[Non traumatic high flow priapism: arterial embolization treatment].

PURPOSE: To report cases of non traumatic high flow priapism treated by arterial embolization.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Six men presented with non traumatic high flow priapism, the diagnosis was based on colour Doppler ultrasound, cavernous blood gas analysis with arterial blood saturation levels and failed medical or surgical therapy. Four patients had sickle cell disease. The embolization was performed with Gelfoam and was unilateral in one case, bilateral in the other cases.

RESULTS

Detumescence occurred in a few hours in all cases. One patient had recurrent priapism two years after and was treated by embolization. Transient erectile dysfunction was observed in five cases, permanent in one case.

CONCLUSION

Arterial embolization is the treatment of choice in high flow priapism with low rate of permanent erectile dysfunction.