Denervation of periurethral prostatic tissue by transurethral microwave thermotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) affects innervation of the urethra and periurethral prostate.


METHODS
Ten patients with troublesome benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were treated with TUMT 1 week prior to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). At surgery, a biopsy was taken for histological examination and for immunohistochemical staining of the non-specific neuromarker protein gene product (PGP) 9.5. Control material consisted of identical biopsies from 10 patients undergoing TURP because of BPH, but not subjected to TUMT prior to surgery.


RESULTS
Histological examination revealed well-preserved, non-necrotic tissues in all biopsies. Nerve fibres were completely or almost absent in the smooth muscle layer in all but one of the TUMT cases, whereas all non-TUMT patients exhibited large numbers of nerve fibres in the smooth muscle layer.


CONCLUSIONS
TUMT does affect innervation of the urethra and periurethral prostatic tissue.
Brehmer
M
M
Department of Urology, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
Hilliges
M
M
Kinn
A C
AC
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D011467:Prostate / Q000294:innervation*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate; D014521:Urethra / Q000294:innervation*