Bartholin's cyst

A Bartholin's duct cyst is a non-infectious occlusion of the distal Bartholin's duct, with resultant retention of secretions. They are thought to be relatively common, although the exact incidence and prevalence remains unknown.

Diagnosis is made on clinical exam. The classic appearance is a medially protruding cystic structure at the inferior aspect of the labia majora, in the 5 or 7 o'clock position, crossed by the labium minus.

Bartholin cysts are most commonly seen in women of reproductive age. In post-menopausal women with a vulval mass, malignancy should be considered.

A Bartholin's gland abscess may result from polymicrobial infection of the cyst fluid or, less commonly, from primary infection of the gland or duct.

Treatment of a cyst can be conservative or surgical and depends on size, symptoms, presence of infection, and whether the cyst is recurrent.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are recommended for the treatment of Bartholin's gland abscesses. Incision and drainage may be required.

A Bartholin's duct cyst is a non-infectious occlusion of the distal Bartholin's duct, with resultant retention of secretions. The paired Bartholin's ducts are located at the posterior vestibule and provide a conduit for secretions from the Bartholin's glands. A Bartholin's duct cyst may be asymptomatic if the cyst is small. It typically presents as a medially protruding mass at the inferior aspect of the labia majora, in the posterior introitus, and is crossed by the labium minus. Duct cysts and gland cysts are indistinguishable, and the terms are used interchangeably. A Bartholin's duct abscess may be primary (from bartholinitis) or secondary (from infection of Bartholin's cyst).[1]Pundir J, Auld BJ. A review of the management of diseases of the Bartholin's gland. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2008 Feb;28(2):161-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18393010?tool=bestpractice.com