Ultrasound in patients affected with Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease (PD, induratio penis plastica) is uncommon. Its etiology is unknown and the incidence is stated to be 1%, although more recent data suggest that it is higher. The symptoms are penile deviation and painful erection in association with penile plaques. The diagnosis is performed by palpation of the penis. X-ray diagnostics are only used to visualize the calcified plaques in soft tissue imaging, and the survey of plaque size and consistence is done by sonography with high reproduction. This enables the exact evaluation of treatment effects. By application of high frequency scanners (7-12 MHz) the extent and depth of the plaques can be estimated non-invasively in high resolution images. Furthermore, color coded duplex sonography and recording of Doppler spectra are used to assess hemo-perfusion in the penile vessels and the analysis of erectile dysfunction, often seen in combination with PD. Sonographic diagnosis appears as a valuable supplement and requirement for a successful therapy of PD.