title: Discordant results with pimecrolimus 1% cream in the treatment of plasma cell balanitis.
abstract: Plasma cell balanitis of Zoon is a chronic, benign, inflammatory dermatosis of the glans penis and prepuce. The exact aetiology is unknown. The treatments described to date have provided only partially successful results. Recently, several reports of plasma cell balanitis successfully treated with calcineurin inhibitors have been published. We report 3 cases of plasma cell balanitis refractory to several treatments with steroids and antifungals treated with pimecrolimus 1% cream applied twice daily: 1 patient had a complete resolution, 1 patient had a marked response but relapsed during the treatment and the last patient had a partial response due to the development of a side effect that precociously required to stop the treatment. One patient referred a slight pruritus after the first applications of the cream that spontaneously disappeared after a few minutes. Additional experiences are needed to determine if topical pimecrolimus is an effective and safe treatment for plasma cell balanitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology and Medicine, Institute of Dermatology, University of Udine School of Medicine, Ospedale San Michele, Piazza Rodolone 1, Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy. giuseppe.stinco@uniud.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stinco
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piccirillo
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patrone
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001446:Balanitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010950:Plasma Cells; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004643:Emollients; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus