John J, Mngqi N, Kesner K. Priapism after spinal cord injury - a case report and review of the literature.
Ther Adv Urol 2021;
13:17562872211039107. [PMID:
34422113 PMCID:
PMC8371740 DOI:
10.1177/17562872211039107]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Involuntary unwanted erections are extremely rare after spinal cord injury (SCI). A
sudden loss of sympathetic tone to the pelvic vasculature following SCI causes an increase
in the parasympathetic tone and uncontrolled arterial blood flow into the penile
sinusoidal spaces. When occurring immediately after an acute SCI, it is generally
self-limiting and settles within a few hours. In contrast, recurrent, unwanted erections
in patients with chronic SCI are more unpredictable in frequency and duration and may
require treatment. We present a case of recurrent involuntary unwanted erections in a
patient with chronic SCI after a stab wound to his neck and review the pathophysiology and
available management options.
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