[Priapism in the course of generalized atopic dermatitis]

Priapism is a pathologically prolonged and painful penile erection, not resulting in ejaculation. Causes include certain oral medication, perineal trauma, thrombo-embolic process or primary priapism. We report a case of priapism secondary to diffuse general atopic dermatitis.

An 11 year-old child, with atopic dermatitis, presented over the last 36 hours an irreduced painful penile erection. Other than priapism, he presented numerous scratched lesions on the body and the penis having developped over the last 2 months (treated by daily topical corticosteroid application) and consistent with atopic dermatitis exacerbation. Due to the urological emergency, a puncture of the corpora cavernosa was made, followed by an injection of etilephrine in the penis. Complete and definitive detumescence was obtained. Application of betamethasone healed the cutaneous lesions. The child was treated with ciclosporine for his atopic dermatitis with good results at 6 months.

In our case, hypothesis of myeloid leukemia, sickle-cell disease and essential thrombocythemia were turned down. The young child did not exhibit any recent perineal trauma but the scratched lesions can be considered as microtraumas. The formation of an inflammatory oedema obstructed venous drainage of the penis and provoked priapism. We can not rule out the responsibility of topical corticosteroids in the formation of the priapism in this patient. Indeed, it was the only drug therapy prescribed, and since introduction of ciclosporine, there has been no relapse.