Bartholin's abscess arising within hidradenoma papilliferum of the vulva: a case report

Abstract

Background: Hidradenoma papilliferum is an uncommon, benign, cystic, papillary tumor that occurs almost exclusively in the female anogenital region. Bartholin's abscess is also an anogenital cystic lesion caused by obstruction of Bartholin's duct with an overlying infection. Concomitant presentation of Bartholin's abscess and Hidradenoma papilliferum is unique.

Case presentation: A 43-year-old African American woman presented with a painful cystic mass on the left labia majora. A preoperative diagnosis of Bartholin's abscess was made. During excision and draining, an additional tan-brown dermal nodule was removed which demonstrated histological features of Hidradenoma papilliferum.

Conclusion: We present what we believe to be the first case of Bartholin's abscess arising in hidradenoma papilliferum and its clinical significance.

Figure 1

Bartholin's abscess wall demonstrating fibro-necrotic tissues with acute and chronic inflammation. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification: ×10).

Figure 2

Papillary neoplasm with cystic dilation. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification: ×10).

Figure 3

The papillary projections and cystic areas are lined by basophilic cuboidal to columnar cells with outer compressed myoepithelial cells. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification: ×10).

Figure 4

Hidradenoma papilliferum. Papillary neoplasm with foci of apocrine differentiation and cystic dilation. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification: ×10).