Pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of induratio penis plastica (IPP)

Induratio penis plastica (or Peyronie's disease) is a rather rare malady, probably caused by chronic inflammation or recurrent microtrauma. The most common complaints are pain on erection and difficulties in performing sexual intercourse. Conservative treatment having been rather disappointing until now, infiltration with superoxide dismutase (Orgotein) seems to be an important advance. In more than one half of the patients positive effects concerning pain, deviation of the penis and extension of the plaques have been achieved. If after two years of conservative therapy there is no improvement, surgical treatment is recommended.