Lichen sclerosus as a variant of limited scleroderma with damage to the anogenital region

Lichen sclerosus is one of the clinical variants of limited scleroderma, a feature of which is the defeat of the anogenital zone. The issues of the etiology and pathogenesis of lichen sclerosus remain not fully understood, despite numerous studies in which the polygenic nature of inheritance and multifactoriality in the implementation of dermatosis are noted.

With the progression of the scleroatrophic process and the absence of timely pathogenetic therapy, there is a high probability of the development of comorbid pathology with a whole range of symptoms, such as urinary (dysuria, recurrent urinary tract infections - cystitis, urethritis, cystourethritis), gastrointestinal (pain during defecation, chronic constipation), vaginal severe dryness and increased sensitivity of the vaginal mucosa, burning, itching).

Treatment of patients with lichen sclerosus with lesions of the anogenital zone causes great difficulties. In cases of isolated localization of scleroatrophic lesions of anogenital localization, difficulties may arise in the differential diagnosis with diseases of similar localization, such as vitiligo, atrophic lichen planus, basal cell carcinoma, contact dermatitis, nonspecific balanoposthitis, Keir's erythroplasia. Treatment of limited scleroderma, the clinical variant of which is lichen sclerosus, should be multi-course and complex, with the obligatory use of penicillin antibiotics, hyaluronidase-based drugs, drugs that improve microcirculation, vitamins, immunoregulators and physiotherapeutic methods.

Thus, early diagnosis and timely pathogenetic therapy contribute to the prevention of the risks of developing genitourinary syndrome, progression of tissue sclerosis, and psychoemotional disorders.

This article presents a clinical case of diagnosis and treatment of a patient with lichen sclerosus.