Keywords
filariasis
reconstructive surgery
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction :
Elephantiasis vulvare due to filariasis is very rare, but can have sexual, professional and sporting repercussions, as well as posing aesthetic and even psychological problems. Our aim was to report on the management of a case of vulvar elephantiasis complicating filariasis.
Observation :
This was a 30-year-old patient treated for lymphatic filariasis 4 years previously. She presented to our department with a painless vulvar mass that had been evolving for 4 years. The diagnosis of vulvar elephantiasis was made. Treatment was surgical, involving resection of the elephantiasis tissue followed by vulvar plasty. Results were satisfactory, both functionally and aesthetically. At six months' follow-up, the elephantiasis had not recurred.
Conclusion :
Despite its distressing nature, the prognosis of vulvar elephantiasis remains good in the event of well-managed surgical treatment.
References
1. Mohan H, Bisht B, Goel P, Garg G. Vulval Elephantiasis: a case report. Case Reports in Infectious Diseases. 2012; 2012 : 430745.
2. Chintamani Singh J, Tandon M, Khandelwal R, Aeron T, Jain S, Narayan N et al. Vulval elephantiasis as a result of tubercular lymphadenitis: two case reports and a review of the literature. Journal of Med Case Rep. 2010 ; 4:369.
3. Sarkar R, Kaur C, Thami GP, Kanwar AJ. Genital elephantiasis. Int J STD AIDS 2002, 13 :427-429.
4. Sine B, Bagayogo N.A, Thiam A, Sarr A, Sow Y, Fall B. L’éléphantiasis vulvo-clitoridien: à propos d’un nouveau cas. Pan African Medical Journal. 2015; 22:133
5. Tazi MF, Ahallal Y, El Fassi MJ. L’éléphantiasis Pénoscrotal, diagnostic et prise en charge (à propos de 3 cas). J Maroc Urol. 2009; 16: 17-20.
6. Muralidhar L, G SK, Venkatesh S. Recurrent unilateral vulval elephantiasis: a case report. Journal of Family & Reproductive Health. 2014; 8(2): 87-89.
7. Lymphatic Filariasis Eradication Program, “Training module for drug distributors,” WHO/CDS/CPE/CEE/2001. 23 Part 1.
8. Gupta S, Ajith C, Kanwar AJ, Sehgal VN, Kumar B, Mete U. Genital elephantiasis and sexually transmitted infections - revisited. Int J STD AIDS 2006; 17:157-65.
9. Richens J. Genital manifestations of tropical diseases. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2004 ; 80(1) :12–17.
10. Nayak S, Acharjya B, Devi B, Pattnaik S, and M. Patra, “Cerebriform elephantiasis of the vulva following tuberculous lymphadenitis,” Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2008 ;74(2) p. 188.
11. Slama A, Jaidane M, Elleuch A et al. Traitement chirurgical d'un éléphantiasis pénoscrotal. Prog Urol. 2002 Apr; 12(2): 337-9.
12. Prica S, Donati OF, Schaefer DJ. Genital elephantiasis: reconstructive treatment of penoscrotal lymphoedema with a myocutaneous M. gracilis flap. Experiences from a District Hospital in Ethiopia. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. 2008 Aug; 40(4): 272-8.
Metrics
Downloads
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 H Soumana Diaouga, M Chaibou Yacouba, M Garba Rah, M Oumara, B Boulama Malam, N Idi, M Nayama