The use of betamethasone and hyaluronidase injections in the treatment of Peyronie's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of local injections of betamethasone, hyaluronidase and lidocaine in patients with Peyronie's disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 112 men who had a palpable plaque at the penis and suffered from painful erection and bending of penis was treated with a total of 12 injections containing betamethasone, hyaluronidase and lidocaine. Patients were classified into groups according to the duration of the disease (<6 months, 6-12 months or >12 months) as well as the size of the plaque (<10 mm, 10-20 mm or >20 mm). Pretreatment evaluation of patients and assessment of outcome were based on subjective criteria as well as measurement of the size of the plaque by means of ultrasound. Results were correlated to patients' characteristics.

RESULTS: The overall response rate was 86%. Cure or improvement was noticed in 31% and 55% of patients respectively. Most of the patients (83%) had a duration of disease less than 12 months. Painful erection, bending of penis and plaque were absent in 97%, 32% and 31% of patients, respectively, after treatment. No severe complications were observed. The effect of treatment was strongly related to the duration of disease and the size of the plaque.

CONCLUSIONS: The method is safe, well tolerated by patients and characterized by a high response rate in patients with a history of less than 12 months and a plaque not exceeding 20 mm.