Erythema nodosum associated with Salmonella enteritidis infection.

6nonenoneVILLIRILLO A; BALSANO L; QUINTI S; UGHI C; VENTURA A.; MAGGIORE G.Villirillo, A; Balsano, L; Quinti, S; Ughi, C; Ventura, Alessandro; Maggiore, G

Low serum testosterone levels are predictive of prostate cancer

PURPOSE: Although hormones play fundamental roles in prostate growth, their clinical significance is not completely clear. Aims of present study were to assess whether testosterone and serum sex hormone levels are predictors of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer (PC) and to verify whether prostate cancer is associated with low testosterone levels, and to test association between testosterone levels and known prognostic factors in prostate cancer. METHODS: In 206 consecutive patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels were tested and correlated with disease. In patients with prostate cancer, hormone levels were also correlated with known prognostic factors. Predictive value was assessed for age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA ratio, PSA density, prostate volume and serum sex hormone levels using multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Considering sex hormones, only testosterone levels were significantly lower in patients with prostate cancer than those with BPH; testosterone levels appear to be independent predictor of prostate cancer, enhancing predictive accuracy for BPH and PC. Testosterone levels do not seem to be associated with known clinical prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports experimental findings that testosterone levels are predictor of prostate cancer and that prostate cancer is frequently associated with low testosterone levels. In the diagnostic work-up for prostate cancer, adding testosterone determination to PSA test may improve predictive accuracy

Corporoplasty using buccal mucosa graft in peyronie disease. Is it a first choice?

To assesses the surgical and functional efficacy of corporoplasty with buccal mucosa graft, patients and partner's satisfaction, and the low cost of this operation. Biocompatible tissues are frequently used during corporoplasty, but they are expensive and often do not match the thickness and elasticity of the tunica albuginea, leading to fibrosis and scar retraction. Buccal mucosa graft is not usually emphasized in many review articles and clinical studies are limited. Thirty-two patients with stable disease and normal erections were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent corporoplasty with plaque incision and buccal mucosa graft. Preoperative International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and penile duplex ultrasonographies with measurement of curvature were conducted. At 6 and 12 months postoperatively, patients answered the IIEF and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaires. Patient and partner satisfaction were recorded at all subsequent visits. Thirty-two patients underwent corporoplasty between 2006 and 2013, and no major complications developed in any patient. After 1 year, curvature relapse was present in 1 patient (3.5%), and 1 patient had slight erectile dysfunction. IIEF values had significantly improved 1 year after surgery (P = .031). Patient satisfaction was 85% on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaire. Twenty-five of 28 partners were satisfied (90%). Data analysis confirmed the stability of the IIEF score in 16 patients after 2 years (mean IIEF score, 21.3). Corporoplasty with buccal mucosa graft is easy to perform and represents a good treatment choice for most forms of Peyronie disease with curvature preventing penetration and sexual intercourse. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved