C Mainetti1, F Scolari2, S Lautenschlager3. 1. Department of Dermatology, Regional Hospital Bellinzona, Bellinzona, Switzerland. 2. Private Practice, Geneva, Switzerland. 3. Outpatient Clinic of Dermato-Venereology, Triemli Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. stephan.lautenschlager@triemli.zuerich.ch.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Eugène Follmann first described syphilitic balanitis as a manifestation of primary syphilis in 1948 and since then it has been known as syphilitic balanitis of Follmann (SBF). So far, SBF has rarely been described in literature. OBJECTIVES: We are reporting five additional cases of SBF considering the broad differential diagnosis of balanitis. METHODS: A review of the available literature of SBF was performed and five additional cases analyzed. RESULTS: In our case series, the clinical appearance of SBF shows a heterogeneous spectrum varying from painful oedematous balanoposthitis with beginning paraphimosis to superficial erosive balanitis and even to painless induration of the glans. CONCLUSIONS: SBF might be seen more frequently than has been described due to misinterpretation. Therefore primary syphilis should be included in the differential diagnosis of balanitis and balanoposthitis.
BACKGROUND: Eugène Follmann first described syphilitic balanitis as a manifestation of primary syphilis in 1948 and since then it has been known as syphilitic balanitis of Follmann (SBF). So far, SBF has rarely been described in literature. OBJECTIVES: We are reporting five additional cases of SBF considering the broad differential diagnosis of balanitis. METHODS: A review of the available literature of SBF was performed and five additional cases analyzed. RESULTS: In our case series, the clinical appearance of SBF shows a heterogeneous spectrum varying from painful oedematous balanoposthitis with beginning paraphimosis to superficial erosive balanitis and even to painless induration of the glans. CONCLUSIONS: SBF might be seen more frequently than has been described due to misinterpretation. Therefore primary syphilis should be included in the differential diagnosis of balanitis and balanoposthitis.