Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections.

Background: Cranberries have been used widely for several decades for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This is the third update of our review first published in 1998 and updated in 2004 and 2008.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of cranberry products in preventing UTIs in susceptible populations.

Surgery or embolization for varicoceles in subfertile men.

BACKGROUND A varicocele is a meshwork of distended blood vessels in the scrotum, usually left-sided, due to dilatation of the spermatic vein. Although the concept that a varicocele causes male subfertility has been around for more than 50 years now, the mechanisms by which a varicocele would affect fertility have not yet been satisfactorily explained. Neither is there sufficient evidence to explain the mechanisms by which varicocelectomy would restore fertility.

Incidence of histological prostatitis and its correlation with PSA density.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of asymptomatic, histologically proven prostatitis in men with symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia and to observe the correlation between asymptomatic prostatitis and prostate specific antigen (PSA) density.

Introduction: The incidence of type IV prostatitis is unknown. There is a tendency to correlate the presence of inflammatory prostatitis with an elevation of PSA.

Botulinum toxin for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Botulinum toxin (BTX) is the most potent biological toxin used for the treatment of urologic conditions. During the last 3 years, the use of BTX has been extended to the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, however, the actual mechanism through which BTX can reduce prostate volume and infravesical resistance is not well understood. This article reviews the main effects of BTX in prostate tissues.

Analysis of the risk factors for incidental carcinoma of the prostate in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Purpose: To determine the occurrence of incidental carcinoma of the prostate, its characteristics, and the risk factors for this diagnosis in a group of patients surgically treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods: The study comprised a retrospective analysis of 218 patients. After surgical treatment, patients with the finding of incidental carcinoma of the prostate were compared to those without this finding.