Value of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with penile induration (Peyronie's disease).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive procedure that enables exact imaging of penile anatomy. A total of 34 patients with clinical Peyronie's disease underwent palpation, ultrasound and MRI after intracavernous injection of 10 micrograms. prostaglandin E1. MRI images were obtained before and after intravenous application of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. In 34 patients 45 plaques were palpable. Ultrasound revealed evidence of lesions in 66.6% of the cases. On MRI 36 of 45 palpable plaques (80%) were detected. Not palpable or sonographically revealed indurations could be shown in 4 cases. After intravenous application of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 4 plaques demonstrated contrast enhancement, thus indicating local inflammatory activity. The combination of clinical examination and sonography remains the method of choice for diagnosis and observation of patients with Peyronie's disease. MRI enables exact imaging of penile structures but it does not provide a significant advantage over standard investigative procedures.