Zoon described a form of balanatis (inflammation of the glans penis) that he termed balanitis circumscripta plasmacellularis.
Clinical features:
(1) The condition tends to affect middle aged and elderly males who are uncircumcised.
(2) The lesion is a solitary, reddish nonulcerated area on the glans penis and prepuce that usually measures 2-3 cm in diameter. It has a glistening, moist surface that may be speckled or show areas of hemorrhage.
(3) The lesion often resolves following circumcision.
Histologic features:
(1) Dense, band-like infiltrate of inflammatory cells in the superficial dermis. This infiltrate is rich in plasma cells but also contains lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and/or eosinophils.
(2) The overlying epidermis is thinned with loss of the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum (granular cell layer) and with spongiosis.
(3) Small blood vessels are increased in number and dilated. There may be extravasation of erythrocytes with hemosiderin deposition.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) Bowen's disease
(2) lichen planus
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
