Balanitis in Emergency Medicine Workup

  • Author: Mark J Leber, MD, MPH, FACEP; Chief Editor: Erik D Schraga, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 11, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

Laboratory studies for uncomplicated balanitis are not typically necessary but may include the following, when clinically appropriate:

  • Serum glucose test (as part diabetes screening)
  • Culture of discharge
  • Syphilis serology test
  • Wet mount
  • Potassium hydroxide (for Candida)
  • HIV and human papilloma virus titers in selected cases
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Imaging Studies

  • Ultrasonography or bladder scan to detect urinary obstruction in severe balanitis
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Other Tests

  • Referral to a urologist for biopsy in chronic cases
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Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mark J Leber, MD, MPH, FACEP  Attending Physician and Faculty, Department of Emergency Medicine and Residency Program, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center

Mark J Leber, MD, MPH, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Anuritha Tirumani, MD  Research Coordinator, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooklyn Hospital Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Edward Bessman, MD  Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Edward Bessman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Richard H Sinert, DO  Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Research Director, State University of New York College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital Center

Richard H Sinert, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Erik D Schraga, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Georgala S, Gregoriou S, Georgala C, et al. Pimecrolimus 1% cream in non-specific inflammatory recurrent balanitis. Dermatology. 2007;215(3):209-12. [Medline].

  3. Zavras N, Christianakis E, Mpourikas D, Ereikat K. Conservative treatment of phimosis with fluticasone proprionate 0.05%: a clinical study in 1185 boys. J Pediatr Urol. Jun 2009;5(3):181-5. [Medline].

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  13. Kiss A, Király L, Kutasy B, Merksz M. High incidence of balanitis xerotica obliterans in boys with phimosis: prospective 10-year study. Pediatr Dermatol. Jul-Aug 2005;22(4):305-8. [Medline].

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  19. Tanagho EA. Smith's General Urology. 14th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1995:966.

 
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Balanitis xerotica obliterans (lichen sclerosus). Courtesy of Wilford Hall Medical Center Slide collection.
 
 
 
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