Investigation of the effects of experimental cryptorchidism formed in prepubertal rats during the postpubertal and adult periods.

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the effects of experimental cryptorchidism formed in prepubertal rats during the postpubertal and adult periods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The abdominal cavities of 20 rats in the control group were just opened and closed without any further surgical procedure. The testicles of 20 rats in the experimental group were fixed to the anterolateral wall of the abdominal cavity under general anesthesia. At the 6th month, blood and testis tissue samples of rats were obtained and the rats were sacrificed and the experiment was terminated. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 15.0 package software. RESULTS: The histopathological evaluation of testicular tissues of rats in the control group was in the normal limits. Of the experimental group, the testicular tissues had injury in nearly half of the rats, in which the testicles were fixed in the abdomen for three months that is the 1st subgroup. FSH levels were statistically significantly elevated in both experimental groups of rats (p<0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Cryptorchidism formed experimentally causes a partial damage in the testicular tissue of pubertal rats, however the damage increases gradually in the testicles of rats, in which the testicles were descended and left in the scrotum for another three months. The statistically elevated levels of FSH in both experimental groups of rats can be accounted for severe testicular damage. The timing in descending the undescended testicles to the scrotum is essential and should be performed before the puberty and as early as possible in avoiding the risk of infertility (Tab. 3, Fig. 5, Ref. 44).

Abdominal hydatid disease: long-term results of percutaneous treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous treatment under sonographic guidance in abdominal hydatid cysts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two hydatid cysts in 33 patients were treated using a percutaneous approach under sonographic guidance. Forty-five cysts were located in the liver, 6 in the spleen, and 1 in the pancreas. Forty-nine cysts were type I, and 3 were type II. Thirty-one cysts in 15 patients were treated with puncture and aspiration of the contents, injection of hypertonic saline solution, and respiration (PAIR); 15 cysts in 14 patients were treated with puncture, aspiration of cyst contents, injection of hypertonic saline solution, drainage, and injection of sclerosing agent (PAIDS); and 6 cysts in 4 patients were treated with puncture, aspiration of cyst contents, injection of sclerosing agent, and re-aspiration (mPAIDS). Hypertonic saline or alcohol was used as a scolicidal agent. The follow-up period was between 17 and 53 months. RESULTS: A decrease in the dimensions of the cysts, solidification of the contents, and irregularity in the walls of cysts, all of which were considered signs of cure, were found in all patients. Recurrence was observed in one case and anaphylaxis in one. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous treatment of abdominal hydatid cysts is a safe, easily applicable, well-tolerated, and effective method.