Vaginitis emphysematosa

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Vaginitis emphysematosa
Specialty Gynecology

The term vaginitis emphysematosa is related to women's reproductive health and coined by Zweifel in 1877. The cases of vaginitis emphysematosa are rare. It is usually found during consults for other issues related to reproductive health. Vaginitis emphysematosa is not common and many Gynaecologists are unaware of its existence.

Contents

While the term "vaginitis" implies vaginal inflammation, it has been observed that inflammation is generally mild and absent. [1] Vaginitis emphysematosa is characterized by gas-filled cysts in the vaginal wall and does not imply life-threatening infection. [2] [3] Vaginitis emphysematosa is usually a self limited cystic disorder of the vagina. It is a very rare condition and has very little specific features to arouse clinical suspicion. [1]

Symptoms and signs

The cysts are smooth, clustered, and can be as large as 2cm. [2] Symptoms include frothy vaginal discharge, itching, sensation of pressure, appearance of nodules, and sometimes a "popping sound". [2] [4] [5]

Risk factors

Vaginitis emphysematosa occurs primarily, but not exclusively in pregnant women. [6] It is a rare, benign vaginal cyst and 173 cases have been identified in women ages 42 to 65. [2] [7] [8] [9] Risk factors may include immunosuppression, trichomonas, or Haemophilus vaginalis infection. [2] [10]

Causes

The cause is unknown. Histological examination showed the cysts contained pink hyaline-like material, foreign body-type giant cells in the cyst's wall, with chronic inflammatory cell fluid. The gas-filled cysts are identified with CT imaging. The gas contained in the cysts has been analysed and consists of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and sulphur dioxide. [2]

Treatment

Treatment may not be required and no complications follow the resolution of the cysts. [7] Saline flushes may be advised to aid in treatment. [11]

Diagnosis

Vaginitis emphysematosa can be diagnosed through CT imaging [2] and visual examination [11] .

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Al, A; Al, H; Ramesh, V (April 2002). "Vaginitis emphysematosa". Sexually Transmitted Infections. 78 (2): 155. doi:10.1136/sti.78.2.155. ISSN   1368-4973. PMC   1744439 . PMID   12081185.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Leder, Richard A.; Paulson, Erik K. (2001-03-01). "Vaginitis Emphysematosa" . American Journal of Roentgenology. 176 (3): 623–625. doi:10.2214/ajr.176.3.1760623. ISSN   0361-803X. PMID   11222191.
  3. ↑ Paulson, Erik; Leder, R. A. (2001-01-01). "Vaginitis emphysematosa: CT and review of the literature" . American Journal of Roentgenology. 176 (3): 623–625. doi:10.2214/ajr.176.3.1760623. ISSN   0361-803X. PMID   11222191.
  4. ↑ Heller, Debra S. (2012). "Vaginal Cysts". Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. 16 (2): 140–144. doi:10.1097/lgt.0b013e3182320ef0. PMID   22126833. S2CID   826917.
  5. ↑ "Vaginitis emphysematosa" . American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 87 (1): 137. September 1963. doi:10.1016/s0002-9378(16)35161-4. ISSN   0002-9378.
  6. ↑ Francke, Paul (1961-07-01). "Vaginitis Emphysematosa" . Radiology. 77 (1): 114–116. doi:10.1148/77.1.114. ISSN   0033-8419. PMID   13701253.
  7. 1 2 Kramer, K.; Tobón, H. (August 1987). "Vaginitis emphysematosa". Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 111 (8): 746–749. ISSN   0003-9985. PMID   3632288.
  8. ↑ Toy, Turan; Yazici, Fatma (2011). "Female Genital Tract Cysts". European Journal of General Medicine. 9: 21–26. doi: 10.29333/ejgm/82499 .
  9. ↑ Schlunt Eilber, Karyn; Raz, Shlomo (2003). "Benign Cystic Lesions of the Vagina: A Literature Review". The Journal of Urology. 170 (3): 717–722. doi:10.1097/01.ju.0000062543.99821.a2. PMID   12913681.
  10. ↑ Escoffery, C. T.; Sinclair, P. A.; Guthrie, W. (September 2001). "Vaginitis emphysematosa associated with an abnormal Pap smear". The West Indian Medical Journal. 50 (3): 234–235. ISSN   0043-3144. PMID   11769034.
  11. 1 2 "April 2015 - Volume 19 - Issue 2 : Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease". journals.lww.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2025-09-10.


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