title: Zoon's balanitis treated with Erbium:YAG laser ablation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Zoon's balanitis (ZB) is an uncommon, benign, idiopathic inflammatory condition affecting uncircumcised males. Definitive treatments include circumcision and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser ablation. We describe an alternative laser modality showing efficacy in the treatment of ZB.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the first case of ZB effectively treated with Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser ablation. We review the pathogenesis and medical, surgical, and laser management of ZB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our patient demonstrated a long-term clinical and histologic cure after Er:YAG laser ablation of ZB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As an alternative to circumcision or continuous wave CO2 laser, we propose a trial of Er:YAG laser ablation as a low risk, first line treatment of ZB.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, USA. John.Albertini@cen.amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Albertini
authors.forename: David E E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Holck
authors.forename: Mary F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Farley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001446:Balanitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000379:methods*; D004871:Erbium; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004871:Erbium