PDE5A Polymorphisms Influence on Sildenafil Treatment Success.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED). Selective inhibitors of the type 5 phosphodiesterase are the first option for treating ED. However, it is unknown why there are patients with low response to this treatment. Polymorphisms in the PDE5A gene may influence the response to PDE5 inhibitors treatment. AIM: The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between PDE5A polymorphisms, diabetes, and the efficacy of sildenafil treatment. METHODS: A Spanish prospective cohort of 170 Caucasian male patients diagnosed with ED and ischemic heart disease treated with angioplasty was studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ED was evaluated according to the 5-item version of the International Index for Erectile Function before and after treatment with sildenafil 50 mg. The gene sequence of the PDE5A gene was analyzed for the presence of rs12646525 and rs3806808 polymorphisms. Glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured in blood serum samples. The relationship between treatment response, genotype, and glycemic status was analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with G-allele of rs3806808 polymorphism showed a worse response to the treatment compared to TT-homozygote patients. Nondiabetic G-allele carriers showed a worse treatment response than TT-homozygotes patients. These differences were not seen in diabetic patients. There were no significant differences in treatment response according to the rs12646525 polymorphism in total population or according to the glycemic status. Logistic regression analysis showed that nondiabetic carriers of the major allele of both the rs12646525 and rs3806808 polymorphism had a significantly higher likelihood to respond to the treatment than diabetic patients carriers of the minor allele (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The response to sildenafil treatment depends on polymorphisms in the PDE5A gene and the glycemic status of the patients.

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum secondary to retroperitoneal tumor rupture.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of GIST type retroperitoneal tumor with spontaneous rupture to the abdominal cavity causing acute abdomen secondary to hemoperitoneum. METHODS/RESULTS: We report the case of an 84 year-old man with history of BPH and chronic atrial fibrillation. He presented to the Emergency Department with diffuse abdominal pain, syncope and accompanying vegetative symptoms. Diagnostic work up showed a 19 cm retroperitoneal mass dependent of the left kidney with active bleeding and secondary hemoperitoneum. Left radical nephrectomy was performed with pathology report of gastrointestinal stromal tumor attached to the renal capsule. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous hemoperitoneum is a rare entity and it has various etiologies. It is rarely described in retroperitoneal tumors.

Urogenital sinus cyst in a 21-year-old man.

We report a case of a rare congenital malformation, a urogenital sinus cyst in a young patient with non-specific symptoms for several months. A 21-year-old male presented with vague and intermittent abdominal pain. Ultrasound scan showed a retrovesical hypoechoic collection (approximately 6 cm) and left renal agenesis, compatible with a possible congenital malformation. These findings were confirmed by MRI. A laparoscopic excision of the cyst was performed with no complications. Pathology report confirmed a urogenital sinus cyst. The postoperative recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged within 48 h. Urogenital sinus cysts are rare entities with few cases described in the literature. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT or MRI may help with diagnosis. Therapeutic modalities range from observation to needle aspiration or surgical removal. In our case, we chose a laparoscopic approach to minimize morbidity and achieve an early recovery.

[Testicular epidermoid cyst: A rare entity]. / QUISTE EPIDERMOIDE TESTICULAR: UNA RARA ENTIDAD CLÍNICA.

OBJECTIVE: Testicular epidermoid cyst is a rare clinical entity that accounts for 1% of testicular neoplasias. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report two cases of testicular epidermoid cysts in a 18 and 19 year old males with a painless testicular lesion. Testicular US was carried out showing a hypoechoic nodule in both cases. With the suspicion of testicular neoplasm inguinal orchiectomy was carried out with placement of testicular prostheses in the same act. The pathology report was testicular epidermoid cyst in both cases. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular epidermoid cysts are an uncommon benign entity. When there is a suspicion of this diagnosis, based on tumor markers and ultrasound or MRI images, testicular parenchyma-sparing surgery must be attempted.

[Quality control plan for a primary bladder neoplastic process]. / Plan de calidad del proceso tumor vesical primario.

OBJECTIVES: Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer may change survival rates (6). We present the application of a plan for quality control in the management of primary bladder cancer, studying delays globally, and for individual indicators, as well as the impact of implemented improvement measures. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review to detect problems appeared through the whole clinical management process in a population of patients undergoing surgery for primary bladder cancer in the Hospital Costa del Sol during 2001. Causes were studied and corrective measures established, application of which has been evaluated during the first semester of 2002. Study indicators encompass from delay time for first visit to delay time for radical surgical treatment. RESULTS: Excessive average global delays for radical treatment of bladder tumor (208.3 days), and variability in the time to transurethral resection (one to 73.42 days) and to postoperative revision (54.4 days), were the most significant results. Evaluation of implemented measures shows a descent in global delays (134.2 days) and time to postoperative revision variability (32.4 days). CONCLUSIONS: Application of quality control procedures for clinical management is essential in daily clinical practice, for systematic, continuous, and rigorous evaluation will allow us to offer patients a product that satisfies their personal and social expectations.