High-intensity focused ultrasound therapy for pediatric and adolescent vulvar lichen sclerosus

Figures & data

Table 1. The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Demographic and clinical characteristics	Values
Age (y, mean SD)	13.3 ± 4.1
Age disease started (y, mean SD)	10.9 ± 3.8
Disease duration (y, median (range))	2 (0.1, 12)
Menstrual status
Premenarchal	18 (50.0)
Postmenarchal	18 (50.0)
BMI, mean (range) (kg/m^2)	19.6 ± 3.7
Symptoms
Pruritus	34 (94.4)
Vulvar irritation	16 (44.4)
Vulvar burning	8 (22.2)
Bleeding	2 (5.6)
Pain	6 (16.7)
Yellow discharge	2 (5.6)
Dysuria	2 (5.6)
Constipation	2 (5.6)
Signs
Hypopigmentation	36 (100.0)
Fissures	4 (11.1)
Scarring	11 (30.6)
Erythema	2 (5.6)
Lesion size/vulva size
<30%	6 (16.7)
30–50%	18 (50.0)
>50%	12 (33.3)
Lesion involves the anal
Yes	11 (30.6)
No	25 (69.4)

Values are given as n (%) unless otherwise stated.

Table 2. The results pertaining to the HIFU treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus in children and adolescents.

Variables	Values
Sessions of HIFU	1
Success of HIFU	36 (100.0)
Sonication time (min)	20.3 ± 8.6
Power
Level 2	26 (72.2)
Level 3	10 (27.8)
Treatment energy (J)	3579.0 (1380.0, 8160.0)
Adverse effects
Blisters	8 (22.2)
Ulcer	2 (5.6)
Efficacy
Six months after HIFU	36
Curative	21 (58.3)
Effective	12 (33.3)
Ineffective	3 (8.4)
Twelve months after HIFU	30
Curative	16 (53.3)
Effective	10 (33.3)
Ineffective	2 (6.7)
Recurrence	2 (6.7)
Five years after HIFU	16
Curative	8 (50.0)
Effective	4 (25.0)
Ineffective	2 (12.5)
Recurrence	2 (12.5)

Values are given as n (%) unless otherwise stated.