SARS-CoV-2: A Novel Precipitant of Ischemic Priapism

Priapism is a disorder that occurs when the penis maintains a prolonged erection in the absence of appropriate stimulation. Conditions that result in hypercoagulable states and hyperviscosity are associated with ischemic priapism. COVID-19 is increasingly associated with coagulopathy. To date, there are 6 reported cases of priapism occurring in patients with COVID-19, 5 occurring in the setting of critical illness.

We present a case of ischemic priapism which we suspect resulted from COVID-19-associated coagulopathy in a patient without severe COVID-19 presentation.

Although there have been only a handful of reported cases of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy leading to ischemic priapism, it is possible that the true incidence is much higher. While our case highlights the importance of considering COVID-19 infection in the differential diagnosis of ischemic priapism, more research is needed to understand incidence and definitively establish a causative relationship.