Recurrent priapism in spinal cord injury: A case report

Context: Recurrent priapism is characterized by repetitive episodes of erections which are unrelated to sexual interest or stimulation. It is extremely rare in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). There are a number of conservative agents used in the treatment.Findings: We describe the case of a 20-year-old male with cervical-5 American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A tetraplegia as a result of a diving accident 2 years ago. He declared that the recurrent penile erections occurred up to 15–20 times day and night every day and lasted up to 20 min each time unrelated to sexual interest or stimulation. He was prescribed baclofen 10 mg, twice daily. The frequency and duration of erections decreased to 3–5 times/day lasting for about 5 min each and the patient reported a high treatment satisfaction.Conclusion: The presentation of this case is to remind clinicians this rare but distressing condition of recurrent priapism seen in men with complete spinal cord lesions and to summarize the use of medications, most commonly baclofen, to alleviate the condition.     

Reproductive Health,Sexual Function and Satisfaction Levels in Women with Physical,Hearing, and Visual Disabilities

Sexuality and Disability - This study was carried out to determine the reproductive health, sexual function and sexual satisfaction levels of women with disabilities. The sample of the study was...     

Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Treatment

Aim

In this study. it was aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and the factors that may affect the occurrence of SD in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.

Methods

The sample of the study consists of 49 patients (20 females. 29 males) receiving treatment in the hemodialysis unit of a university hospital. The data of the study were collected through a general information form including socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). International Assessment Form for Erectile Function (IIEF) and Quality of Life Scale (SF-36).

Results

In our study. SD was detected in all patient groups. While the most affected area was seen to be orgasmic function and the least affected area was sexual desire in famales. the most affected area was found to be orgasmic function and the least affected area was erectile dysfunction in males. Such factors as age. profession. having a child. working status and duration of hemodialysis were found to affect occurrence of SD. There was a relationship between all sub-dimensions of sexual function and quality of life in male and female subjects.

Conclusion

In conclusion. sexual dysfunction is commonly encountered in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. In these patients. psychosocial factors as well as disease-related factors have an effect on SD. Therefore. SD should be evaluated together with disease-related factors as well as psychosocial factors in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment.

     

Structure and evolution of neuronal wiring receptors and ligands

One of the fundamental properties of a neuronal circuit is the map of its connections. The cellular and developmental processes that allow for the growth of axons and dendrites, selection of synaptic targets, and formation of functional synapses use neuronal surface receptors and their interactions with other surface receptors, secreted ligands, and matrix molecules. Spatiotemporal regulation of the expression of these receptors and cues allows for specificity in the developmental pathways that wire stereotyped circuits. The families of molecules controlling axon guidance and synapse formation are generally conserved across animals, with some important exceptions, which have consequences for neuronal connectivity. Here, we summarize the distribution of such molecules across multiple taxa, with a focus on model organisms, evolutionary processes that led to the multitude of such molecules, and functional consequences for the diversification or loss of these receptors.     

Bisphosphonate treatment at spondylo-ocular syndrome due to a novel compound heterozygote variant in XYLT2 and review of the literature

Spondylo-ocular syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by generalized osteoporosis, hearing loss, visual impairment due to cataract, and platyspondyly. Previous studies have revealed that the syndrome is caused by pathogenic variants in the XYLT2 gene. A patient with spondylo-ocular syndrome and two heterozygous pathogenic variant in the XYLT2 gene in compound state are described here. The patient presented with osteoporosis, platyspondyly, ocular findings, hearing loss, kyphosis, scoliosis, facial findings, intellectual disability, and undescended testicles. Previous reports of bisphosphonate treatment response were variable, whereas a long-term follow-up with bisphosphonate treatment in this case resulted in normalization of vertebral structures. Reporting such cases helps to determine the appropriate genotype–phenotype correlation in patients with XYLT2-related pathogenesis.     

CT findings of pulmonary artery aneurysms during treatment for Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT findings of pulmonary artery aneurysms in patients being treated for Beh?et's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with Beh?et's disease who had a total of 46 aneurysms were included in the study. All patients underwent helical CT before and after treatment. Both initial and follow-up CT scans were evaluated for location, number, and size of aneurysms and for thrombosis and pulmonary parenchyma changes. RESULTS: Thirty-five (76%) of the 46 aneurysms completely disappeared during the 3-42 months of treatment (mean, 21 months), and the remaining 11 aneurysms (24%) became smaller. Both disappearance and regression of aneurysms were preceded by thrombus formation. In 15 initially thrombosed aneurysms (33%), the thrombus increased in size during treatment. After treatment, the thrombus regressed and the pulmonary artery aneurysms disappeared. Thirty-one initially nonthrombosed aneurysms (67%) first became thrombosed during treatment; later, the thrombus regressed and the aneurysm decreased in size. Perianeurysmal consolidation and air-space nodules detected in seven patients disappeared in the early stages of treatment. Mosaic attenuation areas were seen in eight patients and disappeared in seven (88%) after treatment. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary artery aneurysms in Beh?et's disease may become smaller or disappear with medical treatment. Mural thrombotic changes may be observed during the regression of pulmonary artery aneurysms. Helical CT is helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of aneurysms and thrombosis in Beh?et's disease.     

Reversal of Cerebral Vasospasm by the Nitric Oxide Donor SNAP in an Experimental Model of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

The constant release of nitric oxide (NO) is essential to maintain basal cerebrovascular tone. Oxyhaemoglobin, liberated by lysis of red blood cells after subarachnoid haemorrhage binds NO and prevents its entry into vascular smooth muscle cells. While endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction is preserved, decreased levels of NO inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation and may cause vasospasm. S-nitrosothiols are potent vasodilators and precursors of NO. The authors' aim was to determine whether S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a stable S-nitrosothiol compound, could reverse vasospasm in an experimental vasospasm model in rabbit. Experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) was induced in 37 New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were divided into four groups. Control (no SAH), SAH only, SAH plus saline and SAH plus SNAP. SNAP (15 micrograms/kg/min) or 0.09% saline (equal volume) was infused 46 hours after induction of SAH. All animals were killed by perfusion fixation 48 hours after SAH occurred. Basilar arteries were removed, sectioned and their cross sectional areas were evaluated in a blind manner, by light microscopy and by using computer assisted morphometry. Experimental SAH elicited vasospasm in all animals of SAH only and SAH plus saline group. In animals treated with SNAP, arterial narrowing was markedly attenuated without producing systemic hypotension. This widening achieved statistical significance when compared to the arteries of the SAH only and SAH plus saline group (p < 0.01). This study indicates that the NO donor SNAP is a potentially useful drug to reverse cerebral vasospasm due to SAH.     

Mumps interstitial nephritis: a case report

Mumps is still a common childhood disease in rural areas where mumps vaccination is not widespread. A 14-year-old girl with fatal interstitial nephritis as a complication of mumps is reported. The patient had not been vaccinated with mumps vaccine and had contracted mumps during a village epidemic. The illness began with parotitis, and renal insufficiency developed within a week. The patient’s renal function rapidly deteriorated and the outcome was fatal. The postmortem renal necropsy sample demonstrated interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration, edema, and focal tubular epithelial cell damage, confirming the clinical diagnosis. In developing countries routine mumps vaccination may help to prevent possible fatal complications of mumps. Furthermore, patients with mumps, especially complicated cases, should be followed closely. Received: 19 August 1998 / Revised: 7 December 1998 / Accepted: 8 December 1998