Intermittent priapism associated with lumbar spinal stenosis

Nine patients with intermittent priapism associated with lumbar spinal stenosis are described. They had severe intermittent claudication and priapism when walking, and 7 had sensory disturbances affecting the lumbosacral nerve roots at rest. Radiographs showed degenerative central stenosis in 6, and degenerative spondylolisthesis in 3. Seven were treated by surgical decompression and 2 refused operation. Six of the 7 had improvement in their priapism, but symptoms recurred in one as a result of spondylolisthesis developing after operation.