[Clinical and immunohistochemical correlation of balanitis xerotica obliterans]

AIM

Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is a disease of the skin and mucosa of male genitals of unknown etiology that may affect children of any age. It has a low incidence (9-19%) and in adults is considered a potential premalignant lesion. The aim of our study is to establish the incidence of BXO in our center and to determine its correlation between the clinical and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings.

METHODS

Prospective cohort including all children < 14 years with foreskin pathology that required a circumcision between 2014-2016. Statistical analysis of the clinical characteristics, histological and IHC findings searching for inflammatory response, premalignant lesions and microbiological findings.

RESULTS

A total of 176 boys with phimosis had circumcision with a mean age of 7 ± 3 years (Range 2-14). Presurgical diagnosis of BXO was suspected in 28.4% (n= 50) whereas the AP confirmed a total of 29.5% (n= 53) with a very good interobserver concordance (kappa= 0.81: p< 0.01). Previous treatment with corticoids in BXO was found in 63.5% (n= 33/52). Meatal stenosis was found in 7.69% (n= 4/52) requiring meatal/urethral dilations. Patients with BXO had a T-Lymphocytes CD3+ mediated inflammatory response with a positive correlation between tumor suppressing protein (p53) expression and chronic inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

BXO is a chronic inflammatory disease mediated by T-lymphocytes with an incidence greater than previously reported. Surgeons' criterion has a very good concordance with the AP findings. The elevation of p53 in children with BXO may indicate a plausible malignant potential that may require a surgical treatment (circumcision) and an adequate follow-up.

Recurrence after management of meatal balanitis xerotica obliterans

INTRODUCTION

We review outcomes after management of meatal balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO). The primary outcome was recurrent meatal BXO.

METHODS

A database comprising mostly hypospadias patients was queried for meatal BXO. The disease was confirmed histologically in all cases. Management included topical steroids and/or immunosuppressants, and/or surgical excision of BXO with two-stage oral mucosa graft circumferential replacement urethroplasty.

RESULTS

A total of 12 patients had meatal BXO (8 boys and 4 adults). Of these, 10 had hypospadias, two presenting without prior surgery and eight returning 5-30 years after one or multiple (n = 2) repairs. Another two boys did not have hypospadias: one developing BXO 10 years after newborn circumcision and the other having persistent meatal BXO following therapeutic circumcision. Topical and intraluminal steroids (1% betamethasone or clobetasol) and tacrolimus were used for ≥12 weeks each as primary therapy or for meatal recurrence in a total of six cases. Complete response with resolution of white discoloration and relief of stranguria only occurred in two of the three receiving clobetasol, with follow up ≤12 weeks. BXO excision and urethroplasty was done in 11 patients, 10 using oral mucosa grafts; one with a focal lesion and a negative frozen section had reoperative TIP. Of the 10 undergoing excision with two-stage replacement urethroplasty, six remain disease free at a mean follow-up of 23 months (8-48 months), and four had recurrent stranguria and visible meatal BXO at a median of 26 months (22-105 months). Three of the four with recurrences had additional treatment and one was lost to follow-up. All initially had topical steroids, and two also used tacrolimus, without clinical resolution. These three then underwent a second BXO excision and two-stage oral graft replacement urethroplasty. In two recurrences, BXO was found invading from the meatus proximally within oral mucosa (Figure). Of these three with secondary urethroplasties, two are free of disease at 6 and 18 months, and the third had another meatal recurrence 6 months after the second stage.

DISCUSSION

We found topical steroids and immunosuppressants to have limited efficacy, with two clinical complete responses achieved only with clobetasol in patients with short follow-up. Forty percent of patients recurred at 2-9 years after visually complete BXO excision and two-stage oral mucosa graft replacement urethroplasty, and in two cases disease invaded into oral mucosa, the first well-documented cases of this occurrence.

Clinical Features, Complications and Autoimmunity in Male Lichen Sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with substantial morbidity. Knowledge of the aetiology and progression of lichen sclerosus is therefore needed. In this cross-sectional study, 100 male patients diagnosed with lichen sclerosus were interviewed and examined. Since there is a possible link between lichen sclerosus and autoimmunity, blood tests were analysed for thyroid disease, antinuclear antibodies and antibodies to extracellular matrix protein 1, but autoimmunity was found to be infrequent. In 72 participants active genital lichen sclerosis was observed and complications were common; 27 patients had preputial constriction and 12 meatal engagement. In total, 13 patients needed a referral to the Department of Urology, including 1 patient with suspected penile cancer. In conclusion, despite available treatment with ultra-potent steroids and circumcision, lichen sclerosus in males is frequently complicated by phimosis and meatal stenosis. However, the disease can also go into remission, as seen in 27% of our patients.

Paediatric balanitis xerotica obliterans: an 8-year experience

OBJECTIVE

Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans (BXO) is rarely described in the paediatric population. We report our 8-year experience, at Harold Wood Hospital, with BXO in circumcised boys.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pathological tissue diagnoses of BXO from 1997 to 2005 were extracted from our histopathology database. Patient records were reviewed and demographic features, clinical presentation, referral history, operative procedure(s) and postoperative course were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients had a confirmed tissue diagnosis of BXO. Mean patient age was 9.6 years. The most common referral diagnoses were phimosis (70%), balanitis (25%) and only 2 patients (5%) had a referral diagnosis of BXO. 35 (87%) underwent curative circumcision and had no recurrence at a median follow-up of 13.5 months. A total of 5 patients (15%) had BXO involvement of the meatus and underwent circumcision combined with meatotomy or meatoplasty. No patients required extensive plastic operations of the penis.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of BXO in paediatric age group may be higher than previously reported. Early recognition of this condition is important because of the associated urethral stricture formation. Hence, we recommend that all circumcision specimens are sent for histopathological analysis (especially in areas where circumcision is widely practiced for ritual and religious reason) and patients should be followed up appropriately.

Paediatric preputial pathology: are we circumcising enough?

INTRODUCTION

Preputial problems are a common reason for referral to the paediatric surgical out-patient department. Many boys referred do not need surgical intervention. One indication for intervention is balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO), a potentially serious condition previously considered rare in childhood.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive boys referred to a paediatric general surgical out-patient department with problems relating to their prepuce during a period of 4 years were included. The out-patient diagnosis and management was recorded. All foreskins excised were sent for histological analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 422 boys were referred, median age 6 years 2 months (range, 3 months to 16 years). Over half the boys referred simply required re-assurance that all was normal with their penis. However, 186 boys (44.1%) were listed for surgical procedures - 148 circumcision, 33 preputial adhesiolysis, and 5 frenuloplasty. There were histological abnormalities in 110 specimens (84.8%); chronic inflammation (n = 69; 46.6%), BXO (n = 51; 34.5%), and fibrosis (n = 4; 2.7%). Nineteen (12.8%) specimens were reported as histologically normal. The overall prevalence of BXO in the boys referred was 12.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, the percentage of boys circumcised and the prevalence of BXO were both higher than in other published series. BXO may be more common and present at a younger age than previously thought.