Murat Zor

The Acute Effects of Increased Intra-abdominal Pressure on Testicular Tissue: An Experimental Study in Pigs

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the acute effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) on testicular germ cell apoptosis and the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS), and Johnsons scores in testicular tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve male pigs weighing 52 to 55 kg were divided into 2 groups as group 1 (n = 6; gasless [control]) and group 2 (n = 6; 20 mm Hg IAP with CO(2) pneumoperitoneum for 4 hours). In the second group, left laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed during the CO(2) insufflation period. The right testes of pigs were removed. Testicular germ cell apoptosis, expressions of eNOS and iNOS, and Johnsons scores were evaluated for each group. RESULTS The control group (group 1) exhibited low apoptotic cell level and low iNOS and eNOS level in testes. IAP (group 2) resulted in marked increases in germ cell apoptosis, eNOS, and iNOS compared with the control group (group 1) (P <.05). However, no significant difference was noted in Johnsons scores between the 2 groups (P >.05). Moreover, Leydig cell hyperplasia, congestion, and necrosis, which were not documented in the control group, were seen in the study group. CONCLUSIONS The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether IAP could affect germ cell apoptosis and NOS concentrations in the testes after laparoscopic procedures in an animal model. In such an animal model simulating laparoscopic procedures, we demonstrated that high-pressure and long-lasting CO(2) insufflation cause testicular changes in the acute period.

Effects of Vardenafil on Testicular Torsion/Detorsion Damage: An Experimental Study in Pigs

Purpose: To investigate the effects of vardenafil HCl on testicular germ cell apoptosis and the expressions of iNOS and eNOS within the bilateral testes after unilateral torsion/detorsion (T/D) in a pig model. Methods: 12 male pigs weighing 50–55 kg were divided randomly into three groups (n = 4). Sham operation and T/D was performed in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Group 3 underwent T/D and received vardenafil (0.4 mg/kg) orally 45 min before detorsion. The testes were left in torsion for 2 h. In all groups, both testes were removed 8 h after the operation for histopathological analysis. Results: Except for group 1, the histopathologic parameters of the ipsilateral testes were higher than in the contralateral testes, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) (group 2) resulted in marked increases in germ cell apoptosis, iNOS and eNOS in the ischemic testes compared to the sham-operated group. The pigs treated with vardenafil (group 3) also showed significantly increased apoptotic cells, iNOS and eNOS levels compared to the sham-operated group. Conclusions: The results suggest that vardenafil HCl worsened histopathological changes related to oxidative stress in testicular injury and had no protective effect on testicular I/R injury in pigs.

Testis-Sparing Surgery in Small Testicular Masses Not Suspected to Be Malignant

UNLABELLED Fifteen patients with small testicular masses not suspected to be malignant were included in the study, and permanent and frozen section analyses were evaluated. As a result frozen analysis, preoperative externalization of the suspected malignancy with a physical examination, ultrasonographic evaluation, and serum tumor marker analysis were concluded as key points for accurate decision making between TSS and radical orchiectomy. BACKGROUND We aimed to determine the safety, efficacy, and the concordance of permanent and frozen section analysis (FSA) of testis-sparing surgery (TSS) in patients who had small testicular masses that were not suspected to be malignant. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifteen patients who underwent TSS were included in the study. TSS was performed for the patients who had testicular lesions <25 mm and testicular lesion volume <30% of the whole testis. All patients had normal serum tumor marker levels and ultrasonographic evaluation did not indicate malignancy. Surgery was performed via an inguinal approach with temporary cord occlusion and FSA of the lesions. Benign findings allowed for TSS, and cancer prompted total orchiectomy. RESULTS The mean patient age was 25.33 (range, 20-36) years. The predominant complaint was swelling (9 patients). The mean lesion diameter was 16 mm (range, 5-26 mm). Fourteen of all cases (93%) had benign pathology and underwent TSS. Only 1 patient, whose FSA revealed malignant formation, underwent radical orchiectomy. Final pathology of this patient was seminoma. Complete histopathologic concordance was observed between the results of frozen and permanent sections. TSS was performed with no intra- or postoperative complications. After a mean follow-up of 23 months (range, 6-44 months) all patients, except 3 who were lost to follow-up, were free of disease. CONCLUSION The main key points for accurate decision-making between TSS and radical orchiectomy are intraoperative FSA and preoperative externalization of possible suspected malignancy with physical examination, ultrasonographic evaluation, and serum tumor marker analysis.

Brucellar epididymo-orchitis: a retrospective multicenter study of 28 cases and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE To review retrospectively the clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and treatment outcomes of patients with Brucellar epididymo-orchitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD Retrospective data of 28 patients with Brucellar epididymo-orchitis who admitted to four medical centers between 2005 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Positive blood culture, positive Rose Bengal test results or high agglutination titres of ≥ 1/160 with the positive clinical and ultrasonographic findings of orchitis were accepted as the main criteria for Brucellar epididymo-orchitis. RESULTS The mean patient age was 31 ± 16.9 years. Testicular involvement was on the left side in 16 patients and on the right side in 11 patients, one had bilateral disease. Testicular pain and swelling were the most common symptoms and elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and leucocytosis were the most common laboratory findings. Initial treatment was orchidectomy in six patients due to malignancy suspicion. All but three patients were successfully treated with antibiotic combinations of rifampicin, doxycycline and streptomycin. Two of three treatment resistant patients underwent orchidectomy. CONCLUSION Brucellosis is a common cause of epididymo-orchitis in endemic regions. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial in the management and thus it must be kept in mind in endemic and non-endemic regions.

Laparoscopy-assisted tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in previously operated ectopic pelvic kidney with fragmented J–J stent

Nephrolithiasis management within an ectopic kidney presents a challenge to the urologists. Several treatment modalities are possible in this group of patients. Although percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is an accepted treatment modality in anatomically normal kidneys, ectopic pelvic kidneys require a different and more complicated approach for PNL. We recently treated a 24-year-old patient with calculus and an encrusted J–J stent fragment in pelvic ectopic kidney with a previous history of open pyelolithotomy. Laparoscopy-assisted tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed. The technique and the patient characteristics are reported.

Retroperitoneal lymph node mapping with intratesticular injected patent blue dye in rats

OBJECTIVES Endolymphatic injection of several dyes have been previously studied to identify retroperitoneal lymphatic structure in animals and humans with malignant diseases. However, there have been no studies, to our knowledge, that demonstrate the utility of injecting patent blue dye into the testicular parenchyma to detect retroperitoneal lymphoid structure. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate whether intratesticular patent blue dye injection is feasible and is an accurate method for retroperitoneal lymph node mapping in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty male albino Wistar rats were included in the study and divided over two equal groups. The first group underwent patent blue violet (PBV) injection into the spermatic funiculus, while the second group underwent PBV injection into the testicular parenchyma. After the injection, the color changes in the retroperitoneal lymphatic structures and the urinary bladder were anticipated. The time interval between the injection and the staining of lymphatic structures and urinary bladder was measured for each intervention. Blue stained retroperitoneal nodal tissues were dissected and removed. These nodal tissues were examined histologically. RESULTS After PBV injection, intense staining of the ipsilateral spermatic cord lymphatics was seen and anticipated color changes in the retroperitoneal lymphatic structures and urinary bladder were evaluated visually. Both application routes of dye resulted in the same distribution of retroperitoneal lymph nodes in the same time frame. All retroperitoneal nodular tissues removed were noted histologically to be lymph nodes and were found to be consistent with the ipsilateral lumbar lymph and the ipsilateral suprarenal lymph nodes according to the staining order in both groups. No toxic effects were observed histologically. There were no statistically significant differences in the time intervals between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that both funicular and intratesticular injections of patent blue dye are feasible and accurate methods for retroperitoneal lymph node mapping in rats. This shows that intralymphatic dye injection is not absolutely necessary to detect retroperitoneal lymphatic structures and may have applications beyond testis cancer.

Bilateral Renal Metastasis of an Inguinal Malignant Solitary Fibrous Tumor, 9 Years after Primary Surgical Treatment

Objective: To report the first case of a bilateral renal solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) as a metastasis of an inguinal malignant SFT. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 60-year-old male patient with a history of a right inguinal 7 × 8 cm soft tissue mass excision 9 years ago was referred to our clinic with abdominal pain. Both physical examination and chest X-ray were normal. Computed tomography revealed bilateral renal tumor. He was successfully treated with left partial and right radical nephrectomy. Histopathological examination showed a metastasis of the previous inguinal SFT. Conclusion: This case showed that although malignant SFT is extremely rare in the urogenital tract, this tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis when identified in the kidneys.

Laparoscopic visualization and dissection of retroperitoneal lymph nodes after patent blue dye injection: a pilot study.

PURPOSE Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for testicular cancer is an important treatment modality for patients with stage I or IIA disease. Several urologists have previously reported the feasibility and usefulness of laparoscopic RPLND for such patients. The aim of this experimental pilot-feasibility study was to investigate whether visualization of retroperitoneal lymph nodes with patent blue violet (PBV) dye application is a feasible and an effective method during laparoscopic RPLND in a pig model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four 12-month-old white male pigs were included in the study. After PBV dye injection into the spermatic funicular and intratesticular parenchyma, the color changes in the retroperitoneal region were examined during transperitoneal laparoscopic visualization of the retroperitoneum. The time interval between the injection and the staining of lymphatic structures was measured for each intervention. Blue-stained retroperitoneal nodal tissues were dissected and removed by the laparoscopic approach and histologic examination was performed. RESULTS After PBV dye injection, intense staining of the ipsilateral retroperitoneal lymphatic vessels and nodes was seen. Distribution of the PBV and the color changes of the retroperitoneal lymphatic structures were examined under laparoscopic vision in all pigs. All blue-stained retroperitoneal nodular tissues were removed laparoscopically and examined histologically. Histopathologic examination noted all specimens as lymph nodes with no toxic effects of PBV dye. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that spermatic funicular injection of PVB dye is an effective and accurate method for retroperitoneal lymph node visualization in pigs. The use of this technique in combination with a laparoscopic approach makes RPLND easier and more effective.

Intralymphatic delivery of platinum-based chemotherapeutics is possible: an experimental study

PurposeSystemic chemotherapy regimens with cisplatinum have been associated with several toxicities. Thus, a loco-regional therapy approach may greatly reduce the toxicity. For this purpose, we designed this experimental study to investigate whether local chemotherapeutic injection is superior to systemic cisplatinum injection for retroperitoneal lymph nodes.MethodsA total of 48 male Wistar rats were included to the study. Rats were divided into six groups. In the first three groups, systemic applications of cisplatinum, carboplatinum and oxaliplatin were performed, respectively. In the last three, local administration of cisplatinum, carboplatinum and oxaliplatin was performed, respectively. One hour after the chemotherapeutic agent applications, retroperitoneal lymph nodes were dissected and platinum concentrations were analyzed.ResultsWhen compared with systemic route, achieving higher platinum concentrations in the local chemotherapeutic application groups was the most spectacular result of the study. Serum platinum concentrations were also lower in the local application groups than systemic ones. When we compared local and systemic applications between three chemotherapeutic agents, the most significant concentration difference was seen in carboplatinum group.ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate that intralymphatic delivery of cisplatinum, carboplatinum and oxaliplatin leads to higher drug concentrations in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes when compared with intravenous administration.

Oxidative stress parameters in patients with prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: A prospective controlled study

BACKGROUND The imbalance between oxidant and reductant mechanisms creates a nidus for the etiopathogenesis of several diseases. In this study, we aimed to compare the oxidative stress (OS) parameters in patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer (pCa), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis (AIP), according to the histopathologic examination of transrectal ultrasonographic prostate biopsy and transurethral prostate resection specimens. OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to compare oxidative stress between histologically proven prostate cancer, hyperplasia and prostatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS According to histopathologic examinations, 97 patients were divided into 3 study groups: group 1: pCa (n = 30), group 2: BPH (n = 41), and group 3: AIP (n = 26). Finally, 30 patients were enrolled in a control group. MDA levels, CuZn-SOD, Se-GPx, CAT activities, and trace element levels were evaluated. RESULTS A statistically significant difference between prostate cancer and other groups were documented in terms of MDA activity. Contrary to AIP, a statistically significant difference has also been encountered between BPH and the control group. Decreased CuZn-SOD enzyme levels were found in PCa and BPH patients without statistical significance. Increased CAT activity was also documented in PCa, BPH and AIP patients. No significant difference in GPX activity was documented between the groups, except BPH and control group. Trace element levels were low in the patients with prostate cancer and BPH when compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS Despite the data regarding OS in PCa patients, there is a paucity of data regarding BPH and especially AIP patients. Our study revealed obvious oxidative stress in BPH and PCa patients as opposed to AIP. Assessing the oxidative stress in these patients may assist in the future prevention, diagnosis and also treatment. However, the question whether the presence of OS-related parameters and drugs could be used for the diagnosis or management of prostatic diseases, needs to be addressed in future larger and better studies with a more rational basis.