Gunshot wound to the penis: the need for corporal exploration.

Although the overall incidence of penetrating penile injuries is relatively low, these injuries may present complex management problems and should be managed with attention to long-term cosmetic and functional considerations. In this article we present an unusual case of a gunshot wound to the penis and emphasize the importance of bilateral corporal exploration and possible repair to avoid erectile dysfunction and penile deformity.

The urinary glycoprotein GP51 as a clinical marker for interstitial cystitis.

PURPOSE: GP51 is a urinary glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 51 kDa. This glycoprotein is produced and secreted by the transitional epithelium of the genitourinary tract, and has been isolated from human urine. Studies have demonstrated that GP51 levels are decreased in bladder biopsies of patients with interstitial cystitis. We evaluated urinary GP51 in a noninvasive manner as a clinical marker of interstitial cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urinary GP51 levels were measured using antigen inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In blinded fashion we analyzed for quantitative differences 24-hour urine samples of 36 patients with interstitial cystitis and 23 normal controls who were age matched within 5 years (mean age 47.3). We also evaluated GP51 in random urine specimens of 17 normal controls, 14 patients with interstitial cystitis and 11 subjects who had undergone cystectomy to determine whether urinary GP51 is mainly produced by the bladder, which is the site of interstitial cystitis. To ascertain the specificity of urinary GP51 to interstitial cystitis urine samples of 34 patients with other urological diseases were measured and compared with findings in the samples of 15 with interstitial cystitis. RESULTS: Low GP51 levels appeared to be unique to the interstitial cystitis state compared to normal (p = 0.008). GP51 in patients with interstitial cystitis and in those who underwent cystectomy was lower (p < 0.001) than in normal controls. These findings suggest that the major source of urinary GP51 is the bladder. Also, we observed lower GP51 levels in interstitial cystitis than in other urinary tract diseases (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study substantiates the possibility of using GP51 as a clinical marker for diagnosing interstitial cystitis by a noninvasive urinary assay.

Upper urinary tract inverted papillomas.

Inverted papilloma is a rare, benign tumor. Only 33 cases to date have been reported to have occurred in the upper urinary tract. These lesions have a male predominance, are difficult to diagnose, and are associated with urothelial malignancy. Because transitional cell carcinoma can present even 8 years after surgery and in other sites within the urinary system, careful follow-up is essential. This article adds 2 new cases and 1 follow-up of a previously reported case from 1990.