Androgen blockade for the treatment of high-flow priapism.
BACKGROUND
High-flow priapism (HFP) may occur secondary to perineal trauma, congenital arterial malformations, and iatrogenic insults. In cases that do not resolve spontaneously, standard management is by selective embolization, resulting in resolution rates as high as 78%; however, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent complication, occurring in up to 39% of cases.


OBJECTIVE
We report our use of androgen blockade (AB) to suppress nocturnal erections as an alternative treatment for HFP.


METHODS
A retrospective review of all patients treated at our institution for HFP was undertaken. Included in this study were any patients treated with single- or combination-agent AB for HFP. Operative reports and medical records were examined to determine patient characteristics and outcomes. Treatment efficacy, side effects, and residual ED were assessed using a questionnaire.


METHODS
The primary clinical outcomes assessed were resolution of HFP, tolerability, and side effects of treatment.


RESULTS
Seven patients with HFP were treated with AB. Priapism was a result of trauma in three patients and a persistent high-flow state after shunt procedures in four. Mean follow-up was 2 years (range 4 to 64 months). Therapy consisted primarily of 7.5 mg intramuscular monthly leuprolide injections, although bicalutamide and ketoconazole were also utilized as adjunct treatments. Therapy duration ranged from 2 months to 6 months and was discontinued after symptom resolution. One patient discontinued daily ketoconazole after 1 week because of severe hot flashes. The remaining six patients reported complete resolution of HFP. The primary complaints during therapy were decreased libido and fatigue. All patients reported some degree of ED during therapy. There was no reported residual ED or other hypogonadal symptoms on withdrawal of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
AB is a successful option for treating HFP with acceptable side effects and return to baseline potency on treatment withdrawal.
Mwamukonda
Kuwong B
KB
Urology Department, University of California San Francisco, California 94143, USA. MwamukondaK@urology.ucsf.edu
Chi
Thomas
T
Shindel
Alan W
AW
Lue
Tom F
TF
D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000728:Androgens; D000813:Anilides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D011317:Priapism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D000813:Anilides; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D009570:Nitriles; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; C053541:bicalutamide; D016729:Leuprolide; D007654:Ketoconazole