We describe 3 women in 1 family who had systemic urothelial leukoplakia with no underlying pathological condition of the urinary tract. Irritative clinical symptoms resolved, and the macroscopic and microscopic appearance improved after 6 months of therapy with sodium pentosanpolysulfate. Electron microscopy showed special cells in the basal layer of the cornified squamous epithelium that also have been found in the trigone of women with so-called squamous metaplasia. Their similarity to Merkel's cells of the skin supports the theory that ectodermal cells are misplaced during embryogenesis. Genetic factors and sex hormones seem to influence the development of certain variants of squamous epithelium within the urinary tract.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.