Effect of testosterone and anabolic steroids on the size of sebaceous glands in power athletes

The effect of testosterone and anabolic steroids on the size of sebaceous glands was studied by means of interactive morphometry in skin biopsies of power athletes. The subjects used self-administered high doses of testosterone and anabolic steroids during a 4-week strength training period. After 4 weeks' use of hormones, the area of sectioned sebaceous glands enlarged significantly by a factor of 89.2% (p less than 0.005). The number of cells in the so-called differentiating cell pool (DCP) and in the undifferentiated cell pool (UCP) also increased significantly (p less than 0.025, p less than 0.05, respectively). The size of the area occupied by UCP cells increased significantly (p less than 0.05). The study suggests that high doses of testosterone and anabolic steroids lead to an enlargement of sebaceous glands in male power athletes.     

Invasive cancer of the prostate. Reconstruction of the lower urinary tract by prostatic resection and ureteral reimplantation into the bladder vault

Some prostatic cancers (T4) spread out along the ureters to the kidneys. Patients, usually arrive with terminal renal failure and bladder retention and have often fast-advancing cancer with massive nodes invading. T.U.R., reimplantation of the ureters into the bladder dome or into a pso?c bladder and the specific treatment of the cancer, have often permitted these patients to survive for some years without any dialysis. In these cases we often find very important lower limbs oedema. With lymphatic nodes radiotherapy and subcutaneous injections of heparin, these oedema may regress completely.     

Testicular torsion: Evaluation of contralateral testicular histology

Infertility may occur in patients with unilateral testicular torsion whose contralateral testis is intact. Depending on this observation, the physicians have begun to examine the contralateral testis. In the present prospective study we aimed to examine the histopathologic alterations occurring in the contralateral testicle with time. Sixty adult male albino rats were included in the programme, and following experimental torsion the histopathologic findings, especially those in the contralateral testis, were evaluated after 4–12 weeks. Long-term and high degree torsion of the testicle led to varying degrees of deterioration in the germinal epithelium and interstitial cells of the contralateral testicle. Histopathologic alterations were reversed in 12 weeks. Tubular diameter and testicular volume also decreased in accordance with the histopathologic alteration. In our opinion, orchiectomy following torsion of one testicle will limit potential histopathologic alterations in the contralateral testicle.     

Therapeutic approach in a case of papillary cancer of the thyroid gland. Apropos of 22 cases]

The authors report about a series of 22 papillary carcinomas of the thyroid gland. Among the operated patients, 6 underwent loboisthmectomy, 9 total thyroidectomy. For papillary carcinoma, a frequent cancer (1.3% of all cancers) dominating in women, the survival rate is virtually the same if the lesion is treated with maximal or conservative surgery. The results obtained with minimalist conservative procedures (decrease in morbidity, no recurrence) reinforces the authors' attitude, even more so as it corresponds to the data found in the literature.     

A clinical and genetic study of 56 Saudi Wilson disease patients: identification of Saudi-specific mutations

Wilson disease (WD) is a hereditary disorder, with recessive transmission and genetic heterogeneity. Several mutations of ATP7B, the gene underlying WD, were reported in many ethnic groups. In this study, mutation screening in ATP7B of 56 Saudi Arabian WD patients was undertaken. The clinical data of all patients were recorded. The entire ATP7B coding sequence, including intron-exon boundaries were screened for mutation by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based mutation detection technique and DNA sequencing. Thirty-nine patients were symptomatic at presentation and 17 subjects were pre-symptomatic siblings of affected patients. Fourteen patients had neurological, 11 patients had mixed (hepatic and neurological), and 14 patients had hepatic presentations. Family history suggestive of WD was present in 72% of cases and 68% had consanguineous parents. Genetic analysis showed disease-causing mutations in three exons (exons 8, 19 and 21) of the ATP7B gene in 28 patients (50%). Mutations in exons 21 (18 cases) and 19 (one case) were unique for Saudis. This large series of Saudi patients with WD has shown wide variability in the genomic substrate of WD. There is no correlation between genotype and clinical presentation.     

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the left renal vein]

The authors report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the left renal vein. Because of its retroperitoneal position, this exceptional tumour was responsible for few symptoms. Complementary investigations (CT scan, ultrasonography, arteriography) often do not confirm the diagnosis. Complete surgical excision combined with complementary treatment can ensure long-term survival.