Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the reliability of nocturnal penile tumescence monitoring by an ambulatory RigiScan device in the etiological diagnosis of erectile dysfunction. Patients and Methods: A total of 64 randomized patients with a complaint of impotence for at least 6 months initially underwent nocturnal penile tumescence rigidity (NPTR) monitoring on 2 consecutive nights in a private setting as session 1. All subjects then underwent a comprehensive multidisciplinary diagnostic approach including dynamic color Doppler sonography and pharmaco-cavernosometry as a second session in a blind fashion. The results of both sessions were compared with each other. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy rate of NPTR monitoring in discriminating organic from psychogenic impotence with respect to a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach using sophisticated techniques were as 80.9, 81.8, 89.4 and 81.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Although RigiScan differentiates organic from psychogenic impotence with a relatively high sensitivity, a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach is mandatory in establishing the ultimate diagnosis.

Keywords:
Impotence, Penile erection, Physiologic monitoring, Diagnosis, Penis
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© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
1997
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