[Analysis of the results with Rigiscan in 93 impotent patients]. / Análisis de los resultados del Rigiscan en 93 pacientes con impotencia.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the Rigiscan in the diagnosis of sexual impotence. METHODS: Erectile nocturnal activity was evaluated by Rigiscan in 93 patients consulting for impotence; mean age 56.8 years. Diagnosis and treatment were performed between October, 1990 and May, 1992. Follow up is currently ongoing. RESULTS: 95.1% of the patients with normal recordings had no organic pathology, and 80% of these recordings were observed on the first night of the study. In ruling out organic pathology, the Rigiscan did not have a higher specificity than the report of early morning erection (EME) by the patients (p > 0.05). Seventy three percent of the pathological results on the Rigiscan studies were associated to organic pathology. This test showed a higher sensitivity than the absence of EME (p < 0.01). Although no pathognomonic diagnostic pattern was found, a flat pattern and uncoupling were highly suggestive of organic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The Rigiscan is a useful diagnostic tool, especially in patients reporting no EME. Furthermore, the Rigiscan was able to detect almost all the patients with organic pathology.

[Test with vasoactive drugs: its predictive value in the diagnosis of erectile sexual dysfunction of venous origin]. / Test con drogas vasoactivas: su valor predictivo en el diagnóstico de la disfunción sexual eréctil de origen venoso.

The practicability and sensitivity of the test with vasoactive drugs, the first method performed in our flow studies, make it an invaluable method for orienting the diagnosis. Our findings show that in 65% of the patients with a partial response to the drug-induced erectile test, dysfunction may arise from pure or associated venous leakage, which must be confirmed by dynamic cavernosometry and/or cavernosography.

[Flow studies in patients with sexual erectile dysfunction. Review of the physiology and the adopted method]. / Flujograma de estudio en el paciente con disfunción sexual eréctil. Revisión de la fisiología y metodología adoptada.

Further insight into the physiology of erection acquired in recent years had led to the development of new methods that have enhanced the evaluation of erectile dysfunction. These new methods will permit a more precise diagnosis and, consequently, the management of this condition can be based on scientific and not empirical methods. To date, many questions remain unanswered and many points have not been elucidated. Using a precise methodology will permit us to corroborate or correct what has been done up until now and to develop new methods of investigation. The present study briefly reviews the physiology of erection and describes a method we routinely use.