Correspondence Address:
Anant Kumar
,
India

Full Text

Filariasis is an endemic problem in our country. Out of 25 states surveyed, 22 were qualified to be endemic states 90% of the problem is in the northern, eastern and southern states. Genitourinary involvement is a common presentation of filariasis and hydrocele is the most frequent clinical manifestation. Chyluria and genital oedema is not uncommon and often encountered by the urologists all over the country. So, this disorder is our problem and it is very appropriate that Urological Society of India has decided to bring out a special issue of Indian Journal of Urology on Genitourinary Filariasis.

Out of the three common manifestations, we have concentrated more on chyluria, as it is the most common clinical problem encountered by the urologist. Hydrocele is usually treated by general surgeon or general practitioners and genital oedema by the plastic surgeons. Chyluria is quite a debilitating disease due to loss of fat in the urine from an already malnourished and poverty stricken patient. We have tried to cover almost all aspects of chyluria by different authors. There are some repetitions in some of the articles but it is worth retaining and repeating to emphasis some of the very vital aspects of the therapy. Intrarenal sclerotherapy is a simple and very effective therapy provided it is done in a proper way. Hence, it is very important to learn each and every aspect of sclerotherapy.

We have also covered basic of this disease like epidemiology, entomology, aetiology and diagnosis of the disease by the experts in this field. Even though hydrocele is a common problem, but it is included to bring out finer points of the management. Genital lymphoedema is included here to provide new insights to the urologists so that they can manage such patients with confidence. Finally we have tried to summarize it for the benefit of the reader.

At the end, I would like to thank all the contributors who have done an excellent job and provided one the best reviews of the subject. I am also thankful to the Urological Society of India and Indian Journal of Urology for bringing out a special issue on such a common problem of our country. I am confident that this special issue will be very useful to all urologists and may become a reference point in future.