Dynamic corpus cavernosography: Effect of papaverine

Twenty impotent men were studied by dynamic corpus cavernosography before and after intracavernous administration of papaverine (ICP). After ICP, artificial erections occurred and could be maintained at lower flow rates in 17 subjects. The cavernosograms of these men showed a reduction in the total number of effluent veins and an increase in filling and size of the corpora. These observations suggest that a venous occlusive mechanism plays an important role during erection. It is likely that the location of this obstructing mechanism is below or within the tunica abluginea. Identification of the absence of this obstructing mechanism is important in the management of impotence