Practice Patterns of Korean Urologists Regarding Positive Surgical Margins after Radical Prostatectomy: a Survey and Narrative Review

Background@#There is no clear consensus on the optimal treatment with curative intent for patients with positive surgical margins (PSMs) following radical prostatectomy (RP). The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and treatment patterns of Korean urologists regarding the resection margin after RP. @*Methods@#A preliminary questionnaire was prepared by analyzing various studies on resection margins after RP. Eight experienced urologists finalized the 10-item questionnaire.In July 2019, the final questionnaire was delivered via e-mail to 105 urologists in Korea who specialize in urinary cancers. @*Results@#We received replies from 91 of the 105 urologists (86.7%) in our sample population.Among them, 41 respondents (45.1%) had performed more than 300 RPs and 22 (24.2%) had completed 500 or more RPs. In the question about whether they usually performed an additional biopsy beyond the main specimen, to get information about surgical margin invasion during surgery, the main opinion was that if no residual cancer was suspected, it was not performed (74.7%). For PSMs, the Gleason score of the positive site (49.5%) was judged to be a more important prognostic factor than the margin location (18.7%), multifocality (14.3%), or margin length (17.6%). In cases with PSMs after surgery, the prevailing opinion on follow-up was to measure and monitor prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels rather than to begin immediate treatment (68.1%). Many respondents said that they considered postoperative radiologic examinations when PSA was elevated (72.2%), rather than regularly (24.4%). When patients had PSMs without extracapsular extension (pT2R1) or a negative surgical margin with extracapsular extension (pT3aR0), the response ‘does not make a difference in treatment policy’ prevailed at 65.9%. Even in patients at high risk of PSMs on preoperative radiologic screening, 84.6% of the respondents said that they did not perform neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. Most respondents (75.8%) indicated that they avoided nerve-sparing RP in cases with a high risk of PSMs, but 25.7% said that they had tried nerve-sparing surgery. Additional analyses showed that urologists who had performed 300 or more prostatectomies tended to attempt more nerve-sparing procedures in patients with a high risk of PSMs than less experienced surgeons (36.6% vs. 14.0%; P = 0.012). @*Conclusion@#The most common response was to monitor PSA levels without recommending any additional treatment when PSMs were found after RP. Through this questionnaire, we found that the perceptions and treatment patterns of Korean urologists differed considerably according to RP resection margin status. Refined research and standard practice guidelines are needed.

Loss of Caveolin 1 is Associated With the Expression of Aquaporin 1 and Bladder Dysfunction in Mice / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: It is suggested that caveolin and aquaporin might be closely associated with bladder signal activity. We investigated the effect of the deletion of caveolin 1, using caveolin 1 knockout mice, on the expression of aquaporin 1 in order to identify their relation in the urothelium of the urinary bladder. METHODS: The cellular localization and expressions of aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1, in the wild type and caveolin 1 knockout mice urinary bladder, were examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques. RESULTS: Aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1 were coexpressed in the arterioles, venules, and capillaries of the suburothelial layer in the wild type controls. Aquaporin 1 protein expression was significantly higher in the caveolin 1 knockout mice than in the wild type controls (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results imply that aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1 may share a distinct relation with the bladder signal activity. This might play a specific role in bladder dysfunction.

Transobturator Tape for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: Preoperative Valsalva Leak Point Pressure Is Not Related to Cure Rate or Quality of Life Improvement

PURPOSE: We investigated whether the Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) is valuable for predicting postoperative outcome measurement after transobturator suburethral tape (TVT-O) implantation for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 204 female patients who underwent TVT-O placement for treatment of SUI from March 2008 to February 2012 were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients completed the incontinence quality of Life questionnaire (I-QoL), a self-reported quality of life measure specific to urinary incontinence, and the cure rate of incontinence was measured before and 6 months after surgery. Cure was defined as no leakage of urine postoperatively both subjectively and objectively. We compared pre- and postoperative I-QoL scores according to preoperative VLPP and Stamey grade. RESULTS: The numbers of patients with Stamey grades I, II, and III were 99 (48.5%), 84 (41.2%), and 21 (10.3%), respectively. A total of 30 (14.7%), 87 (42.6%), and 87 patients (42.6%) showed VLPP90 cm H2O, respectively. Preoperative VLPP was not significantly different according to preoperative I-QoL or change in I-QoL after surgery. However, I-QoL after surgery improved in patients with a high preoperative Stamey grade (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: VLPP was not a factor related to surgical outcome from the midurethral sling procedure. Stamey grade rather than VLPP was important for predicting subjective quality of life and improved incontinence-related quality of life after surgery.

Adrenal Cortical Scintigraphy for Lateralization of Bilateral Adrenal Nodules in Primary Aldosteronism

No abstract available.

Overexpression of Aquaporin-1 and Caveolin-1 in the Rat Urinary Bladder Urothelium Following Bladder Outlet Obstruction / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effect of detrusor overactivity induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) on the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and caveolin 1 (CAV1) in the rat urinary bladder, and to determine the role of these molecules in detrusor overactivity. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (n=30) and experimental (n=30) groups. The BOO group underwent partial BOO, and the control group underwent a sham operation. After 4 weeks, an urodynamic study was performed to measure the contraction interval and contraction pressure. The expression and cellular localization of AQP1 and CAV1 were determined by western blot and immunofluorescence experiments in the rat urinary bladder. RESULTS: In cystometrograms, the contraction interval was significantly lower in the BOO group (2.9+/-1.5 minutes) than in the control group (6.7+/-1.0 minutes) (P<0.05). Conversely, the average contraction pressure was significantly higher in the BOO group (21.2+/-3.3 mmHg) than in the control group (13.0+/-2.5 mmHg) (P<0.05). AQP1 and CAV1 were coexpressed in the capillaries, arterioles, and venules of the suburothelial layer. AQP1 and CAV1 protein expression was significantly increased in the BOO rats compared to the control rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Detrusor overactivity induced by BOO causes a significant increase in the expression of AQP1 and CAV1, which were coexpressed in the suburothelial microvasculature. This finding suggests that AQP1 and CAV1 might be closely related to bladder signal activity and may have a functional role in BOO-associated detrusor overactivity.

Expression and Localization of Aquaporins in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer / 전남의대학술지

The aquaporin (AQP) families of water channels are intrinsic membrane proteins that facilitate selective water and small solute movement across the plasma membrane. The purposes of this study were to determine the expression and localization of AQPs in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Prostatic tissue was collected from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer by transurethral resection of the prostate. The expression and cellular localization of the AQPs were determined in the human prostate by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. AQP1, 3, and 9 were expressed in the human prostate. Western blot analysis revealed bands at 28-36 kDa for the AQP1, 3, and 9 proteins. Of these proteins, AQP3 and 9 were expressed in the epithelium. Immunolabeling showed that AQP1 was mainly expressed in the capillaries and venules of the prostate, AQP9 was expressed in the cytoplasm of the epithelium, and AQP3 was mainly associated with the plasma membrane of the prostatic epithelium. Only AQP3 expression was localized in the cell membrane, and expressed AQP3 was translocated to the cytoplasm in prostate cancer. The epithelium in the human prostate expresses AQP3 and 9 proteins, and the capillaries and venules of the prostate express AQP1. Characterizing or modifying the expression of AQP3 may lead to an understanding of the role of the AQPs in human prostatic disease.

Expression of Caveolin-1 in Rat Urinary Bladder with Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced inflammatory cystitis on caveolin 1 in rat urinary bladder and to determine the role of these molecules in the bladder dysfunction that occurs in inflammatory change in rat urinary bladder. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (n=30) and experimental (n=30) groups. Cystitis in experimental group was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CYP (200 mg/kg). The control group underwent an intraperitoneal saline injection. After 3 days, urodynamic studies were done to measure the contraction interval and contraction pressure. The expression and cellular localization of caveolin 1 were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescent study in rat urinary bladder. RESULTS: In cystometrograms, the contraction interval (minute) was significantly increased in the CYP-induced cystitis rats (15.8+/-1.5) than in the control group (6.3+/-0.5) (P<0.05). Conversely, the average contraction pressure (mmHg) was significantly higher in the CYP-induced cystitis rats (15.6+/-1.7) than in the control group (11.3+/-0.5) (P<0.05). Caveolin 1 was expressed in the capillaries, arteriols and venules. The protein expression of caveolin 1 was significantly decreased in the CYP-induced cystitis rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory change of urinary bladder maybe causes a significant change in the expression of caveolin 1. These findings suggest that caveolin 1 might have a functional role in the bladder dysfunction related with cystitis in rat urinary bladder.

Expression and Localization of Aquaporins in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer / 전남의대학술지

The aquaporin (AQP) families of water channels are intrinsic membrane proteins that facilitate selective water and small solute movement across the plasma membrane. The purposes of this study were to determine the expression and localization of AQPs in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Prostatic tissue was collected from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer by transurethral resection of the prostate. The expression and cellular localization of the AQPs were determined in the human prostate by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. AQP1, 3, and 9 were expressed in the human prostate. Western blot analysis revealed bands at 28-36 kDa for the AQP1, 3, and 9 proteins. Of these proteins, AQP3 and 9 were expressed in the epithelium. Immunolabeling showed that AQP1 was mainly expressed in the capillaries and venules of the prostate, AQP9 was expressed in the cytoplasm of the epithelium, and AQP3 was mainly associated with the plasma membrane of the prostatic epithelium. Only AQP3 expression was localized in the cell membrane, and expressed AQP3 was translocated to the cytoplasm in prostate cancer. The epithelium in the human prostate expresses AQP3 and 9 proteins, and the capillaries and venules of the prostate express AQP1. Characterizing or modifying the expression of AQP3 may lead to an understanding of the role of the AQPs in human prostatic disease.

Abnormal Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Scan May Be Related to Persistence of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children with Febrile Urinary Tract Infection

PURPOSE: This study assessed whether 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy used for the assessment of renal sequelae after febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) has any prognostic value for outcome measurement of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) by retrospectively evaluating the correlation between abnormal DMSA scintigraphy results and persistence of VUR in children with febrile UTI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 142 children (57 boys, 85 girls) admitted with febrile UTI from January 2004 to December 2006 and who were followed up for more than 1 year were retrospectively reviewed. At the initial and follow-up visits, renal ultrasound and DMSA scans were performed within 7 days from the diagnosis and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) was performed within 1 month in all case and follow-up evaluations. RESULTS: The children's mean age was 4.8+/-3.6 years (range, 0.3 to 14 years). The mean follow-up was 28.2+/-4.8 months. At the initial examination, VUR was more often associated with an abnormal DMSA scan result (83.3%) than with a normal DMSA scan result (16.7%, p=0.02). The frequency of VUR with an abnormal DMSA scan during acute UTI was significantly higher than the frequency of VUR with a normal DMSA scan (38.8% vs, 25.8%, respectively, p=0.004). Also, high-grade VUR was associated with an abnormal DMSA scan result (32.5%) more often than with a normal DMSA scan result (0%, p=0.01). Children with an abnormal DMSA scan had a lower resolution rate of VUR (17.5%) than did children with a normal DMSA scan (75.0%) at the follow-up VCUG (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: An abnormal result on a DMSA scan during febrile UTI is associated with high-grade and persistent VUR. DMSA scans performed during febrile UTI are useful in reflux resolution in childhood.

Clinical Factors Associated with Low Valsalva Leak Point Pressure Among Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the predictive factors that are associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) in women. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2009, 185 women with urodynamically proven SUI were included in this study and retrospectively reviewed the medical record. Preoperative SUI symptoms were classified by Stamey grade. Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) determination series was repeated two times in each subject after finishing one series of VLPP measurement. The patients were classified into three groups according to VLPP; 1) ISD: VLPP90 cm H2O. Chi-square test and multivariate (logistic regression test) analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with ISD. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 54.2 years (range, 44.5 to 68.4 years). Seventy-one women (38.3%) were in the ISD group and 70 (37.8%) in the AI group. The results of univariate and multivariate analyses found that women with ISD had a higher symptom grade than women with AI (P=0.001 and 0.0001, respectively). The number of patients in the ISD and AI group in accordance with the symptom grade were 7 (10%) and 44 (62%) in grade I, 50 (54%) and 23 (25%) in grade II, and 14 (63%) and 3 (14%) in grade III respectively. There was no correlation between VLPP and other clinical factors. CONCLUSIONS: High symptom grade was the only independent clinical factor that predicted the presence of ISD. This should be considered when counseling the patients with SUI.

Effects of Estrogens on the Expression of Caveolin-1 in the Urinary Bladders of Female Rats / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of hormonal alterations on the expression of caveolin-1 in the urinary bladders of ovariectomized rats and to determine the role of caveolin-1 in the overactivity of the detrusor muscle that occurs with hormonal alterations in rats. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: a control group, a group that underwent bilateral ovariectomy (Ovx), and a group that underwent bilateral ovariectomy followed by subcutaneous injections of 17beta-estradiol (Ovx+Est). After 4 weeks, urodynamic studies were done to measure the contraction interval and contraction pressure. The expression and cellular localization of caveolin-1 were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence in the urinary bladders of rats. RESULTS: On cystometrograms, the contraction interval was significantly shorter in the Ovx group (3.0+/-0.3 minute) than in the control group (5.6+/-0.5 minute) but was longer in the Ovx+Est group (9.2+/- 0.4 minute) (P<0.05). Conversely, the average contraction pressure was higher in the Ovx group (26.4+/-0.48 mmHg) than in the control group (21.8+/-0.37 mmHg) but was lower in the Ovx+Est group (23.9+/-0.76 mmHg) (P<0.05). Caveolin-1 was expressed in the capillaries, arterioles, and venules. Expression of the protein caveolin-1 was significantly lower after ovariectomy and was restored to control levels after treatment with 17beta-estradiol (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal alterations cause a significant change in the expression of caveolin-1, which suggests that caveolin-1 might have a functional role in the overactivity of the detrusor muscle related to hormonal alterations in the urinary bladders of rats.

Impact of Nocturia on Health-Related Quality of Life and Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Score in Men / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of nocturia on health-related quality of life and sleep in men. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2008, 284 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms were selected for this study. The participants completed a series of questionnaires on health-related quality of life (the overactive bladder questionnaire, or OAB-q), the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep scale, and the frequency volume chart. RESULTS: The patient population had a mean age of 60.0+/-13.4 years (range, 40 to 79 years). The mean duration of symptoms was 28.8+/-34.6 months. The mean number of voiding episodes per night was measured as follows: 88 patients (31.0%) reported no nocturia, 60 patients (21.1%) reported 2>voids/night > or =1, 56 patients (19.7%) reported 3>voids/night > or =2, and 80 patients (28.2%) reported > or =3 voids/night. The mean number of nocturia episodes increased with age (P=0.001), and the number of nocturia episodes was significantly associated with the OAB-q symptom score (P=0.001) and symptom bother (P=0.001). Among the categories of the MOS sleep scale, sleep index I (P=0.020), sleep disturbance (P=0.010), adequacy of sleep (P=0.005), and somnolence (P=0.041) were significantly associated with an increased number of nocturia episodes. CONCLUSIONS: The number of nocturia episodes increased with age in men. Nocturia appeared to be associated with further negative effects on sleep quality, health-related quality of life, and symptom bother.

Prostate Cancer with Solitary Metastases to the Bilateral Testis

We present the case of an 81-year-old patient with testicular metastasis from prostate carcinoma. After the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer, he had an 8-year course of hormonal therapy and showed no clinical evidence of metastasis to other organs. Asymptomatic metastasis of prostate carcinoma to the testis is a rare clinical condition. We diagnosed his condition, based on histopathology following a subcapsular orchiectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Kidney Misdiagnosed as Renal Cell Carcinoma

The inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), also knowns as inflammatory pseuduotumor, is a soft tissue lesion of unknown etiology. In the urogenital tract, IMT mainly affects the urinary bladder or prostate, but rarely the kidney. It has been considered as a nonneoplastic reactive inflammatory lesion, but nowadays, it is regarded as a neoplasm due to its high recurrence rate and metastasis. We describe a case of a 61-yr-old woman that had originally been misdiagnosed as renal cell carcinoma, which was pathologically revealed to be an IMT.

Multiple, Bilateral Fibroepithelial Polyps Causing Acute Renal Failure in a Gastric Cancer Patient

We report a case of primary fibroepithelial polyps (FEPs) in the middle of both ureters in a patient with advanced gastric cancer and acute renal failure. Ureteral FEPs are rare benign lesions, and multiple, bilateral lesions are extremely rare. To our knowledge, this report is the seventh case of bilateral FEPs in the literature. Our case has clinical implications because FEPs should be considered as a cause of ureteral obstruction inducing acute renal failure in advanced gastric cancer.

Changes in Aquaporin 1 Expression in Rat Urinary Bladder after Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction: Preliminary Report

PURPOSE: Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane proteins that facilitate water movement across biological membranes. AQPs are also called water channels, and they have recently been reported to be expressed in rat and human urothelium. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) on the rat urothelium and AQP1 expression in rat urothelium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats (230-240 g each, n=20) were divided into 2 groups: the sham group (the Con group, n=10) and the partial BOO group (the BOO group, n=10). The BOO group underwent a partial BOO. The expression and cellular localization of AQP1 were determined by performing Western blotting and immunohistochemistry on the rat urinary bladder. RESULTS: AQP1 immunoreactivity in both the control and the BOO groups was localized in the capillaries, arterioles, and venules of the lamina propria of the urinary bladder. The protein expression of AQP1 was significantly increased in the BOO group. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that BOO causes a significant increase in the expression of AQP1. This may imply that AQP1 has a functional role in the detrusor instability that occurs in association with BOO.

Age Related Change of Nocturia in Women / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: The precise etiology and classification of nocturia in women is not enough. We evaluated age related changes and classified the type of nocturia by age in women. METHODS: We included 118 women 20 years or older with nocturia at least one time during night time. Subjects were divided into three groups by the age: group 1, under 40 years; group 2, 40 through 59 years; group 3, 60 years and above. The causes of nocturia and its pattern changed by age in women were evaluated using 3 days frequency volume chart. Nocturia was devided into three types: nocturnal polyuria, decreased nocturnal bladder capacity and mixed type. RESULTS: The mean age was 57.2+/-11.8 and the mean nocturnal frequency was 2.7+/-1.8. In all age group, noctural polyuria was the major cause for noturia (40.8%), followed by low nocturnal bladder capacity (23.7%). As a major cause of nocturia, there was a significant increase of the incidence of nocturnal polyuria in aged people: group 1, 32.4%; group 2, 41.0%; group 3: 47.6% (P<0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal polyuria and decreased nocturnal bladder capacity are the major causes of nocturia in women. Nocturnal polyuria was the major cause of nocturia with age over 60 years old. In aged women, nocturnal polyuria should be considered as a main cuase of nocturia and treated based on these result.

Age Related Changes of Voiding Patterns in Women with Overactive Bladder

PURPOSE: We tried to discover the voiding patterns, which was diurnal & nocturnal urinary volume and voiding frequencies in women with overactive bladder (OAB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All voided volumes, times and frequencies were recorded in 249 women with overactive bladder. The subjects age related changes in bladder capacity, urinary volume and frequency were evaluated. The causes of nocturnal urinary frequency and its increase with age in older women with OAB were evaluated using 3 days of voiding diaries. Nocturia was devided into three types: nocturnal polyuria, decreased nocturnal bladder capacity and mixed type. RESULTS: Total voided volume, daytime urine volume, functional bladder capacity were decreased with the age. Nocturnal urine volume and nocturnal urinary frequency were increased with age. Nocturnal polyuria was the major cause for nocturia, and mixed type was increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Voiding symptoms as well as storage symptoms were increased with age in OAB female. In most cases, nocturia was caused by nocturnal polyuria.

The Effect of Nocturia on Health-related Quality of Life and Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Score in Female

PUROPOSE: To evaluate the effects of nocturia on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and sleep. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2007, 180 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms were prospectively selected for this study. Study was conducted among respondents with nocturia (void/night> or =1) (n=119) and age matched controls (no nocturia) (n=61), with participants completing a series of questionnaires on HRQoL (OAB-q short form) and Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep scale and frequency voiding chart. RESULTS: The patients population had a mean age of 57.2 years. In the patients, the mean number of void per night was measured, 58 patients reported 2>void/night> or =1, 32 patients reported 3> voids/night> or =2 and 29 patients reported void/night> or =3. The number of nocturia episodes/night was significantly associated with the overactive bladder (OAB) symptom score (p=0.001), symptom bother (p=0.001) and the MOS sleep index (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Increases in the number of voids/night have further negative effects on sleep, symptom bother and HRQoL.

Real-Time Audio-Visual Sexual Stimulation with Eyeglasses-Type Monitor Improves Quality of Drug-Induced Erection during Penile Duplex Doppler Ultrasonography / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: Intracavernosal injection subsequent vibrotactile or audiovisual sexual stimulation (AVSS) have frequently been utilized to produce al maximal erectile response during penile Doppler ultrasonography. However, several studies have shown that erectile quality often decreases following the placement of the sonographic probe. We examined whether real-time AVSS with an eyeglasses-type monitor enhances quality during penile duplex color Doppler ultrasonography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 32 impotent patients underwent penile duplex color Doppler ultrasonography of the cavernosal arteries after intracavernosal injection of 10 to 20 microgram of prostaglandin E1 and subsequent manual stimulation. Real-time AVSS sas used when the patient failed to achieve a rigid erection or showed abnomal arterial blood flow. The clinical erectile response was assessed by visual inspection and palpation and graded from I to V. Peak blood flow velocities and resistance index of the both cavernosal arteries were monitored continuously. After AVSS, the sexual drive was assessed as grade I (poor), II (moderate), or III (good). RESULTS: After intracavernosal injection and genital stimulation, 3 patients (9%) had a Grade II erection, 2 (6%) a Grade III, 16 (50%) a Grade IV, and 11 (34%) a Grade V. During duplex ultrasonography, 4 patients (13%) had a Grade II erection, 7 (22%) a Grade III, 16 (50%) a Grade IV, and 5 (16%) an arade V. During real-time AVSS, 22 patients (69%) showed better drectile quality. Initial Doppler ultrasonographic scanning showed arteriogenic impotence in 9 patients (28%), veno-occlusive disease in 5 (16%), and mixed arteriogenic and venogenic impotence in 18 (25%), veno-occlusive in 9 (28%), and mixed type in 2 (6%). Therefore, the initial diagnosis turned to be different after AVSS in 26 patients (81%). The sexual drive was rated grade I in 9 (28%), grade II in 11(34%), and grade III in 12 (38%). CONCLUSION: Real-time AVSS with an eyeglasses-type monitor remarkably enhances the quality of pharmacologically induced erections. Such stimulation may be useful during penile color Doppler ultrasonography to help in making the ccorrect diagnosis of the cause of erectile dysfunction.