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Balanitis xerotica obliterans and its differential diagnosis
1College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Background:
Balanitis xerotica obliterans is a subcategory of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus limited to the male genitalia and is associated with destructive inflammation, phimosis, urethral stenosis, and squamous cell carcinoma.
Methods:
The medical literature was searched from 1983-1998 using key words balanitis, lichen, and sclerosis using the MEDLINE system.
Results And Conclusions:
Balanitis xerotica obliterans can be distinguished from other genital dermatoses with similar characteristics through patient history, clinical findings, and laboratory evaluation.. Tzanck smear and cutaneous biopsy, along with a rapid protein reagin test, will provide a definitive diagnosis. Treatment with high-dose topical corticosteroids relieves symptoms, and therapy focuses on prevention of disease progression.