Snap-Gauge band compared to RigiScan Plus in a nocturnal penile tumescence study for evaluation of erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to examine the ability of the Snap-Gauge band to differentiate organic from psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).


METHODS
Nocturnal penile tumescence testing was performed on 12 patients using a Snap-Gauge band and RigiScan Plus. A total of 29 nightly examinations were evaluated. The results obtained with the two methods were compared.


RESULTS
The average tumescence, average rigidity, tumescence activity units and rigidity activity units in the positive group (the group of cases in which one, two or three films of the Snap-Gauge band were broken) were each significantly greater than that in the negative group (the group of cases in which no film was broken). The Snap-Gauge band correctly diagnosed 90% of the patients with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 75% with respect to results obtained using the RigiScan Plus.


CONCLUSIONS
The Snap-Gauge band is inexpensive compared to the RigiScan Plus and is relatively reliable. We conclude that the Snap-Gauge band can play a role in ED assessment and can function as a screening device in evaluation of ED.
Mizuno
Ichiro
I
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
Fuse
Hideki
H
Fujiuchi
Yasuyoshi
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003950:Diagnostic Techniques, Urological / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology