Overview of International Society for Impotence Research

Abstract

The anatomy and physiology of erection and the pathophysiology and diagnosis of impotente were wel1 covered in this meeting. Some important advances toward the development of a unified theory of the physiology of erection were presented. Torn Lue, of the United States, presented convincing evidente that the sinusoids and arterioles of the corpora cavernosa are in a contracted state, and the penile veins are open during penile flaccidity. During erection, the arterioles and sinusoids relax, distending the sinusoidal spaces and compressing the subtunical venous plexus against the undersurface of the tunica albuginea. This is one model for the closing mechanism of the corpus cavernosum. Lue suggested that venogenic impotente due to a corporeal leak could develop from congenital anomalies of the caverneus veins, fibrosis of the sinusoids due to aging, or inadequate production of caverneus neurotransmitters. In addition, it was shown by several authors that arterial inflow to the corpus cavernosum produces intracavernous pressures of up to systolic levels but no higher. Superimposed on this,