A young boy may inadvertently wrap something around the penis that acts as a tourniquet with engorgement of the shaft and glans.
Clinical findings:
(1) The penis may be swollen and discolored (due to the passive venous congestion)
(2) The child may have difficulty urinating.
The foreign material encircling the penis shaft may be apparent or may be masked by the tissue swelling. Materials may include:
(1) a metal ring
(2) string
(3) long hair
(4) grass or other plant material
(5) rubber band
Serious complications may include:
(1) urethral injury
(2) transection or amputation of the distal penis
(3) gangrene of the distal penis
Things to investigate and exclude:
(1) Occasionally a parent wraps something around the penis to prevent nocturnal enuresis.
(2) Make sure no one is sexually abusing the child.
(3) Traumatic injury.
(4) Cellulitis.
