r = 0.57, p = 0.041), and creatinine (r = 0.62, p = 0.024), and a significant negative correlation was observed with eGFR (r = −0.62, p = 0.024). No significant correlation was found between GDF15 and presepsin (p > 0.05). Conclusions: GDF15 is a biomarker sensitive to the resolution phase of inflammation and organ dysfunction in sepsis, demonstrating significant temporal changes. It holds potential as an indicator for monitoring clinical progression and assessing prognosis.

Testicular torsion is the most common urological emergency characterized by reduced blood flow of the testis, often due to spermatic cord torsion occurring in adolescence. A 68-year-old male patient admitted our hospital emergency service with the complaint of acute scrotal pain for a week. On history, he had undergone right inguinal hernia repair with synthetic mesh one week ago. Due to reduced blood flow of right testicular artery on colored doppler ultrasonography, emergent surgery was performed. On intraoperative examination, 360 degree torsion of spermatic cord from distal to the mesh, thrombosis of right testicular artery and necrosis of testicular tissue was observed. After detorsion of right testis, absence of blood supply to the right testis was observed. According to these findings, right inguinal orchiectomy was performed. It should be kept in mind that persistent pain may be a sign of testicular torsion which may develop early after inguinal hernia repair with synthetic polypropylene mesh. In suspicious of testicular torsion because of persistent scrotal pain after inguinal surgery, scrotal colored doppler ultrasonography must be performed immediately and consulted to the urologist. Succeed results may be provided by multidisciplinary approach and early treatment.

Ectopic prostate tissue, defined as the aberrant localization of prostate tissue, is often asymptomatic but may occasionally present with various clinical symptoms. A definitive diagnosis is established through surgical excision and subsequent histopathological analysis. This report discussess a case of ectopic prostate tissue identified in the bladder trigone of a 31-year-old patient who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms. Imaging studies revealed a suspicious lesion within the bladder, initially concerning for a potential tumor. Following cystoscopic examination, the lesion was transurethrally completely resected. Pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic prostate tissue, and the patient was subsequently monitored. This case highlights ectopic prostate tissue as a rare pathological condition that can present with clinical features resembling bladder tumors.

Squamous cell papilloma of the bladder is an exceedingly rare benign lesion. It is often identified incidentally during imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons and may mimic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. The definitive diagnosis of this lesion, which can present with varying clinical symptoms, is established through pathological examination. Here, we report a case of squamous cell papilloma in a 56-year-old asymptomatic male patient. The patient underwent cystoscopy after a suspicious lesion was observed on full-abdominal CT imaging, raising concern for a bladder tumor. During cystoscopy, transurethral resection was performed on calcified exophytic lesions observed in the bladder, achieving complete resection of all lesions. Histopathological analysis revealed the lesion to be a squamous cell papilloma, and the patient was placed under follow-up. The etiology and clinical significance of these lesions, which are rarely reported in the literature, remain unclear. In this article, we summarize the case of squamous cell papilloma of the bladder while reviewing the relevant literature. We believe that this report contributes to the literature by emphasizing the importance of accurate pathological evaluation for urologists and preventing overly aggressive treatments for patients. Keywords: papilloma, squamous, bladder