Painful ultrasound detected lesion in the proximal part of the corpus cavernosum: A case of so called “partial priapism”?

Partial priapism is a rare disorder generally described in literature as related to an idiopathic etiology leading to the thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum. Despite his rarity, this condition has been described in the last years with an increased frequency. It is characterized by thrombosis of the proximal segment of one corpus cavernosum with perineal pain as the more frequent clinical manifestation. Few cases were associated with perineal trauma. Instrumental appearance suggests for an hematoma in the interstitium of the proximal part of corpus cavernosum. Therapy is still controversial. We report a case of a 52-years old man referred to our Section of Urology suffering from a perineal pain occurred without trauma, sexual arousal or sexual intercourse, during the working office time. Laboratory revealed a slightly elevated white blood cells count. The full blood count, protein C reactive, electrolytes, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time and urinalysis were within normal range. Tunica albuginea was normal. The partial thrombosis of the right corpus cavernosum was hypothesized. Treatment was conservative with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Only the clinical presentation of symptoms and perineal ultrasound scan performed with color sonography leaded to the diagnosis. Eleven days later, at the clinical and ultrasonographic follow-up visit, the patient was asymptomatic with a total clinical and instrumental disappearance of signs of the corpus cavernosum involvement previously described. Considering the rarity of the condition, we performed a literature review.