[Evaluation of the penile artery by ECO-Duplex in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction]

An Eco-Duplex study of the penile arterial system in 19 patients which consulted their physician for impotence is presented and a two-group classification is made: Group 1, arterial cause (7 patients) and, Group 2, non-arterial cause (12 patients). Diameter and blood flow of the cavernous artery pre-and post intracavernous injection of papaverine was evaluated. A significant difference was found in the increase of arterial diameter in both groups as well as in the quantification of arterial flow pre- and post-application of papaverine, these being larger than 32 cm/sec in all non-arterial impotent patients (group 2).