Henoch-Schonlein purpura involving the penis. A case report

Abstract

Schonlein-Henoch purpura accounts for the majority of cases of systemic vasculitis in children. Classical presentation is characterized by palpable purpura, glomerulonephritis, arthralgias and abdominal pain. Although genitourinary manifestations, in form of testicular and scrotal involvement, have been widely described, penile involvement remains an extremely rare complication.We report a case of a 6-year-old boy who presented with purpuric rash on the glans, prepuce and penile shaft, with painful edema in the penile region. He also had a 3-days history of fever, palpable purpuric rash on the buttocks and lower extremities along with right wrist pain. He was admitted with the diagnosis of Schonlein-Henoch purpura with penile involvement. After 2 days on oral steroids therapy (prednisone) a marked improvement was observed.