Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with Gleason score 3+4 and Gleason score 4+3 after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.Methods: The clinical records of patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy in our hospital from 2001 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.Thirty-seven patients with a Gleason score of 7 after operation were divided into 2 groups,Gleason score 3+4 group and Gleason score 4+3 group,according to major grading.The patients were followed up for biochemical recurrence and distant metastases.Radioimmunoassay was used to detect the serum prostate-specific antigen(PSA) level.Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the progression-free survival curves and Cox regression model was used to analyze the independent factors influencing the disease progression.Results: The rates of extraprostatic extension at radical prostatectomy were not significantly different between 3+4 and 4+3 groups(21.1% vs 33.3%,P=0.462).The non-progression survival time of 3+4 group was markedly longer than that of 4+3 group(P=0.030).Cox regression model showed that Gleason primary grade was an independent factor of prognosis(P=0.033).4+ 3 group had a higher risk for biochemical recurrence.Conclusion: Prostate cancers of Gleason score 7 with different grades have different biologic behaviors.The prognoses of patients in 3+4 group and 4+3 group are different after operation.It is quite feasible to further classify the patients with Gleason 7 according to major grades.

Objective To discuss the curative effect of interventional embolization using vascular plug together with spring coil in treating varicocele.Methods A total of 15 patients with varicocele,who were admitted to authors'hospital between March 2022 and October 2022 to receive treatment,were enrolled in this study.Interventional embolization therapy by using vascular plug together with spring coil via the left elbow vein access or via the femoral vein access was carried out in all the 15 patients.The instant surgical success rate,complications,time spent for operation,average hospital stay,and postoperative clinical efficacy were recorded and analyzed.Results Successful interventional embolization using vascular plug together with spring coil was accomplished in all the 15 patients,and no complications occurred during the perioperative period.The time spent for operation was(19±12)min,and the average hospital stay was 2.3 days.The patients were followed up for one month,the degree of the scrotal varices was obviously improved,and the swelling feeling of the perineum was significantly reduced.Conclusion For the treatment of varicocele,the interventional embolization using vascular plug together with spring coil carries certain advantages,such as reliable curative effect,easy to operate,patient being more comfortable,fast recovery,and less complications.Therefore,this technique is a therapeutic approach worth further investigation.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,32:73-76)