1 Background

Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a rare and benign condition which was first described by Lewinski [1] over a century ago. It is characterized by deposits of calcium in the scrotum with unknown etiology although theories of its origin have been reported in the literature. It usually occurs in young male adults with no history of trauma, genitourinary infections, or hormonal disorders. Some cases on this condition has reported in the literature. Its treatment is surgical and the excision must be complete in order to avoid recurrence, which is rare. Malignant transformation of this condition has not been reported in the literature [2] Histopathological examination confirms the diagnosis of scrotal calcinosis. In this manuscript, we seek to report the first published case on scrotal calcinosis in Mauritania which is one of the largest if not the largest case to be found in the literature to our knowledge.

2 Case presentation

Our patient is 60-year-old African man farmer with no remarkable medical history who complains of a large painless progressively increasing scrotal mass evolving over 20 years. This mass had caused a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum making it impossible for the patient to have sexual encounters. Physical examination shows multiple mobile and confluent nodular lesions in both hemi scrotal skins with no anomaly palpated on each testes (Fig. 1). Calcium and phosphate tests were within normal range. We performed a one-step complete excision of a mass with an estimated weight of 1.7 kg (Fig. 2). The postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis as scrotal calcinosis. The patient was able to resume normal sexual activity and gained esthetic satisfaction (Fig. 3). No recurrence was noted after a follow-up of 1 year.

Fig. 1
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Large scrotal mass with confluent nodules

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Fig. 2
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Operative specimen

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Fig. 3
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Postoperative result

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3 Discussion

Scrotal calcinosis is a rare condition first described in 1883 by Lewinsky [1]. It generally occurs in patient between 30 and 50 years. However, some cases have occurred in infants and in elderly patients [2, 3]. The etiopathogenesis is not elucidated, although there are theories attempting to explain it. The most accepted theory is that the origin of calcinosis is a calcification of epidermoid cysts. According to this theory, the rupture of the epithelial layer initially surrounding the epidermoid cyst produces foreign body type inflammation followed by calcium dystrophy, thus constituting scrotal calcinosis (Fig. 4) [2, 4]. The calcium and phosphate tests are within normal range. Thus, it is believed to be an idiopathic condition. This is a painless, insidious disease affecting intimate areas which sometimes causes delayed diagnosis with sometimes the patient having to report to the hospital after several years after the condition began. In our case, the patient had waited for 20 years before seeking medical assistance. The surgical management of this condition is unequivocal. It consists of complete excision of the nodular lesions. The goal for this treatment is functional, esthetic and pathological [5]. The results are generally excellent, and recurrences are rare but a few cases of recurrence are reported in the literature. There are no published cases of malignant transformation of this benign entity till this date.

Fig. 4
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Calcified areas in the dermis

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4 Conclusions

Scrotal calcinosis is a rare and a benign condition whose management is surgical once diagnosed with a good prognosis. This study reports the first published case in Mauritania.