title: Early relief of erectile dysfunction after laser decompression of herniated lumbar disc.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction caused by herniated disc disease is described.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Disc herniation is often overlooked as a cause of erectile dysfunction, with few cases reported in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients with erectile dysfunction were treated with PLDD as outpatients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In addition to the early return of erectile function in both cases, immediate pain relief was achieved in the second case. Follow-up visits confirmed continued normal sexual function and lack of pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The literature now includes 23 cases well-documented cases of erectile dysfunction caused by spinal cord disc herniation. PLDD is a minimally invasive procedure that that can be used to treat herniation of intervertebral discs, which has been found to cause erectile dysfunction.
authors: Laser Spine Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Choy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male