Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy in the Management of Chronic Scrotal Pain

Background and Objectives:

To evaluate the usefulness of laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the management of chronic scrotal pain.

Methods:

Between 2009 and 2011, 48 patients in total were treated with laparoscopic varicocelectomy for dull scrotal pain that worsened with physical activity and was attributed to varicoceles. All patients were followed up at 3 and 6 months and biannually thereafter with a physical examination, visual analog scale score, and ultrasonographic scan in selected cases.

Results:

The mean age was 38.2 years (range, 23–54 years). The mean follow-up period was 19.6 months (range, 6–26 months). Bilateral varicoceles were present in 7 patients (14.6%), and a unilateral varicocele was present in 41 (85.4%). The varicocele was grade 3 in 27 patients (56.3%), grade 2 in 20 (41.6%), and grade 1 in 1 (2.1%). The mean preoperative visual analog scale score was 4.8 on a scale from 0 to 10. The mean postoperative visual analog scale score at 3 months was 0.8. After the procedure, 42 patients (87.5%) had a significant improvement in the visual analog scale score (P < .001); 5 (10.4%) had symptom improvement, although it was not statistically significant; and 1 (2.1%) remained unchanged. During follow-up, we observed 5 recurrences (10.4%) whereas de novo hydrocele formation was identified in 4 individuals (8.3%).

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is efficient in the treatment of symptomatic varicoceles with a low complication rate. However, careful patient selection is necessary because it appears that individuals presenting with sharp, radiating testicular pain and/or a low-grade varicocele are less likely to benefit from this procedure.     

Effects of Lead Exposure on Bromocriptine-Induced Penile Erection in Rats

Abstract: In the present work we have studied the effects of lead exposure on penile erection induced by bromocriptine. Intraperitoneal injection of bromocriptine (2, 3, 4 and 8 mg/kg) induced dose-related penile erection in rats. Maximum response was observed with 4 mg/kg of the drug. Lead exposure (as Pb-acetate in drinking water) for periods of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days decreased the bromocriptine-induced penile erection response. Higher concentrations of lead (0.05%) were shown to cause a more prominent decrease of penile erection. The same procedure for lead administration did not significantly alter penile erection induced by physostigmine (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). In a series of experiments, blood lead concentrations were measured 7 and 21 days after lead exposure. Significant increases of lead concentrations were found after lead exposure. It is concluded that lead can influence bromocriptine-induced penile erection.     

Phytochemicals as Therapeutic Interventions in Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects over 200 million people worldwide, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, yet treatment options remain limited. Among the manifestations of PAD is a severe functional disability and decline, which is thought to be the result of different pathophysiological mechanisms including oxidative stress, skeletal muscle pathology, and reduced nitric oxide bioavailability. Thus, compounds that target these mechanisms may have a therapeutic effect on walking performance in PAD patients. Phytochemicals produced by plants have been widely studied for their potential health effects and role in various diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. In this review, we focus on PAD and discuss the evidence related to the clinical utility of different phytochemicals. We discuss phytochemical research in preclinical models of PAD, and we highlight the results of the available clinical trials that have assessed the effects of these compounds on PAD patient functional outcomes.     

Homicidal injuries during January and February, 2011 in Mansoura City,Egypt

Studies dealing with analyzing cases of violence are very important, as these can be prevented to a high percentage. The aim of this study was to analyze the pattern of homicidal injuries compared to other causes of traumatic injuries in the population of Dakahlia province-Egypt during January and February, 2011 through reviewing cases' primary reports. In addition, the present work aimed to document traumatic injuries during the 25th January Egyptian revolution, 2011 in Mansoura City. Reports were reviewed for the available data including age, sex, residence as well as type, site, cause and mode of traumatic injuries. Out of 2270 cases' reports, 63.3% were from the Mansoura University Emergency hospital. Among the cases, 77.4% were males and 54.3% were from rural areas. Assaults (28%) were the 2nd leading cause of injuries preceded by road traffic accidents (29.8%). The commonest reported injuries due to assaults were cut wounds, contusions, firearm injuries and stab wounds while the commonest areas injured were the head, hands and chest. Assault injuries especially firearm injuries were more frequent during and shortly after revolution. Guns which are prohibited by law and other sharp and pointed instruments were freely used, a condition that is highly preventable by enforcing stringent laws.     

Inhaled foreign bodies in a paediatric population at AKTH Kano-Nigeria

Background:

Inhaled foreign bodies are common paediatric emergencies and a major cause of accidental deaths at home among Nigerian children especially among children below the age of 5 years. Different types of foreign bodies have been reported from the ordinary to the most bizarre. We evaluated the types of foreign bodies and sites of possible impaction of these foreign bodies along the tracheobronchial tree.

Materials and Methods:

A 6-year case record of 35 patients with foreign body inhalation was reviewed from January 2005 to December 2010 at the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano — North-western Nigeria. Basic information such as date of birth, age groups, gender, indication for bronchoscopy, type of foreign bodies, sites of foreign body impaction and surgical outcome were extracted and analysed.

Results:

Thirty-five patients [18 (51.4%) males and 17 (48.6%) females, aged 6 months-10 years] with a mean age of 5.1 years and median of 5 years (+/- 3.0 Standard Deviation). The most affected age group with 31.4% is 3-5 years. Groundnuts and whistles were the most frequently inhaled foreign bodies with an equal frequency of 25.7%, respectively. Foreign bodies were preferentially lodged in the left main bronchus in 8 (22.9%) patients compared to the right main bronchus in 6 (17.1%) patients.

Conclusion:

Public enlightenment both in the news/print media on the risk of foreign body aspiration especially among the under-five''s is highly advocated. The left main bronchus may be a common site for impaction as well.     

罕见的老年患者左眼眶横纹肌肉瘤1例(英文)

报道罕见的老年患者的左眼眶横纹肌肉瘤1例,表现为严重的眼球突出及真菌样生长的肿块。一位66岁的马来女性,鼻衄8mo后出现左眼严重的突眼和真菌样生长的肿块。活检显示小泡型横纹肌肉瘤的组织学特征。