Priapismo: abordaje clínico y manejo de urgencia / Priapism: clinical approach and emergency management

Priapism is a persistent erection, often painful, lasting more than 4 hours and unrelated to sexual stimulation. Based on clinical and pathophysiological features, priapism can be classified as ischemic, nonischemic and stuttering. Ischemic priapism is the most frequent form and represents a urological emergency. Although it is described as a low frequency entity, its timely diagnosis and immediate intervention are essential in the reestablishment of cavernous blood flow and in the prevention of necrosis and permanent erectile dysfunction. Intracavernous blood aspiration and injection of a-adrenergic agents correspond to the first-line options for the management of cases of ischemic priapism. Surgical shunts continue to be the most widely used surgical option for the management of prolonged ischemic priapism refractory to non-invasive management, with emerging evidence supporting the early implantation of a penile prosthesis. The objective of this review article is to describe the keys to the clinical approach and acute management of priapism in the emergency department. (AU)

Prevalence of priapism in individuals with sickle cell disease and implications on male sexual function / Prevalência de priapismo em indivíduos com doença falciforme e suas implicações na função sexual masculina

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate epidemiological aspects of priapism in patients with sickle cell disease, and these aspects impact on adult sexual function. Methods This was a cross-sectional study including individuals with sickle cell disease who were evaluated at a reference center for sickle cell. Participants completed a structured questionnaire about their sociodemographic characteristics and priapism events. Sexual function was assessed using validated two instruments, the Erection Hardness Score and one about the sex life satisfaction. Results Sixty-four individuals with median aged of 12 (7 to 28) years were interviewed. The prevalence of priapism was 35.9% (23/64). The earliest priapism episode occurred at 2 years of age and the latest at 42 years. The statistical projection was that 71.1% of individuals of the study would have at least one episode of priapism throughout life. Patients with episodes of priapism (10/23) had significantly worse erectile function Erection Hardness Score of 2 [1-3]; p=0.01 and were less satisfied with sexual life 3 [3-5]; p=0.02. Conclusion Priapism is usually present in childhood, and severe episodes are associated with cavernous damage, impairment in the quality of the erection, and lower sexual satisfaction.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar aspectos epidemiológicos do priapismo em pacientes com doença falciforme e o impacto desses aspectos na função sexual de adultos. Métodos Trata-se de estudo transversal, que incluiu indivíduos com doença falciforme acompanhados em um centro de referência. Os participantes responderam a um questionário estruturado acerca das características sociodemográficas e eventos de priapismo. A função sexual foi avaliada por meio de dois instrumentos validados, a Escala de Rigidez de Ereção e um sobre satisfação com a vida sexual. Resultados Foram entrevistados 64 indivíduos com média de idade de 12 (7-28) anos. A prevalência de priapismo foi de 35,9% (23/64). O episódio mais precoce ocorreu aos 2 anos de idade e o mais tardio, aos 42 anos. A projeção estatística foi de que 71,1% desses sujeitos teriam pelo menos um episódio de priapismo ao longo da vida. Pacientes adultos com episódios de priapismo (10/23) apresentaram função erétil significativamente pior Escala de Rigidez de Ereção de 2 [1-3]; p=0,01 e estavam menos satisfeitos com a vida sexual 3 [3-5]; p=0,02. Conclusão O priapismo manifesta-se desde a infância, e episódios graves estão associados a dano cavernoso, prejuízo na qualidade da ereção e menor satisfação sexual.

Fisiopatología del priapismo en el paciente con anemia drepanocítica / Physiopathology of priapism in sickle cell anaemia patients

La anemia drepanocítica es una enfermedad con un alto índice de morbilidad que afecta la calidad de vida de los pacientes que la padecen. El priapismo es una complicación frecuente de la enfermedad y se define como una erección dolorosa, prolongada y persistente del pene de más de 4 horas de duración,sin estimulación sexual asociada. El 95 por ciento de las crisis de priapismo en el paciente con anemia drepanocítica son de tipo isquémico o de bajo flujo. En este trabajo se revisan los nuevos mecanismos moleculares que explican la patogenia del priapismo isquémico y que son la base de futuras posibles dianas terapéuticas para su tratamiento(AU)

Sickle cell anaemia (SCD) is a disorder with a high index of morbidity, affecting the quality of life of these patients. Priapism is a common complication of SCD and it is characterized by a prolonged and persistent erection of the penis lasting more than 4 hours without associated sexual stimulation. The 95 percent of priapism crisis in SCD patients are ischemic type. In this paper we review the new molecular mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic priapism and provide the basis for potential future therapies(AU)

Recurring priapism may be a symptom of voiding dysfunction – case report and literature review

ABSTRACT Recurring priapism is rare in pre-pubertal children and may be attributed to multiple causes. We propose that voiding dysfunction (VD) may also justify this symptom and detail a clinical case of recurring stuttering priapism associated to overactive bladder that completely resolved after usage of anticholinergics and urotherapy. Sacral parasympathetic activity is responsible for detrusor contraction and for spontaneous erections and a relationship between erections and bladder status has been proved in healthy subjects (morning erections) and models of medullar trauma. High bladder pressures and/or volumes, voiding incoordination and posterior urethritis can potentially trigger reflex erections.

Does platelet activity play a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic ischemic priapism?

ABSTRACT Purpose Mean platelet volume (MPV) is used to measure platelet size and is defined as a potential marker of platelet reactivity. Higher MPV levels have been defined as a risk factor for increased incidence of intravascular thrombosis and its associated diseases. We aimed to determine whether a relationship exists between the MPV and veno-occlusive component of idiopathic ischemic priapism (IIP). Materials and methods Between 2010 and 2014, 38 subjects were analyzed in two groups. One was composed of 15 patients with diagnosis as IIP in our institute, and the other contained 23 healthy control subjects. Complete blood count reports were retrospectively evaluated in both groups. MPV, platelet count (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW), white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), reticulocyte distribution width (RDW) were measured in both groups. : Results The mean ages were similar in IIP patients (45.86±15.82) and control subjects (47.65±10.99). The mean MPV values of IIP patients were significantly higher than control subjects (p<0.05). In contrast, also PLT counts were significantly lower in IIP patients, compared to control subjects (p<0.05). The mean hemoglobin and WBC values were significantly lower in control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference of RBC, PDW and RDW values in both groups. Conclusions We found that the MPV was significantly higher in IIP patients compared to control subjects. The high MPV levels may have contributed to the veno-occlusive etiopathogenesis of IIP disease. We strongly suggest further prospective studies to recommend the use of MPV in routine practice.

Priapismo de alto flujo postraumático en paciente pediátrico tratado con embolización arterial selectiva / Postraumatic high-flow priapism in pediatric patient treated with selective arterial embolization

El priapismo arterial es una rara patología en pacientes pediátricos, originada por una fístula entre la arteria cavernosa y los sinusoides del cuerpo cavernoso, habitualmente secundaria a un traumatismo perineal. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 16 años con priapismo arterial de 5 días de evolución tras una caída a horcajadas, tratado satisfactoriamente mediante embolización arterial supraselectiva con material reabsorbible. Seis meses después, el paciente presenta detumescencia completa sin disfunción eréctil asociada. La embolización arterial en pacientes pediátricos es compleja debido al menor calibre arterial y la necesidad de control de la arteria pudenda interna contralateral para evitar el desarrollo de complicaciones. La utilización de material reabsorbible permite disminuir el riesgo de disfunción eréctil posterior y, aunque presenta un mayor índice de recurrencias, constituye una alternativa eficaz en el tratamiento de esta patología.

Arterial priapism is a rare condition in pediatric patients, caused by a fistula between the cavernous artery and the sinusoids of the corpus cavernosum, usually secondary to perineal trauma. We report the case of a 16 year old child with arterial priapism of 5 days duration following a fall astride, successfully treated by superselective arterial embolization with absorbable material. Six months later the patient had complete detumescence without secondary erectile dysfunction. Arterial embolization in pediatric patients is complex due to the smaller arterial size and the need to control the contralateral internal pudendal artery to prevent the development of complications. The use of absorbable material helps reduce the risk of subsequent erectile dysfunction and, although it has a higher rate of recurrence, is an alternative for the treatment of this pathology.

Priapismo em crianças: revisão de fisiopatologia e tratamento: [revisão] / Priapism in children: review of pathophysiology and treatment: [review]

OBJETIVOS: O priapismo pode causar sequelas graves em relação à vida sexual futura do paciente, pois pode determinar impotência, disfunção erétil ou aversão sexual psicogênica. É um sintoma comum da doença falciforme em crianças e adolescentes. Há poucos estudos com evidências de qualidade sobre esse problema na literatura médica atual. FONTES DOS DADOS: Revisão da literatura utilizando as bases de dados MEDLINE e LILACS no período de 1966 a 2008. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: A base para o tratamento de priapismo de baixo fluxo inclui o tratamento da doença falciforme e o uso de agentes adrenérgicos por administração intracavernosa conforme necessário. Indica-se cirurgia em uma minoria de casos. O tratamento de casos pediátricos exige ajuste de doses, escolha adequada de medicamentos e sedoanalgesia para procedimentos envolvendo dor ou trauma. CONCLUSÕES: Uma nova teoria fisiopatológica relativa à doença falciforme, que questiona os mecanismos tradicionais de bloqueio vascular por hemácias deformadas e propõe que a ativação inflamatória endotelial é a principal causa de problemas clínicos, permite propor novas manobras terapêuticas para lidar com o priapismo na doença falciforme. A ausência de evidência de qualidade para tratar o priapismo na doença falciforme sugere a necessidade de conduzir bons protocolos prospectivos multicêntricos para investigar essa condição.

OBJECTIVES: Priapism may cause serious sequelae concerning the future sex life of the patient, as it can determine impotence, erectile dysfunction or psychogenic sexual aversion. It is a common symptom of sickle cell disease in children and adolescents. There are few good quality evidence manuscripts about the problem in current medical literature. SOURCES: Literature review on the databases MEDLINE and LILACS covering the period from 1966 to 2008. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: The basis for the treatment of low flow priapism includes treating sickle cell disease and the usage of intracavernous adrenergic agents as necessary. Surgery is indicated in a minority of cases. The treatment of pediatric cases demands dose adjustments, adequate drug choice and sedoanalgesia to cover procedures involving pain or trauma. CONCLUSIONS: A new physiopathologic theory concerning sickle cell disease, which questions the traditional vascular blockage mechanisms by deformed red cells and proposes that endothelial inflammatory activation is the main cause of clinical problems allows to propose new therapeutic maneuvers to solve sickle cell priapism. The absence of good quality evidence to treat sickle cell priapism suggests the necessity to conduct good prospective multicenter protocols to investigate the condition.

Does prolonged semi-erection in prepubertal high flow priapism result in increased penile size?

High flow priapism is a rare pathology resulting mainly from trauma to the perineum leading to arterial-lacunar fistula. Management includes arterial embolization using absorbable material, as well as conservative approach. In this case, the effect of prolonged semi-erection in prepubertal high flow priapism on increased penile size is discussed

Priapismo de alto fluxo: analise de quatro casos / High flow priapism: four cases report

Priapismo e caracterizado por quadros de erecao prolongada nao relacionada a estimulos sexuais. Pode ser dividido em dois tipos de acordo com a fisiopatologia: baixo e alto fluxo. O primeiro e o mais comum e normalmente secundario a doencas hematologicas ou decorrente de tratamento farmacologico para a impotencia e esta relacionado a erecao dolorosa e isquemica dos corpos cavernosos. O segundo e menos frequente e esta relacionado a estados de hiperfluxo peniano secundarios a trauma em regiao peniana ou perineal resultantes em lesao de arteria cavernosa ou de seus...