Computer-assisted evaluation of the smooth-muscle electromyogram of the corpora cavernosa by fast Fourier transformation.
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.
Stief
C G
CG
Department of Urology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany.
Kellner
B
B
Hartung
C
C
Hauck
E
E
Schlote
N
N
Truss
M
M
Hinrichs
H
H
Jonas
U
U
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