DOPPLER ULTRASOUND FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the value of color Doppler sonography in differentiating arterial from venous forms of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. 2.To relate the arterial and venous forms of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction with causative factors like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking and physiological conditions in ages of greater than 40 years and less than 40 years. SETTING: Department of Radiology, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. DURATION OF STUDY: From 29/05/2006 to 30/11/2006. STUDY DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who visited the department consented to participate, fulfilled the inclusion criteria underwent color Doppler ultrasonographic examination to ascertain underlying etiology of ED. Information regarding age and relevant medical and/or surgical history were also elicited through a structured proforma. RESULTS: Psychogenic ED was the commonest factor (57.5%) followed by smoking in 15 (37.5%), hypertension 9 (22.5%) and diabetes mellitus 7 (17.5%) patients. Association of these factors with age group (40 or >40 years) was insignificant i.e. psychogenic conditions (p=0.481), smoking (p=0.502), hypertension (p=0.453) and diabetes mellitus (p=0.453). Among 40 patients, 25% were suffering from venous leak, 17.5% were suffering from arterial insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The major cause of ED in our study was psychogenic disorders. This alludes to the importance of diagnostic techniques such as color ultrasound for early identification of such cases.

Keywords : Erectile dysfunction, Color Doppler sonography, Erect penis.