title: Lichen sclerosus involving the vagina.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A review of the English literature since 1940 did not reveal a reported case of lichen sclerosus involving the vaginal mucosa. Diagnosis of lichen sclerosus involving the vagina must thus be a rare occurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report presents the findings on a 54-year-old white woman with a history of lichen sclerosus involving the vulva. She was found to have lichen sclerosus involving the vaginal mucosa extending to the posterior vaginal fornix. The patient was started on the use of topical clobetasol ointment 0.05% to the vulva to be used twice daily for 1 month, at bedtime for 2 months, and every other day for 3 months. At follow-up, the vulvar and vaginal lichen sclerosus was unchanged, but the patient was asymptomatic. She was using the clobetasol 1 to 2 times per week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lichen sclerosus involving the vagina is a rare occurrence. Each case must be assessed separately and therapy initiated accordingly in each circumstance. Biopsy must be performed in all cases to identify the disease process and rule out malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Mindy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Longinotti
authors.forename: Yvette M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Schieffer
authors.forename: Raymond H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Kaufman
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology*; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002990:Clobetasol