article · Gastro Hep Advances
Genital Crohn's disease (GCD) is an infrequent extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease characterized by ulceration, pain, edema, and erythema in the anogenital area. GCD poses significant diagnostic and management challenges, mainly because there are no standardized clinical protocols. This review analyzed 20 case reports and series from 1983 to 2024, focusing on patients with GCD. The databases used for this search were PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The most common presentation in male patients was genital edema or swelling, seen in 88.9% of cases. Pain was the main presentation in 71.9% of cases among female patients. Several complications were reported, including rectovaginal and enterovaginal fistulas, tubo-ovarian abscesses, and penile involvement. The diagnosis was made based on clinical evaluation, which was supported by laboratory tests, physical examinations, imaging, and endoscopic procedures. Histological examinations of biopsied genital ulcers demonstrated non-caseating granulomatous inflammation; however, this finding was observed in only 50% of patients. Moreover, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging is highlighted as a crucial diagnostic tool. The most common form of treatment is pharmacological therapy. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors are the most frequently used drugs. A total of 14 studies reported that corticosteroids administered via intravenous and oral routes resulted in a notable reduction in disease severity. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors adalimumab and infliximab showed notable efficacy. New therapies such as carbon laser therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation showed promising outcomes in refractory cases. Surgical procedures are reserved for refractory or complicated cases. This review highlights that medical management with corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics remains the cornerstone of treatment for GCD, with surgery playing a role in refractory disease.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2026.100918
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