Female Sexual Dysfunction Among Greek Women With Multiple Sclerosis: Correlations With Organic and Psychological Factors.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological disease that usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Sexuality issues are important factors that affect the quality of life of patients. AIM: To determine and evaluate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in Greek women with MS and correlate it with organic and psychological factors. METHODS: 248 consecutive women with MS, aged over 18 who admitted to our outpatient clinics from February 2016 to March 2017 were included in the study. Demographics (age, marital status, menopause status, number of children) and disease-related data such as the duration of the disease, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and medication for MS obtained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All participants completed the Greek validated versions of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) questionnaires. Statistics used to estimate the prevalence of FSD and its correlation with organic (age, EDSS, duration of the disease, menopause status) and psychological factors (depression, anxiety, stress). RESULTS: FSD was diagnosed in 64.5% of our sample. Age was associated with most subscales of the FSFI. There was no significant correlation in FSFI subscales with the disease duration. Correlation of EDSS and FSFI scores was found to be statistically significant with a negative correlation in all subscales apart from the Satisfaction subscale. Regarding the association between DASS domains and FSFI subscales, there were no significant correlations. CONCLUSION: FSD is common among Greek women; it is influenced by age, severity of disease, and it is independent of the existence of depression, anxiety, and stress. Konstantinidis C, Tzitzika M, Bantis A, et al. Female sexual dysfunction among Greek women with multiple sclerosis: Correlations with organic and psychological factors. Sex Med 2019;7:19-25.

Two Case Reports of Varicocele Rupture during Sexual Intercourse and Review of the Literature.

Varicocele is characterized by the dilatation of the veins of the spermatic cord. Its prevalence in general male population is 15% while in the infertile population the prevalence rises up to 25%. The varicocele is considered an etiological factor for male infertility. Although different pathophysiological patterns have been proposed, there is no consensus in the urological society to date. In most of the cases varicocele is asymptomatic but sometimes gives mild symptoms as dull pain at the scrotal region. A rare complication of this condition is the spontaneous or traumatic rupture and hematoma formation, either as spermatic cord hematoma or as scrotal hematoma. We are presenting two cases of varicocele rupture, presented with acute painful swelling of the left inguinal and scrotal region during sexual intercourse. Imaging studies revealed a scrotal hematoma in the first case and a spermatic cord hematoma in the second case, without signs of active bleeding. Both patients were treated conservatively and recovered uneventfully. Subsequently, we reviewed the literature in an effort to find the key points for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Second-look Flexible Nephroscopy Combined With Holmium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser Lithotripsy Under Local Anesthesia: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To present a prospectively studied series of patients who underwent second-look flexible nephroscopy combined with holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser lithotripsy under local anesthesia for residual stone removal after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive eligible patients who underwent a PCNL procedure in the previous 48-96 hours were included. The inclusion criteria were the following: (1) 1 or 2 residual stones 0.8-1.5 cm in diameter and (2) age >18 years. Approximately 15 mL of a 2% solution of lidocaine hydrochloride was injected through the nephrostomy tube, which was then clamped for 15 minutes. Flexible nephroscopy was combined with Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy set at 0.8 Joules and 8 Hz. Patients were asked to rate their pain intensity using the numeric rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: There were 14 (46.7%) men and 16 (53.3%) women in the study, with a mean age of 45.2 ± 17.5 years. Twenty-one (70%) patients had 1 stone and 9 (30%) had 2 stones needing fragmentation. Twenty-eight (93.3%) patients successfully underwent the procedure under local anesthesia. The mean NRS value was 1.39 ± 1.08 (range 0-5). For the entire group, there was a statistically significant difference between those patients with 1 stone vs 2 stones needing fragmentation (NRS scores of 1.1 ± 0.77 vs 2.1 ± 1.36, respectively, P = .033). Operative time >30 minutes was associated with higher NRS score. The stone-free rate under local anesthesia was 86.7%. CONCLUSION: For patients with a minimal to moderate residual stone burden after PCNL, second-look flexible nephroscopy can be combined with Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy using only local anesthesia.

The diagnostic yield of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography in recurrent testicular seminoma.

The use of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan imaging is undoubtedly a significant evolution in oncological urology, although at present of limited use in every day urology practice. The aim of this study is to highlight the indication and diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in the staging of a patient with metachronous bilateral testicular seminoma, elevated tumor markers, and equivocal conventional imaging findings.

Tumor necrosis factor A and interleucin 6 serum values in patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones.

OBJECTIVE: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is highly effective for the treatment of uretral lithiasis and remains the first treatment option for the majority of patients when ureteral lithiasis can not be treated otherwise for more than two decades. In the present study we aim to evaluate the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleucin 6 (IL-6) in patients undergoing ESWL and investigate whether preESWL levels of serum TNF-a and IL-6 correllate with any possible infectious complications after ESWL. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients (17 males and 13 females), with a mean age of 43 who underwent ESWL for ureteral stones and 10 healthy volunteers serving as the control group were enrolled in this study. Serum samples for TNF-a and IL-6 were obtained before ESWL and after ESWL, 1, 24, and 48 hours and 2, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. The preESWL and postESWL serum TNF-a levels and IL-6 were compared and correlated with possible tissue damage and infectious complications. RESULTS: We found that serum TNF-a levels were significantly decreased one hour (P<0,001) and increased 24 hours (P=0.007) after ESWL. Furthermore IL-6 was also significantly increased 2 hours (P<0,001), 24 and 48 hours after ESWL (P=0,003 and 0,002 respectively). In 3 patients we observed fever (39 (o)C) postESWL procedure with negative urine culture and high serum values of TNF-a and IL6 preESWL. IN CONCLUSION: A high specific markers such as serum TNF-a levels (15-25pg/ml) and IL-6 (25-35pg/ml) might be useful to identifying patients with possible infection following ESWL lithotripsy. However, further studies are needed to get more accurate results.

Can tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) be used as prognostic markers of infection following ureteroscopic lithrotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones?

OBJECTIVE: Ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) and Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are highly effective for the treatment of uretral lithiasis and remain the treatment option for the majority of patients for more than two decades. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor A (TNFa) and interleucin 6 (IL6) in patients undergoing ESWL and URS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total number of seventy patients were involved in our study. Thirty patients (17 males, 13 females), with a mean age of 43 had underwent ESWL and thirty patients (19 males, 11 females), with a mean age of 47 (range: 26-68) underwent URS lithotripsy. Ten healthy volunteers serving as the control group were enrolled in this study. Serum samples for TNF-a and IL-6 were obtained before URS and ESWL and after the procedure at 1, 24, and 48 hours and at 2, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. The pre ESWL/URS and post ESWL/URS levels were compared and correlated with possible tissue damage. According to ESWL procedure we found that serumTNF-a levels were significantly increased after one hour (P<0,001) and after 24 hours (P=0.007). Furthermore, IL-6was significantly increased at 2 (P< 0,001), 24 and 48 hours post ESWL (P=0,003 and 0,002) respectively. For URS serum TNF-a levels were statistical significantly correlated preoperatively with one hour (P=0,0083) and 48 hours (P<0,001) after URS and IL-6 with 2 and 24 hours (P<0,001). In 3 patients for URS and 1 for ESWL we observed post procedure fever (>38.5C(o)). All those patients had preoperatively high values of TNF-a and Il-6 that increased at 1 and 2-hours respectively. In conclusion, high pre ESWL/URS levels of serum TNF-a and IL-6 may indicate a predisposition for post ESWL/URS inflammation and infection following URS lithotripsy or ESWL procedure.

Radiological findings and the clinical importance of megacalycosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the radiological findings and the clinical importance of megacalycosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On the basis of a case report and literature review, diagnostic criteria and clinical significance of megacalycosis are presented. RESULT: Megacalycosis is mostly asymptomatic and is usually discovered either accidentally or as a result of its complications, such as stone formation, flank pain, hematuria, infection, and fever. The renal pelvis, infundibulum, and ureter are not dilated. Calyces have a semilunar configuration rather than the conventional triangular or conical form. The tip of each pyramid is flat, and the calyces possess neither fornix nor papillae impressions. The number of calyces is increased compared to the healthy condition, typically from 20-25. The renal parenchyma has a normal width but with a slight narrowing of the renal medulla. The kidney exhibits normal function, in particular with respect to its ability to concentrate the urine. CONCLUSION: Megacalycosis is a rare, usually unilateral dilatation of the kidney calyces in the presence of a normal, undilated renal pelvis and ureter. Its pathological significance lies in the occurrence of complications.

Can Tumor Necrosis Factor- α and Interleukin-6 Be Used as Prognostic Markers of Infection following Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy?

Introduction. Ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) although highly effective for the treatment of ureteral stones is associated with certain complications, the more common of which are postoperative fever and infection. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the levels of serum cytokines in patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy and investigate any possible correlation between levels of cytokines and infectious complications after URS. Materials and Methods. Thirty patients (19 males, 11 females), with a mean age of 47 (range: 26-68) that underwent URS lithotripsy for ureteral stones, and 10 healthy volunteers serving as the control group were enrolled in this study. Serum samples for TNF- α and IL-6 were obtained before surgical intervention and after 1, 24, and 48 hours and 2 , 24, and 48 hours, respectively. The preoperative and postoperative levels were compared and correlated with the possible complications after URS. Results. Serum TNF- α levels were statistically significant, increased 1 hour (P = 0.0083) and 48 hours (P < 0.001) after operation. IL-6 levels were found statistically significant, elevated after 2 and 24 hours from the URS (P < 0.001). In 2 patients we observed postoperative fever (>38.5°C). These two patients had high preoperative values of TNF- α and IL-6 ( 30 and 50 pg/mL, resp.) and these values increased postoperatively. Conclusion. High preoperative levels of serum TNF- α and IL-6 may indicate a predisposition for postoperative inflammation and infection following URS lithotripsy.

Metastatic Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate with PSA Value of 8.6 ng/mL at 5-Year-Followup after Prostatectomy, Radiotherapy, and Androgen Deprivation.

Introduction. Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate is a rare variant of prostate cancer. Its malignant potential and the clinical course of the affected patients remain, by and large, controversial. No data exist about the course of metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Case Presentation. This case report describes the excellent clinical course of a 68-year-old patient with metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate, treated by radical prostatectomy, irradiation, and androgen deprivation. Conclusion. In our case, mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate does not appear to behave differently than acinar prostate cancer. Its malignant potential is dependent on its Gleason score.

Serum cytocines values in patients after endoscopic surgery for ureteral lithiasis.

Obstructive uropathy due to ureteral stones can cause renal infection and, if left untreated, can cause impairment of renal function. Endoscopic surgery such as ureteroscopy (URS) and laser lithotripsy are the primary therapeutic approach. Cytokines as non invasive markers may have a role to diagnose ureteral damage and infection. We aimed to evaluate serum cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFa) and interleukin-6 (IL6) in patients undergoing URS and holmium laser lithotripsy. The study included 40 patients (male 25 and 15 female) with a mean age of 47 years and 10 healthy blood donors serving as the control group. None of them had any additional systemic diseases, previous insertion of a ureteral double "j" stent or of a nephrostomy tube, neoplasmatic disease ot renal insufficiency. Routine urine examination and urine culture were obtained to exclude urinary infection. Preoperatively and 1h, 2h, 24h and 48h postoperatively serum samples of TNF-a and IL-6 were collected and measured. Serum TNFa and IL-6 values were correlated with the other variables measured from blood samples after the URS using paired samples Students t-test with confidence interval 95%. A P value of less than 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Correlation between serum TNF-a and IL6 levels with healthy donors were statistically significant in 1h (0.004), 2h (0.001), 24h (0.001) and 48h (0.001 and 0.001) postoperatively, respectively. In conclusion, our study shows that cytokines could be helpful as markers of renal tissue damage. However, further studies are needed to get more accurate results.

Conservative Management of Penile Trauma may be Complicated by Abscess Formation.

Blunt penile trauma during sexual activity, although highly underreported due to the associated patient embarrassment, constitutes a real urological emergency requiring immediate attention and possibly early surgical intervention. We report a case of a 58-year old man who presented with penile pain following excessive masturbation. Although there were no clinical signs of penile deformity or hematoma, magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of a rupture in the tunica albuginea. The patient opted for non-surgical management and his recovery period was complicated by the formation of an abscess at the site of the albugineal tear thus prolonging his hospital stay. The abscess was surgically drained and the patient reports to have normal erections at 3-month follow up.

Prostatic specific antigen and bone scan in the diagnosis and follow-up of prostate cancer. Can diagnostic significance of PSA be increased?

Prostate cancer (PC) is currently the most frequently diagnosed cancer in males and constitutes a major health issue in developed countries. On the other hand, the majority of PC cases are considered clinically not significant and certainly not lethal. These discrepancies highlight the need for the early detection of especially those cases that have aggressive features and call for early and radical intervention. The clinical use of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) towards this end is recognized as inadequate since PSA is prostate specific, but not a PC specific marker, as it is known to increase in other prostate diseases such as benign hyperplasia, inflammations, transrectal ultrasound examination, biopsy and after transurethral prostatectomy. However due to lack of other more specific markers, digital rectal examination combined with serum PSA are suggested for PC screening and diagnosis. With regard to advanced disease where bone involvement is the rule, nuclear medicine bone scan using radioactive bisphosphonates such as technetium-99m methylene-diphosphonate is quite common and reliable technique for detecting and monitoring bone metastases. The major advantage of nuclear scintigraphy is its ability to reveal bone metastases significantly earlier than the conventional X-ray imaging techniques. PSA density, velocity, doubling time and free to total PSA ratio increase the significance of serum PSA in diagnosing PC. The combination of an increased PSA (>20ng/mL) and a high biopsy Gleason score (>8) enhances the possibility of bone metastases (P<0001) and mandates a bone scan. In conclusion, serum PSA testing is currently recommended in symptomatic PC patients for disease staging and treatment monitoring and in asymptomatic selected population groups aged more than 50 years. It is reasonable to suggest that PSA density, velocity, doubling time and free to total PSA ratio or combining PSA with Gleason score shall greatly increase PSA specificity in detecting PC cases. Radioisotopic bone scan by SPET or PET can demonstrate osseous metastases at later stages of PC, but should also be applied in cases falsely considered as an early stage of PC, for better staging and for periodic follow-up of the disease.

Laparoscopic transvesical resection of an en bloc bladder cuff and distal ureter during nephroureterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The most appropriate technique for excising the distal ureter and bladder cuff during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is still debated. We report our experience with a pure laparoscopic transvesical method that duplicates the long-standing open transvesical approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven men and three women diagnosed with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma were treated with this procedure. Three intravesical ports were inserted, and pneumovesicum was established at 12 mmHg. Transvesical laparoscopic circumferential detachment of the bladder cuff and en bloc mobilization of the last centimeters of the distal ureter were performed, followed by the closure of the bladder defect. Subsequently, a nephrectomy was performed either laparoscopically or using an open flank approach. RESULTS: The median age was 68.5 years. The procedure was completed uneventfully in all cases. The median operating time for distal ureter excision was 82.5 minutes (range 55-120). No complications directly related to the pneumovesicum method were recorded. The median follow-up period was 31 months (range 12-55). During the follow-up period, two patients (20%) died from the disease, and a bladder tumor developed in three cases (30%). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic transvesical resection of the en bloc bladder cuff and distal ureter is a reliable, effective, and oncologically safe technique, at least in the midterm.

Single inguinal node metastasis of stage I testicular seminoma shown by scrotal scintigraphy, 6 months following radical orchiectomy.

Lymphatic drainage of the testes is known to follow a predictable pathway that usually involves the retroperitoneal, paraaortic, paracaval and interaortocaval nodal chains. Herein we report the case of a 41 years old man with a stage I testicular seminoma, with an unexpected inguinal lymph node metastasis. During his routine follow-up visit, 6 months after radical orchiectomy, a spherical mass in the right inguinal region was palpated. Thoraco-abdominal CT did not reveal any evidence of retroperitoneal enlarged lymph nodes or distant metastases, but showed a 2cm right inguinal mass. Scrotal scintigraphy with technetium-99m pertechnetate was performed in order to evaluate the local vascularity of the right inguinal area. The angiographic phase (0-1min) and the blood pool images at 15, 30, 45 and 60min revealed high uptake in the right inguinal region, suggesting a hyperemic mass suspicious for tumor recurrence. The excised mass was found to be an enlarged lymph node infiltrated with seminoma. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy to which he showed a complete response and has been disease free at 2 years follow-up. In conclusion, in the case presented scrotal scintigraphy showed a hyperemic mass at the right inguinal region that proved to be the sentinel node of a stage I testicular seminoma and was treated accordingly.

Minimal invasive treatment options in pregnant women with ovarian vein syndrome.

PURPOSE: To describe the treatment modalities of symptomatic ovarian vein syndrome in pregnancy. METHODS: In our study, we included 12 pregnant women with right ureter and kidney dilatation; caused by ureteric obstruction. In 11 out of 12, we insert a DJ stent and in one woman we applied percutaneous nephrostomy, because of intermittent abdominal pain, resistant on analgetic therapy or feverish pyelonephritis. DJ stents and nephrostomy were inserted under ultrasound guidance without anaesthesia. RESULTS: After insertion of DJ stents, respective percutaneous nephrostomy colic attacks went back immediately and the feverish pyelonephritis in few days. At no time during these procedures, there was a risk for pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Ovarian vein syndrome in pregnancy can lead to violent colic pain and can become complicated by accompanied pyelonephritis. In these cases insertion of a DJ stent or percutaneous nephrostomy under ultrasound guidance is possible and safe, and leads to an improvement of complaints immediately.

A simplified technique for ureteral spatulation in laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

One of the most difficult, time-consuming, and at the same time critical steps of laparoscopic pyeloplasty is ureteral spatulation. We describe a reproducible technique that greatly simplifies this surgical step. Using standard laparoscopic scissors, the ureter is partially cut just inferior to the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) at a point where a normal (nonstenotic) ureter is discerned. This first cut involves only half of the circumference of the ureter. The ureter remains attached to the UPJ. Through the most cephalad port, a 5-mm articulating laparoscopic scissors is inserted in the abdomen. The instrument is fully articulated so that the axis of the jaws is almost in line with the ureteral axis. The jaws are opened, one jaw is inserted in the ureteral lumen, and the ureter is spatulated to the requisite length. At this point, the first apical ureteral stitch is placed outside-in while the ureter is stabilized by its remaining attachment to the UPJ. Subsequently, the ureter is freed completely from the UPJ; the UPJ is excised, and the rest of the procedure is performed in a standard fashion.

Positive lymphoscintigraphy (ILS) and negative computed tomography for metastatic penile cancer.

Penile carcinoma usually occurs in older than 40 years men with an incidence in western communities of 0.5 to 1.6 per 100,000 men per year while in developing countries the rate is much higher in men. Extensive lymph node dissection of lymphatic inguinal metastases evident by inguinal lymphoscintigraphy (ILS) induces improved overall survival. A 75 years old male with penile squamous cell carcinoma stage pT2N0M0 of less than 2cm diameter, with tumor invasion of the penis corpora underwent partial penectomy with a 2-cm disease-free margin. Three months postoperation, computed tomography (CT) was negative for local recurrence or distant metastases. A dynamic ILS was performed after local anaesthesia and intradermal injection of 80MBq of (99m)Tc-nanocolloid at the lower edge of the left and right inguinal ducts. The lymphatic chain and a hot spot suggestive of a first draining lymph node appeared after 15min on the right inguinal region in the second zone according to Daseler mapping. The left inguinal area was negative for sentinel node (SN). In view of this finding an exploratory laparotomy was performed and pathology showed that this lymph node that was probably a SN was infiltrated by the squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was upstaged to T2N1M0 and scheduled to receive adjuvant chemotherapy with two courses of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. While T1 and T2 tumours of diameters <2cm are best treated with penile-preserving methods such as circumciand/or local excision. Tumours of T2 >2cm, T3 tumours, and T4 tumours are treated with glans amputation and/or partial or total penile amputation. Imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan do not always give accurate staging information, because positive findings are usually found only in patients with clinically palpable, enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. Computed tomography and MRI have low sensitivity to identify occult metastases, because they present criteria for malignant involvement mainly based on the size of the lesions. The main pitfall of these diagnostic modalities is due to occult metastatic disease occurring within normal sized nodes. Approximatively 20% of the patients with non palpable lymph nodes harbour occult inguinal metastases, and there is evidence that this group of patients may benefit from early surgical dissection of the inguinal nodes, compared to a wait-and-see policy. It is understood that current imaging techniques cannot accurately detect occult metastases, while ILS is more reliable. In 80% of patients with penile cancer, after ILS, drainage to both groins is observed. Bilateral nodes are often visualized early, sometimes asynchronously with one of the lymph nodes filling late. This is why delayed images are recommended. Pitfalls of ILS are: a) Contamination of the skin with the tracer and b) radiopharmaceutical entering the blood. There are also several reasons that may account for absent or faint SN uptake: low dose of the tracer or low tracer quality, patient's age (better in young patients), tumor involvement of the sentinel node, and finally too short or too long interval between tracer injection and ILS. The ILS can be mapped according to Daseler's inguinal zones. Penile cancer drains directly to the nodes in the superior and central Daseler zones. According to others, the majority (73%) of SN was located in the medial superior, 8.7% in the lateral superior, and 18.3% in the central zone. No drainage was seen on the two inferior quadrants. The majority (62.1%) of higher-tier nodes was found in the external iliac zone. Inguinal LS can save us from watchful waiting in cases of otherwise occult metastases. In conclusion, ILS has shown lymph node metastases while clinical and CT examinations were negative. The false positive and false negative results of ILS are mentioned.

Bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with bone metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Risk factors and prevention strategies.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Evidence from the literature suggests that osteonecrosis of the jaw is emerging as a serious complication of treatment with bisphosphonates for patients with advanced prostate cancer. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This study is a series of 60 patients with osseous metastases from prostate cancer under complete androgen deprivation therapy. All patients also received bisphosphonates intravenously every 3 to 4 weeks. Over a period of 3 and a half years, we recorded the incidence, presenting signs and symptoms of osteonecrosis of the jaw among those patients and the diagnostic workup required. RESULTS: Nine of the 60 patients with metastatic prostate cancer were found to be affected with osteonecrosis of the jaw secondary to bisphosphonate administration at the Urology Department at the University Hospital of Alexandroupolis between January 2006 and August 2009. For diagnostic reasons, all 9 patients underwent computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of the maxillary region, as well as a three-phase whole body bone scan. CONCLUSIONS; There is evidence that administration of bisphosphonates in patients with advanced prostate cancer may increase the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Guidelines regarding the diagnosis and management of those patients are needed.

The influence of ejaculation and abstinence on urinary flow rates.

AIMS: To investigate the relationship between urinary flow rate and ejaculation in healthy young men. METHODS: Young men were voluntarily enrolled in the study. All subjects were healthy, and sexually active, without neurological diseases, genital, or urethral surgery and they were not under any medications. Subjects were evaluated with ultrasound, uroflowmetry, and post-void residual urine (PVR) measurement. All subjects were followed for 22 days (T) with daily uroflowmetry, and were instructed to ejaculate only on specific days (0, 6 and 22) during the study period. On days 0, 6 and 22 uroflow measurements were performed between 2 and 6 hr following ejaculation. Uroflowmetry parameters before and after ejaculation and during abstinence were compared. Data presented a non-normal distribution and the non-parametric Wilcoxon-match-paired test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 18 subjects (mean age 27.4 years) completed the study. A total of 414 uroflow charts were collected. A statistical significant increase in Qmax was observed after ejaculation (T-1 Qmax: 22.7 ± 5.4 vs. T0 Qmax: 25.7 ± 8, P = 0.002; T5 Qmax 23.2 ± 5.4 vs. T6 Qmax 25.4 ± 8, P = 0.031; T21 Qmax 21 ± 4.8 vs. T22 Qmax 24.5 ± 7.9, P = 0.031). Sexual abstinence resulted in a progressive, statistically significant decline in Qmax rates (T0 Qmax 25.7 ± 8 vs. T5 23.2 ± 5.4 P = 0.035; T6 Qmax 25.4 ± 8 vs. T21 Qmax 21 ± 4.8, P = 0.01). PVR did not change during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in young healthy men micturition might be influenced by ejaculation. Our findings, if confirmed in larger series of patients with LUTS, should support that sexual status and activity could represent an important confounding factor in the interpretation of uroflowmetry traces.