Lipschütz ulcer
| Lipschütz ulcer | |
|---|---|
| File:Lipschutz ulcer original image.jpg
One of the first published cases of Lipschütz ulcer[1]
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| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| ICD-9-CM | 616.50 |
| Patient UK | Lipschütz ulcer |
Lipschütz ulcer or ulcus vulvae acutum (English: acute ulceration of the vulva) is a rare disease characterized by painful genital ulcers, fever, and lymphadenopathy, occurring most commonly in adolescents and young women (particularly virgins).[2] It is not a sexually transmitted disease, and is often misdiagnosed,[3][4] sometimes as a symptom of Behçet's disease.[5]
Lipschütz ulcer is named after Benjamin Lipschütz, who first described it in 1912.[1][4] The etiology is still unknown, although it has been associated with several infectious causes, including paratyphoid fever, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infection[6][7][8]
Contents
Signs and symptoms
The most common presentation is a single large, deep ulcer (although several smaller ulcers may occur) in the internal surface of one or both labia minora.[9] The labia majora may be affected, as may the vagina and urethra. The ulcer develops very quickly, and is usually preceded by sudden onset of fever and malaise.[9]
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is mainly clinical and centred in eliminating other more common causes for vulvar ulcers. Nevertheless, it has been proposed that Epstein-Barr detection using polymerase chain reaction for virus genome can help to reach sooner a diagnosis.[6]
Treatment
Treatment is symptomatic, and usually of little value; in most cases, the ulcer heals spontaneously within four to six weeks, leaving scars. Topical analgesics and anesthetics, as well as topical application of disinfectants/astringents such as potassium permanganate (in sitz baths), is commonly used.[9] In severe cases, a combination of systemic glucocorticoids and broad-spectrum antibiotics has been recommended.
Epidemiology
The disorder typically appears among young girls and adolescents but cases in children as young as 17 months have been reported.[6]
History
The disease was first described in October 1912 by Galician-born Austrian dermatologist and microbiologist Benjamin Lipschütz, who published a series of four cases in girls aged 14 to 17.[1] He initially ascribed the ulcer to infection with "Bacillus crassus" (Lactobacillus acidophilus).[1][4]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lipschütz' ulcer at Who Named It? Retrieved on 2009-12-04.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
