[Infusion cavernosography and erectile dysfunction]

Infusion cavernosography with the object of quantitating the rate of venous drainage from the penis and localization of possible abnormities in drainage was employed as a routine investigation in examination of erectile dysfunction in 46 patients. "Infusion to obtain erection" (IOE) and "infusion to maintain erection" (IME) were determined. In five patients, IOE was found to be greater than 180 ml/minute which was considered to be diagnostic of venous leakage. Infusion cavernosography could be assessed in 31 patients. Filling of the glans with the radio-opaque medium was found before rigidity was obtained in 27 whereas, in 19 filling of the glans occurred after rigidity was obtained. No localizing fistulae were demonstrated. It is concluded that routine employment of infusion cavernosography in investigation of impotence is unnecessary. Filling of the glans with the radio-opaque medium in infusion cavernosography does not appear to be a sign of a cavernoso-spongious fistula but rather a physiological phenomenon.