The medical field never ceases to surprise people with its new discoveries and shocking findings. One such case involved bone growth in the penis. In September, a 63-year-old man visited the hospital, suffering from severe knee pain. During the consultation, he was advised to undergo an X-ray, which revealed an unexpected and unusual finding—penile ossification.
After taking the patient’s medical history, it was concluded that he had fallen onto the pavement and hit his lower abdomen, which seemed to coincide with the onset of his knee pain. While he was still able to walk, the man did not want to take any risks, so he came to the hospital for further evaluation. During the examination, he also mentioned experiencing soreness in the groin area, which led the doctors to investigate further.
The X-ray results showed ossification across the entire shaft of the penis, meaning bone tissue had formed in the penile structure. This rare condition is known as penile ossification. Despite the unusual finding, the patient refused further treatment and left the hospital against medical advice. As a result, no additional tests were conducted to assess his condition more thoroughly. Based on the information available, the doctors initially reported the case as likely due to Peyronie's disease, though other potential causes such as metabolic disorders, end-stage kidney failure, or trauma were also considered.
Penile ossification is extremely rare, with only a few documented cases in medical literature. It is often associated with trauma or systemic diseases, and in this patient’s case, his recent fall could have been a contributing factor. The condition may also be linked to metabolic disturbances like hypercalcemia, in which excess calcium deposits form in soft tissues, leading to ossification.
Peyronie's disease, on the other hand, is characterized by the development of fibrous scar tissue (plaques) inside the penis, causing abnormal curvature during erections. This can result in pain, erectile dysfunction, and difficulty with sexual intercourse. The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is not fully understood, but it is commonly believed to involve trauma or injury to the penis, which leads to improper healing and the formation of scar tissue.
Penile ossification remains a relatively rare condition being mentioned in very few journals, with less than 40 published case reports. It is commonly linked to Peyronie's disease, a superficial fibrosing condition of the penis characterized by the presence of a fibrotic plaque leading to penile deformity, with or without pain.
Although Peyronie's disease often presents as fibrous plaque rather than bone growth, some researchers speculate that in rare cases, ossification may occur if the scar tissue becomes calcified over time. However, without further testing, such as a biopsy or additional imaging, the exact nature of the man’s condition could not be definitively diagnosed.
This case underscores the complexity of penile conditions and highlights the importance of thorough medical evaluation, especially in rare or unexpected findings. Unfortunately, due to the patient's refusal of further treatment, the full scope of his condition remains uncertain.
Reference:
1. Georges El Hasbani et al., “Penile ossification of the entire penile shaft found incidentally on pelvic x-ray,” Urology Case Reports 26 (September 1, 2019): 100938, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eucr.2019.100938.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)