ACOG NEWS RELEASE

For Release:	October 29, 2004
Contact:	ACOG Office of Communications
	(202) 484-3321
	communications@acog.org

Washington, DC — A treatment known as focused ultrasound appears effective in helping women who suffer from vulvar dystrophy, according to a new study in the November issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The novel treatment approach proved effective in curing or improving the symptoms of vulvar dystrophy in nearly 95% of the women studied.

Vulvar dystrophy is a term that includes three major categories of diseases affecting the vulva: lichen sclerosus, squamous hyperplasia, and other dermatoses. Symptoms include white lesions on the vulva accompanied by intense itching and skin depigmentation. Vulvar dystrophies are one of the most common groups of chronic skin diseases in women. Standard treatments include hormone treatments, herbal medications, laser and microwave exposures, and surgery, but there is a high recurrence rate with all of these.

Researchers in China treated 76 women who had either lichen sclerosus or squamous hyperplasia with focused ultrasound. The women were given either general or local anesthesia before the procedure. Each procedure lasted from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the extent of the lesions. Side effects were minor and included swelling and redness for most patients. There were no serious side effects.

The researchers followed up with the women over a two-year period. At the end of two years, 72 of 76 patients were either cured or their symptoms were improved. Four patients had persistent symptoms.

The benefit of focused ultrasound is that it is nonivasive and can be precisely targeted without damaging surrounding tissue, according to the researchers. They suggest that the focused ultrasound may work by accelerating tissue growth and reconstruction in the diseased area. Focused ultrasound appears to be a promising method to treat vulvar dystrophy, but nevertheless, more studies are needed to determine long-term effects, according to the researchers.

Contact: Zhibiao Wang, MD, Institute of Ultrasound Engineering in Medicine, Chongqing, China, atwangzhibiao@netease.com

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Studies published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of ACOG. ACOG is the national medical organization representing over 47,000 members who provide health care for women.

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