Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H E Wegner.
We report a case of testicular microlithiasis developing during cancer follow-up in a previously normal testicle. Biopsy revealed testicular intraepithelial neoplasia which was treated with radiotherapy. We believe that especially in cancer follow-up newly developing microlithiasis must lead to biopsy to rule out otherwise undetectable germ cell neoplasia precursor.
OBJECTIVE: Peyronie's disease is an ill-understood condition afflicting men in their 40s with the reported age ranging from 18 to 68 years. It is characterized by a plaque in the tunica albuginea which leads to penile deformity making sexual intercourse difficult if not impossible and is often accompanied by severe pain upon erection in the early stage; erectile dysfunction is present in about 2% of cases. Diagnosis rests upon medical history, clinical examination with plaque palpation and autophotography in two planes. These diagnostic steps are not plaque-specific and therefore we wanted to assess which imaging modalities would allow for an objective determination of the plaque status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 20 patients with Peyronie's disease. All patients underwent clinical examination including autophotography and the subsequent use of the following imaging techniques: (1) ultrasound (US) using a 7.5-MHz transducer with a profile for semiquantitative density analysis; (2) X-ray in mammography technique in two planes; (3) computerized tomography (CT) with a density profile, and (4) magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). RESULTS: (1) Degree of deviation: Penile deviation ranged from 15 degrees to 63 degrees. It was best assessed using radiography in mammography technique reflecting the results obtained by autophotography. (2) Calcifications: Plaque calcifications were seen in 12 patients, 8 had no calcifications but thickening of the tunica albuginea only, 2 also had a fibrosis of the corpus cavernosum distant to the plaque. Calcifications were visualized using ultrasound sonography (12/12), radiographically (12/12), CT (12/12), NMR (9/12). Thickening of the tunica albuginea only was visualized using ultrasound sonography (7/8), radiographically (0/8), CT (2/8), NMR (6/8). (3) Morphological pattern in ultrasound: Three distinct patterns could be detected: (type 1) the plaque appeared as a thickening of the tunica albuginea without acoustic shadowing and only minimal density increase in the histogram profile; (type 2) moderately calcified plaque with typical ultrasound shadow but minimal density increase in the density profile; (type 3) severely calcified plaque with typical acoustic shadowing and density increase in the histogram profile. (4) Plaque inflammation: Only NMR with gadolinium DTPA showed periplaque inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: High-resolution ultrasound sonography is the best imaging modality in assessment of plaques. NMR is the modality of choice to monitor the inflamed plaque. X-ray in mammography technique and CT are not necessary in daily routine.
We report the case of a subcutaneously transposed testis after surgical depridement for Fournier's gangrene. Its viability was successfully monitored using color-coded duplex sonography and nuclear magnetic resonance.
We report on the successful surgical treatment of venous single vessel disease in a patient presenting with erectile dysfunction. We stress the necessity of accurate diagnostic workup which enables the identification of rare cases that can be cured surgically.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which color-coded duplex sonography permits complete clarification of vessel-dependent erectile dysfunction (ED). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 215 patients with ED were examined. All patients underwent pharmacocolor-coded duplex sonography (PHCCDS; 20 micrograms of prostaglandin E1, PGE1, intracavernosally) as well as pharmacocavernosometry and -graphy (PHCM and PHCG; 20 micrograms of PGE1 intracavernosally). The penile vessels were visualized, i.e. the dorsal arteries, the cavernosal arteries, and the anastomoses between them, as well as the venous pathways. Peak flow and end-diastolic flow in all arteries and, when present, anastomoses were determined after stimulation. Induction flow to achieve maximal tumescence/rigidity as well as maintenance flow were determined during PHCM. Finally, for the morphological visualization of the cavenous body and possible venous insufficiencies, a radiography in 2 planes was produced with infusion of a water-soluble contrast medium. RESULTS: In 145 patients with a grade 0-III tumescence after stimulation with 20 micrograms of PGE1, PHCCDS revealed an end-diastolic flow of > 5 cm/s, with a peak flow velocity > 25 cm/s in the 2 cavernosal and 2 dorsal arteries. The deep dorsal vein of the penis was visualized in 110 of these 145 patients with a blood flow > 5 cm/s, and in 35 cases with a blood flow < 5 cm/s. Venous drainage to the corpus spongiosum was visualized in 80 patients with a blood flow > 10 cm/s. All patients had a pathologically increased induction (normal value < 100 ml/min) and maintenance venous flow (normal value < 10 ml/min) in the PHCM as well as venous drainage in the PHCG. Sixty patients with a tumescence grade of IV-V (rigidity) had a peak flow velocity clearly > 25 cm/s, an end-diastolic flow < 5 cm/s in the 2 cavernosal and 2 dorsal arteries in the PHCCDS, as well as induction values < 100 ml/min and maintenance flow values < 10 ml/min in the PHCM, without visible insufficient efferent venous pathways on the PHCG. In 29 patients (13.5%) hemodynamically active anastomoses perforating the tunica albuginea could be detected. Ten patients with a tumescence grade of III had a peak flow velocity < 25 cm/s and an end-diastolic flow < 5 cm/s without venous leakage in PHCM and PHCG. CONCLUSION: PHCCDS allows for the assessment of arterial flow disorder as well as of venous leakage in ED. PHCM and PHCG should only be carried out in patients in whom surgical or radiological interventional procedures at the efferent venous pathways are planned.
The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic yield of intravenous urography (IVU) compared to ultrasound (US) and computerized tomography (CT) in cases of renal colic, suspected pelvic and abdominal malignancies, suspected renal mass, and acute pyelonephritis. We retrospectively analyzed the case charts of 216 consecutive patients. The patients had been referred to the Department of Radiology by different hospital departments and local general practitioners. All had undergone clinical examination, US and IVU, in that order. When deemed necessary, conventional tomography was performed. Patients with renal masses also underwent CT. In cases without renal colic and normal US examination, the subsequent IVU failed to detect any further important pathology. Hydronephrosis was equally well detected using US and IVU, however, the level of obstruction was better determined using delayed X-ray films. In 24% of cases of renal colics the initial US was normal, however, the IVU revealed ureteric obstruction. Repeat US 8-12 h later always showed hydronephrosis. In 6 of 34 solid renal masses, IVU and conventional tomography failed to make the correct diagnosis, but never could the patient be spared a subsequent CT. IVU is only indicated if US shows hydronephrosis. In cases of renal colic, repeat US is necessary to diagnose the possibly developing hydronephrosis. Clinical history, US and a plain abdominal image will suffice to make the diagnosis. Renal masses always require CT. In these cases, IVU is not necessary. There is no indication left for conventional renal tomographies.
Between January 1981 and December 1995, 15 patients were treated for Leydig cell tumor at our institution -- 12 by radical orchiectomy, 3 by tumor enucleation. All patients were contacted to assess the long-term outcome depending on the treatment initially chosen. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 161 months (mean 56). In no case was progressive disease documented, in 1 case local recurrence was witnessed 4 months after tumor enucleation despite negative resection margins. We conclude that a small Leydig cell tumor can safely be managed by local enucleation alone.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
OBJECTIVE: Peyronie's disease is characterized by an acquired penile deviation that may lead to severe penile deformity. It is refractory to most conservative therapy, and surgical correction is therefore the treatment of choice once the disease process has come to a halt. Basic science, as well as our first clinical results on the use of interferons (IFNs), have been promising, suggesting a beneficial effect in the early noncalcified disease stage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From July 1994 to October 1995, 30 patients suffering from early Peyronie's disease were treated with three local injections of 3 million units of IFN-alpha 2b each into the plaque(s). The interval between the injections was 1 week. Patients were assessed clinically and ultrasonographically 6 months after the last injection. RESULTS: Peyronie's disease clinically improved in only 1 case, remained stable in 26 patients and worsened in 3. In 7 patients, a total of 10 plaques at different sites were detected. By ultrasonography the treated plaques now showed calcifications in 3 cases, remained unchanged in 26 and could not be detected in 1 case. Of the 10 new plaques, 2 showed calcifications. Side effects (myalgia, fever) were considerable; in 74 of 90 injections, fever > 38 degrees C occurred, and a total of 8 working days were lost. CONCLUSION: IFN-alpha 2b, given according to our regimen, is not useful for the treatment of Peyronie's disease in the early stage since the disease progress continues at different sites in about 25% of the patients, and the side effects are untolerable. Our results also demonstrate that local therapy is not indicated in Peyronie's disease.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
We report a case of testicular microlithiasis in a 24-year-old man who was referred to us for evaluation of unclear ultrasonographic appearance of his testes while being examined for bilateral varicocele and epididymal cysts. Since testicular microlithiasis has been found to be associated with testicular germ cell tumours we suggest a diagnostic work-up with testis biopsy to rule out testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (so-called carcinoma in situ) in otherwise normal appearing testis.
PURPOSE: We attempted to assess objectively the response of Peyronie's disease plaques to local interferon-alpha 2B. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients were treated with 5 local injections of 1 million units of IFN-alpha 2B into a single designated plaque. Before treatment, and 4 weeks and 6 months after treatment, the plaques were examined ultrasonographically. Each time, a histogram profile was performed. All patients also underwent soft-tissue radiography in 2 planes using the mammography technique before and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: We found that with ultrasonography the plaques could be classified into 3 groups depending on degree of calcification, from nil to complete. Radiography detected calcifications better than ultrasonography but failed to detect plaques without calcification. The degree of calcification was negatively correlated with the response to treatment, since noncalcified plaques responded best, while fully calcified plaques failed to respond. CONCLUSION: In Peyronie's disease, ultrasonography is an important tool for non-invasive monitoring treatment response and for preselecting patients for medical treatment.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunohistochemistry and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry were used to investigate the distribution of nitroxergic, i.e., nitric oxide-synthesizing, neuronal perikarya and processes in the human ureterovesical junction (UVJ). Tissue specimens obtained from two cadaver kidney donors and two patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer were examined. Clusters of NOS-immunoreactive neurons were localized in extramural ureterovesical ganglia. NOS-containing nerve fibers traveled within large extramural nerve trunks and marched among smooth muscle bundles. Extramural and intramural blood vessels were encircled by varicose NOS-positive axonal processes. The distribution of NOS immunoreactivity paralleled the staining pattern for NADPH-d activity. Urothelium stained strongly for NADPH-d activity but showed no NOS immunolabeling. Specimens from all four patients investigated showed similar staining patterns. Our results suggest that nitric oxide, a potent smooth-muscle-relaxing neurotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system, plays a physiologic role in opening the human UVJ.
Recent experimental work has demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) is the neutrotransmitter responsible for cavernous smooth muscle relaxation. Different studies on the performance of the direct NO-donor linsidomine chlorhydrate (SIN-1) in patients with erectile dysfunction have come to conflicting results ranging from highest praise to complete dismissal. We reviewed all published studies on the use of SIN-1 for intracorporeal injection in erectile failure including our own. To this date, 3 groups published their data. Only the uncontrolled data from Hannover claim good results. The controlled data from Hamburg and Berlin on patients with erectile failure due to venous leakage, to a mixed aetiology in a double-blind fashion and to mixed aetiology with drug increase (1 mg versus 2 mg of SIN-1) showed a significantly worse performance of SIN-1 compared to the standard drug for penile injection, prostaglandin E1. We conclude that there is no place for linsidomine chlorhydrate in either the diagnosis or the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Penile revascularization for cases of arteriogenic impotence is based on the assumption of hemodynamically relevant connections between the dorsal penile and cavernous arteries. In 325 clinically impotent patients color-coded duplex sonography was performed with the penis flaccid and tumescent after intracavernous injection of 10 micrograms prostaglandin E1. We measured peak flow velocity, end diastolic flow velocity and resistance in the dorsal arteries, deep cavernous arteries and connections perforating the tunica albuginea between the 2 systems. Of our patients 14% had at least 1 such anastomosis with a peak flow velocity exceeding 25 cm. per second after stimulation. Peak flow velocities less than 20 cm. per second were noted only in arteriogenically impotent patients, while those exceeding 25 cm. per second without later rigid erection occurred only in patients with venous occlusive dysfunction and end diastolic flow velocity exceeded 5 cm. per second. We conclude that penile revascularization should be contemplated only if hemodynamically relevant connections are detected, peak flow velocity in the cavernous arteries is less than 20 cm. per second and end diastolic flow velocity is less than 5 cm. per second.
The case of testicular dermoid cyst in a 10-year-old boy who presented for evaluation of a presumed testicular neoplasm is reported. The dermoid cyst was confirmed histologically on frozen section and local excision was performed. Only 5 cases of testicular dermoid cysts in children have been reported so far. We discuss the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.