P–095 Outcomes and predictive factors of successful salvage microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) after failed TESE in men with non-obstructive azoospermia: results from a multicenter study

Study question

We assessed the outcome and predictors of successful salvage microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) men previously submitted to unfruitful classic (cTESE).

Summary answer

The sperm retrieval rate at salvage mTESE was almost 50%. Hypospermatogenesis and low FSH values were associated with positive outcomes at salvage mTESE

What is known already

In men with NOA testicular sperm can be retrieved using cTESE in approximately 50% of cases. mTESE has been proposed as a salvage treatment option for men with a previously failed TESE, but data are scarce.

Study design, size, duration

Multicenter, cross-sectional study. Complete data from 61 NOA men who underwent mTESE after a failed cTESE between 01/2014 and 10/2020, at 6 tertiary referral centers in Italy were analysed.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

All men underwent testicular ultrasound, hormonal and genetic blood testing. Histopathological diagnosis from TESE was collected in every man. Semen analyses were based on the 2010 WHO reference criteria. mTESE was performed according to the technique of Schlegel et al. (1999). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to investigate potential predictors of positive sperm retrieval (SR+) after salvage mTESE.

Main results and the role of chance

Overall, median (IQR) age and testicular volume were 35 (31–38) years and 10 (6–15) ml, respectively. Baseline serum FSH and total testosterone levels were 17.1 (8.6–30.4) mUI/mL and 4.7 (3.5–6.4) ng/mL, respectively. Sertoli-cell-only (SCO) syndrome, maturation arrest (MA) and hypospermatogenesis were found in 24 (39.3%), 21 (34.4%) and 16 (26.2%) men after cTESE, respectively. Spermatozoa were retrieved in 30 (49.2%) men at salvage mTESE. Patients with a diagnosis of hypospermatogenesis had a higher rate of SR + [12/16 (75%)] than those with MA [12/21 (57.1%)] and SCOS [6/24 (25%)] after salvage mTESE (p < 0.01), which was bilateral in 36 (59%) cases. FSH was higher [16.5 (8–22) vs. 8.9 (5–13) mUI/mL, p < 0.01] in SR- patients compared to SR+. No difference in clinical characteristics was found between patients with SR+ and SR- at salvage mTESE. There were no significant complications after mTESE. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that hypospermatogenesis (OR 9.7; p < 0.01) and low FSH levels (OR 0.9, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of SR+ after salvage mTESE, after accounting for age.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Despite we analysed one of the largest series of salvage mTESE, the samples size is too small to draw general conclusions. Because of the multicenter nature of the study we cannot rely on standardization of surgical techniques for TESE.

Wider implications of the findings: This is one of the larger studies on salvage mTESE. The selection of patients for salvage mTESE is of critical importance.

Trial registration number

na

Painless scrotal masses in the pediatric population: prevalence and age distribution of different pathological conditions--A 10 year retrospective multicenter study

PURPOSE

In the pediatric population a broad spectrum of intrascrotal pathology ranging from congenital to neoplastic lesions present as a painless scrotal mass. The aim of our 10-year retrospective study was to review 71 pediatric cases of a painless scrotal mass to determine the overall and age specific prevalence of diseases manifesting as such masses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1980-1991, 71 patients 1 day to 16 years old with a painless scrotal mass underwent evaluation using 7.5 or 10 MHz. ultrasound probes with transverse and longitudinal sections.

RESULTS

The painless scrotal mass was testicular in 61 cases (86%, 28 neoplasms, 27 congenital malformations, and 6 posttraumatic/inflammatory lesions) and extratesticular in 10 (14%, 5 neoplasms, 2 hematoceles, 2 pachyvaginitis and 1 sebaceous cyst). Patient age distribution showed 2 peaks at 0 to 1-year and 13 to 14-year intervals. More than a third of the painless scrotal masses (24 cases) were found during the first year of life, predominantly congenital anomalies (in utero torsion) and neoplasia. A total of 45 patients (63%) underwent surgery (orchiectomy in 39 and conservative treatment in 6) and a pathognomonic echo pattern allowed nonsurgical treatment in 26 (37%).

CONCLUSIONS

Testicular ultrasound proved to be highly reliable in differentiating intratesticular from extratesticular lesions but it demonstrated poor specificity because of extensive overlap between benign and malignant pathologies. Therefore, testicular ultrasound changed the management of a few select cases of a painless scrotal mass (epididymal cysts/spermatoceles and in utero torsion).

The role of arthrography in the diagnosis of meniscal tears

The authors discuss the value of arthrography as a supplement to arthroscopy in the diagnosis of meniscal tears. Arthrography is superior to arthroscopy in its ability to detect lesions of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, which are the most common meniscal tears. Moreover, arthrography can be done on an out-patient basis and at low cost. In any case, the best screening remains thorough clinical examination supplemented, if necessary, by imaging studies.

[Congenital hip dislocation: at what age to screen with ultrasound?]

The Authors report their experience in ultrasound screening for congenital hip dislocation. Goal of this study is to recognize the best age for the screening.

[Congenital hip dysplasia. The controversial results of a screening program]

The authors report their experience in a screening program for congenital hip dislocation. Goal of this study is to recognize the best technique for early diagnosis in this disease. The result show that we need further study and complete cooperation between pediatrician, radiologist and orthopedist to realize the best cost/benefit ratio.

Prognostic factors in renal cell carcinoma

In order to evaluate the prognostic factors of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a retrospective study was carried out on 215 patients (150 men, 65 women) who had undergone surgical treatment from March 1979 to December 1986. The average age of the patients was 58 years (ranging from 15 to 85 years). The ratios of survival to tumor stage and grade, as well as to nodal and venous involvement, distant metastases at the time of diagnosis (as TNM classification) were evaluated by means of the actuarial method (life table). Corrected 5-year survival rates for stage T1-T4 were 100, 81, 68.9 and 0%, respectively. Grade 1 and grade 2 tumors had a 5-year survival rate of 66.5 and 52.8%, respectively; grade 3 had a 3-year survival rate of 46.5%. Nodal involvement at the time of diagnosis had a prediction value for the 3- and 5-year survival rate of 39.8 and 34.5%, respectively. Metastases at time of diagnosis had a 14.1% prediction value for a 3-year survival rate. Tumor extension to the vena cava (21 patients) affected survival in a significant way (55.8% at 3 years). A definite tendency towards lower stage and grade was observed in incidentally diagnosed RCC (11%). In conclusion, stage, grade, nodal and venous involvement as well as metastases at the time of diagnosis have a significant prognostic value in RCC. These data and the lack of early diagnostic methods for RCC suggest the routine use of renal ultrasonography in clinically asymptomatic patients during examination for suspected abdominal diseases and in high-risk patients (Von Hippel-Lindau disease smokers).

[Calcitonin test]

Considering that the Calcitonin is one of the main therapeutic means in the senile Osteoporosis, the authors go over and over the necessity of a simple diagnostic test in order to point out the sensitiveness and resistance to the drug in subjects suffering from this pathology. After a single subministration of the drug to the subjects suffering from Osteoporosis at a high turn-over, it has been considered as sensitive at the therapeutic effect. Subjects in whom, a lowering of the calcemia under 0.3 mEq/1 was obtained within ten hours since the drug had been given.

Skeletal changes in a case of Goltz's syndrome (focal dermal hypoplasia)

Goltz's syndrome (focal dermal hypoplasia) is a rare congenital disease only 50 cases of which have been recorded in the literature. Complex changes in the skin and the skeleton occur in this disease. Although the bone changes have been described in nearly all reported cases, these have only been reported in the orthopaedic literature in one case (Lynch, 1981) in which the disease was accompanied by an aneurysmal bone cyst in the pelvis. The disease is hereditary but is not sex-linked, although all the reported cases have been female. This is because the disease is lethal in males during gestation (Gorlin et al., 1963). The case reported by us, however, brought her pregnancy to term and gave birth to a male infant with no malformations either of the bones or the skin.

[Bloodless treatment of fractures of the clavicle using O-shaped soft bandages]

The authors, on the basis of the clinico-radiographic revieping of 45 patients suffering from clavicle fracture and treated through "O"-shaped soft bandage, state the results obtained: they particularly point out the advantages of such method in the fractures of clavicle 3rd medium, with single rima in patients aged between 10 and 70.

[Functional retraining in osteosynthesis of the femur]

Kinesis therapy is now an integral and essential stage in osteosynthetic surgery. According to the different anatomical zones, a series of functional exercises designed to restore joint movement in fractures of the femur are described.