Clinical Application of Doppler Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Vasculogenic Impotence

Kim, Young Chan; Choi, Hyung Ki

Abstract

The indirect measurement of arterial blood flow using Doppler Ultrasound was investigated to ascertain is significance and applicability in the diagnosis of impotence due to vascular insufficiency. The following results were obtained with a control group of 20 capable of normal erection and a group of 8 complaining of impotence with complete failure of erection. 1. the result of detection of the radial artery, dorsal and deep penile artery of the penis of the control group-the detection of the radial artery could be made with certainty whereas the dorsal and deep penile artery of the penis were difficult. since it varies with the individual. the ratio of frequency of the radial artery and the detectable penile artery was 1:0.779. 2. Of eight subjects with failure of erection due to trauma or spinal cord injury, one showing vascular insufficiency of the penis by pelvic angiography had a radial artery to penile artery ratio of 1:0.1, a typical finding in vascular insufficiency; whereas, in an another subject with urethral injury, the ratio was lowered to 1:0.3. In perspective, the limitation of the Doppler Ultrasound lies in the standardization equipment of and the technique of detection. However, in the investigation of impotence of vascular cause, Dopper Ultrasound should be the initial study because of its simplicity, safety and noninvasiveness. Further investigation is to be warranted.