PURPOSE: To assess whether the prostate volume and two types of lower urinary tract symptoms independently affect erectile function. MATERIALS AND MATHODS: One hundred and fifty two men, who visited outpatient department of Urology and health examination center, were investigated using validated symptom scales, including International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). The Prostate volume was measured by one examiner using transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). The correlations between the IIEF-5, emptying and storage symptoms of IPSS, prostate volume and age were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The mean age, prostate volume, and IPSS and IIEF-5 scores were 54.0+/-10.6 years (31-77), 29.1+/-20.4cm(3) (7.9-170.0), and 15.1+/-9.4 (1-35) and 14.6+/-7.1 (1-25), respectively. From the univariate analysis, significant correlations were found between the IPSS and IIEF-5 scores, and the prostate volume and IIEF-5 score, and the age and IIEF-5. When the data were subjected to a multivariate analysis, statistically significant correlations were still observed between the IPSS and IIEF-5 scores and the age and IIEF-5 score, but not between the prostate volume and IIEF-5 score. Furthermore, the storage symptoms of IPSS affected erectile function, with statistical significance, whereas the emptying symptoms did not. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, especially storage symptoms and age, caused decreases in erectile function. However, the prostate volume itself did not reduce erectile function.
Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms* ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Outpatients ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract ; Urology ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: Transient global amnesia (TGA) patients were retrospectively reviewed to determine the usefulness of high-field strength MRI in detecting probable ischemic lesions in TGA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the lesion detection rate in patients with TGA using 1.5T and 3.0T MRI. Acute probable ischemic lesions were defined as regions of high-signal intensity in diffusion weighted image with corresponding low-signal intensity in apparent diffusion coefficient map. RESULTS: 3.0T MRI showed 11 out of 32 patients with probable ischemic lesions in the hippocampus with mean lesion size of 2.8 +/- 0.6 mm, whereas 1.5T MRI detected no lesion in any of 11 patients. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between the groups of 1.5 and 3.0T MRI. CONCLUSION: High-field strength MRI has a higher detection rate of probable ischemic lesions than low-field strength MRI in patients with TGA.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Amnesia, Transient Global/*diagnosis/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

A spermatic cord leiomyoma is an uncommon disease. A leiomyoma can originate anywhere, including the genitourinary system, where smooth muscle is present. 70 and 30% of spermatic cord leiomyomas are benign and malignant, respectively. The preoperative diagnosis of a leiomyoma is difficult; the only definite diagnostic method is histological confirmation. A retroperitoneal lipoma probably constitutes the largest group of solid abdominal tumors. However, their etiology is unknown and the symptoms insidious, and recurrences and sarcomatous changes frequently occur. The clinical diagnostic methods are the clinical symptoms, a physical examination and radiological evaluations, such as intravenous urography, computed tomography and angiography, and so on, but an abdominal CT scan provides the most useful information. A fifty-six-old man presented with a five-month history of a suddenly enlarging right inguinal mass. He had undergone a right inguinal hernia operation, with medication for hypertension. Herein, a rare case of a huge retroperitoneal lipoma, with a spermatic cord leiomyoma, is reported.
Angiography ; Diagnosis ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Hypertension ; Leiomyoma* ; Lipoma ; Muscle, Smooth ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Spermatic Cord* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urogenital System ; Urography

PURPOSE: Tubularized incised-plate (TIP) urethroplasty has recently been successfully applied to all varieties of hypospadias, and also employed for those with no abundant local skin flap following failure of a hypospadias repair. We evaluated the impact of TIP urethroplasty on primary and repeat hypospadias repairs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2002, 17 primary and 6 repeat hypospadias repairs were performed by a one surgeon using TIP procedures. We retrospectively analyzed age at surgery, surgical outcomes and complications following correction of a hypospadias. RESULTS: Of the 17 primary hypospadias repairs, the mean patient age and follow-up period were 10, ranging from 0.8 to 34 years, and 13.8, ranging from 2 to 33 months, respectively. The average urethral plate width was increased after a midline incision from 6.8mm to 14.3mm in length. Early complications developed in 7 patients (41.2%), including 4 fistulas, 2 meatal stenoses and 1 wound infection, while there were 3 cases of complications that had to be corrected (17.6%), including 1 meatal stenosis and 2 fistulas. Of the 6 repeat hypospadias repairs, the mean patient age and follow-up period were 10.7 years ranging from 2 to 21 years, respectively and 12.5, ranging from 2 to 33 months, respectively. Two fistulas (33.3% complication rate) developed following the repeat TIP repairs. CONCLUSIONS: TIP urethroplasty is a versatile operation, which can give excellent functional and cosmetic results in patients requiring primary or revisional hypospadias surgery. However, the TIP procedure should not be indicated in repeat hypospadias surgery if the urethral plate has been resected, or is obviously scarred.
Cicatrix ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypospadias* ; Male ; Reoperation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ventilation tube is a percutaneous prosthesis which is exposed to external stimuli. The duration of retention and complication rate of ventilation tube partly depends on which type of tube is used. The purpose of this study is to classify ventilation tubes according to biofunctional characteristics and to design new ventilation tubes experimentally using computer graphics. MATERIALS AND METHOD:Two hundred and forty seven ventilation tubes were classified according to shape, size and material. Experimental design of a ventilation tube was performed with various graphic modellings. RESULTS: Grommet style was most common and most of flanges showed round type. Polymer has been a material of choice in making ventilation tubes. Length of the shaft ranged 1.5mm-15mm. Four kinds of models were created for designing a ventilation tube using computer graphics. CONCLUSION: Biofunctionality should be taken into account in designing ventilation tubes.
Computer Graphics ; Polymers ; Prostheses and Implants ; Research Design ; Ventilation*

Jeollabuk-do ; Osteotomy ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the core materials, thickness and fabrication methods of veneering porcelain on prosthesis fracture in the porcelain fused to metal and the porcelain veneered zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty nickel-chrome alloy cores and 40 zirconia cores were made. Half of each core group was 0.5 mm-in thickness and the other half was 1.0 mm-in thickness. Thus, there were four groups with 20 cores/group. Each group was divided into two subgroups with two different veneering methods (conventional powder/liquid layering technique and the heat-pressing technique). Tensile strength was measured using the biaxial flexural strength test based on the ISO standard 6872:2008 and Weibull analysis was conducted. Factors influencing fracture strength were analyzed through three-way ANOVA (alpha< or =.05) and the influence of core thickness and veneering method in each core materials was assessed using two-way ANOVA (alpha< or =.05). RESULTS: The biaxial flexural strength test showed that the fabrication method of veneering porcelain has the largest impact on the fracture strength followed by the core thickness and the core material. In the metal groups, both the core thickness and the fabrication method of the veneering porcelain significantly influenced on the fracture strength, while only the fabrication method affected the fracture strength in the zirconia groups. CONCLUSION: The fabrication method is more influential to the strength of a prosthesis compared to the core character determined by material and thickness of the core.
Alloys ; Dental Porcelain* ; Prostheses and Implants ; Tensile Strength

BACKGROUND/AIMS: With the development of self-expanding metallic stents, colonic obstruction can be relieved without the need for surgery. The results of preoperative placement of stents for malignant colorectal obstruction might be different according to the obstructing lesion. The objective of this study was to compare clinical improvement rates and operative results after preoperative placement of stents for malignant colorectal obstruction according to the location of the obstructing lesion. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including 57 patients who underwent self-expanding metallic stent insertion for obstructing resectable colorectal cancers. Patients were classified into three groups according to the location of the lesion as follows: proximal to the sigmoid colon (Group A), sigmoid colon (Group B), and rectum (Group C). RESULTS: The number of patients in A, B, and C groups was 13, 22, and 22, respectively. No significant differences in age, gender, stent type, and accompanying diseases among the three groups were observed. There were no significant differences in stent-related complications, clinical improvement rates, and one-stage resection rates among the three groups. The postoperative complications, the requirement rate of ICU care, the period of ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay, and hospital mortality did not significantly differ among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical improvement rates and operative results after successful placement of stents for obstructing resectable colorectal cancers are not different according to the location of the obstructing lesion, suggesting that preoperative stenting for one-stage curative resection is useful, irrespective of the location of lesion.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/surgery ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Intestinal Obstruction/*surgery ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Preoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; *Stents

Inflammatory aortic aneurysm is rare cause of retroperitoneal fibrosis with ureteral obstruction. Although the treatment options for retroperitoneal fibrosis are variable, a surgical procedure is the best choice when this condition is combined with inflammatory aortic aneurysm. We report here on our experience with laparoscopic bilateral ureterolysis and intraperitonealization of the ureters for the patient suffering with retroperitoneal fibrosis that was caused by an inflammatory aortic aneurysm.
Aortic Aneurysm* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis* ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction