Dear Colleagues,
The close of the year is approaching and this is a time both to summarize what has been achieved during 2011 and to look forward. With this December issue of UroToday International Journal, we have completed another successful year for the journal, with the publication of many interesting articles, covering the whole field of urology. Thanks are due to our authors, reviewers, and readers—with your continued contributions we can look forward to a productive 2012 with confidence. Since we foster free manuscript submission, peer review, and publication for all of our authors, we anticipate an ever-growing breadth of the latest findings that we look forward to sharing with our readers in the year ahead.
Among the many interesting contributions, Saito et al. present information from phase II placebo-controlled clinical trials on mirabegron, a novel selective β3-adrenoceptor agonist, still in development for the treatment of OAB. Mirabegron represents a welcome addition to antimuscarinic drugs for the treatment of OAB, showing a good efficacy and a side effect profile different from those of the antimuscarinics.
Gittelman et al. compare the impact of degarelix and leuprolide on the quality of life for male cancer patients. They not only present the similarities between the two drugs, but the significant benefits of degarelix in patients with metastases.
Khalil et al. discuss scrotal scintigraphy and quantitative imaging, demonstrating the beneficial approach for patients with acute scrotal pain, and the emergence of quantitative imaging as an accurate diagnostic tool.
A bladder-preserving treatment, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy has confirmed value in reducing tumor recurrence, but when does it fail? Kamel and associates define BCG failure based on their summary of major urological guidelines and standards.
Although there is much interest in urinary incontinence, in Spain, studies are lacking. Martinez-Agulló et al. present a study of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and enuresis of the Spanish population in order to shed some light on the affected population.
A study by Shelbaia et al. outlines the successful management of ureteric calculi using Stone Cone, assessing its efficacy and safety during pneumatic lithotripsy.
Essam et al. validate improved Snodgrass repair results using a double-layer vascularized dartos flap. Coupled with Snodgrass, a urethral dartos flap reduces fistula complication, and provides excellent urine flow and esthetic results.
Sallami et al. outline the benefits of uteroscopic lithotripsy with local anesthesia, which provides a more rapid procedure that neither increases the risk of complication nor compromises the procedure results.
We also present a series of case reports that include topics such as bladder melanosis, acute scrotum, and sub-urethral diverticulum.
It has been an exciting and worthwhile year, and we are confident that where UIJ flourishes, advances are sure to follow. Thank you for your continued support.
Kind Regards,
Karl-Erik Andersson