Increased intraepithelial innervation in women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.
Women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS) suffer from severe pain and discomfort in the area around the introitus at almost any stimulus that causes pressure within the vestibule. In spite of the severe sensory symptoms present in these women, the influence of the peripheral nerves in the vulvar vestibulum has not been clarified before. In this study the nerve supply in the vestibular mucosa in women with VVS and in healthy women free from vulvar symptoms has been revealed by PGP 9.5 immunohistochemistry. The results show a significant increase in the number of intraepithelial nerve endings in women with VVS, indicating an alteration in the nerve supply in the afflicted area.
Bohm-Starke
N
N
Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden. nina.bohm-starke@kvk.ds.sll.se
Hilliges
M
M
Falconer
C
C
Rylander
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004848:Epithelium / Q000294:innervation; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000294:innervation; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000473:pathology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D013577:Syndrome; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D014844:Vulva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000294:innervation*; D014847:Vulvitis / Q000473:pathology*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase