What Is Priapism?

This JAMA Patient Page describes the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of priapism.

[Considerations on priapism]

Priapism is a rare pathological penile erection, and there are some inadequacies in its definition, classification, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies. In this article, we sum up our years of experience with priapism and put forward some new views and ideas about its definition, classification, pathophysiologic process, pathological change, diagnostic essentials, therapeutic measures, indications of successful treatment, and post-therapeutic rehabilitation of erectile function. We also describe the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of some special types of priapism, such as intermittent seizure, sleep-related painful erection, and tumor-related priapism, hoping to help urologists and andrologists in the further understanding and management of priapism.

Doppler evaluation of erectile dysfunction – Part 2

Doppler evaluation in erectile dysfunction (ED) has a significant role in determining the cause of ED. The advantages of penile Doppler and pharmacologic duplex ultrasonography include objective, minimally invasive evaluation of penile hemodynamics at a relatively low cost. Arteriogenic ED may be secondary to peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, or may be seen in association with coronary artery disease. Various parameters, such as diameter of the cavernosal artery, peak systolic flow velocity, degree of arterial dilatation and acceleration time, have been suggested for the diagnosis of arteriogenic ED, but peak systolic flow velocity is the most accurate indicator of arterial disease. This second part of the review article describes the various causes of ED and the interpretation and evaluation of color flow Doppler examination in ED.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: priapism of the brain?

It has long been recognized that a clinical syndrome similar to idiopathic intracranial hypertension can occur secondary to venous sinus obstruction with the elevation in sinus pressure causing a reversal in the pressure gradient across the arachnoid granulations and therefore elevated CSF pressure. There remains, however, a group of predominantly obese female patients with elevated CSF pressures who have either no apparent abnormality of venous outflow or a tapering, apparently extrinsic compression, of their dominant transverse sinuses on catheter venography. This suggests that venous collapse may be associated in some way with the cause of the elevated pressure but clearly something else must be initiating the pressure rise or a circular argument ensues. Elevated CSF pressure compresses the veins, which then elevates CSF pressure. However, collapse of the venous sinuses secondary to the elevated CSF pressure once initiated may exacerbate the condition. It has been suggested that the initiating event leading to the elevated pressures in the idiopathic group of patients may be caused by cerebral hyperaemia and cerebral dysautoregulation. Priapism is a condition of pathological elevation of venous pressure of the male genitalia in which there are two forms: (1) venous out flow obstruction and (2) hyperaemia due to a to loss of regulation of blood flow and secondary venous out flow compression. Review of the literature suggests the pathophysiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension may be analogous to that of priapism.

The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of priapism: review of the American Foundation for Urologic Disease Consensus Panel Report

Priapism is an important medical condition that requires immediate evaluation, and depending on etiology, may require emergency management. Based on the classification scheme offered by a recent consensus panel, priapism can be subdivided into ischemic and nonischemic types. The nonischemic type, usually the result of perineal trauma, can be treated with conservative therapy, whereas the nonischemic type, which arises from many varied causes, mandates immediate intervention. Corporal fibrosis and permanent erectile dysfunction can result from ischemic priapism that fails to resolve with therapy.

Report of the American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD) Thought Leader Panel for evaluation and treatment of priapism

PURPOSE

Patients with priapism often develop permanent erectile dysfunction and personal sexual distress. This report is intended to help educate the public by reviewing the varied definitions and classifications of priapism and limited literature reports of pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment outcomes of priapism. The AUA priapism guidelines committee is responsible for creating consensus as to appropriate individual patient management of priapism by physicians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multidisciplinary panel, consisting of 19 thought leaders in priapism, was convened by the Sexual Function Health Council of the American Foundation for Urologic Disease to address pertinent issues concerning the role of the urologist, primary care providers and other health care professionals in the education of the public regarding management of men with priapism. The panel utilized a modified Delphi method and built upon the peer review literature on priapism.

RESULTS

The Thought Leader Panel recommended adoption of the definition of priapism as a pathological condition of a penile erection that persists beyond or is unrelated to sexual stimulation. Priapism is stressed to be an important medical condition that requires evaluation and may require emergency management. The classification system is categorized into ischemic and non-ischemic priapism. Essential elements of the ischemic classification are the inclusion of: (i) clinical characteristics of pain and rigidity; (ii) diagnostic characteristics of absence of cavernosal arterial blood flow; (iii) pathophysiological characteristics of a closed compartment syndrome; (iv) a time limit of 4 h prior to emergent medical care; and (v) a description of the potential consequences of delayed treatment. Essential elements of the non-ischemic classification are the inclusion of: (i) clinical characteristics of absence of pain and presence of partial rigidity; (ii) diagnostic and pathophysiological characteristics of unregulated cavernosal arterial inflow; and (iii) the need for evaluation but emphasizing the lack of a medical emergency. The panel recommended adoption of a rational management algorithm for the assessment and treatment of priapism where the cornerstone of initial assessment includes a careful clinical history, a focused physical examination and selected laboratory and/or radiologic tests. The panel recommended that specific criteria and clinical profiles requiring specialist referral should be identified. The panel further recommended that patient (and partner) needs and education concerning priapism should be addressed prior to therapeutic intervention, however only in the case of chronic management or post acute presentation evaluation should this delay intervention. Treatment goals to be discussed include management of the priapism with concomitant prevention of permanent and irreversible erectile dysfunction and associated psychosocial consequences. The panel recommended that when specific therapies for priapism are required, a step-care treatment approach based upon reversibility and invasiveness should be followed.

CONCLUSIONS

The Thought Leader Panel calls for research to expand our understanding of the prevalence and diagnosis of priapism and education to create awareness among the public of the potential urgency of this condition. Critical areas to be addressed include the multiple pathophysiologies of priapism as well as multi-institutional trials to objectively assess safety and efficacy in the various treatment modalities.

High-flow priapism: a novel way of lateralizing the lesion in radiologically inapparent cases

High-flow priapism is a rare entity, which is typically diagnosed with the help of either color flow Doppler ultrasound or arteriogram. In the case presented, both of these diagnostic modalities were unsuccessful in uncovering a vascular lesion. The patient underwent an empiric selective embolization of the left pudendal artery followed by a repeat angiogram of the right because of persistent tumescence. This procedure uncovered a previously unseen arteriolacunar fistula, which was treated successfully with a second selective embolization.

Posttraumatic high-flow priapism: treatment with selective embolisation

Priapism is an uncommon problem in childhood. Most of the reported cases are in boys with sickle-cell disease or leukaemia. It occurs as a result of venous outflow obstruction, resulting in engorgement of the corpora cavernosa, and is termed "low-flow" priapism. In a small group of children priapism is due to uncontrolled arterial inflow, usually as a result of direct trauma. The authors report a case of posttraumatic arterial priapism in a child, successfully treated with selective embolisation of the internal pudendal artery. Recognition of this distinct entity is important, as it carries a good prognosis when appropriately treated.

Priapism: an appraisal of surgical treatment

The surgical outcome in 66 patients with priapism who presented at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, over a ten-year period was evaluated. Operative procedures carried out included bilateral cavernostomies in 23 patients, caverno-glandular shunts in 11, caverno spongiosal shunt in 18 and caverno-saphenous shunt in 1. Complete detumescence was achieved immediately postoperatively in all patients, however, this was not maintained. Some turgidity recurred after twenty-four hours in all patients. In 12 patients with recurrence of turgidity, 8 had flaccid penis after. Long-term results and follow up in these patients are scanty due to default, but of the 12 that were followed up for a period ranging from 2 months to 2 years, 6 are still able to achieve and maintain an erection, while 6 had no erection at all. Two of five patients who had conservative treatment are able to achieve and maintain an erection. The outcome of surgical treatment appears to be superior to conservative treatment. Bilaterial cavernostomies appear to be effective, but when this fails a shunt procedure should be carried out.

Priapism: etiology and management

Priapism is a urologic emergency. All patients should receive prompt urologic consultation. Management is based on prompt recognition, differentiation between low- and high-flow priapism, reversal of any potential precipitating factors, and the use of corporal aspiration/irrigation combined with intracavernosal alpha-agonist injection therapy. It cannot be over-emphasized that severely prolonged erections are associated with the development of irreversible problems with erectile function and, therefore, immediate and aggressive management is mandatory.

Embolization therapy in two subtypes of priapism

Two subtypes of priapism have been described based on the pathophysiologic mechanism. The more common type, termed stasis priapism, is characterized by a low flow state in which inadequate venous outflow creates an acidotic hypoxic environment leading to a painful prolonged erection. The other less common subtype, high flow priapism, is arteriogenic. We used embolization therapy in one case with long lasting stasis priapism and in the other with high flow priapism due to bilateral arteriosinusoidal fistulae in the penis. In both cases we used polyvinyl alcohol for embolization and sexual potency preservation. Priapism is the persistence of erection that does not result from sexual desire. Hauri et al. described two variants of priapism. In high flow priapism (non-ischaemic) there is unregulated arterial inflow to the lacunar spaces due to a lacerated cavernous artery associated with previous perineal and penile trauma. In stasis priapism, the second type, the basic abnormality could be due to a more pronounced or prolonged blood entrapment inside the vascular spaces of the corpora cavernosa sustained by an unknown cause. There are many treatment methods especially for low flow ischaemic variant. We report two different kinds of priapism and embolization therapy in both of them with polyvinyl alcohol.

Priapism: a historical and update review

Early this century, the aetiology of priapism was solely attributed to "systemic disease and local irritation of lower genital tract and neurologic lesion". Corpora cavernosa incision described by Young was the only form of treatment. However, the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment options for the management of priapism and prolonged erections have evolved significantly in the past several years. Before the use of pharmacological agents for the production of erections, idiopathic priapism became the most common aetiology. Causes of priapism from newer psychotropic medications such as trazodone to intra-cavernosal injection therapy with pharmacological agents have increased the number of patients with priapism presenting to the urologist. The management of priapism has remained controversial and has perplexed and continued to frustrate many urologists. A recent and more thorough knowledge of the pathophysiological basis of priapism and the clear differentiation between the low flow veno- occlusive priapism and high flow arterial priapism have significantly improved the diagnostic protocol for patients with priapism. Colour doppler ultrasound evaluation and cavernosal blood gas determinations have become mandatory and greatly improved specific diagnosis. Priapism must be considered a urological emergency and early surgical intervention with corpus cavernosum aspiration and pharmacological lavage with normal saline alpha-adrenegic agonists should be instituted immediately. This will avoid the risk of erectile impotence with considerable medico-legal consequences. Precious time must not be wasted in the older unproven conservative methods including hot and cold water enemas, and vigorous prostatic massage.

[Angiographic, cavernosonographic and clinical differentiation of two forms of priapism with different prognoses]

Based on the findings upon arteriography, cavernosography and clinical features two different kinds of priapism are differentiated: Type I ("low flow priapism") is characterized by severe blood stasis within the corpora cavernosa and reduction of arterial perfusion through compression of the deep arteries of the penis. The penis is very hard and painful upon palpation. A delay of treatment over 48 hours will result in a damage of the corpora cavernosa and impotence. Type II ("high flow priapism") is characterized by arterial hyperperfusion. Outflow obstruction is absent. The penis is erected but of an elastic consistence, pain is absent. Even with a delay of treatment of up to 6 months the corpora cavernosa remain intact, normal erectile function is preserved.

A new concept of priapism based on the results of arteriography and cavernosography

Four patients with priapism - 3 with idiopathic and 1 with post-traumatic etiologies - were examined by arteriography and cavernosography. The findings of these examinations as well as distinct clinical findings suggest that there are 2 different types of priapism. One is characterized by severe blood stasis within the corpora cavernosa with resulting compression of the deep arteries of the penis and reduction of arterial blood flow. In the other type, arterial flow into the corpora cavernosa and drainage into the veins are substantially increased. In this type, long-standing priapism does not seem to produce fibrosis of the corpora cavernosa with resulting impotence.