Satisfaction and genital perception after orchiectomy for prostate cancer: does the technique matter? A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: Bilateral extracapsular or total orchiectomy (BEO) for prostate cancer is presumed to have psychological consequences after the surgery due to perception of an empty scrotum. Bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy (BSO) was designed to preserve perception of palpable testes. We compared the patients' satisfaction and genital perception following BEO and BSO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prostate cancer patients eligible for androgen deprivation therapy who opted for orchiectomy were enrolled in prospective randomized study. Patients with bleeding disorder or uncorrected coagulopathy, poor performance score, and psychiatric problems were excluded. Outlook to life and own health in-general, overall satisfaction to the procedure and genital perception was evaluated using modified Fugl-Meyer questionnaire (FMQ) which was administered before and after 3 months of the surgery. Patients were randomized to BEO and BSO groups at the time of surgery using block randomization. Primary outcome was to compare the genital perception of testicular loss and patients' satisfaction to BSO and BEO. Secondary outcomes included testosterone and PSA control, operative time, and complications. RESULTS: Total 35 patients were enrolled in each group which was comparable. There was no difference in PSA control at 3 months. Mean operative time and blood loss were significantly lesser in BEO group. FMQ score at 3 months did not show significant difference. Majority of the patients in both groups were satisfied with procedure and the aesthetic value of scrotum after surgery. However, 84% in BSO group did not feel that testes were removed on self-examination, as compared to 28% in BEO group. Majority patients in both groups did not report physical or psychological discomfort from change in scrotal content. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that patients' satisfaction and genital perception following BSO and BEO were similar. Feeling of remaining intrascrotal contents after BSO did not had added psychological advantage in terms of perception of genitalia.

Giant fibroepithelial polyp of the ureter.

Giant fibroepithelial polyp is a rare cause of ureteric/ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. We report a rare case of giant fibroepithelial polyp in a 32-year-old woman involving the whole length of the ureter, reaching up to the UPJ which was clinically and radiologically considered to be urothelial carcinoma. Frozen section showed a polypoid lesion lined by urothelium with no evidence of dysplasia or malignancy. Subsequently, nephroureterectomy was done as there was marked renal hydronephrosis and it was impossible to separate the polyp from the wall of the ureter. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of giant fibroepithelial polyp, ruling out malignancy.

Can we predict the need for intervention in steinstrasse following shock wave lithotripsy?

INTRODUCTION: Steinstrasse (SS) is a known complication of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). Although the majority of SS clears spontaneously, about 6% require intervention. This study was carried out to identify the factors that determine the need for intervention in SS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of all patients who developed steinstrasse following SWL at our center. They were divided into two groups: a) Those cleared spontaneously and b) Those required intervention. The two groups were compared with regard to demographic profile, stone factors and factors related to steinstrasse. RESULTS: Out of 2436 cases of SWL, 89 (3%) formed steinstrasse. The majority of the patients (35%) who required intervention had stone sizes of 10-14 mm. Coptcoat type III steinstrasse required significantly more interventions for clearance (P = 0.001). The site and the size of the SS was not a predictor of intervention for SS. CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention is warranted in patients with steinstrasse where the lead fragment is >5 mm (Coptcoat type III).

Primary renal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in a young man.

Neuroendocrine tumours are usually located in the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract. A 23-year-old man was evaluated for loss of weight and a palpable left loin mass. CECT showed a large heterogeneously enhancing mass with calcification arising from the left kidney. He underwent an open radical nephrectomy. Histopathological examination revealed a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). LCNEC of the kidney is extremely rare and portends poor prognosis. It is usually a histopathological surprise and requires immunohistochemistry for confirmation.