Vaginal cysts: a clinicopathological study of 41 cases

Abstract

The clinicopathological features of 43 vaginal cysts in 41 patients treated at Magee-Womens Hospital between 1972 and 1982 were evaluated. Thirty-five of the patients were white and six black; their ages ranged from 19 to 68 years with an average of 37.6 years. Most patients complained of a swelling or mass in the vagina, accompanied in some by stress incontinence, dyspareunia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, or a history of episiotomies or vaginal lacerations. The majority of the cysts were located in the lateral and posterior walls of the vagina. The most frequent cyst type was mucus-secreting müllerian (19; or 44%), followed by ten (23%) epidermal inclusion cysts; three of the latter were located in a previous episiotomy site. The remainder were five (11%) of Gartner's duct type, three (7%) of Bartholin's duct type, and three (7%) of endometriotic type. The remaining three were unclassified for lack of an epithelial lining in two, and one cystourethrocele was confused with a vaginal cyst. None disclosed atypical epithelial hyperplasia or malignant change.