1988 Volume 79 Issue 5 Pages 799-806
To investigate whether or not the erections caused by papverine HCl can be utilised in the diagnosis of vaculogenic impotence, 40mg of papaverine HCl was injected locally into the right corpus cavernosum of the penis of 22 experimental subjects (nine with impotence and 13 others; average age: 52.5), and the penile erections and intracavernous hemodynamics at that time were observed. The penile erections were evaluated on the basis of physical findings (gross observotion and palpation) and measurements of the circumference of the penis. The intracavernous hemodynamics were observed by means of simultaneous recording of changes in the valuse of the tissue depolarizing current by open-tip type oxygen electrodes and changes in the penile circumference.
1. In evaluations of the erections by measurement penile circumference, a full erection was observed in 12 out of 22 subjects (54%).
2. Increases in the penile circumference in the full erection and incomplete erection groups were 15.2±3.3mm and 4.3±2.7mm (mean±SD), respectively.
3. The degree of arterial blood flow into the corpus cavernosum was significantly greater in the full erection group than in the incomplete group (p<0.01).
4. Among the 12 subjects in the full erection group, there were five cases of severe obstruction of the blood drainage route of the penile cavernous body (congestive type) and seven cases of mild obstruction (hyperemic type). In the former cases, the penile rigidity was better and duration of the erection significantly longer (p<0.01) than in the latter group according to a physical findings.
The above results indicated that it is possible to evaluate the erection and estimate the intracavernous hemodynamics which occurs with intracavernous administration of papaverine HCl, and it was clear that this can be utilized as a screening test for vasculogenic impotence, especially venous impotence.
