Paraclitoral Epidermal Cysts: A Literature Systematic Review

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Epidermal inclusion cysts are benign lesions with usually good prognosis. Clitoral epidermal cysts are very uncommon and can be spontaneous or caused by a prior surgical operation, usually female genital mutilation. Surgical removal of the cyst is the pr...

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Main Authors: Clarissa Costa, Marta Barba, Alice Cola, Matteo Frigerio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Medicina
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/520
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author Clarissa Costa
Marta Barba
Alice Cola
Matteo Frigerio
author_facet Clarissa Costa
Marta Barba
Alice Cola
Matteo Frigerio
author_sort Clarissa Costa
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Epidermal inclusion cysts are benign lesions with usually good prognosis. Clitoral epidermal cysts are very uncommon and can be spontaneous or caused by a prior surgical operation, usually female genital mutilation. Surgical removal of the cyst is the preferred treatment, and it is associated with excellent postoperative results. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: We present the medical history and surgical treatment of a 39-year-old woman with a symptomatic epidermal clitoral cyst. To discuss our case in the context of a synopsis of similar published cases, we conducted a systematic review of epidermal clitoral cysts to synthesize available knowledge on symptoms, diagnosis, etiology, and management about this rare condition. <i>Results</i>: A total of 46 studies, describing 162 patients, were identified. The presence of clitoral cysts should be suspected in patients complaining of vaginal bulging, sexual discomfort, and urinary symptoms. Clinical examination as well as other instrumental techniques represent a useful tool for diagnosis. The gold standard treatment is to perform surgical excision. Follow-up is needed to diagnose possible recurrences. <i>Conclusions</i>: We present the first systematic review focusing on epidermal clitoral cysts including both spontaneous and traumatic etiologies. It is important to include these lesions in the differential diagnosis of congenital clitoromegaly and clitoral mass, especially in the case of history of FGM, trauma, or surgery in the genital area.
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spelling doaj-art-cb7d178a7d114a21bf45a7d32793a1072025-08-20T02:42:22ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-03-0161352010.3390/medicina61030520Paraclitoral Epidermal Cysts: A Literature Systematic ReviewClarissa Costa0Marta Barba1Alice Cola2Matteo Frigerio3Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Monza, ItalyFondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, ItalyFondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, ItalyFondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Epidermal inclusion cysts are benign lesions with usually good prognosis. Clitoral epidermal cysts are very uncommon and can be spontaneous or caused by a prior surgical operation, usually female genital mutilation. Surgical removal of the cyst is the preferred treatment, and it is associated with excellent postoperative results. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: We present the medical history and surgical treatment of a 39-year-old woman with a symptomatic epidermal clitoral cyst. To discuss our case in the context of a synopsis of similar published cases, we conducted a systematic review of epidermal clitoral cysts to synthesize available knowledge on symptoms, diagnosis, etiology, and management about this rare condition. <i>Results</i>: A total of 46 studies, describing 162 patients, were identified. The presence of clitoral cysts should be suspected in patients complaining of vaginal bulging, sexual discomfort, and urinary symptoms. Clinical examination as well as other instrumental techniques represent a useful tool for diagnosis. The gold standard treatment is to perform surgical excision. Follow-up is needed to diagnose possible recurrences. <i>Conclusions</i>: We present the first systematic review focusing on epidermal clitoral cysts including both spontaneous and traumatic etiologies. It is important to include these lesions in the differential diagnosis of congenital clitoromegaly and clitoral mass, especially in the case of history of FGM, trauma, or surgery in the genital area.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/520clitoral cystepidermoid cystepidermal inclusion cystinclusion cystspontaneous cyst of clitoris
spellingShingle Clarissa Costa
Marta Barba
Alice Cola
Matteo Frigerio
Paraclitoral Epidermal Cysts: A Literature Systematic Review
Medicina
clitoral cyst
epidermoid cyst
epidermal inclusion cyst
inclusion cyst
spontaneous cyst of clitoris
title Paraclitoral Epidermal Cysts: A Literature Systematic Review
title_full Paraclitoral Epidermal Cysts: A Literature Systematic Review
title_fullStr Paraclitoral Epidermal Cysts: A Literature Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Paraclitoral Epidermal Cysts: A Literature Systematic Review
title_short Paraclitoral Epidermal Cysts: A Literature Systematic Review
title_sort paraclitoral epidermal cysts a literature systematic review
topic clitoral cyst
epidermoid cyst
epidermal inclusion cyst
inclusion cyst
spontaneous cyst of clitoris
url https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/520
work_keys_str_mv AT clarissacosta paraclitoralepidermalcystsaliteraturesystematicreview
AT martabarba paraclitoralepidermalcystsaliteraturesystematicreview
AT alicecola paraclitoralepidermalcystsaliteraturesystematicreview
AT matteofrigerio paraclitoralepidermalcystsaliteraturesystematicreview