Intermittent priapism in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: case report.

BACKGROUND Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis produces gradually progressive back and leg pain with standing and walking, relieved by sitting or lying. One of the uncommon symptoms is involuntary intermittent penile erection due to spinal canal stenosis. This symptom is very rare and often forgotten when history is taken. METHODS In this case report, a patient suffering from intermittent priapism due to degenerative spinal canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis is described. On admission his symptoms were intermittent neurogenic claudication and involuntary erection provoked by walking a short distance. RESULTS Bilateral laminectomy and posterior fusion was performed. His symptoms resolved over the first postoperative days. CONCLUSION Cauda equina compression due to LSS may rarely cause intermittent priapism. This rare symptom should not be forgotten when taking the patient's history and should also be kept in mind during follow-up.