Case Study - January 2008
This is the penis of a middle-aged man who presented with an unrelated problem.
- What is the abnormality shown?
- With what other abnormalities can it be associated?
- How is it managed?
Case presented by Mr Nigel Bullock
Reveal Answer
Open answer There is no fixed answer to this question, however your response should be similar to the one below:
- This is epispadias where the urethra opens on the dorsum of the penis; it is a congenital condition caused by failure of fusion of the penis to enclose the urethra.
- It is occasionally associated with exstrophy (or ectopia vesicae) where the bladder also fails to fuse and lies open on the anterior abdominal wall; this is present at birth.
- Epispadias may require no specific treatment if it does not interfere with voiding or ejaculation. If it causes significant symptoms, reconstruction by urethroplasty may be considered.