ROLE OF RIGISCAN IN THE ETIOLOGIC DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the reliabi lity of nocturnal penile tumescence monitoring by an ambulatory RigiSc an device in the etiological diagnosis of erectile dysfunction. Patien ts and Methods: A total of 64 randomized patients with a complaint of impotence for at least 6 months initially underwent nocturnal penile t umescence rigidity (NPTR) monitoring on 2 consecutive nights in a priv ate setting as session 1. All subjects then underwent a comprehensive multidisciplinary diagnostic approach including dynamic color Doppler sonography and pharmaco-cavernosometry as a second session in a blind fashion. The results of both sessions were compared with each other. R esults: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and accura cy rate of NPTR monitoring in discriminating organic from psychogenic impotence with respect to a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach usin g sophisticated techniques were as 80.9, 81.8, 89.4 and 81.2%, respect ively. Conclusion: Although RigiScan differentiates organic from psych ogenic impotence with a relatively high sensitivity, a multidisciplina ry diagnostic approach is mandatory in establishing the ultimate diagn osis.