The disorder named koro

The koro syndrome is a triad of deep-seated fear of penile shrinkage, its disappearance into the abdomen and consequent death. The disorder, which is considered culture related, is endemic in South-East Asia and China, where it occurs in both epidemic and sporadic form. In the western hemisphere single cases are occasionally encountered. The association with psychiatric pathology in sporadic cases of koro has been well described, but lately attention has been drawn to systemic or neurologic involvement in these patients. The clinical, historical and cultural features of koro, as well as therapeutic strategies, are discussed.