The clinical value of high frequency ultrasound combined with color Doppler flow imaging in diagnosis and classification of trauma of penis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of high frequency ultrasound combined with color Doppler flow imaging in diagnosis and classification of trauma of penis on the clinical treatment. Methods The sonographic features of 48 cases with penile trauma were analyzed and compared with treatment outcomes. Results The ultrasonic findings of penile trauma ranged from penis contusion to penis fracture. According to the sonographic features, the trauma of penis was grouped as follows: Type 1, penis bruise (7 cases) presented with images of continuous penis skin and tunica albuginea, inhomogeneous echoes of subcutaneous tissue. Type 2, corpora cavernosa bruise (4 cases) showed images of continuous tunica albuginea, inhomogeneous internal echoes of corpora cavernosa without abnormal flow signal. The corpora cavernosa swelling into honeycomb-like, anechoic area of cavernosa with high-speed artery Doppler signals when accompanied by cavernous artery injury. Four cases were treated conservatively. Type 3, the skin and subcutaneous tissue contusion (6 cases) manifested images of incontinuous and inhomogeneous echoes of skin and subcutaneous tissue but homogeneous echoes of corpora cavernosa and tunica albuginea. Six cases of patients underwent debridement and sutured by local anesthesia. Type 4, rupture of tunica albuginea(26 cases) revealed images of incontinuous and irregular local tunica albuginea, a hematoma seen between the tunica albuginea and subcutaneous tissue. Type 5, penile fracture (5 cases) revealed mostly or fully disconnected skin and corpora cavernosa, tearing of blood vessels. The patients of type 4 and 5 were all treated surgically. Conclusions Color Doppler ultrasonography could provide accurate assessment and classification for trauma of penis, which is helpful to offer a reliable basis for clinical treatment scheme. Key words: Ultrasonography; Penis; Rupture; Trauma