Sexual arousal and nodular hyperplasia of the Bartholin gland: a painful combination for a vulval tumor

Background: Nodular hyperplasia causes enlargement of the Bartholin gland. The standard approach for a painful enlarged gland is marsupialization. Case Report: A 48-year-old woman presented with vulvar pain, which began suddenly 18 months ago. On clinical examination at that time there was a palpable mass of 2 cm. Due to the persisting pain the mass was incised. Pathology report showed that there was nodular hyperplasia. After a while the mass returned accompanied with pain; however the latter also increased during sexual arousal. Multiple treatments were attempted. At the end, it was decided to remove the mass. Pathology examination showed the complete removal of multinodular mucinous gland structures filled with mucus. The hypothesis is that the mucus blocked the gland and caused pain during sexual arousal. Conclusion: The treatment for nodular hyperplasia of the Bartholin gland is excision and not incision.

Vulva; Mass; Nodular hyperplasia; Bartholin gland; Tumor; Sexual arousal.

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