Prostatic infarction is a relatively frequent complication of adenoma of the bladder neck. Nevertheless its importance is minimal as compared with infarctions of vital organs like the brain, heart, lungs or kidneys. General and local factors may play a role in its pathogenesis. Besides other factors, it may contribute to the development of acute retention. Attention is called to the difficulties of differential diagnosis at both gross and microscopic examinations. A misdiagnosis is most frequently made in neoplastic diseases of the prostate.