Complete penile corporeal septation: evaluation with contrast enhanced US.
BACKGROUND
Complete penile corporeal septation is a rare malformation in which the corpora cavernosa are completely isolated. We describe a new method to reach the diagnosis of this malformation using contrast enhanced US.


METHODS
Two patients with complete penile corporeal septation underwent color Doppler and contrast enhanced US after bilateral cavernosal injection of 10 microg prostaglandin E1. Contrast enhanced US was performed using a contrast specific software (Contrast-Tuned imaging, EsaOte, Genoa, Italy) and a linear transducer designed to evaluate superficial structures. Microbubbles of SonoVue (Bracco, Milan, Italy) were injected in one corpus cavernosum.


RESULTS
After cavernosal injection of microbubbles no adverse events were observed. Contrast enhanced US showed unilateral enhancement of the corpus cavernosum in which microbubbles were injected. Cavernosography confirmed unilateral corporeal opacification.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast enhanced US can be used effectively to diagnose complete penile corporeal septation.
Bertolotto
Michele
M
Department of Radiology, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 449, 34149, Trieste, Italy. bertolot@univ.trieste.it
Bucci
Stefano
S
Quaia
Emilio
E
Coss
Matteo
M
Liguori
Giovanni
G
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D010743:Phospholipids; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride