RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether audio-visual sexual stimulation (AVSS) with virtual glasses is effective in improving the recording of penile hemodynamics during penile color duplex Doppler ultrasonography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 64 consecutive patients with erectile dysfunction underwent penile color duplex Doppler ultrasonography after intracavernosal injection of 10-20 microg prostaglandin El and subsequent genital stimulation. AVSS with virtual glasses and earphones was applied when peak systolic velocities (PSV) were less than 35 cm/s or end diastolic velocities (EDV) were more than 5 cm/s. PSV, EDV and the resistive index of both cavernosal arteries were continuously monitored. Clinical erectile response was assessed with visual inspection and manual palpation. RESULTS: AVSS with virtual glasses was performed on 40 of 64 patients. AVSS improved the clinical erectile response in 26 (65%) of 40 patients. Doppler ultrasonography without AVSS identified 11 (27.5%), 5 (12.5%), and 24 (60%) patients with arteriogenic, veno-occlusive, and mixed-type impotence, respectively. However, after real-time AVSS 15 (37.5%), 7 (17.5%), 8 (20%), and 10 (25%) patients demonstrated non-vasculogenic, arteriogenic, veno-occlusive, and mixed-type impotence, respectively. Real-time AVSS improved the Doppler wave forms in 65% of cases. CONCLUSION: AVSS with virtual glasses improves the recording of physiologic erectile response and may be used as a valuable tool during penile color duplex Doppler ultrasonography.