Assessment of blood flow in different segments of the penis by duplex sonography in subjects with normal erectile potency.
Correct evaluation of erectile potency requires careful assessment of the hemodynamics of the cavernous area. Pulsed Doppler flow velocity measurement of cavernous arteries after intracavernous injection of vasoactive drugs represents an effective, repeatable and minimally invasive technique. However, doubts remain concerning the procedures employed and the results obtained. Based on the assumption that all flowing viscous fluids are subjected to a significant decrease in pressure and, hence, velocity the smaller the vessel diameter is, the pulsed Doppler flow velocity measurement was used to evaluate such a decrease in three consecutive segments of the penis (a,b and c). A statistically significant decrease in velocity (P < 0.0001 on the right and left) was observed between the arterial segments a, b and c in cavernous arteries of subjects with normal erectile function. Therefore, we stress that in the vascular evaluation of the penis, one should take into account the values obtained in each penile segment because a reduction in flow velocity in a proximo-distal direction can be regarded as physiologic. Misinterpretation of results can thus be prevented, avoiding a wrong diagnosis of arteriogenic erectile insufficiency.
Urologic Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
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Barra
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Iacono
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000494:pharmacology; D001158:Arteries; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003971:Diastole; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013599:Systole; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000527:Alprostadil