Purpose: Catheter-based medical devices are an important component of the urologic armamentarium. To our knowledge, there is no population-based data regarding normal male urethral length. We evaluated the length of the urethra in men with normal genitourinary anatomy undergoing either Foley catheter removal or standard cystoscopy. Materials and Methods: Male urethral length was obtained in 109 men. After study permission was obtained, the subject's penis was placed on a gentle stretch and the catheter was marked at the tip of the penis. The catheter was then removed and the distance from the mark to the beginning of the re-inflated balloon was measured. Alternatively, urethral length was measured at the time of cystoscopy, on removal of the cystoscope. Data on age, weight, and height was obtained in patients when possible. Results: The mean urethral length was 22.3 cm with a standard deviation of 2.4 cm. Urethral length varied between 15 cm and 29 cm. No statistically significant correlation was found between urethral length and height, weight, body mass index (BMI), or age. Conclusions: Literature documenting the length of the normal male adult urethra is scarce. Our data adds to basic anatomic information of the male urethra and may be used to optimize genitourinary device design.
Our study echoes the findings of previous studies that suggest a relationship between intramuscular cysts and full- and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears but illustrates that the incidence of an isolated intramuscular cyst is higher than previously expected. When intramuscular cysts present with rotator cuff tears, they present with full- and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears in relatively equal proportions. The presence of an intramuscular cyst on MRI, although it may be an isolated finding, should prompt a thorough search of all the rotator cuff tendons for tears so that the patient may receive appropriate follow-up.
Recent studies have reported that serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 levels may be associated with pathological and survival outcomes in patients with bladder cancer to an extent that may support further investigation of clinical utility as a prognostic biomarker. The limitations of conventional bladder cancer staging prompted our institution to evaluate the association of CA 125 with pathological stage and tumor recurrence after radical cystectomy. Conventionally utilized for the management of ovarian cancer, the ability to detect CA 125 in transitional cell carcinoma tissue and urine of patients with transitional cell carcinoma raises the possibility that bladder cancer may be another indication for such testing. This article evaluates the current literature supporting the role of CA 125 as a biomarker with potential applications in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. This article demonstrates that preoperative serum CA 125 levels may serve as a useful predictor of pathological outcomes above grade and stage in patients undergoing cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. The findings also show the potential use of preoperative CA 125 levels to predict unresectable tumors and clarify which candidates should receive neoadjuvant therapy.
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