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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
A Murine Tail Lymphedema Model
Published on: February 10, 2021
Male genital lymphedema: clinical features and management in 25 pediatric patients
Carolyn C Schook1, Ann M Kulungowski2, Arin K Greene1
1Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Vascular Anomalies Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Insights
Genital lymphedema in males is often idiopathic, frequently affecting the penis and scrotum in infancy. Surgical debulking offers symptom and appearance improvement for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Vascular Anomalies
- Lymphedema Research
Background:
- Genital lymphedema in children is not well understood.
- Limited data exists on its epidemiology, morbidity, and treatment outcomes in males.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the epidemiology of genital lymphedema in pediatric males.
- To analyze the morbidity and treatment outcomes for this condition.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of male patients with genital lymphedema from 1995-2011.
- Analysis of etiology, age-of-onset, location, morbidity, and treatment interventions.
Main Results:
- 25 cases (0.6%) of genital lymphedema identified among 3889 vascular anomaly patients.
- Primary lymphedema was most common (92%), with onset typically in infancy (60.9%).
- Penoscrotal involvement (72%) and lower extremity swelling (76%) were frequent; cellulitis was the main complication (24%).
Conclusions:
- Male genital lymphedema is predominantly idiopathic, often presenting in infancy.
- Combined penoscrotal and lower extremity involvement is common.
- Surgical debulking can lead to sustained improvement in symptoms and appearance.
Purpose:
Genital lymphedema in the pediatric population is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology, morbidity, and treatment outcomes for males with genital lymphedema.
Materials And Methods:
Male patients with genital lymphedema evaluated at our vascular anomalies center between 1995 and 2011 were reviewed. Etiology, age-of-onset, location, morbidity, and treatment were analyzed.
Results:
Of the 3889 patients with vascular anomalies, 25 (0.6%) had genital lymphedema: 92% (23/25) with primary and 24.0% (6/25) with familial/syndromic lymphedema. For primary disease, the mean age-of-onset was 4.5 ± 6.3 years with 60.9% (14/23) presenting in infancy, 13.0% (3/23) in childhood, and 26.1% (6/23) in adolescence. Combined penoscrotal lymphedema was identified in 72.0% (18/25) of patients; 19 children (76.0%) had concomitant lower extremity involvement. The most common complication was cellulitis (24.0%). Surgical contouring was performed in 44.0% (11/25) of patients. Patients with operative intervention and follow-up (n=6) had sustained improvement after a median of 4.2 years (range: 0.3-11.0).
Conclusions:
Lymphedema of the male genitalia is typically idiopathic. Most patients develop swelling in infancy but can present in adolescence and occasionally childhood. The penis and scrotum are usually both involved and concurrent lower-extremity swelling is common. Surgical debulking can improve symptoms and appearance.
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