
It is perhaps more important than ever that investigators evaluate cost and utilization with a critical eye to ensure that access to minimally invasive stone procedures is preserved.

It is perhaps more important than ever that investigators evaluate cost and utilization with a critical eye to ensure that access to minimally invasive stone procedures is preserved.

Although both shock wave lithotripsy and semi-rigid ureteroscopy can be seen as safe and effective approaches to treating proximal ureteral stones, the size of the stone should be a substantive consideration when choosing a technology.

Even though there is a National Coverage Decision regarding biofeedback, each Medicare carrier may approach the payment for these services differently.

The newest urology products and services from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc., Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, Genentech, Inc., Mpathy Medical, eBridge Solutions, Covidien, and UrologyMatch.com

This article discusses the advantages of RARC versus open cystectomy, and outlines unanswered questions concerning the application of the robotic approach.

Coalition building and collaboration-with media outlets, patients, and legislators-can positively influence how the practice of urology is perceived by the general public.


Urologist Samuel B. Broaddus, MD, of South Portland, ME, has been named a recipient of the 2010 Surgical Volunteerism Award of the American College of Surgeons and Pfizer, Inc.

An organization that advocates responsible entertainment has launched an initiative to alert parents about broadcast television programs that contain advertisements for erectile dysfunction drugs.

The use of estrogen therapy by postmenopausal women might increase the risk of developing kidney stones, according to findings by researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Insurance status is strongly associated with disease severity among prostate cancer patients, researchers from the American Cancer Society recently reported.

Patients treated with the investigational agent abiraterone acetate plus low-dose prednisone/prednisolone showed a significant improvement in overall survival compared with those treated with prednisone/prednisolone plus placebo, according to results from an interim analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled phase III study.

The AUA and the American Association of Clinical Urologists were among 65 physician groups that recently united to warn Congress that immediate action is needed to stop the 30% Medicare payment cuts looming at the end of this year to protect seniors' access to health care.

Manoj Monga, MD, has joined the staff of the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute at Cleveland Clinic as director of the Steven Streem Center for Endourology & Stone Disease.

The percentage of visits to physicians with a medical or surgical specialty increased significantly?from 37% to 55%?between 1978 and 2008, recently published data indicate.

A new test could reliably detect early increases in PSA levels in men who have undergone prostate cancer surgery.

Ethicon, Inc., recently announced the availability of the Gynecare TVT Exact Continence System, a minimally invasive retropubic sling used in an outpatient setting for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Patients with the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer who had radical prostatectomy procedures had a 10-year cancer-specific survival rate of 92% and an overall survival rate of 77%, researchers from two institutions recently reported.

The AUA has announced its support of H.R. 6389 (the Prostate Act), which, if passed, would require coordination and intensification of prostate cancer research by government departments.

Opposition to federal health reform approved by Congress and President Obama in March 2010 continues to find legal recognition in the states.

Urology Times wanted to learn more about urologists' current use of nonphysician providers and whether these providers' numbers and responsibilities are expanding, especially given growing concerns about a work force shortage in urology.

Novel dual energy multi-detector computed tomography (DECT) image processing software can accurately characterize urinary calculi composition.

Regarding the article, "Group challenges RT self-referral charges" (August 2010): Dr. Kapoor questions real data regarding self-referral concerns in in-office ancillary services (IOAS) arrangements for IMRT. Yet he states that a lot of patients will be adversely affected by legislation without citing any statistical data to back up this statement since it's impossible to measure the effect of something that has yet to occur.

It is easy to have a vast knowledge of coding and billing but at the same time misunderstand or misinterpret the application of a particular rule.

A large number of organizations in the medical community-including the AUA-have launched a campaign to persuade Congress to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), an entity designed by Congress to take politics out of decisions involving changes to federal health programs such as Medicare.

Early results from the first multicenter trial of stereotactic robotic radiosurgery are in, with researchers reporting that toxicity is acceptable and PSA responses are favorable.

Peter Bretan, MD, a urologist in private practice in Novato, CA, is the sole urologist for a company specializing in telemedicine-in this case, the use of robots to connect with computers at great distance from the bedside of the patient.

In the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction, bipolar and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate yield comparable outcomes at 12 months.

An experimental new device may help clinicians in the surgical treatment of lower pole stones by using ultrasound to move stones through the kidney collecting system.

An investigational metered dose, aerosolized spray containing a mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine (PSD502) is an effective treatment for premature ejaculation in both circumcised and uncircumcised men, although the magnitude of response is relatively greater in uncircumcised men.