This study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the treatment of highflow priapism with superselective transcatheter embolization. From Sep. 1999 to Jan. 2013, six patients with high-flow priapism underwent superselective transcatheter embolization of the cavernous artery. Recurrence of priapism, and change in erectile function detected by nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) test and the International Index of Erectile Function 5-item questionnaire (IIEF-5) were evaluated during a mean follow-up of 12 months. A single superselective transcatheter embolization was sufficient for complete resolution of priapism in the six patients. None of the patients had a relapse of priapism after embolization, and all the patients who had premorbid normal erectile function showed maintained potency with normal results of NPTR and a mean postoperative IIEF-5 score of 23.5 (range 23 to 24) during the follow-up period. In conclusion, superselective transcatheter embolization is an effective and safe treatment method for high-flow priapism, and it can ensure a high level of preservation of premorbid erectile function.
Keywords: high-flow priapism; superselective transcatheter embolization.