Impotence Associated with the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome

We report 7 men (ages 45-61 years) with impotence associated with the Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (CMT). The range of onset of erectile dysfunction varied from 38 to 55 years of age. One patient had classic CMT 1A with autosomal dominant inheritance, slow motor nerve conduction velocities and the 17p DNA duplication. One had probable type-II hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. None of the patients had diabetes. There was some benefit from papaverine injection therapy or penile implants. The association of impotence with CMT is likely to be more common than previously recognized.