Pilonidal sinus of the penis. A report of two cases, one of them associated with actinomycosis

Pilonidal sinus is a long-standing chronic inflammatory condition which occ urs most commonly in the sacrococcygeal area and it is rare in the penis. T wo cases of penile pilonidal sinus in patients aged 25 and 28 years are rep orted and the literature is reviewed. The lesion is acquired and has to be distinguished from balanoposthitis, epidermal cyst and carcinoma. For pilon idal sinus to occur at this site, it is hypothesized that the coronal sulcu s acts as a cleft where hair may accumulate and be driven into the shaft an d prepuce by the natural movement between these two surfaces. One of our ca ses was associated with actinomycosis. Actinomycosis associated with piloni dal sinus of the penis is extremely rare and there are only two previous re ports. It is suggested that pilonidal sinus may have been predisposed to th e infection with the actinomyces organisms. Information stating that penile pilonidal sinus and actinomycosis may occur simultaneously is necessary to accomplish an early diagnosis.