Effects of acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain syndrome with intrapelvic venous congestion: preliminary results.
BACKGROUND
The present study was designed to reveal the usefulness of acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain syndrome with intrapelvic venous congestion as evaluated by symptom scores, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and magnetic resonance (MR) venography.


METHODS
Ten male patients suffering from non-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (NIH category IIIB) with intrapelvic venous congestion were treated using acupuncture. Eight patients had previously received pharmacotherapy, which was unsuccessful. Acupuncture was performed using disposable stainless steel needles, which were inserted into the bilateral BL-33 points and rotated manually for 10 min. The treatment was repeated every week for 5 weeks without other therapeutic maneuvers. Results from TRUS and MR venography, as well as clinical symptoms based on the NIH chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) and the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), were compared before and after the treatment.


RESULTS
No side-effects were recognized throughout the treatment period. The average pain and QOL scores of the NIH-CPSI 1 week after the 5th acupuncture treatment decreased significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) compared with the baseline. The maximum width of the sonolucent zone 1 week after the 5th treatment also decreased significantly (P < 0.01, compared with the baseline). Intrapelvic venous congestion demonstrated by MR venography was significantly improved in four patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provided novel information concerning the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on non-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Honjo
Hisashi
H
Department of Urology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. honjo@muom.meiji-u.ac.jp
Kamoi
Kazumi
K
Naya
Yoshio
Y
Ukimura
Osamu
O
Kojima
Munekado
M
Kitakoji
Hiroshi
H
Miki
Tsuneharu
T
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*