Quantitative assessment of the aging corpus cavernosum by shear wave elastography

Abstract

We wanted to determine whether shear wave elastography (SWE) could be used to evaluate the aging degree of the corpus cavernosum (CC) and to identify the histological basis of changes in SWE measurements during the aging process. We performed a cross-sectional study enrolling healthy participants of different ages. We measured the Young’s modulus (YM) of the penile CCs by SWE and assessed erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Histological investigation was performed in surgically resected penile specimens from a separate group of patients to examine the smooth muscle and collagen content of the CCs. Furthermore, we measured the YM, erectile function, smooth muscle, and collagen content of the CCs in different age groups of rats. Finally, we enrolled 210 male volunteers in this study. The YM of the CC (CCYM) was positively correlated with age ( r = 0.949, P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with erectile function ( r = −0.843, P < 0.01). Histological examinations showed that CCs had increased collagen content but decreased smooth muscle content with increased age. The same positive correlation between CCYM and age was also observed in the animal study. In addition, the animal study showed that older rats, with increased CCYM and decreased erectile function, had lower smooth muscle content and higher collagen content. SWE can noninvasively and quantitatively evaluate the aging degree of the CC. Increased collagen content and decreased smooth muscle content might be the histological basis for the effect of aging on the CC and the increase in its YM.

Efficacy and patient satisfaction of low‐intensity shockwave treatment for erectile dysfunction in a retrospective real‐world study in Japan

“…We clearly showed that ΔEHS and the efficacy rate based on the judgement by patient satisfaction decreased with aging. Recently, it was reported that Young's modulus of the corpus cavernosum by shear wave elastography correlated positively with age and negatively with EF 24 . That study also showed by histological examination that the corpus cavernosum had increased collagen content but decreased smooth muscle content with increased age 24 .…”

“…Recently, it was reported that Young's modulus of the corpus cavernosum by shear wave elastography correlated positively with age and negatively with EF 24 . That study also showed by histological examination that the corpus cavernosum had increased collagen content but decreased smooth muscle content with increased age 24 . However, we must emphasize that LiESWT was relatively effective even for patients aged 50–60 years (68.6%) and 60–70 years (71.3%) and do not think that an efficacy rate of 44.8% for patients aged over 70 years (73.6 ± 3.1 years) was clinically low.…”

Factors affecting the shear wave elastic quantitative measurement of penile tissue in rats

“…Studies have demonstrated that pathological changes in the component and content of penile tissue would affect the SWQ value measured by 2D-SWE [ 16 ]. Identifying the main factors affecting the penile SWQ value is the prerequisite for accurate diagnosis of the penile disease using 2D-SWE.…”