Seppo Taskinen

Nordic consensus on treatment of undescended testes

Aim: To reach consensus among specialists from the Nordic countries on the present state‐of‐the‐art in treatment of undescended testicles.

Germ cell apoptosis after treatment of cryptorchidism with human chorionic gonadotropin is associated with impaired reproductive function in the adult.

Cryptorchidism results in impaired fertility. Reduced numbers of testicular germ cells can be shown histologically during the first years of life. The process causing germ cell loss in cryptorchid prepubertal boys is unknown, but it could be the result of a form of programmed cell death known as apoptosis. 25 adult men with a history of surgically treated cryptorchidism were studied, 15 of whom had received an unsuccessful human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) therapy before orchidopexy. Apoptotic DNA fragmentation was assayed in testis biopsies taken during orchidopexy by end-labeling, both in extracted DNA and histochemically in situ. Only a few scattered apoptotic spermatogonias were seen by end-labeling of biopsies from patients not treated with hCG, whereas more extensive labeling of spermatogonia was seen after hCG treatment. As estimated by gel electrophoresis, the amount of low molecular weight DNA was 4.3-fold higher in the hCG-treated group when compared with the level in scrotal testis of non-hCG-treated patients (P < 0.001). About 20 yr after the biopsy, the low molecular weight DNA fragmentation correlated negatively with the testis volume (r = -0.84; P < 0.001) and positively with serum FSH levels (r = 0.73; P < 0.001). Findings in the semen analysis were similar between the groups. Apoptotic loss of spermatogonia after hCG treatment of cryptorchidism warrants reevaluation of the safety of this treatment.

Tracheobronchial rupture due to blunt chest trauma: a follow-up study

From 1970 to 1988, 9 patients were treated for tracheobronchial rupture arising from nonpenetrating thoracic trauma. All patients had dyspnea and pneumothorax. Four patients had rupture of the right main bronchus, 3 had rupture of the left main bronchus, 1 had rupture of the right intermediate bronchus, and 1 had rupture of the trachea. Four patients were operated on within 24 hours. Three of them had a massive air leak into the suction drainage and underwent thoracotomy. The fourth patient presented difficulties with endotracheal intubation and required a collar incision. Primary reconstruction was performed in all 4 patients. Five patients had a delay of nine to 89 days before operation. All of them had good primary healing but later developed dyspnea. Bronchoscopy revealed scar obstruction in all 5. The stenosed segment was resected in 4 patients at thoracotomy. The fifth patient, who had an intermediate bronchus rupture, underwent lobectomy. Seven patients were followed from 6 months to 18 years. One of them, who had a nine-day delay in treatment, needed further operation 6 months after the accident because of scar obstruction. The other 6 patients were interviewed, examined, and studied with spirometry, body plethysmography, bronchoscopy, and bronchography. In these 6 patients no stricture was seen, and there was no reduced pulmonary function due to the rupture even when operation was delayed.

Testicular tumors in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE To analyze the spectrum of testicular tumors in children in an unselected population-based series, as well as the results of testis-preserving surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS Our hospital database was analyzed for operations for testicular tumors from 1981 to 2006. The clinical data and findings during follow up (4.7 years) were recorded. RESULTS Thirty-four patients were operated on because of testicular tumors. In 23 (68%) the tumor was benign: benign teratoma (16), Leydig-cell tumor (2), epidermoid cyst (2), Sertoli-cell tumor (1), cystic dysplasia (1), intratesticular focal fibrosis (1). Eleven patients (32%) had a malignant tumor: yolk-sac tumor (6), embryonal carcinoma (5). Twenty out of the 26 (77%) prepubertal boys had a benign tumor in contrast to only three of the eight (38%) adolescent males (P=0.079). Testis-preserving surgery was performed in 10 patients. In eight, the tumor was curatively excised and remaining testis preserved. Two patients with benign teratoma had a recurrence due to incomplete primary resection. In one patient who underwent orchiectomy for benign teratoma, two metachronous teratomas were detected in the contralateral testis 6 years after primary surgery. CONCLUSIONS In children, most testicular tumors are benign, especially before puberty. If testis-preserving surgery is contemplated, complete excision of the tumor should be ascertained. The possibility of metachronous bilateral tumors should be considered in the follow up of testicular teratomas.

Early Treatment of Cryptorchidism, Semen Quality and Testicular Endocrinology

PURPOSE We evaluated the effect of patient age at treatment of cryptorchidism in relation to subsequent semen quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semen analyses and hormonal evaluations were performed in 51 men who were treated for cryptorchidism at ages 10 months to 12 years. RESULTS Sperm concentration was normal in 90% of the patients with unilateral and 50% with bilateral cryptorchidism. No patient treated before age 4 years had severe sperm defects. Elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels indicated severe testicular damage. CONCLUSIONS Fertility is better in patients with bilateral cryptorchidism if treated before age 4 years. Age at treatment did not have a significant effect on semen quality in patients with unilateral cryptorchidism.

Measurement of Testicular Volume: Comparison of 3 Different Methods

PURPOSE We compared 3 commonly used clinical methods to measure testicular volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS The volumes of 151 testes in 76 adults treated for cryptorchidism during childhood were measured with an ordinary ruler, an orchidometer and ultrasonography. RESULTS Mean testicular volume was 15 +/- 8 ml. (standard elevation) measured with a ruler, 16 +/- 7 ml. with an orchidometer and 17 +/- 8 ml. with ultrasonography. The correlation among methods was significant. CONCLUSIONS To measure testicular size use of an ordinary ruler is recommended for clinical purposes because of its simplicity, availability and low cost.

Sexual Function and Attitudes Toward Surgery After Feminizing Genitoplasty

PURPOSE Sexual function and attitudes toward surgery were evaluated in females who had undergone feminizing genitoplasty in childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sexual function and attitudes toward surgery were assessed by a questionnaire in 24 females who had undergone genitoplasty in childhood. Of 16 females who were prenatally exposed to androgens 15 had congenital adrenal hyperplasia and 8 had androgen insensitivity. A total of 18 patients who had reached adulthood were compared with 900 age matched normal controls by using the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire. RESULTS Of the 24 patients 19 had undergone clitoral reduction and 21 had undergone reconstruction of the vaginal introitus. Sigmoid bowel had been used in vaginal reconstruction in 5 patients. There were 17 patients who believed that the genital operation was performed at a proper age, 3 who thought it was done too late while none thought it was performed at too young an age. Two patients regretted the operation, 1 of whom had undergone clitoral resection without nerve preservation and the other had a sigmoid vagina. The control group had more often and earlier (median age 17 vs 19 years) experiences with sexual intercourse. Overall sexual function was similar in the sexually active controls and patients. Decreased sexual desire and problems in achieving orgasm were common but severe pain experiences during penetrative sex were rare in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Sexual intercoital relationships started later in females who underwent genital reconstruction in childhood. Early surgery is preferred by the patients and satisfactory sex life is possible in adulthood.

Identification of Children and Adolescents at Risk for Renal Scarring After a First Urinary Tract Infection: A Meta-analysis With Individual Patient Data

IMPORTANCE No studies have systematically examined the accuracy of clinical, laboratory, and imaging variables in detecting renal scarring in children and adolescents with a first urinary tract infection. OBJECTIVES To identify independent prognostic factors for the development of renal scarring and to combine these factors in prediction models that could be useful in clinical practice. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE and EMBASE. STUDY SELECTION We included patients aged 0 to 18 years with a first urinary tract infection who underwent follow-up renal scanning with technetium Tc 99m succimer at least 5 months later. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS We pooled individual patient data from 9 cohort studies. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES We examined the association between predictor variables assessed at the time of the first urinary tract infection and the development of renal scarring. Renal scarring was defined by the presence of photopenia on the renal scan. We assessed the following 3 models: clinical (demographic information, fever, and etiologic organism) and ultrasonographic findings (model 1); model 1 plus serum levels of inflammatory markers (model 2); and model 2 plus voiding cystourethrogram findings (model 3). RESULTS Of the 1280 included participants, 199 (15.5%) had renal scarring. A temperature of at least 39°C, an etiologic organism other than Escherichia coli, an abnormal ultrasonographic finding, polymorphonuclear cell count of greater than 60%, C-reactive protein level of greater than 40 mg/L, and presence of vesicoureteral reflux were all associated with the development of renal scars (P ≤ .01 for all). Although the presence of grade IV or V vesicoureteral reflux was the strongest predictor of renal scarring, this degree of reflux was present in only 4.1% of patients. The overall predictive ability of model 1 with 3 variables (temperature, ultrasonographic findings, and etiologic organism) was only 3% to 5% less than the predictive ability of models requiring a blood draw and/or a voiding cystourethrogram. Patients with a model 1 score of 2 or more (21.7% of the sample) represent a particularly high-risk group in whom the risk for renal scarring was 30.7%. At this cutoff, model 1 identified 44.9% of patients with eventual renal scarring. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Children and adolescents with an abnormal renal ultrasonographic finding or with a combination of high fever (≥39°C) and an etiologic organism other than E coli are at high risk for the development of renal scarring.

Long-Term Risk of End Stage Renal Disease in Patients With Posterior Urethral Valves

PURPOSE Congenital obstructive uropathy can lead to end stage renal disease. Progression to end stage renal disease in childhood is well described but long-term prognosis in adulthood has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study we evaluated the risk of end stage renal disease in patients with posterior urethral valves. MATERIALS AND METHODS During 1953 to 2003 a total of 200 male patients were treated for posterior urethral valves at our institution and of these 193 could be followed for renal outcome. Followup data on patients treated with dialysis or kidney transplantation were collected from patient records and the Finnish Kidney Transplantation Registry, and data on deceased patients were collected from hospital records and the Finnish Population Register Centre. RESULTS Median patient age at evaluation was 31 years (range 6 to 69). Of the 193 patients followed 44 (22.8%) had progression to end stage renal disease. According to a Kaplan-Meier analysis the lifetime risk of end stage renal disease was 28.5% (SE 3.8%). No patient had end stage renal disease after the age of 34 years. The lowest serum creatinine value during postoperative year 1 was associated with speed of progression to end stage renal disease. Early presentation, pneumothorax, bilateral vesicoureteral reflux and recurrent urinary tract infections after the abolition of urethral obstruction were associated with an increased risk of end stage renal disease at followup. CONCLUSIONS Congenital obstructive uropathy can lead to end stage renal disease during childhood or young adulthood. However, the risk of end stage renal disease seems to decrease eventually. Poor kidney function at presentation is associated with worse renal prognosis.

Effect of Age at Operation, Location of Testis and Preoperative Hormonal Treatment on Testicular Growth after Cryptorchidism

PURPOSE We evaluated the effect of patient age, primary location of the gonad and preoperative human chorionic gonadotropin administration on future testicular growth in patients treated for cryptorchidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Testicular volume was measured in 75 adults treated for cryptorchidism when they were 10 months to 13 years old. RESULTS The mean volume of the cryptorchid testes plus or minus standard deviation, whether unilateral or bilateral, was 11 +/- 6 ml. compared to 20 +/- 7 ml. for the spontaneously descended testes in patients with unilateral cryptorchidism. The results showed no significant correlation between patient age at treatment or original testicular location and final testicular volume, although the 22 testes of 18 patients undergoing surgery after age 5 years were somewhat smaller (9 +/- 5 ml.) than the 66 testes of 55 younger patients (12 +/- 6 ml.). However, 26 patients who had received human chorionic gonadotropin treatment had a significantly smaller testis (9 +/- 5 ml.) than did 57 treated with surgery alone (12 +/- 6 ml., p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Early orchiopexy at age younger than 2 years is not necessarily essential. Adult testicular volume is slightly greater in patients with cryptorchidism if treated at ages up to 5 years. Preoperative location of the testis in otherwise healthy boys exerts no definite effect on final testicular volume. Preoperative human chorionic gonadotropin administration may have an adverse effect on future testicular growth.