2023 Vulval Skin Conditions (2011 Swap) Flashcards
What is the most common vulval dermatosis & what is its incidence?
Lichen sclerosus
1.6-3%
What are the symptoms of lichen sclerosus?
- Itch
- Soreness
- Dyspareunia
- Urinary Sx due to fusion of labia minora
- Constipation if perianal involvement
- Rarely, asymptomatic
What are the signs of lichen sclerosus?
- Pallor, often atrophic but atypically, hyperkeratotic
- Purpura, common, pathognomonic
- Loss of architecture
- Erosions
- Lichenification atypically
What is the distribution of lichen sclerosus?
- Labia majora
- Labia minora
- Clitoral hood
- Perianal skin
- Not vagina
- Localised or in figure of 8 distribution
- Extra-genital lesions in up to 10%
What are the complications of lichen sclerosus?
- Squamous cell carcinoma: <5%
- Clitoral pseudocyst if hood seals
- Sexual dysfunction
- Urinary Sx
- Vulvodynia
- Reactivation of HSV or HPV
What are the histological features of lichen sclerosus?
- Epidermal atrophy
- Sub-epidermal hyalinisation
- Lymphocytic dermal infiltrate
With clinical diagnosis of lichen sclerosus, in which circumstances is a biopsy essential?
- Diagnosis uncertain
- Atypical features
- Suspicion of dVIN or SCC
- Failure to respond to 1st line Tx
- Development of atypical pigmented areas
What is the treatment for lichen sclerosus?
- Ultrapotent topical steroid
eg clobetasol propionate,
mometasone fuorate
1m daily, 1m alternates, 1m twice wk - Review at 3 months
- Oral retinoids if severe hyperkeratosis
What are the pregnancy & breastfeeding considerations with lichen sclerosus?
- LS tends to improve in pregnancy
- No contraindication to NVB
- Can continue topical steroids
- Oral retinoids highly teratogenic, must be stopped 2 years prior to TTC
What is the likely pathophysiology of lichen sclerosus?
Inflammatory
Autoimmune
Antibodies to ECM protein 1
What are the symptoms of lichen planus?
- Itch
- Soreness
- Dyspareunia
- Urinary Sx
- Vaginal discharge
- Can be asymptomatic
What are the 3 classifications of lichen planus?
- Classical
- Hypertrophic
- Erosive
What are the signs of classical lichen planus?
- Papules
- Keratinised anogenital skin
- Striae on inner aspect of vulva
- Hyperpigmentation
What are the signs of hypertrophic lichen planus?
- Thickened warty plaques
- May become ulcerated, infected & painful
- Involvement of vagina excludes LS
What are the signs of erosive lichen planus?
- Eroded mucosal surfaces
- Wickham’s striae: purple lacy network
- Can lead to scarring & complete stenosis
- Friable telangiectasia & patchy erythema
- Serosanguinous discharge
What are the complications of lichen planus?
- Scarring, inc vulval & vaginal adhesions
- SCC, mainly linked to hypertrophic type
What are the histopathological findings in lichen planus?
- Saw-toothed acanthosis
- Increased granular layer
- Basal cell liquefaction
- Band-like lymphocytic dermal infiltrate
What is the treatment for lichen planus?
- Ultra-potent topical steroid
eg clobetasol propionate - Oral steroids for severe flares
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors eg tacrolimus
What are the treatments for vulval eczema?
- Emollients & soap substitutes
- Mild to moderate topical steroids
- If significant inflammation or lichenification, potent/ultrapotent steroid
- Sedating antihistamine if severe itch disrupting sleep
What are the treatments for vulval psoriasis?
- Weak to moderately potent steroids
- Vitamin D analogues
- Weak coal tar preparations
What are the treatments for HSIL: high-grade intraepithelial lesions?
- Local excision
- Imiquimod cream, especially if multifocal disease
- Refer all to vulval clinic
- Cidofovir as alternative to imiquimod
What are the treatments for dVIN?
- Local excision
- MDT advice
What are the treatments for NSAGU: non-sexually-acquired genital ulcers?
- Topical local anaesthetic
- NSAIDs
- Aciclovir until HSV excluded
- Clobetasol propionate OD
- Systemic steroids under specialist
What are the treatments for provoked vulvodynia?
- 5% lidocaine ointment or 2% lidocaine gel
- Pelvic floor physio
- Psychosexual services