Priapism: current updates in clinical management

Successful Endovascular Microembolization for Post-Traumatic High-Flow Priapism: A Case Report

BACKGROUND High-flow (non-ischemic) priapism is a rare urological condition usually related to blind trauma to the penis or perineum causing an arterial-lacunar fistula. It can be treated conservatively, but in some cases when conservative treatment fails, the interventional approach is indicated. In the past, only surgical treatment was available, which was associated with a significant risk of complications. Endovascular techniques use a novel approach and offer clinical benefits for the patient. CASE REPORT A 51-year-old man was admitted to the hospital after referral from the urology department with high-flow priapism related to blunt trauma. Angio-computed tomography showed extravasation of contrast medium to the corpus cavernosum, and angiography revealed a fistula between the distal segment of the left internal pudendal artery and corpora cavernosa. A successful endovascular microembolization of the arterial-lacunar fistula with the use of microcoils was performed. The postprocedural period was uneventful and the patient was discharged. Despite incomplete angiographic follow-up at 6 months, the initial symptoms were fully resolved with the absence of any erectile dysfunction and no recurrence of priapism occurred. CONCLUSIONS Post-traumatic high-flow priapism can be safely and effectively treated by endovascular means. Microembolization has proven to be successful and beneficial to preserve sexual functions.

Priapism in a 31-Year-Old Male With Paranoid Schizophrenia

Priapism is a painful and emergent side effect that has been linked to some antipsychotics and other psychiatric medications, most often trazodone. This is thought to be due to some level of alpha-1 adrenergic blockade by these medications. Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic with notably weak alpha-1 adrenergic antagonism. Thus, we report on a unique case of aripiprazole-induced priapism in a patient with schizophrenia and recurrent episodes of antipsychotic-induced priapism. This study offers insight into the potential mechanism of aripiprazole-induced priapism and offers alternative medications, such as olanzapine and lumateperone, to treat the patient's ongoing psychotic disorder.

Analysis of the Causes of Newborn Priapism: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Priapism is a rare condition in the newborn. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic, etiologic and clinical features of neonatal priapism. We retrospectively analysed the data of 11 patients diagnosed with neonatal priapism in the neonatal intensive care unit between 2000 and 2019. Priapism was defined as an erection in the neonatal period, lasting more than 4 hours. Etiological examinations revealed polycythemia in one (9.09%) patient, D-dimer elevation in three patients, and heterozygous methyltetrahydrofolate 667 gene mutations in one patient. Other patients were considered idiopathic. Detumescence was achieved in all 11 (100%) patients during the follow-up period. The median hospitalization duration was 6 (IQR [4, 8]; range, 2-9) days. The median follow-up duration was 38 (IQR [30, 42]; range, 13-94) months for patients followed-up in our hospital after discharge. Neonatal priapism is a rare condition. Successful treatment results can be achieved with conservative methods. Data acquired from our study showed that diseases with a tendency to hypercoagulation belong to the etiology by damaging penile microcirculation and make the response to conservative treatment more challenging.

An update on the management algorithms of priapism during the last decade

Priapism is a persistent penile erection lasting longer than 4 hours, that needs emergency management. This disorder can induce irreversible erectile dysfunction. There are three subtypes of priapism: ischemic, non-ischemic, and stuttering priapism. If the patient has ischemic priapism (IP) of less than 24-hours (h) duration, the initial management should be a corporal blood aspiration followed by instillation of phenylephrine into the corpus cavernosum. If sympathomimetic fails or the patient has IP from 24 to 48h, surgical shunts should be performed. It is recommended that distal shunts should be attempted first. If distal shunt failed, proximal, venous shunt, or T-shunt with tunneling could be performed. If the patient had IP for 48 to 72h, proximal and venous shunt or T-shunt with tunneling is indicated, if those therapies failed, a penile prosthesis should be inserted. Non-ischemic priapism (NIP) is not a medical emergency and many patients will recover spontaneously. If the NIP does not resolve spontaneously within six months or the patient requests therapy, selective arterial embolization is indicated. The goal of the management of a patient with stuttering priapism (SP) is the prevention of future episodes. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor therapy is considered an effective tool to prevent stuttering episodes but it is not validated yet. The management of priapism should follow the guidelines as the future erectile function is dependent on its quick resolution. This review briefly discusses the types, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of priapism. It will discuss an updated approach to treat each type of priapism.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and priapism: An unexplored association

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has an established impact on multiple organ systems, including the vascular and urogenital systems. Vascular effects may include venous thromboembolic disease, which could theoretically be a precursor to priapism-a urological emergency defined as an abnormal condition of prolonged penile erection lasting >4 hours. To better explore this association, we critically appraised all the published COVID-19 cases associated with priapism.

Materials and methods

After PROSPERO registration (CRD42021245257), a systematic search of Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Global Index Medicus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was performed using specific search terms. The following study metadata were extracted: age, requirement for respiratory support, cavernous blood gas findings, management of priapism, and patient outcomes.

Results

Fifteen single-patient case reports were included in this review. Of these, all of the patients presented with ischemic priapism, 9 patients (60.0%) were >60 years of age, 4 (26.7%) reported more than a single episode of priapism, 11 (73.3%) presented with pneumonia, 8 (53.3%) required mechanical ventilation, D-dimer was elevated in 5 of the 6 (83.3%) patients in whom this was reported, and among the 13 patients in whom mortality was reported, 4 (30.8%) died.

Conclusions

Early reports suggest a prognostic relationship between COVID-19 and coexisting priapism. However, owing to commonalities in their pathophysiology and the small dataset reported in the literature, the probable association between COVID-19 and priapism is still theoretical. Further research is needed to confirm this association.

Presumptive Non-Ischemic Priapism in a Cat

A 14-year-old neutered male British shorthair cat presented with a 21-day history of persistent erection and dysuria, along with overgrooming of the perineal region. Mild palpation induced pain and rigid corpora cavernosa with flaccid glans were observed during physical examination. Ultrasonography of the penis did not detect significant blood flow in the penile cavernosal artery. The drawing of aspirate blood from cavernosal bodies for gas analysis was impossible because of the anatomically small penis size of cats. Conservative management, including topical steroid ointment, lidocaine gel, gabapentin, and diazepam, was prescribed for supportive management. The clinical signs resolved, and ultrasonographic examination of the penis revealed no abnormalities. The cat remains clinically well without recurrence during the 6 months after treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of non-ischemic priapism in a cat.

Superselective embolization in posttraumatic high-flow priapism

We present a case of a 24 year old man who presented with high flow priapism. Priapism is defined as an erection lasting four or more hours, either after or unrelated to sexual stimulation. Priapism can be categorized into low-flow, stuttering, and high-flow types, each with unique mechanisms and treatments. High-flow priapism is caused by an abnormal communication between the artery and sinusoids of the penis, often in the form of an arteriovenous fistula. Super-selective embolization is the treatment of choice for high-flow priapism if conservative measures fail. Super-selective embolization is associated with an 80% success rate and a low chance of post-procedure erectile dysfunction.

Superselective embolization for high-flow priapism refractory to medical and surgical treatments

Background

This study aimed to report long-term outcome of superselective embolization in patients with high-flow priapism refractory to medical and surgical treatments.

Methods

From August 2011 until July 2016, 14 patients with high-flow priapism refractory to local treatments were treated and their charts were retrospective reviewed. Clinical evaluation, color Doppler ultrasonography, arteriography and selective embolization were performed. Follow up was performed in all patients. Fourteen men (18–63 years old) were enrolled, with priapism duration of 14 h to 28 days. Internal pudendal arteries or glutaea inferior arteriae were successfully embolized with gelatin sponge particles, polyvinyl alcohol particles or microcoils.

Results

Pseudoaneurysm in right femoral artery was found in one case after intervention. The follow-up 1 week later showed that 13 patients were in good condition, the priapism diminished 1–7 days (mean 3.2 ± 0.5 days) after intervention, and 1 patient received second intervention. Mean follow-up was (range 10.8–69.6) months. One patient had recurrent priapism months after embolization and had his penis surgically removed for severe necrosis.

Conclusions

Superselective embolization is safe and effective in high-flow priapism refractory local treatments, with a good long-term prognosis.

A novel approach to treatment of priapism refractory to non-surgical methods: A single-case experience

Ischaemic priapism is a rarely encountered urological emergency that can lead to erectile dysfunction if not treated. Treatment strategies for ischaemic priapism include: cavernosal sympathomimetic injections; percutaneous shunts; and surgical procedures including shunts and penile prostheses. We present a case of a middle-aged man presenting with ischaemic priapism refractory to cavernosal injections and percutaneous T-shunt procedure. After refusal of surgery, a continuous cavernosal infusion of phenylephrine was successfully performed with resolution of erection and no sequelae. For the treatment of ischaemic priapism, adherence to management guidelines should be encouraged; however, it is still a disease entity that is not well understood and new treatment protocols may have a role in the future.

Abbreviation: ED: erectile dysfunction

Priapisme veineux aigu aux urgences : procédure fondée sur une revue systématique de la littérature

Le priapisme veineux aigu (PVA) est urgent en raison de séquelles érectiles éventuelles. Sa rareté et l’absence de procédure expliquent des traitements encore inégaux, peu normés.

Objectif : Optimiser la prise en charge initiale d’un PVA grâce à une procédure décisionnelle, adaptée aux urgentistes.

Matériel et méthode : Une revue systématique de la littérature recense les algorithmes schématisés ainsi que des articles de revue et mises au point récents. Les critères diagnostiques et thérapeutiques ont été analysés puis comparés pour vérifier s’ils répondaient aux besoins. La validation de cette procédure par des experts a été recherchée. Résultats : L’originalité de notre procédure réside dans sa cible (urgentistes), sa hiérarchisation, « Que faire ? Comment faire ? Quand faire ? Qui fait ? », de façon graduée et séquentielle via une chronologie détaillée, et une priorité donnée à la gazométrie caverneuse, fil conducteur de la prise en charge, facilement disponible. À cela s’ajoutent des tableaux, des check-lists (contexte étiologique et souffrance ischémique), des schémas descriptifs des traitements médicaux indiqués en première ligne (technique, matériel de ponction décompressive et d’injection intracaverneuse d’alpha-stimulant), critères de recours à l’urologue, suivi et hospitalisation. Cette procédure a été validée par le conseil scientifique du réseau nord-alpin des Urgences, le comité d’andrologie et médecine sexuelle de l’Association française d’urologie.

Conclusion : Facile à utiliser, cette procédure inédite répond à un réel besoin. Son appropriation et sa diffusion s’inscrivent dans une démarche qualité adaptée au parcours de soins du PVA en France afin de prévenir les séquelles érectiles de cette urgence affectant majoritairement des sujets jeunes.

Ischemic priapism: Can eosinophil count and platelet functions be positive predictive factors in etiopathogenesis

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the relation between ischemic priapism (IP) and blood count parameters in IP patients. We especially wanted to examine the contribution of eosinophil count (EC), platelet count (PC), and mean platelet volume (MPV) values, which are suspected predictive parameters for vascular endothelium damage and venoocclusive pathogenesis and etiopathogenesis, particularly in IP.

METHODS

A total of 40 IP patients fulfilled the study criteria. Forty healthy volunteers in a similar age group were included as the control group. Complete blood count values were compared between the two groups. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, and the chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between categorical variables in the patient groups. The area under the curve was calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) regression analyses. Epidemiological diagnosis percentages were calculated by finding cutoff values.

RESULTS

The IP group's high MPV, PC, and EC values compared to those of the control group were detected to be statistically significant (p<0.001, p=0,03, p=0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups for other blood count parameters. Statistically significant values for IP were measured as MPV: positive predictive value: 84%; EC: positive predictive value: 71.4%; and PC: positive predictive value: 61.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

High MPV, PC, and EC values are significant positive predictive factors in IP etiopathogenesis. No proof was detected for other blood count parameters playing an active role in IP etiopathogenesis.

Clinical Management of Priapism: A Review

Priapism is defined as a persistent and painful erection lasting longer than four hours without sexual stimulation. Based on episode history and pathophysiology, priapism is classified into three subtypes: ischemic (low-flow), non-ischemic (high-flow), and stuttering priapism. Ischemic priapism is characterized by a persistent, painful erection with remarkable rigidity of the corpora cavernosa caused by a disorder of venous blood outflow from this tissue mass, and is similar to penile compartment syndrome. Stuttering priapism is characterized by a self-limited, recurrent, and intermittent erection, frequently occurring in patients with sickle cell disease. Non-ischemic priapism is characterized by a painless, persistent nonsexual erection that is not fully rigid and is caused by excess arterial blood flow into the corpora cavernosa. Because ischemic and non-ischemic priapism differ based on emergency status and treatment options, appropriate discrimination of each type of priapism is required to initiate adequate clinical management. The goal of management of priapism is to achieve detumescence of the persistent penile erection and to preserve erectile function after resolution of the priapism. To achieve successful management, urologists should address this emergency clinical condition. In the present article, we review the diagnosis and clinical management of the three types of priapism.

How I treat priapism

Priapism is a disorder of persistent penile erection unrelated to sexual interest or desire. This pathologic condition, specifically the ischemic variant, is often associated with devastating complications, notably erectile dysfunction. Because priapism demonstrates high prevalence in patients with hematologic disorders, most commonly sickle cell disease (SCD), there is significant concern for its sequelae in this affected population. Thus, timely diagnosis and management are critical for the prevention or at least reduction of cavernosal tissue ischemia and potential damage consequent to each episode. Current guidelines and management strategies focus primarily on reactive treatments. However, an increasing understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of SCD-associated priapism has led to the identification of new potential therapeutic targets. Future agents are being developed and explored for use in the prevention of priapism.

A rare entity: idiopathic priapism in a newborn and review of the literature

Priapism is a pathological condition of a penile erection that persists beyond or is unrelated to sexual stimulation. Priapism is an important medical condition, which requires evaluation and may require emergency management. This condition occurs very infrequently in paediatrics outside of the sickle-cell population and is exceedingly rare in newborns. The evaluation and management of neonatal priapism can be challenging for paediatricians, neonatologists and paediatric urologists alike given the lack of experience with this condition, its poorly understood pathophysiology and the absence of well-established guidelines. We present a case of idiopathic neonatal priapism because of its rarity and review of the literature.

Priapism associated with the use of stimulant medications and atomoxetine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children

OBJECTIVE

To review the association of priapism with stimulant medications and atomoxetine commonly used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive literature search was conducted through PubMed (1966-May 15, 2014) using the search terms priapism, methylphenidate, amphetamine, atomoxetine, attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity, and pediatrics. Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site were also searched. References from identified literature were also reviewed.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

All identified literature focused on ADHD treatment. Literature regarding priapism caused by methylphenidate, amphetamines, and atomoxetine were included.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Stimulant medications and atomoxetine have been linked to the occurrence of priapism in children. Specifically, methylphenidate has been implicated in a recent FDA safety announcement warning as a result of 15 case reports (mean age = 12.5 years), and thus, the drug label and medication guides have been updated to reflect this concern. Prolonged erections and priapism occurred with immediate- and long-acting products, dose increases, and drug withdrawal periods. Priapism has also occurred in 4 patients taking amphetamines and one 11-year-old patient taking atomoxetine for ADHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Priapism has been associated with stimulants, amphetamines, and atomoxetine use for ADHD in children. Providers and health care practitioners should educate male patients prescribed these ADHD medications as well as caregivers regarding the signs, symptoms, and complications with priapism. Discontinuation and evaluation of the medication is warranted if this adverse drug reaction occurs. Depending on the priapism subtype, other products may be initiated or medications not associated with priapism may be utilized.