[Does testicular volume reflect spermatogenic pattern in men with azoospermia?].

The aim of this study was to determine whether testicular volume can serve to predict patterns of spermatogenesis in azoospermia. In 27 tests of azoospermic infertile men, cytological specimens from several sites from each testis were obtained by fine needle aspiration. Testes were classified according to the most mature spermatogenic cell type.

Is diagnostic testicular fine needle aspiration necessary in azoospermic men before sperm aspiration/extraction for intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles?

Purpose: To determine whether diagnostic testicular fine needle aspiration (TEFNA) sampling needs to be performed in azoospermic men prior to obtaining testicular sperm cells for IVF-ICSI procedures.

Methods: Ten azoospermic patients underwent TEFNA in 1993-1996. During 1997, all patients underwent testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) and/or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) to retrieve spermatozoa for IVF-ICSI cycles.

[Follicle-stimulating hormone in azoospermia in prediction of spermatogenic patterns].

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is considered to be the most important plasma hormone correlated with spermatogenesis. Elevated FSH plasma levels were shown to be associated with complete damage to testicular seminiferous tubule germinal epithelium. Recently, there have been conflicting reports with regard to the value of FSH plasma levels in predicting seminiferous tubule histology in the azoospermic patient and hence, as a guide for therapy in assisted reproduction using testicular sperm retrieval.

Histologic evaluation of endoscopic versus suction biopsies of small intestinal mucosae in children with and without celiac disease.

Background: Concern over the adequacy of histologic diagnosis of endoscopic duodenal biopsies in children prompted this comparative study on the histologic quality of endoscopic versus capsule biopsies. We found this problem addressed in only six previous reports.

Methods: Blind examinations of the histologic sections of 48 duodenal biopsies obtained by gastrointestinal endoscopy in children aged 2-18 years were compared to 52 biopsies obtained by the small bowel suction method (from children aged 1-16 years).

Use of CD34 and factor VIII to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma on fine needle aspirates.

Objective: The immunohistochemical staining patterns characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using CD34 and factor VIII antibodies were compared with those of other hepatic lesions to determine if these stainings can be used as a diagnostic criterion.

Study Design: We reviewed 44 fine needle aspirates from the liver to evaluate the immunoperoxidase staining patterns on cell block preparations using CD34 and factor VIII and to determine whether this could distinguish HCC from the other lesions. These included HCC (14 cases), metastatic tumor (14 cases) and nonneoplastic liver lesions (16 cases).

Geographic variance in the frequency of the t(14;18) translocation in follicular lymphoma: an Israeli series compared to the world.

It has been suggested that differences in the frequency of the t(14;18) translocation in follicular lymphoma might explain ethno-geographic variation in the incidence of these tumors. We tested Israeli follicular lymphoma patients for the frequency of the t(14;18) translocation, and reviewed the published literature, comparing the frequency in our series with data from different parts of the world. Tissue specimens from 36 Israeli follicular lymphoma patients were tested for presence of the translocation by PCR amplification of the MBR breakpoint.

[Are testes in oligo/azoospermia homogenous or heterogenous?].

We determined whether a single testicular specimen is sufficient to represent qualitatively the spermatogenic process within the testes of azoospermic or severely oligospermic infertile men. In 191 testes of azoospermic patients and in 26 of those with severe oligospermia, fine needle aspirations at 3 different sites of each testis were performed. Aspirated material from each puncture was stained and in each smear all spermatogenic cells, as well as Sertoli cells, were identified.

[Seminiferous tubule cytological pattern in infertile, azoospermic men in diagnosis and therapy].

We determined spermatogenic patterns of seminiferous tubules in azoospermic infertile men and evaluated the prevalence of bilateral testicular homogeneity. 185 azoospermic men underwent bilateral testicular fine-needle aspiration (TFNA) in which each testis was punctured at 3 different positions. Aspirated material was stained and classified according to the most mature spermatogenic cell type present or whether only Sertoli cells were present.

The problematic interpretation of foamy cells in breast fine needle aspirates. A report of two cases.

Background: Lipid-rich carcinoma and primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the breast are rare tumors. Cytologically the presence of cells with foamy cytoplasm can cause diagnostic difficulties in both tumors.

Cases: Fine needle aspiration was performed on two females with breast masses.

Fine-needle aspiration of nodular hidradenoma: a case report.

A case of nodular hidradenoma presenting on the forearm of a 36 year old woman is reported. The diagnosis was made on fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The cytologic features of the lesion are described.

Merkel cell carcinoma diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a relatively rare neoplasm of the skin. The present study describes three cases of Merkel cell carcinoma diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology and reviews their histologic, cytologic, and ultrastructural features. The advantages of using fine-needle aspiration to diagnose Merkel cell carcinoma (and other cutaneous neoplasms) are emphasized.

Treatment of refractory distal ulcerative colitis with short chain fatty acid enemas.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the treatment of refractory distal ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Ten patients with distal UC who had failed to respond to rectal and oral therapy with 5-ASA and corticosteroids were treated with twice daily enemas containing sodium acetate 60 mM, sodium propionate 30 mM, and sodium butyrate 40 mM titrated to a pH of 7. Patients were assessed clinically (rectal bleeding, tenesmus, bowel motions), endoscopically, and histologically before and after 6 wk of therapy.

[Quantitative analysis of spermatogenesis in fine-needle aspirates of the testicle].

It was shown recently that testicular fine-needle aspiration (TFNA) can replace biopsy as a diagnostic tool in male infertility. The aim of this study was to determine whether a method of quantitative analysis of spermatogenesis can be developed based on the cytological elements in the aspirates. TFNA aspirates from markedly oligospermic and azoospermic patients were studied.

Assessment of testicular spermatozoa morphology by image analysis.

Objective: We objectively evaluated the testicular sperm cell morphology.

Methods: The spermatozoa head morphology was evaluated by image analysis as presented on testicular fine-needle aspiration cytology smears.

Results: 2,356 spermatozoa heads were classified into six groups, according to different morphology parameters.

[Relationship between spermatogenic maturation stages and male hormone levels].

The relationship between stages of the spermatogenic maturation process and male hormone levels was evaluated in 41 azoospermic, infertile men. Patients were categorized into groups according to the most mature spermatogenic cell type present in testicular aspirates: spermatocytes, spermatids or spermatozoa. High FSH and LH plasma levels were found in those with spermatocytes.

The relationship between plasma levels of gonadotropins, androgens, and prolactin in azoospermic men with their testicular spermatogenic pattern.

Objective: To assess the relationship between plasma levels of gonadotropins, androgens, and PRL with testicular spermatogenic pattern.

Design: Patient series.

Setting: University affiliated medical center.

Assessment of spermatogenic process by deoxyribonucleic acid image analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the spermatogenic process through cellular ploidy by image analysis.

Design: Twenty-six testicular aspirates from 24 infertile men were examined by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic smears. These results were compared with the ploidy content of the cells using Feulgen stain, determined by image analysis.

Is one testicular specimen sufficient for quantitative evaluation of spermatogenesis?

Objective: To investigate whether quantitative analysis performed on one testicular specimen is adequate for quantitative evaluation of spermatogenic process.

Design: Comparison of quantitative analysis of spermatogenic cell types in testicular cytologic aspirates of various sites of each testis.

Setting: In each aspirate, a total of 500 Sertoli cells and cells at each of the spermatogenic stages were identified, counted, and grouped according to cell type.

Primary amyloidosis presenting as an isolated mediastinal mass: diagnosis by fine needle biopsy.

Intrathoracic amyloidosis affecting the lungs or mediastinum is rare, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy in the absence of pulmonary involvement is even more rare. The case history is presented of a previously healthy man who developed nodular mediastinal amyloidosis without pulmonary involvement. Diagnosis was made by percutaneous fine needle biopsy.

Necrosis of parotid pleomorphic adenoma following fine needle aspiration. A case report.

Fine needle aspiration of parotid tumors is used worldwide and usually is well tolerated by the patient, with no complications. We report a case of pleomorphic adenoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration that underwent necrosis following the aspiration procedure.

[Vanishing spermatozoa].

The mechanism of spermatozoal degeneration in male genital tract obstruction was evaluated. Epididymal fine-needle aspiration was performed in 17 azoospermic men with distal obstruction of the genital tract, but in whom testicular cytology revealed adequate spermatogenesis. From the contents of each puncture, smears with May-Grunwald-Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining were prepared.

The use of epididymal fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of male genital tract obstruction.

Epididymal fine-needle aspirations (EFNA) were performed on 29 epididymides of 17 infertile, azoospermic men in whom testicular cytology revealed adequate spermatogenesis. Sonograms confirmed the presence of all the excretory male organs. EFNA was performed to diagnose and locate the site of genital tract occlusion.