Common substances used:
(1) Vaseline
(2) mineral oil
(3) paraffin-based materials
This is often done by the man himself. Whoever does it rarely knows what he is doing.
The substances injected elicit a lipogranulomatous response. What else happens depends on what was injected, how much and where.
The diagnosis can be challenging if:
(1) the clinician does not suspect the cause.
(2) the person repeatedly denies the injections.
Complications of penile paraffinoma:
(1) formation of nodules or plaques
(2) sclerosis leading to penile disfigurement and uretheral distortion which can result in erectile dysfunction and urinary flow abnormalities
(3) skin ulcerations which may be confused with venereal disease or cancer
(4) infection
(5) necro-inflammatory response to toxic compounds in the injected materials
(6) allergic reactions to compounds in the injected material
(7) oil embolism if injected into a penile vein
