Importance of Axial Penile Rigidity in Objective Evaluation of Erection Quality in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction – Comparison with Radial Rigidity

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of measurement of axial penile rigidity, compared with radial penile rigidity. Patients and Methods: Twenty-two patients, aged 21–75 years old (a mean of 50), with erectile dysfunction underwent axial penile rigidity measurements by the digital inflection rigidometer (DIR) as well as radial penile rigidity measurements by the RigiScan Plus during intracavernous pharmacological erection testing. Results: A significant correlation was recognized between axial rigidity, and radial rigidity at the tip (p = 0.0024) and base (p = 0.0098) of the penis. In 10 patients, the DIR revealed axial rigidity of 550 g or more, and they also had radial rigidity of 60% or more at the tip and base. In 14 and 17 subjects, radial rigidity of 60% or more was observed at the tip and base, respectively. Four of the former 14 and 7 of the latter 17 had axial rigidity <550 g. Conclusions: A RigiScan results of radial rigidity of 60% or more should be interpreted cautiously and not necessarily regarded as normal.

Forensic Identification for Erectile Dysfunction: Experience of a Single Center

“…However, some experts have questioned NPT's accuracy, reliability, and usefulness in differential diagnosis. 8,9 In this study, our data have shown that the ED diagnosis was significantly associated with NPT results, validating the guideline in general. However, our study also identified 3 special cases in which the patients had normal NPT responses but still were diagnosed with organic ED.…”

Evaluation of penile erection rigidity in healthy men using virtual touch tissue quantification

“…For example, RigiScan is the most widely utilized device for measuring penile radial rigidity1–5, but this device does not directly determine axial rigidity 3,6,7. On the contrast, Digital Inflexion Rigidometer is a useful device for measuring penile axial rigidity3,8,9, but it does not directly determine radial rigidity. Complete erection rigidity assessment needs a combinatorial use of RigiScan and Digital Inflexion Rigidometer, which increased the cost and inconvenience.…”

Penile Arterial Waveform Analyzing System for Early Identification of Young Adults with High Risk of Erectile Dysfunction

“…The reliability of this parameter, however, was hampered by its inconsistency and a wide margin of error [15]. On the other hand, although the concept of nocturnal penile tumescence recording as a diagnostic tool for ED was first reported in 1965 [30], it was not clinically applicable till the appearance of RigiScan in 1970, which enabled a safe and effective measurement of penile erection during sleep [12,13]. Through measuring the tumescence and rigidity over the base and tip of the penis, the equipment has been validated in ED diagnosis with applicability extended to both sleeping [25] and awake conditions using visual sexual stimulation (VSS) [28].…”

“…All acquired data were digitized and stored and analyzed with microcomputer in the equipment up to 10 hours. The data can be expressed as data sheets or charts through connection to an external computer [12,13].…”

“…Although several noninvasive means of diagnosing ED have been previously proposed including penile brachial index (PBI) [10,11], Rigiscan nocturnal penile tumescence test [12,13], and penile Doppler ultrasound (PDU) [14], the popularity of their clinical use is restricted by the need for either the setting of urology outpatient clinic or a prolonged measurement process. For instance, reliable data from Rigiscan nocturnal penile tumescence test can only be obtained through repeated measurements over 2 to 3 days [12,13]. Moreover, a wide margin of error exists for PBI [15], while invasion of privacy is another major concern for PDU that required the physical contact with the examinee's penis and also experienced personnel for proper operation [14].…”