Unveiling Gaps in Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Penile Mondor's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to consolidate existing MRI findings in PMD cases, establish optimal imaging indications, and explore their clinical value.

Methods: The protocol for this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024592190). Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar on December 1, 2024. Eligible studies included those with clinically diagnosed PMD and MRI findings. Data on patient characteristics, MRI sequences, thrombus stage, and study quality were extracted and assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for case reports.

Results: From 710 records, four studies were included, encompassing four patients with PMD. The median age of the four patients is 35.5 years old (25-53), and two are from Turkey. MRI findings highlighted variable thrombus stages (one acute, two subacute, and one chronic) and heterogeneous imaging protocols. Only one study explicitly mentioned MRI indications. MRI provided detailed assessments of penile anatomy and thrombus characteristics but lacked consistency in usage, timing, and sequence protocols. No studies received a good quality rating; two were rated poor, and one was fair.

Conclusion: MRI's role in PMD diagnosis is limited, with its utility primarily in complex or atypical cases. Standardized MRI indications and sequence protocols are warranted to optimize its clinical application. More extensive studies are needed to validate its diagnostic and therapeutic impact.

Advances in knowledge: MRI is primarily utilized for complex cases of PMD; however, more systematic documentation of its indications could guide clinicians in determining when MRI is appropriate for PMD patients. Keywords: Penile Mondor's disease, Magnetic resonance imaging, thrombophlebitis, diagnostic imaging, systematic review.