OBJECTIVE: To determine some common histologic features in a series of plasma cell vulvitis (PCV) cases. STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective study, 18 histologic sections, previously obtained by vulvar biopsy in women diagnosed as having PCV, were critically reevaluated by the same pathologist. RESULTS: We observed that plasma cells in the dermal infiltrate were frequently present in a high percentage. Hemosiderin deposition and epithelial atrophy were 2 other histologic parameters useful for the diagnosis of PCV. Lozenge-shaped keratinocytes were rarely observed. CONCLUSION: In our series of PCV the percentage of plasma cells seemed to be the most important parameter when making the diagnosis. In particular, when this percentage was > or = 50% it was a sufficient histologic parameter for a diagnosis of PCV. When the percentage was 25-50%, hemosiderin deposition and epithelial atrophy were additional histologic features helpful in diagnosing PCV. Under 25% plasma cells was nonspecific and related to the mucosal site of involvement.
OBJECTIVE: To determine some common histologic features in a series of plasma cell vulvitis (PCV) cases. STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective study, 18 histologic sections, previously obtained by vulvar biopsy in women diagnosed as having PCV, were critically reevaluated by the same pathologist. RESULTS: We observed that plasma cells in the dermal infiltrate were frequently present in a high percentage. Hemosiderin deposition and epithelial atrophy were 2 other histologic parameters useful for the diagnosis of PCV. Lozenge-shaped keratinocytes were rarely observed. CONCLUSION: In our series of PCV the percentage of plasma cells seemed to be the most important parameter when making the diagnosis. In particular, when this percentage was > or = 50% it was a sufficient histologic parameter for a diagnosis of PCV. When the percentage was 25-50%, hemosiderin deposition and epithelial atrophy were additional histologic features helpful in diagnosing PCV. Under 25% plasma cells was nonspecific and related to the mucosal site of involvement.