Balanitis Xerotica Oblitrans Bxo - Mimicking Vitiligo

IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS)
e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 8 Ver. VIII (Aug. 2015), PP 29-31
www.iosrjournals.org
Balanitis Xerotica Oblitrans Bxo-----Mimicking Vitiligo

Dr. Rajeev Singh Thakur, Dr.Padmaja Pinjala, Dr. Ch. Madhu Babu
(Department of Dermatology/Osmania Medical College, India)
Abstract:
Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans is a chronic often progressive disease which can lead to phimosis and urethral
stenosis affecting both urinary and sexual function. Steroid creams are usually the first line of treatment but
have a limited role and surgical intervention is frequently necessary. Conservative surgical procedures
(circumcision) are often preferred in the first instance with the premise that the recurrence of the disease will
require a more definitive reconstruction. 5 cases of male patients aged 20-45 were reported with the complaints
of presence of non pruritic white spots on preputial skin and narrowing of preputial orifice with inability to
retract. Local examination revealed ivory white atrophic macules of 2-10 mm of diameter involving the skin of
prepuce near its opening. Prepuce could not be retracted and portion of the glans was not visible. LSA lesions
were not present on other parts of the body. Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. Circumcision was done for all
the patients and all improved symptomatically. Any patient presenting with white spots on the genitilia an eye
should be kept to rule out BXO apart from mucosal vitiligo because BXO can be managed with proper
treatment.
Keywords: BXO, Lichen sclerosis, White spot disease, Circumcision.
I.
Introduction
BXO is a chronic often progressive disease thereby leading to phimosis and urethral stenosis affecting
both urinary and sexual function1. Lichen sclerosis in the genital area was first described in women by Breisky
as kraurosis vulva2. 40 yrs later lichen sclerosis of glans penis was described by Stumher as Balanitis xerotica
obliteans3. BXO is an unknown disease of unknown etiology in which characteristically easily recognised small
white sclerotic areas occur at any site on the skin. This frequently involves perenial skin in female and glans
penis and fore skin in the males4. It may occur in genital or non genital areas.Penile childhood lichen sclerosis
who have propensity for HPV 6, 16 ,18 progress to Squamous cell carcinoma specifically in uncircumcised
male children. Genital lichen sclerosis is more common than extragenital or oral disease5,6,7. Prosthitis
xerotica obliterans refers to the chronic damage to the prepuce by lichen sclerosis. BXO refers to the
involvement of glans penis. BXO can be consequence of other scarring dematosis such as lichen planus,
cicatricial pemphigoid8. Perianal disease is 10 times more common in women than men.
II.
Mater Ials And Methods
5 Male patients of BXO aged between 20-45 yrs were selected in the department of DVL Osmania
General Hospital between 2011-2014. These patients presented to the department of DVL with white patches
on prepuce with difficulty in retracting the prepuce.
Local examination revealed atrophic white macules of 2-5mm in diameter involving the skin of prepuce near
its opening. Prepuce could not be retracted.LSA lesions were not present on the other parts of the body.
Fig :1. White patch with Phimosis

DOI: 10.9790/0853-14882931
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Vitiligo and BXO were considered as differential diagnosis. Such patients were screened for HbsAg, VDRL,
HIV, along with routine investigations which were found to be NON-REACTIVE and NORMAL respectively.
All the patients were subjected for biopsy which showed hyperkeratosis of epidermis and hydropic
degeneration of basal layer. Edema and hyalinization of collagen below the epidermis and band like inflamatory
infiltrate was seen below the epidermis and in the lower Dermis.
Fig: 2,3. H&E staining of biopsy specimen

Procedure :
Circumcision was done for all these cases and all the cases showed symptomatic improvement.
Circumcision is often performed by dermatosurgeons for phimosis, paraphimosis chronic balanoposthitis,
Erythroplaia of querat etc. Three common techniques of performing circumcision are 1) Guided forceps 2)
Dorsal split 3) Sleeve resection technique9. Under aseptic precautions we adopted guided forceps technique of
circumcision.
Fig: 4. 1 week after circumcision

Treatment:
Guidelines for the management of Lichen sclerosis have been published by British association of
dermatologist10.
Contact with soap and urine must be avoided. A very potent topical steroid usually clobetasol
propionate under supervision is effective. The plasticity of the epithelium at this site seems to allow and
significant remodeling with the release of phimosis. Topical clobetasol propionate has been shown to relieve
undifferentiated phimosis in many boys so obviate the need for circumcision11.
Testosterone propionate ointment, oral stanazalol, freezing with ethyl chloride, liquid nitrogen cryo
therapy, CO2 Laser and adreno corticotropin harmone (ACTH) have been used but not recommended. If
medical treatment is not possible or fails than surgery may be indicated. Circumcision, frenuloplasty,
meatotomy and sophisticated plastic repair depending upon the clinical presentation can be offered. About 40%
DOI: 10.9790/0853-14882931
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of patients will respond to medical treatment. Majority of the remainder will be cured by surgery, usually
circumcision12. Persistent disease requires individualized follow-up and management with the topical steroids.
All the patients improved symptomatically.
III.
Discussion
BXO is a dermatological condition affecting male genitilia.BXO commonly occurs on foreskin and
glans penis. Atrophic white patches occur over the affected area commonly a whitish ring of indurated tissue
usually forms near the tip that may prevent retraction. Steroid creams are frequently the first line of treatment
but have a limited role and surgical intervention is frequently necessary. Conservative surgical
procedures(circumcision) are often performed in the first instance with the premise that recurrence of disease
will require a more definitive reconstruction13,14.
IV.
Conclusion
Any patient presenting with white spots on preputial skin apart from vitiligo, BXO has to be considered
as differential diagnosis. As the former (vitiligo) is difficult to treat where as circumcision is curative treatment
of the latter. This shows the importance of early detection of unresolved and progressive BXO cases. Steroid
creams have been shown to limit the progression of the disease but do not offer cure in the majority of the cases.
Progression of the BXO disease gets arrested following circumcision by removing urine rich environment and
patient with meatel or urethral disease are most likely to require excision and or reconstruction for long lasting
cure.
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IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS)

Balanitis Xerotica Oblitrans Bxo-----Mimicking Vitiligo

Mater Ials And Methods

Fig :1. White patch with Phimosis

Balanitis Xerotica Oblitrans Bxo-----Mimicking Vitiligo

Fig: 2,3. H&E staining of biopsy specimen

Fig: 4. 1 week after circumcision

Balanitis Xerotica Oblitrans Bxo-----Mimicking Vitiligo

Bunker C B , Male genital skin disease. London: Saunders, 2004.

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