Vestibular nerve fiber proliferation in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate nerve fiber density in vestibular specimens from women operated upon for vulvar vestibulitis.

METHODS

Forty-seven women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome underwent modified posterior vestibulectomies. Vestibular specimens were analyzed after being stained for S-100 neural tissue protein. Women were followed up for 2 years.

RESULTS

In specimens from 44 of 47 patients, the densities and numbers of nerve fibers per square unit in the preparations were greater than those in specimens from six control women. In the patients, a statistically significant linear correlation was found between inflammation and nerve bundle density in the preparations (Spearman rank correlation coefficient rs=.41; P=.005). There were no signs of infectious etiology in any preparation. No or slight postoperative dyspareunia was reported by 38 of 42 women after 6 months, 36 of 39 after 12 months, and 26 of 28 after 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Vestibular neural hyperplasia may provide a morphologic explanation of the pain in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.