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2011, Number 4

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Arch Med Actual Trac Gen Inf 2011; 3 (4)

Vulvoscopy should not be intended as colposcopic examination of the vulva

Micheletti L, Preti M, La Monica F

Language: Spanish
References: 26
Page: 29-34
PDF size: 115.25 Kb.


ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the term vulvoscopy should not be intended as the colposcopic examination of the vulva. The transposition of the colposcopic knowledge and technique from the cervix to the vulva derives from the gynecological culture believing that, in analogy to the cervix, colposcopy of the vulva could be essential in the diagnosis of the vulval disorders. However the vulva is mainly covered by a cutaneous epithelium with high degree of keratinization, as a consequence vascular alterations, such as punctations and mosaic patterns, do not easily develop on vulval skin. This is the reason why the term vulvoscopy can be retained but should be intended as a composite diagnostic act composed of careful naked-eye and low-power magnified examination carried out by gynecologists or colposcopists with interdisciplinary (gynaecology, dermatology and pathology) knowledge and experience. Moreover, the liberal use of acetic acid does not add anything that could be observed by a careful naked eye inspection, but sometimes it could be misleading in provoking frequent aspecific aceto-white reactions. Similarly, Collins toluidine blue test has no more space in a correct vulvoscopic approach.


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