Mild balanoposthitis.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and study cases of mild balanoposthitis (MBP) with penile pathology among patients observed at a dermatology clinic over an 18-month period.


METHODS
The study included 321 patients with penile pathology. The term MBP was used to describe balanoposthitis of a localised, inflammatory nature with few, non-specific symptoms and a tendency to become chronic or recur. Two hundred and seventy had diseases clearly identifiable by clinical examination or laboratory tests; 51 cases were diagnosed as MBP and these patients had blood tests (to evaluate immune status) and microbiological examination; when these proved negative, a series of patch tests was also used.


RESULTS
Of the 51 patients diagnosed as having MBP, the cause was ascertained in 34 cases (infection, mechanical trauma, contact irritation, contact allergy, etc.), whereas no specific aetiological factor was detected to explain the symptoms in the remaining 17 cases.
Fornasa
C V
CV
Department of Dermatology, University of Padua, Italy.
Calabrŏ
A
A
Miglietta
A
A
Tarantello
M
M
Biasinutto
C
C
Peserico
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001446:Balanitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D010413:Penis / Q000473:pathology*; D012008:Recurrence