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Plethysmography

Definition

Plethysmography is a test used to measure changes in blood flow or air volume in different parts of the body. It may be done to check for blood clots in the arms and legs, or to measure how much air you can hold in your lungs.

Penile pulse volume recording is a type of plethysmography done on the penis to check for causes of erectile dysfunction.

See also:

• Limb plethysmography
• Vascular ultrasound

Alternative Names

Respiratory inductance plethysmography; Penile pulse volume recording

References

Wolf GK.Noninvasive assessment of lung volume: respiratory inductance plethysmography and electrical impedance tomography. Crit Care Med. March 2005; 33(3 Suppl): S163-9.

Rosen RC. Research instruments for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with erectile dysfunction. Urology. Sep 2006; 68(3 Suppl): 6-16.

Walsh PC. Campbell's Urology. 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2002.

Review Date:5/20/2007
Reviewed By:Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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