Zoon's balanitis: presentation of 15 patients, five treated with a carbon dioxide laser.

BACKGROUND

Zoon's balanitis is a chronic erosive process of the penis. The lesions are refractory to conservative topical and some surgical therapy, and frequently require circumcision as a curative measure.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with a clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of Zoon's balanitis were studied between October 1991 and October 2001. Five were treated with a carbon dioxide laser.

RESULTS

The ages of the patients ranged from 36 to 69 years (average, 50.8 years). All the men were uncircumcised and presented with a discharge and erythematous lesions on the glans penis; the balanopreputial fold was affected in 10 patients and eight had a lesion on the internal surface of the prepuce. One patient was human immunodeficiency virus positive. Five were treated with a carbon dioxide laser. Two relapsed 1 and 3 years later, respectively, and the remaining three have been followed up for 2, 5, and 6 years, respectively, without relapse. One patient developed lichen sclerosus et atrophicus of the prepuce.

CONCLUSIONS

We have presented our case study of 15 patients with Zoon's balanitis, and emphasize the possible use of a carbon dioxide laser as an alternative therapy.