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Biomedical subjects

W Weidner

Publications and source records attributed to W Weidner.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration: aspirate analysis and straws available after cryopreservation in patients with non-reconstructable obstructive azoospermia. MESA/TESE Group Giessen.

Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) represents a great advance in the therapy of non-reconstructable obstructive azoospermia. For procedure synchronization, a great number of organizational facilities are needed. Intentional cryopreservation of the aspirate may reduce these problems, therefore the aim of this study was to analyse the amount and quality of aspirate fluid obtained by means of MESA and the quality of the vials after thawing. Furthermore, the available cryopreserved straws were calculated. A total of 93 consecutive MESA procedures were performed and epididymal spermatozoa were obtained in 88 patients. Mean sperm concentration was 40.9 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml. Global and progressive motility were 24.8 and 7.5% respectively. In one-third of the aspirates, no progressive motile spermatozoa were found. The mean number of straws available was 7.6. In 33 ICSI cycles with frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa, a pregnancy rate of 42.4% was achieved. In conclusion, these data show that enough spermatozoa are available for various ICSI cycles following a single MESA procedure in men with non-reconstructable obstructive azoospermia. Furthermore, ICSI with cryopreserved spermatozoa leads to excellent pregnancy rates

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Surgical therapy in infertile men with ejaculatory duct obstruction: technique and outcome of a standardized surgical approach.

In severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia, low ejaculate volume, low ejaculate pH and little or no fructose in seminal plasma suggest an obstruction of the seminal pathways at the level of the prostate gland, when vasal aplasia and ejaculatory disorders are excluded. We report on our standardized surgical approach in 16 consecutive patients with this condition after clinical evaluation, semen analysis, endocrine assessment, testicular biopsy and transrectal ultrasonography. Pre-operatively, sperm analysis demonstrated typical low-volume ejaculates with azoospermia in 12 and severe oligozoospermia in four cases. Ultrasonography demonstrated seven central (Müllerian) and five lateral cystic lesions. Four cases with central obstruction revealed no ultrasonographic pathology. After intra-operative vasopuncture and vasography for definite localization of the level of obstruction, transurethral incision and/or resection of ejaculatory ducts (TURED) was performed. Patency was proven in 15 out of 16 cases by 'intra-operative chromotubation'. In nine out of 12 patients, spermatozoa could be harvested intra-operatively from the vas. During the follow-up of 12 months, post-operative ejaculates showed persistent patency in six out of seven Müllerian cysts with concomitant improvement of sperm quality. Only three of the other nine cases remained patent with the worst results in lateral cystic lesions. Only two of the patients with Müllerian cysts have fathered a child so far. The data provide evidence for the effectiveness of surgical treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction, especially in the case of central cystic lesions. The combination of surgery, cryostoring of spermatozoa retrieved intra-operatively and the possible storage of ejaculated spermatozoa post-operatively creates the possibility of subsequently using reproductive techniques if pregnancy is not achieved.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Influence of urogenital infection on sperm function.

Male accessory sex gland infections are considered to be hazards to male fertility. Various pathophysiologic concepts have evolved from experimental and clinical studies that begin to explain the effects of bacteria and immunologic events on spermatozoa. Recent studies have identified and evaluated mediators that are responsible for specific molecular processes in infections that particularly affect the function of spermatozoa.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed2000

Extracorporal shock wave therapy in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. First results of a case-controlled approach.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has an effect in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. METHODS: 22 patients with Peyronie's disease and previous unsuccessful oral drug therapy were treated with ESWT in a prospective design with a follow-up of at least 3 months; 23 age-matched patients without previous therapy received oral placebo drug for 6 months daily as control. The standard follow-up included palpation, ultrasound, autophotography and evaluation of symptomatology based on a symptom score. The shock waves were applied under ultrasound guidance using the 'Storz Minilith SL1' lithotripter. RESULTS: The results show a significant decrease in penile curvature in the patients treated with ESWT. Concerning the decrease in pain, subjective improvement and improvement in the quality of sexual intercourse, there was no significant difference to the case-control group. The inhomogeneity of the 2 groups may influence these results due to the questionable varying natural history. CONCLUSIONS: A prospective, controlled multicenter study with standardized parameters (concerning technique and patients) is urgently required to test the effect of ESWT.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2000

Mondor's disease of the penis.

Mondor's disease of the penis has been reported after genital trauma such as stretching and torsion of the veins and can cause endothelial necrosis and thrombosis. We report a 35-year-old male with thrombosis of the penile superficial dorsal vein who did not respond to topical drug therapy. Surgical management, e.g. superficial vein resection, is the most effective therapy in refractory cases for relieving pain, diminishing skin induration and producing esthetically pleasing results.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Clinical findings in congenital absence of the vasa deferentia.

In a clinical study, 105 patients with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) and 18 with congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD) were investigated. CUAVD was observed on the left side in 66%. Renal agenesis was more frequent in CUAVD (73.7%) than in CBAVD (11.8%). The leading signs of CBAVD are low pH level (average 6.5) and low volume of the ejaculate (average 0.95 ml). Testicular biopsies of 52 patients revealed normal spermatogenesis or hypospermatogenesis (33% in CBAVD; 45% in CUAVD). Genetic probing and counselling concerning cystic fibrosis are necessary if extracorporal micro-fertilization is considered. The absence of the vas deferens was often overlooked by the first investigator, the average time until correct diagnosis being 4.3 years. As artificial reproduction technology becomes more common, detection of vasal agenesis will certainly be made earlier and more frequently in the future. In order to assure compatibility of subsequent prospective studies about CBAVD and CUAVD, the following investigations are considered to be necessary: (i) semen analysis (pH, volume); (ii) renal ultrasonography or excretory urogram (screening for renal agenesis); (iii) genetic cystic fibrosis screening.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical aspects of hydatid torsion. Diagnosis and therapy in 104 consecutive patients].

At the department of the urology of the university hospital in Giessen we observed 104 hydatid torsions with acute scrotal pain between 1977 and 1998. The average age of the affected patients showed a peak in boys with 12 years of age. 33.7% of the patients underwent primary conservative treatment and 66.3% were operated primarily. We only recommend conservative treatment after careful clinical evaluation and definitive detection of testicular perfusion. Scrotal ultrasound and color duplex sonography hereby serve as decisive tools.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The value of renal scintigraphy during controlled diuresis in children with hydronephrosis.

Dynamic renal scintigraphy (DRS) during controlled diuresis is the method of choice to diagnose the functional relevance of urinary tract obstruction in children with sonographically demonstrated hydronephrosis. However, there are no commonly accepted scintigraphic criteria for surgical intervention. On the basis of our findings, we propose four stages of washout (WO) of tracer following diuresis: in stage I, WO>50%, neither further diagnosis nor intervention is necessary; in stage II, 50%>/=WO>/=12%, repetition of DRS is advised within 3-4 months; and in stage III, 12%>WO>/=5%, DRS should be repeated within 1-2 months. Only in stage IV, WO<5%, should surgery be done immediately. This procedure reduces surgical interventions by 50% without increasing the risk of residual renal damage.

Diuresis↗
PubMed1999

Varicocele--a historical perspective.

Varicocele is an essential part of andrological urology. Due to its frequency and to the problems connected with it, varicocele became a subject of interest at an early stage in the history of medicine. Questions arose as to how the changes and the consequences resulting from this condition should be treated. Even today, some questions regarding the etiopathology and therapy of varicocele remain unanswered.

History, 16th Century↗
PubMed1999

Diagnosis and therapeutic management of 18 patients with prostatic abscess.

OBJECTIVES: Our retrospective study aimed to analyze the findings and therapeutic strategies in 18 men who were admitted to our department as outpatient emergency cases with prostatic abscess. METHODS: During the period 1985 to 1997, prostatic abscess was diagnosed in 18 patients (mean age 48 years, range 20 to 68) on the basis of evidence of fluctuation at digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) findings. Diagnostic workup included analysis of midstream urine and abscess fluid for leukocytes and pathogens. Therapeutic options were conservative treatment and/or draining procedures. RESULTS: Predisposing diseases were found in 13 men. Fluctuation at digitorectal palpation was present in 15 patients. In 3 patients, diagnosis was based on TRUS. All men demonstrated leukocytes in their midstream urine. Causative pathogens in midstream urine were found in 11 patients. In 3 men, additional microbiologic evaluation of abscess fluid revealed uncommon pathogens. All patients received antibiotic treatment. Nine men with monofocal abscess less than 1 cm in diameter were treated with antibiotic therapy and a suprapubic catheter. Surgical drainage (transperineal or transrectal puncture, partly guided by TRUS, or transurethral unroofing) was performed in 12 patients and included 3 patients in whom conservative treatment failed. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the importance of predisposing factors in the pathogenesis of prostatic abscess. Medical history and analysis of midstream urine indicated a diagnosis that was confirmed by digital palpation. In some cases, TRUS may improve diagnosis and treatment. Although both operative and conservative therapy strategies appear feasible, prostatic abscess chiefly requires individually selected drainage procedures.

Abscess↗
PubMed1999

Nephron-sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma--is tumor size a suitable parameter for indication?

OBJECTIVES: Because patients with small renal cell carcinomas (RCC) are being treated by nephron-sparing surgery with increased frequency, a generally accepted parameter giving additional information as to which kind of tumor is suitable for this treatment is urgently required. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of 245 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for RCC, we investigated whether tumor size could provide the necessary information. We analyzed the association of tumor size with pTNM classification, grade, and the findings of the flow cytometric analysis of the DNA content analyzing the DNA index (DI). RESULTS: Stage pT1 was found in 23 patients (9.4%), pT2 in 100 (40.8%), pT3 in 109 (44.5%), and pT4 in 13 patients (5.3%). Grade 1 was found in 87 patients (35.5%), grade 2 in 120 (49.0%), and grade 3 in 38 patients (15.5%). A low DI was found in 71%, a moderately increased DI in 20%, and a high DI in 9%. Lymph node metastases were detected in 14% and -distant metastases in 22%. Closer examination of the tumors less than 2.5 cm (n = 23) revealed a significantly lower incidence (P <0.001) of infiltration of the renal capsule (n = 0) than in the rest of the group. Positive lymph nodes or distant metastases could not be found in this subgroup. A multifocal appearance of RCC was detected in only 2 (8.7%) of the 23 patients; it was detected in 67 (30.2%) of the 222 patients in the rest of the group. None of the 23 patients had grade 3 tumors (P <0.05). Fifty-two percent of the tumors were grade 1 and 48% grade 2. None of the 23 had a high DI; a moderately increased DI was found in 1 patient and a low DI in 22 of the 23 patients. Detailed examination of the tumors between 2.5 and 4 cm (n = 29) revealed an infiltration of the renal capsule in 11 (38%); lymph node metastases were found in 2 (6.9%) and metastases in 4 (13.8%). A multifocal appearance was found in 4 (13.9%) of the 29 patients; grade 3 tumors were detected in 3 (10.3%) of 29 patients, grade 2 tumors in 12 (41.4%), and grade 1 tumors in 14 (48.3%). In this subgroup, a high DI was found in 14% (not significant). The examination of tumors larger than 4 cm in size revealed worse results in the pTNM classification, grade, and flow cytometric results. CONCLUSIONS: Only tumors smaller than 2.5 cm should be considered suitable for nephron-sparing surgery in patients eligible for elective surgery. In patients in whom nephron-sparing surgery is imperative, even tumors between 2.5 and 4 cm appear to be suitable. In patients requiring extensive resection, however, the risk of local recurrence seems to be higher because of the higher incidence of multifocality.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Rational diagnostic steps in acute pyelonephritis with special reference to ultrasonography and computed tomography scan.

Depending on the severity of the clinical syndrome, acute pyelonephritis may require more extensive imaging diagnostics. In the uncomplicated form of the disease, ultrasonography does not appear to be absolutely necessary. In clinically severe cases, however, which fail to respond to antibiotic therapy, ultrasound is the optimal procedure for ruling out urinary tract obstruction. Where there is clinical suspicion of complications proven risk factors, persistent fever and/or continuing pathological inflammation parameters (elevated C-reactive protein levels in serum)-ultrasonography is the primary imaging technique for the exclusion of pyonephrosis, as well as for other complicating factors such as calculi, etc. In cases of insufficient response to antibiotic therapy, we recommend performing a renal computed tomography scan with contrast medium, in order to rule out hypoenhancing zones as hints for severe tissue alterations. This procedure is in accordance with the suggestions of the Society for Uroradiology. In the future, DMSA scintigraphy might constitute an equivalent diagnostic method for the exclusion of these focal inflammatory changes. Above all, DMSA scintigraphy makes it possible to anticipate the development of scars following acute pyelonephritis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Antioxidants and protective pigments of Pinus ponderosa needles at gradients of natural stresses and ozone in the San Bernardino Mountains in California.

At the San Bernardino Mountains, California, a well documented gradient of ozone pollution overlays a natural stress gradient from mesic to dry and from lower elevation to higher elevation sites. In contrast to gradient studies in European regions, the highest ambient ozone levels are observed at low elevation and more mesic locations. In the present study, antioxidative and photoprotective systems in Pinus ponderosa needles were investigated at three plots--DW (1725 m, high ozone impact, mesic site), SW (1200 m, clean air, xeric site) and CO (above 2000 m, clean air and xeric site). Needles from the CO site contained significantly more total GSH (500 vs 300 nmol g(-1) dw in c needles), less alpha-carotene (6-10 vs 14-19 microg mg(-1) total chlorophyll) and chlorophyll (1.7-2 vs 2.5-2.6 mg g(-1) dw in c + 1 needles) than those at the DW site. Furthermore, their xanthophyll cycle pool was in a more de-epoxidized state at midday (up to 60% in c needles), and the carotenoid/chlorophylls ratios were generally higher. These patterns correspond to those observed at higher elevation plots in the Alps. On the other hand, needles from the high ozone site (DW) had a higher proportion of GSSG, indicating the onset of biochemical injury to needles. Needles from the SW site had intermediate proportions of GSSG. The results show the potential of environmental stressors to induce antioxidative and photoprotective responses in the absence of elevated ozone concentrations, but support the oxidative effects of ozone injury to ponderosa pine.

Air Pollutants↗