The prevesical space: anatomical review and pathological conditions.

The prevesical space is the largest potential space within the pelvic extraperitoneal space. Located anterosuperior to the bladder, it has complex communications with the adjacent pelvic extraperitoneal spaces, rectus sheath, and retroperitoneum. The prevesical space is also the site of various pathological processes, and can act as a conduit for the spread of these conditions. Therefore, awareness of the detailed anatomy and potential routes of communication may help radiologists in making accurate diagnoses of pathological conditions involving the prevesical space.

National-wide data on the treatment of BPH in Korea.

The healthcare system in Korea provides coverage to all the people who are residing in Korea, so the data of the Korea healthcare system are national-wide and relatively accurate. We obtained the recent 5-year data (2004-2008) on the treatment of BPH from the national health insurance system. We tried to determine the trends or changes of BPH treatments in Korea. Over 3.8 million men visited clinics and were prescribed one or more BPH medications, and more than 44 000 men underwent surgical treatment during 2004-2008. Compared with the year 2004, two times the patients were prescribed BPH medications in 2008. With respect to the surgical treatment, the number of cases was increased 1.6 times in 2006 compared with the previous years. The most commonly used surgical option was TURP before 2006, but laser therapy was carried out as much as TURP in 2006 and in the following years. The relative risk of laser therapy in the 50 s is 1.53 (95% CI is 1.47-1.59). In conclusion, our national-wide data for the Korean BPH patients show that these patients' medical treatment increased during the 5 years from 2004 to 2008. Laser treatment had increased and it might replace TURP in several years.

[Control over prostatic functional activity]. / Kontrol' za funktsional'noi aktivnost'iu predstatel'noi zhelezy.

The investigation of the tendency in the development of benign hyperplasia of the prostate is a crucial point in decision on the treatment initiation, schedule and policy. In view of this, the knowledge of the intensity of cellular proliferation and secretion, i.e. prostatic functional activity, in line with detrusor assessment is held essential. Optimal criteria of this value can be obtained by histological examination of prostatic biopsies, investigation of androgen and estrogen receptors in distant adenomatous nodes, by comparison of various biochemical ingredients in prostatic secretion. Twelve biochemical ingredients of prostatic secretion were studied in patients of the control group, in those with prostatic stones, adenoma, chronic prostatitis. The treatment included either androgenic, or antiandrogenic, or estrogenic therapy. Prostatic secretion biochemistry analyzed mathematically showed fluctuations in zinc ions concentration which appeared most significant. It is inferred that zinc ion concentration in prostatic secretion must be considered a significant means of overall evaluation of prostatic function able to represent the capacity of glandular epithelium for response to androgenic stimulation or estrogenic (antiandrogenic) inhibition of secretory and proliferative processes.

[Transurethral electroresection in chronic prostatitis and its complications]. / Transuretral'naia élektrorezektsiia pri khronicheskom prostatite i ee oslozhneniiakh.

A discussion on possible application of endoscopic surgery for the treatment of chronic prostatitis and its complications is presented. Surgical treatment was performed in 102 patients with chronic prostatitis and isolated or combined prostatic lesions. Most patients were aged 40 to 69 years. Conservative treatment had been ineffective for an average of 5 years. All patients were divided into 6 clinical groups. The most numerous one included patients with chronic prostatitis, complicated by sclerosis of the vesical cervix. Careful patient selection was based on the use of all available up-to-date diagnostic procedures. Principal indications for transurethral electroresection were infravesical obstruction, complicating the underlying disease; persistent pain and dysuria, uncontrollable by conservative means and exhausting the patient, as a result of prostatic retention or calculous or sclerotic complications. Two principal surgical methods were transurethral and subtotal prostatic resection. Possibilities of ultrasonic scanning in the diagnosis of prostatic retention are pointed out. Complication rates and types and surgical results are reported. The results were good in 55%, satisfactory in 36% and poor in 9%. The effect of surgery on sexual capacity is described.

[Transient obstructive aspermia and transient obstructive oligospermia]. / Tranzitornaia obturatsionnaia aspermiia, tranzitornaia obturatsionnaia oligospermiia.

The article is a continuation of a series of papers dealing with changes of ejaculatory ducts associated with various diseases of the prostatic gland and posterior urethra. Clinical description of patients, earlier treated for aspermia or oligospermia is presented. In some of the patients with such clinical manifestations, complete or partial compression of the ejaculatory ducts by the inflamed prostate or seminal bulb may be the cause and the disorder may be transitory rather than continuous. Twenty-six cases of transitory aspermia are reported, with special reference to laboratory and instrumental findings and treatment results. A group of patients (43) with transitory oligospermia is also described, and the results of investigation and treatment are presented.