CROHNS-DISEASE OF THE VULVA

Background: Crohn's disease may invlove all parts of the gastrointesti nal tract. Extraintestinal manifestations with and without continuity to the intestine are described. The most common complications are the involvement of bone (articulations), liver and eyes. Crohn's disease o f the vulva is rare and only a few cases have been reported in the lit erature. Case report: The 45-year-old woman has a 15-year history of a marked chronic-inflammatory bowel disease. The diagnosis of Crohn's d isease. The diagnosis of Crohn's disease was never confirmed histologi cally. In 1984, she decelopment a painful vulvar swelling and erythema . A fungal infection was suspected and she was treated with tropical a namycotic meditation, but there wasn't any improvement. In July 1995, biopsies of the vulva showed a granulomatous inflamation consistent wi th Crohn's disease. Oral metronidazol therapy (20 mg/kg/day) was start ed. After 2 months the erythema had healed completely but the vular sw elling remained. Conclusions: The treatment of this extraintsetinal ma nifestation is very difficult. Systemic or topical application of ster oids is without response in most cases.