title: Computer-assisted evaluation of the smooth-muscle electromyogram of the corpora cavernosa by fast Fourier transformation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to investigate analogous and digital recording of corpus cavernosum EMGs (CC-EMGs) in normal men according to criteria that were recently agreed upon in an international consensus workshop.
  
  
  METHODS
  CC-EMGs were analogously and digitally registered from 37 normal subjects. Power spectra in the frequency domain were determined via fast Fourier transformation (FFT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one of men showed identical or at least very similar electrical activity patterns in the analogous and digital registration. Needle penetration artifacts (investigated in 18 subjects) were found in 17/18 CC-EMGs during the first 20 min. Power spectra show a maximum of power at a frequency of 0.3 Hz with more than 90% of the power located between 0 and 5 Hz.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Registration of CC-EMGs in normal men resulted in interindividually reproducible recordings. Age hardly affected CC-EMGs. Computer-assisted evaluation by FFT after elimination of artifacts was feasible. Thus, interpretation of the CC-EMG signals by a computer-aided expert system seems to be promising for clinical routine, in particular with respect to an increase in objectivity and a decrease in time needed for interpretation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Stief
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kellner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hartung
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hauck
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schlote
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Truss
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hinrichs
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jonas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology; D010413:Penis / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results