MR Imaging in Penile Trauma and Tumors

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables noninvasive interrogation of penile pathology and can address uncertainties in cases of penile trauma and tumors, helping form critical management decisions. Specifically, MRI can assess the integrity of the tunica albuginea following penile trauma, thereby directing the patient to surgery versus nonoperative care. MRI also serves an adjunctive role to physical examination in local staging of penile cancer, and is especially useful for evaluation of corporal invasion, while simultaneously allowing a preliminary assessment of pelvic nodal status. In this review, we detail the normal anatomy of the penis, protocol considerations for MRI of the penis, and interpretation of penile MRI for trauma and tumors.