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[Intracavernous injections in 1991]
1Clinique Urologique, Hôpital Cochin, Paris.
Intracavernous injections have been used for about 10 years for the diagnosis and treatment of erectile insufficiencies. This development has been justified by a better knowledge of the physiology of erection and by the recent use of prostaglandin E1. We have reviewed the information provided by the literature (major journals of urology, medicine and physiology), as well as our experience of erectile insufficiency. Diagnostic intracavernous injections allows ruling out vascular or cavernous causes when the injection is followed by a stiff erection within 10 minutes and for more than 20 minutes, whatever the vasoactive agent used. All the causes of erectile insufficiency can be treated with intracavernous injections if the induced erection allows penetration. Prostaglandin E1 provides the highest response rate with fewer adverse effects, but it is not commonly available at present.
Intracavernous injections have been used for about 10 years for the diagnosis and treatment of erectile insufficiencies. This development has been justified by a better knowledge of the physiology of erection and by the recent use of prostaglandin E1. We have reviewed the information provided by the literature (major journals of urology, medicine and physiology), as well as our experience of erectile insufficiency. Diagnostic intracavernous injections allows ruling out vascular or cavernous causes when the injection is followed by a stiff erection within 10 minutes and for more than 20 minutes, whatever the vasoactive agent used. All the causes of erectile insufficiency can be treated with intracavernous injections if the induced erection allows penetration. Prostaglandin E1 provides the highest response rate with fewer adverse effects, but it is not commonly available at present.