Reference valuesReference values

Penis / penile Doppler — Reference values

Penis / penile Doppler — Reference values: Minimum anatomic protocol, Normal B-mode anatomy, Penile fracture, Peyronie disease — plaque, Ischemic priapism.

Penile ultrasound does not have a single universal system like TI-RADS or BI-RADS. Safety comes from separating the clinical question: trauma, plaque/fibrosis, priapism, superficial venous thrombosis, mass/infection, or vascular erectile dysfunction. In dynamic Doppler, thresholds vary: European guidance accepts peak systolic velocity above 30 cm/s as normal, while radiology reviews use above 35 cm/s to exclude significant stenosis. Therefore, 30-35 cm/s is yellow, not absolute green.

Measurements and reference values

MeasurementUsual valueNote
Minimum anatomic protocolhigh-frequency linear transducer; transverse and longitudinal planesAssess corpora cavernosa, corpus spongiosum, glans, penile urethra when relevant, tunica albuginea, deep fascia, cavernosal arteries, dorsal arteries, and superficial/deep dorsal veins according to the clinical question.Source: RadioGraphics 2024 / University of Washington penile ultrasound protocol / Radiologia Brasileira
Normal B-mode anatomytwo dorsolateral corpora cavernosa + ventral corpus spongiosumThe tunica albuginea appears as a thin echogenic line around the erectile bodies; the cavernosal artery is usually seen in the center of each corpus cavernosum.Source: Translational Andrology and Urology / RadioGraphics
Penile fracturetunica albuginea discontinuity + hematomaA snap, sudden pain, detumescence, and bruising make the clinical diagnosis likely; ultrasound localizes the tear and measures hematoma. Hematuria, urinary retention, or air in the erectile bodies suggest urethral injury and change urgency.continuous tunica: no deep hematomahematoma with intact tunica: fracture mimic differentiallikely fracture: tunical defectSource: Radiologia Brasileira 2019 / Translational Andrology and Urology 2017
Peyronie disease — plaquefocal tunical thickening, fibrosis, or calcificationReport location, side, length, thickness, calcification/acoustic shadowing, relationship to septum and neurovascular bundle, curvature during induced erection when performed, and Doppler flow around the plaque if active phase is suspected.noncalcified plaque: may be active phasecalcification: affects treatment planningmass or atypical erosion: do not assume PeyronieSource: AUA Peyronie guideline / RadioGraphics 2024 / Frontiers Pharmacol 2019
Ischemic priapismmarkedly reduced or absent cavernosal flowThis is a urologic emergency, especially with a painful erection lasting more than 4 hours. Doppler should be performed before aspiration when possible, because intervention may create reactive hyperemia and confuse interpretation.emergency: pain + rigidity + little/no flowindeterminate: correlate with corporal blood gasSource: EAU Priapism guideline / AUA-SMSNA Priapism guideline / Radiologia Brasileira
Nonischemic / high-flow priapismhigh/turbulent flow, fistula, or pseudoaneurysmOften follows perineal/penile trauma and is less painful. It is not the same emergency as ischemic priapism, but it is abnormal and Doppler localizes the fistula for guided compression, follow-up, or embolization.Source: EAU Priapism guideline / Radiologia Brasileira
Superficial dorsal vein thrombosisnoncompressible vein + echogenic thrombus + absent flowAlso called penile Mondor disease. It is usually benign/self-limited, but Doppler helps distinguish it from Peyronie disease, sclerosing lymphangitis, mass, and hematoma.usually self-limited abnormality: confirm compressibility and flowsystemic signs or mass: look for another causeSource: Radiologia Brasileira / Korean J Radiol / case literature
Dynamic Doppler — techniquemeasure cavernosal arteries at the base every 5 min up to 20-30 minRecord drug and dose, injection side, time, rigidity grade, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistive index, and side-to-side difference. Doppler angle should be kept below 60 degrees.Source: EAU Erectile Dysfunction guideline / RadioGraphics 2024 / EPOS ECR 2024
Post-stimulation peak systolic velocitystrong green >35; divergent 30-35; abnormal <25 cm/sEuropean guidance considers above 30 cm/s usually normal; radiology reviews use above 35 cm/s to exclude significant stenosis. Between 25 and 35 cm/s, interpret as a gray zone with rigidity, dose, anxiety, and timing.strong normality: >35 cm/snormal in some sources: 30–35 cm/sindeterminate: 25–29 cm/slikely arterial insufficiency: <25 cm/sSource: EAU / Scientific Reports 2022 / RadioGraphics 2024
End-diastolic velocity<3 by European guidance; >5 suggests venous leak if arterial inflow is adequate cm/sVeno-occlusive interpretation is reliable only when arterial response and rigidity are sufficient; anxiety and low dose may mimic venous leak.strict normal: <3 cm/sgray zone: 3–5 cm/slikely venous leak: >5 cm/s com boa resposta arterialSource: EAU / RadioGraphics / EPOS ECR 2024
Resistive index>0.8 usually normalBelow 0.8 together with elevated end-diastolic velocity suggests veno-occlusive dysfunction; use cautiously if arterial response was poor.normal: >0,8borderline: 0,75–0,80suspicious: <0,75 ou <0,8 com diástole elevadaSource: EAU / RadioGraphics / EPOS ECR 2024

Classifications and calculators

Interactive assistant — penis and penile Doppler

GreenPeak systolic velocity above 35 cm/s on both sides, low end-diastolic velocity, resistive index above 0.8, adequate rigidity, and no critical anatomic findings.
YellowPeak systolic velocity 25-35 cm/s, diastole 3-5 cm/s, incomplete rigidity, technique without vasoactive injection, plaque/calcification, superficial dorsal thrombosis, or nonischemic priapism.
RedPeak systolic velocity below 25 cm/s, diastole above 5 cm/s with good arterial inflow, low resistive index, ischemic priapism, high-flow fistula, fracture, suspicious mass, abscess, gas, or urethral sign.

This tool is educational: it does not replace urologic evaluation, corporal blood gas in priapism, or treatment decisions. In prolonged painful priapism or penile fracture, communication should be immediate.

Source: EAU / AUA-SMSNA / RadioGraphics / Radiologia Brasileira

Dynamic Doppler — hemodynamic reading

ParameterGreenYellowRed
Peak systolic velocity>35 cm/s25–35 cm/s<25 cm/s
Cavernosal artery side difference<10 cm/s>10 cm/s with preserved velocities>10 cm/s with lower side <25 cm/s
End-diastolic velocity<3 cm/s3–5 cm/s>5 cm/s persistent if arterial inflow is adequate
Resistive index>0,80,75–0,8<0.75 or <0.8 with elevated diastole
Rigiditycomplete or sufficient rigiditytumescence or partial rigidityno response despite adequate technique

Source: EAU Erectile Dysfunction / RadioGraphics 2024 / EPOS ECR 2024

Emergencies and differentials

ConditionUltrasound findingsPractical message
Penile fractureFocal tunica albuginea defect, adjacent hematoma, sometimes urethra/corpus spongiosum involved.Surgical emergency in most cases; localize the tear.
Ischemic priapismAbsent or high-resistance cavernosal flow, rigid and painful corpora cavernosa.Emergency; do not delay treatment.
High-flow nonischemic priapismArteriocavernosal fistula, pseudoaneurysm, turbulence and low-resistance flow.Usually not ischemic, but abnormal and may need embolization.
Penile Mondor diseaseNoncompressible superficial dorsal vein with thrombus and absent flow.Usually self-limited; distinguish from plaque, mass, and lymphangitis.
Peyronie diseaseTunica albuginea plaque, thickening, fibrosis, calcification, or acoustic shadowing.Measure and map; Doppler helps if erectile dysfunction is also present.
Deep infection or abscessCollection, hyperemia, gas, skin/fascial thickening, or perineal extension.May be an emergency, especially with gas or suspected Fournier disease.
Suspicious massIrregular solid lesion, glans/foreskin, local invasion, vascularity, or suspicious nodes.Do not label as plaque; refer for workup.

Source: Radiologia Brasileira / RadioGraphics / AUA / EAU

Structured report checklist

BlockWhat to reportWhy it matters
TechniqueTransducer, planes, ventral/dorsal approach, color/spectral Doppler and Doppler angle.Avoids wrong measurements from angle or sampling.
Dynamic DopplerDrug, dose, injection side, timing of measurements and rigidity grade.Without this, velocity and venous leak can be false.
Plaques/fibrosisLocation by surface/third, size, calcification, shadowing and septal relationship.Helps urology plan treatment.
TraumaTunica integrity, hematoma, corpus spongiosum, urethra and cavernosal vascularity.Defines urgency and surgical map.
PriapismIschemic versus nonischemic, cavernosal flow, fistula/pseudoaneurysm and whether it was before aspiration.Completely changes management.

Source: EAU / AUA-SMSNA / RadioGraphics

All exams