Which condition is indicated by the presence of fibrous plaques in the soft tissue of the penis?

The presence of fibrous plaques in the soft tissue of the penis is indicative of Peyronie's disease. This condition is characterized by the development of fibrous scar tissue, which can result in noticeable curvature of the penis during erection, pain, and difficulty with sexual intercourse. The exact cause of these plaques is not fully understood, but they may arise from trauma to the penis or genetic factors.

In Peyronie's disease, the fibrous tissue replaces the normal elastic tissue in the tunica albuginea, leading to the formation of these plaques. This not only alters the normal architecture of the penis but also affects its ability to become erect, potentially resulting in various complications related to sexual health. Therefore, the recognition of fibrous plaques is essential in diagnosing and managing this condition.

In contrast, other conditions such as priapism involve prolonged erection without the fibrous tissue formation seen in Peyronie's disease, erectile dysfunction is characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, and phimosis refers to the inability to retract the foreskin of the penis, none of which present with the hallmark fibrous plaques associated with Peyronie's disease.