Unveiling gaps in MRI for penile Mondor's disease: a systematic review

This systematic review aimed to consolidate existing MRI findings in penile Mondor's disease (PMD) cases, establish optimal imaging indications, and explore their clinical value.

The protocol for this review was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42024592190). Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar on December 1, 2024. Eligible studies included those with clinically diagnosed PMD and MRI findings. Data on patient characteristics, MRI sequences, thrombus stage, and study quality were extracted and assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for case reports.

From 710 records, 4 studies were included, encompassing 4 patients with PMD. The median age of the 4 patients was 35.5 years old (25-53), and 2 were from Turkey. MRI findings highlighted variable thrombus stages (1 acute, 2 subacute, and 1 chronic) and heterogeneous imaging protocols. Only 1 study explicitly mentioned MRI indications. MRI provided detailed assessments of penile anatomy and thrombus characteristics but lacked consistency in usage, timing, and sequence protocols. No studies received a good quality rating; 2 were rated poor, and 1 was fair.

MRI's role in PMD diagnosis is limited, with its utility primarily in complex or atypical cases. Standardized MRI indications and sequence protocols are warranted to optimize its clinical application. More extensive studies are needed to validate its diagnostic and therapeutic impact.

MRI is primarily utilized for complex cases of PMD; however, more systematic documentation of its indications could guide clinicians in determining when MRI is appropriate for PMD patients.