Genital lymphangioma with recurrent cellulitis in men

Background: Lymphangioma circumscriptum rarely occurs on the penis. This report describes a patient observed in private practice who presented with recurrent unexplained cellulitis of the penis for whom this diagnosis was not initially apparent. Methods: Diagnosis of lymphangiom a in this patient resulted in a retrospective records review of the Mayo Clinic experience with patients who had genital lymphangioma and cellulitis. Results: Six other male patients with recurrent cellulitis complicating genital lymphangioma were identified. Five of these six patients were managed with antibiotic prophylaxis. Conclusions: Compromised lymphatic drainage should be suspected in male patients with otherwise unexplained penile swelling or cellulitis. These patients usually require long-term antibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent infection.