Penile plaques

　　The etiology of penile plaques is not yet clear, and it may be related to sexually transmitted diseases, chronic urethritis, repeated minor injuries during sexual intercourse, and genetic factors. Long-term use of propranolol, as well as arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, chronic alcoholism, ankylosing spondylitis, liver cirrhosis, and other diseases may be predisposing factors. Penile plaques are composed of dense connective tissue, containing a few elastic fibers and proliferating fibroblasts, a few blood vessels, and leukocytes. In patients with a long course of disease, calcification may occur, even cartilage or bone formation. This disease is more common in young and middle-aged adults, especially in men around the age of 40.

　　Penile plaques can cause complications such as pain during penile erection, deformity of penile curvature, and weak erection at the distal end of the lesion. Severe cases may complicate epididymitis, and occasionally orchitis. In the acute phase, recurrent lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, and fever may occur, and in the chronic phase, lymphedema and elephantiasis may occur. In severe cases, myocarditis, edema of the lower limbs or scrotum, psychiatric symptoms, and even fatigue may occur. Active anti-infection treatment should be carried out to reduce complications.

　　The condition of penile plaques can be mild, moderate, or severe, and the symptoms of the disease can appear gradually or occur overnight. Common symptoms of penile plaques include:

　　1. Painless hard plaques may appear on the upper side of the penis.

　　2. Penile curvature.

　　3. Hard lumps appearing on the upper side of the penis will cause the penis to curve upwards (this is a common situation), while hard lumps appearing on the lower side of the penis will cause the penis to curve downwards. Some patients may have lumps appearing on both the upper and lower sides of the penis, which can shorten and deform the penis.

　　4. Uncomfortable or painful feeling during penile erection.

　　5. Erectile dysfunction.

　　The etiology of penile plaques is not yet clear, and it may be related to chronic injury and inflammation of the penis. In recent years, it has been considered that the disease may be related to autoimmune reactions. This disease is more common in adults, and it can cause difficulties in sexual life due to the plaques that can cause pain and deformation of the penis during erection. To prevent this disease, the following points should be done:

　　1. Actively treat atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases.

　　2. Adequate supplementation of various vitamins, especially vitamins that correct the adverse habits of alcoholism.

　　3. Try to avoid外伤 to the penis.

　　4. Keep the local area clean. Underwear should be loose and soft.

　　Clinical examination of penile induration can detect multiple or single painless nodules on the dorsal side of the penis. Ultrasonic examination and cavernous body angiography can show the location, range, and degree of penile induration, and can also differentiate from the masses formed by varicose veins, which show dark blood flow areas under ultrasound. Penile erection can cause pain or deformity. Severe symptoms can cause sexual dysfunction or impotence.

　　Patients with penile induration should have a light and nutritious diet, pay attention to dietary balance. Avoid hot and spicy foods to prevent the recurrence of the disease, such as seafood, chicken, dog meat, etc. At the same time, do not eat spicy foods. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Fresh vegetables and fruits contain a large amount of nutrients needed by the human body. Eat more immune-boosting foods to enhance the body's ability to resist diseases.

　　Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment method for penile induration, but 50% of patients can naturally relieve the condition. For those who cannot naturally relieve, drug treatment can be given, and the main drug treatment methods are as follows:

　　1. There is a controlled trial to confirm that local injection of collagenase is effective for mild symptoms, which can reduce the curvature by about 10-15. Local injection of verapamil into the lichen sclerosus may also be effective, with reports indicating that 60% of patients can improve the curvature, but there is no controlled trial yet.

　　2. Drugs to inhibit connective tissue proliferation: hydrocortisone acetate suspension 25 mg, injected into the hard nodules, once or twice a week, 4 times as a course of treatment; dexamethasone 6 mg and 1% procaine 1 ml locally injected, once or twice a week, a total of 12 times. However, this treatment plan is not effective, but it will make future surgery difficult.

　　3. Currently, drugs that have not been proven effective include oral high-dose vitamins, diethylstilbestrol, potassium para-aminobenzoate, potassium iodide, etc.; intramuscular injection of 25 mg of hydrocortisone acetate plus procaine, and local interferon.

　　4. Physical Therapy: Includes histamine iontophoresis, ultrasonic therapy, audio therapy, etc.