Bartholin gland abscess

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Painful lump to the right of the vaginal opening for 3 days with fever

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Female
ultrasound

Cystic mass to the right of the introitus in the labium with internal echoes and increased vascularity in surrounding soft tissues

Case Discussion

Bartholin glands can obstruct and form cysts.  If not effectively decompressed these cysts can become infected.  Treatment requires antibiotics +/- surgical drainage.  Marsupialization may be necessary if obstruction is recurrent.  Differential diagnoses include Skene gland cysts (more cephalad adjacent to the urethral opening) or infected hair follicles.

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