title: A surgical challenge: Idiopathic scrotal elephantiasis.
abstract: Scrotal elephantiasis is a condition rarely encountered in developed nations. It is endemic in tropical regions due to the presence of filariasis (Wucheria bancrofti). We report 2 cases of idiopathic scrotal elephantiasis in Canadian citizens with no history of travel to endemic filariasis regions, malignancy, surgery or radiation. Both patients underwent complete excision of the involved tissue with reconstruction. We found that for advanced cases of scrotal lymphedema, surgery is currently the only solution. In our cases of advanced idiopathic disease, surgical treatment combining the expertise of a plastic surgeon and a urologist provided a successful functional and cosmetic result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC;
authors.forename: Hilary Laurel
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Brotherhood
authors.affiliation: Department of Urological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC;
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.affiliation: Department of Urological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC;
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Urological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC;
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pommerville
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Cameran
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naysmith