A benign disease characterized by vulvar itching: vulvar vestibular papillomatosis

Abstract

A benign disease characterized by vulvar itching: vulvar vestibular papillomatosis P. Karlı1, F. Z. Özen2 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amasya University Research Hospital, Amasya 2Department of Pathology, Amasya University Research Hospital, Amasya (Turkey) Summary Objective: With an estimated prevalence of 1%, vulvar vestibular papillomatosis (VVP) is a benign condition involving itching, irritation, and inflammation symptoms in the vulva. VVP cases have been usually mistaken for condyloma acuminatum leading to administration of incorrect and unnecessary treatments. HPV has been shown not to be an etiological factor in the literature. In this study, the authors presented patients who underwent biopsies due to various vulvar conditions. They aimed to determine the rate of patients who had VVP. Materials and Methods: A total of 209 female patients, between the ages of 20-45 years, were evaluated in this retrospective study. They presented to thus hospital between 2008 and 2018 due to various vulvar conditions and from whom biopsies were taken from vulvas for accurate diagnosis. Results: As a result of microscopic assessment of 209 cases, 76 cases were grouped under fibro-epithelial polyp (FEP), 46 cases under condyloma acuminatum, and 16 cases under VVP. The mean age of the patients was 28 ± 5 years. The authors reviewed 209 cases pathologically and identified VVP in 7.6% of them. Conclusion: VVP is a frequently seen condition and misdiagnosis and mistreatment is quite common in gynecological practice. A correct diagnosis is very important to avoid unnecessary treatments. The need for its treatment generally arises due to the irritating symptoms it causes in the vulva. Key words: Vulvar vestibular papillomatosis; Vulvar itching; Vestibulitis; Chronic vulvar irritation; HPV; Vulvar condyloma.