The word balanitis is from the Greek βάλανοςbalanos, literally meaning 'acorn' because of the similarity in shape to the glans penis.[3]-Itis is a suffix from the Greek for 'inflammation'. Posthe is the Greek word meaning 'foreskin'.
Signs and symptoms
Small red erosions on the glans (first sign)
Redness of the foreskin
Redness of the penis
Other rashes on the head of the penis
Foul smelling discharge
Painful foreskin and penis
Complications
Recurrent bouts of balanitis may cause scarring of the preputial orifice; the reduced elasticity may lead to pathologic phimosis.[4] Further complications may include:[5]
It is less common among people who are circumcised; in many cases, a dysfunction of the foreskin is a causal or contributing factor.[1] Both not enough cleaning and too much cleaning can cause problems.[1]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis may include careful identification of the cause with the aid of a good patient history, swabs and cultures, and pathological examination of a biopsy.[6]
Types
Zoon's balanitis, also known as Balanitis Circumscripta Plasmacellularis or plasma cell balanitis (PCB), is an idiopathic, rare, benign penile dermatosis[8] for which circumcision is often the preferred treatment.[8][9][10] Zoon's balanitis has been successfully treated with the carbon dioxide laser;[11] and more recently, Albertini and colleagues report the avoidance of circumcision and successful treatment of Zoon's balanitis with an Er:YAG laser.[12] Another study, by Retamar and colleagues, found that 40 percent of those treated with CO2 laser relapsed.[13]
Initial treatment in adults often involves simply pulling back the foreskin and cleaning the penis.[1] However, some topical antibiotic and fungal ointments may be used for treatment for mild cases. Depending upon severity, hydrocortisone and other steroidal creams may be used upon consultation.
Epidemiology
Balanitis "is a common condition affecting 11% of adult men seen in urology clinics and 3% of children" in the United States; globally, balanitis "may occur in up to 3% of uncircumcised males".[14]
In dogs, balanoposthitis is caused by a disruption in the integumentary system, such as a wound or intrusion of a foreign body. A dog with this condition behaves normally, with the exception of excessive licking at the prepuce, and a yellow green, pus-like discharge is usually present.
In sheep (rams/wethers), ulcerative enzootic balanoposthitis is caused by the Corynebacterium renale group (C. renale, C. pilosum & C. cystidis).
Balanoposthitis is believed to have contributed to the decline to near-extinction of the marsupial Gilbert's potoroo.[15]
References
^ abcdeEdwards, SK; Bunker, CB; Ziller, F; van der Meijden, WI (August 2014). "2013 European guideline for the management of balanoposthitis". International Journal of STD & AIDS. 25 (9): 615–26. doi:10.1177/0956462414533099. PMID24828553. S2CID127341.
^Simpson ET, Barraclough P (1998). "The management of the paediatric foreskin". Aust Fam Physician. 27 (5): 381–3. PMID9613002.
^Pellicé i Vilalta C, Casalots i Casado J, Cosme i Jiménez MA (1999). "[Zoon's balanoposthitis. A preliminary note]". Arch. Esp. Urol. (in Spanish). 52 (1): 69–72. PMID10101891.
^Baldwin HE, Geronemus RG (1989). "The treatment of Zoon's balanitis with the carbon dioxide laser". The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology. 15 (5): 491–4. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.1989.tb03407.x. PMID2497162.
Edwards S. (for the Clinical Effectiveness Group) National guideline on the management of balanitis. Association for Genitourinary Medicine (UK) and the Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Diseases (UK), 2001.
