title: Clinical and dermoscopic changes of vulvar lichen sclerosus after topical corticosteroid treatment.
abstract: With the aim to assess changes in both clinical and dermoscopic features of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) after a treatment with topical corticosteroid, 29 VLS patients treated with mometasone furoate 0.1% ointment for 12 weeks were evaluated for symptoms, objective signs and dermoscopic variables at baseline and treatment completion. Numeric scores were assigned to each parameter. Mean itching and burning values had decreased significantly at the 12-week control visit compared with baseline, as well as values referring to pallor, hyperkeratosis and purpuric lesions. Among the dermoscopic variables, the vessel score increased while the scores of patchy, structureless, whitish areas, whitish background, purpuric globules and scales decreased significantly after treatment. Scores referring to gray-blue dots, comedo-like openings and structures like ice slivers did not change significantly throughout the treatment. Based on these findings, dermoscopic features may change, even significantly, with topical corticosteroids and may be useful for monitoring the response to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corazza
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minghetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Annarosa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Virgili
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D046169:Dermoscopy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009824:Ointments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009824:Ointments; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate
keywords: dermoscopy; mometasone furoate; outcome; pattern; vulvar lichen sclerosus