Ep. 331 Transitioning an Independent Practice to an Academic Urology Program with Dr. Javier Castillo

How is suction technology changing what it means to be “stone-free” after ureteroscopy? On this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Ruchika Talwar welcomes Dr. Karen Stern, endourologist at Mayo Clinic Arizona, for a practical discussion of how ureteroscopy is evolving in the era of suction. They discuss how thin-slice CT has revealed just how much stone typically remains after surgery, why dusting versus fragmenting is now a patient-dependent choice, and what to consider when selecting between suction sheaths, aspiration scopes, and traditional access.

Same risk group, very different benefit. Can biomarkers help identify who needs treatment intensification in prostate cancer? On this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Ruchika Talwar and Dr. Angela Jia, a radiation oncologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, break down the difference between prognostic and predictive biomarkers and how genomic testing is informing the way clinicians counsel patients. They review trial data suggesting that men with a low genomic score may gain little from adding hormone therapy, along with early prospective evidence that the luminal B subtype may help identify who benefits most from intensification.

How do you decide if a neurogenic bladder is a safety problem or a quality of life problem for each patient, and how do you move from guideline risk categories to a real surveillance plan? On this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Anjali Kapur interviews Dr. Benjamin Brucker, professor of urology and director of neuro-urology at NYU Langone Health, about navigating neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. They start with the AUA and SUFU guideline framework, covering history, physical exam, mobility, cognition, voiding diaries, and risk stratification to sort patients into low, unknown, or high risk. Dr. Brucker outlines the findings that move a patient between categories and the workup needed, from renal ultrasound and urodynamics to identifying unsafe storage pressures and elevated post-void residual.

What is the difference between mentorship, sponsorship, and coaching in a physician’s career, and how can coaching influence your professional development? On this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Helen Bernie interviews Dr. Emilie Johnson and Dr. Angie Smith about the transformative impact of career coaching for urologists. They break down how coaching differs from mentorship and sponsorship, who stands to benefit most, and the real value of having a conversation focused entirely on your goals and growth.

Adrenal lesions now turn up on four to ten percent of cross-sectional scans, and every urologist needs a reliable way to sort out the harmless ones from the dangerous ones. On this episode of BackTable Urology, co-hosts Dr. Gina Badalato and Dr. Chris Anderson speak with Dr. Ben Ristau to share a practical, case-based framework for evaluating adrenal lesions. They walk through imaging criteria, the essential hormonal workup, size thresholds for surgery, the rare but crucial role of biopsy, and the operative planning that separates a smooth adrenalectomy from a crisis.