Role of confrontation in performance and interpretation of nocturnal penile tumescence studies

Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) studies were performed in 39 men complaining of erectile impotency. In over half the cases, the tracings alone without the results of monitoring did not allow conclusive determination of cause or suggest a reasonable treatment. Results of technician-monitoring of erections, and the patient's reaction to confrontation with the erections achieved, allowed a rational basis for treatment in most cases. NPT testing should be (1) monitored, and (2) used as an adjunct to planning treatment for, but not to determine cause of, erectile impotency.