Sakatoku J

The application of intrascrotal deep body temperature measurement for the noninvasive diagnosis of varicoceles

The authors used intrascrotal deep body (intratesticular) temperature measurement in an attempt to make the diagnosis of varicoceles more objective. Two hundred five male patients complaining of infertility were classified into three groups: group A consisted of 84 patients with varicocele; group B of 66 patients without varicocele; and group C of 55 patients after varicocelectomy. The bilateral intrascrotal temperatures were recorded in the supine position and then monitored continuously in the standing position. The maximum temperatures in both positions were compared between each group. The mean temperature of the varicocele group was higher than that of the other two groups in the standing position. The authors studied the difference in temperature (delta T) due to postural change from supine to standing. The mean delta T of the left testis was +0.78 degrees C in the varicocele group, whereas it was approximately -0.5 degrees C in the other two groups. The authors conclude that deep body temperature provides a practical index of the intrascrotal temperature and is useful as one of the objective, clinical criteria for the diagnosis of varicocele.

Intravesical treatment of bladder cancer with recombinant human interferon-β : intravesical GKT-β chemotherapy research group (Chairman : Tadao Niijima)

SummaryIn order to examine its clinical efficacy, recombinant human interferon-β (rIFN-β) was instilled intravesically into 51 patients with superficial bladder cancer. Ten patients, who received intermittent intravesical instillation at a dose of (3−36) × 106 U rIFN-β on days 1–3 every week, showed no response. Thirty-two patients received intravesical instillation at a dose of (3−36) × 106 U every day for 10–20 days. Eight patients showed partial response, indicating an efficacy rate of 25%. Nine patients received divided doses of 18 × 106 U twice a day every day for 10–20 days. Six patients showed partial response, indicating an efficacy rate of 67%. This value was significantly higher than that obtained by administering divided doses. The response to intravesical instillation therapy with rIFN-β varies with treatment protocol. Frequent and longer exposure to rIFN-β may induce better regression of superficial bladder cancer. Six incidences of side-effects were found in five cases (9.8%): pollakiuria in one, pain on micturition in two, fever in two, and eruption in one case. All of these side-effects were slight and reversible after drug withdrawal. Laboratory tests showed only a few changes with low severity. Thus, rIFN-β is potentially a new drug for instillation therapy of superficial bladder cancer, in view of the absence of adverse effects.

Testicular development following unilateral orchiopexy measured by a new orchiometer.

Of 170 patients having undergone orchiopexy for unilateral cryptorchid testes, 90 responded to our inquiry. Testicular size was measured in 55 patients using an accurate and practical orchiometer (punched-out orchiometer) developed in our department. In boys under ten years of age (prepubertal), testicular development was minimal, and the operated on and contralateral testes were not significantly different. With the onset of puberty, both testes enlarged, and no significant differences were observed. However, by age fourteen the side operated on was significantly (p less than 0.05) less well developed than the contralateral testis. No difference was detected clinically between the operated on and contralateral testes when the contralateral testis was less than 10 mL in volume. When the contralateral testis was greater than 15 mL, however, a significant difference was detected both statistically (p less than 0.05) and clinically. The findings suggest limited prospects for the development of testes that are operated on at puberty.

Pathogenesis of Varicocele: Experimental Study Using Flow Cytometric DNA Analysis: Zur Pathogenese der Varikocele: Experimentelle Studie unter Verwendung der Flow-Cytometrie-DNA-Analyse

Summary:  Despite extensive investigation, a cause‐and‐effect relationship between varicocele and male infertility has not been fully proven. We investigated the effect of a unilaterial varicocele on both testes. Spermatogenesis in the rats with a surgically induced left varicocele was evaluated 5 weeks postoperatively by measurement of testicular weight, flow cytometric DNA analysis and evaluation of the mean seminiferous tubular diameter (MSTD). In rats with varicoceles, the testicular weight, the percentage of haploid cells and the MSTD were decreased in both testes in contrast to sham‐operated rats. There was a greater decrease on the left side. These results suggest that unilateral varicocele may impair spermatogenesis in both testes, with the impairment being greater on the ipsilateral side.

Deep body temperature measurement for the noninvasive diagnosis of varicocele.

Since varicocele treatment is one of the few effective treatments of male infertility, it is important to make the diagnosis correctly so as to administer surgical treatment where it is appropriate1,2. We reported that deep body temperature is a practical index of the intrascrotal temperature and is useful in the clinical examination of patients with varicocele3. In light of those observations, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between grading of varicocele and the intrascrotal deep body temperature before and after varicocelectomy.

Congenital anterior urethral diverticulum in male infant with obstructive uropathy

A case of congenital anterior urethral diverticulum in a male infant with obstructive uropathy is presented. Such a case occurs rarely in Japan.

Deep Body Intrascrotal Thermometer: Theory and Methodology

The deep body thermometer, which was originally devised by Fox and Solman1,2 in England, is a new device for the measurement of body temperature. At present, the device has been improved upon and is now being evaluated for various clinical applications. In this paper, the principle of the deep body thermometer will be described and the application for the screening of varicocele will be introduced.

Recent incidence of urinary tuberculosis: A review.

1986年1月から1989年8月まで山口県厚生農業協同組合連合会小郡第一総合病院において4例の尿中結核菌培養陽性例を認め, これは総外来新患者の0.66%に相当した。1例は, 腎尿路結核未治療例, 3例は膀胱腫瘍治療のためのBCG注入中による一過性結核菌培養陽性例であった。また同時期に経験された陳旧性腎結核患者2例に対して腎摘出術が施行されている。近年, 尿路結核は減少しているとされているが, 難治性の尿路感染症のあるときには, 結核菌培養やX線検査, 膀胱鏡および生検等を施行することはいぜんとして泌尿器科臨床上重要であると思われた。