[A case report of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with particular reference to monitoring of prostate volume].

A 23-year-old man visited our hospital, complaining of a lack of secondary sexual characteristics. Based on both clinical and endocrinological examinations, he was diagnosed as suffering from idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). With human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)/human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) replacement therapy, clinical symptoms and serum testosterone levels improved to normal ranges. Interestingly, prostate volume as measured by transrectal ultrasonography increased considerably from 3.6 ml before treatment to 20.2 ml after treatment. The monitoring of prostate volume might be a parameter useful for evaluating the treatment effect of hCG/hMG replacement therapy in IHH.

[Primary symptoms of 301 patients with prostate cancer: Nagoya Urology Hospital experience].

PURPOSE: Primary symptoms were reviewed retrospectively in patients with prostate cancer diagnosed in our hospital with the aim of promoting early detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects included 301 cases with prostate cancer diagnosed histologically in Nagoya Urology Hospital from August, 1988 to December, 2001. The mean age was 72.7 years, and the median PSA was 20.0 ng/ml. Primary symptoms were classified according to the General Rule for Clinical and Pathological Studies on Prostate Cancer (The 3rd Edition). RESULTS: Out of 301 cases, 274 (91%) visited our hospital with clinical symptoms. Of them, 272 had primary urological symptoms. In these 272 cases, 250 (92%) and 19 (7%) had lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and macroscopic or microscopic hematuria, respectively. The majority of patients (82%) referred from other urologists had already undergone PSA measurement, compared to 50% in those referred from physicians other than urologists (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: The present data revealed that LUTS were important primary symptoms for the detection of prostate cancer, particularly in an area like Nagoya where the mass screening for prostate cancer is still unavailable. In terms of the early detection of prostate cancer, PSA has to be measured in patients with LUTS even when they visit physicians who are not urologists.

[A case of primary adenocarcinoma of the epididymis].

A 68-year-old man presented with right intrascrotal swelling. On palpation, a hard tumor without pain was recognized at the head of the right epididymis. Power Doppler ultrasonography revealed blood flow signals within the tumor. Surgical exploration was performed under the tentative diagnosis as possible malignant tumor of the epididymis. The right epididymis adhered to the testis so strongly, that the epididymis was resected with the testis. Pathological diagnosis was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the epididymis. The results of general examinations on possible presence of primary lesions in other organs were all negative. Finally, the diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma of the epididymis was obtained. He remains free of disease 17 months after surgery.

Acute urethritis caused by Neisseria meningitidis.

A 48-year-old heterosexual Japanese man visited the outpatient clinic of Nagoya Urology Hospital, complaining of burning pain at voiding and pus discharge from the urethral orifice. These symptoms appeared the day following oral-genital contact (fellatio) with a commercial sex worker. On the basis of the presumptive clinical diagnosis of gonorrhea because of the microscopic detection of diplococci in the urethral discharge, he was treated with levofloxacin (300 mg per day) for 7 days. His symptoms responded quickly and urinalysis taken 7 days later was normal. Microbiological examinations isolated Neisseria meningitidis in the urethral discharge by culture with the use of enzymatic profiles. Further prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) through oral-genital contact would lead to an increase in meningococcal urethritis.