[Color duplex sonography of the penis--examination technique and clinical results]

40 patients with suspected vasculogenic impotence were examined with color duplex sonography. Penile vascular anatomy was mapped and peak velocity was determined in both cavernosal arteries before and after intracorporeal injection of 15 mg papaverine and 0.5 mg regitine. A peak velocity exceeding 25 cm/sec was considered normal. In 20 patients the results could be compared with internal iliac angiography as the gold standard. In 18 of 20 patients, color duplex sonography and angiography led to identical evaluation of penile blood supply. Two false-negative findings were due to significant lesions of the internal iliac and pudendal artery with extensive collaterals to the penile arteries. One color dulex finding was false positive. Color duplex sonography is a sensitive and non-invasive method for evaluation of arteriogenic impotence. Only angiography, however, can delineate proximal arterial lesions. It remains indispensible if revascularisation is planned.