Paying the price for standing tall: Fluid mechanics of prostate pathology.

BACKGROUND: Age-dependent increase in the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are both related to cell proliferation and survival controlled by intraprostatic free testosterone (FT) concentration. Paradoxically, BPH and PCa occur as circulating testosterone levels decrease, so any possible relationship between testosterone levels and development of BPH and PCa remains obscure. RESULTS: In BPH the enlarging prostate is exposed to high testosterone levels arriving directly from the testes at concentrations about hundredfold higher than systemic FT. This occurs because venous blood from the testes is diverted into the prostate due to the elevated hydrostatic pressure of blood in the internal spermatic veins (ISVs). Elevated pressure is caused by the destruction of one-way valves (clinically detected as varicocele), a unique phenomenon related to human erect posture. While standing, human males are ISVs vertically oriented, resulting in high intraluminal hydrostatic pressures-a phenomenon not found in quadrupeds. In this communication, we demonstrate the fluid mechanics' phenomena at the basis of varicocele leading to prostate pathology. CONCLUSIONS: So far, varicocele has been studied mostly for its etiologic role in male infertility and, thus, for its effects on the testes. It is becoming clear that varicocele is a major etiologic factor in BPH and likely also in PCa. Restoring normal testicular venous pressure by treatment of the abnormal ISV's in varicocele has been shown to avert the flow from the prostate with the effect of reducing prostate volume, alleviating symptoms of BPH, and increasing concentrations of circulating FT.

Venous leg symptoms in patients with varicocele: A multicenter assessment study (VEIN-TURKEY study).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate chronic venous disease symptoms by using the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptoms (VEINES-QoL/Sym) questionnaire in varicocele patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective, case controlled study and conducted in four hospitals from Turkey. A total of 600 patients who admitted to urology outpatient clinic were enrolled to the study. After the exclusion of 44 patients who do not match the inclusion criteria, the remaining 556 patients were examined for the presence and grade of varicocele and subsequently examined clinically for the presence of chronic venous disease findings. Finally, patients were asked to answer the VEINES-Sym questionnaire consisting of 10 items. All patients' demographic parameters, cardiovascular risk factors, other co-morbid diseases and drug usage were noted. RESULTS: Patients were classified into two groups: varicocele (+) group ( n = 269) and varicocele (-) group ( n = 287). VEINES-Sym scores of varicocele patients were lower compared to patients without varicocele (41.41 ± 5.21, 43.19 ± 3.22, respectively, p < 0.001). Grades of varicocele significantly but inversely correlated with VEINES-Sym score ( r = 0, -206, p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that presence of varicocele irrespective of grading significantly and independently associated with the presence of aching (odds ratio: 2.054, 95% confidence interval: 1.265-3.338, p = 0.004) and throbbing (odds ratio: 2.586, 95% confidence interval: 1.353-4.943, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Varicocele patients have lower VEINES-Sym scores compared to patients without varicocele and this finding is inversely correlated with the degree of the varicocele. This association supports the hypothesis that there may be a systemic vessel wall abnormality in venous disease patients. Patients with symptoms related to vascular dilatation in any territory may deserve to be assessed systematically with the support of further clinical studies.

The use of diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the functional assessment of the testes of patients with clinical varicocele.

We aimed to evaluate the use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the assessment of the varicocele effect on testicular parenchyma and spermatogenesis, with estimation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value changes in the testicular parenchyma. We prospectively evaluated 30 consecutive patients (18 patients with bilateral varicocele and 12 patients with unilateral varicocele) and 10 healthy controls. US and DWI were performed to all patients. A total of 80 testes were included, which divided into three groups: group A: testes ipsilateral to the varicocele (n = 48, 60%); group B: testes contralateral to the varicocele (n = 12, 15%); and group C: normal testes of the control (n = 20, 25%). There was a statistically significant difference in mean ADC value between all groups (p-value < 0.001). In groups A and B, there was a negative correlation between mean ADC values and varicocele grade as well as pampiniformis venous diameter. In group A, there was a significant positive correlation between mean ADC value and sperm count (p-value = 0.01, r-value = 0.48) as well as sperm motility (p-value = 0.04, r-value = 0.33). DWI sequence can be used to evaluate the sequel of varicocele, with decreased ADC values that are significantly correlated with abnormal semen parameters. Thus, ADC values may be considered as an ancillary indicator of testicular parenchyma changes.

Varicocele repair for nonobstructive azoospermia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate the role of varicocelectomy in the management of patients with varicoceles and nonobstructive azoospermia and to review predictors of successful outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Several small, retrospective, noncontrolled studies have documented return of sperm to the ejaculate in up to 56% of men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) following varicocele repair. Additionally, a recent meta-analysis has reported a 6% spontaneous pregnancy rate in amongst NOA patients who underwent varicocele repair, regardless of surgical technique. Although these observations are promising, evidence for whether or not varicocele repair significantly improves spermatogenesis within an impaired testicle is conflicting. No clear predictors of success following varicocele repair have been identified, but a certain level of spermatogenesis on testicular biopsy appears to be necessary for a desirable outcome after varicocele repair. SUMMARY: The role of varicocelectomy for the treatment on NOA is controversial. Prospective, controlled studies are needed in order to define the true benefit of varicocele repair in men with NOA, in terms of improvement in semen parameters, testicular sperm retrieval rates, and pregnancy outcomes.

Scrotal infrared digital thermography in assessment of varicocele--pilot study to assess diagnostic criteria.

The aim of this study was to assess scrotal thermography in diagnostics of varicocele and suggest potential diagnostic criteria. Twelve patients with clinically diagnosed varicocele were examined with scrotal infrared digital thermography, physical examination and ultrasound/doppler. The main outcome measure was evaluation of thermography diagnostic criteria for varicocele. Mean temperature at left pampiniform plexus was ≥ 34 °C in 83%, and at right pampiniform plexus in all cases was ≤ 34 °C. In 92% of patients, temperature at the left testicle was ≥ 32 °C, whereas at the right testicle it was >32 °C in 50% patients. Temperatures between left and right pampiniform plexus and between left and right testicle were significantly different with P < 0.0001 and P < 0.006 respectively. In all patients, temperature difference between pampiniform plexuses was ≥ 0.6 °C. In 92% of patients, temperature at left pampiniform plexus was equal or higher to thigh temperature with the mean temperature difference of 1.1 ± 1.1 °C. Temperature at right pampiniform plexus was colder than the thigh in 92% of patients. This study suggests diagnostic criteria of five thermographic signs to easily diagnose varicocele. Scrotal thermography presents feasible, short and low cost diagnostic method for varicocele. Further study on a larger number of patients and healthy participants is needed to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of this method.

Scrotal thermoregulatory model and assessment of the impairment of scrotal temperature control in varicocele.

Varicocele is defined as the pathological dilatation of the pampiniform plexus and scrotal veins with venous blood reflux. Varicocele may impair scrotal thermoregulation and spermatogenesis, even when present in asymptomatic forms. In this study, we use the control system theory to model scrotal thermoregulation in response to a standardized cold challenge in order to study the functional thermal impairment secondary to varicocele. The proposed model is based on a homeostatic negative feedback loop, characterized by four distinct parameters, which describe how the control mechanisms are activated and maintained. Thermal infrared images series from 49 young patients suffering from left varicocele and 17 healthy controls were processed. With respect to healthy controls, left varicocele patients presented higher basal scrotal temperature and faster recovery of the left hemiscrotum. The model indicated that varicocele alters local heat exchange processes among cutaneous layers and inner structures. The estimated model parameters help in the assessment of the scrotal thermoregulatory impairment secondary to the disease.

[Comparative assessment of extraperitoneoscopic and laparoscopic methods of varicocele treatment].

The article presents a comparative analysis of the results of extraperitoneoscopic and laparoscopic methods of internal seminal vein ligation in 90 varicocele patients (40 and 50 patients, respectively); describes insufficiently known method--extraperitoneoscopic operations. The working space in the prevesical space is created by direct introduction of trocars with optics into the prevesical space without any additional tools. The operations took the same time. Laparoscopic operations required more postoperative analgetic drugs than extraperitoneoscopic ones. By pain intensity and physical activity scales, varicocele patients' quality of life was higher after extraperitoneoscopic operations than after laparoscopic and open operations. Thus, extraperitoneal ligation of the seminal veins by direct introduction of endoscope into the preperitoneal space with CO2 insufflation without prior creation of working space is simple for use, low invasive, has low risk of visceral injury and can be applied as an alternative to laparoscopy.

Varicocele repair: does it still have a role in infertility treatment?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the role of varicocele repair in the treatment of male infertility. RECENT FINDINGS: Varicocele is a common finding among men with infertility and its repair has been a mainstay of surgical therapy in these men. Although each year multiple discoveries are made concerning the mechanism of varicocele-induced infertility, the exact pathophysiologic mechanism remains unknown. This study will update significant findings in regard to the pathophysiology of varicocele-induced infertility, such as increased expression of the aquaporin receptor and new findings related to testicular blood flow and vas deferens motility. Recent information concerning the effects of apoptosis and oxidative stress are also reviewed. With regard to the efficacy of varicocele repair, previous meta-analysis of the available data has been misleading due to improper selection criteria. Available clinical data are critically evaluated, with a focus on new meta-analyses that contradict the findings of the Cochrane database review, a study that has been accepted by many as evidence against varicocele repair. SUMMARY: We conclude that varicocele repair not only is an effective treatment for appropriately selected patients but can also be the most cost effective option.

Clinical significance and renal haemodynamics of incidentally detected retroaortic left renal vein: assessment with venous Doppler sonography.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether renal venous pulsations are affected by compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the aorta and spine, and also to determine the clinical significance of incidentally detected retroaortic LRV. The study population was recruited from 783 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal CT examination for various indications. 22 patients with a retroaortic LRV were prospectively enrolled in this study, and 22 patients without renal disease served as a control group. After measuring the diameters of the central and peripheral portions of the LRV on CT images, the ratio (P/C) and difference (P-C) of the diameters were calculated. Doppler sonography of the interlobar arteries and veins of the left kidney was then performed to obtain impedance indices. Urine analysis of all subjects and scrotal colour Doppler ultrasound of male patients were also performed. The retroaortic LRV diameters were significantly narrower than the pre-aortic LRV diameters (p = 0.002). The left intrarenal venous impedance indices were significantly higher in the patients with retroaortic LRV (p = 0.026) and in the subgroups with P/C>2 (p = 0.020), with P-C>4 mm (p = 0.007) and without nutcracker-like associations (p = 0.006) than in control subjects, but no significant difference was noted between the arterial resistance indices. Haematuria (n = 8), proteinuria (n = 4), varicocele (n = 3) and collaterals (n = 1) were detected in the study group but not in the control group. In conclusion, incidentally detected retroaortic LRV appears to be associated with haematuria, proteinuria, varicocele and altered venous pulsatility. Further investigations are needed to understand the role of venous Doppler ultrasound in the nutcracker phenomenon.

Assessment of fibronectin as a potential new clinical tool in andrology.

In this prospective clinical study, 892 patients with normal and impaired semen were examined in order to investigate the correlation between the concentration of fibronectin in seminal plasma and the motility of spermatozoa. The fibronectin concentration in seminal plasma, total sperm motility and linear sperm motility were measured. We report here a significant negative correlation between the fibronectin concentration in seminal plasma and total sperm motility (r=-0.3474). There was no link between varicocele and vasectomy, or between varicocele and variation in the concentration of fibronectin. It is concluded that higher concentrations of the acute-phase protein fibronectin may be a cause of severe reduction in sperm motility. The investigation of fibronectin concentrations in seminal fluid could be a new and helpful clinical tool in the assessment of male fertility.

[Laparoscopic varicocele ligation. The comparative assessment of artery-ligating and artery-preserving varicocelectomy]. / Ocena porównawcza leczenia jednostronnych zylaków powrózka nasiennego metoda podwiazania zyly i tetnicy jadrowej oraz metoda podwiazania zyly jadrowej.

For over ten years more and more significant role in the diagnostics and clinical treatment of marital infertility have been ascribed to the male factor, which accounts for 30-40% of infertility cases. One of the most common reasons of male infertility is varicocele. Between the years 1994-2000 transperitoneal laparoscopic varicocelectomy was performed in 166 men with unilateral varicoceles. Two methods of surgical correction were administered. In I group--88 men (53%)--testicular artery and vein were ligated, in II group--78 men (47%) only testicular vein was ligated. The success of the treatment was evaluated in two age groups; A--19-30 and B--31-41 years of age. Before the operation in group I and II the sperm count was respectively 18.19?10.51 and 19.05 +/- 10.62 x 10(6)/ml. The percentage of the progressive motility was 18.95 +/- 9.46% in I group and 20.12 +/- 9.08% in II group. The percentage of normal forms was 22.04 +/- 8.42% in I group and 23.02 +/- 9.81% in II group. After 12 months of surgical observation the sperm count was 35.21 +/- 13.46 in I and 31.82 +/- 12.14 x 10(6)/ml, in II group. The percentage of progressive motility increased to 36.48 +/- 15.76% in I group and to 31.26 +/- 10.78% in II group. In both groups the percentage of normal forms was comparable, in I group was 49.11 +/- 26.72% and in II group was 47.15 +/- 17.18%. In both age groups sperm count before operation was respectively: 20.42 +/- 10.20 in A, and 16.42 +/- 9.16 x 106/ml in B. The percentage of progressive motility was in A and B respectively 22.98 +/- 9.91% and 15.38 +/- 9.66%. At percentage of normal forms was respectively 25.62 +/- 8.92 and 18.81 +/- 7.93%. In the end of observation period the improvement of sperm count was observed in A--42.69 +/- 22.36, in B--22.86 +/- 11.76 x 10(6)/ml. The improvement of progressive motility was ia A--43.27 +/- 23.96% and in B--23.09 +/- 17.01%. The improvement of normal forms were in A--55.39 +/- 24.31% and 39.69 +/- 22.29 in group B. The pregnancy rate was; in I group +/- 30.6% in II group--23.1%, in A group--33.3%, in B--group--19.7%. The laparoscopic ligation of the testicular vein and artery produced better improvement of semen characteristics and percentage of pregnancies in comparison with artery sparing technique. The laparoscopic varicocelectomy regardless of the technique allows a significant improvement of semen characteristics and pregnancy rate among the couples, where men were less than 30 years of age.

Assessment of testicular function in experimental varicocele rats by phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

To assess testicular function in experimental varicocele rats, we used 31P magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and compared MR spectroscopic parameters with flow cytometric DNA analysis. In vivo 31P MR spectroscopy and flow cytometric DNA analysis of testes were performed in 10 sham-operated and 9 induced varicocele rats. Although the testicular phosphomonoester (PM)/ATP ratio did not differ between sham-operated and induced varicocele rats, the phosphodiester (PD)/ATP ratio was significantly reduced and the inorganic phosphate (Pi)/ATP ratio was significantly increased in induced varicocele rats. There was no difference between the right and left sides. DNA flow cytometry showed a decrease in the percentage of haploid cells in induced varicocele rats, regardless of the side. This study indicates that in vivo 31P MR spectroscopy provides valuable information for assessment of testicular function.

[Assessment of sapheno-femoral junction continence in 42 patients with primary varicocele]. / Valutazione della continenza ostiale safeno-femorale in 42 pazienti con varicocele primitivo.

Varicose veins present a major health problem, causing chronic leg symptoms and disability to a large segment of population. The prevalence rate in adults shows great geographical variations and increases with age. Several authors reported that most cases of primary varicose veins are due to valvular incompetence of saphenofemoral junctions. On the base of close physiopathologic and hemodynamic relationships between primary varicose veins and primary varicocele we decided to evaluate the continence of saphenofemoral junctions in a selected group of young men affected by primary varicocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 42 patients were included in the study. The age ranged from 13 to 55 years; the mean age was 28 years. In all cases a clinical and instrumental (ultranosography. Doppler flowmetry) diagnosis of primary varicocele was performed. Bidirectional Doppler flowmetry was used to evaluate the continence of 84 saphenofemoral junctions. RESULTS. Among the group of studied 36 (85.7%) showed a monolateral or bilateral valvular incompetence of saphenofemoral junctions; in the remaining 6 patients (14.3%) there was no evidence of valvular insufficiency. In 84 saphenofemoral junctions studied 52 (61.9%) were found incompetent, 32 to the left side and 20 to the right side. Moreover 2 patients had clinically detectable varicose veins of the lower limbs and symptoms related to chronic venous insufficiency. DISCUSSION. Varicose veins are one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in industrialized countries and places a considerable demand on the health services. Since this pathology is potentially preventable it seems very important to select within populations asymptomatic groups in which there is an increasing risk of chronic venous insufficiency and to perform a clinical and instrumental assessment, based on non invasive techniques. In the past varicose veins were related to other diseases and among them some authors suggested primary varicocele, that is due to venous spermatic reflux and/or valvular incompetence; furthermore varicocele and varicose veins are often familiar. In our 42 patients affected by varicocele only 6 (14.3%) had no Doppler flowmetry evidence of incompetence of saphenofemoral junctions and more than half (61.9%) of the junctions were found incompetent. CONCLUSIONS. In our experience we found a considerable relationship between primary varicocele and venous incompetence of saphenofemoral junctions. Perhaps these patients must be considered a group with an increasing risk to develop primary varicose veins. So we suggest that clinical examination and instrumental assessment should be performed in young men affected by varicocele, in order to obtain a prevention of chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Nevertheless this retrospective study has to be further confirmed by longterm prospective studies.

Assessment of sperm function in fertile and infertile men.

The sperm function of fertile men (control), infertility patients (experimental), and men with varicocele were compared. The bioassays used were the follicular fluid-induced acrosome reaction, the binding to the zona pellucida, and the penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes. The percentage (mean +/- SEM) of reacted spermatozoa was 35 +/- 3 in the control, 22 +/- 1 in the experimental, and 22 +/- 3 in the varicocele. The minimum value of acrosome reaction in control men was 20%. The mean number of zona-bound spermatozoa was 250 +/- 30 in the control, 160 +/- 28 in the experimental, and 196 +/- 44 in the varicocele. The minimum number of zona bound spermatozoa in control men was 50. The mean number of hamster oocytes penetrated was 50 +/- 8 in the control, 19 +/- 3% in the experimental, and 10 +/- 3 in the varicocele. The minimum number of oocytes penetrated in control men was 6%. In the experimental group, 22 men had a normal sperm function, 58 had 1 or 2 bioassays below the minimum (relative dysfunction), and 10 had all bioassay below the minimum (abnormal sperm function). The results of these bioassays could help to reclassify the infertile men in several subgroups.

Varicocele em adolescentes: atualizaçäo de conduta / Varicocele in adolescent

É feita uma revisäo atualizada da etiopatogenia e fisiopatologia da varicocele. Com base nestes conhecimento, säo discutidos os critérios para a indicaçäo do tratamento da varicocele, que pode ser conservador ou curúrgico, cujas técnicas cirúrgicas säo comenradas. As indicaçöes säo apresntadas na forma de algoritmo, através das quais säo especificadas as correlaçöes clínicas e laboratoriais. Como conclusäo da experiência de um serviço, apresenta-se a proposta para avalaçäo de adolescentes portadores de varicocele, elaborada por uma equipe multiprofissional e por alguns especialistas, na qual é salientada, inclusive, a importância da abordagem dos aspectos psicossociais

[The radionuclide assessment of the central hemodynamic indices in patients with urolithiasis, arterial hypertension and varicocele]. / Radionuklidnaia otsenka pokazatelei tsentral'noi gemodinamiku u bol'nykh mochekamennoi bolezn'iu, arterial'noi gipertenziei i varikotsele.

Basic parameters of central and intracardiac hemodynamics were studied in 49 urological patients 24 of which with urolithiasis entered group I, 13 with hypertension-group II and 12 with varicocele-group III. The patients' age averaged 46.4, 41.6 and 28.6 years, respectively. The data were provided by routine clinical and laboratory examinations, ECG, one-passage radionuclide cardiography with 132I-albumin using a radiocirculographer of Hungarian manufacture and radiocardioanalyzer RKAZ-01 made in this country. Neither marked ischemic disturbances of the myocardium nor valvular defects were revealed. Ambiguous group-specific shifts presented in central and intracardiac hemodynamics. Total peripheral vascular resistance exhibited a moderate increase while left ventricular circulation time grew 1.5-2-fold. The greater resistance can be attributed to activation of renin-angiotensin system in prolonged ischemia of renal parenchyma due to nephrolithiasis. Group II patients demonstrated parallel elevation of arterial pressure, peripheral resistance, left ventricular performance and output suggesting myocardial functional stress. In group III there was a rise in blood volume, left ventricular performance and output, cardiac index, stroke volume. This myocardial overloading may result from changes in intravascular volumetric relations characteristic of hypervolemia. These hemodynamic changes reflect adaptation in urological patients and should be accounted for in treatment and operative interventions.

The Doppler assessment of varicoceles and internal spermatic vein reflux in infertile men.

The Doppler technique has been used to evaluate venous reflux in the spermatic cord. Valsalva-induced reflux occurred on the left side in 83% and on the right side in 59% of 118 patients without clinical varicoceles and there was no difference in incidence between fertile and infertile men. The significance of Valsalva-induced reflux should be questioned. Greater importance should be attributed to the spontaneous venous reflux that occurred during quiet respiration in the majority of patients with varicoceles. Seven velocity waveform patterns are described and these are thought to represent increasing degrees of internal spermatic vein reflux and provide a basis on which it is possible to grade varicoceles. The Doppler grades correlated with the size of the varicocele, and with the internal spermatic vein diameter and testosterone concentrations.