The purpose of this study is to report our method in detecting prostate cancer (PCa) using an 18-core transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) prostate biopsy (PB) schema, in combination with additional targeted cores from suspicious images in conventional (e-cMRI) and functional (e-fMRI) endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (e-MRI) of the prostate. From 2004 to 2008, 260 consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of PCa underwent PB and were prospectively studied. e-cMRI and e-fMRI was performed in all patients before PB. The patients were divided into two groups (A and B) according to the results of their radiological findings (group A ¼ suspicious findings, group B ¼ non-suspicious findings). After the images were processed, an 18-core TRUS-guided PB was performed. When a patient exhibited a suspicious site on e-cMRI and e-fMRI images, three additional targeted PBs were obtained from that site. In group A, 17.5% of PCa was detected by the 18-core PB and 56.5% of PCa was detected by the targeted cores. The overall PCa detection rate (18 þ targeted cores) was 73.9%. The overall specificity was 73.9%. In group B, overall false-positive detection rate reached 19.2%, with the overall sensitivity being 80.8%. The method described above is not only practical but also a promising modality in PCa detection. As seen, PCa was optimally detected when combining the 18-core and targeted-core PB schema together. Non-suspicious images do not rule out the probability of PCa, thus justifying a PB in these patients as well.

The increasing experience obtained through laparoscopy has resulted in the evolution of ablative and reconstructive procedures in the field of paediatric urology. Apart from the established methods of laparoscopic nephrectomy and orchidopexy, nowadays laparoscopic hemi-nephrectomy and pyeloplasty have become standard therapeutic surgical alternatives. Nevertheless, many of these procedures require a high level of experience in laparoscopic preparation and stitching techniques and are thus performed in institutions with greater laparoscopic experience. With the introduction and evolution of the robotic-assisted technique and the availability of smaller instruments and ports (8 and 5 mm), there has been an evolution in the spectrum of complex ablative and reconstructive procedures in the field of paediatric urology as well. Nevertheless, there is a lack of randomised trails and the literature available in this area consists manly of case reports. The purpose of this article is to present the current status and perspectives of robotic-assisted surgery in the field of paediatric urology.