E. A. Kiely

Real-time ultrasound measurement of bladder volume: a comparative study of three methods

The accuracy of different ultrasound methods for determining the volume of urine in the bladder was compared using three methods in current use. Each method was applied to the same ultrasound images from 16 patients with prostatic hypertrophy. The calculated volumes were compared with the true volumes derived by measurement of voided and catheter-drained urine. All methods showed similar degrees of accuracy in quantifying bladder volumes. The range of errors of the best method tested was +/- 35% of true volume and this suggests that ultrasound measurement of bladder volume is not sufficiently accurate for many clinical and research applications.

Digital subtraction dynamic cavernosography

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used in the investigation, by dynamic cavernosography, of 35 men with acquired erectile impotence. The benefits of using DSA included shorter examination times, lower contrast medium dosage and better definition of abnormal veins. In particular deep crural veins are more clearly seen than in conventional studies and these may be of more importance than was previously thought.

AndrologyDiagnosis and Treatment of Venous Leakage: A Curable Cause of Impotence

Sixteen of 149 patients complaining of impotence of a non-neurogenic or endocrine aetiology and with a penile brachial index of greater than 0.7 failed to achieve an erection following intracavernosal injection of 30 mg papaverine and 1 mg phentolamine. All 16 were shown to have a significant venous leak using digital subtraction cavernosography. Nine of the 13 so far operated upon have had a full return of potency. Repeat cavernosography in three failures showed persistent leakage into crural veins in two and non-ligated superficial veins in one. Impotent men with a normal penile brachial index who fail to respond to papaverine and phentolamine have a venous leak, a curable cause of impotence. Surgical access should allow ligation of all identified leaking veins.