Editor,—We have studied retrospectively 76 male cases of lichen sclerosus (LS) (formerly called balanitis xerotica obliterans), that presented over the period 1995–9 inclusive, in Leicester.

These cases were predominantly diagnosed on clinical grounds by experienced clinicians with eight (10.5%) proved by a biopsy.

A clinical diagnosis was made from the presence of combinations of clinical features.

From the literature it can be found that LS is the commonest cause of meatal stenosis in adults and children.¹ Most men present with a phimosis so may require circumcision.¹ Complications include meatal or urethral stricture and some lesions progress to malignancy.¹

The fact that LS of …