Influence of patient's age on prostate volume, and serum PSA levels

Prostate specific antigen could be elevated in prostatic and non prostatic diseases, therefore it is not specific for prostate pathology .We evaluated in this retrospective study other factors such as patient's age to determine its effect on the prostate specific antigen level and prostate volume in normal, benign, and malignant conditions. One hundred twenty one patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound biopsy were included in this study. The prostate volume, total prostate specific antigen, free prostate specific antigen, and percent free prostate specific antigen in normal, benign, and malignant conditions were evaluated Descriptive analysis, Two tailed student's t- test, Anova test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. Biopsy results yielded 35 patients with prostate cancer [29%], 77 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia [64%], and no abnormal histological finding in nine patients [7%].There was positive correlation between patient's age and prostate volume [r = 0.22, p < 0.05] Positive correlation was also found between patient's age and prostate specific antigen levels, total prostate specific antigen, and free prostate specific antigen [r = 0. 10 and r = 0. 1 8 respectively, p value was > 0.05]. Across categories no significant difference was found neither in the mean patient's age, nor in the prostate specific antigen levels [p > 0.05]. Although patient's age affects both total and free prostate specific antigen levels, but it could not be used as prostate cancer predictor

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticogram: outcomes at Jordan university hospital

Objectives: To evaluate the experience of Jordan University Hospital in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticogram over the period of three years and to compare the results with upper GI endoscopy, surgery, liver biopsy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticogram

Methods: Conventional abdominal magnetic resonance examination [CAMRE] of the upper abdomen followed by Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreaticogram [MRCP] was performed in 174 patients. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangioanpereaticogram [ERCP] was performed in 84 patients, upper GI endoscopy [UGIE] in 60 patients, liver biopsy in 9 patients and surgery in 40 patients

Results: Eighteen patients were excluded. In 156 patients MRCP and CAMRE were adequate. Ninety four patients [60.3%] had abnormal MRCP; 40 patients [25.6%] showed abnormality in the CAMRE. Fifty patients [55.3%] had cholidocolithiasis and 30 patients [31.9%] had malignant stricture. MRCP was normal in 62 patients [39.8 %] when ERCP_was abnormal; two patients had gallstones from this group. ERCP was successful in 77 patients out of 84 [91.7%] with endoscopic sphincterotomy and 30 patients had abnormal UGIE

Conclusion: MRCP is a very good technique in detection of pancreatic and biliary ducts pathology, its diagnostic accuracy is increased if combined with CAMRE, it should be done prior to diagnostic ERCP particularly in patients with previous un successful attempt