Background: Sexual dysfunction in males is characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for a satisfactory sexual activity. Erectile dysfunction is a common disorder in males and intracavernosal injection of papaverine followed by color Doppler ultrasonography of the penis is used to diagnose and treat vascular impotence. In this study, we examined the relationship between changes in peak systolic velocity (PSV) and erectile dysfunction with vascular cause after a cavernosal injection of papaverin.

Methods: We performed this self-controlled clinical trial in Shahid Hasheminejad Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2010 and 2011. The study population consisted of 90 patients with erectile dysfunction. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) of cavernosal arteries was evaluated before and after injection of 40-80 mg papaverine and it was compared in the patients with and without response to injection.

Results: The mean age of participants was 47.7 13.7 years. Response to papaverine injection was positive in 41(45.5%) patients. The mean PSV values were 14.68+5.65 and 53.74+18.8 cm/s before and after the injection, respectively (P<0.001). A PSV cut-off point of 10 cm/s was determined for the condition before injection. The sensitivity and specificity of the value for diagnosis of arterial erectile dysfunction were calclulated as 50% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion: A PSV cut-off point of 10 cm/s in flaccid status before papaverine injection has a low sensitivity but high specificity for the diagnosis of arterial erectile dysfunction. Future studies with sufficient cases of arterial erectile dysfunction are necessary for final judgments and suggestion a new cut off point.