Penile Mondor's disease: Imaging in two cases

Abstract

Penile Mondor's disease is a rare and under-recognized benign genital condition consisting of an isolated thrombosis of the dorsal superficial vein of the penis. Symptoms do not show distinctive features and there are asymptomatic cases. The patients usually present with a cord-like induration at dorsum of the penis. Diagnosis is usually made based on history and physical examination. The role of imaging in Mondor's disease is to identify the intravascular thrombus. In case of diagnostic uncertainty, Grey scale and Doppler ultrasound can be useful to detect the extent of thrombosis demonstrating echogenic material within venous lumen, vessel incompressibility and absence of flow, as well as painful selective pressure. The use of Magnetic Resonance imaging is controversial and not used routinely. Usually treatment is conservative: sexual rest, local anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics in case of infection and anticoagulants. Sclerosing lymphangitis and Peyronie's disease have been described as possible differential diagnosis.