Improved minimally-invasive assessment of penile haemodynamics: the combination of colour Doppler sonography and injection-stimulation test

Int J Impot Res. 1995 Mar;7(1):33-40.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of erotically enhanced penile colour Doppler sonography as a minimally invasive tool to evaluate penile haemodynamics. Colour Doppler sonography was used to study the cavernosal arteries of 135 consecutive impotent patients after intracavernous injection of a vasoactive mixture (injection phase) and after subsequent genital and audiovisual sexual stimulation (stimulation phase). The erectile response was upgraded after the adjunct of genital and audiovisual stimulation in 36% of patients. Colour Doppler assessment performed after the stimulation phase identified 16% of patients as arteriogenic despite normal erections, and 7% of patients falsely diagnosed as venogenic after the injection phase. When colour Doppler sonography and the injection-stimulation test are performed together as a single diagnostic procedure the overall diagnostic accuracy is significantly enhanced.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Hemodynamics / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Impotence, Vasculogenic / diagnosis
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Penile Erection / drug effects
  • Penile Erection / physiology
  • Penis / blood supply*
  • Penis / diagnostic imaging
  • Regional Blood Flow / drug effects
  • Regional Blood Flow / physiology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
  • Vasodilator Agents / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents