Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis: A rare entity and a review of the literature

Abstract

Scrotal calcinosis is a rare condition with presentation including intradermal nodules varying in size and number. Differentials include calcification of epidermal or pilar cysts noted by the presence of keratinaceous debris. We present 2 cases of scrotal calcinosis at our institution. IntroductionIdiopathic scrotal calcinosis (ISC) was first described in 1883 by Lewinski. 1 The clinical presentation of ISC includes gradual growth of brown-yellow, firm solitary or multiple nodules on the scrotal skin. This rare, benign condition of uncertain etiology typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and occurs in the absence of abnormalities in calcium and phosphate metabolism. 2 The intradermal nodules tend to increase in size and number over time and can produce a white, chalky material. While these lesions are usually asymptomatic, some patients report pain and itching and there have also been reports of infection associated with ISC. Indications for surgery include relief of symptoms and preservation of scrotal cosmesis. The only treatment recommended for ISC is surgery, which allows for pathologic confirmation of the disorder. 3 We present 2 cases of this rare pathology treated surgically, as well as review of the current literature. Case 1A 22-year-old male was referred to the urology clinic with a 2-year history of asymptomatic scrotal nodules that had gradually increased in size and number. He denied history of scrotal trauma; he also had no history of any metabolic, systemic, neoplastic or autoimmune disease. The increasing number and size of the nodules were affecting his quality of life. He reports that he has avoided intimate relationships because he is embarrassed of his scrotal lesions. He also described increased itching secondary to the lesions. On physical examination, the patient was healthy and in no acute distress. The only significant findings on exam were multiple palpable dark yellow and brown subcutaneous nodules on the scrotum with no pain on palpation. The calcified nodules involved most of the entire scrotum (Fig. 1). His clinical findings were consistent with the working diagnosis of ISC. These lesions were confined to the scrotum with no other skin lesions elsewhere. His testes were palpably normal. Laboratory evaluation revealed a normal serum calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormones level.The patient was taken to the operating room where general anesthesia was administered. The involved scrotal skin was excised using multiple elliptical incisions to preserve some uninvolved skin to allow for adequate coverage for skin closure. The scrotal skin excised did not involve the dartos fascia. Several smaller calcifications were also excised individually. All of the defects were closed using 4-0 chromic suture in an interrupted fashion. The patient has not experienced any postoperative complications to date and he has fortunately had a good scrotal cosmetic outcome (Fig. 2). Pathologic analysis revealed extensive large and small dermal calcium deposits with fibrosis, epiderm...

Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis: a rare case report and review of pathogenesis and surgical management

“…4 More recently, it has been suggested that they are the result of dartos muscle necrosis and degeneration with resulting dystrophic calcification of the dartos muscle. 5 Regarding our patient with family history of the same complained, study found no literature mentioned genetic as an etiology.…”

Scrotal calcinosis: pathogenetic link with epidermal cyst

“…SC is a rare disease of the scrotal skin which usually presents with multiple asymptomatic, calcified nodules; lesions are usually ignored initially and patients commonly seek the clinician's opinion years or decades after the initial onset 2. Only a few hundred cases have been reported worldwide to date 3.…”

Sonography of Scrotal Wall Lesions and Correlation With Other Modalities

“…The diagnosis can be easily confirmed by depiction of the calcific content of the nodules on radiography (Figure ). Although this condition is commonly asymptomatic, surgery is indicated for cosmetic reasons …”