[Benign prostatic hyperplasia: a stromal disease].

Morphometric studies show that benign human prostatic hyperplasia is a stromal disease caused by the activation of smooth muscle cells. This activation manifests itself in increased amounts of cytoplasmic organelles, which are preferably localized in the perinuclear region. Moreover, marked vesicular activity is present.

Pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias. Clinical, endocrinological and biochemical characterization of a patient.

A 16-year-old adolescent with perineal hypospadias, a microphallus, a bifid, labia-like scrotum, a blind-ending vagina and bilaterally undescended testicles is presented. Despite normal development of the Wolffian duct derivatives--deferentography showed that both ejaculatory ducts opened into the urethra--the patient showed severe developmental abnormality of the external genitalia. On endocrinologic investigation, gonadotropin, testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol levels were within normal limits; in a genital skin fibroblast culture testosterone was not reduced into 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, however, androgen receptors could be identified.