Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: FRII-11
Sources of Funding: NONE

Introduction

To present some aspects of rare and unusual urogenital disorders, including congenital malformations and syndromes, sometimes occurring in eminent personalities or having been described by famous scientists.

Methods

The review of historical sources and biographies of famous sufferers and the study of modern medical literature about all these rare urogenital diseases.

Results

Penile deformities such as hypospadias (the most known representative was Henry II of France (1519-1559), suffering also from chordee) and epispadias (respectively the most known was the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, (575-641)) were recorded mainly by historians because of the infertility consequences or the bizarre urination habits (Heraclius needed protective measures to avoid getting wet). Historians also were attracted by spectacular and dramatic urological emergencies, such as Fournier gangrene, known by the case of the prominent sufferer Herod 10 BC-44 AD). _x000D_ Referring to famous researchers, François Gigot de La Peyronie (1678-1747), founder of the Royal Academy of Surgery of France, described the homonymous disorder (1743), consisting of penile deformity due to induration of the corpora cavernosa of the penis, now also called Induratio Penis Plastica (IPP) is one of the extraordinary urogenital problems together with the strongly psychologically and non- physically induced syndromes Koro (Genital Retraction Syndrome) and Castration Anxiety (the latter described by Sigmund Freud(1856-1939)). Belief that genitals have disappear and fear of damage or loss of the penis characterize them both. Much of the research has been done on the two above topics, although still relevant today._x000D_

Conclusions

Rare and unusual urogenital disorders attract the attention as extraordinary events (called Mirabilia by historians), especially if occurring on famous or evil persons (as a divine punishment). Furthermore, publicity is given when the above abnormalities are described by eminent physicians.

Funding

NONE