[Topical therapy of balanitis xerotica obliterans in childhood. Long-term clinical results and an overview]

Abstract

Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is a chronic and progressive dermatitis of unknown aetiology and incidence. Its management in childhood is controversial. Although in most cases only the prepuce is affected, meatal and urethral involvement may lead to major surgical reconstruction. Therefore complete surgical excision of the affected skin is considered to be mandatory. In case of involvement, incidental histological evidence or a relapse, or when complete removal of the affected skin is not possible, a topical therapy should be implemented. In a retrospective analysis of our study population (13 children) with BXO, relapse rate was lower after topical therapy with tacrolimus (Protopic), a highly selective immune modulator, than after the standard anti-inflammatory therapy with betamethasone. The use of tacrolimus ointment is a safe therapy with no severe side effects. Due to the fact that there are no predictive factors for progression or relapse of BXO, we consider a topical anti-inflammatory therapy is always indicated after any type of surgery for BXO. Follow-up monitoring should be close, so that any relapse can be detected and treated as early as possible.