Priapism after spinal cord injury – a case report and review of theliterature

摘要

Involuntary unwanted erections are extremely rare after spinal cord injury (SCI). Asudden loss of sympathetic tone to the pelvic vasculature following SCI causes an increasein the parasympathetic tone and uncontrolled arterial blood flow into the penilesinusoidal spaces. When occurring immediately after an acute SCI, it is generallyself-limiting and settles within a few hours. In contrast, recurrent, unwanted erectionsin patients with chronic SCI are more unpredictable in frequency and duration and mayrequire treatment. We present a case of recurrent involuntary unwanted erections in apatient with chronic SCI after a stab wound to his neck and review the pathophysiology andavailable management options.