Superselective Transcatheter Artery Embolization in Patients with Non-ischemic Priapism.

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of superselective transcatheter artery embolization in patients with non-ischemic priapism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of 17 consecutive patients with non-ischemic priapism from September 2006 to August 2017. The median follow-up time was 8 months.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients underwent superselective transcatheter artery embolization, and all had complete resolution of non-ischemic priapism. Fifteen of 16 patients (93.7%) underwent a single embolization without recurrence. A secondary embolization was required in one patient (6.3%) as a result of recurrence. Two of 16 patients (12.5%) had a decrease in their erectile function; one of the two patients had premorbid erectile dysfunction. Excluding the patient with premorbid erectile dysfunction, 14 of 15 patients (93.3%) maintained premorbid normal erectile function after embolization; the incidence of decrease in quality of erection is 6.7% (1/15). One patient did not undergo artery embolization because of negative findings of cavernous fistula by angiography. No angiography-related complications were found.

CONCLUSION

Superselective transcatheter artery embolization is an effective and safe procedure for non-ischemic priapism.