2021 Volume 36 Issue 1 Pages 28-34
The aim of this article is to provide the basic idea of priapism and practical knowledge for transarterial embolization for non-ischemic priapism.
Learning objectives: 1. Definition, epidemiology, etiology of priapism. 2. Symptoms and findings of priapism. 3. Differentiation between ischemic and non-ischemic priapism. 4. Vascular anatomy of male reproductive system. 5. Indication and methods of transarterial embolization for non-ischemic priapism. Priapism is a full or partial erection that continues for more than 4 hours beyond or unrelated to sexual stimulation1. Calculated cases per 100,000 person-year have been reported to be 0.34-1.5 in Western countries and assumed to be much less in Japan. Priapism falls into three major types, which are ischemic, non-ischemic and stuttering. Among these, ischemic priapism comprises about 95%. Non-ischemic priapism is largely caused by trauma.
Selective transarterial embolization could be an effective way to treat non-ischemic priapism. Even though both domestic and oversea guidelines recommend conservative measures such as applying pressure and cold packing as initial treatment, recent reports revealed that selective embolization has been more frequently performed and yielded feasible results for non-ischemic priapism.
