Computed tomographic findings in Peyronie's disease

Twenty-one patients with Peyronie's disease were examined by computed tomography (CT) of the penis. Twenty nodules or plaques already diagnosed by clinical examination were identified. In 2 patients with a clinically palpable large plaque, all the albuginea could not be identified by CT, either in the fixed or mobile portion of the penis. Multiple lesions were palpable in 1 patient and could be seen by CT in 5 patients. Seven nonpalpable lesions were identified by CT. Lesions resembled calcified plaques in 10 instances and focal areas of diminished thickness and density of the tunica albuginea in 17 others. Computed tomography seems to be a very useful method in the study of Peyronie's disease. It allows precise evaluation of nodular lesions and it may be useful for monitoring their dimensional evolution. It may also give some insight into the structural composition of the nodules. This study supports theories that Peyronie's disease is a generalized disease of the penis.