title: 2011 ISSVD Terminology and classification of vulvar dermatological disorders: an approach to clinical diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to formulate an easy clinical approach that may be used by clinicians of all backgrounds to diagnose vulvar dermatological disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease appointed a committee with multinational members from the fields of dermatology, gynecology, and pathology and charged the committee to formulate a clinically based terminology and classification of vulvar dermatological disorders. The committee carried out its work by way of multiple rounds of e-mails extending over almost 2 year's time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The committee was able to formulate a consensus report containing terminology, classification, and a step-wise approach to clinical diagnosis of vulvar dermatological disorders. This report was presented and approved by the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease at the XXI International Congress held in Paris, France, on September 3 to 8, 2011.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors believe that the approach to terminology and classification as well as clinical diagnosis contained in this article allows clinicians to make highly accurate diagnoses of vulvar dermatological disorders within the clinical setting. This, in turn, will reduce the need for referrals and will improve the care for women with most vulvar disorders.
authors.affiliation: International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, Waxhaw, North Carolina 95816, USA. pjlynch@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: Micheline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moyal-Barracco
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scurry
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stockdale
mesh_terms: D015510:Clinical Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*