Internal Medicine

0521779407-17 CUNY1086/Karliner 0 521 77940 7 June 13, 2007 7:57

Pressure Ulcers Priapism 1205

differential diagnosis

■The process is clinically characteristic.

management

What to Do First

■Assess the risk factors such as trauma, exposure to excess moisture.

■Relieve pressure.

General Measures

■Keep area dry.

■Surgical beds to redistribute weight

specific therapy

n/a

follow-up

During Treatment

■Re-evaluate patient 1–2 weeks after initiating therapy

■Culture if drainage is purulent

complications and prognosis

■Osteomyelitis is possible.

PRIAPISM

SHAHRAM S. GHOLAMI, MD; WILLIAM O. BRANT, MD; ANTHONY J. BELLA,

MD; and TOM F. LUE, MD

history & physical

Priapism is a persistent penile erection that continues hours beyond,

or is unrelated to, sexual stimulation (4 hours is considered the usual

time frame). Typically, only the corpora cavernosa are affected.

History

■Regarding trauma, medication/drug use, medical conditions, or

enlarged lymph nodes

■Time of onset of erection

■Association with sexual activity, sleep

■Associated with pain

Signs & Symptoms

■Evaluation of rigidity of erection (glans, shaft), penile pain

■Perineal/scrotal/penile trauma or bruising