Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
SHR Neuro Krebs Kardio Lipid Stoffw Microb
Regauer, S; Liegl, B; Reich, O.
Early vulvar lichen sclerosus: a histopathological challenge.
Histopathology. 2005; 47(4):340-347
Doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2005.02209.x
Web of Science
PubMed
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FullText_MUG
- Führende Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Regauer Sigrid
- Co-Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette
- Reich Olaf
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- Abstract:
- Vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS), a lymphocyte-mediated chronic skin disease, begins with uncharacteristic symptoms and progresses undiagnosed to atrophy and destructive scarring. Some patients with longstanding advanced LS have an increased risk of vulvar carcinoma. Early LS is treatable, although not curable, if diagnosed early. Therefore, patients with persistent vulvar symptoms should be biopsied to establish the diagnosis. In contrast to advanced LS, the histological features in early LS are quite subtle and often more prominent in adnexal structures than in interfollicular skin. Adnexal structures show acanthosis, luminal hyperkeratosis and hypergranulosis with/without dystrophic hair and basement membrane thickening. The epidermis/mucosa shows mild irregular, occasionally psoriasiform acanthosis and focal basement membrane thickening. Early dermal changes are homogenized collagen and wide ectatic capillaries in dermal papillae immediately beneath the basement membrane. The lymphocytic infiltrate can be sparse or dense, lichenoid or interstitial with epidermal lymphocyte exocytosis and lymphocytic/lymphohistiocytic vasculitis. Dermal melanophages indicate preceding keratinocyte/melanocyte destruction. Biopsy specimens of early LS rarely display all features. Therefore, serial sections and periodic acid-Schiff reactions are necessary for their identification. Recognition and treatment of these early stages of LS may result in longstanding remission. Progression to atrophic stages with their associated morbidity and even to squamous cell carcinoma may be prevented.
- Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
- Adult -
- Female -
- Humans -
- Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus - diagnosis
- Middle Aged - diagnosis
- Time Factors - diagnosis
- Vulvar Diseases - diagnosis
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- diagnosis
- review
- vulvar dermatoses
- vulvitis