balanitis of zoon

BALANITIS CIRCUMSCRIPTA PLASMACELLULARIS

(BALANITIS OF ZOON)

The erythematous, velvety appearance of this lesion of the glans penis clinically resembles erythroplasia of Queyrat (bowenoid squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the glans penis). The lack of atypia plus the combined features of peculiar epidermal changes and plasma cell infiltrates enable one to make the distinction histologically.

The keratinocytes appear to be shrunken and develop fusiform as well as angulated shapes. They are rather evenly separated by spaces. The suface cells are often very flattened, and the epidermis may be exceedingly thin or focally eroded.

Low power view. Most of the inflammatory cells beneath the epidermis are plasma cells.

High power view from the area of the black rectangle. Some of the cells that are migrating into the epidermis are lymphocytes, and a few are PMN's. Plasma cells are prominent at and beneath the dermoepidermal junction.

High power view from the area of the red rectangle. PMN's, lymphocytes, and plasma cells are at the dermoepidermal junction. The PAS stain did not demonstrate fungi. Pigment incontinence is present. The epithelium is only 3 cell layers thick in one area.

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	Low power view. Most of the inflammatory cells beneath the epidermis are plasma cells.
	High power view from the area of the black rectangle. Some of the cells that are migrating into the epidermis are lymphocytes, and a few are PMN's. Plasma cells are prominent at and beneath the dermoepidermal junction.
	High power view from the area of the red rectangle. PMN's, lymphocytes, and plasma cells are at the dermoepidermal junction. The PAS stain did not demonstrate fungi. Pigment incontinence is present. The epithelium is only 3 cell layers thick in one area.