Spectrum of penoscrotal positional anomalies in children

Abstract

Background: The normal relationship between the scrotum and penis during fetal development is controlled by several genetic and hormonal factors, and impairment of this positional relation results in a wide spectrum of positional congenital anomalies. Objective: This a cohort study analysing 63 cases of penoscrotal anomalies (PSAs) according to severity and other associated malformations to provide a simple classification for recognising, describing and categorizing cases that may require surgical correction. Design and setting: Between 2005 and 2013, 63 diverse cases of penoscrotal positional anomaly were detected and analysed based on their hormonal profile and other associated anomaly. Results: A wide variety of PSAs were included in the study, 11 cases were of major PST with complete penoscrotal transposition in three, incomplete in eight, and minor degree in 45 cases, which are symmetrical (bilateral) in 29, sixteen are asymmetrical, 4 had midline scrotlisation, and 3 had wide penoscrotal distance. Associated genitourinary anomalies were detected in 29 babies. Sex hormonal assays showed no significant differences between the PSA patients and controls (P < .05), and no gross chromosomal anomalies were detected in any cases. Conclusion: Penoscrotal positional anomalies include the previously described penoscrotal transposition, and the variants of a central penile scrotalisation, and wide penoscrotal distance. A simple classification for these anomalies adopted herein.