title: Electrodiagnostic functional sensory evaluation of patients with generalized vulvodynia: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To objectively evaluate vulvodynia by the current perception threshold (CPT) neurometer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neuroselective CPT measures of the pudendal nerve were obtained at the perineum by a neurometer (Neurotron, Inc, Baltimore, MD), using constant alternating sinusoid waveform electrical stimulus at 2,000-, 250-, and 5-Hz frequencies, in 20 healthy volunteers and 38 women with vulvodynia. The mean +/- SD CPT values in vulvodynia and healthy (control) women were analyzed with the Student t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with vulvodynia showed lower mean CPT values (p <.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study support a neuroselective sensory dysfunction in generalized vulvodynia. The field is opened for CPT measures in vulvodynia in selecting therapy strategy, monitoring response to treatment, and assessing vestibulodynia. Assessment of threshold values in a greater number of controls is needed to set a cutoff in CPT values for diagnosis and to grade the severity of the diseases.
authors.affiliation: Outpatient Department of Vulvar Disease, V. Buzzi Hospital-Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. filippomurina@tin.it
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Murina
authors.forename: Vanda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radici
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Felice
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Signaroldi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056650:Vulvodynia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*