Pearly Penile Papules Clinical Presentation
- Author: Clarence William Brown Jr, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD more...
History
Most patients with pearly penile papules seek dermatologic consultation because they are concerned about a sexually transmitted disease. Pearly penile papules most commonly are confused with condyloma acuminatum (genital warts) or less often, with molluscum contagiosum.[5]
Physical
Upon physical examination, pearly penile papules appear as one or several rows of small, flesh-colored, smooth, dome-topped to filiform papules situated circumferentially around the corona or sulcus of the glans penis (see the image below). Uncommonly, lesions may extend onto the glans penis. Pearly penile papules typically are asymptomatic and persist throughout life; however, they gradually may become less noticeable with increased age.
Pearly penile papules are seen clinically as multiple, glistening, flesh-colored, dome-topped papules arranged circumferentially in 2 rows along the corona of the glans penis. Causes
Some evidence suggests that pearly penile papules may be observed more frequently in uncircumcised men (22%) than in circumcised men (12%). In the past, pearly penile papules were believed to contribute to the accumulation of smegma in uncircumcised men; currently however, this is known to be not true.
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