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The limited practical value of color Doppler sonography in the differential diagnosis of men with erectile dysfunction

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 14, pages 201–203 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

From the files of the outpatient urology department 44 men with ED had undergone both psychophysiological diagnostic screening (PDS, VSS, VSS+VIB, ICI+VSS+VIB) and color Doppler sonography testing (CDS, including VSS). PDS was carried out by one medical physiologist, CDS by one urologist. The diagnoses reached could be compared.

This study revealed that CDS in ED-patients often resulted in an incorrect diagnosis, that is a presumed vascular abnormality while many such patients demonstrated firm erections under PDS-laboratory test conditions. Thus, it was concluded that CDS as a (first) screening test in ED-patients is of limited value. It was further emphasized that PDS, although giving quite relevant information about possible etiology and therapeutic treatment, is not a necessary first screen. Good history taking, preferably of the man and his partner, is still the basic first screen and quite often offers enough information to make a treatment plan with reasonable likelihood of success.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Reproduction, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    A K Slob, S Cornelissen & J J van der Werff ten Bosch

  2. Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands

    S Cornelissen & L Gijs

  3. Department of Urology and Andrology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    G R Dohle

Authors
  1. A K Slob
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  2. S Cornelissen
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  3. G R Dohle
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  4. L Gijs
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  5. J J van der Werff ten Bosch
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Correspondence to A K Slob.

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Slob, A., Cornelissen, S., Dohle, G. et al. The limited practical value of color Doppler sonography in the differential diagnosis of men with erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 14, 201–203 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900838

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900838

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