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The methodology of corpus cavernosum electromyography revisited
X G Jiang1, H Wijkstra, E J H Meuleman
1Division of Sexual Physiology, Department of Medical Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Objective:
The methodology of corpus cavernosum electromyography (CC-EMG) was revisited, in order to overcome current methodological difficulties that hinder its clinical application.
Materials And Methods:
Using an 8-channel device, CC-EMG was performed in 12 healthy volunteers. Surface electrodes were placed bilaterally on the penile shaft and the kneecap (reference electrode), the pubis region and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). A band pass filter with cut-off frequencies of 0.1 and 20 Hz was used. At least 2 sessions of recordings were performed in each subject.
Results:
Thirty-five of 46 recordings were interpretable. Significant time delays between potentials recorded from different sites of the CC were detected. Clear spatial voltage gradients related to CC-potentials were observed on the pubis region. No voltage changes related to CC-potentials, but electrical activity from other sources were recorded from the ASIS. In contrast to frequency, a clear correlation could be demonstrated between amplitude, duration and polyphasity of CC-potentials recorded in 2 different sessions in the same individual.
Conclusions:
Multichannel monopolar recording of CC-EMG with surface electrodes is practical and has several advantages compared with bipolar recording. The results provide evidence that the recorded signals indeed reflect electrical activity of the CC and therefore offer a basis to pursue further clinical validation studies.
