Priapism in a patient with sickle cell trait using marijuana

BMJ Case Rep. 2014 May 5:2014:bcr2014204199. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-204199.

Abstract

A 22-year-old man with a history of multiple episodes of priapism presented to the emergency room with an erection lasting more than 48 h after conservative management failed at home. He had no known family history of sickle cell disease or trait. He was haemodynamically stable. Physical examination revealed an enlarged, tender penis. Laboratory data revealed a positive sickle solubility test. Haemoglobin electrophoresis revealed sickle cell trait and urine drug screen was positive for cannabinoids. Initial management was attempted with intracavernosal phenylephrine without any success. The patient underwent a limited El-Ghorab procedure on the right corpora cavernosa but the priapism did not resolve adequately. Two days later, the patient had to undergo a bilateral El-Ghorab procedure and achieved complete resolution of the priapism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cannabis / adverse effects*
  • Epinephrine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marijuana Smoking*
  • Penis / surgery
  • Phenylephrine / therapeutic use
  • Priapism / etiology*
  • Priapism / therapy
  • Sickle Cell Trait / complications*
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Phenylephrine
  • Epinephrine