Bartholin's gland hyperplasia in a young woman

Tumors arising from the Bartholin's gland are very rare; the majority are benign. As most instances of swelling in the Bartholin's gland area represent a duct cyst, clinicians tend to perform incision and drainage, rather than excision of the tumor.

A young woman with prolonged dyspareunia underwent total excision of the Bartholin's gland because it felt firm and irregular. Histological examination revealed a well-circumscribed lesion containing an increased number of acini with a preserved tubular/acinar ratio - findings were consistent with nodular hyperplasia.

Bartholin's gland hyperplasia may be a cause of swelling in the gland area and dyspareunia. We recommend that whenever the gland feels firm or enlarged, total excision be considered, rather than drainage.