Comparative Evaluation of the Vibration-Induced Reflexogenic Erection with Nocturnal Penile Erection

Lee, Jong Moon; Myung, Soon Chul; Kim, Sae Chul

Abstract

The vibration-induced reflexogenic erection (VIE), one of the physiologic erections, was compared with rigigram of the nocturnal penile erection ( NPE), another type of physiologic erection in 36 patients of erectile dysfunction ( psychogenic in 18, vasculogenic in 18). The efficacy of the VIE as a screening test was evaluated. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Among 32 patients with more than 40% of penile rigidity on rigigram of NPE, 14 (46%) were VIE-negative. Out of 18 patients with VIE-positive, none showed rigidity less than 40% on rigigram of NPE, but out of 18 patients with VIE-negative, 4 showed penile rigidity less than 40%, 7 showed that of 40-70% and 7 showed that more than 70% on rigigram of NPE. 2. Among 18 patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction, there was none with penile rigidity less than 40% on rigigram of NPE but 5 showed VIE-negative. 3. Among 18 patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, 4 (22% ) showed penile rigidity less than 40%, 9 (50%) showed that of 40-70%, 5(28%) showed that more than 70% on rigigram of NPE, and 13 (70% ) were VIE-negative. Therefore, VIE-positive means normal function of the local nerve system, neurotransmission and vascular system, and hence excludes the necessity of the NPE test, but it seems likely that VIE can not always take the place of NPE in VIE-negative patients.