PENILE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSIS OF IMPOTENCE

Cavernous electromyography of the flaccid penis was done in 93 impoten t patients that were evaluated with several types of electrodes. We fo und that the potentials are generated by the cavernous tissue and are not the reflections of distant electromyographic events. Using monopol ar needle electrodes, accurate interpretation of the electromyographic tracings seems possible. Our results confirm the value of penile elec tromyography as a way to objectivate penile smooth muscle atrophy as w ell as pelvic autonomic neuropathy with subsequent penile smooth muscl e desynchronization. A neuromuscular dysfunction may be the causative factor in 39% of our impotent patients.