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The Pan African Medical Journal 2021
Topics: Circumcision, Male; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Male; Smegma
PubMed: 34909082
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.40.94.26196 -
Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2017
PubMed: 29204413
DOI: 10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_384_16 -
Cureus Aug 2022Smegma 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...
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.
PubMed: 36176834
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28491 -
Investigative and Clinical Urology Mar 2019The aim of the study was to investigate the common bacteria found in the smegma in the subpreputial space of asymptomatic boys prospectively, and to determine the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
PURPOSE
The aim of the study was to investigate the common bacteria found in the smegma in the subpreputial space of asymptomatic boys prospectively, and to determine the difference of those bacteria according to the presence of smegma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In our institution, 40 boys who performed penoplasty were recruited into the study. Swab was done using aseptic techniques on smegma and glans in the operation room. According to the presence of smegma in the subpreputial space, we classified glans as a group S (with smegma, n=20) and group C (without smegma, n=20). The swabs were immediately sent to microbiology laboratory for microscopy, culture, and sensitivity tests.
RESULTS
The mean age was 30.4±26.4 months. Thirty-one bacteria were isolated from smegma, comprising 15 gram-positive species (48.4%) and 16 gram-negative species (51.6%). The most commonly isolated gram-negative bacterium was (25.8%), while the commonly isolated gram-positive bacteria were (19.4%) and (12.9%). Most of the bacterial isolates were multi-drug-resistant (61.3%). In group S, 12 boys had 22 bacterial isolates in the glans. The commonly isolated bacteria were (27.3%), (22.7%) and (18.2%). In group C, 13 boys had 21 bacterial isolates in the glans. The most commonly isolated bacterium was (28.6%).
CONCLUSIONS
Smegma in the subpreputial space of children was colonized by many kinds of uropathogen.
Topics: Bacteria; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Male; Penis; Prospective Studies; Smegma
PubMed: 30838346
DOI: 10.4111/icu.2019.60.2.127 -
Clinical Case Reports Jun 2023Provide comprehensive knowledge to healthcare practitioners regarding the benign characteristics of smegma pearls, aiming to alleviate anxiety and minimize unwarranted...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
Provide comprehensive knowledge to healthcare practitioners regarding the benign characteristics of smegma pearls, aiming to alleviate anxiety and minimize unwarranted medical interventions.
ABSTRACT
Penile nodules in infant are distressing to the mother and also cause diagnostic dilemmas to primary care physician. Most of the penile nodules are benign and the only treatment is reassurance to the mother. Smegma pearl occurs due to accumulation of the desquamated epithelial cells under the penile foreskin and are visualized as yellowish white lumps. We present a similar case who presented to the primary health centre at rural Nepal.
PubMed: 37361659
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7613 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Oct 2006Smegma is widely believed to cause penile, cervical and prostate cancer. This nearly ubiquitous myth continues to permeate the medical literature despite a lack of valid... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Smegma is widely believed to cause penile, cervical and prostate cancer. This nearly ubiquitous myth continues to permeate the medical literature despite a lack of valid supportive evidence.
METHODS
A historical perspective of medical ideas pertaining to smegma is provided, and the original studies in both animals and humans are reanalysed using the appropriate statistical methods.
RESULTS
Evidence supporting the role of smegma as a carcinogen is found wanting.
CONCLUSIONS
Assertions that smegma is carcinogenic cannot be justified on scientific grounds.
Topics: Animals; Carcinogens; Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Smegma
PubMed: 16987256
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x -
Pediatric Dermatology May 2016Deposition of smegma in the subpreputial region is common in young uncircumcised boys. Although the term "smegma pearls" has been used colloquially for this entity,...
Deposition of smegma in the subpreputial region is common in young uncircumcised boys. Although the term "smegma pearls" has been used colloquially for this entity, there is an apparent lack of reference to smegma pearls and their characteristics in the extant scientific literature. We present a series of six Indian boys with smegma pearls and discuss their possible origin, course, and management.
PubMed: 27071486
DOI: 10.1111/pde.12832 -
Cureus Dec 2021Smegma pearls can cause diagnostic dilemmas for pediatricians who are unfamiliar with this condition leading to unnecessary investigations and referrals. Despite the...
Smegma pearls can cause diagnostic dilemmas for pediatricians who are unfamiliar with this condition leading to unnecessary investigations and referrals. Despite the common occurrence of smegma pearls in uncircumcised young boys, it is not often reported in the literature. Smegma is a normal secretion consisting of desquamated epithelial cells, fat, and protein. It has mixed bacterial flora with smegma bacillus in 50% of cases. Smegma itself is neither damaging nor irritating substance and as Howe has stated, it is not carcinogenic also. Smegma production and keratinization of cells facilitate the separation of the fused foreskin from the glans epithelium. we are presenting a case of a penile nodule in the shaft of the penis without any pain, bleeding, or discharge. The smegma content gives a yellowish color to the lump. Smegma pearls do not have any covering sac. When the smegma is covered in a well-formed epithelial wall, it is called a smegma cyst. Long-standing smegma collection can turn into a hard stone-like structure called Smegmolith due to chronic irritation and mineral accumulation. Treatment should include monitoring for resolution with parental reassurance. Smegma pearls are benign, and they spontaneously resolve over time. This case report intends to help pediatricians correctly identify this benign, yet not widely published in the literature condition and reassure the parents and patients to improve the patient care and avoid unnecessary tests and referrals.
PubMed: 35004069
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20270 -
Sexually Transmitted Infections Jun 1998
Topics: Calculi; Humans; Male; Smegma; Testicular Diseases
PubMed: 9849571
DOI: No ID Found