The Comparison of Erectile Function Tests in Patients Complaining of Impotence after Trauma

Kang, Sang Jae; Jo, Eui Je; Han, Chang Sup; Shin, Se Jong; Cha, Young Il

Abstract

We studied 16 male patients complaining of impotence after trauma. Underlying causes of injury were posterior urethral injury (9 patients), pevic bone fracture (3 patients), perineal burn (2 patients), penile fracture (1 patient) and spinal cord injury (1 patient). Rigiscan was used for diagnostic test and compared with other erectile function tests (Papaverine injection test, Snap Gauge test, PBI(penile brachial index) and PDI (penile digital index) test, AVS (audiovisual stimulation) and Erectiometer tests. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In 9 patients shown normal rigiscan, the number of erection was 1.56+/-0.87 times per night, duration was 14.2+/-7.54 minutes at tip and 20.1+/-9.42 minutes at base, tumescence change was 2.30+/-1.64 cm at tip and 3.40+/-0.73 cm at base, rigidity was 66.28+/-13.33% at tip and 78.86+/-21.43% at base. 2. Among 9 patients shown normal rigiscan, 8 patients showed partial to full rigid erection in intracavernous Papaverine injection test. 3. In 7 patients shown abnormal rigiscan, the findings of Snap Gauge test, AVS test and Erectiometer test showed slight to absent responses, but 9 patients shown normal rigiscan presented variable findings. 4. 13 patients with PBI > or=0.75 and 15 patients with PDI > or =0.77 showed normal rigiscan. but patients shown abnormal rigiscan presented variable findings of PBI and PDI tests. Conclusively, rigiscan and intracavernous Papaverine injection test showed high corresponding rate, but other erectile function tests presented variable findings in patients complaining of impotence after trauma.