title: Acquired premature ejaculation and male accessory gland infection: relevance of ultrasound examination.
abstract: We have previously demonstrated a high frequency of premature ejaculation (PE) among patients with male accessory gland infection (MAGI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasound (US) features of patients with MAGI and acquired premature ejaculation (APE) associated (MAGI-APEpos). US evaluation of 50 MAGI-APEpos patients compared to 50 patients with MAGI without PE (MAGI-PEneg) which represent the control group. The diagnosis of APE was made through the evaluation of Intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) and confirmed with the questionnaire PEDT (Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool). The main outcome measure was represented by the frequency of US criteria suggestive of P (prostatitis), V (vesiculitis), and E (epididymitis) in MAGI-APEpos and MAGI-PEneg patients. MAGI-APEpos patients showed a total number of US criteria significantly higher compared to MAGI-PEneg patients. MAGI-APEpos showed a higher frequency of US criteria of V and E (complicated forms of MAGI). Finally, in MAGI-APEpos group, it was found a positive relationship between the anteroposterior diameter (APD) of the caudal tract of the epididymis and the APD of the seminal vesicles, as well as between both diameters and the PEDT score. MAGI-APEpos patients have a peculiar US characterization compared to MAGI-PEneg patients. According to these results, US evaluation of the epididymal and of the prostato vesicular tract should be considered in the practical clinical approach of patients with MAGI and APE. In particular, it could be a support for a possible pathophysiological interpretation of this clinical problem in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Section of Andrology, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Vignera
authors.affiliation: Section of Andrology, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosita A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Condorelli
authors.affiliation: Section of Andrology, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Favilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morgia
authors.affiliation: Section of Andrology, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Calogero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000502:physiology*; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D061686:Premature Ejaculation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult