General Medical Information

Cysts

Wilberto Nieves-Neira
Bhagirath Majmudar
Ira R. Horowitz

Cysts of the vulva may develop at any age and are of mucinous or mesonephric type. Common inclusion cysts (sebaceous) are rare because secretion of the sebaceous gland in the hair shaft is not occluded. Rarely hair grows before puberty. On rare occasions, the vestibular glands are active and cysts develop. Treatment with simple incision is indicated in symptomatic children or if infection develops. Epidermoid cysts are benign inclusion cysts that present as a firm, nodular mass. They usually are asymptomatic and rare in children. Infection or rupture may cause tenderness. Treatment is simple excision with pathologic confirmation. These cysts have been associated with ritual female circumcision.

Periurethral cysts of the newborn frequently are confused with hydromucocolpos or bulging imperforate hymen. Careful probing with a feeding tube reveals patency of the vagina. The cysts are 2 to 4 cm and are a yellowish color. Suburethral cysts may stretch the hymen. Most cysts resolve spontaneously over the first month of life. Excision or drainage is not necessary unless the cysts become symptomatic or infected.