title: Photodynamic therapy of vulvar lichen sclerosus et atrophicus in a woman with hypothyreosis--case report.
abstract: Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) is disease of skin and mucosa, its pathogenesis remains unknown. Itching, pain and burning sensations and atrophy of vulva impair quality of life. Treatment is symptomatic. We report case of 30-year old woman with lesions in vulva in which series of topical PDT were carried out. We applied Levulan®Kerastick® for 4h and after that lesions were illuminated with red light. Along with above treatment patient started receiving Euthyrox®, because of recently diagnosed hypothyreosis. Significant relief from subjective symptoms was achieved and lesions in vulvar region disappeared. Combination of topical PDT with hormonal therapy allowed controlling course of disease and minimizing symptoms, and thus improved quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, Marcinkowskiego 1, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Osiecka
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nockowski
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jurczyszyn
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ziólkowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D013974:Thyroxine