Three cases of subcutaneous granuloma annulare of the penis: a rare presentation of a common disease.

OBJECTIVE

To describe three patients who presented to a single institution within four years of each other with isolated granuloma annulare of the penis. Granuloma annulare is an inflammatory disease of the dermis that can affect men of any age including childhood. Granuloma annulare of the penis is a remarkably uncommon presentation with only 12 cases previously reported.

METHODS

A retrospective review of pathologic records was conducted confirming three cases of penile granuloma annulare diagnosed at our institution.

RESULTS

The three cases are described in detail including the history, presentation, histological findings and treatment of each patient. The clinical variants, characteristic histology, classic clinical presentation, differential diagnosis and recurrence following surgery of granuloma annulare are reviewed.

CONCLUSION

We describe three individuals from a single institution with isolated granuloma annulare of the penis suggesting this condition is more common than previously thought. Patients with penile granuloma annulare may present to practicing urologists and it is important to be familiar with this idiopathic subcutaneous disorder in order to avoid unnecessary aggressive surgery.