Multiple pigmented follicular cysts of the vulva successfully treated with CO2 laser: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: A pigmented follicular cyst is an uncommon epithelial cyst, typically occurring as a single asymptomatic pigmented papule or nodule on the head and neck of adult men. To the authors' knowledge, no previous cases of vulvar pigmented follicular cyst have been reported. Although benign, pigmented follicular cyst can affect quality of life when multiple and symptomatic.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to describe the clinicopathologic features of vulvar pigmented follicular cyst and to evaluate the efficacy of CO(2) laser therapy in this region.

METHODS: A 62-year-old woman with multiple pigmented follicular cysts affecting the labia majora bilaterally is described. Owing to frequent inflammation and tenderness, continuous-wave CO(2) laser was used to treat the skin lesions under local anesthesia.

RESULTS: All cystic nodules were successfully ablated with CO(2) laser. The patient tolerated the procedure well and had a satisfactory cosmetic outcome.

CONCLUSION: CO(2) laser is a tolerable and effective therapeutic modality for multiple and symptomatic pigmented follicular cysts of the vulva.