Priapism

Priapism refers to a persistent penile erection that occurs without sexual or external stimulation, or the penis remains engorged after orgasm, lasting for more than 4-6 hours, usually accompanied by penile pain. The main causes of priapism include sickle cell anemia, intracavernosal injection, neurological factors, malignant tumors, drug factors, total parenteral nutrition, and trauma. In young patients, this symptom is generally more associated with sickle cell anemia and tumors. Based on penile hemodynamics, priapism can be classified into three types: ischemic (low-flow or veno-occlusive), non-ischemic (high-flow or arterial), and stuttering. Priapism usually requires active management. If treatment is not received promptly within 24 hours, or if the condition is not managed correctly, most patients will develop varying degrees of severe erectile dysfunction, penile corpus cavernosum necrosis, fibrosis, and penile deformity.