Functional evaluation of penile veins by cavernosography in papaverine-induced erection.

Of 49 patients in whom cavernosography was performed after papaverine-induced erection 38 had abnormal venous leakage to various drainage systems (corpus spongiosum, cavernous vein or superficial and deep dorsal veins). Because the effect of papaverine on penile arteries, sinusoids and veins is similar to that caused by electrostimulation, we believe that this technique is better than other reported means of evaluating the functional status of the penile veins. However, we recommend that only patients with a normal arterial response but poor erection after papaverine injection be considered candidates for erection cavernosography, since they most likely will benefit.