J Amsellem1, C Skayem2, T-A Duong3, M Bagot4, S Fouéré5, J-N Dauendorffer6. 1. Dermatology Department, Robert-Ballanger Hospital, boulevard Robert-Ballanger, 93600 Aulnay-sous-Bois, France. 2. Faculté de médecine, université de Paris, 15, rue de l'École de Médecine, 75006 Paris, France; Dermatology Department, Henri-Mondor University Hospital, AP-HP, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France. 3. Dermatology Department, Henri-Mondor University Hospital, AP-HP, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France. 4. Faculté de médecine, université de Paris, 15, rue de l'École de Médecine, 75006 Paris, France; Dermatology Department, Saint-Louis University Hospital, AP-HP, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France. 5. Dermatology Department, Saint-Louis University Hospital, AP-HP, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France. 6. Dermatology Department, Saint-Louis University Hospital, AP-HP, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: jn.dauendorffer@orange.fr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Unlike other types of lichen planus (LP), there are no series concerning male genital LP. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and response to treatment of male genital LP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of male patients with genital LP consulting a dermatologist specialized in anogenital diseases between January 2010 and 2019. Demographic data, history, functional signs, clinical characteristics, pathology, complications, and treatment efficacy were collected. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included at four centers. The median age was 51 years. Most patients were uncircumcised and asymptomatic. In 88.8% of cases, only the genital mucosa was involved. Erythema (71%), papules (21.3%), lacy network (15.7%), atrophic lesions (15.7%), erosions (14.6%), and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (2.2%) were less frequently observed. Biopsy results confirmed LP in 61.3% of cases but could not rule out other inflammatory genital dermatoses in other cases. Anatomic complications were observed in 30.3% of patients. Topical corticosteroids (TCS) induced remission in most cases. Tacrolimus efficacy was comparable to that of TCS. CONCLUSION: Male genital LP is a rare inflammatory disorder chiefly affecting uncircumcised men. It is found predominantly on the mucosal component of the penis and presents as non-erosive inflammatory balanitis in most cases, with frequent partial or complete remission on treatment with TCS.
BACKGROUND: Unlike other types of lichen planus (LP), there are no series concerning male genital LP. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and response to treatment of male genital LP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of male patients with genital LP consulting a dermatologist specialized in anogenital diseases between January 2010 and 2019. Demographic data, history, functional signs, clinical characteristics, pathology, complications, and treatment efficacy were collected. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included at four centers. The median age was 51 years. Most patients were uncircumcised and asymptomatic. In 88.8% of cases, only the genital mucosa was involved. Erythema (71%), papules (21.3%), lacy network (15.7%), atrophic lesions (15.7%), erosions (14.6%), and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (2.2%) were less frequently observed. Biopsy results confirmed LP in 61.3% of cases but could not rule out other inflammatory genital dermatoses in other cases. Anatomic complications were observed in 30.3% of patients. Topical corticosteroids (TCS) induced remission in most cases. Tacrolimus efficacy was comparable to that of TCS. CONCLUSION: Male genital LP is a rare inflammatory disorder chiefly affecting uncircumcised men. It is found predominantly on the mucosal component of the penis and presents as non-erosive inflammatory balanitis in most cases, with frequent partial or complete remission on treatment with TCS.