The comparison of fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a retrospective study
Objectives To compare the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser (FxCO2) and focused ultrasound (FUS) in treating vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS).Methods This single-center retrospective study included biopsy-proven VLS patients who did not respond to first-line topical corticosteroids and were t...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Hyperthermia |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02656736.2025.2507958 |
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| author | Maoyu Liu Xuerui Zhang Linlin Xiao Jing Liang Dan Cheng Yue Zhu Shufang Chang |
| author_facet | Maoyu Liu Xuerui Zhang Linlin Xiao Jing Liang Dan Cheng Yue Zhu Shufang Chang |
| author_sort | Maoyu Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives To compare the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser (FxCO2) and focused ultrasound (FUS) in treating vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS).Methods This single-center retrospective study included biopsy-proven VLS patients who did not respond to first-line topical corticosteroids and were treated with FxCO2 or FUS as an alternative between January 2020 and October 2022. The efficacy was evaluated using the Cattaneo score and clinical scoring system (CSS). A subgroup analysis was conducted to compare efficacy based on VLS severity.Results At the 3-month follow-up, the total effective rates were similar between FxCO2 (91.18%, 31/34) and FUS (88.57%, 31/35) (p > 0.05). At the 6-month follow-up, the total effective rates for FxCO2 decreased to 85.29% (29/34), while FUS remained at 88.57% (31/35) (p > 0.05). Recurrence rates were 14.7% (5/34) for FxCO2 and 11.4% (4/35) for FUS (p > 0.05) at the 6-month follow-up. Although there was no significant difference in total CSS scores and clinician-administered sign scores between FxCO2 and FUS at both follow-ups (p > 0.05), FxCO2 suggested superior patient-administered symptom improvement at 3-month (median: FxCO2 3 vs. FUS 5, p < 0.05) and 6-month follow-ups (median: FxCO2 3 vs. FUS 5, p < 0.01).Conclusions FxCO2 and FUS show similar efficacy in treating VLS, with FxCO2 suggesting a trend toward greater symptom relief. Further studies are needed to validate these preliminary observations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-48d06bb0059d43e8a6a4e5c61e8624bc |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0265-6736 1464-5157 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
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| series | International Journal of Hyperthermia |
| spelling | doaj-art-48d06bb0059d43e8a6a4e5c61e8624bc2025-08-20T03:08:27ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Hyperthermia0265-67361464-51572025-12-0142110.1080/02656736.2025.2507958The comparison of fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a retrospective studyMaoyu Liu0Xuerui Zhang1Linlin Xiao2Jing Liang3Dan Cheng4Yue Zhu5Shufang Chang6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaObjectives To compare the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser (FxCO2) and focused ultrasound (FUS) in treating vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS).Methods This single-center retrospective study included biopsy-proven VLS patients who did not respond to first-line topical corticosteroids and were treated with FxCO2 or FUS as an alternative between January 2020 and October 2022. The efficacy was evaluated using the Cattaneo score and clinical scoring system (CSS). A subgroup analysis was conducted to compare efficacy based on VLS severity.Results At the 3-month follow-up, the total effective rates were similar between FxCO2 (91.18%, 31/34) and FUS (88.57%, 31/35) (p > 0.05). At the 6-month follow-up, the total effective rates for FxCO2 decreased to 85.29% (29/34), while FUS remained at 88.57% (31/35) (p > 0.05). Recurrence rates were 14.7% (5/34) for FxCO2 and 11.4% (4/35) for FUS (p > 0.05) at the 6-month follow-up. Although there was no significant difference in total CSS scores and clinician-administered sign scores between FxCO2 and FUS at both follow-ups (p > 0.05), FxCO2 suggested superior patient-administered symptom improvement at 3-month (median: FxCO2 3 vs. FUS 5, p < 0.05) and 6-month follow-ups (median: FxCO2 3 vs. FUS 5, p < 0.01).Conclusions FxCO2 and FUS show similar efficacy in treating VLS, with FxCO2 suggesting a trend toward greater symptom relief. Further studies are needed to validate these preliminary observations.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02656736.2025.2507958Vulvar lichen sclerosusfractional CO2 laserfocused ultrasoundefficacyrecurrence |
| spellingShingle | Maoyu Liu Xuerui Zhang Linlin Xiao Jing Liang Dan Cheng Yue Zhu Shufang Chang The comparison of fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a retrospective study International Journal of Hyperthermia Vulvar lichen sclerosus fractional CO2 laser focused ultrasound efficacy recurrence |
| title | The comparison of fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a retrospective study |
| title_full | The comparison of fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a retrospective study |
| title_fullStr | The comparison of fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a retrospective study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The comparison of fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a retrospective study |
| title_short | The comparison of fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a retrospective study |
| title_sort | comparison of fractional co2 laser and focused ultrasound for vulvar lichen sclerosus a retrospective study |
| topic | Vulvar lichen sclerosus fractional CO2 laser focused ultrasound efficacy recurrence |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02656736.2025.2507958 |
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