Topical vaginal oestrogen cream used for treatment of burn injury of vaginal mucosa after misapplication of 100% acetic acid in a perimenopausal woman: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Three to five per cent acetic acid is commonly used in the field of gynaecology for colposcopic examinations of the cervix. It gives an 'acetowhite' effect that may assist clinicians in identifying neoplastic areas.

CASE: A perimenopausal woman was treated with acetic acid for abnormal Pap smear report (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1). During application, the patient complained of burning sensation of vagina and vulva. The vagina was saline-irrigated after realising that the acetic acid had not been diluted. Following this incident, the patient was seen weekly and treated with conjugated vaginal oestrogen cream. The patient recovered and the vagina mucosa healed within two weeks.

CONCLUSION

Acetic acid is corrosive and may cause vagina bleeding. Oestrogen cream can be used in an attempt to minimise the adverse reaction and speed the healing process.