Giant scrotal elephantiasis of inflammatory etiology: a case report

Stefan Denzinger , Elke Watzlawek , Maximilian Burger , Wolf F Wieland and Wolfgang Otto

Department of Urology, University of Regensburg, Landshuterstraße 65, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2007, 1:23doi:10.1186/1752-1947-1-23


Published:	2 June 2007

Abstract

Background

Scrotal lymphedema is rare outside endemic filariasis regions in Africa and Asia. It is of variable origin in the western world.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 40-year-old European man with massive elephantiasis of the scrotum attributed to chronic inflammation of the lower urinary tract caused by urinary outlet obstruction and diabetes mellitus. The patient underwent subtotal scrotectomy saving penis, testes and spermatic cords and followed by scrotal reconstruction with adequate cosmetic and functional outcome.

Conclusion

In this report we discuss a rare case of scrotal elephantiasis in an European patient, reflect on the etiology and the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Surgery can be successful even in giant scrotal elephantiasis.