High-flow priapism in testosterone-treated boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty may occur even when very low doses are used

Androgens During Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence: Physiology and Use in Clinical Practice

We provide an in-depth review of the role of androgens in male maturation and development, from the fetal stage through adolescence into emerging adulthood, and discuss the treatment of disorders of androgen production throughout these time periods. Testosterone, the primary androgen produced by males, has both anabolic and androgenic effects. Androgen exposure induces virilization and anabolic body composition changes during fetal development, influences growth and virilization during infancy, and stimulates development of secondary sexual characteristics, growth acceleration, bone mass accrual, and alterations of body composition during puberty. Disorders of androgen production may be subdivided into hypo- or hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may be either congenital or acquired (resulting from cranial radiation, trauma, or less common causes). Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism occurs in males with Klinefelter syndrome and may occur in response to pelvic radiation, certain chemotherapeutic agents, and less common causes. These disorders all require testosterone replacement therapy during pubertal maturation and many require lifelong replacement. Androgen (or gonadotropin) therapy is clearly beneficial in those with persistent hypogonadism and self-limited delayed puberty and is now widely used in transgender male adolescents. With more widespread use and newer formulations approved for adults, data from long-term randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to enable pediatricians to identify the optimal age of initiation, route of administration, and dosing frequency to address the unique needs of their patients.

Short-term adverse effects of testosterone used for priming in prepubertal boys before growth hormone stimulation test

BACKGROUND

Despite the fact that priming with sex steroids in prepubertal children before growth hormone (GH) provocative tests is recommended, there is an ongoing controversial discussion about the appropriate age of the children, the drug used for priming, the dose and the period between priming and the GH test. Interestingly, there is no discussion on the safety of this procedure. To date, only little data have been available on the possible side effects of priming with testosterone.

METHODS

We analyzed the outcome in 188 short-statured prepubertal boys who had been primed with testosterone enanthate (n=136: 50 mg; n=51: 125 mg, and accidentally one boy with 250 mg) 7 days prior to the GH test. Serum testosterone levels were measured on the day of the GH test in 99 boys.

RESULTS

Overall, only five boys developed adverse side effects. Two boys (dose 125 mg) showed severe low-flow priapism and had to undergo decompression of the corpora cavernosa. One boy suffered from self-limiting priapism and testicular pain (dose 50 mg). Two patients reported testicular pain (each dose 50 mg). The single patient with 250 mg testosterone did not show any adverse effects. The total side effect rate was 2.7%. The serum testosterone levels of the boys with side effects were not different from the testosterone levels of the boys without any side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents and patients should be informed about the possible side effects of priming with testosterone such as priapism and testicular pain. However, the overall side effect rate is low. We found no correlation between the outcome and the testosterone dose used and/or the level of serum testosterone.

Evaluation and management of priapism: 2009 update

Priapism is defined as a persistent penile erection (typically 4 h or longer) that is unrelated to sexual stimulation. Priapism can be classified as either ischemic or nonischemic. Ischemic priapism, the most common subtype, is typically accompanied by pain and is associated with a substantial risk of subsequent erectile dysfunction. Prompt medical attention is indicated in cases of ischemic priapism. The initial management of choice is corporal aspiration with injection of sympathomimetic agents. If medical management fails, a cavernosal shunt procedure is indicated. Stuttering (recurrent) ischemic priapism is a challenging and poorly understood condition; new management strategies currently under investigation may improve our ability to care for men with this condition. Nonischemic priapism occurs more rarely than ischemic priapism, and is most often the result of trauma. This subtype of priapism, which is generally not painful, is usually initially managed with conservative treatment.

Priapism associated with atypical antipsychotic medications: a review

Priapism defined as persistent, painful and prolonged penile erection, was previously thought to be associated only with the use of the older, conventional first generation or typical antipsychotic medications as well as some other medications, notably, trazodone. The mechanism of priapism associated with antipsychotics is not clear but is thought to be related to alpha-adrenergic blockage that is mediated by the alpha receptors in the corpora cavernosa of the penis. Atypical antipsychotics, also known as second-generation antipsychotics, owing to their favorable side effect profile, are being prescribed with increasing frequency and are not as frequently considered to cause priapism. Some case reports reporting this side effect with their use, however, are found. Pubmed and Ovid databases were searched to obtain all articles and case reports of antipsychotic drug-induced priapism. Key search words included 'priapism', 'antipsychotics' and 'drug-induced priapism'. References of all identified studies were also reviewed. A total of 50 publications were obtained. Most of the atypical antipsychotics have been reported to cause priapism. These cases have occurred in patients shortly after having been started on the antipsychotic medications as well as in those who have been on them for an extended period of time without modification in dosage, and have also occurred sometimes, with the addition of another antipsychotic, lithium or serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor. Priapism has been documented with nearly all the atypical antipsychotic medications. It is, however, a rarely reported side effect and therefore, underappreciated. Priapism can cause irreversible erectile dysfunction and is a urologic emergency. Clinicians should monitor patients on these medications for this rare, yet significant side effect. Furthermore, caution must be used when adding new drugs to the regimen and patients should be closely monitored for this side effect. Educating patients about the risk of developing priapism would help increase awareness of the side effect and promote early reporting thereby, decreasing long-term morbidity.