Vaginal hyperpigmentation due to ochronosis.
BACKGROUND
Ochronosis is a manifestation of alkaptonuria, a rare metabolic disorder. It results in the accumulation of pigment in connective tissues. After several years, ochronosis may produce a distinctive form of degenerative arthritis.


METHODS
Vaginal ochronosis was diagnosed in an asymptomatic elderly woman with vaginal hyperpigmentation and severe degenerative arthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaginal hyperpigmentation is a rare clinical finding that necessitates biopsy.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA. troy.gatcliffe@bmc.org
Troy A
TA
Gatcliffe
Valena
V
Soto-Wright
John
J
Kasznica
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology*; D009794:Ochronosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology