title: Subacute penile numbness after brachytherapy for prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Penile numbness is a rare complication of permanent prostate brachytherapy, and optimal clinical management remains unclear. We present such a case and discuss pathophysiology and clinical management strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 68-year-old male presented with a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 6.9 ng/mL, Gleason score of 7 (3+4), and clinical T1c adenocarcinoma of the prostate. After a permanent prostate brachytherapy implant with (125)I monotherapy to a dose of 145Gy, the patient developed complete penile numbness postoperatively on the third day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient experienced complete restoration of penile sensation and function by postoperative day 9 with conservative management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subacute penile shaft numbness after brachytherapy is rare and is caused by dorsal penile nerve compression. Over the course of a week, the restoration of penile sensation is likely to occur with conservative management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Hadley J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Hiral
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Vladislav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gorbatiy
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Frenzel
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Frank
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen