Multiple Penile and Scrotal Schwannomas in an Adult Patient: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Schwannomas originate from the peripheral nerve sheaths and are mainly detected in the head, neck, or extremities. They are rarely encountered in the penoscrotal region. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we present a case of a penoscrotal schwannoma diagnosed and successfully treated in our center. A 40-year-old patient with a history of resection of a dorsal penile schwannoma presented with multiple nodular lesions at the scrotum, penile shaft, and radix, which were first noticed 5 years before his current presentation. He complained about penile pain and dyspareunia. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed for preoperative diagnosis. All nodular lesions were resected while preserving the neurovascular structures. The histopathological examination revealed benign lesions. The patient's complaints were resolved, and there was no recurrence during the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The primary treatment is surgical excision. The patients need close follow-up regarding the risks of recurrence and malignant transformation.

The Effect of Autologous Temporal Fascia Graft on Erectile Function and Psychometric Properties in Peyronie's Disease Patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the surgical technique used by the authors on Peyronie's disease (PD) patients who underwent surgical treatment with a temporalis fascia autograft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with normal erectile functions and > 60° penile curvature who underwent surgical treatment with temporalis fascia autografts were included in this retrospective study. The patients were recruited between January 2017 and May 2021. Preoperative assessment included the International Index of Erectile Function erectile function (IIEF-EF) score, penile duplex and penile curvature angle measurement. Postoperative self-reports, penile deformity, IIEF-EF scores and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire were assessed every three months. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with a mean age of 52.09 ± 6.61 years were included in the study, and no major complications developed in any case. Postoperative assessment revealed curvature relapse in seven patients (31.8%), although no intervention was performed on five patients with < 20° curvature. Six patients experienced a postoperative decrease in penile length and erectile function was completely preserved in 68.18%. The mean level of satisfaction with surgery measured using the visual analogue scale was 79.13 ± 21.23. CONCLUSION: The temporalis fascia graft, thin and durable graft, is a highly successful therapeutic option in the surgical treatment of PD patients and a good alternative in terms of its cosmetic and functional results.

The effect of aging on semen parameters in normozoospermic men: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Semen parameters change with age and are reported differently worldwide. Objective: This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the semen quality pattern among aging men and the age thresholds for semen parameters. Materials and Methods: The records of men who had normal semen parameters from January 2015-June 2020 were retrospectively evaluated for andrological outpatient at Samsun Training and Research hospital and Gazi hospital in Samsun, Turkey. Adult men meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into 3 groups of I) 18-29 yr (n = 629), II) 30-39 yr (n = 775), and III) 40-49 yr (n = 190). Correlations between age and sperm parameters were then analyzed. Results: A total of 1594 men were enrolled in the study. Significant differences were observed in total sperm numbers, total motility rates, progressive motility rates, nonprogressive motility rates, normal morphology rates, mean semen volume, and sperm concentrations. The parameters of total sperm number, progressive motility rate, and normal morphology rate were significantly higher in group I than in the other 2 groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively) and in group II compared to group III (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p < 0.001), respectively. Mean semen volume and total motility rate were significantly higher in group I than in the other groups (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, no difference was observed between group II and group III (p = 0.61 and p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: Age has a significant impact on semen parameters capable of affecting male fertility, particularly total sperm numbers, the progressive motility rate, and the normal morphology rate.

The protective effect of curcumin on the diabetic rat kidney: A stereological, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study.

The prevalence of diabetes in the world is increasing rapidly. Kidney diseases are among the most common medical disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on the diabetic kidney. Thirty-five female Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups. No procedure was performed on the Cont group. The Sham group received corn oil via gavage for 14 days. The curcumin (Curc) group received 30-mg/kg curcumin for 14 days, while the diabetes mellitus (DM) group received 50-mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) in a single dose intraperitoneally. The DM + curcumin 1 (DC1) group received 30 mg/kg curcumin for 14 days, seven days after the application of STZ, while the DM + curcumin 2 (DC2) received 30 mg/kg curcumin for 14 days, 21 days after the application of STZ, and the DM + curcumin 3 (DC3) group received single-dose STZ at the same time as the application of 30 mg/kg curcumin for 14 days. Medulla, cortex, tubule, and glomerulus volume ratios were calculated using stereological techniques. Cortex volumes in the Sham and DM groups were significantly lower than in the Cont group (p < 0.05). The cortex volume in the DC3 group was also significantly lower than in the Curc group (p < 0.05). Medullary volume was significantly higher in the DC3 group compared to the DM group (p < 0.05). Curcumin was determined to exhibit a protective effect on the diabetic kidney since the glomerulus in the curcumin-exposed group exhibited a well-protected structure following experimentally induced diabetes based on light and electron microscopic analysis findings. These findings suggest that curcumin used following experimentally induced diabetes exhibits protective effects on the diabetic kidney.

Does transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the prostate lead to possible further metastasis via circulating tumor cells?

Background/aim: We evaluate whether transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy might lead to spillage of tumor cells into peripheral blood as a result of disruption of the epithelial barrier and ultimately result in metastasis. Materials and methods: Eighty-eight patients underwent TRUS-guided prostate needle biopsy due to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) increase or abnormal digital rectal examination at the Samsun Research and Training Hospital (Samsun, Turkey) between April 2016 and September 2018. Approximately 10 mL of whole blood was collected from patients before, 1 week after, and 1 month after biopsy. Samples were analyzed for CD117 positivity and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) levels using flow cytometry. Patients with pathologically determined prostate cancer and without CD117 positivity before biopsy were included in the study. The study group thus consisted of 55 patients. Results: Subjects' PSA levels ranged from 2.3 to 40.0 ng/mL (median: 7.9 ng/mL), and their Gleason score was a median of 7 (range: 5­9). PSMA levels ranged between 9.3 ng/mL and 118.5 ng/mL and CD117 antigen levels between 0 and 5. We detected no CD117- positive cells in blood samples collected 7 days or 1 month after biopsy. Conclusion: We detected no circulating tumor cells in the peripheral circulation following biopsy. Prostate needle biopsy seems to be a safe method in terms of spillage of tumor cells into blood circulation as a possible cause of further metastasis.

Perineal ectopic testis: A rare congenital anomaly.

Perineal ectopic testis is a rare condition seen in less than 1% of all cases of undescended testis. In this study, we diagnosed a perineal ectopic testis in a 7-month-old physical examination. A solitary, oval mass on the lower and lateral side of the palpation right hemiscrotum was identified and this mass was defined as the correct testicle at the ultrasound of scrotal. Orchiopexy was performed following herniography, and the scrotum was attached to the scrotum using the dartos pouch technique. We believe that orchidopexy is the preferred treatment of choice.

The use of diclofenac sodium in urological practice: A structural and neurochemical based review.

Diclofenac sodium (DS) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with antipyretic and analgesic effects. It is mainly found in the form of sodium salt. The mechanism of action of DS operates by way of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition. The physiological effect of this substance derives from a decrease in prostaglandin production. DS is a benzeneacetic acid derivative with anti-inflammatory properties. As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), DS binds to both forms of COX (COX-1 and COX-2) and inhibits the conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory prostaglandins by means of chelation. At the same time, this agent is also able to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, in which COX-2 is involved. DS is effective in overcoming pain and inflammation when it inhibits COX-2, but gastrointestinal side effects appear when it inhibits COX-1. In this review, we have focused on chemical structure and pharmacokinetic properties and renal effects of DS in light of current knowledge. Additionally, use of diclofenac nanoparticles were also discussed.

Effects of prenatal 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposures on the histology of rat kidney.

PURPOSE: To research the harmful effects of prenatal exposure of 900 megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF) on kidneys of four-week-old male rats and to determine protective effects of melatonin (MEL) and omega-3 (ω-3). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one Wistar albino rats were randomly placed into seven groups as follows: Control (Cont), Sham, MEL, ω-3, EMF, EMF+ MEL and EMF+ω-3. After mating, three groups (EMF, EMF+ MEL, EMF+ ω-3) were exposed to an EMF. In the fourth week subsequent to parturition, six rats were randomly chosen from each group. Mean volume of kidneys and renal cortices, the total number of glomeruli and basic histological structure of kidney were evaluated by stereological and light microscopical methods, respectively. RESULTS: Stereological results determined the mean volume of the kidneys and cortices were significantly increased in EMF-exposed groups compared to the Cont group. However, EMF-unexposed groups were not significantly modified compared to the Cont group. Additionally, the total number of glomeruli was significantly higher in EMF-unexposed groups compared to the Cont group. Alternatively, the number of glomeruli in EMF-exposed groups was decreased compared to the Cont group. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure of rat kidneys to 900 MHz EMF resulted in increased total kidney volume and decreased the numbers of glomeruli. Moreover, MEL and ω-3 prevented adverse effects of EMF on the kidneys.