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Lichen Sclerosus

Konstantinos E Deligiannidis, FAAFP, MPH, MD Reviewed 06/2021
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous condition. LS shows a predilection for the anogenital area, most commonly affecting the vulva in women and the...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • A complete medical history and physical examination of the genital and anal areas are essential. Female and male genitalia LS are often associated with intractable pruritus, dyspareun...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

The goals of treatment of LS are to relieve urinary and sexual symptoms and to prevent progression of the disease and further anatomic changes. Control of symptoms is not con...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends annual follow-up for women with well-controlled disease and more frequent visits for pat...

REFERENCES

1
Lee  A, Fischer  G. Diagnosis and treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus: an update for dermatologists. Am J Clin Dermatol.  2018;19(5):695–706. [View Abstract o...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 93: diagnosis and management of vulvar skin disorders. Obstet Gynecol.  2008;111(5):1243–1253. [View Abstract on OvidMedli...

SEE ALSO

CODES

ICD10

  • L90.0 Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus

  • N48.0 Leukoplakia of penis

  • N90.4 Leukoplakia of vulva

SNOMED

  • 25674000 Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus

  • 402423004 Adult lichen sclerosus

  • 402424005 Childhood lich...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • LS is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition with predilection for the anogenital area.

  • Diagnosis is made based on clinical presentation, usually requiring histologic confirmation by bi...

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