Erectile dysfunction and priapism.

BACKGROUND

A 46-year-old man presented with erectile dysfunction following a blunt perineal injury sustained 1 year previously. Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors failed to improve his erections. The remainder of the patient's history, physical examination and laboratory tests were unremarkable except for a moderate tenderness in the left perineum and some 'fullness' in the corpora cavernosa during physical examination.

INVESTIGATION: Physical examination, color duplex ultrasound of the penis and perineal area and Sexual Health Index for Men questionnaire.

DIAGNOSIS: Non-ischemic priapism due to a ruptured left helicine artery, intermittent penile turgidity and erectile dysfunction.

MANAGEMENT: Open suture ligation of the helicine artery and imbrication of the pseudocapsule.