  The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between
erectile pressure (EP) and shear wave speed of the corpus cavernosa obtained
via a specific ultrasound vibro-elastography (UVE) technique. This study builds
upon our prior investigation, in which UVE was used to evaluate the
viscoelastic properties of the corpus cavernosa in the flaccid and erect
states. A two-dimensional poroviscoelastic finite element model (FEM) was
developed to simulate wave propagation in the penile tissue according to our
experimental setup. Various levels of EP were applied to the corpus cavernosa,
and the relationship between shear wave speed in the corpus cavernosa and EP
was investigated. Results demonstrated non-linear, positive correlations
between shear wave speeds in the corpus cavernosa and increasing EP at
different vibration frequencies (100-200 Hz). These findings represent the
first report of the impact of EP on shear wave speed and validates the use of
UVE in the evaluation of men with erectile dysfunction. Further evaluations are
warranted to determine the clinical utility of this instrument in the diagnosis
and treatment of men with erectile dysfunction.
