Use of Methylene Blue and Selective Embolization of the Pudendal Artery for High Flow Priapism Refractory to Medical and Surgical Treatments

Abstract

High flow priapism is often treated effectively with intracavernous vasoconstrictive agents or surgical shunting. If these maneuvers fail treatment is unclear. A 21-year-old black man, who had failed previous pharmacological and surgical therapies, temporarily (8 hours) responded to intracavernous methylene blue, which is known to antagonize endothelial derived relaxation factor. Recurrent priapism was managed successfully by embolization of the left internal pudendal artery with absorbable gelatin sponge. Review of the literature reveals that only 7 patients have been managed with arterial embolization and our case represents the first in which intracavernous methylene blue produced detumescence.