Erectile dysfunction - Low-flow priapism Factor
RMA definition
Low-flow priapism means ‘persistent abnormal erection of the penis caused by corporeal veno-occlusion’.
Low flow priapism results from blood being unable to leave the erect penis; it is painful and can cause damage to the penis if not treated promptly.
High flow priapism is less common and is caused by too much blood entering the penis; the blood continues to carry oxygen and the condition is not painful and does not cause permanent damage.
Causes of low flow priapism can be either:
Medication: for example, injection therapy for erectile dysfunction; chlorpromazine [eg Largactil]; prazosin [eg Minipress]; certain antihypertensives, anticoagulants, and corticosteroids; or
Medical condition: for example, leukaemia, sickle cell disease; pelvic haematoma or neoplasm; cerebrospinal disease (eg, syphilis, tumour); or genital infection and inflammation (eg, prostatitis, urethritis, cystitis).
Priapism may present as acute episodes lasting up to 2-4 hours which spontaneously subside or as a prolonged episode lasting over 4 hours which requires treatment to avoid permanent damage. Acute episodes may precede a prolonged attack. This is a painful condition and medical treatment would have been sought at the time. Some cases (especially those due to therapy for erectile dysfunction) respond to vasoactive drugs administered directly into the corpora. Other treatments may include continuous caudal or spinal anaesthesia; decompression of the corpora by introduction of large-bore needles with evacuation and irrigation; or therapy for the underlying disease.
Last reviewed for CCPS 5 October 2005.
Preliminary questions [35316]
35317 there is some evidence that low-flow priapism may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.
22952 the veteran has had low-flow priapism for a continuous period of at least four hours at some time.
35319 the veteran has established the causal connection between low-flow priapism and VEA service for erectile dysfunction.
35326 the veteran had low-flow priapism for a continuous period of at least four hours immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
35320 the veteran has established the causal connection between low-flow priapism and VEA service for the clinical onset of erectile dysfunction.
35322 the veteran has established the causal connection between low-flow priapism and operational service for the clinical onset of erectile dysfunction.
or
35323 the veteran has established the causal connection between low-flow priapism and eligible service for the clinical onset of erectile dysfunction.
or
7334 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.
7335 the condition under consideration permanently worsened.
35327 the veteran had low-flow priapism for a continuous period of at least four hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
35321 the veteran has established the causal connection between low-flow priapism and VEA service for the clinical worsening of erectile dysfunction.
35324 the veteran has established the causal connection between low-flow priapism and operational service for the clinical worsening of erectile dysfunction.
or
35325 the veteran has established the causal connection between low-flow priapism and eligible service for the clinical worsening of erectile dysfunction.
Clinical onset and operational service [35322]
35328 the low-flow priapism is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [35323]
35329 the low-flow priapism is causally related to eligible service.
Clinical worsening and operational service [35324]
35328 the low-flow priapism is causally related to operational service.
35330 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the low-flow priapism is causally related.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [35325]
35329 the low-flow priapism is causally related to eligible service.
35331 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the low-flow priapism is causally related.