Smegma Pearl in a Circumcised Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Smegma pearls, also called smegmomas, are a natural secretion composed of epithelial cells, protein, and fat. Smegma pearls are not carcinogenic and do not induce damage or irritation. Despite the frequent occurrence of smegma pearls in uncircumcised children, no case among circumcised patients was reported. Here, we are presenting, for the first time, a case of smegma pearl in a circumcised patient. A 36-year-old circumcised male patient presented with a smegma pearl. The purpose of the present case report is to describe the diagnosis of this benign condition in circumcised patients, yet not described in the literature, and help physicians to enhance patient management and avoid needless investigations or treatments.

Penile Skin Bridge: Uncommon Cause of Painful Spontaneous Erection in Young Males

“…Two patients in this series presented with a yellowish discharge under the penile skin bridge. This was smegma, which is commonly found in uncircumcised males, but Almutawa et al 11 reported this in a 36-yearold, circumcised male. Smegma is an opaque white or yellowish substance composed of dead cells and skin oils that is malodorous.…”

Smegma pearl: A benign penile lesion in infants

“…In affected individuals, the prepuce exhibits a partial retractability while the urethra remains unaffected 1 . A diverse range of bacterial species may inhabit the preputial sac, thereby predisposing them to bacterial superinfection 4 . With regard to management, the primary therapeutic modality for smegma pearls involves offering reassurance and counseling to the patient, with the expectation that spontaneous separation will occur over time 2 …”

“…Smegma has a typical slimy odor, consisting of epithelial debris, fat, and proteins 3 . While smegma is not uncommon in uncircumcised boys, it is rare to occur in circumcised individual with only single case reported in literature 4 . In affected individuals, the prepuce exhibits a partial retractability while the urethra remains unaffected 1 .…”

“… 3 While smegma is not uncommon in uncircumcised boys, it is rare to occur in circumcised individual with only single case reported in literature. 4 In affected individuals, the prepuce exhibits a partial retractability while the urethra remains unaffected. 1 A diverse range of bacterial species may inhabit the preputial sac, thereby predisposing them to bacterial superinfection.…”

“…1 A diverse range of bacterial species may inhabit the preputial sac, thereby predisposing them to bacterial superinfection. 4 With regard to management, the primary therapeutic modality for smegma pearls involves offering reassurance and counseling to the patient, with the expectation that spontaneous separation will occur over time. 2 The differential diagnosis of the swelling presenting in the tip of the penis usually includes preputial Epstein pearls, preputial cysts, median raphe cysts and smegma stone(smegmalith).…”