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Introduction: Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) occurs in at least one in 900 girls. There is limited knowledge as to what extent the disease persists in adulthood and what the repercussions in adulthood may be. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term consequences of VLS diagnosed in childhood or adolescence., Material and Methods: The population of females histologically diagnosed with VLS in childhood or adolescence in the Netherlands between 1991 and 2015 was identified through the national pathology database. Histological specimens were retrieved and re-evaluated. Potential participants for whom the diagnosis was reconfirmed and who are now adults, were then traced and surveyed. Descriptive statistics were calculated and compared with the literature. Main outcome measures are the demographics of the cohort, their scores on standardized quality of life (QoL) and sexuality questionnaires and answers to additional questions regarding patients' experience with the disease. The questionnaires used were the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the Skindex-29, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). Secondary outcome measures include obstetric history and histological features found in the original tissue specimens., Results: A total of 81 women participated, median age 29.0 years, median follow-up from childhood diagnosis 19.5 years. Both QoL and sexuality were somewhat affected in 51.9% of cases. Less than half (45%) reported having regular check-ups. Forty-five (56%) reported symptoms within the past year; of those with symptoms, 14 (31%) were not under surveillance. Cesarean section rate (14.5%) was comparable to the general population, and there were more high-grade obstetric anal sphincter injuries with vaginal deliveries than expected. Sixteen respondents (20%) were not aware of the childhood diagnosis prior to this study., Conclusions: Symptoms due to VLS are reported by most adults diagnosed as juveniles. QoL and sexuality are affected and correlate to recent symptoms. VLS as a juvenile does not preclude a vaginal delivery. Women diagnosed with VLS in childhood or adolescence are often lost to follow-up., (© 2023 The Authors. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG).)

Background: Vulvar diseases are common in the general population and have a negative impact on the quality of life., Objectives: To describe our experience as dermatologists in the management of vulvar dermatosis consultations., Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted with patients who attended monographic vulvar consultations over a 5-year period. Clinical information was obtained from the patient's charts., Results: 148 women were studied. Their mean age was 43.24 years (standard deviation: 15.15 years), with ages ranging from 4 months to 80 years. 53.4% of patients took between 2 and 5 years to seek medical attention for the first time. The most frequent diagnosis was lichen sclerosus (41.9%), irritative eczema of the vulva (14.9%), and lichen simplex chronicus (10.1%). 83.8% reported anogenital itching, 66.2% pain, and 45.9% dyspareunia. The most frequently prescribed treatment was ultra-potent topical corticosteroids (clobetasol propionate; 41.2%). Patients with lichen sclerosus were significantly older than those who presented with any of the other diseases. No differences were found in terms of either the time of disease evolution or in symptom presentation., Study Limitations: Retrospective study. Vulvar diseases with an infectious cause are usually managed in primary care, therefore, were not included. All patients were recruited from a single private hospital which limits the comparisons with the public health system., Conclusions: Vulvar diseases frequently occur and are associated with high morbidity. It is essential to promote the development of specific vulvar consultations in hospitals. Specialties such as dermatology, gynecology, urology, or physiotherapy must be part of these units., (Copyright © 2022 Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unclear etiology. Recent studies show that 15-34% of cases in adult women and 14% in girls coexist with allergies or autoimmune diseases, among others - celiac disease (CD). Most of the research on the coexistence of VLS and autoimmune diseases has been carried out on a group of adult women. Literature data on this issue are very scarce., Material and Methods: The presented work is a pioneering project in which we tried to elucidate a possible relationship between celiac disease and lichen sclerosus in girls. The aim of the research was to study the antibodies characteristic of celiac disease in girls with VLS. The control group consisted of 35 heathy adolescent girls and the study group consisted of 20 girls aged 2-18 years old diagnosed with vulvar lichen sclerosus recruited at the Gynecological Clinic for Girls at the Women's Health Center in Katowice., Results: There were no significant differences in the concentrations of antibodies characteristic for CD in the blood serum between the studied groups., Conclusions: The main limitation of our study was the small size of the study group. It is therefore legitimate to conduct further research on a larger study group to find themutual correlations between the analyzed antibodies and the onset and the course of VLS in girls. The finding of a positive correlation between the coexistence of VLS and CD may prevent potentially serious, long-term complications.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

We here report the case of a 58-year old female patient with no particular past medical history, presenting with a 5-year history of vulvar pruritis, drought and vulvodynia at the Department of Dermatology. Clinical examination showed diffuse porcelaine lesions at the level of the vulva, with a yellowish hemispheric nodular lesion measuring 1 cm in diameter on the whitish plates and some excoriated lesions due to scratching. A skin biopsy was performed at the level of the whitish lesions and at the level of the nodular lesion. Histological examination suggested epidermoid carcinoma for the budding lesion and atrophic vulvar lichen sclerosus for the porcelaine lesions. Surgical treatment was recommended associated with radiation therapy. This study aims to highlight the risk for atrophic vulvar lichen sclerosu degeneration.

Mature women often present with symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy and vulvar dermatoses, causing noncoital pain, dyspareunia, and sexual changes. Diagnosis of these conditions can be challenging, and long-term management is required to decrease morbidity and enhance quality of life. Vaginal estrogen therapies remain safe and effective for treating symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy. A vulvar biopsy is easy to perform and generally well tolerated when indicated for the diagnosis of lichen simplex chronicus, lichen sclerosus, and lichen planus. Therapy with moderate- to high-potency corticosteroids is effective for these frequently debilitating conditions., (Copyright © 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, we aimed to explore the associations between HLA-A\B\DRB1 polymorphisms and the risks of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) or squamous cell hyperplasia of the vulva (SCHV) in Han Chinese women. We enrolled 76 Han Chinese women with VLS (Group A), 74 with SCHV (Group B), and 66 healthy women (control group) in this study. Polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) was used to determine HLA-A\B\DRB1 polymorphisms. Compared with the control group, HLA-A*11, -B*15, and -DRB1*12 were present at a higher frequency in groups A and B, while HLA-B*13 was present at a higher frequency in group A. Fewer women in group A carried HLA-A*31, -DRB1*01, and -DRB1*03 genotypes and fewer women in group B carried HLA-B*40 and -DRB1*03 genotypes. Significant differences were found between group B and the control group for HLA-A*11, -B*15, -B*40, and -DRB1*03, and between group A and the control group for HLA-B*15 and -DRB1*12. The HLA-A*11, HLA-B*13, HLA-B*15, and HLA-DRB1*12 genotypes were associated with a higher risk of VLS, while the HLA-A*31, HLA-DRB1*01, and HLA-DRB1*03 genotypes were associated with a lower risk of VLS. In addition, carrying HLA-A*11, HLA-B*15, HLA-B*35, and HLA-DRB1*12 genotypes, and carrying HLA-B*40 and HLA-DRB1*03 genotypes were found to be risk or protective factors for SCHV, respectively.

Numerous cutaneous lesions are located in the region of the female genital organs, occasionally presenting a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The most common cases include: eczema vulvae, lichen simplex chronius, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus or lichen planus. Clinical presentation of these lesions is not always characteristic for certain dermatoses. Thus, it is important to conduct proper tests, including histopathological or contact allergy examination. Only thorough diagnostics allows to implement correct therapy. This paper shows a detailed description of dermal lesions located in the region of the female genital organs of the allergic and lichenoid origin, together with the literature review on diagnosis and treatment.

Lichen sclerosus is a commonly misdiagnosed disease that is characterized by thinned, hypopigmented, crinkled skin that often forms a figure-eight shape around the vaginal and anal openings. We present a case of advanced lichen sclerosus in a 53-year-old female patient prescribed a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor after the excision of a breast cancer tumor. We present a diagnostic approach to lichen sclerosus by recognizing its common figure-eight pattern, and we review the known causes and treatment of lichen sclerosus. Research has shown that lichen sclerosus is more common in low estrogen states, and thus it is logical that aromatase inhibitors could increase a patient's risk for developing this disease. We therefore propose that all patients prescribed aromatase inhibitors undergo regular vulvo-vaginal exams to rule out lichen sclerosus and other hypoestrogen-related vulvo-vaginal problems.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that belongs to a group of autoimmune connective tissue diseases, localized within the skin and mucous membrane of the anogenital area. In the latter location, the focal atrophy of the mucosa is the most visible sign. Lesions may be accompanied by symptoms such as itching, pain, burning. The disease occurs more often in females. The etiology is not fully understood. Genetic, infectious, hormonal factors and autoimmune mechanisms are taken into consideration. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is important to avoid further complications. This review aims to analyze available literature on the treatment of this disease entity

Introduction: Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic skin disorder with a predilection for the anogenital area. The disease is mostly seen in prepubertal and postmenopausal females. The lesions present as sharply demarcated white plaques encircling the vagina and anus. The atrophic form can lead to scarring of the affected area., Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital records of children (aged 1-18 years) seen at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre in Odense from October 1998 to November 2010 with a definite clinical diagnosis of anogenital LS with/without a confirming biopsy., Results: A total of 35 girls and one boy were diagnosed with anogenital LS. The diagnostic delay was 17 months. Pruritus, dysuria, bleeding and constipation were the dominant complaints, while one patient was asymptomatic. Referral was made by general practitioners, private dermatologists and paediatricians. Sexual abuse was suspected in five cases. Ten patients underwent biopsy confirming LS. Before a definite diagnosis was given, many children were extensively treated with various topical and oral agents. In our outpatient clinic, 30 children were treated with potent/ultra-potent corticosteroids and five patients were treated with calcineurin inhibitors., Conclusion: General practitioners may overlook this disorder despite characteristic clinical features and effective symptomatic treatment. Diagnostic delay is a significant problem for both patient and family, and the lesions may mimic the findings of sexual abuse. Potent corticosteroids are very effective in symptomatic treatment., Funding: not relevant., Trial Registration: not relevant.

Lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, and lichen simplex chronicus are three of the most common non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva. Lichen sclerosus is characterized by intense vulvar itching and can affect men and women of all ages, but it manifests most commonly in postmenopausal women. Patients with lichen sclerosus have an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, and they should be monitored for malignancy. Lichen planus is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can affect the vulva and the vagina; it peaks in incidence between ages 30 and 60. There are three clinical variants of lichen planus affecting the vulva: erosive, papulosquamous, and hypertrophic. Lichen simplex chronicus is caused by persistent itching and scratching of the vulvar skin, which results in a thickened, leathery appearance. It is thought to be an atopic disorder in many cases and may arise in normal skin as a result of psychological stress or environmental factors. Definitive diagnosis of non-neoplastic disorders depends on the histology of biopsied tissue. All three disorders are treated with topical corticosteroid ointments of varying potency. Lichen sclerosus and lichen planus are not routinely treated with surgery, which is necessary only in patients who have a malignancy or advanced scarring that causes dyspareunia or clitoral phimosis. Educational counseling teaches patients that even though these chronic disorders cannot be cured, they can be effectively managed.

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus is a chronic inflammatory disorder that mainly affects girls of premenarchial age and women in their fifties. Besides the anogenital region, lichen sclerosus (LS) may also affect extragenital or mucosal areas. Symptoms include soreness and pruritus, but other less common symptoms are not rare. An increased activity of fibroblasts causes increased sclerosis of the affected skin. Latest studies have identified LS as a chronic inflammatory dermatosis. Auto-antibodies against the extracellular membrane protein-1 are present in up to 80% of the patients. Moreover, in the widely accepted therapy with potent corticosteroids promising results have been presented using calcineurin antagonists in the treatment of LS. An interdisciplinary management and a continued care of patients with LS will improve the clinical manifestations and quality of life.