Balanitis
Template:Short description Template:Infobox medical condition (new) Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis.<ref name="Eu2013" /> Balanoposthitis is the proper term when the foreskin is also affected.<ref name="Eu2013" /> Balanitis on boys in diapers must be distinguished from redness caused by ammoniacal dermatitis.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
EtymologyEdit
The word balanitis is from the Greek βάλανος {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, literally meaning 'acorn' because of the similarity in shape to the glans penis.<ref>Template:LSJ.</ref> -Itis is a suffix from the Greek for 'inflammation'. Posthe is the Greek word meaning 'foreskin'.
Signs and symptomsEdit
- 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
ComplicationsEdit
Recurrent bouts of balanitis may cause scarring of the preputial orifice; the reduced elasticity may lead to pathologic phimosis.<ref>Template:EMedicine</ref> Further complications may include:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Stricture of urinary meatus
- Phimosis
- Paraphimosis
CausesEdit
Inflammation has many possible causes, including irritation by environmental substances, certain medications, physical trauma, and infection such as bacterial, viral, or fungal.<ref name=Edwards>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Cleveland Clinic: Penile Disorders</ref> Some of these infections are sexually transmitted, however a yeast infection, Candida balanitis, is generally not categorized as such.
It is less common among males who are circumcised; in many cases, a dysfunction of the foreskin is a causal or contributing factor.<ref name=Eu2013>Template:Cite journal</ref> Both not enough cleaning and too much cleaning can cause problems.<ref name=Eu2013/>
DiagnosisEdit
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.<ref name=Edwards/>
TypesEdit
- Zoon's balanitis, also known as Balanitis Circumscripta Plasmacellularis or plasma cell balanitis (PCB), is an idiopathic, rare, benign penile dermatosis<ref name=Keogh>Keogh G. Template:EMedicine</ref> for which circumcision is often the preferred treatment.<ref name=Keogh/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Zoon's balanitis has been successfully treated with the carbon dioxide laser; <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and more recently, Albertini and colleagues report the avoidance of circumcision and successful treatment of Zoon's balanitis with an Er:YAG laser.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Another study, by Retamar and colleagues, found that 40 percent of those treated with CO2 laser relapsed.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Circinate balanitis, also known as balanitis circinata, is a serpiginous annular dermatitis associated with reactive arthritis.
- Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis
TreatmentEdit
Initial treatment in adults often involves simply pulling back the foreskin and cleaning the penis.<ref name=Eu2013/> 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.
EpidemiologyEdit
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".<ref>Template:EMedicine</ref>
Other animalsEdit
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).
For the condition in bulls, caused by a virus see Bovine herpesvirus 1.
Balanoposthitis is believed to have contributed to the decline to near-extinction of the marsupial Gilbert's potoroo.<ref name="Rebecca Vaughan-Higgins 2011">Template:Cite journal</ref>
ReferencesEdit
Further readingEdit
- 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.
