Clinical Value of Nocturnal Penile Erection by Rigiscan / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

Continuous and simultaneous recording of nocturnal penile rigidity and tumescence is preferred than measuring tumescence alone to define the features of nocturnal penile erection and differentiate psychogenic from organic impotence. Rigiscan is suitable for this purpose. Authors studied to define the features of nocturnal penile erection by rigiscan in 24 normal Koreans and 18 patients with erectile dysfunction. The results were as follows : 1. In normal group, the number of normal erection was 4.2+/-0.9 times per night, duration was 21.1+/-7.4 minutes at tip and 26.3+/-9.8 minutes at base, tumescence change was 1.81+/-0.51 cm at tip and 2.23+/-0.72 cm at base, rigidity was 55.7+/-19.6 per cent at tip and 66.3+/-12.0 per cent at base. Maximal duration was 34.2+/-14.9 minutes at tip and 39.0+/-15.1 minutes at base, maximal tumescence change was 2.28+/-0.83 cm at tip and 2.64+/-0.78 cm at base, maximal rigidity was 65.4+/-11.8 per cent at tip and 75.8+/-12.5 per cent at base. The higher the age, the shorter the duration and number of events were(p<0.05). 2. In patient group, normal rigigram showed in 6 patients(3 of psychogenic, 3 of posterior urethral injury). Event and duration were shorter than normal group(p<0.05). The findings of flat trace or abnormal erection provide valuable information to screen the organic impotence.