Perineal lipoma in association with scrotal anomalies in children

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the characteristics of the perineal lipoma and speculate on its development, as an associated perineal lipoma is implicated in the occurrence of scrotal anomalies in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five children with a perineal lipoma in association with various scrotal anomalies were included in the study. We analysed the types of scrotal anomalies and their anatomical relationship with the perineal lipomas. RESULTS: One child had a supra-inguinal ectopic scrotum, and the others had penoscrotal transposition, either symmetrical or asymmetrical; they included two who had an accessory scrotum combined with a perineal lipoma. The perineal lipoma was on the ipsilateral side of the upward-positioned hemiscrotum in the ectopic scrotum or the asymmetrical penoscrotal transposition, or it was on the mid-perineum in the symmetrical penoscrotal transposition. CONCLUSIONS: The perineal lipoma can be found combined with various scrotal anomalies, including ectopic scrotum as well as an accessory scrotum or penoscrotal transposition; this is the first report describing a perineal lipoma associated with an ectopic scrotum. We speculate that the development of the perineal lipoma is closely related to scrotal anomalies, which result from early division and/or abnormal migration of the labioscrotal swelling. The concomitant perineal lipoma might be formed during the process, and might affect abnormal scrotal development.