Case Report: Bartholin’s gland leiomyoma masquerading as a bartholin’s cyst: a rare clinical entity and diagnostic challenges - Report - MDSpire

Case Report: Bartholin’s gland leiomyoma masquerading as a bartholin’s cyst: a rare clinical entity and diagnostic challenges

  • By

  • Oadi N. Shrateh

  • Peter SzontaghKishazi

  • Nor Azlia Abdul Wahab

  • June 11, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Uncommon Case of Leiomyoma in Bartholin’s Gland

Overview

Revise to include specific misdiagnosis details and the role of histopathological evaluation.

Background

Leiomyomas are benign tumors that typically arise in the uterus but can occur in extra-uterine locations, including the vulva. Their occurrence in the Bartholin gland is particularly rare, often leading to misdiagnosis as Bartholin's cysts or abscesses. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the article.

Key Findings

  • A 44-year-old woman presented with a painless, slowly enlarging vulvar mass.
  • The mass was initially presumed to be a Bartholin's cyst based on clinical examination.
  • Histopathological evaluation confirmed the mass as a benign leiomyoma with desmin positivity.
  • Complete surgical excision with clear margins is the recommended treatment.
  • Increased awareness of vulvar leiomyomas can reduce diagnostic errors.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should consider leiomyomas in the differential diagnosis of vulvar masses, particularly in patients with persistent lesions. Histopathological examination is essential for accurate diagnosis and to guide appropriate management.

Conclusion

Bartholin's gland leiomyomas are rare but important to recognize due to their potential for misdiagnosis. Accurate identification and management can lead to favorable patient outcomes.

Related Resources & Content

  1. British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS), BGCS Vulval Cancer Guidelines, 2023 -- Update on Recommendations for Practice
  2. NCBI Bookshelf, StatPearls -- Bartholin Gland Cyst
  3. Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust -- The Initial Management of Benign Vulval Disease
  4. Frontiers in Oncology — Navigating the Diagnostic Pitfalls of Cystic and Solid Breast Masses: A Comparative Case Report of Metaplastic Carcinoma and Benign Lesions
  5. Frontiers in Oncology — Parasitic leiomyoma of the small bowel mesentery mimicking a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report
  6. International Journal of Colorectal Disease — Management of a rare entity; a intramuscular caecal epidermoid cyst, in the robotic surgery era: a video case report
  7. Frontiers in Oncology — A rare and massive retroperitoneal leiomyoma: a case report
  8. Vulvar leiomyoma mimicking Bartholin's gland cyst: A case report
  9. Criteria for Risk Stratification of Vulvar and Vaginal Smooth Muscle Tumors
  10. British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) vulval cancer guidelines: An update on recommendations for practice 2023
  11. Bartholin Gland Cyst - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
  12. The Initial Management of Benign Vulval
  13. Unusual Vulvar, Perineal, and Uterine Leiomyomas: A Case Report - PMC
  14. Criteria for risk stratification of vulvar and vaginal smooth muscle tumors: a follow-up study with application to leiomyoma variants, smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential, and leiomyosarcomas - PubMed
  15. Word catheter and marsupialisation in women with a cyst or abscess of the Bartholin gland (WoMan‐trial): a randomised clinical trial - Kroese - 2017 - BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Wiley Online Library
  16. Marsupialization for the management of Bartholin's gland abscesses: A systematic review and meta‐analysis - Pecorella - International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics - Wiley Online Library
  17. Evaluation of treatments for Bartholin’s cyst or abscess: a systematic review - Illingworth - 2020 - BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Wiley Online Library

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