Unilateral Corporal Cavernosum Partial Thrombosis: A Challenging Presentation and Management

Review of the role of imaging in the diagnosis of priapism

Imaging has a specific role in the diagnosis and management of priapism. The primary imaging modality is ultrasound with colour Doppler (CDUS) which can accurately assess the hemodynamics of the cavernosal arteries. This is particularly useful in equivocal cases and can help differentiate ischemic from non-ischemic priapism as well as confirm the presence and location of arterio-venous fistulae post penile trauma. Furthermore, CDUS is invaluable in the post treatment follow up of non-ischemic priapism. Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can demonstrate the extent of cavernosal necrosis in ischemic priapism and in conjunction with computer tomography (CT) has an important role in excluding underlying malignancy. MRI and CT angiography are used to evaluate pudendal arterial anatomy, which can be extremely variable and aids in the management of non-ischemic priapism. In selected cases of non-ischemic priapism, catheter angiography and transcatheter embolization of arteriovenous fistulae is an effective treatment. This review will examine the specific roles of different imaging modalities in the subtypes of priapism as well as highlight some of the pitfalls encountered in imaging.

The International Penile Prosthesis Implant Consensus Forum: clinical recommendations and surgical principles on the inflatable 3-piece penile prosthesis implant

Despite significant scientific advances in the modern three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis implant surgery, it is not without surgical risks and can carry additional cosmetic and psychosocial consequences in poorly selected and consented individuals. To address this problem, an international group of key opinion leaders and high-volume prosthetic surgeons reviewed the current guidelines and clinical evidence, discussed their experiences, and formed a consensus regarding inflatable penile prosthesis surgery. The findings of this consensus panel were presented at the 17th biennial Asia Pacific Society of Sexual Medicine scientific meeting. The experts concluded that proper patient selection, informed consent and strict adherence to safe surgical principles are important to optimize clinical outcomes. Furthermore, most intraoperative complications, if recognized, can be addressed intraoperatively to enable placement of the device at the time of initial surgery. Men with significant corporal fibrosis due to Peyronie's disease, prior prosthesis explantation and priapism, and men who have undergone construction of a neophallus, as well as men who receive concurrent continence surgery, are complex cases requiring additional care and advanced techniques to obtain optimal surgical outcomes. Variability in patient care - in terms of postoperative antibiotic use, pain management, scrotal care, and cycling of the penile prosthesis implant - must be reduced to enable optimization and assessment of outcomes across patient groups.

Association between partial thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum, partial priapism, and hard flaccid syndrome: A scoping review

AIM

To describe the association between partial thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum, partial priapism, and hard flaccid syndrome.

METHODS

An scoping review was performed according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Moreover, we performed a search strategy using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases. We included the available information, evaluating the conditions of partial thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum, partial priapism, and hard flaccid syndrome, and their molecular and physiological mechanisms and clinical presentation.

RESULTS

We identified 207 manuscripts and chose eight studies published between 2001 and 2021. The total number of patients was 34, and their mean age was 28.2 years. Moreover, in 84% of the studies, the pathophysiology of the events was related to microtrauma or prolonged perineal compression. Also, 94.2% of the patients had some degree of erectile dysfunction. In addition, out of all patients, 94% underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, patients with hard flaccid syndrome did not show relevant findings in these studies. Conversely, MRIs showed asymmetry in the proximal corpora cavernosa, thrombosed corpus cavernosum segments, and mainly cavernous fibrous septum in patients with partial cavernous thrombosis and partial priapism.

CONCLUSION

Partial thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum, partial priapism, and hard flaccid syndrome occurred more frequently in young patients, possibly related to microtraumas that generate cavernous fibrosis and trigger alterations in the erection of the distal portion of the penis. Also, they cause proximal hardening pelvic, perineal pain, painful ejaculations, and cavernous asymmetry. Moreover, the imaging characteristics are similar in patients with partial priapism and partial cavernous thrombosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.