Summary

• Non-infectious occlusion of the distal Bartholin's duct, with resultant retention of secretions.
• Diagnosed on clinical exam. The classic appearance is a medially protruding cystic structure at the inferior aspect of the labia majora, in the 5 or 7 o'clock position, crossed by the labium minus.
• Identified in about 2% of women presenting for gynaecological care in the US, and most common in women of reproductive age. In post-menopausal women with a vulval mass, malignancy should be considered.
• A Bartholin's duct abscess may be primary (from bartholinitis) or secondary (from infection of Bartholin's cyst).
• Treatment of a cyst can be conservative or surgical and depends on size, symptoms, presence of infection, and whether the cyst is recurrent.
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics are recommended for the treatment of Bartholin's gland abscesses. Incision and drainage may be required.