Predictive value of real-time RigiScan monitoring for the etiology of organogenic impotence.

Abstract

We performed routine diagnostic evaluations in 160 consecutive patients from our impotence clinic. After the diagnostic studies were completed, the results of RigiScan* monitoring during visual sexual stimulation before and after intracavernous injection of vasoactive drugs were compared to the results of standardized pharmacological testing, single potential analysis of cavernous electrical activity and pharmacocavernosometry. The results suggest RigiScan monitoring to be a highly accurate method to evaluate and document objectively the erectile response after intracavernous injection of vasoactive drugs. Although pathological monitoring after intracavernous injection is significantly associated with pathological findings in the specific evaluation, the predictive value of RigiScan monitoring for specific organogenic etiologies is not satisfactory, since normal monitoring showed no convincing correlation to single potential analysis of cavernous electrical activity or cavernosometry.