Lymphogranuloma Venereum: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by lymphogranuloma venereum:

Respiratory system (J00-J99)

  • Pleurisy (pleurisy).
  • Pneumonitis (collective term for any form of pneumonia (lung inflammation), which does not affect the alveoli (alveoli), but the interstitium or intercellular space).

Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59).

Skin – subcutaneous (L00-L99)

  • Erythema nodosum (synonyms: nodular erythema, dermatitis contusiformis, erythema contusiforme; plural: erythemata nodosa) – granulomatous inflammation of the subcutis (subcutaneous fat), also known as panniculitis, and a painful nodule (red to blue-red color; later brownish). The overlying skin is reddened. Localization: both lower leg extensor sides, on the knee and ankle joints; less frequently on the arms or buttocks.

Cardiovascular system (I00-I99).

  • Obstruction of lymphatics leading to genital elephantiasis – severe enlargement of the genitalia due to chronic lymphatic congestion.
    • Chronic edema (swelling) of the vulva (entirety of the external primary genital organs) (= elephantiasis of the vulva; esthiomene).
    • Chronic edema and loss of function of the male genitals with development of a so-called saxophone penis (= vulva equivalent “Esthiomene”).

Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

  • Bacterial superinfection – grafting of a bacterial infection onto an existing (viral, bacterial) infection.
  • Formation of percutaneous fistulas – formation of connecting ducts between the inflamed lymph node and the skin surface.
  • Lymph node abscess – accumulation of pus in an encapsulated space.

Liver, gallbladder and bile ducts – Pancreas (pancreas) (K70-K77; K80-K87).

  • Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)

Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).

  • Arthritis (inflammation of the joints)

Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93).

  • Chronic proctitis – inflammation of the rectum with chronic anorectal pain, tenesmus (intestinal cramps), and painful bowel movements.
  • Intestinal perforation (intestinal rupture) with consecutive peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) (late complication after decades of disease process).
  • Rectovaginal fistulas – abnormal connections (fistulas) between the rectum (rectum) or the anus and the vagina (vagina).
  • Rectal stricture – narrowing of the rectum.

Neoplasms (C00-D48)

  • Rectal adenocarcinomas (“originating from the rectum).

Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99)

Genitourinary system (kidneys, urinary tract – sex organs) (N00-N99).