ULTRASOUND EVALUATION OF NORMAL PENILE (CORPOREAL) LENGTH IN CHILDREN

Citation
Dp. Smith et al., ULTRASOUND EVALUATION OF NORMAL PENILE (CORPOREAL) LENGTH IN CHILDREN, The Journal of urology, 154(2), 1995, pp. 822-824
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Urology & Nephrology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00225347
Volume
154
Issue
2
Year of publication
1995
Part
2
Pages
822 - 824
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-5347(1995)154:2<822:UEONP(>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Previous studies have established normal penile length for patient age and stage of sexual development. To our knowledge penile length has o nly been determined to date by measuring the stretched distance from t he symphysis to the glans tip. Pilot studies at our institution showed that ultrasound corpora cavernosa length determinations were possible using a 7.5 MHz. linear transducer probe. To determine whether ultras ound is a more accurate modality in assessing penile length, male subj ects 0 to 24 months old with normal penile anatomy and palpably descen ded testicles were enrolled in a prospective analysis. Longitudinal ul trasound images of the flaccid penis were obtained from the dorsal sur face. The whole corporeal bodies were easily imaged and measured. In a blinded fashion a separate investigator performed a conventional stre tched penile length determination. A total of 27 male subjects 1 week to 22 months old was evaluated and 2 were excluded. Corpora cavernosa measurements using ultrasound revealed a mean length of 32.3 +/- 4.7 m m. (range 22.4 to 44.9). Stretched penile lengths of the same subjects revealed a mean length of 46.8 +/- 8.2 mm. (range 31 to 63). Circumci sion status (p = 0.036) and age (p < 0.001) significantly correlated w ith stretched length determinations. Ultrasound measurements did not s ignificantly vary with patient circumcision status or age. Penile leng th and race were not correlated when using stretched or ultrasound mea surements. Ultrasound determination of corporeal body length is possib le in young subjects. From infancy to age 22 months ultrasound measure ments are not significantly affected by age or the presence of foreski n. Our experience suggests that corporeal body evaluation by ultrasoun d may offer a more accurate assessment of functional penile length.