Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to I H Hirsch.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma), a connective tissue disorder involving multiple organ systems, can be a causal factor in erectile dysfunction. We present a case report and a review of the literature. Awareness of this association can hasten the detection of this disorder and influence management choices.
OBJECTIVES: Clinical outcome studies of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) have shown a markedly decreased rate of palpable fibrosis and plaque formation. In this prospective study we investigate the potential of this agent to produce subclinical fibrotic changes. METHODS: Real-time high-resolution ultrasound scanning of the corpora was performed using a 7.5 to 10 MHz linear array transducer in 80 men on initiation of treatment with self-administered PGE1 and at quarterly intervals during the course of following (3 to 28 months). The dorsal portion of the penile shaft was scanned in the transverse and sagittal planes from base to glans for a side by side comparison of the cavernosal tissue, evaluating local abnormalities of tissue echogenicity. RESULTS: Palpable lesions were not detected in any men on quarterly follow-up examination. Thirteen (16.5%) men developed new echogenic foci not present on pretreatment scanning at the following locations: proximal corpus cavernosum, subcutaneous tissues, and corpus spongiosum. These changes were observed both as single and multiple lesions ranging in size from 1 to 10 mm. The presence of these findings was independent of the etiology of impotence, dose frequency, and duration of intracavernous therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The significance of these subclinical changes is unknown but their low incidence should be recognized when considering long-term intracavernous therapy.
Standard laparoscopic surgery requires maintenance of the working cavity by continual carbon dioxide insufflation and exaggerated Trendelenburg positioning. Both cardiopulmonary and metabolic adverse effects may result from these maneuvers, which may be avoided by a gasless approach to laparoscopic surgery. We investigated a new mechanical retraction system designed to maintain exposure of either intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal contents in a gasless laparoscopic cavity and assessed its performance in both laparoscopic approaches. Gasless laparoscopic surgery was attempted using the Laprolift/Laparofan system for retroperitoneal procedures: left varicocele ligation (three cases), renal biopsy (one case), extraperitoneal pelvic lymph node dissection (one case), and intraperitoneal bilateral varicocelectomy (two cases). Renal biopsy and varicocelectomy were accomplished successfully with the gasless approach and with technical ease comparable to that of the standard insufflative laparoscopic approach. Gasless pelvic lymph node dissection and intraperitoneal varicocelectomy were converted to insufflative laparoscopic or open procedures because of inadequate exposure of the pelvic contents. This early experience with gasless laparoscopy indicates that it may best be reserved for retroperitoneal urologic procedures.
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Major health and economic concerns have caused urologists to seek alternative forms of treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The goal of these newer treatments is to decrease morbidity, reduce health care cost, and improve overall outcome for the patients with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard treatment for BPH. One factor associated with the relative higher cost of a TURP is the average 4-day postoperative stay needed to clear the hematuria. Techniques have evolved that have allowed immediate tissue removal through "vaporization" of the prostate with a decrease in the postoperative stay. These techniques have primarily relied upon the use of lasers to vaporize tissue. A new transurethral prostatectomy technique called transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) has been recently introduced. This relies upon a newly developed resectoscope electrode (VaporTrode) that allows vaporization of the prostate tissue in the "cutting" mode. The potential advantage of TVP is the reduction in postoperative hematuria and the utilization of equipment and techniques that are already familiar to the practicing urologist.
Sperm autoimmunity has been reported as a contributory cause of male factor infertility in up to 10% of subfertile men. The standard laboratory technique for the determination of sperm bound antisperm antibodies is the direct immunobead test. However, because of its complex methodology this test does not readily lend itself as a screening tool for this diagnosis. We describe a simple office based procedure, the sperm mixed antiglobulin reaction, for the detection of antisperm antibodies and compare its diagnostic accuracy with the standard direct immunobead test. Both assays were simultaneously performed on each of 102 semen specimens from men with male factor infertility. The rate of detection of sperm autoantibodies was 16.6% and 19.6% by the direct immunobead test and sperm mixed antiglobulin reaction, respectively. Compared to the direct immunobead test, sperm mixed antiglobulin reaction demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 96%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 85% and the negative predictive value was 100%, emphasizing its particularly useful role as a screening tool for office based detection of sperm autoantibodies in men who present for evaluation of fertility potential.
We present a method of implantation of the inguinal reservoir of the multicomponent inflatable penile prosthesis that permits safe 1-step creation of an adequate prevesical space. The preperitoneal distention balloon is inflated in the prevesical space to produce a compartment of adequate volume to avoid back pressure on the reservoir and minimize potential bladder injury in the setting of previous pelvic surgery.
Terazosin was evaluated in 21 normotensive spinal cord injured patients with autonomic dysreflexia. The patients were followed for 3 months during which the autonomic dysreflexia severity and frequency were evaluated. Autonomic dysreflexia severity mean score was significantly improved when measured at baseline and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months (10.3 +/- 4.2, 5.08 +/- 2.3, 3.83 +/- 2.5 and 4.5 +/- 1.4, respectively, p < 0.0005). No statistically significant change was seen in erectile function and blood pressure. Three patients complained of fatigue, 1 of whom had the dosage reduced from 5 to 2.5 mg. daily. Terazosin appears to be effective in preventing serious harm from autonomic dysreflexia without erectile function impairment. The effectiveness is significant in the first week and remains for at least 3 months.
OBJECTIVES: Traumatic avulsion of the posterior urethra represents a challenging reconstructive problem that traditionally has been managed by the transpubic or transperineal approach. We report the advantages of endourologic techniques to reconstruct short posterior urethral disruptions based on the principles of establishing proximal urethral control and balloon dilation of the newly constructed urethra. METHODS: Endourologic urethroplasty consists of: (1) antegrade flexible cystoscopy or antegrade passage of a Goodwin sound, (2) retrograde urethrotomy to light or to tip of Goodwin sound, facilitated by C-arm fluoroscopy, (3) establishment of urethral continuity by passage of a guide wire, (4) balloon dilation of the newly established urethra to 24 to 30 F over a length of 4 cm, and (5) long-term urethral stenting (4 to 8 weeks) with a silicone Foley catheter. RESULTS: In four men initially managed by suprapubic cystostomy, endourologic reconstruction was performed. The mean blood loss was 250 mL, and mean length of hospitalization was 5.4 days. All patients were continent and three were potent over a mean follow-up of 10.5 months. Uroflowmetric monitoring showed satisfactory voiding patterns with subsequent minor endoscopic revisions required in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: The technical advantages of this method include stabilization and identification of the proximal urethra, intraoperative shortening of the urethral gap to facilitate the urethrotomy, and radial distention of the urethra by balloon dilation. We conclude that endourologic methods provide a safe and effective initial treatment of urethral avulsion.
The administration and suitability of intracavernous PGE-1 in men with neuropathic erectile dysfunction is reported herein. Twenty-seven men with neuropathic erectile dysfunction (SCI, 14; multiple sclerosis, 7; discogenic disease, 6) were evaluated and treated with intracavernous PGE-1. An average of 3.2 office sessions were required to learn adequate self-injection technique and determine optimal dosage requirement. Initial dosage for SCI men was 2.5 micrograms and increased in 2.5 micrograms increments to a mean maintenance dose of 6.2 micrograms. Quarterly monitoring up to 28 months demonstrated satisfactory erectile rigidity and duration of erection in all patients electing to pursue home administration of PGE-1. During this interval, over 40% of patients dropped out of the treatment program. No priapism or changes in serum chemistries, CBC, or platelets were observed during this period. Corporal fibrosis although not palpable, was detected subclinically by penile ultrasound in two men. This study confirms the safety and efficacy of self-administered intracavernous PGE-1 for neuropathic impotence. However, because of a significant rate of voluntary cessation, patients should be counseled regarding the full range of therapeutic alternatives to intracavernous therapy.
Laparoscopic urologic surgery has become increasingly more popular, with the majority of procedures and techniques that have been described based on intraperitoneal experience and anatomic considerations. Urologic surgery, traditionally confined mostly to the extraperitoneal space, has followed these intraperitoneal descriptions when undertaken laparoscopically. Our experience of controlled, laparoscopically monitored dilatation of the extraperitoneal space using a new trocar-mounted balloon dissector can create a working space in a surgical environment familiar to traditional open urologic surgery. We report our initial experience with the preperitoneal distention balloon in 15 patients, emphasizing the technique of extraperitoneal access and the laparoscopic visualization of anatomy relevant to pelvic lymph node dissection, varicocele ligation, nephropexy, and renal biopsy. In this early experience, laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection was performed successfully in 7 of 11 patients and in all other patients undergoing the retroperitoneal procedures. Patients with a prior history of hernia repair or appendectomy do not appear to be suitable to this approach when used for pelvic lymphadenectomy. The trocar-mounted balloon device allows direct visualization and control of the dissection process. Avoiding the transperitoneal approach may eliminate many of the complications associated with the transperitoneal access and procedure completion. We conclude that the extraperitoneal technique using this device merits further investigation and more widespread application in the laparoscopic approach to conventional extraperitoneal urologic procedures.
Experimental rodent models simulating the condition of neurogenic infertility have drawn attention to the role of potential epididymal dysfunction as an underlying cause. This functional obstruction of the genital tract is comparable to the outcome of genital tract obstruction after vasectomy, and may explain the common finding of asthenospermia in both groups following either stimulated semen recovery or vasovasostomy, respectively. Since spermatogenic dysfunction has been reported in spinal cord injury, the relative roles of defective sperm production and sperm transport remain to be determined in men with neurogenic infertility. The objective of this study was to compare the levels of spermatogenesis in groups of vasectomized men and those with spinal cord injury, using objective measurement criteria for spermatogenesis. Groups of 10 spinal cord-injured and six vasectomized men matched for age and duration of disease, underwent incisional testicular biopsy. The specimens were divided equally for parallel quantitation of spermatogenesis by both quantitative cytometry and DNA flow cytometric analysis. Quantitative parameters showed similar values for both groups with reference to mean tubular wall thickness, mean tubular concentration of spermatids and Sertoli cells, as well as the mean spermatid: Sertoli cell ratio per tubule. Additionally, similar percentages of 1N, 2N and 4N cells, were found in both groups. Based on these preliminary findings this study provides a clinical correlation supporting the experimental observation that both anatomical and functional obstruction of the male genital tract exert a similar although minor spermatogenic insult, and that in both the putative cause for neurogenic infertility is more likely to be at the post-testicular level.
Four significant complications of Teflon injections for stress urinary incontinence are reported in 22 women and eight men. Three of the complications included periurethral abscess, urethral diverticulum, and periurethral Teflon granuloma with urethral wall prolapse occurred in women. These complications needed surgical excision and further surgery for stress incontinence, in two patients the outcome was good. Among the female patients the cure rate for stress incontinence with Teflon injection was only 18% in the 5-year follow-up. One other complication, a Teflon cyst, occurred in a male who had previously undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy. Only two of the eight men (25%) who received Teflon injections had maintained improvement after 1 year.
Objective determination of spermatogenesis has been accomplished by quantitative testicular biopsy, which, although laborious, has served as the standard for spermatogenic assessment. Aspiration deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) flow cytometry of the testis, however, has simplified this determination, and has correlated with indirect hormonal parameters of spermatogenesis and qualitative observations of the seminiferous epithelium. Nevertheless, this important modality has yet to be validated against quantitative micrometry of the testis. To determine this correlation we submitted 29 incisional testicular biopsies for simultaneous quantitative analysis and DNA flow cytometry. Micrometric parameters included the mean tubular wall thickness, and the mean tubular concentration of late spermatids and Sertoli cells. The percentage of haploid, diploid and tetraploid cells was determined for each patient. For the entire patient population a statistically significant correlation was observed between the percentage of haploid cells and the tubular concentration of late spermatids (r = 0.784, p < 0.0005) as well as the mean tubular spermatid-to-Sertoli cell ratio (r = 0.824, p < 0.0005). A similar correlation was noted for various etiological subsets of patients: spinal cord injury (r = 0.809, p < 0.002), genital tract obstruction (r = 0.705, p < 0.02) and miscellaneous diagnoses (r = 0.828, p < 0.02). For the group with testicular failure quantitative micrometry and flow cytometry demonstrated severe impairment in all patients although a statistically significant correlation could not be shown because of the small range of values. DNA flow cytometry analysis correlates strongly with the current standard of quantitative spermatogenic assessment and, therefore, it may be validated as a simplified and highly objective method of determining spermatogenesis.
Lyme disease, which is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is associated with a variety of neurological sequelae. We describe 7 patients with neuro-borreliosis who also had lower urinary tract dysfunction. Urodynamic evaluation revealed detrusor hyperreflexia in 5 patients and detrusor areflexia in 2. Detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia was not noted on electromyography in any patient. We observed that the urinary tract may be involved in 2 respects in the course of Lyme disease: 1) voiding dysfunction may be part of neuro-borreliosis and 2) the spirochete may directly invade the urinary tract. In 1 patient bladder infection by the Lyme spirochete was documented on biopsy. Neurological and urological symptoms in all patients were slow to resolve and convalescence was protracted. Relapses of active Lyme disease and residual neurological deficits were common. Urologists practicing in areas endemic for Lyme disease need to be aware of B. burgdorferi infection in the differential diagnosis of neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Conservative bladder management including clean intermittent catheterization guided by urodynamic evaluation is recommended.
Spermatogenic abnormalities have been reported in the majority of men following spinal cord injury, and they contribute to the multifactorial etiology of reproductive dysfunction. Thus far, few have studied the seminiferous epithelium in this group of patients by objective criteria. While quantitative micrometry and flow cytometric analysis are accurate and reproducible methods of quantitating spermatogenesis, the latter is simpler and permits needle aspiration for tissue recovery. The objective of this study is to determine the value of quantitative micrometry and flow cytometric analysis as methods of predicting total sperm yield in electrostimulated ejaculates. Incisional testicular biopsy was performed in 12 anejaculatory men, and the tissue specimens were divided for analysis by quantitative micrometry and flow cytometric analysis. Quantitative micrometry consisted of determining the mean tubular wall thickness, mean tubular concentration of the Sertoli cells and mature spermatids in a minimum of 10 round seminiferous tubules per patient. Specimens were prepared for flow cytometric analysis and the deoxyribonucleic acid histogram was analyzed to determine the percentage of cells in each ploidy compartment. Of the quantitative micrometry parameters analyzed a significant correlation resulted between the total sperm yield per electroejaculate and the mean tubular concentration of late spermatids (p = 0.001) as well as with the mean tubular ratio of late spermatids to Sertoli cells (p = 0.003). The tubular concentration of spermatids resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 75%, respectively, to predict adequate sperm yield in semen. Likewise, the mean tubular ratio of spermatids to Sertoli cells resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 87.5%, respectively, in its ability to predict normal sperm yield in the recovered ejaculate. Deoxyribonucleic acid flow cytometry analysis showed a normal haploid compartment in all 6 specimens studied, and each was associated with high numbers of sperm in recovered semen. Quantitative histometric parameters correlate significantly with the total sperm yield obtained in electrostimulated ejaculates and may have a role in the selection of candidates for treatment in reproductive rehabilitation programs.
Deterioration of the germinal epithelium of the testis is a known sequela of spinal cord injury (SCI) that may influence the outcome of male reproductive rehabilitation efforts. Quantitative testicular biopsy, currently regarded as the standard of assessing the integrity of spermatogenesis, has not gained wide-spread clinical use because of its invasive nature and relative technical complexity. Alternatively, aspiration DNA flow cytometry analysis of the testis has offered a potential method of spermatogenic assessment that meets both the requirements of simplicity and objectivity. The objective of this study is to determine the capability of flow cytometry to assess spermatogenesis following SCI. Eleven SCI men underwent incisional testicular biopsy with the specimen simultaneously submitted for quantitative evaluation of the germinal epithelium by both quantitative histometry and DNA flow cytometry. The haploid percentage of cells showed highly significant levels of correlation with key micrometric parameters of the quantitative testicular biopsy: spermatid/tubule (p < 0.002) and the spermatid/Sertoli cell ratio (p < 0.0005). Since tissue procurement is accomplished less invasively for flow cytometry analysis, we recommend this method as the modality of assuring integrity of the germinal epithelium in candidates for reproductive rehabilitation.
Eighty-one consecutive flexible cystoscopic examinations were performed on 69 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) at the time of their urodynamic study. The indications for cystoscopy included hematuria, recurrent urinary tract infections, symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction, the presence of an intraurethral sphincter stent requiring evaluation, neurogenic vesical dysfunction requiring endourodynamic study (cystometrogram through the working port of the flexible cystoscope), or bladder calculi. Flexible cystoscopy was accomplished in all patients, whether lying supine or seated in a wheelchair (N = 16). Only 6 of 39 patients with previous episodes of autonomic dysreflexia became hypertensive during cystoscopy. When a urodynamic catheter could not be inserted, the flexible cystoscope was particularly useful in defining the urethral anatomy or obstruction and in performing endourodynamic evaluation. The only complication was the development of febrile urinary tract infection in four patients. The flexible cystoscope is a valuable tool in the urodynamic laboratory caring for patients with SCI and is effective for use in endourodynamics, especially when patient positioning or catheter placement is difficult. The procedure is well tolerated, causes minimal stimulation leading to the development of autonomic dysreflexia, and provides accurate cystometric data.