Bacteraemia and urinary tract infection are well-recognized complications of urological procedures. This paper compares, for the first time, the incidence of bacteraemia after cystoscopy and transrectal biopsy of the prostate with that following cystoscopy alone. The incidence of bacteraemia in those undergoing biopsy was 73 per cent; following cystoscopy alone the incidence was 13 per cent. In view of this high incidence we recommend prophylactic antibiotic cover of transrectal prostatic biopsy.

Superficial lesions of the glans penis can pose diagnostic difficulties. Plasma cell balanitis is such a condition and it may be confused clinically with erythroplasia of Queyrat. It is unresponsive to topical medication and curable only by circumcision.

A retrospective study of 56 patients with penile injuries showed that 28 injuries were sustained during coitus and a further 12 in other sexual practices. Four different types of injury to the erectile mechanism are described and the management of each discussed. A modified phalloplasty technique is described for patients who have sustained a complete loss of the phallus.

RECENTLY: much work has been published concerning the musculature of the trigone and urethra (Hutch, 1968). However, little has been written about the epithelial lining of the trigone and urethra and this paper presents facts in disagreement with the views expressed in the standard anatomical and urological textbooks. The importance of this epithelium in the ztiology of recurrent cystitis in women is briefly discussed, and this aspect will be dealt with more fully in a further publication on this subject.