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Objective Cervicofacial lymphadenitis caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is commonly treated with surgery or antimicrobial therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the utility of our new blood-based diagnostic method and the treatment protocol, surgery or observation alone, in NTM lymphadenitis in children. Methods All patients under 16 years of age with cervicofacial NTM lymphadenitis diagnosed and treated at Children's Hospital or at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Helsinki University Hospital (Helsinki, Finland) in 2007–2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Fifty-two patients, 33 (63%) of whom were girls, were included in the study. The median age at initial presentation of the NTM lymphadenitis was 2.9 years. The novel blood-test had been performed on 49 (94%) of the patients and in all of them it was indicative of NTM infection. A sample for mycobacterial culture was available from 34 patients, and Mycobacterium avium was the most common species detected. Most patients (n = 33, 63%) were treated conservatively with observation alone. Of these, nine patients (27%) did not develop a skin fistula, and the lymphadenitis resolved without drainage. Conclusions The novel blood test is clinically feasible method for diagnosing childhood cervicofacial NTM lymphadenitis noninvasively. Observation alone is a good alternative to surgery, without the risk of complications.

Background Epidemiological data on childhood nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease is scarce and the protective effect of bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination remains debated. In 2006, the BCG policy in Finland changed from universal to selective. We aimed to study the effect of the BCG coverage decrease on the incidence of childhood NTM infections in Finland. Methods We conducted a nationwide, population-based, retrospective study of NTM notifications recorded to the National Infectious Diseases Register between 1995 and 2016 and identified native-born children aged 0-4 years infected with NTM. Poisson log-linear model was used to estimate the change in the incidence rate of cohorts born during universal or selective BCG policy between 1995 and 2015. Results We identified 97 native-born children aged

The alcohol-tolerant AT and -non-tolerant ANT rat lines have been selectively bred for innate sensitivity to ethanol-induced motor impairment. The cerebellar GABAA receptor α6 subunit alleles α6-100R and α6-100Q are segregated in the AT and ANT rats, respectively. This α6 polymorphism might explain various differences in pharmacological properties and density of GABAA receptors between the rat lines. In the present study we have used non-selected outbred Sprague-Dawley rats homozygous for the α6-100RR (RR) and α6-100QQ (QQ) genotypes to show that these RR and QQ rats display similar differences between genotypes as AT and ANT rat lines. The genotypes differed in their affinity for [3H]Ro 15–513 and classical benzodiazepines to cerebellar “diazepam-insensitive” binding sites, in density of cerebellar [3H]muscimol binding and in the antagonizing effect of furosemide on GABA-induced inhibition of [3H]EBOB binding. The results suggest the involvement of α6-R100Q polymorphism in these line differences and in the differences previously found between AT and ANT rats. In addition, the α6-R100Q polymorphism induces striking differences in [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding kinetics to recombinant α6β3γ2s receptors as well as cerebellar diazepam-insensitive sites. Association of [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding was ~10 fold faster and dissociation was ~3–4 fold faster in diazepam-insensitive α6βγ2 receptors containing the α6-100Q allele, with a resulting change of ~2.5-fold in equilibrium dissociation constant (KD). The results indicate that in addition to the central role of the homologous α6-100R/Q (α1-101H) residue in benzodiazepine binding and efficacy, this critical benzodiazepine binding site residue has a major impact on benzodiazepine binding kinetics.

Childhood cervical lymphadenitis caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria is a diagnostic challenge for the clinician. We present a new promising diagnostic method for childhood nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis. The modified T-SPOT.TB test with purified protein derivative as an additional antigen is noninvasive with estimated sensitivity and specificity of 1.00 and 0.81, respectively.

The periodontal status of 25 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (age range 58 to 76) was investigated and compared with 40 non-diabetic control subjects (age range 59 to 77). Surfaces with visible plaque and bleeding after probing, calculus, recessions, and pathological pockets were examined. The total attachment loss was calculated as a sum of recessions and pockets in millimeters. Mesial and distal bone loss was measured from panoramic radiographs and mean alveolar bone loss was calculated. Periodontal disease was considered advanced when mean alveolar bone loss was over 50%, or 2 or more teeth had pockets > or = 6 mm. Microbiological analysis comprised the detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Bacteroides forsythus by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Patients with NIDDM had significantly more often advanced periodontitis than control subjects, 40.0% and 12.5%, respectively. Diabetic patients did not harbor more pathogens than the control subjects. The HbA1C level deteriorated in patients with advanced periodontitis, but not in other patients with NIDDM, when compared to the situation 2 to 3 years earlier. Advanced periodontitis seems to be associated with the impairment of the metabolic control in patients with NIDDM, and a regular periodontal surveillance is therefore necessary.

Although osteosclerotic bone metastases are characteristic of prostate cancer, mixed metastases with a lytic component are not uncommon. Type I collagen is synthesised by osteoblasts and accounts for about 90% of the organic matrix of bone. We have used new specific immunoassays for PICP (carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen) and ICTP (cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen) which allow simultaneous assessment of the synthesis and degradation of type I collagen respectively. Forty patients with bone metastases due to prostate cancer at the time of diagnosis were investigated with these methods. Twenty-three of them had sclerotic (S) and 17 had mixed metastases with sclerotic and lytic components (S + L) as assessed by radiographs. The concentrations of PICP and ICTP in serum as well as the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP) were increased in all patients of the S + L group, who had more aggressive bone disease and a shorter survival than the S group (P < 0.017). The ICTP level was above the reference range in half of the patients in the S group, whereas the PICP and AP levels were elevated in 35%. Of the bone markers, only ICTP was of prognostic significance (P < .05). We conclude that ICTP and PICP give information about the type and activity of the skeletal metastases. In addition, ICTP predicts prognosis.

Summary— A series of 73 patients with bladder outflow obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia underwent urodynamic investigation, including the cold water test. The presence of detrusor instability was associated with a higher urethral opening pressure, maximum detrusor pressure and detrusor pressure at maximum flow. Instability was more common and more pronounced in patients with a lack of cold sensation, but there were some patients who, whilst lacking cold sensation, still possessed the cold reflex. This suggests partial denervation of the bladder or some form of altered modulation of sensory activity within the spinal cord or central nervous system. On the other hand, some of the patients lacked cold sensation but showed a stable detrusor and a high maximum cystometric capacity. This leads to the conclusion that there are different mechanisms by which the bladder reacts to outflow obstruction.

During the years 1977-1985, 183 new urethral strictures were diagnosed and treated by optical urethrotomy. A sharp increase in the incidence of iatrogenic strictures was found in 1980-1981 which normalized after simultaneous changing of the resectoscope, lubricant and catheter type. In fact, an "epidemic" of urethral strictures associated with the use of indwelling latex catheters in cardiac operations was observed in Finland in those years. It is suggested that toxic latex catheters exacerbated the local mechanical injury caused by endoscopic surgery. The recurrence rate for our "epidemic" strictures was 54%, whereas in other cases it was 37% (p = 0.02), but there were no differences in the later course. The patients age, stricture site, postoperative period of catheter-drainage, length, diameter or multiplicity had no effect on the recurrence rate after the initial urethrotomy. Stricture recurrences occurred up to 8 years after the initial operation. Because of the chronic nature of the urethral stricture, a follow-up time of at least 10 years is needed before the final results of urethrotomy can be evaluated.

A total of 19 patients underwent bladder replacement with a detubularised right colonic segment; 14 males underwent complete substitution after cystoprostatectomy and 5 females had augmentation after subtotal cystectomy. The mean follow-up time was 20 months. Urodynamic evaluation showed a low pressure reservoir with a mean capacity of 580 ml and normal closure pressure. Sensitivity of the bladder to cold was normal in the augmentation group but was lacking in all patients in the total substitution group. In all except 1 patient the neobladder emptied effectively upon straining without significant residual urine. Seventeen patients were completely continent by day and 10 by night; 1 patient developed hyperchloraemic acidosis requiring treatment. Bladder substitution is superior to the standard ileal or colonic conduits with regard to quality of life, and the use of a right colonic segment is functionally comparable with neobladders composed of the ileum or a combination of the right colon and ileum. The latter are more difficult to fabricate and so may have more complications.

Twelve patients with end-stage interstitial cystitis and intractable symptoms resistant to conservative measures underwent supratrigonal cystectomy and colocystoplasty, comprising 7 right colocystoplasties and 5 open-loop sigmoidocystoplasties. Mean follow-up was 4.7 years. Ten patients had complete relief of pain and a decrease in frequency, while 2 patients required cystectomy and urinary diversion because of persistent symptoms or infection and incontinence. Bladder function was evaluated urodynamically in 11 patients. The bladder capacities in the right colocystoplasties were between 325 and 800 ml (mean 495), compared with 180 and 500 ml (mean 345) in the sigmoideocystoplasties. Two patients suffered from mild urge incontinence. All the patients retained their sensation of bladder fullness and voided without difficulty. In only 3 cases was a procedure needed to lower the bladder outflow tract resistance. Most patients did not need long-term antibiotics. No impairment in renal function was noted. In view of the good results achieved colocystoplasty can be recommended more often for the treatment of interstitial cystitis, detubularized right colocystoplasty being the operation of choice.

The diagnostic significance of excretory urography, renal angiography, ultrasound and computed tomography for predicting the stage of tumours was evaluated by comparing their results with peroperative and histopathological findings. Thirty-nine out of 178 patients operated on for renal cell carcinoma from 1981 to 1988 were subjected to all four diagnostic procedures. The T stage was determined correctly by computed tomography in 80% of the cases, by ultrasound in 74.5%, by renal angiography in 64% and by excretory urography in 56.590. Excretory urography did not give any significant additional information on the T category compared with the other imaging methods. Angiography is still of value in that it gives preoperative information on the collateral circulation and the number of renal arteries and their location.

A fragment of a complementary DNA (cDNA) clone for human prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) (EC 3.1.3.2.) was used to study the expression of corresponding mRNA in human tissues. The specificity of its expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic carcinoma tissues were indicated in RNA blot analyses. The PAPcDNA probe did not recognize any specific mRNAs in RNAs extracted from human liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, placenta, breast cancer cells (MCF-7), mononuclear blood cells or acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60), according to Northern blot analysis. mRNA for PAP was detected in the androgen-dependent human prostatic cancer cell line LNCaP, but not in the androgen-insensitive human prostatic cancer cell line PC-3. In contrast, lysosomal acid phosphatase (LAP) mRNA was detected in both of these human prostatic cancer cell lines. Our findings indicate a high specificity for the PAP gene in prostatic tissue. The mean abundance for the PAPmRNA expression was 0.26 for prostatic carcinoma samples (n = 11) and 0.46 for BPH samples (n = 8) according to slot-blot analysis. The differences observed between the different categories of prostatic tissue in PAPmRNA abundances call for additional studies on regulation of its expression.

Urodynamic effects of the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, finasteride, were studied in the treatment of patients with bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 36 patients was randomly assigned in a double-bind manner to receive either 5 mg. finasteride daily (19) or placebo (17) for 6 months. The possible relief of bladder outlet obstruction was monitored with uroflowmetry and repeated urodynamics. The mean flow rate, detrusor opening pressure, detrusor pressure at maximum flow and maximum detrusor pressure improved significantly in the patients treated with finasteride. There were no significant differences in the improvement of symptom score or peak flow rate, or in the reduction of residual urine between the finasteride and placebo groups. The treatment resulted in 30% average decrease in prostatic size and 46% decrease in prostate specific antigen concentration. The efficacy of finasteride in relief of bladder outlet obstruction caused by BPH seems to be of the same degree as that achieved by chemical castration therapy but without any significant side effects. There were wide variations among BPH patient response to finasteride treatment. Further studies are needed to define the responders who benefit from this treatment.

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the alpha 1 A-subtype selective drug tamsulosin with the nonsubtype-selective agent alfuzosin in the treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), often termed symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).The study comprised 256 patients with benign prostatic enlargement and LUTS suggestive of BOO (symptomatic BPH) who received tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily or alfuzosin 2.5 mg three times daily during 12 weeks of treatment. The response was assessed by measurements of maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), a symptom score (Boyarsky) and blood pressure at regular intervals.Tamsulosin and alfuzosin produced comparable improvements in Qmax and total Boyarsky symptom score. Both treatments were well tolerated with respect to adverse events. Tamsulosin had no statistically significant effect on blood pressure compared with baseline but alfuzosin induced a significant reduction in both standing and supine blood pressure, compared with baseline (P0.05).Tamsulosin is the first adrenoceptor antagonist that is selective for the alpha 1 A-subtype; this specificity may explain its lack of effect on blood pressure compared with alfuzosin, an agent that is not receptor subtype specific. Moreover, this finding may partly explain why tamsulosin, in contrast to other currently available alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists, can be administered without dose titration. Another advantage compared with alfuzosin (and prazosin) is the once-daily dosing regimen of tamsulosin.

Between 1984 and 1989, 197 patients with T1-4, NX, M1, G2-3 or G3 prostate cancer were randomized to treatment with 560 mg estramustine phosphate (EMP, Estracyt, Emcyt) or 3 mg diethylstilbestrol (DES) per day in a double blind study with stratification on presence or absence of cancer pain at start. A total of 194 patients were evaluated for efficacy of therapy. Time to progression (p = 0.054), to treatment failure (p = 0.036), cancer-specific survival (p = 0.068) as well as overall survival (p = 0.021) were longer in the DES group. There were more patients with prognostic parameters indicating bad prognosis in the EMP group. This trial was designed to study whether EMP had better effect than DES as the primary treatment of high-grade, disseminated prostate cancer. The results did not confirm this hypothesis. On the contrary, treatment with DES had relatively good effect on this very aggressive form of prostate cancer.

To characterize quantitatively the paracellular permeation routes in rabbit cornea, conjunctiva, and sclera using polyethylene glycol (PEG) oligomers.Corneal, conjunctival, and scleral tissues from New Zealand white rabbits were tested individually in a modified two-chamber Ussing apparatus with the mixture of PEGs with mean molecular weights 200, 400, 600, and 1000 in glutathione bicarbonated Ringer's solution buffer on the donor side of the chamber. The samples and standards were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography-thermospray mass spectrometry method. The pore sizes and the pore densities of the corneal and conjunctival epithelia were calculated using an effusion-like approach.The conjunctival and scleral tissues were 15 to 25 times more permeable than the cornea and the molecular size affected the conjunctival permeability less than that of the cornea. The palpebral and bulbar conjunctivas had equal permeabilities. The scleral permeability was approximately half of that in the conjunctiva and approximately 10 times more than in the cornea. The conjunctival epithelia had 2 times larger pores and 16 times higher pore density than the cornea. The total paracellular space in the conjunctiva was estimated to be 230 times greater than that in the cornea.The conjunctival epithelium, due to its higher membrane permeability and larger absorptive and intercellular space surface areas, is the most viable route for ocular delivery of peptides and oligonucleotides.

To investigate the effects of unilateral adrenalectomy on the postoperative course and laboratory parameters, 40 patients with a renal tumour were randomized either to undergo (n = 20) or not to undergo (n = 20) ipsilateral adrenalectomy. Adrenal hormone (cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine and aldosterone), adrenocorticotropic hormone, electrolyte, creatinine, growth hormone, glucose, insulin and free fatty acid concentrations were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Cortisol and epinephrine concentrations were elevated immediately after the operation but returned to preoperative levels within the first 2 postoperative days. There were no significant differences between the adrenalectomy and non-adrenalectomy groups, except that the cortisol concentration was higher in the latter in the afternoon of the day of surgery. The conclusion is that no long-term shortage of adrenal hormones is caused by unilateral adrenalectomy. Other metabolic and endocrine responses were identical in the groups. Thus ipsilateral adrenalectomy does not seem to be harmful to the patient and the need for it must be resolved on the basis of local tumour factors.

The risk of severe infection and complications in connection with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has clearly increased in patients with urinary retention and an indwelling catheter. The aim of this study was to determine whether the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime are equally efficient in preventing infective complications in these patients.An open randomized prospective study was carried out on 72 patients with urinary retention undergoing TURP, to compare of 500 mg of ciprofloxacin (CF) orally twice daily and 1 g of ceftazidime (CT) intravenously twice daily.The incidence of early complications was 26% in the CF group and 17% in the CT group. All the complications were minor. On removal of the indwelling catheter, a positive urinary culture was detected in 6% of the patients in the CF group and in 3% in the CT group. One month after TURP, a positive urinary culture was detected in 14% of the patients in the CF group and in 18% of the CT group.It is concluded that both of the antibiotics used in this trial were equally effective in the prevention of early urinary and other infections and also late complications, in patients with urinary retention undergoing TURP.

707 patients with moderate prostatic hyperplasia were recruited to a two-year Scandinavian multicenter study. The study was randomized, prospective and double-blind. Half of the patients were treated with finasteride (5 mg daily) and the controls were given placebo. The patients were monitored with regard to symptoms, urinary flow rate and prostate volume. In addition, various laboratory examinations were performed. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups with regard to symptom improvement and increase in urinary flow rate in favour of finasteride. Finasteride reduced prostate volume and stopped further growth, leading to a difference of 30% in prostate volume between the two groups after two years of treatment. Thus, finasteride was able to stop the continuous growth of the prostate in the elderly male. The proportion of patients with adverse clinical experiences was similar in both treatment groups. However, the finasteride-treated group contained more patients with sexual dysfunction. We conclude that finasteride is an alternative to vigilant waiting for patients with moderate symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The efficacy and safety of treatment with finasteride 5 mg daily for 24 months was assessed in this multicentre double blind placebo-controlled study including 707 patients with moderately symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Efficacy parameters were changes in voiding- and bladder storage symptoms assessed by a validated symptom score, changes in maximum urinary flow rate and changes in the prostate volume. In the finasteride patients, symptom score improved during the whole study with a significant difference between active treatment and placebo after 24 months (p0.01). Maximum flow rate increased in finasteride treated patients resulting in a difference between these and the placebo treated patients of 1.8 ml/s after 24 months (p0.01). Prostate volume was reduced by 19% in the finasteride treated patients versus an increase of 12% in the placebo treated patient group (p0.01). Finasteride was well tolerated. Patients receiving placebo progressed in symptoms after 16 months. Finasteride can halt the natural progression of moderately symptomatic BPH over a 24 month period.

A randomized open prospective study with antibodies was conducted on 398 cases of TURP to compare the efficacy of either 250 mg of ciprofloxacin twice daily (CF) or 500 mg/160mg of sulfadiazine-trimethroprim twice daily (ST) in the prevention of urinary and other infection complications. The medication was started on the evening preceding the operation and continued up to the day following the removal of an indwelling catheter. The preoperative risk factors were similar in both groups. The groups did not differ in terms of the duration of the operation, the volume of irrigation fluid or the weight of the resected chips. The incidence of immediate complications was 26% in the CF group and 20% in the ST group. All the complications were minor. There were three serious late complications, one intertervertebral discitis and one coxitis in the CF group and one endocarditis in the ST group. The patient with endocarditis died. One the removal of the indwelling catheter on the third postoperative day, bacteriuria was detected in 3% of the patients in the CF group and in 9% in the ST group. The difference was statistically significant (p0.05). One month after TURP, bacteriuria was detected in 7% in both study groups. It is concluded that ciprofloxacin may be more effective to preventing immediate urinary tract infections after TURP than a combination of sulfadiazine and trimethoprim. There were three serious late complications. As late as one month after TURP, bacteriuria was still diagnosed in about 7% of all patients, which is post-TURP monitoring of urinary values is important.

To study if placebo-induced improvement in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is maintained over 2 years, and to study the efficacy and safety from intervention with finasteride 5 mg for 24 months.This was a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 707 patients with moderate symptoms of BPH enrolled at 59 centers in five Scandinavian countries. Following enrollment and a 4-week single-blind placebo run-in period, patients were randomized to receive finasteride 5 mg once daily or placebo for 24 months. Urinary symptoms, urinary flow rate, prostate volume, postvoiding residual urinary volume, and serum concentrations of prostate-specific antigen together with laboratory safety parameters were measured at entry and at months 12 and 24. Interim physical and laboratory examinations were performed when indicated clinically.In finasteride-treated patients the total symptom score improved throughout the study, with a significant difference between the two groups at 24 months (Por = 0.01), whereas in placebo-treated patients, there was an initial improvement in the symptom score but no change from baseline at 24 months. The maximum urinary flow rate decreased in the placebo group, but improved in the finasteride group, resulting in a between-group difference of 1.8 mL/s at 24 months (Por = 0.01). The mean change in prostate volume was +12% in the placebo group versus -19% in the finasteride-treated group (P0.01). Finasteride was generally well tolerated throughout the 2-year study period.The efficacy of therapy with finasteride 5 mg in improving both symptoms and maximum urinary flow rate and reducing prostate volume has been shown to be maintained during 24 months while patients receiving placebo experienced a return to baseline or deterioration of these parameters during the study. These results demonstrate that finasteride can reverse the natural progression of BPH.

We assess the long-term effects of finasteride on bladder outlet obstruction and symptoms in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.Of the original 36 patients assigned to treatment with 5 mg. finasteride daily (group 1) or placebo (group 2) for 6 months 27 completed an open extension study of 5 mg. finasteride for 4 more years. The possible relief of bladder outlet obstruction was monitored with repeated pressure-flow studies at baseline, 6 months and 4.5 years.The treatment resulted in a further slight decrease in detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate in group 1 and a significant decrease in group 2 during the 4-year period, whereas improvement in maximum flow rate did not achieve statistical significance. Concomitantly, there was a significant improvement in obstructive and irritative symptoms.Finasteride decreases bladder outlet obstruction moderately and only occasionally relieves it completely. However, the decrease in obstruction achieved in many patients is sufficient to improve the symptoms significantly. The beneficial effect is long-lasting.

In a prospective, randomized open study, a long-acting LHRH agonist (Zoladex) was compared with polyoestradiol phosphate (Estradurin), both widely used in Finland for palliative treatment of prostatic carcinoma, as regards efficacy and side effects. Of the 236 enrolled patients, 129 were randomized to receive LHRH agonist and 107 to oestrogen treatment. The median follow-up was 25 months. Reduction of prostatic volume was quicker and more effective in the LHRH than in the oestrogen group, and serum testosterone concentrations fell to castration level after 1 month and 1 year, respectively. In locally advanced (M0) and histologically well or moderately differentiated tumours, LHRH agonist therapy was considerably more effective than oestrogen as regards time to progression of the carcinoma, but in metastatic (M1) and histologically poorly differentiated tumours both methods gave similar results. Cardiovascular complications showed equal incidence in both groups. LHRH agonist therapy thus seemed to be more effective than polyoestradiol phosphate against locally advanced prostatic cancer in the doses used.

This chapter mainly deals with biochemical aspects on prostate specific antigen (PSA) and its clinical value. To a limited extent, also other tumor markers, which might be of importance in the evaluation of patients with prostate cancer are discussed. In serum, PSA exists in a free form or bound to antichymotrypsin. Interestingly, only 10% of PSA secreted from cancer cells seems to exist in a free form, as compared to 30% of PSA secreted from cells in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PSA seems to be closely, but not absolutely, related to tumor grade and stage. The mean value of PSA in patients with tumors dominated by Gleason grades 3 or below, was 10 ng/ml, compared to 29 ng/ml in those with higher grades. Patients with PSA values of 50 ng/ml or above almost exclusively had tumor of Gleason grades 4 or 5, and this limit usually reflected a generalized disease. Patients with PSA-values below 10 ng/ml almost exclusively had tumors confined to the prostate gland. In countries where screening for prostate cancer is believed in, it is important to understand that normal cut-off values are related to patient's age. The upper normal limit of males below 50 years of age should be set at 2.5 ng/ml, as compared to 6.5 ng/ml for men over 70 years of age. To improve the value of PSA determination and for scientific purposes, the standardization of the assay is urgently needed and under way. Prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) has in most centres been replaced by PSA. An elevated PAP value, as measured by the enzymatic method, invariably indicates a generalized disease and could thus be used as a complementary informative assay to PSA. Other markers have been used mainly to achieve additional prognostic information. In a multivariate analysis, the non-specific tumor marker neopterin, which reflects the host response to tumor antigens, was closely related to short-term prognosis. Neopterin was followed by thymidine kinase, a protein reflecting the cell turn-over and tumor grade. Also PSA at diagnosis seemed to add some prognostic information, whereas other markers did not.

Prostatic hyperplasia is the most frequent disease dealt with in urological practice. Replacement of open operations by transurethral resection has resulted in a marked reduction both in morbidity and mortality, in turn broadening the indications for surgery even in cases with relatively minor symptoms. Our understanding of prostatic hyperplasia is increasing and in recent years many new options for the treatment of this troublesome disease have emerged. The article consists in a review of current thinking on prostatic hyperplasia, its diagnosis and treatment.

Twenty cases of adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder were diagnosed and treated at Oulu University Hospital between 1978 and 1991, comprising nine primary adenocarcinomas (three urachal and six non-urachal) and 11 of extravesical origin (six from the colon, four from the prostate and one from the perineal skin). The prognosis for primary adenocarcinoma after radical surgery was relatively favourable during a follow-up of mean 54 months, but extravesical origin carried a high mortality rate. The diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.

A prospective series of 104 patients underwent bladder neck incision (44 unilateral and 60 bilateral) for urinary obstruction caused by a small benign prostate enlargement. The preoperative mean peak flow value improved significantly from 11.4 ml/s to 16.2 ml/s. There were no significant differences in peak flow values between the unilateral and bilateral incision groups. Subjective results seemed to be similar but transurethral resection of the prostate was needed more often after unilateral incision than after bilateral incision. Postoperative complications were recorded only in the bilateral incision group. Altogether 62% of the patients reported changes in erection or ejaculation ability. Bladder neck incision seems to be an effective means of treating urinary obstruction but adverse effects on sexual function are common, which should be kept in mind when offering this treatment to sexually active men. It can be regarded as the treatment of choice for older men with infravesical obstruction caused by a small prostate enlargement.

Adenomatoid tumors are regarded as uncommon neoplasms of the paratesticular tissues, probably of mesothelial origin, and the majority of cases reported have involved the epididymis. Ultrasonography is the method of choice for imaging scrotal pathology, but there are very few data on ultrasound findings in cases of adenomatoid tumors. We report our experience and ultrasound findings regarding 8 intrascrotal adenomatoid tumors--3 cases of a testicular tunica albuginea tumor and 5 cases of epididymal origin. Ultrasonography is recommended as the preoperative imaging method for excluding the possibility of a cystic lesion and for determining the location of the tumor. Local excision is regarded as the treatment of choice. The clinical course of all these tumors was benign, without recurrences.

The effects of finasteride, a potent 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, were assessed in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Patients were treated with finasteride or placebo for 24 weeks in a double-blind multicenter study followed by a 12-month open-extension period. After 24 weeks, finasteride-treated patients, when compared to placebo-treated patients, showed a significant reduction in prostate volume (22.5% median decrease) and prostate significant antigen (32.4% median decrease), a significant increase in maximum urinary flow (1.6 ml/s mean increase from baseline) and a significant improvement in their obstructive symptom scores (two-point decrease from baseline). Finasteride was well tolerated, and the improvements in prostate volume, maximum urinary flow rate and obstructive symptom scores observed in the controlled study were maintained throughout the extension study.

Cysts of the tunica albuginea have been considered very rare. Their clinical significance lies in their presentation as discrete testicular masses often diagnosed as malignancies prior to removal. We report our experience with 6 cases of cysts of the tunica albuginea over a 12-year period and review the relevant literature. It is obvious that these cysts can be both of epithelial and of mesothelial origin. Our material includes a cyst lined by a transitional-like epithelium, of a kind to our knowledge not reported previously. All of the cysts were found by palpation and they constituted 6% of the testicular tumours examined over the same period. High-resolution ultrasound examination can distinguish them from solid testicular masses, as in 2 cases here, thus enabling unnecessary operations to be avoided.

Adenomatoid tumors are regarded as uncommon neoplasms of the paratesticular tissues, probably of mesothelial origin. The majority of cases reported have involved the epididymis. We report our experience with 8 cases of testicular tumors and 11 of epididymal adenomatoid tumors during a 13-year period, and review the relevant literature. The incidence of adenomatoid tumors relative to all tumors in the testis was 6.9% (8 of 116), exceeding that of Leydig cell tumors, which were previously believed to be the most common benign testicular neoplasms. The adenomatoid tumors included 38% epididymal tumors (11 of 29). The clinical course of the tumors was benign, without recurrences. Local excision is regarded as the treatment of choice for epididymal and testicular adenomatoid tumors.

The clinical significance of the bladder cooling test as one part of a standard urodynamic examination was studied in 375 consecutive patients and 25 controls. Inability to perceive cold sensation in the bladder was common in cases of neurogenic lesions and present in nearly half of the patients with outlet obstruction, some with no urodynamic abnormalities and some of the normal subjects. The bladder contractions provoked by the test were clearly associated with detrusor overactivity, as in those patients with upper motor neuron lesions of motor urgency, but 27% of such patients showed no response. In 7 cases the iced water provoked detrusor contractions when cystometry showed no overactivity. This clinical series confirms that the cold receptors found recently in animal experiments are also present in the human urinary bladder. The bladder cooling test is not an alternative to cystometry, but its inclusion as an integral part of the urodynamic examination seems to be useful, especially in cases where there is also a need to study the sensibility of the bladder at the same time.

Seventy-five patients with recurrent bladder carcinoma were randomized after electroresection to receive either epirubicin (E) or epirubicin + verapamil (E + V) instillation of the bladder at regular intervals for 2 years. Samples of the bladder wall, tumour tissue and peripheral blood were taken from 20 patients. The average follow-up period was 21 months. Fifty per cent of the patients in the E group and 37% in the E + V group developed recurrent tumours. Recurrence rates (RR) were 6.3 and 4.7, respectively. Before the instillation therapy the RR was 16.0. There was a highly significant reduction of RR during the instillation therapies; in group E p less than 0.005 and in group E + V p less than 0.001. The difference between the treatment groups was not statistically significant. Verapamil increased epirubicin concentrations in both the bladder wall and the tumour tissue, but did not affect concentrations in the peripheral blood. Side effects were few and did not lead to discontinuation of treatment.

A prospective study was carried out on the efficacy and safety of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). The series included 41 adults (15 females, 26 males), the mean follow-up time being 40 months. Most patients were suffering from neurogenic bladder disorders. All of them used a self-lubricating hydrophilic catheter. Thirty-one patients (76%) continued to undergo CIC, but 9 discontinued. Thirty patients (73%) experienced bacteriuria during the procedure. Three males had epididymitis. Contrary to many earlier reports, urinary tract infections seem to increase after CIC, raising the question of whether prophylactic antibiotic therapy should be used more often in these cases. There were no urethral complications suggesting that the self-lubricating hydrophilic catheters may be less traumatic than those used previously.

A group of 21 mentally retarded patients with severe, long-standing urinary symptoms underwent urodynamical investigation. The most common abnormalities were detrusor areflexia and detrusor hyper-reflexia. Of 11 patients treated surgically, 10 derived marked benefit. Drugs were successful in reducing micturition problems in 3/6 patients. Severely retarded patients with spastic quadriplegia are difficult to investigate and if this is associated with detrusor hyper-reflexia it is impossible to treat them in any way. Severely retarded patients with detrusor areflexia and infrequent voiding can benefit from bladder outlet surgery. Patients with moderate (especially mild) retardation can be investigated and treated in the same way as non-retarded people.

A prospective, randomized study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of tobramycin and ceftazidime in the treatment of serious infections in 77 urological patients. Of the 39 tobramycin-treated and 38 ceftazidime-treated patients, 74% and 82%, respectively, were cured clinically. Microbiological cure rates were 72% and 79%, respectively. Three patients treated with tobramycin and two treated with ceftazidime developed a significant superinfection. Both drugs were tolerated well. Because of potential ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity the use of aminoglycosides is less advantageous than ceftazidime for seriously infected urological patients.

We report 2 cases of penile incarceration in a 10-year-old boy and a 40-year-old man. In both cases the penis was encircled by a metallic object. The string method described was successful, rapid, atraumatic and simple to use.

The usefulness of acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) is compared. The author concludes that PSA is more sensitive, has better organ specificity, does less diurnal variations and correlates better with tumor which makes PSA superior for staging and monitoring of therapy in prostate cancer.

Of 27 adults with primary vesicoureteral reflux, 23 were treated surgically. These patients had suffered from chronic urinary-tract infections with poor response to conservative therapy. Urography revealed inflammatory changes in one or both kidneys in 18 patients, as well as other renal or ureteral deformities. Micturition cystography showed reflux reaching the renal pelvis and dilatation of the pelvis and ureter in 18 patients (28 ureters). An antireflux operation was performed on 32 ureters and in all cases was followed by disappearance of the reflux. No ureteral stricture developed postoperatively. During an observation period averaging more than three years only three patients had postoperative urinary-tract infections. These occurred when a short period of medication was terminated. On the basis of present experience we consider that antireflux surgery is indicated for all adults with vesicoureteral reflux and urinary-tract infections or progressive dilatation of the upper urinary tract.

198 (3.8% comprising 4.7% of the males and 2.9% of the females) out of 5220 surgical patients developed total urinary retention postoperatively. The frequency of this condition increased with age and was highest after thoracotomies and endoprosthetic surgery of the hip joints. Voiding history was abnormal in 80% of the patients affected. Subclinical obstructive bladder dysfunction, over-distension of the bladder during the operation and in the recovery room after the operation, sympathomimetic and anticholinergic medication during or after anaesthesia, and an inability to stand or sit after surgery were common causes of retention. Premedication, type of anaesthesia, nature of the liquids given and postoperative analgetics seemed not to affect the incidence of retention. Postoperative urinary retention is an underestimated and mostly avoidable complication. Every patient should be asked for a urinary history before an elective operation. Infravesical obstruction should be relieved before any other elective surgical procedures are undertaken. In cases of emergency surgery prophylactic catheterization to prevent postoperative retention is recommended for patients with obstructive symptoms.

The York Mason transsphincteric-transrectal approach for closing postoperative rectoprostatic fistulas was used in a case of posttraumatic urethrorectal fistula 32 years after original trauma. This is the first report of the application of this method to urethral trauma complicated by urethrorectal fistula.

To analyze the relationships between human testicular unconjugated and sulfate-conjugated steroids, we investigated the effects of estradiol [polyestradiol phosphate (E2)] and a synthetic estrogen [diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (DESDP)] on testicular, spermatic venous, and peripheral venous serum concentrations of these compounds. Six unconjugated steroids and 4 steroid sulfates were measured by specific RIAs after chromatography in 27 prostatic carcinoma patients without preceding endocrine therapy and in 29 patients castrated after E2 or DESDP treatment. E2 treatment decreased testicular concentrations of pregnenolone, testosterone (T), and 5 a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Testicular androstenedione concentrations were also decreased, whereas progesterone concentrations increased, and there were decreased testicular concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-SO4) and 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol sulfate. Spermatic venous concentrations of 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), T, and DHT as well as th...

The short-term (6-day) endocrine effects of tamoxifen and testolactone were investigated in men with prostatic carcinoma. Tamoxifen treatment (20 mg/day) did not affect the gonadotropin levels, but it temporarily increased prolactin, induced sex hormone-binding globulin production, and suppressed peripheral serum progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone concentrations. These changes were attributed to the estrogenic properties of tamoxifen, since no changes in peripheral serum estradiol concentrations were observed. Testolactone (1000 mg/day) decreased peripheral estradiol concentrations by 50% and increased the concentrations of the neutral steroids measured. The increases in serum FSH and LH were very small. This study corroborates the early estrogen-like action of tamoxifen, and the experiment with testolactone further suggests that endogenous estradiol has physiological functions in man, regulating gonadotropin and androgen production.

We compared the measurements of serum acid phosphatase activity to those obtained by radioimmunoassay of prostatic acid phosphatase in the sera of 126 untreated prostatic cancer patients. The catalytic activity of prostatic acid phosphatase was elevated in 32 per cent of the patients and the serum concentration of prostatic acid phosphatase was elevated in 66 per cent. Of these 126 patients 16 had stage T0-2M0N0-x disease, and enzyme activity and prostatic acid phosphatase concentration were increased in 0 and 38 per cent, respectively, in this group. Of the 110 patients with proved extracapsular cancer the corresponding figures were 36 and 70 per cent, respectively. We followed 109 of these 126 patients for 1 or more years after orchiectomy. A salient finding was that return of elevated serum prostatic acid phosphatase concentration to the health-associated reference interval within 7 days following castration indicated no progression of the disease at 1 year irrespective of the initial staging. The same was not detected by the measurement of catalytic activity of serum acid phosphatase. Our findings substantiate data showing that the measurement of circulating prostatic acid phosphatase is achieved better by immunological techniques than by measurements of catalytic activity of the enzyme. A novel aspect is the usefulness of immunological prostatic acid phosphatase measurements in evaluation of the prognosis of patients with metastatic prostatic carcinoma following ablative endocrine treatment.

Peripheral serum concentrations of FSH, LH, prolactin and ACTH were measured in 22 patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma treated by castration, polyestradiol phosphate (Estradurin) administration and a combination of castration and Estradurin administration during the first 12 months of treatment. Estradurin treatment alone (80 mg i.m.l once a month) did not result in any significant changes in the circulating concentrations of FSH, LH and prolactin. Therefore, the clear-cut inhibition of testicular steroidogenesis observed under this kind of treatment does not appear to be due to an inhibition of pituitary gonadotropin secretion, and is most likely due to a direct estrogen effect on Leydig cells. Castration led to grossly elevated serum FSH and LH levels. In this group, serum FSH remained at a high level, whereas LH was close to pretreatment levels 9 months after castration, suggesting differences in pituitary capacity to secrete FSH and LH under these conditions. Concentrations of circulating FSH, and to a lesser extent LH, in the combination treatment group were between those found in the castration and estrogen-only treatment groups, suggesting that the secretion of both gonadotropins can be suppressed by estrogen. No changes in serum prolactin and ACTH concentrations were seen in the three treatment groups.

LH recepto rs, cAMP production and steroidogenesiswere compared in the human and rat testis in vitro,using whole tissue preparations and interstitial cell suspensions.Human testis tissue was obtained from prostatic cancer patientsundergoing orchiectomy (mean age, 71.6 yr); rat testis tissue wasfrom 80- to 90-day-old animals. The amount of [125I]iodohCGbinding in human testis homogenates averaged 0.57 ± 0.14 nmol⁄g wet wt (SE; n = 13), and the number of binding sites per Leydigcell was 1630 ± 220 (n = 5). In the rat, a similar calculation gave23,500 ± 2,500 (n = 4) binding sites per Leydig cell. The equilibriumassociation constants (Kas) of hCG binding to the humanand rat Leydig cell suspensions were 1.4 and 2.9 X 1010 M-1,respectively. Basal cAMP production in the human testis tissuewas 729 ± 225 pmol⁄g 4 h (n= 4), and maximal hCG stimulation(2 X 10-9 M) increased it on average by 590%. The basal rate ofcAMP production in the rat testis tissue was 59 ± 4.0 pmol⁄g 4h (n = 5), and hCG stimulated this rate b...