Axial penile buckling forces vs rigiscan™ radial rigidity as a function of intracavernosal pressure: why rigiscan does not predict functional erections in individual patients

ABSTRACT Aim: An improved understanding of the relationship between radial and axial rigdity values would enable better appreciation of the clinical usefulness of RigiScan™, the most widely

utilized determination of erectile rigidity testing. Previous studies have shown that axial rigidity (measured by buckling forces) correlated well with radial rigidity (measured by

RigiScan™) for radial rigidity values below 60%. For radial rigidity exceeding 60%, there was poor correlation. Heretofore, there has been no physiologic explanation of this phenomenon.

Methods: During dynamic pharmacocavernosometry in 36 impotent patients, we investigated the relationship between axial buckling forces and RigiScan™ radial rigidity and, for the first time,

how they both vary with pressure, (which we varied over over a wide functional range). In addition, we recorded multiple penile length and diameter values enabling us to relate, also for the

first time, axial and radial rigidity to individual mechanical erectile tissue and penile geometric properties. Results: Marked differences were found in the manner RigiScan™ radial

rigidity units and axial buckling force magnitudes increased with increases in intracavernosal pressure values in each individual. The former asymptotically approached a maximum _finite_

value while the latter increased continuously towards _infinity._ Based on data in this study, RigiScan™ radial rigidity values greater than 55% may be considered a necessary criteria for

vaginal intromission capability in all partners but it is not a sufficient one. Conclusions: Axial and radial rigidity share a common dependency upon intracavernosal pressure, however, they

are also dependent upon other unique physical determinants. For axial rigidity, additional dependent variables include cavernosal erectile tissue properties and penile geometry, while for

radial rigidity, this may include tunical surface wall tension properties. Clinical devices which assess functional penile rigidity should utilize axial and not radial rigidity testing.

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support SIMILAR CONTENT BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS NOCTURNAL PENILE TUMESCENCE DEVICES: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE Article 10 November 2023 A NOVEL METHOD FOR HEMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF PENILE

ERECTION Article 10 October 2020 A WEARABLE ADAPTIVE PENILE RIGIDITY MONITORING SYSTEM FOR ASSESSMENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION Article Open access 20 September 2024 AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS

AND AFFILIATIONS * Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, K Park, H Sadeghi-Najed, P Salimpour, RJ Krane & I Goldstein * Department of Aerospace and Mechanical

Engineering, Boston University, College of Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts D Udelson Authors * D Udelson View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google

Scholar * K Park View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * H Sadeghi-Najed View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed 

Google Scholar * P Salimpour View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * RJ Krane View author publications You can also search for this author

inPubMed Google Scholar * I Goldstein View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

CITE THIS ARTICLE Udelson, D., Park, K., Sadeghi-Najed, H. _et al._ Axial penile buckling forces _vs_ Rigiscan™ radial rigidity as a function of intracavernosal pressure: why Rigiscan does

not predict functional erections in individual patients. _Int J Impot Res_ 11, 327–337 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900443 Download citation * Received: 05 February 1999 *

Accepted: 02 May 1999 * Published: 12 January 2000 * Issue Date: 01 December 1999 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900443 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with

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content-sharing initiative KEYWORDS * impotence * erectile dysfunction * erectile physiology * diagnosis * axial penile rigidity * radial rigidity * RigiScan