Objective:We carried out a nationwide epidemiological study to evaluate the prevalence and effect of varicoceles on testicular volume in South Korean adolescents. We also investigated the correlation between varicoceles and body mass index (BMI). Methods: In this prospective study, physical examinations were carried out to assess the presence and severity of varicoceles in middle school boys from six regions of South Korea. Testicular volume, height and weight of all boys were measured. The prevalence of varicoceles was assessed. The associations between age, testicular volume, BMI, and the presence and severity of varicoceles were examined. Results: A total of 1938 boys with a mean age of 14.1 years (range 13-16 years) were screened. A varicocele was found on the left side in 295 (15.2%) boys and on the right side in 8 (0.4%) boys. Bilateral varicoceles were found in 17 (0.9%) individuals. Of the subjects with a left varicocele, 151 (51.2%), 80 (27.1%) and 64 (25.1%) boys had a grade 1, 2 or 3 varicocele, respectively. The prevalence of varicoceles did not increase with age. The proportion of boys with testicular size discrepancies increased with the severity of the varicocele. After adjusting for age, BMI had a negative correlation with the presence of varicoceles. Conclusions:The prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys is 16.5%. The presence of varicoceles seems to have a negative effect on testicular growth. BMI has a significant inverse relationship with the occurrence of varicoceles.

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PurposeTo identify potential predictive factors of incidental prostate cancer (IPca) in patients considering tissue-ablation treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Materials and MethodsFrom the 11 centers, 1,613 men who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or open prostatectomy were included. Before surgery, prostate biopsy was performed in all patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥4.0 ng/ml or with abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings. The patients with prostate cancer preoperatively or with PSA >20 ng/ml were excluded. As predictive factors of IPca, age, body mass index, PSA, DRE, and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) findings, including total prostate volume (TPV), transition zone volume (TZV), and the presence of hypoechoic lesions, were reviewed. PSA density (PSAD) and PSAD in the transition zone (PSAD-TZV) were calculated.ResultsIPca was diagnosed in 78 patients (4.8%). DRE findings, PSA, and TZV were independent predictive factors in the multivariate analysis. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of PSA, PSAD, and PSAD-TZV, the area under the curve (AUC) was the largest for PSAD-TZV (AUC, 0.685).ConclusionsIPca was detected in 4.8% of the population studied. In addition to DRE findings, the combination of TZV and PSA can be useful predictive factors of IPca in patients considering tissue-ablation treatment as well as TURP.

PurposeMale overactive bladder (OAB) may be caused by prostatic pathologies such as bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) has been found to correlate with BOO and acute urinary retention. We investigated the interrelation between male OAB symptoms and IPP for estimating anatomical changes to the prostate.Materials and MethodsWe assessed 179 consecutive men aged >40 years who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms. The initial evaluation included International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life assessments, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual urine volume. The degree of IPP was determined by the distance from the tip of the protrusion to the circumference of the bladder at the base of the prostate gland. Patients with IPP <0.5 cm were defined as group A (n=114), and patients having 0.5 cm≤IPP<1 cm were defined as group B (n=38). The others were defined as group C (n=27).ResultsA total of 51 patients complained of urgency in group A, 38 patients in group B, and 27 patients in group C. Likewise, 14 patients had a history of acute urinary retention in group A, 8 patients in group B, and 16 patients in group C. IPP grade had a statistically significant relation with both OAB and a history of acute urinary retention.ConclusionsThe results of our study have shown that male OAB is correlated with IPP. However, larger scale studies are needed to confirm these results.

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