A Novel Non-Invasive Ultrasound Vibro-Elastography Technique for Assessing ED and Peyronie's Disease

A common condition that escalates with age and is estimated to arise in 52% of men aged 40-70 years is Erectile dysfunction (ED), commonly called by patients as male impotency; even though a misnomer. ED is a significant predictor and a marker of overall health and is frequently associated with organic diseases like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, anddiabetes mellitus etc. The process of erection involves chemical andmechanical interactions in the penile tissues. Nitric oxide biochemical present in the body relaxes the smooth muscles in thepenis which increases blood flow, relaxes and expands the muscles and blood vessels of the penis and leads to shutting of veins which then leads to penile distension and tumescence (ability of the penis to be erect). In spite of the multi factorial etiology of ED,alterations in penile smooth muscle and endothelial cells (blood vessels) are vital reason behind ED. In some cases, the amount of a protein called collagen increases as compared to the mass of smooth muscle often in men with ED which leads to corporal fibrosis, and subsequentblockade of veins which leads to erectile dysfunction. In addition to ED, Peyronie’s disease (PD) leads to increased amount of fibrosis that largely affects the penile muscle. A fibrotic plaque is formed in PD in the penis which leads to ED eventually.

Penile ultrasonography is a test used to select cases of ED or PD. The test is objective, minimally invasive, and comparativelylow-pricedfor evaluation of penile physiognomies which involve vascular parameters and structural abnormalities. Penile ultrasonography, however, is unable to differentiate the functional status of the penis, with minor or turgidvicissitudes in penile smooth muscle fibrosis.

Currently, widely accepted methods to describe the extent and severity of penile fibrosis are not available. The principal investigator Xiaoming Zhang along with his team investigated the effect of using a novel ultrasound vibro-elastography (UVE) technique for noninvasively quantifying viscoelasticity of the penis.

In contrast to old-style penile ultrasonography, vibro-elastography (UVE) has the prospective to offer more comprehensive evidence about the present state of the corporal smooth muscle.

Present clinical study was the pilot study performed of UVE in men with ED and/or PD. Investigators performed the evaluations in the replicates of three on the lateral aspect of the penis (bilaterally) at 100, 150, and 200 Hz before and after the administration of erectogenic injection. Viscoelasticity of the penis was calculated and compared before and after injection. Measures of erectile function including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EFD) was done and compared with the total erectogenic medication volume need for attainment of a hard and strong erection necessary for satisfactory sexual activity.

A statistically significant alteration in viscoelasticity was noted post erectogenic injection thus, verifying the capability of UVE to quantify dynamic alterations with erections. Significant correlation was noted between the volume of erectogenic medication needed to get an erection and baseline readings. However, this correlation proved to be insignificant when age and IIEF-EFD respectively were compared with baseline measures. As erectogenic medications potentially described or proved to be the mostprecise measure of erectile function, a probable role for UVE as a feasible diagnostic option for ED can be suggested.

Author's Note

This article is written by Tom Sterling. It speaks about ED and Peyronie's Disease. ED disease can be treatable with help of Sildenafil 100mg medicine.