Estimation of clinically significant prostate volumes by digital rectal examination: a comparative prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Reliable quantification of prostate volume is important to correctly select patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) most likely to benefit from medical therapy [e.g. 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs)] and in selecting appropriate surgical approach. We aim to determine the reliability of digital rectal examination (DRE) in estimation of prostate volume which may be helpful in patient selection for 5-ARIs therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients requiring transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy were recruited in this prospective study. DRE was performed twice for each patient. Clinicians categorized prostate volume on DRE into small, medium and large, and estimated prostate volume. Volume estimated by DRE at the first examination was intentionally unavailable at second DRE. TRUS volumes were measured using 2101 Falcon ultrasound machine. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of prostate volume (n = 248) by DRE and TRUS was performed. There was no significant difference between DRE-estimated prostate volume at the first and second examinations (p = 0.8). DRE-estimated volumes for prostates categorized as small, medium or large were underestimated in 59%, 58% and 53% of patients respectively. However, for clinical relevant volumes (> 30 cc), 94.5% patients were accurately estimated on DRE. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that DRE had positive predictive value of 94% in identifying prostate above 30 cc. Hence, when considering treatment with 5-ARIs, DRE may be sufficient to identify suitable patients for 5-ARIs therapy. However, for prostate volumes between 25 cc-30 cc and above 80 cc, TRUS may be required.

Primary clear cell carcinoma of the rete testis: 1st report.

Primary tumours of the rete testis, either benign or malignant, are very rare. Such lesions require careful scrutiny including immunohistochemical analysis to exclude malignant lesions such as mesothelioma or papillary serous carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a primary clear cell carcinoma of the rete testis. The possibility of a primary renal cell carcinoma or other primary site with metastatic spread to rete testis was excluded by thorough clinical and radiological work-up.

Radical prostatectomy in the presence of ongoing refractory ESBL Escherichia coli bacterial prostatitis.

A 44-year-old Indian national with a prostate-specific antigen of 5.4 ng/mL underwent 12-core transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies. Following this, he had three hospital admissions with severe urosepsis secondary to extended spectrum ß lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli. He had recurrent sepsis immediately after discontinuation of intravenous meropenem to which the ESBL was sensitive. He proceeded to radical prostatectomy for intermediate-high risk Gleason 7 prostate cancer, while still on intravenous meropenem, 2 months after his biopsy. His prostatectomy involved a difficult dissection due to inflammatory changes and fibrosis after multiple septic episodes. He had complete resolution of infection after surgery with discontinuation of antibiotics on the third postoperative day, without any recurrence of sepsis.