title: Non invasive detection of venogenic impotence: real-time US evaluation of periprostatic (Santorini's) venous plexus after (PGE1) induced erection.
abstract: The diagnosis of venous impotence is actually reached through cavernometry and cavernography. These procedures are somewhat painful, invasive, time consuming and not always free from side effects. Anatomo-physiological studies have assessed connections between periprostatic (Santorini's) plexus and deep venous drainage of the penis. Moreover, dilated periprostatic plexus is a common ultrasound finding in the phlogistic pathology of the prostate and it is often the cause of temporary functional impotence. 20 Patients suffering from venous impotence, previously assessed by flow/pressure studies, underwent real time transrectal scan (Kretz Combison 330 equipped with 7.5 MHertz multiplanar probe) before and after Prostaglandins E1 (PGE1) (Prostin VR-Upjohn) induced erection recorded by computerised rigidometer (RigiScan-Dacomed). Dilated periprostatic venous plexus associated with tumescence or unstable valid erection ("tooth-saw-trace") was considered diagnostic for venogenic impotence. Real time ultrasound evaluation after PGE1 induced erection is to be considered a reliable method in the qualitative assessment of venogenic impotence. The procedure allows, moreover, a more accurate urologic assessment and is also useful in the early detection of various prostatic disease which are, like erection disorders, often age-related. Customary diagnostic procedures (cavernometry and caverography) may represent a second-line or pre-surgical assessment policy.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Urologia, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castellani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avogadro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quadraccia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000494:pharmacology; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000527:Alprostadil