Calcification of the Epididymis and the Tunica Albuginea of the Corpora Cavernosa in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the incidence rates of genital calcification in male hemodialysis patients based on ultrasonography findings and to identify risk factors for this condition. Twenty-three male end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients (mean age, 51.4 +/- 12.1 years) who were on maintenance hemodialysis underwent penile and scrotal ultrasonography. For each case, we recorded the underlying renal disease and measured serum levels of phosphorus, intact parathormone, and calcium x phosphorus product. Patients were also questioned about erectile dysfunction. The control group consisted of 22 consecutive patients (mean age, 51 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus with normal renal function who underwent penile and scrotal ultrasonography for various reasons. In the ESRD group, ultrasound revealed calcification of the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa in 15 patients (65%) and calcification of the epididymis in 16 patients (70%; 14 bilateral and 2 unilateral cases). Twenty patients (87%) showed calcification of the epididymis and/or the tunica, and 10 (43%) showed calcification of both these tissues. The rates of epididymal and penile calcification in the ESRD patients and the controls were significantly different (P <.001 for both). There were no significant differences between patients with and without penile and epididymal calcification with respect to age, hemodialysis duration, frequencies of elevated serum phosphorus, elevated serum intact parathormone, elevated calcium x phosphorus product, and frequency of erectile dysfunction (ED) (P >.05 for all). Ultrasonography revealed high rates of penile (tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa) and epididymal calcification (65% and 70%, respectively) in the ESRD patients studied, but no association was found between risk factors such as age, underlying renal disease, hemodialysis duration, frequencies of elevated serum phosphorus, elevated serum intact parathormone, and elevated calcium x phosphorus product.

Microlithiasis of the Epididymis in an Infertile Hemodialysis Patient

“…Previous studies have reported that the epididymis is not a common site of calcium deposition and this condition has been generally associated with elderly patients on dialysis (10). Also, epididymal microlithiasis in young adult kidney transplant recipients has been reported in a current study (1).…”

“…equestrians (8), extreme mountain bikers (9)], hematoma, calcification of the appendix epididymis, and calcium/phosphate metabolism abnormalities [e.g. secondary to hemodialysis (10)]. In the present case report, semen abnormalities in an infertile hemodialysis patient with epididymal microlithiasis were reported.…”

Intima‐media thickness of carotid arteries and erectile dysfunction in hemodialysis patients

“…Some data indicate that the incidence of soft‐tissue calcification in HD patients is up to 79% and calcification was located in the penile artery area in 19% of men, which may be the reason for the occurrence of ED 19,20 . Metabolic imbalance of calcium and phosphorus was not found to be an important factor for ED in our HD patients, but this may be interpreted as lack of data about therapeutic procedures for renal osteodystrophy in our patients.…”

Alteration in sperm characteristics, endocrine balance and redox status in rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin treatment: attenuating role ofLoranthus micranthus

“…Calcifications of vas deferens and seminal vesicles have previously been linked to occurrence of diabetes [60][61][62]. Guvel et al [63] showed testicular microlithiasis in one out of twenty-two diabetic subjects. Testicular microlithiasis is formation of calcium deposits in lumen of seminiferous tubules [64].…”