PENILE DOPPLER IN THE EVALUATION OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Color doppler sonography can be useful in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction, which can result from psychogenic, endocrinologic, neurogenic, pharmacologic, and vasogenic causes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of Color doppler sonography in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of twelve men with erectile dysfunction (between the age group of 45-60 years) underwent penile color doppler sonography. The hemodynamic function of the penis was evaluated by power Doppler US with spectral analysis following injection of a vasoactive pharmacological agent, Papaverine, to induce an erection. RESULTS: Out of twelve patients, eight patients had normal Doppler sonographic findings; two had signs of veno-occlusive dysfunction and two had features of arterial insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Papaverine induced Color Duplex Doppler Sonography is an excellent and highly accurate means of assessing patients with erectile dysfunction. Even though arteriography is considered as the gold standard for assessing arteries of the penis, color doppler ultrasonography plays an important role in assessing erectile dysfunction due to arterial insufficiency and venous incompetence.