HYPOGONADISM
A knowledge of hypogonadism is very important for diagnosis and treatment of boys with micropenis and related conditions because it is often a factor in the pathology of this condition.
This site cannot be called sophisticated by any stretch of the imagination but, despite its unimaginative appearance, it contains a good account of primary and secondary hypo-gonadism that is easy to follow thanks to various lists and bullet points.
Why go there: to revise the hypogonadism element.
Downside: poor design.
Information from: Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Address: www.dundee.ac.uk/medther/tayendoweb/images/hypogonadism.htm.
PATIENT INFORMATION
A decent patient leaflet on micropenis is hard to find, and even this one is not the best, as the criteria for diagnosis it gives are not all consistent with those given by other more clinical sites.
However, it will give the anxious parent some support and the opportunity to acquire some information about this unhappy state of affairs.
Why go there: provides information for worried parents.
Downside: best of a poor bunch.
Information from: University of Virginia.
Address: www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_urology/mcrpenis.cfm
MICROPENIS SURGERY
This article reports the partial success of a surgical procedure to create an average-sized penis for patients with micropenis using skin from the forearm and an inflatable prosthesis.
The condition affects about 0.6 per cent of men, which across the UK means there are a couple of hundred thousand patients with undersized organs - so it is not that uncommon.
You may dispute the measurements given on this website, but there is no arguing with the potential benefits of corrective surgery that can allow some men born with this condition to micturate normally and possibly also to enjoy sexual activity more.
Why go there: might help answer some questions.
Downside: procedure may not be widely available.
Information from: LiveScience.
Address: www.livescience.com/health/041206_small_surgery.html
IMAGES OF MICROPENIS
I'm not sure of the provenance of the medical information on this website, but the images of micropenis found here are about the only ones I could discover of any quality.
It seems reasonable that GPs should have an idea of what they are looking for in this context, especially those doctors whose observation of penises in a clinical setting may be very limited for whatever reason.
Why go there: see some variants of the condition.
Downside: don't rely on the medical information.
Information from: the micropenis website.
Address: www.micropenis.ws/micropenispictures.html
BURIED PENIS
This free-access journal article describes a technique for surgical correction of the buried penis using liposuction to remove excess suprapubic fat and skin realignment. It includes clear photos of the buried penis before and after surgery.
It is fairly technical, and this is not a procedure to consider for your next minor operations session. However, it will give you an idea of the kind of plastic surgery that is available to help a patient presenting with this condition.
Why go there: it suggests a possible solution for buried penis.
Downside: images not for the squeamish.
Information from: BJU International.
Address: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1464-410X.2000.00798.x
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
The problem with many otherwise excellent articles from eMedicine is that they are a bit too long for the busy GP. Unfortunately this site is one of those, but it would be difficult to find anything better.
You have to be careful these days entering any phrase containing the word 'penis' into a search engine for fear of what you may be offered after pressing that return key, especially if your query is size-related.
This article is packed with information on the condition, covering background and incidence, examination, a plethora of causes, and of course, investigations and treatment. However, as is so often the case with this otherwise excellent source of information, there are no pictures.
Why go there: for everything you need to know.
Downside: hard going.
Information from: Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Address: www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1448.htm.
