Publication:

Gartner duct cyst masquerading as vaginal prolapse

The urogenital system in fetuses contains two types of ducts: Wolffian and Müllerian. The Wolffian ducts form fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper vagina in females. Sometimes, these ducts regress, forming the Gartner duct cyst. These cysts are asymptomatic and often associated with congenital ureteral and renal abnormalities. They can cause urinary flow obstruction and retention. Understanding these benign cystic vaginal lesions is crucial for examination and therapy. A 48-year-old patient with a history of prolapse was referred to our outpatient department for a vaginal cyst. Her symptoms began slowly and gradually escalated over the past two months. Upon examination, a large, tense cystic growth measuring 8×8 cm was noted. Ultrasonography showed a fibroid uterus. A vaginal cyst excision was performed, and the cyst was filled with chylous fluid. Cytology showed few lymphocytes and neutrophils, benign squamous epithelial cells, with no evidence of malignancy. Histopathological examination showed stratified squamous epithelium and cystic space without any lining epithelium. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 and followed up in the outpatient department after six months.