Grand Journal of Urology
E-ISSN : 2757-7163

Andrology (Male Sexual Disfunction, Infertility)
Original Article
Grand J Urol 2021;1(1):1-5, DOI: 10.5222/GJU.2021.87597
Objective: Today, infertility is a health problem with increasing treatment seeking. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is the only possible procedure to offer genetic parenting to men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Our aim in this study is to present our clinical experiences that affect the success of sperm retrieval in men with NOA in the light of the literature. Materials and Methods: In our study, patients who underwent TESE with a diagnosis of NOA between 2017-2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the TESE procedure; the patients were divided into two groups as conventional TESE and TESE performed under microscopic magnification (micro-TESE). Medical histories, hormone values, and physical examination findings of all patients were recorded. Results: Our micro-TESE success rate was found to be 100%. A positive correlation (rho 0.714, p = 0.009) was found between the factors affecting sperm retrieval , and the application of micro-TESE, and a negative correlation was detected with FSH levels (rho -0.759, p = 0.004). Conclusion: The success of sperm retrieval increases with the micro-TESE procedure. As FSH levels increase, sperm retrieval success rates decrease.
Grand J Urol 2021;1(1):6-8, DOI: 10.5222/GJU.2021.43531
Objective: Varicocele is the abnormal venous dilatation and the tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus. Varicocele has been shown to be related with systemic varicosity in some studies. Platelet volume indices have also been reported to increase in vascular disorders. In this study, we aimed to determine if complete blood count (CBC) parameters especially platelet counts and volume indices could be a practical tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of varicocele. Materials and Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent varicocelectomy due to grade 2 or 3 clinical varicocele were reviewed. Examined parameters included patient demographic characteristics and preoperative CBC parameters [hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW)]. Patients without varicocele, active infection and vascular disorders constituted the control group. Results: The study population consisted of 61 patients with varicocele and 62 control subjects. The mean age of the patients was 28.6 ± 6.2 years. Mean preoperative hemoglobin, WBC, platelet, MPV and PDW were 15.5 ± 1 g/dL, 7.5±1.6 x103/μL, (236 ± 53.4) x103/μL, 9.3±1.1 (fL) and 15.2± 3.9 (%), respectively. There was no difference between patients with varicocele and control subjects in terms of age, mean preoperative Hb, WBC and MPV. However, mean preoperative platelet count was significantly lower and mean PDW was significantly higher in varicocele patients compared to controls (p
Grand J Urol 2021;1(1):9-13, DOI: 10.5222/GJU.2021.97269
Objective: Penile fracture is one of the urological emergencies that require early surgical intervention. False penile fracture, on the other hand, is a condition that presents with similar clinical features and can be treated conservatively. In this study, in the light of the literature, it was aimed to present the clinical and operative results of 8 patients who were operated on with a prediagnosis of penile fracture and then diagnosed with a false penile fracture. Material and Methods: Data of 8 patients who were diagnosed with a false penile fracture between January 2006 and September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients" demographic characteristics, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Mean age of the patients was 39.12 (28-54) years. The most common complaints were penile swelling and ecchymosis. The most common etiological factors were as follows: sexual intercourse in 6, masturbation in 1, and manual bending of the erect penis in 1 patient. All operations were performed by degloving the penis from the circumcision line. Superficial dorsal vein injury was detected in 6, and nonspecific dartos bleeding was detected in 2 patients. There were no intraoperative complications. Wound site infection developed in 1 patient postoperatively. No erectile dysfunction, penile curvature, and sensory disturbances were detected in any patient. Conclusion: It is difficult to distinguish a false penile fracture from true penile fracture clinically or radiologically. False penile fracture can be treated conservatively without the need for surgery. Surgery should still be the first-line treatment option in suspected patients. Studies with larger patient series are needed on this subject.
Grand J Urol 2023;3(2):049-053, DOI: 10.5505/GJU.2023.18480
Objective: Studies have shown that insulin resistance (IR) plays a role in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been found as a reliable marker of IR. In this study, our aim was to investigate the role of TyG index in patients with ED. Materials and Methods: One hundred six patients with ED (study group) and 54 subjects with normal sexual function (control group) constituted our study population. Erectile function was assessed by using International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire. TyG index was calculated for each participant. Results: ED patient were older, had higher total cholesterol (TC), low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glucose and triglyceride concentrations and TyG indexes (p
Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of hyperlipidemia on the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in hyperlipidemic patients with ED. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients who applied to the radiology clinic were included in the study. All patients have only hyperlipidemia as a risk factor of ED. The patients were evaluated in terms of ED by using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) form. Before and after oral treatment with daily doses of 10 mg atorvastatin, all parameters were measured. Paired t-test was used to compare vascular velocities between lipid profiles and Erectile Function Domain Scores (EFDS) and IIEFs, before and after treatment separately. Results: Cholesterol levels of 96% of patients were higher than 200 mg/dl and 52% of them had abnormal penile Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) findings. Patients with abnormal PDU findings had lower cholesterol levels than those with normal PDU findings. Significant differences existed between patients with normal and abnormal PDU in the high triglyceride group as for pre-, and post-treatment values . Pre-, and post-treatment EFD and IIEF scores were comparable. Conclusion: It can be said that a relationship exists between hyperlipidemia and erectile dysfunction. Therefore, lipid profile of a patient admitted with ED may be analyzed routinely
Grand J Urol 2024;4(2):053-058, DOI: 10.5505/GJU.2024.43434
Objective: Our aim was to determine the effects of periprostatic nerve block and intrarectal local anesthesia techniques applied during the prostate biopsy and accompanied by transrectal ultrasonography on the erectile function. Materials and Methods: A total of 86 patients who underwent prostate biopsy between January 2020 and September 2021 were included in the study as two study groups. Forty patients (Group-1) received 10 mL intrarectal lidocaine gel 2%, and 46 patients (Group-2) underwent periprostatic nerve block with 10 ml lidocaine HCL 1%. We recorded demographic data (age, height, weight), PSA values before the biopsy procedure, prostate volumes, visual analogue scores (VAS), and post-procedure complications. Erectile function and changes over time was investigated with IIEF-5 questionnaire at the time of biopsy and 1, 3 and 6 months after the biopsy. Significance was set at p
Grand J Urol 2023;3(3):102-108, DOI: 10.5505/GJU.2023.62207
Objective: No effective medical approach for the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) has to date been described. This study was intended to evaluate the antifibrotic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory effects of curcumin on fibrotic tissue in the tunica albuginea (TA) in a rat model of PD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats aged 10 months were randomized into three groups (n = 8 in each). No PD model was induced in the control group. The PD+saline (PD+Ps) group received fibrin injection, followed two weeks later by saline administration by oral gavage for 14 days. The PD+Curcumin (PD+Cur) group received fibrin injection into the TA followed two weeks later by curcumin administration by oral gavage for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, fibrotic activity was evaluated using stereological and histopathological methods. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), one of the most fibrogenic cytokines, was evaluated using immunohistochemistry with an anti-TGF-β1 rabbit monoclonal antibody. Results: Stereological analysis revealed significantly greater Peyronie-like plaque areas in the TA in the PD+Ps group than in the control and PD+Cur groups (p
Grand J Urol 2021;1(3):116-121, DOI: 10.5222/GJU.2021.00719
Objective: Elevated uric acid (UA) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been considered an early marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the uric acid/ HDL ratio (UHR) as a nowel marker in patients with ED. Materials and Methods: The study included 147 patients with a mean age of 50 years (range 32-76 years). Retrospective analyses were performed on the patients who were admitted to urology outpatient clinics. The laboratory parameter results were retrieved from the hospital medical records, and the UHR value was calculated. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score. UHR was compared between groups, and its predictive value was evaluated using regression analysis and ROC curve analysis. Results: Age was found to be significantly different in all three groups (Groups 1-2, p=0.001; Groups 1-3, p=0.000; Groups 2-3, p=0.001). It was observed that the degree of ED increased with age. The values of UA and HDL were similar in all groups (p>0.05). In contrast, the UHR value was statistically significantly higher 0.15 (0.083-0.288, p =0.047) in the moderate-severe ED (Group 3). ROC curve analyses revealed that UHR predicted severe ED (IIEF 5-11) with 42.9% sensitivity and 87.3% specificity (AUC:0.66, CI 95% 0.538-0.781, p=0.019). Conclusion: UHR may serve as a severe ED indicator in patients admitted to the cardiology outpatient clinic since it has a significant association with a low IIEF score.
Case Report
Penile strangulation by foreign bodies is a true urological emergency causing varied outcomes based on the degree and duration of the strangulation. Irrespective of the presenting age and cause, disruption of blood flow to the penile tissues is the consequence leading to outcomes ranging from simple penile oedema to total penile gangrene. We hereby report five cases of adult penile strangulation, all of them presenting in the emergency department with variable intervals of strangulation after foreign body application. Three patients were managed by cutting the metallic rings by a motorized metal cutting device borrowed from the hospital electrical maintenance department as a desperate measure while one was managed with the thread unwinding method. The last case being plastic bottle neck strangulation was managed with disruption by heavy scissors.
Varicocele is dilatation and tortuosity of the vessels in the pampiniform plexus of spermatic cord and occurs in 11.7% of adult men. Varicocelectomy may lead to various complications such as hydrocele, testicular atrophy, haematoma, infection, damage of nerves and recurrence. A 22-year-old man presented after varicocelectomy with a rare postoperative complication of a fistula. The fistula tract was removed en bloc. The patient had a history of varicocelectomy, suggesting suture reaction. The fact that it is a rare complication of varicocelectomy makes our case interesting.
Grand J Urol 2021;1(2):75-77, DOI: 10.5222/GJU.2021.25745
Testicular torsion is a urological emergency that results in deterioration of the blood supply of the testicle and ischemia as a result of the rotation of the spermatic cord around itself. It may show a wide clinical variety with inflammatory manifestations varying from mild abdominal pain to severe scrotal pain. Orchiectomy may be required in cases which are delayed and cannot be operated urgently. Torsion of the testis and epididymis are other frequently seen causes of acute scrotum in children. Growth of masses and hormonal stimulation in the adolescent age cause an increase in the tendency of the torsion of appendix testis which have a small pedicle and epididymis. In the presence of sudden scrotal pain, testicular torsion should be considered, if there is clinical suspicion, patients should be evaluated with color doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and scrotal exploration should be performed immediately. A 20-year-old male whose clinical picture, and scrotal ultrasonography suggested the presence of testicular torsion is presented in this case report.
Grand J Urol 2022;2(3):114-116, DOI: 10.5505/GJU.2022.02996
In the evaluation of a 32-year-old male patient who was referred to our clinic with the complaint of gynecomastia and primary infertility, ennuchoid structure, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, and azoospermia were detected. Based on these findings, the genetic evaluation revealed the presence of 48XXYY syndrome. In this case report, we aimed to report the diagnostic algorithm and management of 48 XXYY syndrome. It should be noted that fertility should not be expected in patients with 48XXYY syndrome.
Clinical Image
A 74-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department reaching a depth of 1 cm surrounding the penis body, bleeding, and discoloration of the penis skin. It was observed that there were white-yellow rubber bands in the incision area in the examination of the patient (Figure 1). Laboratory examinations revealed no pathology. The patient was consulted at the urology clinic. It was learned that he underwent urethral surgery after trauma and he had continuous urinary incontinence and compressed his penis with these rubber bands to prevent it. 18 Fr urethral Foley catheter was inserted. It was observed in the exploration that the rubber bands lasered the penis skin laterally and dorsally to tunica albuginea, and ventrally to corpus spongiosum and urethra level. Five rubber bands were cut and removed (Figure 2). It was observed that corpus spongiosum-urethra and corpus cavernosa were intact in exploration. The penile skin was left for secondary healing after sterile cleansing of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (Figure 3). Penis was wrapped with a Coban bandage after the medical dressing. The urethral catheter was removed on the first day after the operation. The patient was prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotherapy, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and duloxetine for continence. Kegel exercises were practically explained. The patient was referred to the psychiatric clinic before discharge. It was observed in the follow-up one week later that the penis healing was good except for mild edema and the wound healed completely (Figure 4). The penis was found to be completely normal except for skin pigment change in several areas a month later (Figure 5). The patient stated that there was intermittent continence. Written informed consent form was obtained from the patient. Figure 1: Preoperative appearance Figure 2: Removed rubber bands Figure 3: Postoperative appearance Figure 4: Control appearance after 1 week Figure 5: Control appearance after 1month Penile strangulation with a foreign material is a rare condition and was first reported by Gauthier in 1755. To date, only a few case series have been published in the literature with fewer than 100 case reports. Penile strangulation is a condition that needs to be intervened urgently, and it can lead to complications such as gangrene and amputation of the penis if not treated as soon as possible [,]. Foreign materials used for strangulation can be classified as soft and hard. In the literature, the most common hard materials for strangulation were metallic rings (49.0%), metallic tubes (14.8%), plastic bottles (12.1%), rings (9.4%) and plastic products (6.7%) and the most common soft materials for strangulation were rubber bands (67.9%), rubber strings (13.2%), threads (13.2%) and vinyl products (1.9%). The most common causes to use foreign material for penile strangulation were pranks, sexual intercourses, treatments of incontinence, and treatments of phimosis []. Complications related to penile strangulation injuries are skin erosion, laceration, infection, urethral transection, penile gangrene, and autoamputation []. Bhat et al. developed a grading system for penile strangulation injuries due to constructive objects around the penis and divided them into five categories from penis edema to gangrene. Grade I causes edema only, whereas Grade II involves penile paresthesia. Grade III includes skin and urethral damage but does not include urethral fistula. Grade IV includes the urethral fistula. It involves Grade V injury, gangrene, necrosis, or complete amputation []. The management of the patients is different according to the type of foreign body and the clinical findings of each case. There is not a standard surgical approach []. The treatment mainly aims to remove the constricting object as soon as possible to restore venous and lymphatic drainage and arterial flow by preserving the anatomy and functionality of the organ []. Thin non-metallic constricting objects are easy to remove in the treatment of penile strangulation. Successful results can be obtained by cutting such objects with simple surgical scissors or a scalpel. Orthopedic surgical instruments or non-medical instruments may be needed in metal objects or in patients with severe edema after penile strangulation []. In addition, psychological and psychosexual evaluation of these patients is a part of the treatment. Ethics Committee Approval: N / A. Informed Consent: An informed consent was obtained from the patient. Publication: The results of the study were not published in full or in part in form of abstracts. Peer-review: Externally peer-reviewed. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Financial Disclosure: The authors declare that this study received no financial support.
A 50-year-old male patient was admitted to our emergency department with the complaint of prolonged erection lasting for about three hours without sexual stimulation. As understood from the patient's anamnesis and medical file, he applied to the emergency department with the complaints of fever, lassitude, and fatigability in 2015. His hemogram parameters on admission were: WBC:18.2 x109/L, Hgb: 12.9 g/dl, Htc: 39%, PLT: 379 x103 K/μL. Besides, his lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and uric acid values were elevated were found to be high, and he was referred to the hematology clinic with a preliminary diagnosis of leukemia. In the physical examination, any remarkable finding other than splenomegaly was not detected. Microscopic examination of his peripheral blood smear revealed the presence of platelet deformities, megakaryocyte fragments, normocytic normochromic erythrocytes, all cells of myeloid series, markedly increased number of basophils and eosinophils, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, rods and fragmented neutrophils. It was learned from his medical documents that the patient received the diagnosis of "CML in chronic phase" based on the histopathologic examination reports of the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy specimens obtained for definitive diagnosis, Karyotype analysis revealed the presence of Philadelphia (Ph*) chromosome, and BCR/ABL chimeric gene was detected using PCR and FISH techniques. The patient diagnosed with CML received initial treatment with single daily oral doses of a firstgeneration tyrosine kinase inhibitor (imatinib 400 mg cap.) and allopurinol (300 mg tb) and he was called for outpatient control. The patient, who claimed that severe muscle and bone pain developed during the imatinib treatment stopped taking the drug by his own decision, so hematology physician started to give him second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in turn (nilotinib and dasatinib). However, it was observed that these drugs also caused severe pancytopenia, and treatment with single daily oral doses of 400 mg imatinib was started again. Still, it was noted that the patient used the drug irregularly, stopped using the drug from time to time and did not routinely attend the hematology outpatient clinics for control. The patient stated that he had been prescribed trazodone HCl (50 mg/d PO) in another center due to the anxiety he had experienced and had taken the first dose the previous evening. The patient said that he had never experienced a spontaneously prolonged erection before and thought that the cause of the problem developed was related to trazodone tablet he had used for the first time the previous evening. From the anamnesis of the patient, it was learned that he did not use any drugs containing phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. The results of the hemogram test performed when the patient applied to our emergency department were as follows; WBC: 22.2 x109/L, Hgb: 10.9 g/dl, Htc: 30%, and PLT: 579 x103 K/μL. The patient was admitted to the urology clinic for examination and treatment because of the sustained rigid erection. As the first intervention performed in the urology clinic, an 18G butterfly needle was inserted laterally into both penile corpora cavernosa of the patient to aspirate cavernosal blood. When the erection persisted despite aspiration, intracavernosal irrigation with 0.90% w/v saline was performed, but when detumescence could not be achieved, intracavernosal injection of 2 ml 1/100,000 adrenaline was performed. After the procedure, detumescence was ensured, a CobanTM self-adherent bandage was wrapped around the penis to prevent development of hematoma. The patient was monitorized for 4 hours, and then discharged. Priapism did not occur again during the follow-up period. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a stem cell disease manifested by abnormal clonal proliferation of myeloid precursor cells and accounts for 15% of adult leukemias. Its incidence is 1-2/100,000. It is more common in men (male/ female: 1.3/1) and its incidence increases between the ages of 40-60. CML was the first disease in humans to be associated with a specific chromosomal abnormality. In more than 90% of CML cases, the Philadelphia (Ph*) chromosome is detected by cytogenetic analysis [,]. Symptoms associated with anemia (such as weakness, fatigue, effort intolerance, decreased functional capacity), splenomegaly (abdominal swelling and pain, rapid satiety due to pressure of enlarged spleen on the stomach) hypermetabolic state (fever, anorexia, weight loss, gout), platelet dysfunction (hemorrhage, ecchymosis, hematoma, thromboembolic events, retinal hemorrhage), hyperleukocytosis and hyperviscosity-related findings (tinnitus, stupor, visual impairment, dyspnea, priapism and cerebrovacular events), thrombocytosis, hypereosinophilia, increase in basophil counts, anemia, elevated LDH and uric acid levels can be seen in CML. Physical examination reveals the presence of splenomegaly in 50-90%, and hepatomegaly in 10- 20% of CML patients [,]. Priapism is an uncontrolled, prolonged, and sustained erection developing without sexual stimulation and cannot be terminated by ejaculation, (Figure 1). This is a true urological emergency and early intervention is crucial for functional recovery. It has ischemic, non-ischemic and intermittent subtypes. Although often idiopathic priapism is seen, many etiologic factors of priapism are known including hematological diseases (ie. sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, leukemia, multiple myeloma), toxins (ie. scorpion, spider, malaria), metabolic diseases (ie. Fabry disease, amyloidosis), neurogenic diseases (ie. brain tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, spinal cord injury), metastatic or local invasion of tumors (ie. prostate, urethra, testis, lung) and drugs (PDE-5 inhibitors, vasoactive erectile agents such as papaverine, alpha adrenergic receptor agonists, heparin, warfarin, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihypertensives, testosterone, alcohol, and cocaine) []. Figure 1. Top: Flask penis, Bottom: Erect penis Corporeal relaxation exerts external pressure on the emissary veins emerging from the tunica albuginea, causing blood to remain in the penis resulting in an erection. https://storymd.com/journal/mpq5pdku6j-penis/page/elqozasy75pq-penis Imatinib mesylate is the first selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) to target the BCR-ABL protein. While nilotinib and dasatinib are second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of imatinib-resistant CML. Muscle cramps, joint, muscle or bone pain, which are common imatinib-related side effects, may also occur during imatinib treatment or after its discontinuation []. Trazodone HCl is an antidepressant used in the treatment of symptoms caused by anxiety and depression such as anxiety, appetite disorder, insomnia, and attention deficit. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) belong to the drug group and its most basic feature is that their effects start to improve symptoms within a short period of about a week. In addition to common side effects such as blurred vision, headache, dizziness, and severe fatigue, long-term painful erection (not associated with sexual activity) may also occur in men when using trazodone HCl []. Although the relevant mechanism is not fully understood, its high affinity for the α1 and α2 receptors that trazodone antagonizes is blamed in the pathophysiology []. This antagonism causes an increase in blood flow due to arteriolar dilation followed by a decrease in venous flow and obstruction of the emissary veins. In addition, α1 blockade may trigger nitric oxide release in nerves innervating arterioles and corpora cavernosa []. This whole process results in an erection. CML is one of the etiologies of priapism and there are multiple relevant case reports in the literature [,]. Herein, it has been accepted that priapism develops due to stasis associated with leukocyte aggregation in the corpora cavernosa and penile dorsal vein due to hyperleukocytosis. Another contributing factor to venous occlusion is the mechanical effect of pressure from the abdominal veins draining the spleen. In addition, infiltration into the sacral nerves or central nervous system by leukemia cells is thought to contribute to the process []. In our case, remission of the disease could not be achieved because the patient did not regularly use tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) drugs that regulate the leukocyte level of the patient. Despite hyperleukocytosis and hyperviscosity in the bloodstream, which are considered to be the causes of priapism in CML, the patient did not develop priapism. However, priapism, which cannot develop on the basis of CML alone, has been predicted to develop due to the synergistic effect of antidepressant agent trazodone HCL in the pathogenesis. Ethics Committee Approval: N / A. Informed Consent: An informed consent was obtained from the patient. Publication: The results of the study were not published in full or in part in form of abstracts. Peer-review: Externally and internally peer-reviewed. Authorship Contributions: Any contribution was not made by any individual not listed as an author. Concept – S.I.G.; Design – S.I.G.; Supervision – S.I.G., E.G.; Resources – D.N.O.; Materials – D.N.O.; Data Collection and/or Processing – S.I.G., D.N.O.; Analysis and/or Interpretation – S.I.G., D.N.O.; Literature Search – D.N.O.; Writing – S.I.G.; Critical Review – S.I.G., E.G. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Financial Disclosure: The authors declare that this study received no financial support.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, We have read with great interest the study entitled "Factors Affecting TESE Success in Infertility Treatment: Preliminary Results of Single-Center Experience" published in the first issue of your journal []. Both techniques are very common in daily urology practice. Epigenetic changes already create many problems that we will insidiously pass to the next generations. One of the most obvious consequences of epigenetic disorders affecting the male gender is the deterioration in sperm parameters. Decrease in sperm parameters and fertility rates have necessitated acceptance of lower sperm parameters as criteria of fertility compared to those defined by WHO []. The decreased sperm parameters and even the absence of sperm in the ejaculate (nonobstructive [NOA] or obstructive azoospermia) have led to the birth of new sperm retrieval methods. Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE, mTESE) which is a surgical sperm retrieval method under local anesthesia with the aid of a magnifying glass was first defined by Schlegel in 1999 []. The success rate of mTESE even in experienced hands is around 50%. The selection criteria of study population in published reports also directly affect the success rates. In particular, success rate increases in studies in which patients with chromosomal abnormalities are excluded []. Nevertheless, such a high success rate of 100% in this study may not be explained by only excluding patients with Klinefelter and/or Sertoli cellonly syndrome from the study. As stated, the creation of a large population in the planning phase of the study will result in rates compatible with the literature. Also in order to expound the study design more clearly, the indications that were taken into consideration when TESE or mTESE was preferred between the two groups, and previously applied assisted reproductive technologies should be displayed in detail. One of the arguments used to predict success of mTESE was the FSH level in the blood. In large series, although increased FSH levels in infertile men have been shown to be associated with impaired spermatogenesis, a low-to-moderate relationship between sperm recovery rates and FSH elevation could be shown []. The value of genetic examination is strongly proven in predicting sperm recovery rates other than FSH in patients scheduled for TESE. Although not specified in this study, it is important to search for Y chromosome deletion in the patient population with nonobstructive azoospermia before TESE. In the etiology of infertility, the most common genetic defect after Klinefelter syndrome is Yq microdeletion and the defects in the AZF gene region are very useful in predicting sperm retrieval. Thanks to a pre-procedural genetic examination, medical conditions where it is impossible to obtain sperm can be detected and unnecessary morbidity can be avoided. In NOA cases, especially in patients with genetic disorders, mTESE can effectively find spermatozoa and minimize the risk of complications. Nevertheless, more research is required to better understand the complex pathophysiology underlying NOA and to find more accurate predictors of sperm recovery rates. Sincerely yours,
Dear editor, We have read with great interest, the case series and literature review of false penile fracture by Ozlu et al. in which the authors share clinical experience with more than 100 patients over a 13-year period []. By examination of operative reports, they retrospectively evaluated the patients with a pre-diagnosis of penile fracture and frankly reported a misdiagnosis rate of approximately 8%. This ratio is comparable and consistent with the literature [-]. Examining the patient clinical and operative characteristics, shown as a table on a separate page, we see that only two of total eight false penile fracture cases underwent radiological examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was preferred in these patients, and it was stated that one of them was MRI positive (patient 4) and the other was MRI false positive (patient 2). Patients with a tunical tear in preoperative MRI, but no tear in surgical exploration were considered to have false penile fracture. Since only ligation procedures were performed on both MRI positive and MRI false positive patients, we think that such a distinction is confusing and not necessary. Perhaps ultrasonography could be preferred for the remaining six patients for whom radiological examination was not performed, due to its easy accessibility and provide medical recording. However, an ideal radiographic imaging modality is still lacking so far []. Although there are some clinical differences between false and true penile fractures, the two conditions cannot be clearly distinguished from each other either clinically or radiologically []. Consequently, we would like to encourage Ozlu et al., on a very diligently written and quite informative article that briefly summarizes the studies that have already been published and the approach to the patient with penile fracture. Urologists somehow have to base the definitive diagnosis of penile fracture on surgical exploration in order to eliminate serious long-term potential problems of an overlooked tunical tear. Sincerely yours. Ethics Committee Approval: This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by the author. Authorship Contributions: Any contribution was not made by any individual not listed as an author. Concept - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Design - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Supervision - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Resources - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Materials - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Data Collection and/or Processing - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Analysis and/ or Interpretation - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Literature Search - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Writing - B.K.A., O.L.O.; Critical Review - B.K.A., O.L.O. Conflict of Interest: The author declares that he has no conflict of interest. Financial Disclosure: No grants or funding was provided for this study.