Vaginal involvement in a woman with Darier's disease: a case report

Acta Cytol. 2005 Sep-Oct;49(5):530-2. doi: 10.1159/000326200.

Abstract

Background: Involvement of the female genital tract by Darier's disease, an unusual genodermatosis, is uncommon, and the manifestation of the disease in a cervicovaginal smear is exceptionally rare.

Case: A 39-year-old woman had an abnormal Pap smear caused by involvement of the female genital tract by Darier's disease. Cytologic examination showed features consistent with a low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, but during a biopsy it was found to be vaginal involvement by Darier's disease.

Conclusion: The correct interpretation of cytologic findings is not possible when the diagnosis of Darier's disease is not known since a low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cannot be ruled out. This case underlines the importance of knowing the patient's medical histoiy in any moment of medical attention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acitretin / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Cervix Uteri / pathology
  • Darier Disease / complications*
  • Darier Disease / genetics
  • Darier Disease / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Keratins / metabolism
  • Keratolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Papanicolaou Test
  • Recurrence
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vagina / pathology*
  • Vaginal Diseases / etiology
  • Vaginal Diseases / genetics
  • Vaginal Diseases / pathology*
  • Vaginal Smears

Substances

  • Keratolytic Agents
  • Keratins
  • Acitretin