[Real-time Rigiscan monitoring and color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the diagnostic value of real-time Rigiscan monitoring and Doppler ultrasonography following intracavernous injection of prostaglandin E1in erectile dysfunction(ED).


METHODS
From January 1998 to December 2007, 1 392 ED patients completed the test. PGE(1) was injected into corpus cavernosum penis near the radix penis with injection guns. After 1 or 2 minutes, the Rigiscan Plus device was used for real-time evaluation of penile rigidity. Optimal injected dosage of each patient with positive reaction was determined. Injected dosage of patients with negative reaction was gradually increased from to 60 microg. As the dosage was established, color Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess the morphodynamic features of cavernosal arteries.


RESULTS
Altogether 1 039 patients were positive, while 353 patients were negative by Rigiscan. In the 1 039 positive patients,663 were injected with 10 microg PGE(1), 265 patients 20 microg, 97 patients 30 microg,and 14 patients 60 microg while 89(13.4%),39(14.7%),41(42.3%),and 10(71.4%) patients were diagnosed vascular ED. Of the 353 negative patients, 267(75.64%) patients were diagnosed vascular ED. During intracavernous pharmacological testing,the more PGE(1) was used, the more vascular ED patients would be found(P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
PGE(1) is safe and effective for the erectile responses. The dosage of PGE(1) following intracavernous injection is related to vascular ED. Real-time Rigiscan monitoring combined with color Doppler ultrasonograph can be helpful to diagnose penile vascular diseases.
Tang
Yuxin
Y
Department of Andrology, Third Xiangya Hospital,Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
Liu
Zhizhong
Z
Jiang
Xianzhen
X
Wen
Jiaming
J
Chen
Houyang
H
He
Leye
L
D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D000527:Alprostadil