Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41245916›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

When It's Not a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI): A Diagnostic Challenge of Severe Lipschütz Ulcer in a Young Woman.

Ashmi Bhattacharya, Alex Rowland, Sahruda Gandham, Nicola Roberts

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Ashmi BhattacharyaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bedford Hospital, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford, GBR.
Alex RowlandDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bedford Hospital, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford, GBR.
Sahruda GandhamDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bedford Hospital, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford, GBR.
Nicola RobertsDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bedford Hospital, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford, GBR.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Genital ulcers are often attributed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet a notable subset originates from non-venereal causes. Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatments, social stigma, and emotional distress. Lipschütz ulcer is a relatively uncommon, non-sexually transmitted condition characterized by the sudden appearance of painful, necrotic ulcers in the vulvar region. It predominantly affects adolescents and young women and is frequently underrecognized. Acute genital ulcers have been linked to infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and other viral or bacterial pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, and, rarely, can occur following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, though the exact cause often remains unclear. We present the case of a 21-year-old woman who developed severe vulvar ulceration and swelling over seven days, leading to urinary retention. While abroad, she was initially misdiagnosed with herpetic ulcers, but a brief prodromal febrile illness preceded lesion onset. Examination revealed bilateral "kissing" ulcers on the labia majora with irregular borders and a fibrinoid necrotic base. Careful evaluation ruled out infectious, inflammatory, and traumatic causes, including necrotizing fasciitis, infected herpetic lesions, and sexual assault. Correlating her clinical features led to the diagnosis of Lipschütz ulcer. Supportive management with corticosteroids resulted in rapid symptom relief and complete recovery. This case emphasizes the importance of considering Lipschütz ulcer in young women presenting with sudden, painful genital ulcers, particularly following a febrile illness and in the absence of sexual exposure. Raising awareness among gynaecologists, general practitioners, dermatologists, and paediatricians can reduce misdiagnosis, prevent unnecessary interventions, and alleviate patient distress. Sharing such cases helps improve recognition and supports the development of standardized diagnostic and management strategies for this underdiagnosed condition.

Indexed as

acute ulcerationgenital ulcersgynaecological emergencyherpes simplexlipschütz ulcernon-sexually transmittedpainful vulvar ulcer

Identifiers

PMID41245916
PMCPMC12616211

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.