Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
-
Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jun 2003
Comparative StudySurvival improvement in patients with glioblastoma multiforme during the last 20 years in a single tertiary-care center.
The survival of 357 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in three treatment groups reflecting different time-periods of diagnosis (A: 1982-1984; B: 1994/1995; C: 1996-1998) was analysed to assess the impact and the potential improvement of changing treatment strategies in our tertiary-care center. ⋯ Survival improvement in group C might be attributable to the early start of combined radio-/chemotherapy. Therapy was administered on a complete outpatient basis, enabled by a dedicated interdisciplinary neuro-oncologic team caring for group C. Toxicity was mild and patients' acceptance excellent.
-
Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jun 2003
Review Comparative StudySperm retrieval in infertile males: comparison between testicular sperm extraction and testicular sperm aspiration techniques.
Improvements in using retrieved testicular spermatozoa in infertile males to achieve fertilization and pregnancy has enabled patients with clinical azoospermia and non-obstructive testicular failure to father children. In this review article, we compare the relative yields of the two major techniques for sperm retrieval in males with non-obstructive azoospermia; TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) and TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration). We also discuss the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testicular volume, serum levels of inhibin B, testicular doppler flow pattern, chromosome Yq deletions, and presence of spermatids in azoospermic ejaculates as predictors of presence or absence of spermatozoa in biopsied testicular tissues. In conclusion, although most studies favor the more invasive TESE in terms of sperm retrieval success rate, the degree of certainty in this regard remains unsatisfactory, and future studies need to address the issues of standard error and differential misclassification attributable to needle gauge size in patients undergoing TESA.