Appropriate management of high-flow priapism based on color Doppler ultrasonography findings in pediatric patients: four case reports and a review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

High-flow priapism in children is a very rare condition, and there is no clear consensus on its management. High-flow priapism is associated with increased cavernosal blood flow and broadly divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of arteriocavernous fistula in the corpora cavernosa.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the appropriate management of high-flow priapism based on the existence of arteriocavernous fistula using penile color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) findings in the pediatric population.

STUDY DESIGN

The cases of four boys aged between 6 and 11 years with high-flow priapism treated between 2009 and 2017 are reported. Two boys had prior perineal trauma, one boy had blunt penile glans trauma, and one had no obvious cause for the condition. All boys initially underwent penile CDU and were treated conservatively or via selective arterial embolization depending upon the presence or absence of an arteriocavernous fistula.

RESULTS

Penile CDU revealed an arteriocavernous fistula inside the corpus cavernosum penis in two of four boys and increased blood flow inside the corpus spongiosum in the remaining boys. The former two boys underwent selective arterial embolization and one boy underwent repeated embolization because of remaining arteriocavernous fistula feeding from the contralateral cavernosal artery, whereas the boys with no arteriocavernous fistula on CDU were managed conservatively. All boys were successfully treated within 1 month, and they had normal morning erection and no evidence of recurrent priapism at the follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Unlike low-flow priapism, high-flow priapism is not a medical emergency. Therefore, conservative therapy is an appropriate initial treatment, although selective arterial embolization can be effective for high-flow priapism with arteriocavernous fistula, with a success rate of 97% and no reported complications to date. Penile CDU is an imaging technique that can detect focal areas of turbulent flow with sensitivity close to 100%. This study has several limitations including a small number of cases, limited follow-up duration, and possibility of spontaneous arteriocavernous fistula closure in cases treated by arterial embolization.

CONCLUSION

Penile CDU could be a reliable tool to diagnose high-flow priapism and detect the presence or absence of arteriocavernous fistula. Although conservative therapy remains the first choice, selective arterial embolization may be an early treatment option when CDU reveals an arteriocavernous fistula.

Ischemic priapism as a model of exhausted metabolism

In vivo metabolic studies typically concern complex open systems. However, a closed system allows better assessment of the metabolic limits. Ischemic priapism (IP) constitutes a special model of the compartment syndrome that allows direct sampling from a relatively large blood compartment formed by the corpora cavernosa (CC). The purpose of our study was to measure metabolic changes and the accumulation of end products within the CC during IP. Blood gas and biochemical analyses of aspirates of the CC were analyzed over an 8-year period. Mean ± SD pH, pCO2 , pO2 , O2 -saturation, lactate, and glucose of the aspirated blood were determined with a point-of-care analyzer. Forty-seven initial samples from 21 patients had a pH of 6.91 ± 0.16, pCO2 of 15.3 ± 4.4 kPa, pO2 of 2.4 ± 2.0 kPa, and an O2 -saturation of 19 ± 24% indicating severe hypoxia with severe combined respiratory and metabolic acidosis. Glucose and lactate levels were 1.1 ± 1.5 and 14.6 ± 4.8 mmol/L, respectively. pH and pCO2 were inversely correlated (R2  = 0.86; P < 0.001), glucose and O2 -saturation were positively correlated (R2  = 0.83; P < 0.001), and glucose and lactate were inversely correlated (R2  = 0.72; P < 0.001). The positive correlation of CO2 and lactate (R2  = 0.69; P < 0.001) was similar to that observed in vitro, when blood was titrated with lactic acid. The observed combined acidosis underscores that IP behaves as a closed system where severe hypoxia and glycopenia coexist, indicating that virtually all energy reserves have been consumed.

Acute Ischemic Priapism Management: An Educational and Simulation Curriculum

Introduction

Ischemic priapism is a urologic emergency managed by both urologic and nonurologic providers in the community. Given ischemic priapism's rare occurrence and the time-sensitive nature of treatment, effective provider education on management of this entity is imperative. We sought to develop a low-cost effective simulation model and curriculum to enhance trainee education.

Methods

A comprehensive didactic curriculum based on national urologic guidelines was developed, along with a low-cost, easily reproducible priapism simulator using hot dogs and Red Vines candy. The simulators cost $1.25 each, and assembly took 10 minutes. All materials were reviewed by three urology faculty members. The curriculum was piloted with two andrology fellowship-trained urology faculty among eight urology residents (PGY2-PGY4/U1-U2) and one medical student. Participants provided feedback regarding the overall course as well as the face and content validity of the simulator.

Results

Cognitive test scores significantly improved on average by 15.0% (p = .002), and confidence improved from baseline somewhat or very much among 88.9% of participants after completion of the curriculum. The task trainer was rated easy to use (average score: 4.78 out of 5), and 77.8% of participants though it was somewhat or very useful for training (average score: 4.00 out of 5). Additionally, 77.8% recommended its incorporation into resident training (average score: 4.00 out of 5).

Discussion

This simulation curriculum is effective, inexpensive, and easily reproducible, making it ideal for groups with limited resources. Expanding access to simulation-based curricula on priapism management may improve education of both urologic and nonurologic trainees.

Priapism in a Fabry disease mouse model is associated with upregulated penile nNOS and eNOS expression

Fabry disease is a glycosphingolipidosis caused by deficient activity of α-galactosidase A; it is one of a few diseases that are associated with priapism, an abnormal prolonged erection of the penis. The goal of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of Fabry disease-associated priapism in a mouse model of the disease. We found that Fabry mice develop late-onset priapism. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which was predominantly present as the 120-kDa N-terminus-truncated form, was significantly upregulated in the penis of 18-month-old Fabry mice compared to wild type controls (~fivefold). Endothelial NOS (eNOS) was also upregulated (~twofold). NO level in penile tissues of Fabry mice was significantly higher than wild type controls at 18 months. Gene transfer-mediated enzyme replacement therapy reversed abnormal nNOS expression in the Fabry mouse penis. The penile nNOS level was restored by antiandrogen treatment, suggesting that hyperactive androgen receptor signaling in Fabry mice may contribute to nNOS upregulation. However, the phosphodiesterase-5A expression level and the adenosine content in the penis, which are known to play roles in the development of priapism in other etiologies, were unchanged in Fabry mice. In conclusion, these data suggested that increased nNOS (and probably eNOS) content and the consequential elevated NO production and high arterial blood flow in the penis may be the underlying mechanism of priapism in Fabry mice. Furthermore, in combination with previous findings, this study suggested that regulation of NOS expression is susceptible to α-galactosidase A deficiency, and this may represent a general pathogenic mechanism of Fabry vasculopathy.

The role of apoptosis and the effect of epidermal growth factor on proapoptotic BNIP 3 in an experimental rat priapism model

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of apoptosis-inducing Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP 3) and antiapoptotic epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the pathophysiology of experimental low-flow priapism. Materials and methods: Twenty-four adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups. Group I was the control group. Ischemic priapism was induced for 4 h in Group II rats. In Group III, intraperitoneal EGF at 10 µg/kg was given for 7 days before induction of ischemic priapism for 4 h. In Group IV, intraperitoneal EGF at 20 µg/kg was given for 7 days before induction of ischemic priapism for 4 h. The western blot method was used to determine BNIP 3 expression levels and the TUNEL method was used to determine the apoptotic cells in the cavernosal tissue samples. Results: Although BNIP 3 expression levels were significantly higher in all three study groups compared to the controls, BNIP 3 was significantly higher in EGF-administered groups when compared to Group II (P < 0.05). The TUNEL score of group II was significantly higher than those of the other groups. Conclusion: Decreased apoptosis in cavernosal tissues obtained by antagonizing the apoptotic effect of BNIP 3 with EGF may facilitate the development of new conservative treatment methods via those pathways.

Recurrent Priapism Gone Wrong: ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock After Penile Corporal Phenylephrine Irrigation

BACKGROUND

Recurrent priapism secondary to sickle cell trait in an African-American male has been reported in the literature. A common treatment for these low-flow priapism cases is aspiration and injection of the corpus cavernosum with a sympathomimetic agent. We report a rare complication not described previously in the literature of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and cardiogenic shock in a 29-year-old male with sickle cell trait undergoing a routine detumescence procedure.

CASE REPORT

A 29-year-old African-American male with a history of sickle cell trait and recurrent low-flow/ischemic priapism presented with a painful erection for 8 h. Corporal aspiration and irrigation with phenylephrine was performed. After phenylephrine injection, the patient experienced hypertensive emergency, flash pulmonary edema, STEMI, and subsequent cardiogenic shock. He required intubation, ionotropic support, cardiac catheterization, and admission to the cardiac care unit. History taken from the patient's wife on the following day revealed that he was taking high doses of pseudoephedrine at home to treat symptoms. The patient was subsequently discharged after 3 days with normalization of ejection fraction and negative troponin. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Intracavernosal injection of phenylephrine is a common emergency department treatment utilized in management of priapism, but emergency physicians should be aware of the potential severe systemic complications resulting from this procedure. Providers should take a careful history, including over-the-counter medication use; consider comorbid medical history; standardize phenylephrine mixing instructions with pharmacy; and perform the procedure in a monitored setting with a brief observation after complete detumescence.

Emergency department management of priapism [digest]

Priapism is a genitourinary emergency that demands a thorough, time-sensitive evaluation. There are 3 types of priapism: ischemic, nonischemic, and recurrent ischemic priapism; ischemic priapism accounts for 95% of cases. Ischemic priapism must be treated within 4 to 6 hours to minimize morbidity, including impotence. The diagnosis of ischemic priapism relies heavily on the history and physical examination and may be facilitated by penile blood gas analysis and penile ultrasound. This issue reviews current evidence regarding emergency department treatment of ischemic priapism using a stepwise approach that begins with aspiration of cavernosal blood, cold saline irrigation, and penile injection with sympathomimetic agents. Evidence-based management and appropriate urologic follow-up of nonischemic and recurrent ischemic priapism maximizes patient outcomes and resource utilization. [Points & Pearls is a digest of Emergency Medicine Practice].

Sleep-Related Painful Erections in a Patient With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Sleep-related painful erection (SRPE) is a rare sleep disorder characterized by recurrent, painful penile erections occurring when awakening from rapid eye movement sleep, while erections are painless during wakefulness. Almost 35 cases have been reported worldwide, and only two of them had an associated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We report a new case of a 61-year-old man suffering from SRPE associated with OSAS. The adequate treatment of respiratory events with continuous positive airway pressure did not alleviate the SRPE symptoms and excessive daytime sleepiness. The SRPE diagnosis was made by polysomnography coupled with video surveillance when the patient was referred to the sleep laboratory for residual excessive daytime sleepiness. The patient had 2-4 episodes of SRPE/night. Beta-blocker did not alleviate the SRPE, but a transient improvement was noted when the patient was treated with paroxetine. In contrast with the two previously published cases of SRPE plus OSAS, continuous positive airway treatment did not improve SRPE symptoms in our patient.

Priapism of the Newborn - A Case Report

Neonatal Priapism is a rare condition and its causes differ from that in childhood and adult. Management also is challenging as the ultimate goal is the preservation of normal erectile function. Most of the cases are idiopathic. A spontaneous detumescence occurs in majority of cases, so initially conservative non-surgical treatment is advocated. Here we report a case of a newborn presenting with priapism on the 1st day of life. Detumescence was achieved on the 8th day of life with conservative treatment.

High-flow priapism caused by a pseudoaneurysm and an arteriocavernosal fistula: clinical and radiological approach of 3 cases

OBJECTIVE

We report three cases of high-flow priapism in three young patients who presented erectile dysfunction after perineal trauma.

METHODS

Complete clinical evaluation, blood tests, color Doppler ultrasonography (US), arteriography and selective embolization were performed.

RESULTS

The clinical history and physical assessment were compatible with high-flow priapism. Color Doppler US showed a pseudoaneurysm and an arteriocavernosal fistula, which was confirmed and embolized using arteriography.

CONCLUSIONS

High-flow priapism has a characteristic clinical presentation and physical examination. The radiologist has an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. Color Doppler US and arteriography are essential in the diagnosis and allow embolization of the vascular injury. Prognosis is usually good.

Sildenafil citrate-restored eNOS and PDE5 regulation in sickle cell mouse penis prevents priapism via control of oxidative/nitrosative stress

Sildenafil citrate revolutionized the practice of sexual medicine upon its federal regulatory agency approval approximately 15 years ago as the prototypical phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. We now provide scientific support for its alternative use in the management of priapism, a clinical disorder of prolonged and uncontrolled penile erection. Sildenafil administered continuously to sickle cell mice, which show a priapism phenotype, reverses oxidative/nitrosative stress effects in the penis, mainly via reversion of uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase to the functional coupled state of the enzyme, which in turn corrects aberrant signaling and function of the nitric oxide/cyclic GMP/protein kinase G/phosphodiesterase type 5 cascade. Priapism tendencies in these mice are reverted partially toward normal neurostimulated erection frequencies and durations after sildenafil treatment in association with normalized cyclic GMP concentration, protein kinase G activity and phosphodiesterase type 5 activity in the penis. Thus, sildenafil exerts pleiotropic effects in the penis that extend to diverse erection disorders.

Stuttering priapism: insights into pathogenesis and management

Priapism is defined as a persistent, painful erection that continues beyond, or is unrelated to, sexual stimulation. It may be categorized as either ischemic (low/absent flow) or nonischemic (high flow). Stuttering priapism is a variant of the ischemic type that is characterized by repetitive, transient, painful, self-limiting episodes of priapism. It is associated with various hematological disorders, including sickle cell disease and pharmacological treatments. The consequences of ineffective treatment of priapism are erectile dysfunction and impaired quality of life due to chronic pain and physical disfigurement. Many of the existing medical therapeutic options for treatment of stuttering priapism are nonmechanistic and associated with significant adverse effects. However, the scientific knowledge of stuttering priapism has transitioned in the past few years, from a condition that is poorly understood to one that has borne a burst of evolving molecular science. In this review, the pathophysiology of priapism is discussed, with particular emphasis on new molecular effectors and mechanisms. Novel treatment methods, as well as potential future agents, based on the emerging molecular evidence are discussed.

Sleep-related painful erections associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Sleep-related painful erection is a rare syndrome recognized by reports of painful nocturnal erection, an association between REM sleep and pain, and the absence of pain during wakeful sexual activity. Approximately 30 cases have been reported in the literature. We add two more cases, each of which seemed to be associated with severe sleep apnea. Treatment of the apnea with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device lessened the symptom in both men. Implications of this association are discussed.

The roles of testicular nuclear receptor 4 (TR4) in male fertility-priapism and sexual behavior defects in TR4 knockout mice

BACKGROUND

Successful reproductive efforts require the establishment of a situation favorable for reproduction that requires integration of both behavior and internal physiological events. TR4 nuclear receptor is known to be involved in male fertility via controlling spermatogenesis, yet its roles in regulating other biological events related to reproduction have not been completely revealed.

METHODS

Male TR4 knockout (TR4 -/-) and wild type mice were used for the sexual behavior and penile dysfunction studies. Mice were sacrificed for histological examination and corresponding genes profiles were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. Reporter gene assays were performed.

RESULTS

We describe an unexpected finding of priapism in TR4 -/- mice. As a transcriptional factor, we demonstrated that TR4 transcriptionally modulates a key enzyme regulating penis erection and neuronal nitric oxide synthese NOS (nNOS). Thereby, elimination of TR4 results in nNOS reduction in both mRNA and protein levels, consequently may lead to erectile dysfunction. In addition, male TR4 -/- mice display defects in sexual and social behavior, with increased fear or anxiety, as well as reduced mounting, intromission, and ejaculation. Reduction of ER alpha, ER beta, and oxytocin in the hypothalamus may contribute to defects in sexual behavior and stress response.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these results provide in vivo evidence of important TR4 roles in penile physiology, as well as in male sexual behavior. In conjunction with previous finding, TR4 represents a key factor that controls male fertility via regulating behavior and internal physiological events.

Priapism: new concepts in medical and surgical management

Advances have recently been made in both medical and surgical management of priapism, and these offer improvements in the level of care afforded such patients. Further developments can be expected based on ongoing progress, particularly in the area of molecular science, which is the primary source for driving novel therapeutic approaches. Continued action to address the health care administrative concerns of those most commonly affected by priapism, specifically individuals with sickle cell disease, is also appropriate. All successes in these arenas ensure that afflicted individuals avoid the health burdens of priapism and preserve sexual function.

Intravenous dexmedetomidine for treatment of intraoperative penile erection

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative penile erections following the initiation of either regional or general anaesthesia is rare; however, when it occurs in patients undergoing urologic procedures it may delay, or even cancel the planned surgery. The aetiology is unclear. Various treatments proposed for producing detumescence are not always effective. Use of intracavernous alpha-adrenergic agonists is an efficient and rapid but short-lasting treatment. Furthermore, repeated intracavernous injections of vasoactive drugs may be harmful. Dexmedetomidine is a potent, selective α(2)-adrenoreceptor agonist. In our study, we evaluated the effect of dexmedetomidine on intraoperative penile erection.

METHODS

Penile erection developed during an endoscopic procedure in 12 more than 7,800 patients. Anaesthesia used was general in 3 patients, epidural in 1 patient and spinal in 8 patients. The erection rigidity was evaluated by the operating urologist. Dexmedetomidine was diluted in normal saline to a concentration of 4 μg/ml. In all of the cases, 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine was injected intravenously.

RESULTS

The incidence of intraoperative penile erection was 0.34% for general anaesthesia, 0.11% spinal anaesthesia and 1.72% epidural anaesthesia at our institution. Detumescence was achieved in 9 patients during the first 5 min and in one patient at the 9th minute after a single intravenous dexmedetomidine (83%). There was no detumescence in two patients after 15 min (17%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that 0.5 μg/kg intravenous injection of dexmedetomidine is a simple, effective and safe method for immediate relief of intraoperative penile erection with high success rate.

[Corpus cavernosum-corpus spongiosum shunt plus intracavernous tunneling for the treatment of prolonged ischemic priapism]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of corpus cavernosum-corpus spongiosum shunt (CC-CSS) plus intracavernous tunneling(CC-CSS+ICT) for the treatment of prolonged ischemic priapism (PIP) were investigated.

METHODS

Of 21 patients with PIP, 11 (Group A) underwent CC-CSS and 10 (Group B) CC-CSS+ICT surgery. The penile hardness score (PHS) and pain visual analogue score (PVAS) were used to assess the efficacy of the surgery.

RESULTS

The erectile functions of the two groups were normal (IIEF5 23.6+/-1.1) before the onset of PIP, and the duration of PIP was (3.4+/-1.3) d. PHS 3.9+/-0.4, and PVAS 8.4+/-0.7. There was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). On 1, 3 and 5 days after the operation, the PHS and PVAS of Group B decreased significantly than those of Group A (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

CC-CSS+ICT could quickly restore penile detumescence and relieve pain as compared with CC-CSS, which might be a safe and effective method for the treatment of PIP.

Erectile function and dysfunction following low flow priapism: a comparison of distal and proximal shunts

PURPOSE

To compare erectile function following low flow priapism in patients undergoing distal and proximal shunts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1995 to December 2005, we retrospectively studied 16 patients who presented to our medical center with refractory priapism. Of 16 patients, 5 underwent Winter shunt, while El-Ghorab procedure was performed for 7 patients and the remaining 4 underwent Grayhack shunt. Erectile function was assessed in a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range, 2 to 10 years) using erectile dysfunction (ED) intensity scale [Total score: 5 to 10 (severe ED); 11 to 15 (moderate ED); 16 to 20 (mild ED); and 21 to 25 (no ED)].

RESULTS

The mean patient's age was 40.62 ± 15.27 years. Mean duration of priapism was 51.12 ± 37.99 hours. Of 4 patients (25%) who underwent proximal shunt (Grayhack procedure), 2 (50%) were impotent, 1 had potency, and the other one achieved some penile erection with administration of oral sildenafil. Of 5 patients (31.25%) who underwent Winter procedure, 1 died because of metastatic bladder cancer and of 4 remainders, 2 (50%) had normal erectile function, but 1 patient suffered from recurrent priapism. Of 7 patients (43.75%) who underwent El-Ghorab procedure, 1 was lost for follow-up and of remaining 6 patients, 2 (33.3%) had normal erectile function and 4 (66.6%) were impotent. No surgical complication was seen. Median lag time from priapism till surgery for patients with and without ED was 48 and 26 hours, respectively (P = .22).

CONCLUSION

Grayhack shunt is a safe surgical procedure without any major complications and with lower ED rate. Grayhack shunt might be considered as treatment of choice for refractory low flow priapism.

Posttraumatic high-flow priapism: case report, current management options and literature review

A rare case of posttraumatic high-flow priapism is presented. A 20-year-old man underwent diagnostic procedure with color Doppler sonography and angiography. On color Doppler sonography and selective and supraselective angiographic images, arteriocavernosal fistula and pseudoaneurysm were detected in the proximal part of the right cavernous body. Complete detumescence of the penis was achieved by selective embolization with microcoil. No recurrence was observed and postoperative erectile function was incompletely restored. The clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic peculiarities of this rare condition are presented, along with review of the literature on the topic.

Recurrent priapism in sickle cell trait with protein S deficiency

We report the case of a young Omani man, a regular blood donor, who presented twice in two months, with painful penile erection lasting more than 12 hours. The patient is known to have sickle cell trait [HbS 34.6%]. Although the first episode of penile erection settled with aspiration of blood and local injection of epinephrine, on the second occasion necessitated cavernosal glandular shunting. A subsequent investigation revealed a mild protein S deficiency. Although priapism is known to occur in sickle cell disease, it is unusual in sickle cell trait. Association of mild protein S deficiency with erythrocytosis could have precipitated the onset of priapism.

[Case report of post-traumatic arterial high-flow priapism]

Priapism is rare and usually unpredictable. High-flow priapism is caused by unregulated arterial inflow. Antecedent trauma is the most commonly described etiology. This condition does not require emergent treatment. The initial management of high-flow priapism should be observation, because treatment-related erectile dysfunction may appear. We report a case of high-flow priapism by perineal trauma in a 27-year-old man. His corpora were typically tumescent, but not completely rigid. He could not have sexual intercourse. Blood from the corpus cavernosum was normally oxygenated. Color duplex ultrasonography was performed in the lithotomy position, scanned at the perineum, showed pseudoaneurysmal appearance. Selective internal pudendal arteriography showed a right cavernous arterial extravasation. Superselective embolization of right internal pudendal arteries was performed with an autologous clot. After the procedure, detumescence was achieved as well as erectile function. We recommend superselective arterial embolization as the management of high flow priapism to patients who request treatment.

Treatment of High-flow Priapism with Superselective Transcatheter Embolization in 27 Patients: A Multicenter Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment of high-flow priapism (HFP) with superselective transcatheter embolization at nine university hospitals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between May 1994 and October 2006, 27 patients underwent superselective embolization of the cavernous artery for HFP. Trauma was apparent in 22 patients, there was self-administered intracavernosal injection for erectile dysfunction in two, and the remaining three did not recall any penile or perineal trauma. The embolic agents used were autologous blood clot (n = 12), gelatin sponge (n = 12), microcoils combined with gelatin sponge (n = 1), polyvinyl alcohol (n = 1), and N-butyl cyanoacrylate (n = 1). Recurrence of priapism and change in erectile function were evaluated during a mean follow-up of 13 months. Differences in results between patients treated with autologous blood clot versus gelatin sponge were statistically analyzed with use of the chi(2) test.

RESULTS

In 24 of 27 patients (89%), a single embolization was sufficient for complete resolution of priapism. Repeat embolization was required in two patients (7%), and in the remaining patient (4%), shunt surgery was performed after embolization as a result of HFP coexisting with corporeal venoocclusive dysfunction. Eighteen of 23 patients (78%) who had premorbid normal erectile function showed maintained potency during the follow-up period. There was no significant difference affecting required repeat embolization (P = .537) and change in quality of erection (P = .615) during the follow-up period between the autologous blood clot and gelatin sponge treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Superselective transcatheter embolization in the treatment of HFP is effective and ensures a high level of preservation of premorbid erectile function.

Posttraumatic High-Flow Priapism in Children: Noninvasive Treatment by Color Doppler Ultrasound-Guided Perineal Compression

To our knowledge, only 1 case has been reported of high-flow priapism in boys younger than 6 years of age and only a small number of prepubertal boys have had high-flow priapism. Because of this, the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are still under discussion. We report a case of a 3-year-old boy with posttraumatic high-flow priapism treated by ultrasound-guided compression of the arteriocavernous fistula.

[Low flow priapism. Treatment by sapheno-cavernous shunt]

OBJECTIVE

We report the clinical case of a 21-year-old male presenting with a 36 hour history of low flow priapism, its diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

We performed a bibliography review on the etiology, physiopathology, diagnosis and treatment options.

RESULTS

The patient underwent unsuccessful punction-aspiration of intracavernous blood with phenylephrine injection and cavernous irrigation with saline solution. A covernous-spongiosum shunt was performed subsequently, firstly using the Winter technique and followed by the AlGorab technique with a final positive response.

CONCLUSIONS

The performance of a sapheno-cavernous shunt is an effective treatment for the low flow priapism resistant to usual medical-surgical treatment.

Treatment of posttraumatic high-flow priapism in 8-year-old boy with percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombin injection

Treatment of high-flow priapism varies and has included transcatheter embolization when conservative approaches fail. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy with high-flow priapism, who was treated with ultrasound-guided thrombin injection because of encouraging experience with the method obtained when treating aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms. This procedure appears to be a useful alternative to transcatheter embolization and results in no radiation exposure.

Nuestra experiencia en el priapismo de alto flujo por fístula arterio-lacunar uni y bilateral

OBJECTIVE

To present our experience in both uni-and bilateral priapism, highlighting good results obtained with supraselective embolisation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present 5 cases of high-flow priapism secondary to perineal trauma, with a mean age of 31 years (24-43 years). The mean time to presentation from the moment of the trauma was 18, 6 days (1-60 days). Diagnosis was confirmed through gasometry of the corpora cavernosa, penile Doppler ultrasound (2 cases) and selective arteriography of the pudendal artery. In all cases treatment was by supralective embolisation with gelatin sponge. In the two bilateral cases, embolisation was performed in the same act.

RESULTS

In the short-term was a recovery of flaccidity and in the long-term (3-4 months) a recovery of erection with no fibrotic sequelae of the corpora cavernosa.

CONCLUSIONS

Embolisation of the lacerated artery, in a single procedure in cases of bilateral lacerations, provides excellent results.

Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) inhibit the nerve-induced release of nitric oxide from the rabbit corpus cavernosum

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Nitrergic neurons are important for erectile responses in the corpus cavernosum and impaired signalling results in erectile dysfunction, today treated successfully by oral administration of the selective phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) inhibitors sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil. Although the importance of nitrergic neurons in urogenital function has become evident, it has not been investigated if the PDE 5 inhibitors affect the nerve-induced release of nitric oxide (NO). In a previous study we found that the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) pathway might modulate nerve-induced release of NO in isolated cavernous tissue.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Electrical field stimulation (EFS 5 Hz, 40 V, 0.3 ms pulse duration, 25 pulses at intervals of 2 min) of rabbit isolated cavernous tissue elicited reproducible, nerve-mediated relaxations in the presence of scopolamine (10(-5) M), guanethidine (10(-5) M) and phenylephrine (3 x 10(-6) M). In superfusion experiments, nerve stimulation (20 Hz, 40 V, 1 ms) of the cavernous tissue evoked release of NO/NO2-, measured by chemiluminescence.

KEY RESULTS

Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil decreased the muscular tone and prolonged the relaxations to nerve stimulation. The evoked release of NO decreased to 72+/-11%, 55+/-16% and 61+/-14% of control, respectively after addition of sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil (all 10(-4) M, n=6-8, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Selective PDE 5 inhibitors influence the nerve-induced release of NO, probably via cGMP-mediated negative feedback. This negative feedback might explain why priapism is not seen during monotherapy with the PDE inhibitors.

Priapism: New concepts in the pathophysiology and new treatment strategies

Priapism is defined as prolonged and persistent erection of the penis without sexual stimulation. This is a poorly understood disease process, and we have little information on the etiology and pathophysiology of this erectile disorder. Two main types of priapism exist: low-flow (ischemic) and high-flow (nonischemic) priapism. When the physician first diagnoses which type of priapism exists, distinguishing the type of priapic event is paramount in order to choose the correct treatment options. Until recently, we had not sufficiently understood the pathogenesis of this erectile disorder and therefore, could not effectively manage its pathologic consequences of erectile tissue damage and erectile dysfunction. In this review, the proposed pathogenesis of ischemic priapism is reviewed, and a survey regarding novel treatment modalities is given.

[High flow priapism. Case report]

OBJECTIVE

We report the case of a patient consulting with a four-year history of priapism, its diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic management.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature for etiology, types of presentation, discussion of the clinical and radiological findings, and differential diagnosis.

RESULTS

The patient underwent the embolization of the internal pudendal artery with excellent results.

CONCLUSIONS

The embolization of the internal pudendal artery is an effective treatment for the resolution of high flow priapism secondary to arterial venous fistula.

[Intracavernosal methoxamine self-injection for the treatment of low-flow recurrent priapism]

We report the case of a young man with a recurrent idiopathic priapism, successfully treated with methoxamine intracarvenosal self-injections. The patient was instructed in intracorporeal self-injection of this pure alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, which provided complete detumescence. The patient became asymptomatic after one month of domiciliary treatment. We conclude that intracavernosal self-administered methoxamine can be a useful treatment of recurrent idiopathic priapism.

[Non traumatic high flow priapism: arterial embolization treatment]

PURPOSE

To report cases of non traumatic high flow priapism treated by arterial embolization.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Six men presented with non traumatic high flow priapism, the diagnosis was based on colour Doppler ultrasound, cavernous blood gas analysis with arterial blood saturation levels and failed medical or surgical therapy. Four patients had sickle cell disease. The embolization was performed with Gelfoam and was unilateral in one case, bilateral in the other cases.

RESULTS

Detumescence occurred in a few hours in all cases. One patient had recurrent priapism two years after and was treated by embolization. Transient erectile dysfunction was observed in five cases, permanent in one case.

CONCLUSION

Arterial embolization is the treatment of choice in high flow priapism with low rate of permanent erectile dysfunction.

An alternative noninvasive approach for the treatment of high-flow priapism in a child: duplex ultrasound-guided compression

We are presenting a 5-year-old boy with a traumatic high-flow priapism developed after a straddle injury and successfully treated by compression and simultaneous monitoring with a duplex ultrasound probe. We believe that this may be an alternative method against conventional treatment modalities including conservative follow-up, sympathomimetic drug administration, percutaneous embolization of the fistula, and surgical ligation.

[Long-term high-flow priapism. Case review and proposal of diagnostic algorithm and treatment]

High-flow priapism is an infrequent pathology in Urology, specially long-term cases as the one we present. Literature is scarce and both diagnostic methods and treatment have remained unchanged for many years We present a high flow priapism case that has lasted for 30 years, but which is well tolerated and even desired by the "patient". Furthermore, we propose a new diagnostic algorithm and treatment.

Hemolysis-associated priapism in sickle cell disease

Priapism, although uncommon in the general population, is one of the many serious complications associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). Few studies have described the clinical and hematologic characteristics of individuals with priapism and SCD. Using data from the Cooperative Study for Sickle Cell Disease, we assembled 273 case subjects with priapism and 979 control subjects. Case subjects, compared with control subjects, had significantly lower levels of hemoglobin; higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, and aspartate aminotransferase; and higher reticulocyte, white blood cell, and platelet counts. These findings suggest an association of priapism with increased hemolysis. Hemolysis decreases the availability of circulating nitric oxide, which plays an important role in erectile function.

Investigation of cavernosal smooth muscle dysfunction in low flow priapism using an in vitro model

The effects of hypoxia (pO2: 50 mmHg), acidosis (pH: 6.9) or glucopenia (absence of glucose) in vitro on the tone of the rabbit corpus cavernosum were investigated. The recovery of smooth muscle contractility following exposure to these conditions was also assessed. Hypoxia, acidosis or glucopenia alone or in combination showed a sustained reduction in the tone. Reperfusion of tissue strips showed complete recovery of smooth muscle tone for all conditions except when hypoxia and glucopenia were combined or when hypoxia, glucopenia and acidosis were used in combination. Incomplete recovery of tone was associated with a significant reduction in tissue ATP concentrations and an increase in the number of TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling)-positive nuclei. This indicates that following reversal of hypoxia, acidosis and glucopenia, failure of conventional alpha-adrenergic agonists to produce tumescence in low flow priapism is associated with irreversible smooth muscle cell dysfunction, which is linked to ATP reduction and smooth muscle cell death.

[Management of priapism in patients with sickle-cell anaemia]

Sickle-cell anaemia is an autosomal recessive hereditary haemoglobinopathy. Patients with sickle-cell anaemia present a high risk of priapism. At least 40% of sickle-cell patients report episodes of priapism. Priapism in patients with sickle-cell tend to start during childhood and rapidly threaten the erectile prognosis. Apart from specific treatment of sickle-cell anaemia, the urologist must be able to recognize forms of intermittent priapism and promote medical prevention. The urologist must also be able to distinguish low-flow priapism from the rarer high-flow priapism, as the treatments differ. Treatment strategies are increasingly well defined, with an increasingly limited place for surgery.

The Vicious Cycling: Bicycling Related Urogenital Disorders

PURPOSE

Bicycle riding is one of the most popular means of transportation, recreation, fitness and sports among millions of people of all ages who ride on road and off road, using a variety of bicycle types. It is also a readily available form of aerobic non-impact exercise with established cardiovascular beneficial effects. Bicycles are also a common source of significant injuries. This review focuses upon the specific bicycling related overuse injuries affecting the genitourinary tract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE search of the literature on bicycling and genitourinary disorders was performed using multiple subject headings and additional keywords. The search yielded overall 62 pertinent articles. We focused primarily on the most prevalent related disorders such as pudendal nerve entrapment, erectile dysfunction and infertility. The potential effect of bicycling on serum PSA level was also discussed in depth in view of its recognized clinical importance. Infrequent disorders, which were reported sporadically, were still addressed, despite their rarity, for the comprehensiveness of this review.

RESULTS

The reported incidence of bicycling related urogenital symptoms varies considerably. The most common bicycling associated urogenital problems are nerve entrapment syndromes presenting as genitalia numbness, which is reported in 50-91% of the cyclists, followed by erectile dysfunction reported in 13-24%. Other less common symptoms include priapism, penile thrombosis, infertility, hematuria, torsion of spermatic cord, prostatitis, perineal nodular induration and elevated serum PSA, which are reported only sporadically.

CONCLUSIONS

Urologists should be aware that bicycling is a potential and not an infrequent cause of a variety of urological and andrological disorders caused by overuse injuries affecting the genitourinary system.

Phosphodiesterase-5A dysregulation in penile erectile tissue is a mechanism of priapism

The molecular mechanism for priapism is not well characterized. Although the nitric oxide (NO) pathway is known to mediate penile erection under normal conditions, we hypothesized that the mechanism of priapism rests in aberrant downstream signaling of this pathway based on our previous findings that mice lacking the gene for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS-/-) and mice lacking both neuronal NOS (nNOS) and eNOS (nNOS-/-, eNOS-/-) have a tendency for priapic activity. We investigated the role of downstream guanylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5A) expression and function in mediating these responses in eNOS-/- and nNOS-/-, eNOS-/- mice. Erectile responses to both cavernous nerve stimulation and intracavernosal injection of the NO donor diethylamine-NONOate were augmented in eNOS-/- and nNOS-/-, eNOS-/- mice but not in WT or nNOS-/- mice. PDE5A protein expression and activity and cGMP levels were significantly lower in eNOS-/- and nNOS-/-, eNOS-/- mice, and this effect was reproduced in WT corpus cavernosum exposed to NOS inhibitors. Moreover, cavernous nerve stimulation was associated with a marked augmentation of cavernosal cGMP levels, suggesting that, although lower at baseline, the production of cGMP is unchecked in eNOS-/- and nNOS-/-, eNOS-/- mice upon neurostimulation. Transfection of eNOS-/- mice with an adenovirus encoding eNOS resulted in a normalization of PDE5A protein and activity as well as a correction of priapic activity. Coupled with the observation that sickle cell disease mice (which show a priapism phenotype) evince dysregulated PDE5A expression/activity, these data suggest that PDE5A dysregulation is a fundamental mechanism for priapism.

TGF-beta1 neutralizing antibodies decrease the fibrotic effects of ischemic priapism

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible role of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) antibodies (ab) for the prevention of fibrotic effects of priapism in a rat model. In total, 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Priapism with 6 h (group 1), priapism with 6 h+ab (group 2), priapism with 24 h (group 3), priapism with 24 h+ab (group 4) and control (group 5). Priapism was induced with a vacuum erection device and a rubber band was placed at the base of the erect penis. At 1 h after the initiation of priapism, TGF-beta1 antibodies were given intracavernosaly. All rats underwent electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve after 8 weeks. Intracavernous and systemic blood pressures were measured during the procedure. Rats in group 1 showed significantly higher (intracavernosal pressure (ICP) pressures to cavernous nerve stimulation and had higher ICP/BP ratios when compared to other groups. Similarly, histopathologic examination revealed less fibrosis in group 2, compared with the other groups. Consequently, TGF-beta1 antibodies antagonise the fibrotic effects of TGF-beta1, especially in cases with duration of priapism less than 6 h.

High-flow priapism: colour-Doppler ultrasound-guided supraselective embolization therapy

High flow priapism is mainly caused by traumatic arteriocavernous fistulas. The standard therapy is a transcatheter embolization of the fistula. This study analyzes the combined approach of arteriography and color Doppler ultrasound during the embolization procedure. During the arteriography procedure, a perineal color Doppler ultrasound examination of the fistula was performed to achieve an optimal positioning of the catheter tip in the fistula with a minimum of radiation exposure. To visualize the correct localization, ultrasound contrast medium or saline solution was injected through the catheter. The flow-pattern of the contrast medium allowed evaluation of the successful occlusion of the fistula and preservation of the unaffected penile arteries. In six patients (unilateral fistula: three, bilateral fistulas: three) with a posttraumatic high-flow priapism, this technique was performed for embolization of the fistulas. A total of nine embolization sessions were performed. Only one case required a second session due to dislocation of a microcoil. In all cases, the priapism disappeared immediately after the final session while erectile function was restored within 4 weeks after embolization. The combined approach of x-ray and ultrasound imaging facilitates the supraselective embolization of the arteriocavernous fistula, leading to an optimal success rate, while reducing the radiation exposure and the applied dose of contrast medium.

Priapism in southwestern Nigeria

OBJECTIVES

To determine the aetiology, pattern of presentation, treatment regimen and outcome of management of priapism in our environment and to compare our findings with previous studies in this country and elsewhere.

DESIGN

A 10-year retrospective study from January 1991 to December 2000.

SETTING

Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Hospital records of 16 patients managed for priapism over 10 years (January 1991 to December 2000) were analysed. Information extracted included the age, occupation, duration of symptoms, precipitating factors, past medical history, haemoglobin genotype, drug and social history, physical findings, treatment regimen, outcome of treatment, complications and duration of follow up. Eighteen patients were treated for priapism during the period but only sixteen case files available for analysis were reviewed in this study.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 16 patients under review was 20.4 years (range: 2.5-38 years). Thirteen patients (81%) were single and 10 (62.5%) were students. All the patients presented late with pain and woody hard penis with mean duration of eight days (range; 7 hrs-30 days). Eleven patients (68.7%) had previous episodes of priapism. Fourteen patients (87.5%) had sickle cell disease (SCD) and two (12.5%) were psychiatric patients on oral chlorpromazine. Associated medical conditions include urinary tract infection, malaria, acute urinary retention, bone pain crises and acute psychosis. All the patients received initial conservative management. Six patients had needle aspiration with irrigation plus injection of 2 ml of adrenaline solution (1 ml 1/1000 adrenaline in 200 ml saline) in both corpora cavernosa. One (16.7%) out of the six patients achieved full detumescence with normal erection. The remaining five patients later had cavernotomy with full detumescence and normal erection in three (60%) and weak erection in two (40%). Eight patients had Cavernosa-glandular shunt, full detumescence and normal erection was achieved in five patients (62.5%) while three (37.5%) became impotent. Two of the three patients with impotence presented with the longest duration of symptoms (14 and 30 days respectively), while the third patient reported earlier after five days, but he had suffered more than six (>6) previous attacks of priapism. Duration of hospital stay was 3-10 days and the average duration of follow up was 80.7 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Sickle cell disease account for 87.5% of priapism in our community. Late presentation and previous episodes of priapism, which are common features in most of these patients, are associated with poor prognosis with higher risk of impotence. Conservative management and aspiration with intracavernous adrenaline therapy appears ineffective in late case. However, good results obtained with surgery indicate that late presentation should not be a deterrent to surgical intervention. Surgeries in form of cavernotomy or cavernosa-glandular shunt, when carefully done, are effective and safe.

Idiopathic stuttering priapism: recovery of detumescence mechanism with temporal use of antiandrogen

We report a case of idiopathic stuttering priapism in a 56-year-old Japanese man. We treated his recurrent priapism in stepwise fashion by withdrawal of the alpha/beta-blocker he used for hypertension, administration of low doses of an antiandrogen and baclofen, and finally by increasing the dose of antiandrogen, which lowered his testosterone to the castration level and was effective in preventing priapism. After 6 months of antiandrogen treatment, his erectile function gradually recovered to the baseline level, and he had no recurrence of priapism during the following 6 months without any medication.

Priapism--a review of the medical management

Priapism is characterised by the presence of prolonged, often painful penile erection in the absence of a sexual stimulus. This rare condition has a range of aetiologies, but is most common following self-administration of injection therapy for impotence. Priapism may be classified into high- and low-flow states. Low-flow priapism is an emergency ischaemic condition requiring prompt recognition and treatment to avoid devastating long-term complications of erectile dysfunction. Wide-ranging medical therapies are covered in this review. Diagnostic and treatment algorithms are suggested in light of the current available literature.