title: Benign penile skin anomalies in children: a primer for pediatricians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abnormalities involving the skin coverage of the penis are difficult to define, but they can significantly alter penile appearance, and be a cause of parental concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present review was based on a nonsystematic search of the English language medical literature using a combination of key words including "penile skin anomalies" and the specific names of the different conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Conditions were addressed in the following order, those mainly affecting the prepuce (phimosis, balanitis xerotica obliterans, balanitis, paraphimosis), those which alter penile configuration (inconspicuous penis and penile torsion), and lastly focal lesions (cysts, nevi and vascular lesions). Most of these anomalies are congenital, have no or minimal influence on urinary function, and can be detected on clinical examination. Spontaneous improvement is possible. In the majority of cases undergoing surgery, the potential psychological implications of genital malformation on patient development are the main reason for treatment, and the age generally recommended for surgery is after 12 months of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review provides the pediatrician with a handy tool to identify the most common penile skin anomalies, counsel parents adequately, make sensible and evidence based choices for management, and recognize complications or untoward outcomes in patients undergoing surgery.
authors.affiliation: , Padua, Italy. marcocastagnetti@hotmail.com.|Section of Pediatric Urology, Urology Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy. marcocastagnetti@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castagnetti
authors.affiliation: , Padua, Italy.|Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.affiliation: , Padua, Italy.|Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.affiliation: , Padua, Italy.|Department of Pediatrics, Federico II University of Naples, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.affiliation: , Padua, Italy.|Section of Pediatric Urology and Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department for Mother & Child Care and Urology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cimador
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D010413:Penis / Q000002:abnormalities*
keywords: balanitis xerotica obliterans; foreskin; penis; phimosis