Relief of Sickle Cell Priapism by Hydralazine

Abstract

We report a 16-year-old Tanner IV male with homozygous hemoglobin S who presented with recurrent episodes of priapism unresponsive to standard therapy with hydration, analgesia, and exchange transfusion. He had a complete resolution of his symptoms with hydralazine therapy. We therefore suggest a trial of vasodilator therapy for recurrent sickle cell priapism before attempting surgical therapy.