Arterial Priapism Research Articles

Delayed High Flow Priapism: Pathophysiology and Management

Two cases of the management and pathophysiology of high flow arterial priapism are presented. Both cases were post-traumatic with delayed onset of priapism and both had angiographically diagnosed arteriocorporeal fistulas. Case 1 was managed with selective cavernous artery ligation and case 2 resolved spontaneously, both with excellent return of premorbid levels of erectile function. We propose that the pathophysiological mechanism involves injury to the intracavernous artery, causing ischemic necrosis. After a delay the arterial segment blows out, leading to unregulated blood flow into the corpus cavernosum. Management with surgical ligation is highly selective and nondisruptive to unaffected vessels, offering precise control of the bleeding vessel.

Posttraumatic Arterial Priapism In A 7-Year-Old Boy: Successful Management by Percutaneous Transcatheter Embolization

Priapism may be classified as the classical veno-occlusive form or the more recently described high flow, arterial type. We report a case of posttraumatic arterial priapism in a 7-year-old boy. The successful management with percutaneous transcatheter embolization of the internal pudendal artery is described. Accepted for publication November 8, 1991.

Traumatic Laceration of Intracavernosal Arteries: The Pathophysiology of Nonischemic, High Flow, Arterial Priapism

Two forms of priapism are known to occur. The more common type, veno-occlusive priapism, presents with a prolonged painful erection, and it is characterized by ischemia and pooling of blood within the corpora cavernosa. The less common form, high flow priapism, is characterized by lack of pain and ischemia. The pathophysiology of this disorder is poorly understood and the treatment is unclear. We report 2 cases of nonischemic priapism, one of which occurred after blunt perineal trauma and the other after intracavernosal self-injection with papaverine and phentolamine. Based on our 2 cases as well as a review of the literature (5 cases), we propose that the pathophysiological mechanism of this disorder is unregulated arterial inflow into the corpora, classify it as. arterial priapism, and describe a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for its management.