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be noted. A differential diagnosis can then be formulated (Figure 6.1).

Pruritus Soreness/discomfort Pain Dyspareunia
Infection – sexually transmitted Scabies Trichomonas vaginalis Any vaginal discharge can cause vulval soreness Herpes simplex Herpes simplex
Infection – non‐sexually transmitted Candidiasis Tinea cruris Candidiasis Herpes zoster Candidiasis
Inflammatory Eczema/lichen simplex Psoriasis Lichen sclerosus Lichen planus – classic or hypertrophic types Erosive lichen planus Immune‐bullous disease Irritant dermatitis Crohn’s disease Hidradenitis suppurativa Erosive lichen planus Lichen sclerosus Psoriasis Immuno‐bullous disease Graft versus host disease
Malignancy High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) HSIL Any malignant tumour Extra‐mammary Paget’s disease Any malignant tumour
Neuropathic Dysaesthesia for itch Extra‐mammary Paget’s disease Vulvodynia Localised provoked vulvodynia
Others Urticaria Syringomas SJS/TEN Graft versus host disease Acute reactive genital ulcers (Lipschutz) SJS/TEN Neuroma Mechanical fissuring of fourchette or hymenal ring
Schematic illustration of causes of vulval ulceration.

      No classification for the types of oedema exists, but a useful way of thinking about the differential diagnosis is to consider acute and chronic causes.

      A degree of oedema is often seen in patients with acute inflammatory conditions such as candidiasis or eczema. This settles with treatment of the primary problem. Urticaria or angio‐oedema, including hereditary angio‐oedema, may affect the vulva. Acute swelling will occur in type I allergic reactions (see Chapter 22). Vulval oedema has been reported in the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a rare complication following ovulation in cases of infertility [4]. The mechanism was thought to be fluid retention, decreased oncotic, and increased hydrostatic pressure. Gross vulval oedema has been described in pre‐eclampsia [5] and vulval oedema occurring in pregnancy [6] and after delivery have been rarely reported [7].

      Rarely, a direct passive transfer effect can also result in vulval oedema in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, in which the channel can be a small hernia or a defect of the peritoneal fascia [8]. Acute, but self‐limiting unilateral vulval oedema has also been described after instillation of adhesion barrier solution at laparoscopy [9].

      This topic is dealt with in Chapter 33.

Schematic illustration of diagrammatic section of normal skin.

Lesion Description Example
Papule Small palpable lesion up to 5 mm in diameter Syringoma
Macule Visible lesion up to 5 mm in diameter but not palpable Pityriasis versicolor
Nodule Palpable lesion >5 mm in diameter Malignancy
Plaque Flat palpable lesion >5 mm in diameter Psoriasis, HSIL, lichen sclerosus
Ulcer Break in epithelium that reaches into dermis Crohn’s

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