To investigate therapeutic methods and effects of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on the treatment of nonneoplasia epithelial disorders of skin and mucosa of vulva, including squamous hyperplasia of the vulva (SHL), lichen sclerosus of the vulva (LSV) and lichen sclerosus complexed with squamous hyperplasia of vulva (LSCSH).

From July 2006 to October 2009, 262 patients with nonneoplasia epithelial disorders of skin and mucosa of vulva were divided into two groups: group A (n=72, treated by HIFU only) and group B (n=190, treated by HIFU+ drugs). Meanwhile, another 56 patients with same disease who were treated by drugs only were recurited into control group (n=56). There were no statistically significant difference on age, degree of lesions, and pathological classification among three groups (P>0.05). The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Investigation in Human Being of Jinan Military General Hospital. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

The curative effect rates of relieving-pruritus, lichen sclerosus and vulvar leucoplakia in group A and group B were better than those of control group (P<0.05), and the curative rate of the group B was the best, and after the treatment, disappearance of pruritus was 83.2%(158/190). The effective rates of white lesion in both group A and B were 100.0%, and the cure rate of group A and group B were 66.7%(48/72) and 72.1%(137/190), respectively. The region of vulvar white lesion reduced from (15.21±8.56)cm² to (6.68±3.11)cm² in group B. There was significant difference of reduction of vulvar white lesion region between group A, B and control group (P<0.05).

High intensity focused ultrasound was a simple, safe, fast, effective and repeatable method for the treatment of nonneoplasia epithelial disorders of skin and mucosa of vulva, especially relieving-pruritus, lichen sclerosus and vulvar leucoplakia.