Diagnostic value of penile color doppler ultrasonography in patients with veno-occlusive erectile dysfunction.

BACKGROUND

The method used in the first assessment of patients with veno-occlusive erectile dysfunction (ED) is penile color doppler ultrasonography (PCDU). However, cavernosography performed following intracavernosal pharmacostimulation is accepted as a more precise method for showing venous leakage.

AIMS

The objectives of this study were to compare results obtained from patients undergoing PCDU, and those undergoing cavernosography, and to investigate the diagnostic value of PCDU in the diagnosis.

METHODS

A total of 133 patients who presented at the urology clinic due to ED have veno-occlusive dysfunction (VOD) detected as a result of PCDU and underwent cavernosography for further assessment when scheduled for penile embolization. The results obtained were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age of 133 patients with VOD identified as a result of PCDU was 48.7 ± 11.2 years. In cavernosography performed after PCDU, venous leakage was detected in 127 patients (95.49%), while no leakage was found in six patients (4.51%). Bilateral venous leakage was found in 91.34% (n:116), right venous leakage in 5.51% (n:7), and left venous leakage in 3.15% (n:4) of the patients with venous leakage.

CONCLUSION

Evaluating the cavernosography results, PCDU alone is often sufficient to diagnose veno-occlusive ED. Cavernosography is a more invasive diagnostic method compared to PCDU that is adequate in cases where venous surgery or embolization is not considered, and cavernosography is not recommended in these patients.