Crohn's disease of the vulva

Int J Surg. 2010;8(1):2-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2009.09.012. Epub 2009 Oct 1.

Abstract

Crohn's involvement of the Vulva is unfamiliar and difficult to treat. The aim is to review the presentation, clinical course and different treatments of Vulva Crohn's disease (CD). We have reviewed the literature without language barrier from 1966 to 2009 through Pubmed with the following words: vulva and CD, vulvitis and CD, genital CD. We included articles that had Crohn's involvement of the vulva arising from a distant site (metastatic) or arising from a Crohn's fistula from the perineum and/or anorectum. We excluded CD of other gynaecological organs. One hundred thirty six abstracts were identified and related articles reviewed. Fifty-five cases of CD of the vulva were included in the final anlaysis of this review. Vulva involvement is rare and gives long-term discomfort. A combined medical therapy (metronidazole with prednisolone) appears to be the most effective treatment. The surgical approach should be reserved for non-responding cases. CD is often unrecognized cause of vulva pain and difficult to diagnose. However if diagnosed and adequately treated it usually responds to conservative therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Crohn Disease / diagnosis
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy
  • Crohn Disease / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Vulvar Diseases / diagnosis
  • Vulvar Diseases / drug therapy
  • Vulvar Diseases / surgery*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Metronidazole
  • Prednisolone