Blood gas measurement on cavernosal blood can help determine the type of priapism that a patient has.
Parameter |
normal (flaccid penis cavernosal blood) |
ischemic priapism (low flow) |
nonischemic priapism (high flow) |
appearance |
red |
dark |
bright red |
PO2 in mm Hg |
40 |
< 30 (hypoxic) |
> 90 |
PCO2 in mm Hg |
50 |
> 60 (hypercarbic) |
< 40 |
pH |
7.35 |
< 7.25 (acidotic) |
7.40 |
resembles |
mixed venous blood |
|
arterial blood |
Color duplex ultrasonography can be used as an alternative to cavernosal blood sampling.
Specialty: Urology