Abstract
We report a case of recurrent priapism in a sickle cell patient who had undergone physiological transformation from a low-flow state to a mixed high-flow/low-flow picture. An oral alpha-adrenergic agonist/histamine-1 antagonist combination maintained a balance of potency without stutter in the latter state, whereas an oral alpha-adrenergic agonist in the early part of his course did not prevent priapic progression. Concomitant use of a non-steroidal anti-androgenic agent rendered him impotent despite good libido. Other etiologies should be considered in the setting of recurrent priapism and failed standard therapies; duplex ultrasound is useful in order to delineate the hemodynamics. This case supports contentions that priapism is a spectrum phenomenon, and raises questions regarding the mechanism by which alpha-adrenergic agents prevent priapic progression.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 8 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $32.38 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hoffman, S., Kaynan, A. & Melman, A. Priapism of ambiguous classification in a sickle cell patient. Int J Impot Res 12, 59–63 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900459
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900459
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) for priapism-induced erectile dysfunction in young patients: the first case series
International Journal of Impotence Research (2022)