Use of Thermographic Imaging for the Evaluation of Erectile Dysfunction and Peyronie’s Disease

Abstract

Abstract Background Thermographic imaging is an easily performed test and has been used in prior research to assess for arousal by changes in genital temperature but has not be previously studied for quantitative measurements of erectile function. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between infrared thermographic imaging and penile duplex ultrasonography (PDDU) for the measurement of cavernosal arterial flow in the evaluation of erectile function. Methods Men who presented to the urology clinic for PDDU for any reason had thermographic imaging and PDDU performed in the flaccid state and in the erect state after injection of intracavernosal alprostadil. If the men had PDDU performed for Peyronie’s disease (PD) additional thermographic measurements were taken in the area of the plaque. Outcomes Changes in temperature as seen on thermographic imaging of the penis were assessed for correlation with changes cavernosal arterial flow on PDDU. Results 30 men participated in this study. The mean age was 58. 23% (7/30) had Peyronie’s disease. The change in the measured temperature between flaccid and erect states correlated significantly with the change in peak systolic velocity r = 0.42 (p = 0.02). In the small sample of men with PD the mean temperature of the penis in the area of the plaque was 35.2°C compared to 36.1°C of the rest of the penis (p = 0.45). The change in temperature of the plaque was +0.9°C compared with +2.1°C (p = 0.28). Strengths and Limitations Strengths of this study is the comparison of this novel use of technology to the existing gold standard with quantitative measurements. The major limitation is a small sample size, especially in the PD subgroup. Conclusion In this pilot study, thermographic imaging shows promising correlation with the gold standard PDDU for the evaluation of erectile function.