BACKGROUND: Tumors arising from the Bartholin's gland are very rare; the majority are benign. As most instances of swelling in the Bartholin's gland area represent a duct cyst, clinicians tend to perform incision and drainage, rather than excision of the tumor. CASE: A young woman with prolonged dyspareunia underwent total excision of the Bartholin's gland because it felt firm and irregular. Histological examination revealed a well-circumscribed lesion containing an increased number of acini with a preserved tubular/acinar ratio - findings were consistent with nodular hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Bartholin's gland hyperplasia may be a cause of swelling in the gland area and dyspareunia. We recommend that whenever the gland feels firm or enlarged, total excision be considered, rather than drainage. (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
BACKGROUND:Tumors arising from the Bartholin's gland are very rare; the majority are benign. As most instances of swelling in the Bartholin's gland area represent a duct cyst, clinicians tend to perform incision and drainage, rather than excision of the tumor. CASE: A young woman with prolonged dyspareunia underwent total excision of the Bartholin's gland because it felt firm and irregular. Histological examination revealed a well-circumscribed lesion containing an increased number of acini with a preserved tubular/acinar ratio - findings were consistent with nodular hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Bartholin's gland hyperplasia may be a cause of swelling in the gland area and dyspareunia. We recommend that whenever the gland feels firm or enlarged, total excision be considered, rather than drainage. (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel