Cavernous Venous Insufficiency: An Underestimated Vascular Disease Causing Erectile Dysfunction Resistant to Medical Treatment

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a big issue in a number of populations, with up to 30% of young men suffering from this condition with increasing frequency,1 of whom 15% suffer from cavernous leakage not responsive to medical treatment.2 Unfortunately, simple surgical blockage of the peripheral outflow is only successful in the short term, because of insufficient technical options. Technical developments in imaging and vascular and endovascular treatment options have dramatically evolved our understanding of this underlying condition in the past 20 years3 possibly turning this kind of disease into a long term treatable condition.