[Elephantiasis of the vulva of an unclear etiology: case report]

A patient with vulvar elephantiasis, which had been developing since 1985 when biopsy was first performed showing only signs of chronic inflammation, is described. From 1985-1987 (when she was first admitted to the hospital) microbiological analyses were negative and antibiotic therapy was administered without success. At the first admittance abscess of the left Bartholin's gland and furunculosis of vulva were diagnosed. Serological tests to agents that usually cause vulval infections with elephantiasis were negative, and microbiological analyses revealed mixed bacterial flora. Biopsy showed again only nonspecific chronic inflammation. The patient received ampicyllin, oxytetracyclin and doxycillin. She did not return for the control until 1993. At that time the vulvar mass reached 16:13:10 cm and was surgically removed. The histological picture showed chronic granulomatous inflammation. The results of microbiological and serological tests were again the same as before.