Penile paraffinoma necrosis after mineral oil injection applied by a non-medical professional

Received on: 14/08/2016
Approved on: 22/02/2017
Financial support: None
Conflict of Interests: None

Abstract

Paraffinoma results from the implantation of mineral oil in the skin, being characterized by inflammatory reaction of foreign body type, with variable latency period. Initial lesions consist of hardened nodules, which can ulcerate, fistulate or necrose. This technique was widely used for aesthetic purposes in the 20th century, and is no longer performed by physicians. However, it is still used by non-medical professionals or by the patients themselves, mainly in the genital region, aimed at improving sexual activity. This paper reports a case of implantation of mineral oil in the penis, performed by a non-medical professional, for aesthetic purposes that evolved with necrosis after three years.

Keywords: GRANULOMA, FOREIGN-BODY; MINERAL OIL; NECROSIS; PENIS

INTRODUCTION

Paraffinoma is an adverse reaction after injection of mineral, plant or animal oils in the subcutaneous tissue or skin. It is characterized by a non-allergic foreign body-type granulomatous reaction on histopathology.^1-3 The latency period between the injection of the substance and initiation of the reaction is variable, from a few days to many years.^3-6 This technique was often used in the 20th century for cosmetic purposes.^1,6

Complications of this practice are reported since 1906 and contributed to its discontinuation in many countries. Nowadays, it is still performed by non-medical professionals and by patients, mainly for penis enlargement, in Asian and east European countries.^4,6,7 Lesions start as indurated solitary or confluent nodules, forming plaques in the subcutaneous tissue and skin. Sometimes there is ulcer formation and fistulas with purulent or oily discharge and, in more advanced cases, necrosis of the affected area.^3,7-10

 

LITERATURE REVIEW:

Paraffinoma or oleoma, also known as mineral oil granuloma, is the histological pattern that appears after injection of substances with saturated hydrocarbon chains in the skin or subcutaneous tissue. Due to the inability of human enzymes to degrade these substances, a foreign body-type granulomatous reaction can occur, in which part of the subcutaneous tissue is replaced by cysts of different sizes. They manifest clinically as indurated nodules that can also be associated with lymphatic drainage obstruction, caused by the non-absorbable substance. This lesion can occur within a few days or manifest years after injection of the substance.^1-6

The injection of non-absorbable substances such as oils is an ancient and obsolete practice used since the beginning of the 20th century, aiming at correcting imperfections and improving cosmetic appearance.^3,6,10 The first report of the use of these substances for cosmetic purposes is from 1899, when Gersuny injected mineral oil into a boy’s scrotum after bilateral orchiectomy due to tuberculosis.^1-8

This practice was abandoned by physicians due to disastrous adverse reactions, but is still performed by non-medical professionals and by patients.^2,5,6,9 Of the penile enhancement techniques used by these professionals, the most common are inoculation of semiliquid substances and the implantation of penile spheres. These spheres are composed of metal or plastic, measure around 1 cm and contain non-absorbable liquid substances, such as mineral oil, in their interior. They are injected into the subcutaneous tissue above Buck’s fascia (Figure 1).¹⁰

Even though there are reports of immediate effects and good cosmetic results as volume enhancement for the modification of the shaft contour, mineral oil injection triggers short and long term complications: skin inflammation, edema, abscess, lymphangitis, ulcers, local migration, corpora cavernosa invasion, phimosis, paraphimosis, erectile dysfunction, urinary disturbances and, in advanced cases, skin necrosis of the penile shaft.^3,6-10 The inflammation associated with the injection of mineral oil can rarely lead to the development of squamous cell carcinoma.^1,6,10

The treatment of choice is surgery, aiming at removing the paraffinoma. Antibiotics and oral steroids can be required, apart from surgical intervention. In the case of necrosis, surgical or chemical debridement is indicated, associated with supportive measures as steroids, tetracyclines or colchicine due to the difficulty in completely removing the substance injected.^3,5,6,8-10

 

CASE REPORT

Thirty-eight-year-old male patient, Caucasian, professional tattoo artist underwent application of mineral oil spheres in the penis 3 years ago, by a non-medical professional (tattoo artist), with the purpose of modifying the penile surface. After two years, he noticed rupture of the spheres, with flattening of the implants and subsequent induration of the shaft’s skin. He did not seek medical care immediately. With the progression of the lesion, he decided to seek a plastic surgeon, that surgically debrided it. The clinical course was not satisfactory, and resulted in necrosis of the penile shaft’s skin.

One month after the procedure, the patient was seen as an outpatient, complaining of local intense pain, but had no urinary complaints nor fever. On examination, there were indurated areas and violaceous erythema on the dorsal aspect and necrosis on the ventral aspect of the penis’ shaft. Penile shaft and glans edema was also observed (Figure 2), with no enlarged glands or meatal discharge. The scrotum was spared. On the day of the consultation, he was taking cephalexin 500mg q.i.d. We opted to continue treatment with cephalexin, adding collagenase with topical chloramphenicol, prednisone (60mg/day) and oral dipyrone.

After one week the patient returned, still complaining of severe local pain and fever (37.8ºC). The dorsal aspect was still edematous, indurated, had a violaceous erythema and necrosis of the superficial tissues. However, the ventral aspect of the penis showed some improvement, with no necrosis and some granulation areas. He was then examined by the urology team that initially ruled out urethral lesions. Ciprofloxacin 500mg t.d.s and clindamycin 600mg t.d.s were initiated, both orally. The dose of prednisone was maintained, but the topical treatment was changed to 2% hydrogel because of its selective chemical debridement effect. After 21 days, the patient returned with improvement of the lesions on both aspects of the penis (Figure 3). The antibiotics were discontinued and tapering of prednisone begun.

The patient was also assessed by a plastic surgeon, who opted to do a surgical approach. First, a subcutaneous tunnel was designed on the scrotum so that the penis could pass through it. On the second stage, a graft with skin from the scrotum was place

 

DISCUSSION

The complications derived from paraffinoma can manifest within a few days of injection or years later. As in this case, where they appeared 2 years after placement of the implant. Usually, indurated nodules are observed, and those can ulcerate and fistulate, having as differential diagnoses genital ulcers of many etiologies. Albeit rare, necrosis can occur, compromising urinary and sexual functions of the organ.^3,6-10 In this case, the patient’s penile urethra was apparently not damaged according to the urologist’s evaluation, and he had no trouble passing urine despite the edema. The erectile function of the penis was also spared, despite the complaint of pain. The urology team offered to perform uretherocystoscopy after clinical improvement of the necrosis for a better assessment of the urethra.

The recommended treatment will vary according to the clinical presentation. Surgery for removal of the indurated nodules is initially indicated, and it must be performed as early as possible. In this case, the patient sought medical care only after one year of having the lesion. In cases of more severe complications, such as necrosis, chemical or surgical debridement must be performed.^5,6,8-10

 

CONCLUSION

Although paraffinomas are extremely rare nowadays, physicians must be vigilant for its recognition, since many patients will not admit to clandestine mineral oil injection. Early diagnosis is crucial for a good prognosis of the affected organ. In the case of male genital implants, a multidisciplinary approach, with urology and plastic surgery, is necessary.

 

PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTICLE

Maria Claudia de Almeida Issa

Medical care of the patient and manuscript supervision, orientation and proofing.

Diego Cerqueira Alexandre

Medical care of the patient and manuscript elaboration.

Roger Domingos Almeida

Surgical care of the patient and image structuring.

Sandra Maria Barbosa Durães

Medical care of the patient and manuscript supervision, orientation and proofing.

 

References

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Study conducted at the Service of Dermatolgy at Hospital Universi- tário Antônio Pedro da Universida- de Federal Fluminense (Huap/UFF) – Niterói (RJ), Brazil.