Periclitoral Abscess: A Recurrent Problem

Abstract

Background: Periclitoral abscesses are rare and lack a defined management strategy due to the limited number of cases available for review. Regardless of the initial management, recurrence remains common.

Case: A 17-year-old presented with clitoral pain and swelling consistent with periclitoral abscess. Conservative treatment with antibiotics failed, and underwent 2 incision and drainage procedures prior to resolution of the abscess.

Summary and conclusion: Spontaneous periclitoral abscess is rare, and the optimal treatment strategy has not been defined, with a high rate of recurrence being noted regardless of either conservative management with antibiotics or incision and drainage as initial treatment. In many cases of recurrent periclitoral abscess, hair was removed from the abscess cavity, suggesting that retained foreign material in the abscess cavity could be the nidus for recurrence.

Keywords: Adolescent medicine; Periclitoral abscess; Vulvar dermatology.