Plasma Cell Vulvitis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Anna Schuler Mary Guo A

doi:10.4172/2167-0420.1000270

Abstract

Plasma cell vulvitis (PCV) is a rare disease affecting anogenital skin. It is also known by multiple names including Zoon’s vulvitis and vulvitis circumscripta plasmacellularis. It is an inflammatory condition that can cause severe local discomfort and psychosocial distress. The diagnosis is challenging and often remains unrecognized. It usually presents as a glistening, red, well-demarcated plaque or patch. The pathophysiology is unknown. Treatment recommendation is mostly based on case reports and case series and this condition is often recalcitrant to topical and systemic treatment.

Highlights

Plasma cell vulvitis (PCV) is a rare disease of anogenital skin defined by morphological appearance and histology [1]
The clinical pathological correlation supports a diagnosis of plasma cell vulvitis (PCV)
A recent histopathologic review of vulvar dermatoses revealed “basal keratinocytic crowding” to be a new finding significantly associated with PCV

Summary

Introduction

PCV is a rare disease of anogenital skin defined by morphological appearance and histology [1]. It is a benign inflammatory condition but can cause local discomfort and is often refractory in its course [2]. The case exhibits the importance of considering PCV in a patient with refractory vulvar pain and red welldefined plaques on physical exam. A 43 year old Caucasian woman presented with vulvar burning for 2 years She had been treated unsuccessfully with topical clobetasol, triamcinolone and fluocinonide ointments and oral prednisone. Herpes simplex and herpes zoster PCR were negative. The clinical pathological correlation supports a diagnosis of plasma cell vulvitis (PCV)

Discussion

Findings

Conclusions