Ablative erbium:YAG laser treatment of idiopathic chronic inflammatory non-cicatricial balanoposthitis (Zoon's disease)--a series of 20 patients with long-term outcome

Zoon balanitis: not a distinct clinicopathological entity?

Zoon balanitis (ZB) was originally described in the 1950s in patients with clinical features resembling erythroplasia of Queyrat but with histology that demonstrated a plasma cell infiltrate without evidence of dysplasia. Subsequently, ZB has been extensively reported in the literature, reflecting widespread acknowledgement as an established distinct clinicopathological entity. However, its existence as such has been questioned, and there have been suggestions in the literature that ZB represents either a nonspecific irritant reaction pattern, or a part of the heterogeneous clinicopathological complex of male genital lichen sclerosus (MGLSc). In this study, the entire historical literature of published cases of ZB was subject to review to determine whether clinical or histological features of MGLSc had been present and been overlooked. In total, 101 papers were reviewed. Seventy-five contained images purporting to be of ZB. Images that were deemed to be of inadequate quality or to present uninformative anatomical views were excluded. The images in 66 papers were amenable to scrutiny; 98.5% of these images demonstrated clinical signs of MGLSc, such as adhesions, effacement of the coronal sulcus and the frenulum, tightening of the prepuce, constrictive posthitis, etiolation of the glans, lichenoid inflammation and sclerosis. These findings strongly suggest that ZB occurs in the vast majority of cases as a manifestation of MGLSc and that its recognition as a distinct clinicopathological entity should be questioned, if not discontinued.

Balanitis circumscripta plasmacellularis Zoon

Die Balanitis plasmacellularis Zoon (BPZ), zuerst beschrieben von J. J. Zoon, ist eine chronische entzündliche Dermatose, die histologisch definiert ist anhand eines subepithelialen, lymphohistiozytären Infiltrates mit vielen Plasmazellen. Dabei wurden ein Spektrum epithelialer Veränderungen und eine variable Zusammensetzung des Infiltrates beschrieben. Dadurch unterscheidet sie sich von der Erythroplasie Queyrat, obwohl beide klinisch sehr ähnlich sind. An der BPZ erkranken vorwiegend ältere, nicht zirkumzidierte, heterosexuelle Männer. Klinisch typisch sind scharf umschriebene, rötlich-glänzende Rundherde an der Dorsalseite der Glans mit Übergang auf den Sulcus und das innere Präputialblatt. Erosionen und flache Infiltrate können hinzukommen. Der Verlauf ist chronisch mit sehr geringen Beschwerden, etwas erhöhte Empfindlichkeit wird oft genannt. Die Pathogenese ist unklar. Barrierestörung und Infektionen, unterhalten durch Feuchtigkeit, Mangel an Hygiene, Traumata und Irritationen, werden diskutiert. Dafür spricht auch das spontane Abheilen nach Zirkumzision oder lokalen Therapien mit Mucipirocin oder Fusidinsäure. Lokale Steroide sind ebenfalls – wie in unserem Fall – effektiv. Eine proaktive Therapie mit Tacrolimus-Salbe scheint eine Option. Die plasmazelluläre Entzündung ist nicht auf das männliche Genitale beschränkt, auch eine Vulvitis plasmacellularis ist beschrieben sowie der Befall nahezu aller weiteren Schleimhäute.

A case-control study of risk factors associated with Zoon balanitis in men

BACKGROUND

Zoon balanitis (ZB) is a chronic inflammatory benign mucositis. Its etiopathogenesis still remains hypothetical and speculative.

OBJECTIVES

To determine risk factors associated with genital ZB in men.

METHODS

This is a case-control study including 30 patients diagnosed with ZB and 54 patients with dermatological diseases other than ZB enrolled in the Dermatological Clinic of the University of Padova, Italy, from September 2015 to June 2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for analysis of data collected.

RESULTS

According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, risk factors for ZB were as follows: the mean daily cigarettes consumption (OR 1.065; 95% CI 1.8-11.4; P = 0.006) and the number of weekly foreskin retractions (OR 0.847; 95% CI 5.5-24.1; P = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences between cases and controls according to age, presence of circumcision as well in number of sexual partners.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first case-control study showing that smoking and poor genital hygiene are associated with being affected by ZB.

Simultaneous Occurrence of Balanoposthitis Circumscripta Plasmacellularis Zoon, Phimosis and in Situ Carcinoma of the Penis: Case Report with An Unusual Ulcerated Polypoid Variant of Zoon's Disease and a Carcinoma in Situ of Reserve Cell Type

BACKGROUND

Zoon's balanitis is a benign disease characterized by an asymptomatic, chronic, solitary, shiny, red-orange plaque of the glans and/ or prepuce. In rare cases of Zoon's disease, penile squamous cell carcinoma developed in the chronic inflammatory lesions.

CASE REPORT

We report on a 68-year-old male patient presenting with phimosis and coexistent Zoon's disease and penile carcinoma in situ treated successfully by circumcision.

CONCLUSION

Coexistence of both lesions in contrast to the development of cancerous lesions within pre-existent Zoon's disease is a very rare observation.

Successful Management of Zoon's Balanitis with Topical Mupirocin Ointment: A Case Report and Literature Review of Mupirocin-Responsive Balanitis Circumscripta Plasmacelluaris

INTRODUCTION

Zoon's balanitis, also referred to as balanitis circumscripta plasmacellularis (BCP), is an idiopathic, benign inflammatory condition of the glans penis and foreskin most often seen in elderly uncircumcised men. A patient with a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of BCP who was successfully treated with topical mupirocin ointment is described.

METHODS

The PubMed database was searched with the key words: bactroban, balanitis, cell, circumscripta, mupirocin, plasma, plasmacellularis, tacrolimus, Zoon. The papers generated by the search and their references were reviewed.

RESULTS

Treatments for BCP have previously included circumcision and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Our patient with BCP rapidly resolved after initiating treatment with mupirocin 2% ointment.

CONCLUSION

BCP is a benign dermatosis affecting the glans penis and foreskin. We confirm an earlier observation demonstrating successful management of this condition with topical mupirocin 2% ointment. Previously reported therapies include circumcision, topical calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, and laser therapy. However, based on our observations, topical mupirocin 2% ointment therapy may be considered for the initial management of patients with suspected BCP. Prompt response to mupirocin 2% ointment is highly suggestive of the diagnosis of BCP since morphologically similar skin conditions do not respond to this treatment.

The role of lasers and intense pulsed light technology in dermatology

The role of light-based technologies in dermatology has expanded dramatically in recent years. Lasers and intense pulsed light have been used to safely and effectively treat a diverse array of cutaneous conditions, including vascular and pigmented lesions, tattoos, scars, and undesired hair, while also providing extensive therapeutic options for cosmetic rejuvenation and other dermatologic conditions. Dermatologic laser procedures are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and demand for them has fueled new innovations and clinical applications. These systems continue to evolve and provide enhanced therapeutic outcomes with improved safety profiles. This review highlights the important roles and varied clinical applications that lasers and intense pulsed light play in the dermatologic practice.