Androgen receptor expression in clinically localized prostate cancer: immunohistochemistry study and literature review.

Aim: To evaluate androgen receptor (AR) expression in clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: Specimens were studied from 232 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostatic adenocarcinoma without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy or chemotherapy at our institution between November 2001 and June 2005. Immunohistochemical study was performed using an anti-human AR monoclonal antibody AR441.

Urodynamic changes and response rates in patients treated with permanent electrodes compared to conventional wire electrodes in the peripheral nerve evaluation test.

Objectives: Sacral neuromodulation having become established as an essentially effective new therapeutic modality, both in patients with anticholinergic-therapy refractory overactive bladder (OAB) and with chronic urinary retention. It is important to establish which patients might profit from this kind of therapy in order to ensure, by means of a peripheral nerve evaluation (PNE) test, that the implantation of a permanent stimulating device is effective. In a retrospective study we compared the urodynamic outcome of two different techniques (implantation of the permanent neurostimulation electrodes so-called "two-stage-implantation" vs.

Nocturnal tumescence: a parameter for postoperative erectile integrity after nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.

Purpose: The exact process and time required for rehabilitation of erectile function after nerve sparing prostatectomy remain unclear to date. Different theories of the pathophysiology of postoperative erectile dysfunction are currently being discussed. In a prospective study we performed recordings of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity during the acute phase after nerve sparing radical prostatectomy, ie in the first night after removal of the catheter, to assess the organic penile integrity.

Penile carcinoma (pT1 G2): surveillance or inguinal lymph node dissection?

Background: Due to the low incidence of squamous cell penile cancer and lack of well-designed studies, controversies persist over the therapeutic approach in patients with pT1 G2 carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Between 1992 and 2003, 16 patients with T1 squamous penile cancer were treated in our institution either by surveillance or by inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND).

Results: A total of 8 primary lesions were classified as pT1 G2 carcinoma with 4 tumors developing early or delayed inguinal metastatic disease.

Urolithiasis in children.

In general, the criteria for the treatment of urolithiasis in children are the same as those for adults. Today, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the method of choice in the treatment of most pediatric urinary stones. Stone-free rates between 67% and 93% at short-term follow-up, and 57% to 92% at long-term follow-up, have proven the efficacy of ESWL treatment in children.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy compared with ureteroscopy for the removal of small distal ureteral stones.

Introduction: The treatment of small distal ureteral stones smaller or equal to 5 mm in size is still highly controversial. In distal ureteral stones larger than 5 mm in size, ureteroscopy (URS) has been shown in many studies to be superior to shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). The objective was to analyze the stone-free rate after treatment of distal ureteral stones with in situ SWL or URS.

Findings with Bilateral Sacral Neurostimulation: Sixty-two PNE-Tests in Patients with Neurogenic and Idiopathic Bladder Dysfunctions.

We performed bilateral PNE (peripheral nerve evaluation) tests to identify which diagnostic groups are the most likely to profit from bilateral sacral neuromodulation since the results published so far have been obtained exclusively on the basis of unilateral sacral root stimulation. In contrast to the original unilateral technique, we performed bilateral PNE test stimulation in 62 patients (36 with urinary retention symptoms and 26 with overactive detrusor; 21 with idiopathic and 41 with neurogenic bladder dysfunction) over 3-4 days. We used an advanced electrode, model #3057 (Medtronic, Inc.

[Continuous bilateral sacral neuromodulation as a minimally invasive implantation technique in patients with functional bladder changes].

Objective: Up to 50% of patients with bladder dysfunctions undergoing sacral neuromodulation treatment are non-responders. The most common treatment method today is the implantable neuromodulation system described by Tanagho and Schmidt; which allows unilateral sacral nerve stimulation. Our aim was to increase the number of responders and to improve the general efficiency of chronic sacral neuromodulation; therefore we have developed the bilateral electrode implantation by minimally invasive laminectomy.

[Testosterone substitution in patients with hypogonadism].

Objective: After the age of 60, 20-35% of men present with androgen deficiency. Clinical symptoms of hypogonadism in older men are often more difficult to interpret than in younger men. Knowledge of physiological actions of testosterone and its metabolites are important prerequisites for diagnosis, drug selection and surveillance of therapy.