Vincenzo Antonio Migaleddu MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Giuseppe Virgilio MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Roberto Prost MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Domenico Scanu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Danilo Sirigu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gerolamo Campisi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To check the usefulness of color Doppler and high sensitivity color Doppler Energy in the study of intracavernous vascularization and in detecting anatomical variants.

Sequoia 512 imagegate (Siemens-Acuson) equipment was used with a high frequency probe (14 Mhz and Doppler 13 Mhz) to consecutively examine 33 patients for erectile deficit; an initial morphological study preceded the functional color Doppler study and color Doppler Energy after intracavernous injection of 10 mcg of alprostidil. Individuation of the cavernous artery or its anatomical variants was preliminary to placing the sample volume for velocytometric assessment.

Of 56 patients (aged 32-71) 12 patients (21.4%) were found to have anatomical variants of the cavernous artery (C.A.): 8 with double C.A. and 1 with triple C.A. In 3 cases shunts between C.A. and bulbar artery were identified and between cavernous artery and pudendal artery.

Individuation of anatomical variants in intrapenal vessels enables the sample volume to be placed as near as possible to the origin of the C.A., permitting a reliable velocytometric evaluation. Velocytometric readings in the distal portions of the cavernous artery, particularly in the presence of anatomical variants, tend to underestimate velocity.

Anatomical variants of intrapenal vessels are not well known; correct ultrasound dynamic examination requires an accurate detection.

Migaleddu, V, Virgilio, G, Prost, R, Scanu, D, Sirigu, D, Campisi, G, Dynamic Examination of Penis: Usefulness of Study of Intracavernous Vascularization and Individuation of Anatomical Variants by Color Doppler Echotomography and High Sensitivity Color Doppler Energy.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5011739.html