Lipschütz [corrected] ulcers--four cases

Lipschütz's acute vulvar ulcer: a systematic review

In previously healthy subjects, vulvar ulcers are mostly caused by sexually transmitted microorganisms. Lipschütz's acute vulvar ulceration, first reported in 1912, is a non-sexually acquired condition characterized by sudden onset of a few genital ulcers. We systematically review presentation, underlying causes, and disease duration of Lipschütz's ulceration. A comprehensive source of Excerpta Medica, National Library of Medicine, and Web of Science databases was performed. Reports including cases of apparently previously healthy females affected by Lipschütz's ulceration were selected. A predefined database was used to extract data on demographics, history, clinical and microbiological findings, and treatment.The search disclosed 158 cases. Almost 90% of cases were ≤ 20 years of age and sexually inactive. Lesions were usually one to about three, painful, ≥ 10 mm large, well-delimited, with a fibrinous and necrotic center and a symmetric distribution. Voiding disorders and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes were observed in a large subset of cases. Canker sores were noted in 10% of patients. Lipschütz's vulvar ulceration occurred concomitantly with an infectious disease in 139 cases. Infectious mononucleosis syndrome (N = 40) was the most frequently detected well-defined infection, followed by mycoplasma species infections (N = 11). The disease resolved after ≤ 3 weeks.Conclusions: Lipschütz's ulceration mainly affects both sexually inactive and, less frequently, sexually active subjects ≤ 20 years of age, presents with ≤ 3 vulvar ulcers, resolves without recurrences within 3 weeks and is temporarily associated with an infection, most frequently a flu-like illness or an infectious mononucleosis syndrome. What is Known: • Lipschütz's acute vulvar ulceration is a non-sexually acquired condition, which is characterized by a sudden onset of a few necrotic and painful genital ulcers. • The condition tends to resolve spontaneously and is usually triggered by an infection. What is New: • The condition mainly affects subjects ≤ 20 years of age, tends to resolve within 3 weeks, and is usually temporarily associated with a flu-like illness or an infectious mononucleosis syndrome. • Systemic corticosteroids do not reduce disease duration.

Ulcus vulvae acutum Lipschütz: a systematic literature review and a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm

The case report literature on ulcus vulvae acutum Lipschütz (UVAL) is scant, and specific guidelines on its diagnosis and treatment are lacking. Our study's aim was to perform a systematic literature review of UVAL in order to formulate a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. Using the PRISMA criteria, we searched PubMed and MEDLINE for the terms 'ulcus vulvae acutum', 'Lipschütz ulcer' and 'acute genital ulcer AND vulva'. We extracted relevant data on 'type of article', 'patients' age', 'amount and localization of ulcers', 'presence of flu-like symptoms', 'prior sexual contacts', 'diagnostic workup' (including histology, blood count and serology such as Epstein-Barr virus testing) and 'treatment/outcome'. Data were meta-analysed and comparative analyses were discussed in order to create a diagnostic algorithm and recommendations for management. Twenty-one publications reporting a total of 60 cases of UVAL were included for analysis. On this basis, we formulated a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm defined by two major and four minor criteria. The major criteria were (i) acute onset of one or more painful ulcerous lesions in the vulvar region and (ii) exclusion of infectious and non-infectious causes for the ulcer. The minor criteria were (i) localization of ulcer at vestibule or labia minora, (ii) no sexual intercourse ever (i.e. patient was a virgin) or within the last 3 months, (iii) flu-like symptoms and/or (iv) systemic infection within 2-4 weeks prior to onset of vulvar ulcer. Use of a symptom-based treatment algorithm based on our proposed major and minor criteria will improve the diagnosis and management of UVAL.

Genital Ulcer Disease: A Review of Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Genital ulcer disease can be caused by a wide variety of sources. Most commonly, genital ulcer disease is grouped into infectious and noninfectious causes. HSV, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, and chancroid represent some common infectious ulcers. Noninfectious causes on the other hand can be inflammatory, noninflammatory, or malignant (eg, squamous cell carcinoma). Depending on the etiology, genital ulcers may present with unique features that can help clinicians identify the etiology and start treatment in a timely manner. The clinical presentation and management of infectious and noninfectious genital ulcers will be discussed in this review.

Acute genital ulcers: keep Lipschütz ulcer in mind

AIM

Lipschütz ulcers (LU) were first described as rare vulvar ulcerations that affect adolescents without previous history of sexual contact. However, more LU patients have been identified in acute genital ulcers (AGU) services in Europe.

PURPOSE

To review cases of AGU and analyze the occurrence of LU in the Ob/Gyn Emergency Department of a Brazilian private hospital, using the currently used diagnostic criteria.

METHODS

All female patients who sought our service with AGU complaints from January 2009 to July 2015 were selected and had their medical records reviewed, considering the clinical data and some diagnostic criteria, that included: < 20 years old, first AGU episode, sudden onset, absence of sexual contact 3 months before onset and the absence of immunodeficiency.

RESULTS

273 patients eligible for analysis were identified according to the criteria and 12 (4.39%) of them were identified with the possible diagnosis of LU. By applying less restrictive criteria that allowed the inclusion of patients of any age and sexual status, 98 were identified (35.89%).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being described as a rare pathology, ours and previous results indicate a considerable number of AGU cases, suggesting that LU should be better known and considered for differential diagnosis.

Acute genital ulcers

Acute genital ulcers, also known as acute vulvar ulcers, ulcus vulvae acutum or Lipschütz ulcers, refer to an ulceration of the vulva or lower vagina of non-venereal origin that usually presents in young women, predominantly virgins. Although its incidence is unknown, it seems a rare entity, with few cases reported in the literature. Their aetiology and pathogenesis are still unknown. The disease is characterised by an acute onset of flu-like symptoms with single or multiple painful ulcers on the vulva. Diagnosis is mainly clinical, after exclusion of other causes of vulvar ulcers. The treatment is mainly symptomatic, with spontaneous resolution in 2 weeks and without recurrences in most cases. We present a case report of a 13-year-old girl with two episodes of acute ulcers that fit the clinical criteria for Lipschütz ulcers.

Lipschütz ulcers in twin sisters

Lipschütz ulcer (LU) is an uncommon condition that usually affects prepubertal and pubertal girls. It can be misdiagnosed as a sexually transmitted disease or even as a sign of child abuse, causing great anxiety to patients and their families. We present two cases of LU consecutively affecting twin sisters. To our knowledge, this is the first case in two family members, supporting infectious transmission. We propose airborne transmission as the most probable cause in our cases.

Acute genital ulcers in nonsexually active young girls: case series, review of the literature, and evaluation and management recommendations

Acute genital ulcers rarely occur in nonsexually active young girls. When present, they can cause significant physical and emotional distress for the patient and her parents, and prompt an evaluation for sexual abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. With this review, we aim to further characterize acute genital ulcers in nonsexually active young girls by reviewing the medical records of patients with this disorder and to offer an approach to the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of acute genital ulcers based on our understanding and knowledge of this condition. We retrospectively review our understanding and knowledge of acute genital ulcers in nonsexually active girls at a pediatric hospital. A review of the recent literature on acute genital ulcers and a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of acute genital ulcers are also presented. Twelve patients presented with acute genital ulcers, 11 of which were hospitalized for evaluation and pain management. Extensive work-up failed to reveal a specific infectious or autoimmune etiology in all but one patient, who was diagnosed with acute mycoplasma pneumonia. Acute genital ulcers in nonsexually active young girls likely represent a form of idiopathic vulvar aphthosis. Evaluation of a first episode of acute genital ulcers with mild prodromal symptoms should be limited. Treatment consists primarily of supportive care and symptom relief.

Lipschutz ulcers: evaluation and management of acute genital ulcers in women

Acute genital ulcers are painful and distressing to women and perplexing to the providers who care for them. The differential diagnosis includes sexually and nonsexually transmitted infections, autoimmune conditions, drug reactions, and local manifestations of systemic illness. However, in many cases, no causative agent is identified, and lesions are classified as idiopathic aphthosis. In the setting of fever and acute onset of genital ulcers in girls and women, the term Lipschutz ulcers has been used to describe ulcers associated with an immunologic reaction to a distant source of infection or inflammation. The aims of this article are to review the differential diagnosis and pathogenesis of acute genital ulcers, to offer an evaluation and classification scheme, and to discuss treatment options for the dermatologist who cares for women and girls with vulvar ulcers.

Three cases of Lipschutz vulval ulceration

A Lipschütz ulcer or 'ulcus vulvae acutum' is an acute simple ulceration of the vulva or vagina of non-venereal origin which can be associated with lymphadenopathy. Three cases are described with accompanying clinical photographs. Two cases refer to adolescents, one an infant, all without any history of sexual contact. The cases serve to illustrate a little known but potentially important differential diagnosis of vulval ulceration.

Genitourinary manifestations of epstein-barr virus infections

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is best known as the organism responsible for the syndrome of acute infectious mononucleosis. Transmission of EBV most commonly occurs through oral secretions. EBV has also been isolated from the female genital tract, where its role is poorly understood. This article reviews the available literature and data regarding EBV in the female genital tract and discusses areas of consensus and controversy. The primary manifestation of EBV seems to be vulvar ulcers, which are underrecognized. Diagnosis relies on appropriate serologic testing. Management includes local care and may require pain and corticosteroid medications. Although EBV is present elsewhere in the female genital tract, its pathogenic role in the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries is poorly understood.

Reactive nonsexually related acute genital ulcers: review of cases evaluated at Mayo Clinic

BACKGROUND

Reactive nonsexually related acute genital ulcers (RNSRAGU) occur in pubertal girls after an acute systemic infection.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to characterize RNSRAGU by reviewing the medical records of patients with this disorder.

METHODS

We searched our medical index database from 1997 to 2007 for RNSRAGU cases. Questionnaires were mailed to identified patients.

RESULTS

The study included 10 patients; 5 responded to the questionnaire. The mean age at onset was 11.5 years. Vulvar ulcers were preceded by viral gastroenteritis (n = 3), viral upper respiratory tract infection (n = 3), streptococcal pharyngitis (n = 1), influenza (n = 1), and other nonspecific febrile illnesses (n = 2). Seven patients had oral involvement also; 6 had at least one recurrence; and 3 were hospitalized for pain control. Analgesics and topical corticosteroids were the most common treatments. Ulcerations resolved within several weeks in all patients.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective study design, small study size, and 50% questionnaire response rate are limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rare, RNSRAGU should be considered when genital ulceration follows an acute systemic illness.

Aphthous vulvar ulcers in adolescent girls: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Aphthous vulvar ulcers are painful ulcerations on the genital mucosa frequently accompanied by systemic symptoms. They are most commonly reported in young women and adolescents without a history of sexual contact. Diagnosis is made by exclusion of more common causes, and treatment for this self-limited condition is mainly symptomatic.

OBJECTIVE

Clinicians should be aware of this rare condition to avoid misdiagnoses and unwarranted investigations into sexual abuse or false accusations of sexual activity.

METHODS

We report a case of an 11-year-old girl with systemic symptoms and vulvar ulcers of unknown etiology.

RESULTS

The patient's illness was consistent with previous reports that vulvar ulcers can occur without sexual transmission or a documented infectious cause.

CONCLUSION

A lack of general knowledge regarding this entity may lead to its exclusion from the differential diagnosis of vulvar ulcers in this patient population. Aphthous ulcers should be strongly considered in any adolescent with vulvar ulcers.

[Lipschütz acute genital ulcer]

Lipschütz acute genital ulcer is a rare distinctive cause of nonvenereal acute genital ulcers that occurs particularly in adolescents described in 1913. We report here a typical case that occurred in a 24-year-old virgin woman who developed flu-like symptoms and painful genital ulcers that healed spontaneously within a week and without any infection (Epstein Barr Virus, toxoplasmosis, salmonella). The physiopathogeny remains unknown. However, there are body of evidences pointing out a possible link to several nonvenereal infections, including mainly Epstein-Barr virus acute infection. This rare benign but disabling entity should be known by gynecologists.