Augmented diagnostic capability using videodermatoscopy on selected infectious and non-infectious penile growths

Abstract

Background: A large variety of infectious and non-infectious penile growths may occur on the glans or shaft with variable clinical presentation. Although most of these penile growths can be diagnosed through medical history and clinical examination, small, single or early lesions may not be easily recognized or differentiated by their clinical features. Videodermatoscopy (VD) is a non-invasive technique that has greatly improved the diagnostic accuracy for pigmented and non-pigmented skin disorders.

Materials and methods: Selected cases of penile growths from our Genital Dermatology Clinic have been evaluated by VD in order to identify specific VD patterns.

Results: Pearly penile papules, Fordyce's spots, genital warts, molluscum contagiosum, angiokeratoma of Fordyce, and median raphe penile cysts were found to show specific VD features, which are described and analyzed in detail.

Conclusions: VD offers the possibility to enhance diagnostic accuracy and aids in the differential diagnosis of selected infectious and non-infectious penile growths. In case of single or not clinically specific lesions, VD allows non-invasive recognition of specific patterns and features in order to make a more definitive diagnosis and to rule out clinically similar growths, thus avoiding biopsy and other invasive measures in some cases.