Penile Doppler Ultrasound for Erectile Dysfunction
Most men experience difficulty obtaining an erection on occasion. For example, if a man is tired, stressed, distracted, or has consumed too much alcohol, he may find it difficult to obtain an erection. For the majority of men, it is only temporary, and an erection usually occurs when they are sexually aroused.
Some men, however, have persistent or recurring issues with sexual function. It can happen at any age, but it becomes more common as they get older. ED affects roughly half of men between the ages of 40 and 70. ED affects roughly 7 out of every 10 men aged 70 and up.
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
·Reduced blood flow to the penis. This is, by far, the most common cause of ED in men over the age of 40. Like in other parts of the body, the arteries which take blood to the penis can become narrowed. The blood flow may then not be enough to cause an erection. Risk factors can increase the chance of narrowing the arteries. These include getting older, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.
·Nerve damage. For example, multiple sclerosis, a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, etc. can affect the nerves going to the penis.
·Diabetes. This is one of the most common causes of ED.
·Hormonal causes, For example, a lack of a hormone called testosterone which is made in the testicles (testes). This is uncommon. However, one cause of a lack of testosterone that is worth highlighting is a previous head injury. A head injury can sometimes affect the function of the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary gland makes a hormone that stimulates the testicle to make testosterone. So, although it may not at first seem connected, a previous head injury can in fact lead to ED. Other symptoms of a low testosterone level include a reduced sex drive (libido) and changes in mood.
·Alcohol and drug abuse
·Excessive outflow of blood from the penis through the veins (venous leak).
Doppler evaluation plays an important role in determining the cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). Penile Doppler ultrasonography has several advantages, including objective, minimally invasive evaluation of penile hemodynamics at a low cost. Arteriogenic ED can occur as a result of peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, or in conjunction with coronary artery disease. Several parameters have been proposed for the diagnosis of arteriogenic ED, including cavernosal artery diameter, peak systolic flow velocity, degree of arterial dilatation, and acceleration time, but peak systolic flow velocity is the most accurate indicator of arterial disease.
The Linear Wireless Ultrasound Scanner is the manifestation of the advancements in ultrasonography. Our advanced color Doppler is a small, mobile scanner packed with high-end technology.
In many cases, the SIFULTRAS-5.34 is the primary investigative technique. Ultrasound is also widely used in the diagnosis of internal organs, such as in the ED examination.
Furthermore, The Linear ultrasound probe is a special Linear Handheld Ultrasound Scanner that allows the physician to see and evaluate blood flow through the penis.
This type of Doppler (SIFULTRAS-5.34 Color Doppler) employs an App feature to transform sound waves into different colors. In real-time, these colors depict the speed and direction of blood flow. As a result, it is highly recommended for erectile dysfunction’s peak arterial and venous penile flow.
To conclude, a new and potentially expanding role of penile Doppler vascular examination is the detection of silent coronary artery disease in men presenting with ED at a time when men may be motivated to be evaluated and treated. Doppler ultrasound also helps to make a diagnosis of priapism (high-flow) enabling early embolization as its treatment.
References : Erectile Dysfunction
