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Penile girth augmentation by injectable fillers: a comprehensive review of imaging features and inflammatory complications

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Abstract

Despite the extensive controversy and debate of penile girth augmentation, high demands for such procedures are increasing. Penile inflammation is not common sequel after penile filler augmentation, but when it occurs, it has serious complications that sometimes necessitate emergency surgical intervention. Imaging with a variety of modalities, including ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ascending urethrogrphy plays a paramount role in the detection and assessment of these conditions. Inflammatory conditions after penile girth augmentation using injectable fillers are ranging from local granuloma to penile abscess formation or diffuse cellulitis that may extend to the scrotum, perineum or deep pelvic organs. Rapid diagnosis and evaluation of extensions are important to avoid associated morbidity and permanent deformity. Our purpose is to provide a practical review of relevant penile anatomy, imaging appearance and injection technique of different types of subcutaneous fillers used in penile girth augmentation, and inflammatory complications that may occur after these procedures. Brief descriptions of patient clinical information and imaging features of inflammatory complications will be included and correlated in actual cases.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Ahmed Reda Bassiouny who prepared the graphic figures in the article.

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The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Sherif A. Abo-Hedibah

  2. Department of Radiology, Farwaniya Hospital, Al Farwaniyah, Kuwait

    Sherif A. Abo-Hedibah, Amr N. Badawi & Ali H. Elmokadem

  3. Department of Radiology, Mansoura University, Elgomhoria St., Mansoura, 35516, Egypt

    Amr N. Badawi & Ali H. Elmokadem

  4. Department of Radiology, Jahra Hospital, Al Jahra, Kuwait

    Sameh A. Aly

  5. Department of Radiology, Benha University, Benha, Egypt

    Sameh A. Aly

  6. Department of Dermatology & Andrology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

    Sherif R. M. Ismail

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  1. Sherif A. Abo-Hedibah
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  2. Amr N. Badawi
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Correspondence to Ali H. Elmokadem.

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Abo-Hedibah, S.A., Badawi, A.N., Aly, S.A. et al. Penile girth augmentation by injectable fillers: a comprehensive review of imaging features and inflammatory complications. Abdom Radiol 46, 1703–1717 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02788-w

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