[Vulvar lymphedema: unusual manifestation of metastatic Crohn's disease]

Abstract

Cutaneous-mucosal lesions constitute one of the most frequent extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease and in some cases may be the first symptom of intestinal disease. We describe the case of a 45-year-old female patient who sought medical help for genital tumefaction of 20 years' evolution. For the previous 15 years, she had been experiencing digestive symptomatology attributed to irritable bowel syndrome. Two months before the consultation, and coinciding with aggravation of the condition, the patient had been diagnosed with colonic Crohn's disease. Skin biopsy of the labia minora revealed sarcoid granulomas. The results of microbiological studies (staining for microorganisms and cultures) were negative. A diagnosis of metastatic vulvar Crohn's disease was made and, treatment with metronidazole was started, which improved the genital edema after 2 months. Genital lymphedema is an exceptionally rare manifestation of metastatic Crohn's disease that may appear several years before intestinal symptomatology develops. Treatment with metronidazole seems to be a good therapeutic option.