Genital lymphangioma with recurrent cellulitis in men

Lymphangioma circumscriptum rarely occurs on the penis. This report describes a patient observed in private practice who presented with recurrent unexplained cellulitis of the penis for whom this diagnosis was not initially apparent.

Diagnosis of lymphangioma in this patient resulted in a retrospective records review of the Mayo Clinic experience with patients who had genital lymphangioma and cellulitis.

Six other male patients with recurrent cellulitis complicating genital lymphangioma were identified. Five of these six patients were managed with antibiotic prophylaxis.

Compromised lymphatic drainage should be suspected in male patients with otherwise unexplained penile swelling or cellulitis. These patients usually require long-term antibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent infection.