Intractable acute ischaemic priapism occurring secondary to newly commenced olanzapine

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Mar 31;12(3):e227466. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-227466.

Abstract

We present a case of intractable acute ischaemic priapism occurring secondary to newly commenced olanzapine. It demonstrates rapid intervention in a stepwise approach aiming to restore penile flaccidity in order to prevent chronic damage to the corpora cavernosa. After an unsuccessful conservative approach, our patient underwent two formal distal penile shunt procedures with no effective penile detumescence. Subsequently, bilateral proximal penile shunts were performed comprising a right corpus cavernosum to corpus spongiosum anastomosis and a left saphenous vein to left corpus cavernosum anastomosis. The patient remained an inpatient for observation, and detumescence was gradually achieved over several days after this procedure. However, follow-up revealed erectile dysfunction, and it was explained to the patient that he was unlikely to achieve further erections and that a penile implant was the only realistic option.

Keywords: drugs: psychiatry; sexual and gender disorders; urological surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Olanzapine / administration & dosage
  • Olanzapine / adverse effects*
  • Penis / blood supply
  • Penis / drug effects
  • Penis / surgery*
  • Priapism / chemically induced*
  • Priapism / physiopathology
  • Priapism / surgery
  • Prisoners
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / methods*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Olanzapine