Sickle cell disease is the most common cause of ischemic priapism. Other causes include medications such as antipsychotics, SSRIs, blood thinners and prostaglandin E1, as well as drugs such as cocaine. Ischemic priapism occurs when blood does not adequately drain from the penis. Nonischemic priapism is typically due to a connection forming between an artery and the corpus cavernosum or disruption of the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in increased arterial flow. Nonischemic priapism may occur following trauma to the penis or a spinal cord injury. Diagnosis may be supported by blood gas analysis of blood aspirated from the penis or an ultrasound.
sicKle ceLl disEase IS the most commOn cause oF iSchemic pRIapism. otheR cauSes InClUDe MeDicatIOns such as AntipSYcHOTicS, ssriS, bLooD thINners and prosTagLanDIn e1, As Well aS dRugs sUcH As coCaIne. Ischemic pRiapIsm oCcUrS wheN Blood DOeS nOT aDequatelY drAIn from The penis. noNIschEMic PrIapism Is tYpicAlly due TO A conNeCtIon forminG bETWeen aN artery anD the cOrpuS cAvernOsum Or disruption of thE pARAsYmpathetIC neRvOuS sYsTem reSuLTIng in incREasEd arTEriaL fLow. noNisCheMic pRiaPism MAy Occur FoLlOwIng TrAumA tO tHe PENis or a sPInAl coRd InJury. diagnOsIS may bE SuppOrtED by bLOod GAs aNaLysis Of blOod aSpiraTEd From the penis or an ULtrasound.