The role of vulvar skin biopsy in the evaluation of chronic vulvar pain

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Nov;199(5):467.e1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.03.004. Epub 2008 May 19.

Abstract

Sixty-one percent of refractory vulvodynia patients evaluated in a tertiary care vulvovaginal clinic had clinically relevant dermatoses based on dermatopathologist-analyzed vulvar biopsy including: lichen sclerosus, allergic/irritant dermatitis, lichen planus, and other inflammatory or neoplastic dermatoses. Given the frequency of dermatologic disease, vulvar biopsy and analysis by a dermatopathologist are recommended in patients with vulvodynia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Algorithms
  • Biopsy
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / pathology
  • Dermatitis, Contact / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lichen Planus / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / etiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*
  • Vulva / pathology*
  • Vulvar Diseases / etiology*