Epididymal Cyst Lesions Are Not Associated With Impaired Semen Parameters Among Men Presenting for Fertility Evaluation.

PURPOSE: Epididymal cyst lesions (ECLs) include both spermatoceles and epididymal cysts and are often incidentally found on physical exam or scrotal US (SUS). We aimed to determine the association of ECLs and semen parameters among men presenting for fertility evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed men at our institution who had at least 1 semen analysis and SUS available for review between 2002 and 2022. SUS data included testicular measurements, presence or absence of subclinical varicocele, and size and laterality of ECL, if present. Demographic and clinical information including serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone and semen parameters were compared between men with and without ECLs. RESULTS: Among 861 men, 164 (19%) had unilateral right ECL (median 4 mm, interquartile range 3-8 mm), 189 (22%) had unilateral left ECL (median 4 mm, interquartile range 3-9 mm), and 113 (13%) had bilateral ECL. Patients with ECLs were significantly older than men without ECLs at the time of evaluation but had no statistically significant difference in semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, total motile sperm count, or serum hormonal values. Analysis of men with unilateral and bilateral ECLs showed that ECL size and laterality did not significantly correlate with any semen parameter evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between ECLs and semen parameters. Patients should be counseled toward conservative management with observation for asymptomatic ECLs in the setting of fertility evaluation.

Hypogonadism, frailty, and postoperative outcomes among men undergoing radical nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hypogonadism and frailty may impact postoperative outcomes for men undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN). We aimed to determine the prevalence of hypogonadism in men undergoing RN and whether hypogonadism and frailty are associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. METHODS: We identified men undergoing RN between 2012 and 2021 using the IBM Marketscan database. Frailty was determined using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS). Patients were considered to have hypogonadism if diagnosed <5 years before RN. Length of stay (LOS), complications, emergency department (ED) visits, and readmissions were evaluated between men with and without hypogonadism at the time of surgery. Subgroup analysis of men with hypogonadism was performed to determine the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Among 13 598 men who underwent RN, 972 (7.1%) had hypogonadism. Men with hypogonadism were more frail compared to men without hypogonadism (HFRS: median: 8.2, interquartile range [IQR]: 5.2-11.7 vs. median: 7.0, IQR: 4.3-10.7, p < 0.001) and had increased incidence of postoperative ileus (13.0% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.045), acute kidney injury (25.5% vs. 21.6% p = 0.005), and cardiac arrest (1.2% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.034). Hypogonadism was not associated with LOS, 90-day ED visit or readmission. However, high-risk frailty was associated with increased risk of 90-day ED visit (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.1, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.9-2.4, p < 0.001) and 90-day inpatient readmission (HR: 2.6, 95% CI: 2.2-3.1, p < 0.001), compared to low-risk frailty patients. Among men with hypogonadism, TRT was not associated with any postoperative outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Hypogonadism and frailty should be considered in the preoperative evaluation for men undergoing RN as risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes.

The association between frailty, hypogonadism, and postoperative outcomes among men undergoing radical cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Hypogonadism is associated with frailty, lower health-related quality of life, decreased muscle mass, and premature mortality, which may predispose patients to poor postoperative outcomes. We aimed to determine the prevalence of hypogonadism in men undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) and whether hypogonadism and frailty are associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The IBM MarketScan database was used to identify men who underwent RC between 2012 and 2021. Frailty was determined using published Hospital Frailty Risk Score ranges. Patients were considered to have hypogonadism if diagnosed within 5 years prior to RC. Length of stay (LOS), complications, emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient readmissions were compared. Sub-group analysis of men with hypogonadism was performed to determine the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Among 3,727 men who underwent RC, 226 (6.1%) had a diagnosis of hypogonadism. Overall, 565 (15.2%) men were low-risk frailty, 2,214 (59.4%) intermediate-risk frailty, and 948 (25.4%) were high-risk frailty, and men with hypogonadism were significantly more frail compared to men without hypogonadism (P = 0.027). There was no significant difference in LOS, complications, or rate of ED visits and inpatient readmissions between cohorts (P > 0.05). However, high-risk frailty was associated with an increased risk of 90-day ED visit (HR 1.19, 95%CI 1.00-1.41, P = 0.049) and 90-day readmission (HR 1.60, 95%CI 1.29-1.97, P < 0.001) after RC. Among men with hypogonadism, 58 (25.7%) were on TRT. There was no significant difference in frailty, LOS, complications, or 90-day ED visits or 90-day inpatient readmissions between patient with hypogonadism prescribed TRT and those without TRT. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that hypogonadism and preoperative frailty may be important to evaluate prior to undergoing RC.

Bilateral presumed endogenous candida endophthalmitis and stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To report a case of presumed endogenous bilateral Candida endophthalmitis that developed in an infant with bilateral posterior stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: In a very low birth weight and extremely premature infant, presumed endogenous bilateral Candida endophthalmitis was successfully eradicated from each eye and retinopathy of prematurity was managed. RESULTS: Candida endophthalmitis was successfully eradicated from each eye by vitrectomy with instillation of 5 microg amphotericin B. Stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity without "plus disease" in the right eye regressed without ablation of the avascular peripheral retina. Stage 3 retinopathy with "plus disease" in the left eye was successfully managed with endolaser photocoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant Candida endophthalmitis and posterior stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity often portend a dismal prognosis. We describe an infant for whom prompt diagnosis and aggressive therapy of both conditions resulted in a favorable anatomic outcome in both eyes.