Balanitis is
inflammation of the
glans penis.[1] When the
foreskin is also affected, the proper term is balanoposthitis.[1] Balanitis on boys still in
diapers must be distinguished from redness caused by
ammoniacaldermatitis.[2] The word balanitis is from the Greek
βάλανοςbalanos, literally meaning '
acorn', used because of the similarity in shape to the
glans penis.[3]
It is less common among people who are
circumcised, as 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.[5]
Types
Zoon's balanitis, also known as Balanitis Circumscripta Plasmacellularis or plasma cell balanitis (PCB), is an idiopathic, rare, benign penile dermatosis[7] for which circumcision is often the preferred treatment.[7][8][9] Zoon's balanitis has been successfully treated with the
carbon dioxide laser; [10] and more recently, Albertini and colleagues report the avoidance of circumcision and successful treatment of Zoon's balanitis with an
Er:YAG laser.[11] Another study, by Retamar and colleagues, found that 40 percent of those treated with CO2 laser relapsed.[12]
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".[13]
Other animals
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
Gilbert's potoroo.[14]
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.