Reproductive Health - Bartholin Gland Masses Exam
1. What are the MC bartholin masses?: MC = cysts or abscesses
2. What is a common etiology of a vulvar mass?: Blockage of the Bartholin ducts
3. What is the function of the bartholin glands?: Also known as "Greater vestibular glands"
- secrete mucus to provide vaginal and vulvar lubrication
4. Where do the bartholin ducts open onto the vulvar vestibule?: Four and eight o'clock
positions on each side of the vaginal orifice, just below the hymenal ring
5. Where are the bartholin glands located?: - deep to the posterior aspects of the labia majora
6. What is a bartholin cyst caused by?: - Orifice of duct obstructed and mucus produced by gland
accumulates
- caused by local or diffuse vulvar edema
- STERILE
7. What is a Bartholin abscess caused by?: - Obstructed Bartholin duct can become infected and
form an abscess
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, 8. What are the 4 types of bartholin gland masses?: 1. Bartholin cyst
2. Bartholin abscess
3. Bartholin gland benign tumors
4. Bartholin gland cancer: rare type of vulvar carcinoma
9. What are RFs for a bartholin gland mass?: - previous bartholin cyst or abscess
10. What is the MC aerobic pathogen for bartholin masses?: MC aerobic pathogen = E.
coli
- may also include staphylococcal (MRSA) or streptococcal species
11. What are symptoms of a bartholin cyst?: - painLESS
- can be asymptomatic
- IF larger -> discomfort (sitting, sex, ambulating)
- possibly disfiguring
12. What are symptoms of a bartholin abscess?: - severe pain and swelling
- unable to walk, sit, or have sexual intercourse
13. Is palpation of the bartholin gland possible?: NO, except in very thin patients
14. What is the technique to attempt to palpate the bartholin gland?: - Holding the
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1. What are the MC bartholin masses?: MC = cysts or abscesses
2. What is a common etiology of a vulvar mass?: Blockage of the Bartholin ducts
3. What is the function of the bartholin glands?: Also known as "Greater vestibular glands"
- secrete mucus to provide vaginal and vulvar lubrication
4. Where do the bartholin ducts open onto the vulvar vestibule?: Four and eight o'clock
positions on each side of the vaginal orifice, just below the hymenal ring
5. Where are the bartholin glands located?: - deep to the posterior aspects of the labia majora
6. What is a bartholin cyst caused by?: - Orifice of duct obstructed and mucus produced by gland
accumulates
- caused by local or diffuse vulvar edema
- STERILE
7. What is a Bartholin abscess caused by?: - Obstructed Bartholin duct can become infected and
form an abscess
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, 8. What are the 4 types of bartholin gland masses?: 1. Bartholin cyst
2. Bartholin abscess
3. Bartholin gland benign tumors
4. Bartholin gland cancer: rare type of vulvar carcinoma
9. What are RFs for a bartholin gland mass?: - previous bartholin cyst or abscess
10. What is the MC aerobic pathogen for bartholin masses?: MC aerobic pathogen = E.
coli
- may also include staphylococcal (MRSA) or streptococcal species
11. What are symptoms of a bartholin cyst?: - painLESS
- can be asymptomatic
- IF larger -> discomfort (sitting, sex, ambulating)
- possibly disfiguring
12. What are symptoms of a bartholin abscess?: - severe pain and swelling
- unable to walk, sit, or have sexual intercourse
13. Is palpation of the bartholin gland possible?: NO, except in very thin patients
14. What is the technique to attempt to palpate the bartholin gland?: - Holding the
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