Neurogenic impotence: diagnostic value of nerve conduction studies, bulbocavernosus reflex, and heart rate variability.

In a group of 10 neurogenic impotent patients the diagnostic sensitivities of peripheral nerve conduction, bulbocavernosus reflex latency, and heart rate variability have been compared. The bulbocavernosus reflex latency appears as the least affected parameter, while nerve conduction and heart rate variability-measured during hyperventilation and expressed as the percentage of the RR interval variation-show similar diagnostic yields.