Study of melanocyte density and epidermal thickness in vulvar lichen sclerosus lesions

Objective This study aimed to analyze changes in melanocyte density and epidermal thickness in vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). Methods Vulvar skin tissues were collected from 15 VLS female patients in Beijing Hospital, classified into early (n = 7) and late VLS (n = 8) groups according to pathological manifestations. Melanocyte density and full epidermal and cell-layer (from the bottom of the stratum corneum to that of the basal layer) thickness were calculated using an image analysis software. The control group was normal vulvar skin tissues from 15 females after plastic surgery. Results The early VLS (0.170 +/- 0.071 mu m) and late VLS (0.110 +/- 0.035 mu m) groups had significantly lower densities of epidermal melanocytes than the control group (0.275 +/- 0.036) (F = 36.426, P < 0.001). The cell-layer thickness did not differ between the early VLS (154.603 +/- 121.984 mu m) and control (176.974 +/- 80.296 mu m) groups (P = 0.899) but significantly decreased in the late VLS group (83.455 +/- 37.129 mu m) compared to the control group (P = 0.003). Conclusions Melanocyte density decreased in early and late VLS. The full epidermal and cell-layer thickness did not significantly change in early VLS, but the cell-layer thickness decreased in late VLS.

Automated summary

The study revealed a decrease in melanocyte density in both early and late VLS patients, with a significant reduction in cell-layer thickness observed predominantly in the late VLS group.