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Elevation of sensory thresholds in the prostatic urethra after microwave thermotherapy
1Departments of Urology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Huddinge University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden. Marianne.Brehmer@sos.ki.se
Objectives:
To determine whether transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) affects the sensory threshold in the posterior urethra and whether such an effect influences urinary storage symptoms.
Patients And Methods:
The sensory threshold was measured before and at 3 and 12 weeks after TUMT in 13 men with minor obstructive symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Sensations were evoked by electrical stimulation at different frequencies, using a bipolar ring-electrode mounted on a urethral catheter. Changes in sensory thresholds were evaluated in the patients both as a group and individually. The patients were interviewed about their symptoms at each measurement.
Results:
After TUMT, 12 patients were satisfied and reported decreased irritative symptoms, primarily less frequent nocturnal micturition; two patients were cured of urgency incontinence. In 11 of the satisfied patients, and the unsuccessful patient, decreased urge accompanied increased sensory thresholds. Thresholds elevated by >/= 30% were correlated with decreased irritative symptoms.
Conclusions:
TUMT decreases sensitivity in the posterior urethra, which may alleviate storage symptoms.
