Vestibular Mucosa Thickness Measured by Ultrasound in Patients Affected by Vestibulodynia: A Case-Control Study.
Sex Med
; 9(2): 100320, 2021 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33588370
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
A multifactorial etiology has been implicated in the development and maintenance of vestibulodynia (VBD), and atrophic changes of the vestibular mucosa have been observed in many patients.AIM:
To assess the vestibular mucosa thickness in patients with VBD by comparing this sample with a control group of healthy fertile women and postmenopausal patients with symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).METHODS:
Vestibular mucosa thickness was measured with a 20 MHz ultrasound probe (DermaScan C, Cortex Technology, Denmark), including both the epidermis and dermis. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURES:
All women were evaluated by anamnesis, physical examination, and self-report symptoms. Thickness of the vestibular mucosa (expressed in micrometers) was determined by the B-mode, excluding the hyperechogenic entrance echo and hypoechogenic subcutis. Clinical data related to VBD and GSM were recorded using a 0- to 10-point visual analog scale related to dyspareunia and vulvar pain/burning (0 = no pain; 10 = worst possible pain).RESULTS:
A total of 85 patients were recruited 24 with VBD, 20 with GSM-related symptoms, and 20 matched controls. Vestibular mucosa thickness measurements were not significantly different between the VBD (mean ± DS 1,092.5 ± 226.1 µm) and GSM groups (1,059.7 ± 221.5 µm), while the parameter was significantly lower (P < .01) than the control group (1,310.6 ± 250.0 µm). Correlation analysis in the VBD and GSM groups between low vestibular mucosa thickness and symptom intensity (burning/pain and dyspareunia) showed a significant correlation.CONCLUSION:
Patients with VBD have a vestibular mucosa with a lower thickness than healthy women of the same age, with an almost identical value to that found in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, a low vestibular mucosa thickness in the VBD and GSM groups showed a significant correlation with burning/pain intensity and dyspareunia severity. F Murina, S Barbieri, C Lubrano, MD, et al. Vestibular Mucosa Thickness Measured by Ultrasound in Patients Affected by Vestibulodynia A Case-Control Study. Sex Med 2021;9100320.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Sex Med
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Publication country:
ENGLAND
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ESCOCIA
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GB
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GREAT BRITAIN
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INGLATERRA
/
REINO UNIDO
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SCOTLAND
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UK
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UNITED KINGDOM