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DOI: 10.1002/sono.12167
REVIEW ARTICLE
KEY W ORDS
clinically suspected penile fracture.11 This is especially relevant in can be categorised into three distinct layers—fibrous, loose facial,
atypical or equivocal cases whereby diagnosis cannot be confidently and superficial connective tissue.
based on patient history and physical examination alone.8 This article The fibrous layer called the tunica albuginea is a dense fibro‐elastic
will review the anatomy and physiology of penile rupture, discuss sheath that encloses both cavernosa and is fused in the midline
the sonographic technique, and outline the importance of not only between them14 (Figure 1). This layer incorporates a stratum com-
accurately grading the severity of fracture types but also differentiat- posed of longitudinally orientated fibres that attach onto the pubic
ing a true penile fracture from common differentials. Successful out- rami and a circular layer that contributes to the septum between the
comes with minimal complications require an accurate diagnosis with cavernosa.15 It is considered to be the toughest fascia in the body
prompt surgical intervention,11 the use of ultrasound allowing both and the most important in the definition of a penile fracture.
to occur in a timely manner. Directly superficial to the tunica albuginea is a loose fascial layer
known as the Buck fascia (Figure 1). The Buck fascia envelops the
three corporal bodies and is a continuation of the deep perineal fas-
2 | A N A T O M Y OF TH E P E N I S
cia, the external spermatic fascia of the scrotum, and the penile
suspensory ligament.12,14 It also assists in attaching the base of the
Located in the urogenital triangle, the penis is the male organ for
penis onto the pelvic rami and the fascia of the perineal
reproduction and urination.12 Globally, it is composed of three cylin-
membrane.15
drical bodies of endothelial trabecular tissue—two dorsal columns
Colles fascia is the collective name given to the layer of superficial
known as the corpora cavernosa and one centrally located column
13,14 connective tissue of the penis. Also referred to as the superficial
called the corpus spongiosum. Each corpus cavernosum conveys
dartos fascia, this areola mantle is located just deep to the skin surface
the deep arteries of the penis and forms the crura proximally, which
and encloses the superficial perineal space, communicating with the
attach onto the ischiopubic rami.14 The corpus spongiosum allows
scrotum and the perineum posteriorly.15 Anteriorly, the Colles fascia
for the passage of the urethra and is located in the penile midline. It
merges with the Scarpa fascia of the anterior abdominal wall.15 Refer
contributes to the glans penis located at the distal shaft and forms
to Figure 2 for these relationships in the sagittal section.
the bulb of the penis proximally.14
Anatomically, the penis is composed of three regions—the root,
the body, and the glans.12 Its proximal attachment is known as the
root and is a collaboration of the bilateral crura, the bulb, and the 3 | U L T R A S O U N D A N A T O M Y OF TH E P E N I S
ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus muscles.12,14 The body refers
to the externally suspended portion of the penis and is composed of The sonographic appearance of a normal penis in the transverse sec-
the three corporal columns, spongy urethra, skin, supporting tissues, tion is displayed in Figure 3A. Here, the corpora cavernosa appear as
and vasculature.12 At its furthermost region, the glans conveys the two homogenous, hypoechoic, dorsal structures, with the ventrally
urethral opening known as the penile meatus.12 located corpus spongiosum appearing as a single, homogenous entity
An understanding of penile anatomy, especially the complexity of that is usually more echogenic than the cavernous bodies.13 The
its fascial planes, is essential in accurately grading the severity of tunica albuginea is represented as a thin hyperechoic layer enveloping
penile fracture as these layers influence the pattern of haematoma both cavernosa, with the more subtle echogenic rim surrounding all
extravasation following trauma.15 The fascial interfaces of the penis three corporal bodies indicative of the Buck fascia.13,16
4 | P A T H O P H Y S I O L O G Y OF P E N I L E
FRACTURE
with five main appearances used to describe the presence of a likely to minimise further patient discomfort, the penis is examined as it lies
penile defect—eggplant deformity, rolling sign, butterfly pattern by way of either a dorsal or ventral approach.
ecchymosis, anterior abdominal wall haematoma, and bleeding from The dorsal approach is utilised when the penis is lying on the
the penile meatus.2,5,15 anterior scrotal wall, the dorsal surface of the penis being continuous
The eggplant deformity is a result of a ruptured tunica albuginea, with the anterior wall of the abdomen. This is usually the preferred
with the haematoma collecting deep to an intact Buck fascia.2 As a method of approach as it allows sufficient representation of all three
consequence, swelling is confined to the penile shaft only, with devia- corporal bodies.16 In the representative image, the cavernosa are
tion of the penis away from the site of rupture due to the mass effect visualised in the near field, with the spongiosum located centrally in
2
of the encroaching haematoma. Skin discolouration is also a hallmark the far field.16
7
of this appearance. The rolling sign is encountered when the penis is A ventral approach is undertaken when the penis is positioned on
manually examined in order to isolate the site of tunical tear.4 A pos- the anterior abdominal wall, as the ventral aspect of the penis is con-
itive rolling sign is confirmed when the penile skin is rolled over a hard tiguous with the anterior surface of the scrotum. This approach pro-
4
and immobile haematoma by a palpating finger. vides the best visualisation of the spongiosum and the urethra along
Butterfly ecchymosis is associated with a more severe defect and is the entirety of the penile length22 and is located in the near field of
indicative of a disruption to the Buck fascia, allowing haematoma to the representative image. Care should be taken however to use mini-
extravasate around an intact Colles fascia.2 The disruption of the Buck fas- mal transducer pressure so as prevent compression of the corpus
cia allows for the formation of a perineal haematoma and is characterised spongiosum and/or the urethra.16 If confusion still exists in regard to
2,15
by a butterfly pattern of bruising. As the Colles fascia encloses the
superficial perineal space, disturbance of this layer manifests in a
haematoma extending into the anterior abdominal wall and the scrotum.15
The identification of blood at the penile meatus is significant of
urethral involvement, the incidence of concomitant urethral injury5,17
being between 10% and 39%. Urethral injury should be suspected in
the presence of bilateral cavernosa rupture and is associated with
increased morbidity rates because of its severity.17
It is important to acknowledge however that these common clinical
appearances can also be consistent with less severe penile injuries
resulting from the same mechanism of injury.6 Ruptures of the superficial
dorsal vein, deep dorsal vein, and arteries or nonspecific dartos bleeding
can contribute to extra‐albugineal haematoma and thus resemble
ecchymosis associated with penile fracture, despite the tunica albuginea
remaining intact.6,10,20 Unlike in true penile fracture whereby detumes-
cence is immediate, injury to the penile vasculature is usually associated
with delayed detumescence, although this is not always the case.20
5 | U L T RA S O U N D T E C H N I Q U E
In 1983, Dierks and Hawkins first described the use of high frequency
ultrasound as a method to evaluate corpus cavernosum rupture.21
Some authors consider a limitation of this modality to be its
operator‐dependant nature, with an accurate diagnosis reliant on the
knowledge and skill of the practitioner.17,21 The advantage of
ultrasound in the diagnosis of penile fracture, however, is unrivalled
when its noninvasive, cost‐effective, and nonionising nature are
considered. This coupled with its ability to provide superior resolution
of superficial structures such as the penis makes it an obvious
imaging choice.
Because of the sensitive nature of this examination and taking
into account the possibility of patient embarrassment, a thorough
explanation of the examination should be provided by the sonogra-
FIGURE 4 A, Schematic diagram of penis in transverse section used
pher prior to beginning. Ultrasound of the penis is undertaken using
by sonographer to indicate location of fracture and/or haematoma.
a high‐resolution linear array transducer on a relevant superficial pre- B, Schematic diagram of penis in the longitudinal section used by
set.16 An increased volume of gel may be required so as to ensure sonographer to indicate position of fracture and/or haematoma
optimal contact of the transducer interface with the skin.2,16 In order along shaft
NAPIER 5
the anatomical surfaces of the penis, a good rule is to associate the longitudinal plane.22 The value of a survey scan (including cine loop
dorsal surface as that being closest to the head and the ventral surface capture) not only provides for a thorough assessment of the extent of
as that closest to the feet.12 injury but also allows for the exclusion of coexisting pathology such
Irrespective of the scanning approach, a survey scan in the trans- as calcified plaques, abnormalities of the cavernosa, and/or penile vas-
verse and longitudinal planes should be performed prior to the docu- culature.16 Disruption to the hyperechoic line of the tunica albuginea,
mentation of static images. In the transverse section, the penile shaft coupled with the presence of a haematoma, is diagnostic of penile frac-
should be evaluated from base to glans and from right to left in the ture.2 Particular attention should be paid to the corpus spongiosum
because identification of the urethra is indicative of injury. Visualisation
of the urethra is rendered difficult in a normal penis as the lumen is void
of contents and thus compressed.22 A survey scan in the transverse
TABLE 1 Grades of penile fracture and their characteristics 27 plane from the penile base to glans can adequately assess for a
Fracture
distended urethral lumen containing echoes while assessment in the
Grade Characteristics longitudinal section can identify any disruption to its contiguity. Pano-
Grade 0 Normal tunica albuginea, with or without ramic imaging in the longitudinal plane can also demonstrate the length
‐deep dorsal artery/vein rupture of the spongy urethra. Transperineal placement of the transducer is rec-
‐superficial dorsal vein rupture
ommended to assess the internal urethral components.22
Grade 1 Defect in tunica albuginea with cavernosal involvement
Representative B‐mode images in the transverse section should
Grade 2 Defect in tunica albuginea with perialbugineal and
cavernosal haematoma include the three corporal bodies, with an image documented proxi-
Grade 3 Defect in the tunica albuginea, Buck fascia, and corpus mally at the base of the penis, at midshaft, and at its distal end proxi-
spongiosum mal to the glans.16 Representative images in the longitudinal plane
Grade 4 Disruption to the urethra with or without vascular should display each corporal body parallel to its length. Here, pano-
malformation
ramic imaging techniques can be useful in displaying each corpora in
FIGURE 5 A, Schematic diagram of grade 0 subtype resulting from rupture of the deep dorsal vein or arteries. Haematoma represented by green
shading contained beneath Buck fascia. B, Schematic diagram of grade 0 subtype resulting from rupture of the superficial dorsal vein. Haematoma
is located outside of Buck fascia within the subcutaneous tissues. C, Transverse ultrasound image taken from the ventral aspect. The tunica
albuginea is intact with a right‐sided haematoma (star) located superficial to it
6 NAPIER
its entirety. Dual imaging can be incorporated into the series to pro- assessing ruptures of the dorsal veins and arteries as well as identify-
vide comparative imaging.16 ing the presence of any arteriovenous malformations posttrauma.22
Accurate documentation of pathology is of upmost importance to
not only assist the radiologist in providing a comprehensive report but
also help the urologist with surgical planning. A defect in the tunica 6 | GRADES OF PENILE FRACTURE
albuginea, Buck fascia, or corpora should be described according to
the side on which it is located and whether it is on the dorsal or ven- Although the characterisation of fracture is important, emphasis
tral aspect of the penis.23 Its position along the penile shaft, whether should initially be placed on the sonographic discrimination of a true
proximal, mid, or distal, should also be conveyed and the length of penile fracture from a vasculature disruption resulting in haematoma
the defect measured.24 A mark placed on the skin surface indicative formation within the superficial tissues. Differentiation between a
of the fracture location can be helpful to the treating urologist. Like- tunical tear and a vascular injury can therefore influence the manage-
wise, when a haematoma is identified, its position on the side and ment pathway that is undertaken.8 According to Metzler et al,25 two
aspect of the penis should be recorded as well as its size in three ultrasound findings—the presence of a tunical defect in conjunction
dimensions.23 A description as to whether it is intracavernosal or with an intracavernosal haematoma—conclusively diagnose a penile
extracavernosal provides additional information.24 An example of fracture and thus expedite surgical intervention. In the absence of
schematic diagrams that can be utilised by the sonographer in demon- these two entities, conservative management is recommended.25
strating the location of pathology is illustrated in Figure 4. Once a tunical defect has been detected, accurate grading of penile
Colour Doppler assessment should be undertaken to examine a fracture is imperative to not only comprehend the severity of injury but
defect in the tunica albuginea or Buck fascia. Compression of the also guide the urologist as to the best surgical approach required to cor-
penis can instigate a flush of blood, thus assisting in the detection of rect the abnormality.24 This is especially evident when a complete
small tears in the tunica albuginea.2 Colour Doppler is also helpful in degloving of the penis can be replaced by a less invasive, modified
incision over the rupture site.24 The use of ultrasound can thus custom- Figure 5A. Alternately, injury to the superficial dorsal vein, which
ise the surgical procedure by way of its ability to accurately locate is located outside the Buck fascia, allows ecchymosis to extrava-
tunical defects and renders exploration via the traditional circumferen- sate throughout the subcutaneous tissues of the penis.20 Refer
26
tial degloving method unnecessary. The grading system can also be to Figure 5B.
used to influence the timing of surgical repair. Generally, it is expected Grade 1: This subtype represents minimal disruption wherein there
that penile fracture is surgically corrected within 24 hours so as to avoid is a defect in the tunica albuginea as well as disruption to the
long‐term sequelae, commonly involving evacuation of the haematoma, adjacent corpus cavernosum,27 as shown in Figure 6A. Figure 6B
corporal debridement, closure of tunical defects, and ligation of any illustrates a hypoechoic defect in the tunica albuginea with the
compromised vasculature.4 Those fractures involving the urethra injury encroaching into the left corpus cavernosum.
require immediate intervention and are addressed by way of suture, pri-
Grade 2: Also associated with minimal disruption, this subtype
mary reanastomosis, or graft interposition.4
describes a defect in the tunica albuginea and corpora
In 2015, Shukla et al27 composed a grading system of penile dis-
cavernosum with associated perialbugineal and cavernosal
ruption based on the most common sonographic appearances encoun-
haematoma formation27 (Figure 7A). Figure 7B demonstrates a
tered in their clinical experience. This grading system identified four
defect in the echogenic tunica albuginea and a haematoma of
main subtypes ranging from 0 to 4, each being outlined in Table 1
mixed echogenicity on either side of the tunica albuginea, in
and discussed as follows.
the right corpus cavernosum and deep to an intact Buck
Grade 0: Normal tunica albuginea without defect. This subtype also fascia.27
includes haematoma of the soft tissues of the penis due to rupture Grade 3: Indicative of moderate fascial plane disruption, involvement
of specific penile vasculature.10 A rupture of the deep dorsal vein encompasses the tunica albuginea, Buck fascia, and the corpus
or artery results in haematoma being contained beneath the Buck spongiosum,27 as illustrated in Figure 8A. Ultrasound representation
20
fascia and thus confined to the penile shaft, as shown in of this subtype displays haematoma on either side of a
disrupted Buck fascia, but contained by an intact Colles fascia CONFLIC T OF INT E RE ST
(Figure 8B). None.
Grade 4: This is the most serious grade, indicating major disruption
with the spongiosum and urethra being compromised,27 as ORCID
demonstrated in Figure 9A. Under normal circumstances, the ure- Donna Napier http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1585-9614
thra is not readily identified on ultrasound because the lumen is
free of pathological entities. Figure 9B displays a urethral lumen RE FE RE NC ES
containing echoes representative of blood, in association with a 1. Omisanjo OA, Bioku MJ, Ikuerowo SO, Sule GA, Esho JO. A prospec-
haematoma of the corpus spongiosum. In addition to this, urethral tive analysis of the presentation and management of penile fracture
at the Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
disruption can also be evident sonographically when a discontinua-
African J Urol. 2015;21:52–56.
tion of the lumen, the presence of air in the cavernosal bodies, and
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7 | L I M I T A T I O NS A N D P I T F A L L S
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the diagnosis determined by the examiners level of clinical knowledge Trends in Urology & Sexual Health, September/October. 2007;20–24.
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24 penile fracture. J Clin Ultrasound. 2012;4:17.
small in dimension.
9. Amer T, Wilson R, Cholsta P, AlBuheissi S, Fraser M, Aboumarzouk
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ACKNOWLEDGEMEN TS 20. Kurkar A, Elderwy AA, Orabi E. False fracture of the penis: different
pathology but similar clinical presentation and management. Urolo
The author acknowledges the contribution of William Troy and Ellen Ann. 2014;6(1):23–26.
Wilson in the creation of the graphics used in this review article. 21. Nizamani WM, Ali SI, Vaswani AK, Shahani BK. Ultrasound diagnosis of
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NAPIER 9
23. ‘Penile Fracture’. Radiopedia, Radiopedia article. n. d [cited 2018 Aug 15]. 27. Shukla AK, Bhagavan BC, Sanjay SC, Krishnappa N, Sahadev R, Ratish
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operate or not to operate? Trans Androlo Urolo. 2017;6(5):981–986. https://doi.org/10.1002/sono.12167
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