Vulvar syringomas in a 9-year-old child with review of the literature.
Syringomas are benign tumors of the eccrine sweat gland that are most common to the periorbital location. Less common and under-recognized is their potential involvement of the vulvar skin, where they may cause significant pruritus. In this location, lesions often develop just prior to or during puberty, with symptoms of pruritus sometimes correlating with pregnancy or menstruation. A hormonal influence has thus been postulated. Reported treatments for symptomatic patients include topical corticosteroids, systemic and topical antihistamines, laser and excisional surgery, cryotherapy, and topical atropine, with variable results. We report a 9-year-old girl who had severe pruritus secondary to syringomas of the vaginal labia, and review the literature on this unusual disorder. Awareness of this condition is important in order that patients receive appropriate evaluation and management of their symptoms.