Ex vivo ultrathin endoscopy of the seminal vesicles.
OBJECTIVE
We used a newly developed ultrathin endoscope to examine the interior of the seminal vesicles ex vivo.


METHODS
Resected specimens of bladder (8 patients) and prostate (2) cancer were examined.


RESULTS
Examination was successful in 3 specimens with an antegrade approach. The tortuous lumen of the seminal vesicles made passage of the guide catheter difficult. The mucosa of the seminal vesicles and vas deferens was clearly visible.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that ultrathin endoscopy in useful for diagnosis and evaluation of disorders of the seminal vesicles.
Shimada
M
M
Department of Urology, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Yoshida
H
H
D019723:Endoscopes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000473:pathology*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000473:pathology*