Erosive lichen planus of the vulva and vagina

Abstract

Erosive lichen planus should be suspected in a case of vaginal erosion or narrowing. Surgical management is inappropriate when the mucosa is eroded. Inspection of the mouth may confirm the diagnosis.

Lichen Sclerosus and Lichen Planus in Women and Girls

“…50 All patients reported significant improvement in vulvovaginal symptoms, and those who utilized dilator therapy experienced increased diameter and depth of dilator insertion and were able to resume sexual intercourse. The dilator is coated with corticosteroid ointment or estrogen vaginal cream and used on a tapering schedule.…”

Vaginal lichen planus: preservation of sexual function in severe disease

“…1 The aetiology is largely unknown but thought to involve an autoimmune mechanism of activated T cells directed against basal keratinocytes. It is associated with the DR1 HLA class II antigen 2.…”

“…Of 61 cases of squamous cell vulval carcinoma, three were found to have coexisting lichen planus 1. It is thought that longstanding inflammation may facilitate a neoplastic cellular clone to develop in epithelium undergoing continuous renewal.…”

Lichenoid vulvar disease: A review

“…In 1982, Pelisse et al designated the term vulvovaginal gingival syndrome for vulvovaginal LP with concomitant oral involvement (Eisen, 1994, Pelisse et al, 1982). Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis (DIV) had been used to describe cases of erosive vulvovaginal LP; however, DIV now refers to a distinct entity that can have overlapping signs and symptoms with vulvovaginal LP (Lotery and Galask, 2003). …”