Penile erections in myelomeningocele patients

Of 52 post-pubertal male myelomeningocele patients, 36 (70%) appeared to have penile erections. In relation to spinal neurology, erections occurred in all of those with a positive anocutaneous reflex, 64% of those with a negative anocutaneous reflex and a level at or below the sympathetic outflow and 14% of those with a negative anocutaneous reflex and a level above the sympathetic outflow. The physiological implications of these findings are discussed.