Zoon's balanitis successfully treated with photodynamic therapy: Case report and literature review

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2016 Mar:13:347-349. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2015.08.010. Epub 2015 Aug 28.

Abstract

Zoon's balanitis (ZB) is an idiopathic chronic condition usually presenting as a solitary erythematous plaque on the glans of primarily uncircumcised, middle-aged to older men. The different treatment options for this condition often achieve partial results, with frequent recurrence after treatment withdrawal. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as therapeutic option with discordant results. We treated a thirty-five year-old man affected by Zoon's balanitis, resistant to conventional treatments, with 3 sessions of topical ALA-PDT at two weeks intervals. At the end of the treatment period notable improvement of clinical features was observed, with almost complete clearance at 3 months' follow-up, high safety profile and absence of durable side-effects.

Keywords: Balanitis; Inflammation; Photodynamic therapy; Review.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aminolevulinic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Balanitis / drug therapy*
  • Balanitis / pathology*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Aminolevulinic Acid