Corpus cavernosum electromyography: technique and clinical implications

Tech Urol. 1997 Fall;3(3):147-51.

Abstract

Recently, corpus cavernosum EMG (CC-EMG) has been introduced into the diagnostic evaluation of erectile dysfunction. It has been demonstrated that CC-EMG may be a valuable tool in the evaluation of the integrity of the autonomic innervation of the corpus cavernosum. The interpretation and comparison of the recorded data still remains problematic due to a lack of standardization of recording procedures, technical equipment and of data analysis software. The assessment of recorded data was originally performed visually and nonquantitatively, however, more recently, computer-aided analysis of digitized measurements has proved to be more objective, less time-consuming and more reliable. Future efforts should be aimed at creating larger databases and differentiating between the various sources of lesions within the autonomic neural network of the corpus cavernosum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Electromyography* / methods
  • Electronic Data Processing
  • Erectile Dysfunction / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Smooth / physiology
  • Penis / physiology*