Partial priapism. Case report and literature review of diagnostic and therapeutic procedure

Partial priapism is a rare condition which has been previously reported in the literature only in eight cases. Unlike the typical case of priapism, pa tial priapism generally shows erection only of the proximal corpora caverno sa. in most of the cases a well defined membrane separated the proximal ere cted and the distal flaccid part of the corpus. The origin of the fibrous m embrane is not clear. Usually a painful segmental thrombosis of the corpora cavernosa was found proximal the membrane. Until 1985 diagnosis and therap y of this entity have principially involved invasiv methods. Later computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) were used for noninvasive imag ing and conservative management was elected. We report a case of partial pr iapism and review the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in the previous literature.