TY - JOUR T1 - Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans and Its Differential Diagnosis JF - The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice JO - J Am Board Fam Med SP - 473 LP - 476 DO - 10.3122/jabfm.12.6.473 VL - 12 IS - 6 AU - Isaac M. Neuhaus AU - Robert A. Skidmore Y1 - 1999/11/01 UR - http://www.jabfm.org/content/12/6/473.abstract N2 - Background: Balanitis xerotica obliterans is a subcategory of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus limited to the male genitalia and is associated with destructive inflammation, phimosis, urethral stenosis, and squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: The medical literature was searched from 1983-1998 using key words balanitis, lichen, and sclerosis using the MEDLINE system. Results and Conclusions: Balanitis xerotica obliterans can be distinguished from other genital dermatoses with similar characteristics through patient history, clinical findings, and laboratory evaluation.. Tzanck smear and cutaneous biopsy, along with a rapid protein reagin test, will provide a definitive diagnosis. Treatment with high-dose topical corticosteroids relieves symptoms, and therapy focuses on prevention of disease progression ER -