Multiple vaginal wall cysts: diagnosis and surgical management

Background Simple cysts of the female genital tract may become symptomatic and require surgical removal. Case A 20-year-old woman had complaints of a vaginal bulge, pelvic pressure, dyspareunia, and stress urinary incontinence. Two cystic masses were seen in the vagina. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed 2 additional larger cysts. Urodynamic evaluation was significant for stress incontinence at 200 mL and a Valsalva leak-point pressure of 51 cm H(2)0. The 2 smaller cysts were removed intact through a superficial incision. The larger cysts were intentionally ruptured and dissected out. Histologic examination revealed a low cuboidal or a ciliated columnar epithelium that stained positive with mucicarmine, consistent with mullerian origin. One year after surgical excision, the patient remained symptom free with no urinary incontinence and no recurrence of the cysts. Conclusion Magnetic resonance imaging was useful in delineating the course and anatomic arrangement of the vaginal cysts, but more importantly, identified another cyst that was not readily apparent at physical examination.