[Erectile dysfunction of vasculogenic origin: ultrastructural evaluation of cavernous myo-endothelial unit as prognostic index of penile revascularization].

The authors focus on the myoendothelial unit of the cavernous tissue, as they believe it to be of primary importance for the erectile event. The operations aimed at penile revascularisation were functionally unsuccessful, notwithstanding the haemodynamic resumption. This could be due to the myoendothelial unit not being perfectly integral. The authors have carried out 90 fine needle biopsies of the cavernous bodies in patients with erectile dysfunctions. These were evaluated using an ultra-microscope. The results of this ultra-structural analysis have highlighted various degrees of regressive phenomena, which can be linked to the severity and the duration of the symptom. The authors conclude by proposing that FNB should be used as a diagnostic tool for the selection of patients eligible for penile revascularisation.