title: The correlation among cavernous pressure, penile rigidity and resistance index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We define the precise meaning and diagnostic significance of the resistance index generated by duplex scanning.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 80 patients penile rigidity was clinically evaluated and a penile duplex scan was performed after intracavernous injection of 10 microg. prostaglandin E1. The intracavernous equilibrium pressure was measured in 34 of these patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a statistically highly significant linear relationship among cavernous pressure, resistance index and penile rigidity (p <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The resistance index and clinical degree of penile rigidity are 2 expressions of intracavernous pressure. Clinical observation of erection is equivalent to the resistance index in screening for cavernous leakage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, City Hospital De Bijloke, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de Meyer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thibo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex