Expansion without Significant Rigidity During Nocturnal Penile Tumescence Testing: A Potential Source of Misinterpretation

Abstract

Of 134 patients who underwent nocturnal penile tumescence evaluation 23 were found to have significant penile expansion without rigidity sufficient to effect vaginal penetration. An assessment of rigidity as well as expansion is necessary for proper interpretation of the study. Although the nocturnal penile tumescence categories of normal expansion-rigidity and insignificant expansion are relatively clear-cut, and indicate psychogenic and biogenic impotence, respectively, there still exists a number of patients who are not in either of these categories and in whom further delineation is necessary.