Penile MRI: Fracture, Cancer Staging & Prosthesis
MRI’s soft-tissue detail answers a few specific penile questions where the answer changes surgery.
Penile fracture
Penile “fracture” is a tear of the tunica albuginea of a corpus cavernosum, usually during intercourse. It is a urological emergency. MRI directly shows the site and extent of the tunical disruption and any urethral involvement, guiding surgical repair when the clinical picture is unclear.
The normally low-signal tunica albuginea is a continuous dark line; a break in that line localises the tear for the surgeon.
Cancer staging
In penile carcinoma, MRI provides local T-staging (depth of invasion into the corpus spongiosum/cavernosum and urethra), which determines whether organ-sparing surgery is feasible. An artificial erection (intracavernosal injection) is sometimes used to improve assessment.
Peyronie’s & prosthesis
- Peyronie’s disease: mapping fibrous tunical plaques and associated deformity/inflammation before treatment.
- Prosthesis: assessing malposition, infection, or mechanical complications of penile implants.
Sources
- Kirkham AP et al. MRI of the penis. Br J Radiol 2012;85(Spec Iss 1):S86–93.
Educational summary for clinicians; managed with urology. Not medical advice.
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