Penile body temperature as screening test for penile arterial obstruction in impotence.

Intraurethral penile body temperature measurement is a simple, inexpensive procedure designed for screening impotent patients which can be done in the physician's office. The results give a reliable index of penile arterial circulation and can suggest possible organic impairment, which can be verified further by other noninvasive vascular studies. In our experience, patients having more than 3 degrees F. difference between sublingual and internal penile temperature are most likely to have significant penile arterial obstruction. This method is recommended as a diagnostic procedure to help detect possible vasculogenic causes of impotence.