Objective: We studied the relationship between penile hemodynamic parameters assessed by color Doppler ultrasonography and penile rigidity estimated by objective measurement. Patients and Methods: A total 37 patients with erectile dysfunction were examined. After intracavernous injection of 20 µg prostaglandin E1, we measured their penile hemodynamic parameters in the cavernous arteries by color Doppler ultrasonography. Simultaneously, the RigiScan Plus device was used for real-time evaluation of penile rigidity. Hemodynamic parameters were correlated with penile rigidity. Results: Peak systolic velocity and resistive index were significantly correlated with penile tip (r = 0.54, r = 0.72, respectively) and base (r = 0.55, r = 0.76, respectively) rigidity; there was no significant correlation between end-diastolic velocity and penile rigidity. Conclusions: Peak systolic velocity and resistive index were strongly correlated with penile rigidity in patients with erectile dysfunction during intracavernous pharmacological testing. The resistive index in particular appeared to be the most valid parameter for assessment of penile rigidity.

Keywords:
Erectile dysfunction, Penile hemodynamics, Penile rigidity, Penile hemodynamic parameters, Ultrasonics, Vascular resistance
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© 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
2004
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