Atheroma of the scrotum, testicles and penis

Scrotal atheroma

Scrotal atheroma is a fairly common disease of the sebaceous glands in this area of the body. Atheroma is most often localized in those places where there is a large number of sebaceous glands and hair follicles. This cystic neoplasm belongs to the category of benign, but on the scrotum it causes obvious discomfort and often painful sensations. A sebaceous gland cyst is a typical consequence of the accumulation of fatty secretion and blockage of the excretory duct. Such cysts are especially characteristic of areas of the skin that are subject to regular mechanical friction - the so-called collar and trouser zone.

Scrotal atheroma is a capsule containing a thick secretory fluid. In the groin area, atheromas can be multiple; atheromatosis is often diagnosed on the scrotum - small cysts located throughout the scrotum. According to statistics, cysts of the sebaceous glands of the scrotum are determined in 20-25% of men, and such small atheromas are prone to spontaneous opening, but also to long-term recurrence. The fact that atheroma of the groin area is more often diagnosed in representatives of the strong half of humanity is explained by a completely natural reason - the male sex hormone - testosterone, the level of which should a priori be higher in men. In addition, increased sweating is considered a typical phenomenon in the scrotum area, which in turn only activates the process of blockage of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands. The third provoking factor can be considered mechanical friction of underwear or non-compliance with elementary rules of personal hygiene of intimate areas of the body.

Scrotal atheroma is predominantly found in male patients aged 35-30 years; cysts are usually small and rarely reach 1 centimeter in diameter.

Clinical symptoms of scrotal atheroma:

• A painless, small subcutaneous lump.
• Multiple cysts.
• Dense adhesion to the skin of the scrotum.
• The presence of a small pigmented dot in the middle of the seal.
• Slow development of atheromas.
• Tendency to inflammation and infection.
• Risk of developing inflammation up to and including an extensive scrotal abscess.
• Suppurating atheromas are accompanied by visible redness of the skin and pain.
• The possibility of independent opening of the atheroma with the discharge of pus and the parallel exit of a small cystic capsule.

All atheromas of the groin area, including cysts of the sebaceous glands of the scrotum, are subject to examination by a dermatologist, urologist, venereologist. This necessity is dictated by the extreme vulnerability of the groin, the risk of suppuration, the development of infection, and also by the fact that quite often the atheroma can be similar to other, more serious cystic tumors of the scrotum. Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment in the initial period of the formation of atheromatosis allows you to cure this disease quite quickly, and sometimes even avoid surgical intervention.

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Atheromas on the testicles

Atheromas on the testicles are multiple small cysts, which in medical terminology have a clear definition - atheromatosis.

The reason for the appearance of atheromas in this area is due to the presence of a network of sebaceous glands that develop from the epithelial cells of the hair follicles. All small cysts of the testicles are directly connected with the bags of tiny hairs. The cysts are located close to the skin, blocking the excretory ducts, the opening of the follicular outlet. Such frequent localization is due to the fact that around one hair there can be from one to five sebaceous glands, each of which accumulates lipid secretion, as a result of which the opening is obstructed. In addition, the area of the scrotum, testicles is included in the list of so-called seborrheic areas of the body (sebaceous zones), therefore atheromatous rashes can be called seborrheic cysts or Fordyce granules.

Atheroma on the testicles or Fordyce granules are benign cysts, a variant of the norm, not a pathology. They are not accompanied by painful sensations, are not transmitted from one partner to another during intimate contacts, and can be considered a cosmetic defect, nothing more. Most often, granules appear in puberty, during the sexual maturation of adolescents, possibly due to an increase in testosterone levels, however, the etiology of testicular atheromatosis has not yet been clarified.

Small cysts rarely reach large sizes and are more than 1 centimeter in diameter, but often cover the entire scrotum in the form of white dots.

As a rule, such cysts do not require specific treatment, only large atheromas are subject to surgical removal, and the procedure is carried out together with plastic surgery of the scrotum skin. The operation is carried out under local anesthesia and does not affect sexual functions, postoperative scars dissolve within six months.

It is not permissible to squeeze out cysts (granules) or injure the testicles on your own, as this entails the risk of infection, development of a hematoma, possibly an abscess. If the atheromatous rash is very small, it is prone to inflammation, but this process goes away on its own, it is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene.

Urologists and dermatologists note that testicular atheromas can pass on their own at the age of over 35 years, apparently, this can be explained by the fading of testosterone production activity and unblocking of the sebaceous glands. If the patient insists on more aggressive than conservative treatment methods, electrocoagulation or laser removal of atheromas is possible. All other surgical methods are determined only by a doctor according to the clinical symptoms and health of the patient.

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Atheroma on the penis

Multiple small atheromas are most often diagnosed on the penis - atheromatosis. A sebaceous cyst of the genitals is a benign neoplasm that develops against the background of obstruction of the excretory duct. An atheroma on the penis is a capsule with a fibrous-glandular wall and contents - detritus (epithelial cells, lipid elements). The cyst has clear boundaries, is round in shape, and is white or yellowish in color. The size of multiple cysts is small, but they often cover the entire penis and give it a rather unaesthetic appearance. Atheromatosis (atheromatosis) develops according to the atherosclerotic type and resembles atherosclerotic plaques with a fine-grained structure (dendrite). The contents of the cysts are formed as a product of the breakdown of protein, fat elements, as well as collagen fibers and cholesterol crystals. Often small atheromas resemble papules, so they can be called "pearlescent papules" of the penis, such rashes are typical for the coronary groove zone of the head of the penis. Any type of atheromatosis on the penis is considered a normal variant, does not pose a threat to health, is not transmitted from partner to partner, that is, it is not dangerous during sexual intercourse, however, this cosmetic defect not only worries the patient, but is also prone to inflammation, infection. The only clinical symptom of atheromatous papules can be itching, irritation of the skin of the penis in case of mechanical trauma when wearing tight underwear or during active sexual intercourse.

Differential diagnostics of penile atheroma is carried out with the following diseases:

• Peyronie's disease is a thickening of the penis, a lump in the form of a tumor or scar.
• Lymphangitis.
• Smegmolites.
• Allergic reaction (contact type of allergy).
• Dermatitis.
• Sebaceous gland adenoma.

The detection of large, big atheromas on the penis is considered a surgical rarity, therefore, as a rule, a sebaceous gland cyst in this area is not subject to surgical treatment. Atheromatosis is not a health-threatening disease, such conditions only require systematic observance of the rules of personal intimate hygiene. Large, multiple atheromatous cysts covering the entire penis and causing discomfort during sexual intercourse can be removed using electrocoagulation. Diagnostics and choice of treatment method for atheroma should be entrusted to a urologist, dermatovenerologist, who will select a method adequate to the patient's health condition.

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