Question

The Grayhack shunt is established between:

• A. Corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum
• B. Corpora cavernosa and saphenous vein
• C. Corpora cavernosa and dorsal vein
• D. Corpora cavernosa and glans

Hint:

It is a venous shunt for priapism that drains into a leg vein.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Set the context. Shunt operations are used to treat refractory low-flow (ischaemic) priapism. They drain trapped blood out of the engorged corpora cavernosa so the persistent erection resolves and the cavernosal tissue is saved.

Step 2: Classify the shunts. Distal (glanular) shunts connect the corpora cavernosa to the glans, for example Winter, Ebbehoj and Al-Ghorab. Proximal shunts connect the corpora cavernosa to the corpus spongiosum (Quackels/Sacher). Venous shunts connect the corpora cavernosa to a vein.

Step 3: Identify Grayhack. The Grayhack shunt is a venous (caverno-venous) shunt that anastomoses the corpus cavernosum to the saphenous vein, diverting the trapped blood into the venous system to relieve the priapism.

Step 4: Reject the distractors. Corpora cavernosa to corpus spongiosum is the Quackels shunt. Corpora cavernosa to dorsal vein is the Barry shunt (a different venous shunt). Corpora cavernosa to glans describes the distal glanular shunts (Winter/Al-Ghorab), not Grayhack.

Answer: Corpora cavernosa and saphenous vein (Option B).