Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.1
2.4
Journals
Medicina
Special Issues
Navigating from Cancer to Urolithiasis and Urinary Tract Infections: Updates...
share announcement

Navigating from Cancer to Urolithiasis and Urinary Tract Infections: Updates in Diagnosis and Emerging Treatment Strategies in Modern Urology

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Urology & Nephrology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 1991

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Razvan-Ionut Popescu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Urology, “Prof. Dr. Theodor Burghele” Clinical Hospital, 050659 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: kidney stone; prostate cancer; renal cancer; bladder cancer; chronic kidney disease; urinary tract infections; laparoscopy and endourology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent technological advances in modern urology offer increasingly personalized and effective solutions for a wide range of pathologies. For instance, we are no longer referring to a general treatment of a pathology but to a personalized scheme tailored to each individual. Regarding tumor diseases, surgical techniques combined with oncological therapies offer personalized solutions that increase survival rates while maintaining quality of life. The miniaturization of equipment and the development of lasers and ureteral access sheaths have strengthened the preference for the retrograde approach to renal lithiasis, often replacing the percutaneous approach. Yet, despite these advances, urinary tract infections remain the “silent enemy”, posing ongoing challenges for both surgeons and patients. Until new antibiotic classes and therapeutic solutions are discovered, clinical practice must continue to adapt innovative strategies based on available resources.

This Special Issue aims to highlight studies that expand both the teaching and clinical application of these recent advances in urology. In addition to research addressing long-standing challenges, we particularly papers that present novel opportunities.

We invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue and would greatly appreciate it if you could also share this invitation with your colleagues. If you are interested in contributing, please provide a tentative title and a brief abstract in advance for a suitability check. The final submission deadline is 20 May 2026.

Dr. Razvan-Ionut Popescu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • urolithiasis
  • urinary tract infections
  • prostate cancer
  • bladder cancer

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 468 KB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Male Uropathogens Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Center Study from Romania
by Răzvan-Ionuț Popescu, Răzvan-Cosmin Petca, Cristian Mareș, Aida Petca, Michael Bassil and Viorel Jinga
Medicina 2026, 62(5), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62050889 - 5 May 2026
Viewed by 327
Abstract
Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in male patients are a topic that has received less attention in the medical literature. Current management strategies recommended by most guidelines are largely based on research involving female populations, which limits their applicability to men, in [...] Read more.
Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in male patients are a topic that has received less attention in the medical literature. Current management strategies recommended by most guidelines are largely based on research involving female populations, which limits their applicability to men, in whom UTIs are often considered complicated. While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes in antibiotic treatment, this study aims to compare antimicrobial resistance patterns of uropathogens in male patients between the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic periods. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study including urine-culture positive cases in male patients was conducted at a tertiary-level university urology center in Bucharest, Romania. To assess temporal trends, the analysis used four selected six-month intervals during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) and the post-pandemic period (2023–2025). Inclusion was limited to adult male patients aged at least 18 years who had a single identified pathogen and significant bacteriuria (at least 105 CFU/mL). Duplicate and polymicrobial samples were excluded. In accordance with CLSI guidelines, bacteria were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using standard microbiological methods. Statistical analysis was made using Python 3.11.3. Results: A total of 3158 urine positive urine cultures from male patients were included. Gram-negative isolates were the most frequent, with E. coli being the most common urinary pathogen, followed by Klebsiella. The most common Gram-positive isolate was Enterococcus. Antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative pathogens were higher in the post-pandemic period compared to the pandemic period, particularly to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and levofloxacin, with carbapenem resistance exceeding 20%. E. coli showed increased resistance rates to levofloxacin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and ceftazidime. Resistance of Klebsiella spp. exceeded 30% for imipenem and meropenem. Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic, ceftazidime, and imipenem acid increased in Proteus spp. Even though Pseudomonas spp. demonstrated higher resistance rates to several antibiotics, no statistical differences were observed. Enterococcus spp. showed a stable profile, demonstrating resistance to levofloxacin, penicillin, and ampicillin. Conclusion: Among male patients, uropathogens’ antimicrobial resistance was higher in the post-pandemic period compared to the COVID-19 period, particularly among Gram-negative bacteria. Regarding empirical therapy, there are significant concerns regarding the rise in resistance to antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones and β-lactams, as well as the emergence of resistance to carbapenems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating from Cancer to Urolithiasis and Urinary Tract Infections: Updates in Diagnosis and Emerging Treatment Strategies in Modern Urology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 264 KB  
Article
Can We Avoid Radiation Exposure in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery?
by Süleyman Öner, Utku Bekyürek and Aydın Yenilmez
Medicina 2026, 62(3), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62030428 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 415
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The use of fluoroscopy during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) results in cumulative ionizing radiation exposure to both the patient and the surgical team. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluoroscopy-free (FF) RIRS performed by experienced surgeons in [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The use of fluoroscopy during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) results in cumulative ionizing radiation exposure to both the patient and the surgical team. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluoroscopy-free (FF) RIRS performed by experienced surgeons in the management of renal stones < 2 cm. Materials and Methods: A total of 255 patients who underwent RIRS for renal stones < 2 cm between 2023 and 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly assigned to the groups. Fluoroscopy was used (FU) during RIRS in 123 patients, whereas fluoroscopy was not used during RIRS in 132 patients. All procedures were performed by a single experienced surgeon. For patients in both groups, the following variables were retrospectively reviewed: demographic characteristics, stone characteristics, localization, and diameter, operative time, fluoroscopy time and dose, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and stone-free rates (SFR). Results: The operative time was 34.7 ± 8.7 min in the FF group and 42.0 ± 12.9 min in the FU group, being significantly shorter in the FF group (p < 0.001). No fluoroscopy was used in the FF group, whereas in the FU group the fluoroscopy time and dose were recorded as 7.75 ± 3.6 s and 1.31 ± 0.61 mGy, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of length of hospital stay or SFR. No intraoperative complications were observed in either group. Postoperative complications occurred in 29 (21.9%) patients in the FF group and 42 (34.1%) patients in the FU group; the difference between groups was statistically significant (p = 0.030). Conclusions: In appropriately selected patients with renal stones < 2 cm, fluoroscopy-free RIRS performed by experienced surgeons can be applied effectively and safely, with shorter operative times and lower complication rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating from Cancer to Urolithiasis and Urinary Tract Infections: Updates in Diagnosis and Emerging Treatment Strategies in Modern Urology)
11 pages, 454 KB  
Article
From Awareness to Action: Women’s Self-Care Strategies and Clinical Behaviors in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
by Laura Miszewska, Kevin Miszewski, Bartłomiej Marczak, Gabriela Kucko and Marcin Matuszewski
Medicina 2026, 62(2), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62020295 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 867
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) remains common and burdensome, with growing emphasis on antibiotic stewardship and non-antibiotic prevention. We characterized what women with rUTI know, do, and receive in everyday care and identified gaps between patient understanding and guideline-concordant management. [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) remains common and burdensome, with growing emphasis on antibiotic stewardship and non-antibiotic prevention. We characterized what women with rUTI know, do, and receive in everyday care and identified gaps between patient understanding and guideline-concordant management. Materials and Methods: We conducted a single-center, cross-sectional survey of consecutive adult women presenting with rUTI to a urology clinic in Poland. A structured questionnaire captured demographics, knowledge, symptoms and triggers, diagnostics, treatments and prevention, and satisfaction. Responses were standardized a priori; descriptive statistics and exploratory comparisons were performed (N = 36). Results: The mean age was 53.0 years (SD: 14.8). Only 36.1% identified the correct rUTI definition, while 83.3% recognized bacteria as the common cause. The symptom profile was dominated by frequency and dysuria (each 88.9%); 27.8% reported intercourse as a precipitant, and this was more frequent among sexually active women (43.5% vs. 7.7%; p = 0.031). Over half (55.6%) perceived no seasonality. The median number of episodes in the prior year was five (IQR 4–6). Urine culture was obtained before treatment in 38.9% and after treatment in 13.9%. The overall satisfaction with care was low to moderate (13.9% were very satisfied, 61.1% were moderately satisfied, and 25.0% were dissatisfied). Prior antibiotic exposure included ciprofloxacin (55.6%), furazidin (75.0%), and fosfomycin (47.2%). The uptake of preventive options was uneven: immunoactive vaccines accounted for 19.4%, methenamine hippurate for 16.7%, pelvic floor physiotherapy for 33.3%, and vaginal estrogen for 5.6% overall (9.5% among women ≥ 50 years). Conclusions: In this clinic-referred cohort, rUTI was frequent and disruptive, factual knowledge was limited, urine culture use was inconsistent, and fluoroquinolone exposure remained common. Preventive care was misaligned with guidelines, with underuse of vaginal estrogen and variable adoption of non-antibiotic strategies. Targeted education, stewardship, and structured access to evidence-based prevention may improve outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating from Cancer to Urolithiasis and Urinary Tract Infections: Updates in Diagnosis and Emerging Treatment Strategies in Modern Urology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop