PURPOSE: Solvent 5200(heptane 1.97%, 2-bromopropane 97.92% and 1,2-dibromopropane 0.02%) is a widely used detergent in electronic industries. The toxic effect of this chemical on spermatogenesis were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight employees who showed abnormal semen analyses after exposure to Solvent 5200 for one year to eleven years underwent hormonal tests, semen analyses, testicular biopsies one month after cessation of exposure and then three consecutive semen analyses during 8 months follow-up period. RESULTS: All patients(mean age: 33 years old) had decreased sperm count including azoospermia in one Patient. Five patients also had decreased sperm motility. One azoospermic and two oligospermic patients had elevated serum FSH level. Histology of testes in six patients showed abnormal histologic findings such as atrophy of seminiferous tubules, thickening of the basement membrane and hyperplasia of Leydig cells. Follow-up semen analysis during eight months period after cessation of exposure to Solvent 5200 revealed increased sperm count in all patients including four patients recovering to normal range. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that Solvent 5200 could induce histolcgic change of testes as well as impairment of spermatogenesis and this process could be reversed by avoidance of exposure to this chemical substance.
Atrophy ; Azoospermia ; Basement Membrane ; Biopsy ; Detergents ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Leydig Cells ; Male ; Reference Values ; Semen Analysis ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatogenesis* ; Testis

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the role of free/total prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the differentiation between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients with total PSA higher than 4.0 ng/ml. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen untreated patients with prostate Cancer and 63 patients with BPH were included in this study. All patients were pathologically diagnosed by sextant transrectal biopsy before treatment. The level of total PSA and free PSA were determined by immunoradiometric assay (Cis bio international). The median values of total PSA and F/T (free/ total PSA) were compared between prostate cancer and BPH in the three different ranges of total PSA (PSA>4.0ng/ml, 4.0 ng/ml Characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained using sensitivity and specificity of total PSA and F/T at each cutoff level. RESULTS: In the range of PSA between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/ml, the median value of F/T was significantly different between prostate cancer and BPH (p<0.05), while that of total PSA was not. In other ranges of PSA, both total PSA and F/T were significantly different between prostate cancer and BPH. The area under the F/T ROC curve was significantly larger than that of total PSA ROC curve only in the range of PSA between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/ml.. In the mean time, F/T was more specific than total PSA (52% vs 32%) at the identical sensitivity (93%) of F/T and total PSA cutoff values (F/T cutoff, 0.2; total PSA cutoff, 6.0 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Free/Total PSA might provide us more reliable information on the differential diagnosis of the prostate cancer, especially in patients with PSA range between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/ml.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: There is a trend towards early catheter removal after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Therefore, the feasibility of early catheter removal after RRP was explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients having undergone a RRP performed by one surgeon were divided into two groups. Groups A and B comprised the patients who had their cystography taken either 6 or 14 days after surgery, respectively. Voiding symptoms in the immediate (after catheter removal) and late postoperative (1 month after catheter removal) periods were assessed. The mean patient ages were 68.8, ranging from 59 to 76 and 66.8, ranging from 61 to 73 years in groups A and B (p=0.37), respectively. The Mean follow-up was 4.3 months (1-9). RESULTS: One patient in each group showed significant urine leakage on cystography, which required a further week of catheter indwelling. In group A, 8 patients (72.7%) needed pads for their incontinence immediately after catheter removal and 3 (27.3%) required pads continuously 1 month after catheter removal. In group B, incontinence that required pads developed in 9 patients (81.8%) immediately after catheter removal, and in 3 (27.3%) 1 month after catheter removal. One patient in group A required a 3-day Foley catheter indwelling for urinary retention. There were 4 (36.4%) and 2 (18.2%) patients in groups A and B, respectively, with weak urinary stream (Qmax<15ml/sec). CONCLUSIONS: A catheter can be safely removed, with caution, 6 days after a radical retropubic prostatectomy for the development of urinary retention and weak stream, which might be caused by anastomotic edema and transiently decreased bladder contractility.
Catheters* ; Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prostatectomy* ; Rivers ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Retention

PURPOSE: We investigated whether free testosterone measured by direct immunoassay(aFT) reflects aging as well as bioavailable testosterone(free testosterone index; cBT) calculated from serum testosterone(T) and sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum T, SHBG, and aFT were measured in sera of 414 patients who presented with erectile dysfunction and partial androgen deficiency symptoms but no serious medical comorbidities. Their mean age was 52.5 years(<50: 152, >or=50: 262). The cBT was obtained by calculation from T and SHBG. The mean values of T, aFT, SHBG, and cBT were compared according to the age range. We analyzed the correlation between cBT and aFT and calculated the correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean values of T(ng/mL), aFT(pg/mL), SHBG(nmol/L), and cBT(nmol/L) were 3.39, 13.08, 24.3, and 6.04, respectively, in the 3rd and 4th decades; 4.34, 14.72, 23.36, and 7.74 in the 5th and 6th decades; and 4.05, 13.83, 27.32, and 5.96 in the 7th and 8th decades. The SHBG increased and T/aFT/cBT declined as age increased from the 5th and 6th to the 7th and 8th decades. The change was statistically insignificant only for aFT. The correlation between cBT and aFT was weak, with a correlation coefficient of 0.391. CONCLUSIONS: Because free testosterone measured by direct immunoassay did not reflect the age-related changes of SHBG, a single measurement is not a reliable index of bioavailable testosterone.
Aging ; Comorbidity ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Immunoassay* ; Male ; Testosterone*

PURPOSE: Solvent containing 2-bromopropane has been widely used as a detergent in the electronic industries. The long-term toxic effects of this chemical on spermatogenesis were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All eight employees (mean age 33 years) who were exposed to the solvent underwent semen analysis, hormonal tests, and testicular biopsies 2 to 3 months after cessation of the exposure. The patients' semen quality had been followed at regular intervals for 1 year as long as the results remained abnormal. We monitored the long-term outcome of 3 patients whose semen remained abnormal during 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: All patients had decreased sperm counts, with azoospermia being found in one patient. Six patients showed abnormal histologic findings such as atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, thickening of the basement membrane, and hyperplasia of Leydig cells. Of 8 patients, 5 (mean age 37.3 years) showed complete recovery of semen quality during the year after exposure ceased. These patients initially had sperm numbers more than 75 104/mL and a normal serum concentration of FSH. Of 3 patients with abnormal serum FSH and sperm numbers below 3,000/mL, 2 recovered normal sperm numbers at 18th and 24th months after cessation of exposure. Their ages and initial serum FSH concentration were 29 and 26 years and 19.6 and 74.7 mIU/mL, respectively. One patient (37 years old) with relatively normal testicular histology and a serum FSH concentration of 23.7 mIU/mL still had abnormal findings at the last semen analysis, performed 6 years after cessation of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Solvent containing 2-bromopropane can impair spermatogenesis. This process may be reversed by avoidance of the exposure to this chemical substance. However, an abnormally elevated serum FSH concentration after exposure is an ominous sign for recovery of semen quality.
Atrophy ; Azoospermia ; Basement Membrane ; Biopsy ; Detergents ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Leydig Cells ; Male ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis*

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of three phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in the treatment of mele erectile dysfunction according to patient preference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and August 2005, 113 male erectile dysfunctional patients were enrolled to this randomized, prospective, comparative, open-label, triple-crossover study of three PDE5 inhibitors. Patients were assigned to one of six medication schedules, and were prescribed a full dose of the drugs for 8 weeks, with a week of washout period prior to the next drug cycle. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores and side effects related with each medication were obtained at the end of study. 48 patients finished all the medications, and completed the study with a global assessment questionnaire on their drug preference and reasons for that preference. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54.6 (33-73) years. The mean pre-treatment IIEF and EF domain scores (+/-S.D.) were 28.2+/-14.7 and 10.6+/-6.6, respectively. The scores were significantly improved, to 47.9+/-14.6 and 19.9+/-6.6 with sildenafil, to 49.7+/-12.3 and 21.3+/-5.8 with vardenafil, and to 47.9+/-14.9 and 19.8+/-7.2 with tadalafil (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the scores or frequencies of side effects between the drugs. The preference percentages were 29.2, 29.2 and 35.4% for sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil, respectively. Patient preference was mainly due to improvement in erectile function (70.9%), such as rigid erection, prolonged erection and fast erection, and not to the infrequent rate of side effects (20.8%). CONCLISIONS: There were no significant differences of the efficacy and safety among the three PDE5 inhibitors. The preference for a drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction was mainly related to the efficacy on the improvement of erectile function rather than the less frequent side effects.
Appointments and Schedules ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Humans ; Male ; Patient Preference* ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors* ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; Prospective Studies ; Questionnaires

PURPOSE: We wanted to investigate the effect of dominant kidney nephrectomy on the postoperative renal function and we wanted to determine the preoperative risk factors that influence the postoperative renal function in living donor nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 297 living kidney donors(159 males and 138 females) who underwent nephrectomy were included in this study. Renal function was measured by the serum creatinine levels and (99m)Tc-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid(DTPA) renal scanning. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, the following independent variables were evaluated to predict a postoperative serum creatinine level 1.5mg/dl or higher: removal of a functionally dominant kidney or a larger kidney according to the DTPA renal scan or CT, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, preoperative serum creatinine and the preoperative glomerular filtration rate(GFR). RESULTS: Of the 297 subjects, 134(55%) underwent donor nephrectomy on the left side, and 163(45%) underwent donor nephrectomy on the right side. Univariate analysis showed that gender and the preoperative creatinine level were significantly associated with postoperative serum creatinine elevation(1.5mg/dl or higher)(p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the preoperative creatinine level(p<0.001), the preoperative GFR (p=0.015) and removal of a functionally dominant kidney(p=0.049) were significant factors. The cut-off values from the receiver operating characteristics(ROC) curves were 1.0mg/dl for the preoperative creatinine level, 90.24ml/min/1.73m2 for the preoperative GFR, and 10.94% for the difference of the relative renal function on DTPA. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative serum creatinine level and the preoperative GFR are critical predictive factors for renal function after living donor nephrectomy. The impact of removing a functionally dominant kidney on the postoperative renal function should be cautiously interpreted in patients where the function of the nondominant kidney is favored.
Azotemia ; Body Mass Index ; Comorbidity ; Creatinine ; Filtration ; Humans ; Kidney ; Living Donors ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nephrectomy ; Pentetic Acid ; Risk Factors ; Tissue Donors

Purpose: We evaluated the risk factors associated with failure to complete gemcitabine–cisplatin (GP) neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Materials and Methods: In total, 231 patients with MIBC treated with NAC before undergoing radical cystectomy between 2013 and 2022 participated in this study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the likelihood of incomplete NAC and clinical and demographic variables, including age, sex, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), prechemotherapy glomerular filtration rate, clinical T stage, clinical N stage, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Of 231 patients, 209 (90.5%) and 22 (9.5%) completed and discontinued the NAC course, respectively. The mean age was 66.13±9.15, 65.63±9.07, and 70.86±8.66 years for the total sample, continuation, and discontinuation groups, respectively (p=0.010). No significant inter-group differences in sex, HTN, height, weight, BMI, pre-chemotherapy glomerular filtration rate, clinical T stage, or clinical N stage were observed. According to the results of the multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.076, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.013–1.143, p=0.018) and the presence of DM (OR 2.541, 95% CI 1.028–6.281, p=0.043) were significantly associated with NAC discontinuation. Conclusions Thus, older age and presence of DM are potential risk factors for GP NAC discontinuation in patients with MIBC.Further studies are required to validate our findings and develop strategies to minimize the rate of GP NAC discontinuation in this population.

We evaluated the role of clinical symptoms, biochemical studies and metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. From August 1991 to June 1997, 42 patients with complaints of hypertension or adrenal mass were evaluated with MIBG scan, 24 hour urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), serum and 24 hour urinary catecholamine and radiologic studies such as CT, MRI or ultrasonography. Initial 9 patients were evaluated with 131 I-MIBG scan and the rest 33 patients with 123 I-MIBG scan. Of 42 patients, histologic diagnosis was obtained in 32 patients including 23 patients with pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma and 9 patients with other adrenal or extra-adrenal tumors. Remaining 10 patients had no evidence of adrenal disease on radiologic studies. Paroxysmal symptoms or hypertension was noted in 14 patients with pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma, while it was also found in 12 out of 19 patients without pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of each diagnostic modality were 60.9%, 92.9% and 93.3% in 24 hour urinary VMA, 61.9%, 75.0%, and 81.3% in 24 hour urinary catecholamine, 82.6%, 94.7%, and 95.0% in MIBG scan, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were improved to 86.9% and 100% when 24 hour urinary VMA and MIBG scan were combined. In conclusion, MIBG scan was the most useful single screening method for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, and combination of MIBG scan and 24 hour urinary VMA would enhance the diagnostic accuracy.
3-Iodobenzylguanidine* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mass Screening ; Paraganglioma ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography ; Vanilmandelic Acid

Air embolism is a rare complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Patent foramen ovale, which is necessary in fetal circulation, is a potential route for emboli arising from the venous system to enter the systemic arterial circulation, resulting in paradoxical air embolism syndrome. A case of paradoxical air embolism during percutaneous nephrolithotomy is presented. To our knowledge, this is the first report of paradoxical air embolism associated with patent foramen ovale during percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Adult ; Diverticulum/surgery ; Embolism, Air/*etiology ; Embolism, Paradoxical/*etiology ; Foramen Ovale, Patent/complications/surgery ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications/*etiology ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous/*adverse effects