Testing of brain-stem function in 134 patients complaining of impotence.

To determine the cause of brain-stem dysfunction for impotence, we studied the brain-stem function in 134 patients complaining of impotence and compared the results with their clinical records, erectile function tests, a papaverine test, dynamic cavernography and measurement of the penile brachial index. We found brain-stem dysfunction in 43% of the patients with impotence. Brain-stem dysfunctions tended to show characteristic differences in underlying disease and erectile dysfunction. We discuss the testing and direct treatment of the brain-stem dysfunction, and postulate it to be one cause of the impotence.