We report the results of a prospective study with the pollen extract, Cernilton N, in a dose of 1 tablet tid for 6 months for the treatment of chronic prostatitis syndrome in 90 patients. The factors documented before and after 3 and 6 months' treatment were digital rectal examination (DRE) of the prostate, uroflowmetry, bacterial studies, leucocyte counts in urine and measurement of complement C3/coeruloplasmin in the seminal fluid. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those without associated complicating factors (CFs) (n = 72) and those with complicating factors, i.e. urethral strictures, prostatic calculi, bladder neck sclerosis (n = 18). In the group without CFs, 56 (78%) had a favorable response; 26 (36%) were cured of their symptoms and signs and 30 (42%) improved significantly with an increase in flow rate, a reduction in leukocyturia in the post-prostate massage urine (VB3) and a decrease in complement C3/coeruloplasmin in the ejaculate. In the patients with CFs only 1 patient showed a response. Complicating factors should be considered in patients who fail to respond to treatment within 3 months. Cernilton N was well tolerated by 97% of patients.

Congenital seminal vesicle cysts represent a rare but illustrative type of embryological malformation. They often are combined with ipsilateral upper urinary tract abnormalities. In most of the cases described in the literature the diagnosis has been made with rather invasive procedures. On the basis of our experience with 3 cases we recommend pelvic ultrasonography as the initial study in patients in whom such a malformation is suspected. Although other radiological procedures may be required to confirm the diagnosis, this approach appears to be cost-effective and accurate in most instances. The treatment of such malformations should be restricted to symptomatic cases and usually consists of vesiculectomy with or without removal of the ipsilateral dysplastic or hypoplastic kidney.

Induratio penis plastica (or Peyronie's disease) is a rather rare malady, probably caused by chronic inflammation or recurrent microtrauma. The most common complaints are pain on erection and difficulties in performing sexual intercourse. Conservative treatment having been rather disappointing until now, infiltration with superoxide dismutase (Orgotein) seems to be an important advance. In more than one half of the patients positive effects concerning pain, deviation of the penis and extension of the plaques have been achieved. If after two years of conservative therapy there is no improvement, surgical treatment is recommended.