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[Priapism secondary to phenothiazines].
A Gómez Vegas1, A Silmi Moyano, J Blázquez Izquierdo
1Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario de San Carlos, Madrid, España.
Archivos Espanoles De Urologia
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Neuroleptic medications can cause priapism, a prolonged erection, in patients without prior health issues. Emergency treatment involving aspiration and shunting resolved priapism in two cases, with good erectile function recovery in one.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pharmacology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Priapism is a medical emergency characterized by prolonged penile erection.
- Neuroleptic agents, particularly phenothiazines, are implicated in rare cases of priapism.
- Understanding the underlying mechanisms is crucial for patient management.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with priapism following treatment with neuroleptic agents.
- Neither patient had a history of urological or hematological conditions.
- Both patients required urgent medical intervention for detumescence.
Findings:
- Emergency treatment involved aspiration of the corpora cavernosa and a posterior cavernospongiosa shunt.
- Penile detumescence was successfully achieved in both patients.
- One patient experienced excellent recovery of erectile function post-treatment.
Implications:
- Neuroleptic-induced priapism can occur in patients without predisposing factors.
- Prompt intervention with aspiration and shunting is effective for detumescence.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanism of phenothiazine-induced priapism, possibly related to adrenergic blockade.