Atypical Presentation of a Penile Fracture With Unilateral Corpora Cavernosa and Urethral Injury

Abstract

A penile fracture is a rare but urgent urologic emergency that requires immediate surgical correction to preserve erectile function. It results from a rupture of the tunica albuginea of one or both corpora cavernosa. Patients classically will present with a history of recent sexual activity and a sudden "snap," followed by detumescence, pain, and swelling of the phallus. The rupture of the tunica albuginea typically happens ventrolaterally along the penile shaft, as the tunica albuginea thins at this location, especially during erections. In this report, we present a case of a penile fracture with a rupture of the tunica albuginea at an unusual location in the distal phallus between the corpora cavernosa and corpora spongiosum.