The basic principles of the phenomenon "erection" have been known since
the pioneering work of Kolliker, Eckhard and Langley in the nineteenth
century. Nonetheless, under the influence of Freud, erectile dysfunction
was predominantly at- tributed to psychogenic factors. A more liberal
perception of sexuality since the 1960s, the development of new and
refined diagnostic techniques, and the expansion of basic research
activity resulted in a new concept of erectile dysfunction, identifying
arteriogenic, venogenic, endocrinologic or myopathic (cavernous smooth
muscle dysfunction) factors. From this research other considerations
such as autonomic innervation, cavernous endo- thelial intactness or
impaired neurotransmitter pool are being introduced into routine
clinical assessment. A reevaluation of psychogenic etiology with a
consequential new concept of psy- chogenic impotence is on the rise. In
this book the new concepts of basic knowledge on cavernous smooth muscle
function and its supraspinal, spinal, and local control; the new
diagnostic approaches in psychogenic and autonomic factors; and the new
developments of reconstructive therapeutic options for the patient have
been tied together. Outstanding and internationally renowned experts in
the field of erectile dysfunction have given detailed insight into the
latest basic and clinical developments. Well-established diagnostic and
thera- peutic techniques are presented by experienced colleagues. We
hope that this book will help the reader to get an overview of the
current concepts of erection. Furthermore, we hope that international
collaboration in basic and clinical research in the field of erectile
dysfunction will render an update necessary in the near future.
