Investigations
Investigations to consider
microscopy and culture of abscess material
Test
Not necessary to diagnose an abscess, but may help identify predominant organism and target antimicrobial treatment when resolution is incomplete after incision and drainage.
More than 70% of cultures from cysts and about 33% of cultures from abscesses are sterile.[13][14]
Result
polymicrobial growth
biopsy of vulval lesion
Test
Should be performed if malignancy is suspected based on clinical appearance. It should also be considered in women >40 years of age with a Bartholin's cyst or abscess, given the increased incidence of Bartholin's gland cancer among menopausal women.
Incidence is highest among women in their 60s but should be considered in all women over the age of 40 years and for lesions with nodularity, irregularity, or persistent induration.[19]
Classic presentation of Bartholin's gland cancer is an irregular, nodular mass in the region of the duct/gland.[2]
Result
no malignant cells
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