Evaluation of patients after treatment of arterial priapism with selective micro-embolization

Objective. Arterial (high-flow) priapism is characterized by a prolonged non-painful erection without sexual arousal as a result of unregulated inflow of blood to the corpus cavernosum. Treatment is based on decreasing this elevated inflow, primarily by means of selective arteriography and embolization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of patients with arterial priapism. Material and methods. In the period between 1990 and 2004, 10 patients with arterial priapism were admitted to our department. The mean age when priapism developed was 32 years (range 11–62 years). Eight patients were treated with selective embolization, one was operated on and one refused treatment. Nine patients completed a standardized questionnaire which included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). The mean follow-up time after treatment was 70 months. Results. All patients treated with selective embolization achieved reduced tumescence. Six out of eight patients had an improved IIEF-5 score after...