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Erosive balanitis - Anogenital in
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Erosive balanitis - Anogenital in

Contributors: Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH, Benjamin K. Fisher MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Erosive balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis, associated with erosions, which may be few in number or involve large areas of the glans. The etiology may be varied. It may be secondary to neglected balanitis of unknown etiology, or secondary to trauma, chronic urinary incontinence, damage by chemical agents, infections such as herpes (particularly in the immunosuppressed), gonorrhea, syphilis or other STDs.

Uncontrolled diabetes, as well as inflammatory diseases such as lichen planus, psoriasis, contact dermatitis or a fixed drug eruption, frequently precipitates a secondary candidal infection.

The condition may be seen at any age. It seems more frequent in low socioeconomic patients.

The patient presents with a red, irritated glans penis, usually with red erosions of various sizes and number, which are moist and tender. Before the erosions appear, there usually is redness and irritation of the glans. Generally, systemic symptoms are absent unless the condition is caused by an infection such as syphilis.

Codes

ICD10CM:
N48.1 – Balanitis

SNOMEDCT:
255483000 – Erosive balanitis

Look For

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Trauma:
  • Lesions caused by trauma may have geometrical or jagged borders.
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Chronic urinary incontinence with catheter trauma
Infections:
Inflammatory conditions:
Drug reactions:
Tumors:

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.

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References

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Last Updated:01/18/2015
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Erosive balanitis - Anogenital in
A medical illustration showing key findings of Erosive balanitis : Erythema, Glans of penis, Skin erosion, Skin ulcer
Clinical image of Erosive balanitis - imageId=7703531. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Large, well-demarcated erosions on the penis.'
Large, well-demarcated erosions on the penis.
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